sirenspull_logs | To eat...

Entry tags:

To eat...

Who:

scarlet_kitsch
When: May 19th, 2pm
Where: Unnamed restaurant, sector 5
Summary: The Scarlet Witch asked for information on Magneto. Wither is going to tell his part.
Warnings: Possibly swearing, possible angst. Definite emo boy.

[Kevin had come in earlier. He wanted to be sure to get a corner booth so he could see the restaurant in its entirety.

He'd given the name to the hostess, and she'd stared at him oddly but hadn't asked questions.

Sipping his chicory coffee, he just slumped into the corner, waiting for the woman to show up.

Hearing the hostess say 'Mimsy', he looked up, over the lip of his coffee cup. When she came close, he stood, because a gentleman always stands when a lady is present, until she sits.]

M'name's Kevin.

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[It has been several days since Wanda asked the network about Michael Xavier, needing to know everything about him but fearful of what she'd learn. She wasn't as worried now, having heard both good things and bad. More importantly, she'd had time to think about everything that had been said.

When Wanda arrived, she was paler than usual and wrapped up in a thick cardigan, despite the warmer weather. Unfortunately, whatever illness was going around had begun to sink its claws into her. She felt a little foolish asking for Mimsy, but the hostess didn't blink at the name, showing her right away to the back where a young man she didn't recognize was politely getting up to greet her.]

Hello, Kevin. I'm Wanda.

[Being sick, she doesn't offer her hand, instead gesturing to the booth.]

Shall we sit?

[Kevin waits for her to sit, then pulls his gloved hands out of his pockets. The gloves are black, not surgical. He wraps his hands around the coffee cup again.]

I... know who ya are, ma'am. Back home, I was a student of Charles Xavier.

[He doesn't admit to that often. However, he figures in this case that it's the proper thing to say.]

What would ya like t'know?

Oh, I see, another X-kid.

[Wanda smiles fondly. She was never an X-Man. However, the original group helped her and Pietro after they left the Brotherhood.]

Well, then you must know about my relationship with Erik, how it's not always been the best.

[Sighing, she settles back into the booth.]

When I first asked about Michael, I had only just found out his real identity. I was confused and upset. Understand, I'd been here over a month without knowing.

[She pauses to bend forward as she tries to repress a cough.]

It's been a few days now, and I've already talked to a lot of people. At this point, I've probably heard enough from others. What I'd really like is to talk to him... but that's not possible right now. I'd still appreciate anything you'd like to share. I haven't spoken to many people who knew him before here.

[Kevin blinks. She's giving way too much credit to his schooling. Sure, he knew Magneto had kids, but he'd never met them! And the Avengers hadn't, exactly, been guest lecturers at the school. Still, he lets her talk, picking up clues from what she's saying, and not saying.]

I didn't know him back home. Well, except what I learned in class. Leader of Genosha, one o' the oldest mutants, sometime friend, sometime enemy to the X-Men. He was the reason the Professor turned the school over to Mr. Summers and Ms. Frost.

[He sipped his coffee for a moment.]

I met him here. Shortly after I arrived. I cain't wear certain things, an' he gave me some stuff t'tide me over, 'til I could find my own stuff, an' get it all settled.

[He looks away for a moment.]

T'be honest, I weren't real nice t'him. I gave him nothin' but a cold shoulder an' a few terse words. He's offered me clothin', a place t'stay, an' back up when I got in over my head.

Oh? [winces] I really need to stop making assumptions, thinking things are the same-- Nevermind.

[She waves a hand, dismissing the thought. It's possibly not even a difference. While it always felt like everyone knew and gossiped about the twins' relationship to Magneto, that probably was more paranoia born of shame than truth.

The comment about the Institute's change of leadership is an interesting fact she does not comment on, same as his need for special vestments.]

I'm not surprised about that. He's been known to reach out to a mutant in need, even one who has previously slapped his helping hand away.

But something has changed, has it not? In your original text, you indicated a much closer relationship, one based on trust.

[Kevin sips his coffee and he's quiet for a moment.]

Like I said, I got in over my head. Way over. An accident happened, I was arrested an' I ended up workin' fer SERO. Found somethin' they didn't want the island t'know about an' went t'him fer help.

[Another pause as Kevin gathers the courage to continue.]

He could've left. He could've left me there t'bleed t'death. He could've gotten away, afore the Void took us both out. But he didn't. He stayed. He got hurt. He died. All fer a kid that wanted nothin' t'do with him. An' he trusted me t'find out the information he needed afore we went in. I didn't know he was Magneto 'til this whole mess with Crowley, but ya know what? He saved m'life. An' the life o' everyone on this whole stupid prison.

Yeah. I trust 'im.

[SERO?! Ah, yes, this is that Kevin.]

He died trying to protect you?!

[Did he really die or was that an exaggeration? Assuming Kevin might not know he survived, she doesn't challenge his assertion. After all, there is no question Erik was seriously hurt while protecting Kevin, an act whose importance isn't lessened because he survived.

I didn't know that was what had happened...

[Should she have known? Had Jubilee told her? She can't remember it all. There had been too much to process, some bits didn't stick.]

I can understand how his actions changed your mind.

[She falls silent, quietly considering the implications of his words, when something hits her.]

Wait, what did you say? He saved all of our lives?

[Yes, the 15yo sitting across from Wanda is that Kevin. And yes, he knows Magneto's still alive, but the general public doesn't, and he's not going to say anything until Magneto wants it know.]

Yes'm, he sure did.

[Just a soft definitive statement. Because that, in Kevin's mind, is the important part.

When she asks her final question, he looks away for a moment.]

I cain't, and won't, give ya all the details. Most ain't my story t'tell, an' t'be honest, I don't understand all of it. But it weren't human tissues for transplants or whatever the news done said. If'n it was, why'd they have it in a separate facility? Why away from the main labs? Why was security so heavy? Why didn't they admit t'havin' a separate facility until it was burned to ashes?

[Kevin is so glad it was, and it's obvious. Whatever was in that lab had spooked him something hard.]

I see. I think I get the gist. Thank you for sharing what you could.

[The look on his face tells her more than his words. She's sure he's not lying, that the destruction of the SERO facility has indeed been to the benefit of everyone on the island.]

And thank you for telling me about what 'Michael' did for you.

[She pauses to draw her cardigan tighter. The action is as much for warmth as for comfort.]

I've heard a lot of things about him from people here. Not all of them have been kind. But I believe--I know--he can be a good man, like he has been to you. That knowledge means everything to me.

[She blinks away tears, while rummaging through her purse to find a tissue for her runny nose.]

[Kevin wishes he could offer her a tissue, but they disintegrate in his hand. Instead, he just waits politely.]

Ma'am, whatever he done at home, the only mistake he made here was messin' with a vindicative demon.

[Though, is there any other kind?]

I've done worse than he done, and don't no one treat me like I've kicked puppies, stolen candy from babies or purposefully run over little ol' Church Ladies.

Seems wrong t'me, ma'am.

[Wanda nods, acknowledging Kevin's point. His polite use of the word "ma'am" brings a soft smile to her lips.]

I think it's the silence that really bothers people. More than one seemed offended he hasn't personally reached out them. That rankles more than the lack of a public rebuttal. It's seen as a weak admission of guilt. And I assume a public fall from grace must be extra hard to swallow from a man who had been very visible and admired in the newcomer community.

[Wanda had been one of those upset by his silence, but for different reasons, nothing to do with what happened to Crowley.]

But, apparently, he's not well and shouldn't be pressured into speaking out. [To anyone, even his 'daughter.'] I just wished he had sought help instead of lashing out.

[Why must it be so difficult for the men in her family to admit they have a problem?]

[Kevin snorts, but doesn't argue... much.]

What's he suppose t'say? I'm havin' a mental breakdown an' I killed someone, sorry? Seems t'me, that'd bring more trouble than it'd solve.

[Then he's quiet for a moment.]

An' ma'am, ya never know ya about t'break, til after ya do.

[It's something he knows oh so well.]

I know. I know. It's just, well, I guess I wish someone else could have seen the signs, if not him. I realize he's good at hiding his emotions. Maybe it's a lingering feeling of guilt, the idea I could have stopped him, helped him before it was too late.

[She knows she's rambling but really needs to get this all out.]

He was truly doing well here! It's like this horrible place offered him a chance for redemption.

[She waves a hand, her gaze going to a distant point on the wall.]

Obviously, it wasn't all good for him. And now... Now, it looks like he's either pulled away from those who truly care for him most or they've turned their backs on him. How is that a good thing?

[Where does Wanda stand in all of this? Does she even know? On one hand she wants to reach out and defend her father. On the other, she is horrified by Erik's actions, which give her terrible flashbacks of the cold man she knew years ago.]

I'm talking your ear off. I'm sorry. This whole situation has unsettled me.

Naw ma'am, I don't mind.

[He sits back and lets the waitress refill his coffee. When she's gone, he hunches forward again.]

I cain't answer all ya questions. I know he sees the angels different. S'why he prayed fer 'em when we were dyin'. Other'n that?

[He shrugs.]

You'll have t'ask him yerself. An' I know ya want to. I'll ask 'im, alrigh'?

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