[May 20]

[mind_over_metal]

[The day after Julian wakes up from his coma, Charles is...






...well, he spent most of the day asleep. But he eventually wakes up and pulls himself together enough to head out to get a late lunch.]

Comments

[mind_over_metal]

She's a telekinetic, Erik.

[godwinner]

[ pulls his hand away to let the helmet hover between them ]

Which isn't sufficient reason not to use it if you need to.

[mind_over_metal]

*stares at the helmet like it might bite him, but doesn't back down from it. after a few moments, he finally reaches for it. he can't completely conceal the twitch in his expression as he fingers close around the edge -- it's like he doesn't even like touching it*

[godwinner]

[ watching him closely, somewhat amused, but this is in spite of the awareness of what it means to him, which tempers his voice ]

It's just a tool, Charles.

[mind_over_metal]

*looks for just a couple seconds longer before he takes a firm hold of it and sets it in his lap.*

Come back to the cabin with me.

[godwinner]

All right.

[mind_over_metal]

*TO THE CABIN MCAVOY*

[godwinner]

[ LET'S BOTH JUST BROOD SILENTLY ON THE WAY THERE, YES? ]

[mind_over_metal]

*SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN. HERE WE ARE, LET'S GO ON INSIDE.*

[godwinner]

[ waits for Charles to go in first before following, remaining silent after closing the door behind them ]

[mind_over_metal]

*and he waits until Erik has finished with the door.

then, he puts the helmet on.*

[godwinner]

...

[mind_over_metal]

*his face is tilted downward in concentration, so not easily viewable, but his shoulders jerk slightly*

[godwinner]

[ steps slightly closer ]

Charles?

[mind_over_metal]

*doesn't respond*

[godwinner]

[ puts a hand to his shoulder ]

[mind_over_metal]

*extremely tense under his hand, but still doesn't respond*

[godwinner]

[ --reaching to take off the helmet ]

[mind_over_metal]

*lets him.




then looks up at Erik with a considering expression, resting his chin on his hand.*

Hm.

[godwinner]

[ deliberately keeping himself from holding the helmet too tightly ]

What?

[mind_over_metal]

That was... interesting.

[godwinner]

I wasn't expecting it to be pleasant.

[mind_over_metal]

There has to be a way that I could get past it, though, if it's going to be a... something that I might use. It certainly wasn't for lack of trying that...

*he glances over to where Erik has, without his own knowledge, thrown the helmet quite hard underneath the couch*

...sorry about that.

[godwinner]

[ stares after it for a moment, cataloging the experience of Charles Xavier making one do what one had no intention of doing, and he can't quite hide the amusement when he looks back ]

Why don't you tell me how you really feel.

[mind_over_metal]

*simply, still looking at the helmet*

It felt like drowning.