| Destiny's Diaries: Parley | |||||
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| What: A formal parley between the leaders of the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants: Professor Xavier and Mystique. | |||||
"You know, most men can't do this. They don't have the sort of... sensitivity that it requires."
Sitting in front of a simple table, Gambit flips over a card. It's certainly not an unusual thing to see him do, as games of solitaire tend to be the way that he passes idle moments. Or at least that's how he passes idle moments when there aren't any women or bottles of liquor available.
But this isn't any ordinary game of solitaire. As he turns the card over, he looks at it with a slightly puzzled expression, his sinister black and red eyes becoming slits.
"Huh. The High Priestess. But your cross card is The Moon. That's not what I was expecting, Mystique. It's actually pretty unusual.""
The table has been set up next to a clearing that's just large enough to accomodate a vertically-landing aircraft. However, aside from Gambit and the woman whose future he's predicting, there are no people around. In fact, the area has been cordoned off by some of Magneto's remaining sentry robots.
"When taken together, it looks like your future is very much open to interpretation. I'm sorry, but I can't predict how this meeting will go. Not with the cards, anyway."
Most shun mysticism of any kind but not Raven who rather embraces such practices. Granted, she's not schooled enough to do anything note-worthy but she does know enough to not fear it, looking at a tool to be used instead of a horror to run away from.
While Remy gives her reading she sits there, watching as the cards are turned face-up, those strange eyes of hers narrowing more and more the longer it goes on, only to then close fully by the time it concludes. "I do not know what I was hoping for, but..." Eyes opening slightly, she peers at her companion, her hand sliding across the table to rest upon the nearest of his. "Thank you."
As if taken by a bout of nerves, Raven rises to her feet and moves a bit away from the table, her face held in a blank mask. "Is it time?"
Mystique's answer may come more directly than she expected, as the Blackbird breaks through the clouds above, and orients itself over the cleared field. It slowly lowers to the ground, and the door soon opens to reveal the other member of this proposed discussion. Professor Charles Xavier, dressed respectably as always, rolls down the extended ramp, nodding to the two by the table with a friendly smile despite their many ups and downs in the past.
Predictably, the cards arranged on the table are blown all over the place when the Blackbird vertically lands a few dozen meters from the table. However, Gambit makes no real effort to keep them from flying away. It's technically littering, but it's also technically Professor Xavier's fault.
"Man, we really gotta get us one of those jets. I don't think we're gonna get taken seriously as long as we keep taking Delta Airlines..." Gambit stands up as the jet lands, fiddling with the buttons on his long duster coat.
As the Professor begins descending the ramp, Gambit leaves his place in order to meet him halfway. He doesn't seem to need help, but Gambit is there to assist anyway.
Afternoon, Perfessor. We're real glad you were able to make it. So glad, we even got us some fancy tea and scones and shit."
With a slight (and unnecessary) flourish, he gesticulates in the direction of the simple table. There's not much on the table, but the covered trays are indication that there are definitely food items. Or, at the very least, fancy tea and scones and shit.
The arrival of the Blackbird and The Professsor is met with a bit of trepidition, a wariness that lasts for as long s it takes for Charles to approach where they are and for her to realize there is no one else here to ambush them. "Hello, Charles. How are you? And my da..." Blinking, Raven looks down and away, her expression hurt. "How is Marie?" Her mind is unable to be read but it won't take an empath to know something has cut deep into her, stinging something awful. "I hope the others are well."
The tea is looked at and then she goes to pour, playing up the role of hostess without going as far as to delve too deeply into 'Merry Homemaker' territory. "I do thank you for coming to see us. I did not expect you to agree to meet with us." Especially here, well outside of what is considered the home of the X-Men. "I won't lie. I half expected an attack." A sad smile accompanies that. "Do make yourself at home while you are here."
Charles Xavier chuckles at Gambit's comments, and says, "Good afternoon, Remy. And how very thoughtful. I find that discussions are always smoother with the addition of a little food and drink." The ramp is not so steep that the Professor seems to be having trouble with it, and he makes his way to an open side of the table.
Charles nods to Mystique in turn, seeming well at ease despite how far from his home territory he is. "Good afternoon to you as well, Raven. I'm doing quite alright.." he doesn't fail to miss her false start on the subject of Rogue, though he makes no reference to it, only replying kindly, "She's settling in, and doing well, I think. .. In truth, I'm encouraged by your extending an olive branch over a matter of such import. I admit, a similar thought had crossed my mind, but if we can, in fact, have this discussion peacefully, I would like nothing better."
Whether or not Gambit is happy that everyone is getting along is impossible to tell. His emotions are as inscrutable as they always are, but his manner is friendly enough. He pulls up a chair as the remaining cards blow around his feet and lazily scatter in random directions.
"Settling in... I guess that means she isn't, you know, dating anyone. I mean, not that I care or anything, obviously. I've got way more important things to think about and oh Mon Dieu you've got to try these blueberry scones. Way better than the plain ones."
Gambit awkwardly shoves nearly an entire scone in his mouth as he makes a far more abrupt subject change than one would expect from a master con artist. Of course, this means he has to quickly pour himself some tea in order to prevent himself from choking.
He'll be busy for a minute...
The first thing Mysti does is glare at Remy for that, the hurt she might feel covered up with the surge of anger that draws her face tight. But when she speaks it is to Charles as there's too much to cover and very little time. "To get down to brass tacks, as the humans like to say, we are on the hunt for the diaries Destiny wrote. We are soon to be faced down by a grave time, Charles. An apocalypse is upon us and I can not hunt down all the diaries myself."
Charles Xavier smiles faintly at the implication that Mystique didn't learn to speak from humans as most of their kind did, but. He's not here to debate her prejudices, or the erroneous ways she perpetuates them. There are more pressing concerns for the moment. His expression is serious again when he nods.. "If I may ask; how was it that you of all people only came to know about these diaries now, Raven? And why exactly is their recovery now of such dire import as to raise words like apocalypse?"
"Because Destiny's a bitch."
Having washed the scone down with a few mouthfuls of tea, Gambit's windpipe is free from obstructions, which allows him to voice opinions that those at the table would probably rather not hear. He looks a bit sheepish after his outburst, but it's too late to retract the statement now.
I mean, WAS a bitch. That's really the only explanation I can come up with. What kind of sociopath writes down all the information we need to prevent the Apocalypse, and then splits it up in multiple books and makes us play a giant scavenger hunt to find 'em all? I'm sorry Mystique, I know that's your girl I'm talking about and everything, but the more I learn about her.... you know what? That's not important."
Yes, Gambit has some semi-legitimate reasons for not being the biggest fan of Destiny right now, but he keeps most of those reasons to himself.
"The main point is, the X-Men are just way better equipped for this sort of thing than we are."
"I... Charles, I am sure this all sounds crazy and... I wish it was just a case of that. Some form of inanity or something." Shaking her head, Raven looks at Charles and then at Remy, her nose slightly wrinkled. "Destiny felt the need to hide these journals to keep them safe so there has to be something to them. And we need to act even if nothing comes out of it." Asking for help. That is not her strong suit. Remy better help her out here. And as for Remy's apology? Falls flat but she lets it rest for now.
Neither of those present may be the most susceptible to telepathic scan, and while Charles is the rare sort of specialist who could perhaps break through such defenses, it's not the sort of stunt to be pulling at a neutral talk. Even if it wouldn't be likely to be noticed. He is however sensitive to what emotions may eke through the static, the barriers, to inform him if the other two are acting in good faith... In all honesty, he finds it peculiar that Destiny would do such a thing as well. What possible benefit could there be in scattering such purportedly vital information? The more obvious explanation is that it is something less completely beneficial, and it's a ploy to make use of the X-men resources Gambit just mentioned. Though Charles is willing to consider the possibility Destiny foresaw some reason this 'scavenger hunt' might be necessary.. might lead to a better outcome. At any rate, while he's not working to actively read either of their thoughts, he's not above trying to make sure they're all being honest.
"Destiny always saw the world in her own way.. she may have had good reason at that." Charles answers Mystique, "But whatever her reasons were are secondary for the moment. Raven.. I'd like you to tell me why this is coming to a head now? How much do you know about this danger, and how do you know the diaries relate to it?"
He's not actually the one that the Professor asked, so Gambit keeps his trap shut. However, his expression speaks multiple volumes. Clearly, he's got his doubts about the Diaries as well. But his expression isn't the only thing that speaks volumes right now.
Gambit's thoughts have always been slippery, but suddenly all of the mental defenses he has in place come tumbling down. There's only one possible explanation: He wants his thoughts to be read.
Amid all of the childhood memories, bar fights, criminal activities, and sexual escapades, there are more recent memories relating more specifically to the Diary in Mystique's possession. And while he's never been allowed to read the entire thing, the pages he has been able to look at are still permanently seared to his brain. Add to that the information he's been able to glean from conversations with Mystique, and Remy has the majority of the first Diary locked away in his mind. All of that information is now available for Charles to peruse at his will. As long as he doesn't mind looking for it amongst all of Gambit's other thoughts, most of which are disgusting.
Charles spares a glance to Remy, surprised when his light brush of the man's thoughts reveals him all but doing the mental equivalent of climbing on the roof and shouting out what's on his mind. Thankfully, growing up a telepath with no one to instruct him has left Charles fairly resilient to shocking thoughts, and there's little other reaction in his expression as he takes in the information about the diary, and whatever rides along with it.
<<Remy?>> he thinks at the card shark, apparently feeling honorbound to make his presence officially known, despite the sudden absence of mental static seeming like little else than a door thrown open. <<Is there a reason you feel this can't be relayed aloud..?>> curious as much as anything.
While silence prevails Raven busies herself for now, pouring herself tea and preparing a scone. It is only once she has done that that she takes her seat again does she speaks. "I would not have bothered to ask for your aid if I didn't think it was important, Charles," is pointed out before she takes a first bite of the pastry which has been heavily buttered and smeared with both clotted cream and jam. Must be a little bite of heaven as she 'hmmm's softly and hurry to take a second bite.
After the bite is finished she looks at Charles, her tone now grave. "I had come across the first volume and read it. I decided that it was something that needed to be acted upon because..." Pursing her head shakes. "When you read words like 'apocalypse' and phrases like 'the end' it does not speak of picnics and fairy tales."
"No.. no it does not." Charles agrees gravely. "Then you came upon the first book by happenstance, and it's contents say the only thing that can divert this.. unspecified disaster is to collect the other volumes?"
Charles Xavier does finally pour some tea for himself while he says this, now that he at least has the basics of the situation, adding cream and a fair bit of sugar.
<<And I saw there a tree with two branches. The one branch was heavy with fruit, yet the other branch was barren. And The First One said unto me...>>
<<He takes the thunder from the mountain. He takes the lightning from the sky. He brings a strong man to his begging knee...>>
<<Be not deceived, for the time is at hand. All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again...>>
<<And the children will be devoured. But the Son shall slay the Father...>>
<<It is the curse of The Witness to forever watch without ever seeing...>>
<<Beware! The power that The Vessel holds is not for mortal man...>>
The passages from the first volume of Destiny's Diaries is full of vague statements that are obviously intended to be more confusing than helpful. But one thing at least is clear: Destiny felt the Apocalypse would come within a generation of her death, and some of the signs she predicted have already come to pass.
<<Are you kidding? Don't get distracted by her Baby Blues... Mystique can do things with a razor blade that'd give Clive Barker nightmares. This'll be the last time I can pass on any info directly like this, so you'd better make the best of it.>>
While he's telepathically spilling his guts, Gambit looks pretty composed, aside from drumming his fingers against the table in a slightly distracted fashion.
And there's poor Mystique, not realizing what's happening. Glancing at Remy, she takes his behavior as a sign that he is bored, not being drawn into a different kind of conversation, his seeming plight getting her to pat him fondly on the arm. "There, there. I will make it up to you, my dear." Turning to face their guest again, Raven smiles. "I am sure you'll understand if I can't let the diaries out of my hand but I will have someone transcribe them and get them sent to you," not knowing Remy's already taken care of that, the sneaky bastard.
Charles replies calmly while he sips his tea, <<And yet she agreed to this meeting in a spirit of cooperation.>> Charles wonders weather Remy was shown these pages, or weather he snuck his looks at the Diary. As if to test the theory, he says, "Understandable. Though I believe I could save you the trouble; I could transcribe it myself, since I'll be needing to study it in any case to be fully up to date, and perhaps we could discuss the contents."
As swiftly as they dropped, Gambit's mental defenses are back up, leaving little else for anyone to read other than what sounds like a bunch of static. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, as if he's been sitting there much longer than he actually has.
"That sounds... just... extremely boring. You'll have to forgive me if I don't leap at the chance to sit around and play solitaire while you two big brains do research, but I've got a poker game to get to, and I promised I'd bring the beer."
Slowly, Gambit stands to his feet, and extends his hand toward the Professor.
"It's been a pleasure, sir. If you need anything while you're here, don't hesitate to give me a shout out. I'm pretty sure Mystique'll take good care of you though."