[CONTINUATIONS]

[mind_over_metal]

[what it says on the tin]

Comments

[mind_over_metal]

*that's all very lovely but of little surprise, and he's not in here for feelings. instead, he begins tracing memory pathways, searching out anything connected to her powers.*

[finalities]

[That is yielding more success. Going backwards, from her power's sudden growth to the unusually long period of her powers lying dormant and weak...

Then, much deeper in, in a part of the mind where even Jean barely remembers is her childhood - The first time she met Charles and Erik as a child (how unusually strong her powers were even then) to the first time her powers manifested as a child while her friend Annie lay dying. It's here that Charles will encounter the various mental blocks that's been placed in her mind. Many are gone now, releasing some of her power, but they are still clearly holding something in place.]

[mind_over_metal]

*pauses there to examine the blocks more carefully*

[finalities]

[They should ping as familiar, too familiar, in fact. And they're holding back bits and pieces of her raw power... and another presence. A very, very, powerful force, in fact.

Suddenly, there is a screech from behind(?) Charles. It sounds like a Phoenix]

[mind_over_metal]

*flinches both mentally and physically but doesn't retreat, not yet, flinging his mental awareness in the direction of the sound to try to decipher its source*

[finalities]

[It seems to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. Though it doesn't take long before something manifests. A force is leaking through the blocks, taking shape.]

Hello, Charles.

[mind_over_metal]

*the feeling -- so familiar and yet not -- it's eerie and a bit disorienting*

Hello, Phoenix.

[finalities]

Came to sight see?

[mind_over_metal]

I came to meet you.

[finalities]

[smiling] I will kill you.

[mind_over_metal]

*a moment's pause but he quickly collects himself, continuing to try to get as good of a sense as he can of this... entity*

That's certainly not outside of the realm of possibility. But I would like to ask: for whom would you be killing?

[finalities]

[It's ethereal. It doesn't feel like anything human at all. It's everything and nothing... and more importantly, it's powerful]

For myself.

[mind_over_metal]

And who are you to Jean?

[finalities]

A host. I am she. And she is me. My powers are hers and hers mine.

[mind_over_metal]

She fears you.

[finalities]

[intense pressure, pushing back against him]

Because 'you' locked me away.

[mind_over_metal]

*slowly pulling back, acknowledging the push but not ready to leave yet*

I'm quite sure that there were reasons for doing so.

[finalities]

[A killing intent is slowly mixed in with the pressure, creeping in on his presence]

'You' fear me.

[mind_over_metal]

*continuing his slow retreat, remaining somewhat impressively steady*

Do you have any aim beyond revenge?

[finalities]

Revenge is petty. [and now. Flames.] I(We) intend to cleanse the world.

[mind_over_metal]

*stops his retreat to demand an answer to this question*

Cleanse it of what?

[finalities]

Everything.

[The flames swarm in, pushing him out]

[mind_over_metal]

*is forced out and physically flung back into his chair, a hand reflexively flying to his head at the pain, his eyes screwed shut, his breathing fast and heavy*

[finalities]

Professor!

[immediately getting up to check on him, brushing his hair aside to feel his forehead]

[mind_over_metal]

*his skin is oddly hot to the touch -- though it seems to be normalizing very quickly, so maybe it was just an result of the effort. he opens his eyes with a slight wince, but quickly starts to steady*

I'm fine, don't worry.