Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
Wednesday 28th.. Morning
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Was it a good idea ? Michael sighed as he made his way along the corridor towards the Enright apartment. To be honest he didn’t know. All he did know was that it certainly wasn’t a good idea to go on like this, not exactly avoiding Connor but not putting himself in his way either. It was awkward, even if he was the only one of the two that realised it. And above all it was unnecessary.
Well at least it was now. Now that he had got the all clear from Mr Enright to come and visit. Much as Michael had wanted to welcome Connor back to the school he had known that doing so might well have brought up issues that the young amnesiac wasn’t ready to handle just yet. And, if he was entirely honest, there were even a few that he himself might not have been entirely ready to face.
At least being around Madison, the few times that his company had been accepted that was, had helped him overcome his more obvious adverse reaction to claws of the Wolverine variety. And, consciously at least, he had never held Connor’s attack on him to be anything other than the result of the effect, intentional or otherwise, of Amlarie’s intervention. So it was, he told himself once again, more than time for him to take this next step and pay Connor a visit. Though what exactly he was going to say wasn’t immediately clear.
Oh sure, he had rehearsed a few possible openings but none of them had sounded right when he had tried them out in his head. After all he couldn’t very well announce himself as a friend, they hadn’t known each other long enough for that to be true. But he didn’t feel like just an acquaintance either.
What they had gone through together had been intense to say the least, and if it had almost ended with Connor taking his life Michael couldn’t forget that if Connor hadn’t been there earlier he wouldn’t have had a life left to take. And when Connor did get his memory back the young Scot wanted to be sure he realised that as far as Michael was concerned that was what mattered. That he had been there when it counted, not what he had done when his senses were befuddled by some spell.
It was after all important to talk about the things that mattered, even if it wasn’t always easy! May had reminded him forcibly of that fact the previous evening. The astral mutant shuddered slightly as he recalled the madness he had seen reflected in her eyes but he forced himself to remember instead the fact that she had overcome it. And that in doing so she had revealed her own loneliness and isolation.
Of course Connor wasn’t like May. He had a family here to care for him but still…. to have lost, not the reality of his life certainly, but the memories of that reality. Wouldn’t that make you feel alone?
At the moment all Michael had of his family were memories and without the support of the friends he had made here at Xavier’s that could well have become insupportable. But the fact was that he did have friends, teammates, an infrastructure he could cling to when things got bad. And if he had failed to recognise that May needed be shown that she too had others she could turn to when life got to be too much, at least until her dark half had made it all to painfully obvious, he was damned if he was going to let the same thing happen with Connor.
So ultimately that was what propelled him towards the door of Wolverine’s apartment, his crutches clicking determinedly on the wooden floor as he reached it and balanced the right one carefully under his arm freeing a hand to knock. A desire to let Connor know that he was there if he was needed, just as Connor had been for him. Now all he had to do was find the words that would let him express this without seeming like a weirdo. And preferably in the next couple of minutes because the door was opening and like it or not, he was now centre stage.
“Hey.. Connor “ he said, his accent sounding even more out of place than usual to his ears. “You won’t remember me I know but…..anyway I’m Michael” Slick.. very slick.He should leave right now before he embarrassed himself any further but instead he forced himself to go on despite the blush he felt rising to his cheeks
“We met just before you….. disappeared.. I don’t know if anyones said anything about that but….. in any case…… well… I didn’t want to barge in right off …. Thought I’d give you some time to get settled again. But now I asked if you were up to having visitors and you’re dad said yes so… I thought Id come and see how you were doing. If that’s all right with you that is.. ”
The morning had been fun, who thought any teen could get so much done before most of the other students even stirred! Madison had stalked out of her bedroom and around the kitchen before heading off, leaving Connor on his own for the last ten or twenty minutes. Images of his time with Racheal earlier flashes contently in his mind… would they do that again maybe? Connor could always ask… but then what if she felt pressured to say yes? A cold spoon stirred the cereal in the white bowl held in the feral’s hands, scooping up the fruit and flakes with the milk and placing the entirety into his mouth. Training was fun… a little intimidating, but fun. At least with Racheal it had been, laid back and easy, full of challenges and humour. A strange tapping in the halls went ignored as Connor sat happily sunk into one of he comfortable couches, a very soft volume of music playing in the background. It was one of the few irritations he found with having enhanced senses, no more loud music blaring, even if it was in his head in some regards, since for Connor the soft tunes could be heard just as loud or clear as when he had used to have the volume up loader… It somehow lacked the feel, the appeal, knowing you had the music on and everyone else was to suffer the tunes of your choice. Though the radio was currently playing a song called ‘If you’re gonna leave’ by Emerson Hart, and it helped dim Connor’s mood slightly as he sang out. A knock being all that broke the risk of drifting into thoughts that would just upset the feral more, causing bright blue eyes to turn and gaze towards the door.
Logan wouldn’t knock… Chris did sometimes but Chris was asleep still, and Madison? She’d break the door down sooner then knock on it. The song changed to one introduced as ‘Hero’, by some strangely named guy called Chad Kroeger and some other guy. Another mouthful was taken before the plate was dropped carefully to the table, a slender form moving towards the door, a white towel about Connor’s bare shoulders and draped over his chest, hair spiked from the previous towel dry. "Coming." Logan’s son announced a few meters from the door, petting down the front of his grey jeans to smoothen out the material, which had crunched up while he had lazed on the couch. Who could it be? Torrie maybe? Racheal perhaps? Arisa maybe? Though his kid sister wasn’t around the main apartment much Connor did admit she’d probably not be inclined to knock, this was her home regardless of her frequency within it.
The first thing to be noticed as Connor pulled open the door was the rather obvious crutches standing out, manners pulling the feral’s gaze up to the face of the youth that stood before him. Likely Connor had seen the guy about… there was a familiarity about him, and considering they had crossed paths at a distance of each other that wasn’t surprising that Connor couldn’t quite place the others face.
"Hey.. Connor" a Scottish accent came out all the more alien as they landed on Connor’s ears, not that it was a bad thing, and the surprise of the accent faded as Michael continued to talk, but remained a curious distraction regardless. "You won’t remember me I know but…..anyway I’m Michael" The relatively dry towel that acted like a cloak of sorts was lightly clutched together at the front by Connor’s hand, "We met just before you….. disappeared.. I don’t know if anyones said anything about that but….. in any case…… well… I didn’t want to barge in right off …. Thought I’d give you some time to get settled again. But now I asked if you were up to having visitors and you’re dad said yes so… I thought Id come and see how you were doing. If that’s all right with you that is.." Just met before he disappeared? That seemed give make it all so much easier in the back of Connor’s mind, after all, interactions with Chris and Racheal had been simple since they had nothing to expect or want from Connor other then what he had to give, memories or no memories. Whereas most others had this look of need that he remember them, or they did everything possible to hide that need, at times much like his family was doing.
"Sure, come in." Connor stepped back, motioning for Michael to enter the apartment and holding the door just that much more open so he could navigate through without any bother of avoiding with Connor himself or the half opened door. "I’ll just be a sec," A thumb pointed over his shoulder and towards one of the bed rooms, leaving Connor to move off quickly and grab the neatly laid out t-shirt on his bed. Black socks cushioned his feet as Connor walked, grabbing up one of the shirts Arisa had given him the year before, and had recently made note of telling him the importance of the item, having been her gift to him on his last birthday. The top was carefully grabbed up and slipped on while he remerged from the bedroom, tugging it down and smoothing out the fabric vigilantly. The image of wolf eyes on the front with ‘Beware the wild side’ written across in red italic, though small enough that unless you were in front of Connor it’d be difficult to read clearly.
"Sorry, I did some training earlier with a friend so came to freshen up and grab a bite, want a drink or anything?"Friend? Could Racheal be so easily classed as that after only so few meetings as they’d had? Connor seemed to think she deserved it after what she had done for him, after all, friends were supposed to be there for you in your time of need and all that, and she was, and so why couldn’t she be a friend? Albeit a new one… yeah, she was, an inward nod of agreement was given as this was decided in his swirl of thoughts.
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
He had realised as soon as Connor answered the door that he hadn’t come at the best of times, though he supposed it was better than having turned up when Connor was actually in the shower. But all the same. ......
Not that Connor seemed phased by his lack of a top. And after all why should he have been? It wasn’t like he had anything to hide. No scars. No skinny torso. Michael on the other hand would have been rolled up in embarrassment if anyone had walked in on him when he was dressed like that. Once again the astral mutant gave thanks for the private showers in the new dorms. The few days he had struggled around with the public ones when he had first arrived had been one humiliation after another. Or at least that was how it had felt at the time.
In any case his impromptu arrival seemed not to bother Connor too much which was in itself a relief. "Sure, come in." he said readily holding open the door for Michael to enter, before heading over to what was presumably his room adding "I’ll just be a sec,"
It was , now that Michael thought about it maybe a little early for a visit. He should have thought of that before. It was just that he had been putting this meeting off, finding some excuse or another to delay. So when he found himself all too awake for his liking on a Sunday morning, it had seemed as if, since sleep stubbornly eluded him, as it had from the early hours when he had awoken with his mind full of what had gone down with May, he should put the time to good use And what better use could there be than this?
Connor soon supplied him with an answer. Coming back through to the lounge , dressed now in a fresh teeshirt he announced "Sorry, I did some training earlier with a friend so came to freshen up and grab a bite,”.. want a drink or anything Okk…. So maybe this wasn’t early for Connor after all. And he had certainly spent his early morning constructively. *Training ehh* Michael thought with a wry smile. And here he was thinking he had done well just propelling himself out of bed and this far down the corridor! Ah well. Each at his own pace! And it was certain that his was a good bit slower than Connor’s.
Still…. training with a friend Connor had said. That was good to hear. Maybe things were slotting back into place for the younger Enright despite his lost memories.”Oh” Michael said suddenly realising that he had left the other youth without an answer to his question. “Never been known to refuse an orange juice, if you have one that is” he replied “ Sooo early morning training. Gym or danger room? Oh yes” he went on with a grin “ I know all about that. Even survived a few sessions with Madison down there. On her side that is. I’m not completely suicidal.”
“Despite appearances”Michael waved a hand vaguely in the direction of his crutches’ I’m on a team . Green Rescue Squad to be exact. Though I don’t know if I'd be there if it wasn’t for you. You recommended me. he told Connor with genuine gratitude in his voice. “I never got the chance to thank you before what with everything that happened. So….... thanks! It really means a lot to me . And I'll make very sure you never regret having done it.
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
At the request for Orange juice Connor had turned around and moved towards the fridge, listening as the other continued talking. So I knew him from before, Obvious really, Michael knew his face and name and no stranger would up to him as this student had done, for a moment Connor was glade he could shield himself from view with the door of the fridge. It gave the feral a chance to recollect himself, to gather strength and comfort that he didn’t realize he needed till it seemed he was clawing for them. Would Michael ask if he remembered anything yet? Would he stare at him expectantly or make random comments that were supposed to mean something to Connor that, without the memories to tell him their meaning, meant nothing. Strong Connor may be… but strong enough to see another look that shadowed the face of people hoping he remembered more then they realized he knew… guilt and anger, annoyance and grief, they flashed and sparked and wore Connor down more then any training could hope to do. Once Michael had finished, Connor got the impression that perhaps they hadn’t known each other that well after all, a strange mixture of relief and disappointment crept into him, while Connor may have known people, it seemed he hadn’t been close to many.
"Sooo early morning training. Gym or danger room? Oh yes" It had been Madison who had shown Connor the wonders of the Danger room, it tingled his flesh when he walked in there, as if tension he never knew he had somehow felt at ease, leaked into the room and left a sense of eager calm. A fierce calm, somehow it felt right down there, and despite that, it gave Connor Goosebumps, the strange crawling kind, Madison was only honest, but the things she said he put himself through in there seemed… horrific. And while Connor was interested in the danger room, he felt it drew a side of him that the feral wasn’t ready to see yet, and the Gym… well that showed a side of him that Connor definitely wasn’t ready for others to see. Mutant students or not, Connor still wasn’t ready to immerse himself in the wonders of his mutant abilities, aside from the anger pitted inside of him from Sarah’s comment… Madison had also warned that some students got annoyed when the Enright’s skilfully took hold of their powers and used it against them. It was hard enough knowing someone he thought had cared about him hated him now for the resurface of these powers that were a part of Connor, the feral wasn’t ready to fight those inside these walls as well, even if the upset was over pride instead of fear.
"I know all about that. Even survived a few sessions with Madison down there. On her side that is. I’m not completely suicidal." A simple smile showed, mixed between amusement and sympathy, Madison could be a very difficult person, even if she seemed to be getting on well with you a moment later she could vanish as if you’ve offended her. It was difficult, Connor needed his family, and while his father made every effort possible it seemed, his sisters were torn between a thousand other things that took their attention away from him. It was selfish, and Connor was shamed by the need, but he wanted them, so badly he just wanted his sisters here for him, here and peaceful and supportive, but it seemed a dream… Arisa had a countless other problems weighing down on her shoulders and Madison… Connor couldn’t even find a fitting excuse for her lack of presence. The only one there with a constant presence, the only one that seemed to have no other responsibly save for checking on Connor seemed to be Chris, and while Chris’s company was cherished, Madison grew only more distant whenever she walked in on Chris and Connor talking.
"Despite appearances" Flaming blue eyes grazed lightly across Chris’ door, wondering if the boy would wake soon from the sleep that had seemed rather restless during the night, and then over towards Michael, who was briefly motioning towards the crutches he had hobbled in with, "I’m on a team . Green Rescue Squad to be exact. Though I don’t know if I'd be there if it wasn’t for you. You recommended me. " A moment was given to study Michael, the legs meant nothing, Connor’s ability to screen over the x-gene was back for days now and this morning had helped him put more focus in it, the feral could see the power that enabled a youth with crippled legs to still stand with the best of them in a fight. "I never got the chance to thank you before what with everything that happened. So….... thanks! It really means a lot to me . And I'll make very sure you never regret having done it." Praise! It always seemed strange, a twisted blend of pride and humility swirled in the pit of Connor’s stomach, the enjoyment of being praised was sweet, but the feel of pleasure in the fact he was praised made him feel somehow ashamed. If Connor could do something well, his father could likely do it better, if Connor could fight hard and long, his sister most likely could match him too. And if Connor discovered Michael’s talents, then likely someone else could have discovered them too… he was proud he was being told he did good… and guilty because it was possible for someone else to do it too, by chance, it had been Connor, by chance alone. The world’s full of chances… not everyone takes them though, I can cling to that, if nothing else, he thought modestly, eyes still studying Michael’s face in thought.
"I vouched for you?" Came the curious reply, it was easy to wonder about it, to be curious as to what had driven Connor to pick Michael, what had they shared or what had Connor seen to win that trust? Or was he merely impressed by the power… somehow Connor thought not, he was sure it was something more… "Well if you can team up with Madison, I guess that’s a small miracle in itself," The pulp free liquid swirled in the glasses Connor placed on the bench as he poured the drink, something within his tone perhaps even betraying a tension between the siblings, "You didn’t need to worry so much about thanking me though," With glasses in hand, Connor was moving with smooth strides towards Michael, "I get the feeling I’m really not the kind of guy to bend to sympathy," Perhaps it was too bold and blunt, for it was obvious he was referring to the visible handicap that was impossible to ignore (if it was serious and the legs forever stiff or not, Connor admittedly wasn’t sure, but he leaned sadly towards the thought due to Michael’s earlier comments and their stiffness), the cool drink was held out for Michael "So I’m sure you more then earned your place, and kept it on your own accord considering you’re still here," Connor pulled back to his seat, sinking in and looking for the briefest of moments suddenly very tired, before a solemn sip of his drink seemed to wash it all away and leave the blue-eyed feral looking slightly more fresher. "Are you good friends with Madison?" There was something about the subdued air of curiosity that was smothered in a casualness which gave the question a feel of prying, but could Connor be blamed if he was interested in the guys who hanged around his younger sisters? For the moment, the other questions that had flitted from Michael were unintentionally ignored as focus fell on something that, at this point anyway, seemed slightly more important.
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
He had launched the idea of their relationship into what was no doubt the void of Connor’s memories But it had still struck, if not a chord of remembrance then at least some small spark of interest. "I vouched for you?" his friend.. his acquaintance… his killer. his saviour asked in obvious confusion. … "Well if you can team up with Madison, I guess that’s a small miracle in itself,"
Michael grinned in response, sensing some common ground, even if it was only a mutual acquaintance with Madison’s less than social character. Orange juice was there though, offering some palpable frontier that they could both breach in security. "You didn’t need to worry so much about thanking me though, "Connor said lightly enough, offering Michael a glass. " I get the feeling I’m really not the kind of guy to bend to sympathy "
The words were offered without any touch of pity, but yet they, as every word Michael ever heard since his accident, still carried the inevitable recognition of his disability. Even if the young feral seemed to dismiss it as unimportant. As far as him being in a team was concerned that was. "So I’m sure you more then earned your place,” he went on casually “and kept it on your own accord, considering you’re still here," Michael raised his glass slightly in a mock salute , the wry smile on his face saying he hoped Connor was right Being on green strike meant a lot to him but he didn’t want to be there if he couldn’t pull his weight. Though, he thought with a sigh, during the mission on training island it had been May who pulled his weight.. literally.
Connors question broke through this rather depressing reflection bringing Michael back to the present with a start. "Are you good friends with Madison?" he asked, suddenly changing the subject. The young Scot choked on his drink, coughing a little as the juice went down the wrong way. “Sorry” he spluttered you just took me by surprise. “Madison and me.. good friends.. emm… well that would be nice” he admitted frankly” but to be honest I’m not sure I’m even a faint blip on her radar. Well..” Michaels smile widened “ maybe I’m a small and rather annoying one”
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
It was amusing in a way, though Connor felt bad, Madison was obviously a delicate subject, it seemed to catch the other off guard and last thing the feral wanted was a student choking to death on his father’s floor… somehow not the first impression Connor was longing for. "Sorry" Came an apology after the youth had a chance to recover, and Connor merely offered a faint curve of his lips, his eyes piercing as he looked thoughtfully over the student. It wasn’t that he intended to stare at the obvious handicap, and by the manner in which Connor’s eyes skirted over the entire body would make that clear should Michael happen to catch any of the quick glances. It wasn’t just what was on the surface, but inside that counted too, and as Michael continued on, there was an undeniable honesty about it that allowed the curves to remain poised on Connor’s lips. "you just took me by surprise. Madison and me.. good friends.. emm… well that would be nice" She was a good kid, troubled, like all of them it seemed, there was a moment of sympathy given towards his father. How would it be to live with three seemingly dysfunctional children? Mutant children, Connor and Madison could blow away half the school each and Arisa could finish off anyone who managed to escape the rubble. With that thought, swift and intangible as it was, there was a brief realization of how important their principles were, how commendable it was that Logan, and their mother, had managed to instil a good sense of right and wrong on them… even if the girls had straggled the line occasionally. But that was to be expected one would assume when your father was Wolverine.
"but to be honest I’m not sure I’m even a faint blip on her radar. Well.." Connor’s head rolled gently to the side as he lifted the glass towards his lips, letting the cool crisp liquid refresh him as it passed his lips, "maybe I’m a small and rather annoying one" At this a brow rose slightly, a break in the expression that gave away an amused curiosity. The glass lowered to Connor’s lap, his eyes now drifting over it, distant and yet focused, the curve of his lips fading slightly before he lifted his head with a soft chuckle.
"I think we all feel like that at times with her," He began, though thought more about her behaviour and knew it was more complicated then her just shrugging him off randomly, or rolling her eyes at his interaction with his other siblings. He wished he could spend more time with her, but she never seemed happy with whatever time he could give her, nor did she really stay around long enough for him to even try and scrap together a chance to be with her. "Sometimes when the body heals so swiftly, we forget how fragile we really are," Connor’s fingertips rubbed lightly together and his eyes watched them, though lifted again to offer a small assurance… Michael seemed all right enough, and there wasn’t really any point in throwing out the threats just yet, because, Madison was probably more then capable of dishing out her own threats. Connor suddenly found himself pitying anyone who wanted to try and approach Madison, they were like ice cubes heading towards a sun, daring destruction just to be near.
"Madison doesn’t let faint blips side up with her, she’d sooner use them as rags to clean the… danger room?" There was a slight hesitation as he quickly tried to recall the name of the room she was fond of doing her workouts in, and him too apparently. "You must be well equipped to hold your ground, which makes you at least a relatively noticeable annoying blip if nothing else," Connor had been told a few stories about Madison from Arisa and his father ever and at times he’d read them from journals he seemed to keep stashed away on a laptop that seemed covertly hidden in the other room he had. "It’s when she insists you join the opposing team you ought to get worried… and perhaps even invest in an anti-radar cloaking device," Connor finished off his drink and stood up, hesitating in his rush only to ask Michael, "Would you like something to eat? I was going to grab an apple, we have cereal too if you wanted, or toast…?" He was already half way across the room when he finished asking, though noticed the time and paused in his strides, "…hey, you don’t have English with Jean Summers by any chance, do you?" Maybe he’d go to class if he knew someone else…… or after Monday’s ordeal, maybe it was just best if he spent the day with Chris and saved class going till next week… though maybe class would be more bearable if he knew at least one other student in there when the classroom got rowdy or he got stuck on something they were studying.
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
Connor may have most his memory but it seemed his sense of humour was intact. He laughed softly at Michael’s words before telling the astral mutant "I think we all feel like that at times with her," Maybe that was true, no, given Madison’s less than sociable nature it almost certainly was, but still…
Deep down her brother could have no doubts as to the place he held in his sisters heart. Or had he forgotten that as well? That would be terrible! Well maybe he could do something to help, even if it was only to tell Connor how concerned she had been during his absence. He didn’t get a chance to though, before the other youth spoke again and disrupted that particular line of thought, though no doubt unintentionally.
"Sometimes” he said unexpectedly “when the body heals so swiftly, we forget how fragile we really are," It touched a nerve. Even though Michael knew that it shouldn’t have. Even though he was certain that nothing had been further from Connors mind. Still it touched a nerve.
Because when your body didn’t heal, when despite everything anyone did it remained stubbornly broken, then you were reminded of just that every second of every day. And, no matter how much of a good face you put on things, that wasn’t easy to live with.
If other people envied Connors ability to effortlessly assimilate and use their powers, Michael instead longed for his regenerative abilities. And yet here was Connor speaking about it as if it was some sort of a problem. God it’s a problem I’d love to have.. even just for five minutes the young Scot thought to himself fighting back the wave of sudden envy that had come over him. ‘That’s all it would take to fix everything. But it’s not going to happen. Nothing is going to fix me and the sooner I accept that the better! ‘
Michael took a steadying breath, hoping that his emotions hadn’t been all too easy to read but it seemed that all was well. At least there was no sign of awkwardness in either Connors behaviour or in his conversation to indicate anything to the contrary. Instead he went on reassuringly saying "Madison doesn’t let faint blips side up with her, she’d sooner use them as rags to clean the… danger room?" The slight hesitation over the name didn’t go unnoticed reminding Michael that Connor had his own broken places to mend.
“You must be well equipped to hold your ground, which makes you at least a relatively noticeable annoying blip if nothing else” Michael mustered up a smile and put his thoughts firmly back on track, his grin widening into sincerity as Connor added. "It’s when she insists you join the opposing team you ought to get worried… and perhaps even invest in an anti-radar cloaking device,"
Michael was still wryly picturing to himself the wreckage Madison would leave in her wake if he ever did come up against her when Connor’s offer of food came followed closely by his question. “ I have English with everybody” Michael answered with a chuckle. “It’s my specialist subject. That and history that is."”
" I was going to major in them at University back home he explained. Now I’m having to replace Richard III with Teddy Roosevelt and TS Eliot with Ezra Pound things are a little more challenging. But then again, that’s half the fun, isn’t it? “
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance."I have English with everybody" The reply came in response to the last question, and Connor busied himself with shifting through the fruit basket his father left out on the kitchen bench. Madison never seemed to eat enough fruits, Chris only ate things in general when it was offered to him and Arisa was never around to really help get through things, but Logan still kept the fridge packed and the food readily available. Connor admired him for that efficiency and silent show of devotion. "It’s my specialist subject. That and history that is." English and History were subjects Connor was decent enough in, it wasn’t like he ever struggled in his classes, at least not in the same sense as others might to a degree. He liked education and loved to learn and sitting the eldest Enright down for a tutoring session was never a difficult task… it was getting him to remain seated and keeping his attention that was. So desperate was Connor to prove he wasn’t some mindless animal he had pushed himself to try and to a degree it worked but it also tended to stress him out. Long periods of sitting down feeling uninvolved made Connor frustrated and restless, he had to try so hard at times to keep himself busy with the work at hand and not think about how much he’d rather be in his fathers wilderness class or survival classes of any kind.
"I was going to major in them at University back home" University? As an apple was thoroughly rinsed and washed over and rinsed again, Connor wondered if he had ever wanted to go to University. "Now I’m having to replace Richard III with Teddy Roosevelt and TS Eliot with Ezra Pound things are a little more challenging. But then again, that’s half the fun, isn’t it?" Two hands cupped the apple in front of Connor’s lips, his nose taking in the scent of the apple as he breathed and taking a moment to cherish the fruity smell. It was strange how potent it was compared to even a week ago, heck, not even that long it seemed. A bite was taken from the apple, it was juicy and the taste was powerful but it was moist and sweet and Connor found he enjoyed it… save for the slightly tangy taste of the skin he knew shouldn’t be there, how much did he have to wash these silly things to take away all the foreign tastes? It would be easier to peel the skin off, but Connor liked the crunch of the skin.
An overly excited meowing came suddenly, an orange stretch darting into the kitchen from one of the bedrooms, as if the young cat hadn’t realized Connor was around. Large bright eyes peered up as the needle like teeth became visible with every meow, the small body wiggling around by Connor’s ankles. "I don’t think you’ll like fruit, and I already fed you Lucky, I don’t think father would be pleased with me if you rolled your way to meet us at the door," A pet was offered and the cat struggled to sniff at the juice on Connor’s fingers, before deciding he wasn’t interested in whatever Connor was eating and just watching placidly as Connor returned to the armchair, a small plate grabbed to hover under the apple as he ate, just in case… well it seemed like the right thing to do, Connor couldn’t imagine an apple making a mess.
"Some challenges are always good," The feral agreed with a hint of evasiveness to his comment, "So we’re classmates then right?" As Connor sat down, the orange and white kitten secretly made his way towards Connor, sniffing up at the feral but creeping around the armchair to stalk Michael from afar and watch him from beside Connor’s seat, mostly hidden save for the small face that peeked out and stared at the stranger curiously. "That’s good to hear… the only other student I’ve managed to spend any real time with is Racheal, however she doesn’t seem to take any classes,"
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
The kitten came out of nowhere, all orange fur and cuteness. Michael couldn’t help but smile as it worked its charm on Connor, its small body curling itself insistantly round his ankles. Connors movement too as he bent down to pat it was a study in grace, one easy fluid motion that Michael would have given dearly to be able to reproduce. "I don’t think you’ll like fruit,” Connor told it fondly and I already fed you Lucky, I don’t think father would be pleased with me if you rolled your way to meet us at the door,
Father! There was affection too in the way the young feral spoke of Logan, an affection which had been notably absent the last time Michael had heard him address his parent. That was good, wasn’t it, Surely it had to be! But then again anything had to be better than bitterness that had coloured their relationship in the Centre of Inquisition.
What had been said there had hurt his father deeply that much had been obvious. Though having seen what lay beneath the mask Connor’s astral image sported Michael had to believe that it had hurt Connor as much to say them as it had Logan to hear them. Was this change of heart only due to the fact that the young Enright’s memories had been wiped away? And if so.. would it last once he got them back?
Michael sincerely hoped so. In fact, helping put things right between father and son had been one of the major reasons for this morning meeting. Not that Michael believed for one moment that he knew the ins and outs of their no doubt complicated family history. He wasn’t that pretentious. What he did know though was that you don’t wear someone’s face if you hate them. And what he had seen looking back at him when Connor had lifted his mask had been Logan! Surely it was important for Connor to realise that! And as far as things went ,Michael was the only one who could open his eyes on that count. Though how he was going to get the conversation round to that subject he had no idea!
For now though he was ust going with the flow, nodding in agreement as Connor said "Some challenges are always good," and in confirmation as he added So we’re classmates then right?" The kitten was giving Michael the treatment now, its sweet face almost distracting him from what Connor was saying. Almost but not quite. "That’s good to hear… the only other student I’ve managed to spend any real time with is Racheal, however she doesn’t seem to take any classes,"
Now there was a surprise, albeit a pleasant one. Because if you only knew a few people at the Institute than Racheal was definitely a worthwhile addition to the list. “What a coincidence” Michael said with a pleased grin. “Racheal’s a friend of mine as well.” And because she was just that, a friend , he was not going to tell Connor, or anyone else for that matter exactly why she didn’t attend regular classes. That was their secret. Unless she herself chose to make it otherwise, that was.
“I haven’t been here long.” he told Connor, taking another sip of his orange juice. “Only a couple of weeks. So I’m still getting the feel of the place. I have to say though, so far I’ve been lucky. My team mates are great. So is Paige.. and Dr McCoy .. well he’s … Dr McCoy.. not much else I need to say there. And then there’s Rachael and Madison.. Michael grinned mischievously ‘who perhaps doesn’t see me as the complete idiot I thought she did…. And maybe… the astral mutants voice was suddenly a shade more serious and obviously sincere “once we get to know each other properly… you! Not a bad haul on the friend count for a newbie, wouldn’t you say?
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance."What a coincidence" There was a silent chewing of the apple as Michael started to speak, and Connor stared at the other listening, the amplified sound of his own crunching hitting his ears annoyingly as he tried to focus. "Racheal’s a friend of mine as well." At that Connor seemed to smile, though his eyes seemed more thoughtful then happy, not negative thoughts really, more just thoughtful considerations. Like, did Michael enjoy Racheal’s company just as much as Connor did, or did Racheal and Michael share moments together like this morning, obviously there was the hindrance of Michael’s legs but that didn’t stop him from using his power to train with her. Did he share secrets with her too?
"I haven’t been here long." The comment distracted Connor enough to lose his thoughts and take another bite from the apple. "Only a couple of weeks. So I’m still getting the feel of the place. I have to say though, so far I’ve been lucky. My team mates are great. So is Paige.. and Dr McCoy .. well he’s … Dr McCoy.. not much else I need to say there. And then there’s Rachael and Madison.." Whoever Michael’s team mates were Connor wasn’t sure, Paige the feral wondered briefly if she was Michael’s girlfriend or not, and McCoy…There were so many words to describe the guy, so many things that made the man, it was difficult to pin down the right ones, so in a sense Michael was right, McCoy really was just McCoy, and that was a proving to be a really good thing. Of course, there were some flaws having an uncle figure as a doctor, you weren’t sure if you wanted to go running to him or from him. Admittedly Connor was finding he liked the doctor, Hank seemed… unusual, different to Amlarie’s people and so much more personal and always seeming interested in what was going on with Connor. "who perhaps doesn’t see me as the complete idiot I thought she did…. And maybe…" Another smile came, though Connor eyed the apple, studying it a bit before the next bite "once we get to know each other properly… you! Not a bad haul on the friend count for a newbie, wouldn’t you say?" Not bad at all… especially if you stood his list next to Connor’s like, and then took into account the fact Connor was here his entire life, and probably had a similar amount of familiar faces… if he was lucky.
"Once we get to know each other? Do you mean now that I’ve forgotten? I thought you made it sound as if we already knew each other, I mean I vouched for you and everything," He didn’t mean to sound so ignorant, and felt a little stupid after saying it, but he wanted to know, was this a friendship being rebuilt because the foundations were lost, or was it being put together for the first time and had only been interrupted? "So we already met.. long enough to make an impression after all," Trying to cover up the burst of uncertainty in his previous comment, Connor tried to put together something more calmer and cooler spoken. If it worked or not… he didn’t really care at this point and just took another awkward bite of his apple.
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
It was the sixty four thousand dollar question. The one Michael had been sure would come up ever since he had knocked on the door. The one, in fact that he had come down here to answer! Yet now that it came to the crunch that seemed a lot easier said than done. “To be honest we only spent a few hours in each others company before you disappeared from the island” Michael replied, his tone more serious as he felt his way into this most delicate of subjects. “But lets just say that they were pretty dramatic hours.”
“The first time we met, Connor” Michael went on, his grey eyes darkening as the memories of that day came flooding back. “You were drugged and tied up in the back of a black limo and I was being dragged off a plane by my brother and thrown in beside you.It did” the young Scot summoned up a wry smile “as you say , make an impression.”
He couldn’t leave it there. Two many questions had been raised for him not to give the answers. Even if they didn’t exactly make for easy listening. “There was this auction you see. A mutant auction. “ No matter how many times he said the words, they didn’t sound any better and Michael couldn’t even begin to imagine what Connor was feeling right now as he dragged the whole sordid business forcibly out into the light of day.” Basically they were going to sell mutants with healing powers to the highest bidder .And you and I and Madison….. we were just what they were looking for.
“They kidnapped both of you..” he told the feral mutant” don’t know how or where. I only know that they did..And they then took us back to this weird place and threw us in a cell together. Chained us up to the wall. It was really not a good day” Michael added ruefully as his eyes met Connor’s.”Fortunately George.. the brother in question.. hadn’t known about my astral projection power. He’d been too busy concentrating on the ‘lucrative’ aspect of having a mutant in the family.. making serums out of my blood,offering me for sale.. the usual brotherly things.. to even suspect I could do anything else, let alone anything like Hood. So the people who took us didnt think to make sure that I couldnt project
The bitterness in Michael’s voice was obvious and he did nothing to conceal it. What George had done to him had been the worst kind of betrayal and he wasn’t about to pretend that he was taking it graciously. “Up until that day Id never managed to make Hood ‘real’ solid…… physically there. But with both you and Madison mastering my power instinctively, that gave me the boost I needed to pull it off. Plus’ he admitted candidly ‘the thought that you’re going to be sold off to god knows who is a real motivator I can tell you! In any case the fact is that we used my power to try to escape. Phased through the door. Materialised in the corridor. It was all very exciting”
The irony was also easy to hear. Exciting was the last word he would have used to describe the fear of those hours locked up in the Centre of inquisition. Or of the brushes with death that had accompanied it. That was something he was going to get to soon enough though. How he had almost died. It was after all part of his story. His to tell or not to tell as he saw fit! Unlike the encounter with Connors father. That was….. so intrinsically private, so much of a family manner that he felt he had no right to speak about it. Even if he knew that someday it would have to be spoken of. And that it would be hard beyond imagining to do so.
Not here and now though. Lord knows there was enough trauma to be related as it was without adding any more. “Anyway” he resumed “we were looking for a way out as I said and I went on ahead to scout. Figured I was safe enough in my dematerialised form. Turns out I was wrong. These people Connor.. they weren’t just your normal guys. There were things down there. Demons. Vampires.. all kinds of crazy things. And they had crazy defences as well.”
This, this was what Connor had to remember .. before they got to all the other stuff that had gone down after Amlarie had come into his life. “I got caught in some kind of trap.. it blew me.. it blew Hood… away.. Litterally! I was scattered.. lost.. together. And the shock.. the shock stopped my heart. I died back there Connor. Michael told him solemly On the day we met. And you brought me back to life.”
There was something about the mannerism of Michael that drew Connor’s attention even more despite the lack of immediate response, something that made the wait feel longer then what really was, just the look in his eyes, the beat of the others heart, it was all strange and yet some how Connor knew what it meant. At least, as far as ‘this won’t be an easy reply’ went. “To be honest we only spent a few hours in each others company before you disappeared from the island” The apple was lowered slightly, the plate rested on his thighs and soon the apple was seeming to hover over it, as if unsure whether to place it down or keep hold of the fruit. "But lets just say that they were pretty dramatic hours." Interest peaked slightly, an unsure curiosity, already there were things that Connor regretted learning and right now he wasn’t sure if this would be one of them or not.
“The first time we met, Connor” now the apple was placed down, even when the kitten crawled towards the feral’s position and started eyeing the apple on Connor’s plate, Connor kept focus on Michael. “You were drugged and tied up in the back of a black limo and I was being dragged off a plane by my brother and thrown in beside you. It did” Not really anything that Connor would have expected to be said… ok there was no way in hell that was real, surely! And yet to Connor’s astonishment Michael proceeded, sounding honest and certain of the importance of what was being said. “as you say , make an impression.” Drugged? Limo? Plane? What was Connor doing in the Limo and what was Michael doing on a plane? And his brother? …Michael’s brother threw Michael into the Limo with him? The very thought of a sibling hurting their brother as always churned the eldest Enright’s stomach. The feral didn’t even notice as the tips of his fingers bruised the soft flesh of the apple as he imagined how furious he’d be if anyone treated his sisters or kid brother like that. Connor would sooner throw himself off a cliff then mishandle his siblings.
“There was this auction you see. A mutant auction. " A frown settled lightly on the Enright’s features, lips thinning slightly as thoughts lingered with annoyance and the audacity of these people… though he didn’t quite understand what Michael initially meant by ‘mutant auction’…assuming it was some place designed specially for mutants to attend. “Basically they were going to sell mutants with healing powers to the highest bidder .And you and I and Madison….. we were just what they were looking for." Madison? So that’s how Michael knew her then, considering he wasn’t so long at the school Connor took a moment to realize if this was all true then Michael and Madison and he had all shared something terrible… Did Michael and Madison share comfort in this maybe? A sense of understanding that joined them? Though his sister hadn’t really mentioned anything about a boyfriend and Michael definitely hadn’t suggested or let on that anything was happening, just that there was an interest, from his end at least.
"They kidnapped both of you.. " There had been mentions of a hard life, and of people screwing them over and yes a comment about them being taken and how the X-men had to beat heads to get them back, but no one had really yet sat down and told him the full details. "don’t know how or where. I only know that they did..And they then took us back to this weird place and threw us in a cell together. Chained us up to the wall. It was really not a good day" A cell? That sounded horrible! Connor wondered of the size of the cell, in most movies you see them being either tiny or spacious and packed with people… neither would be favourable for the feral but he knew he’d react even worse in the small space. It almost made him shudder at the thought of such confines.
"Fortunately George.. the brother in question.. hadn’t known about my astral projection power. He’d been too busy concentrating on the ‘lucrative’ aspect of having a mutant in the family.. making serums out of my blood,offering me for sale.. the usual brotherly things.. to even suspect I could do anything else, let alone anything like Hood. So the people who took us didnt think to make sure that I couldnt project" This brother seemed to make Connor more agitated then the fact he was chained to the wall… being chained and sold off was bad yes, but they didn’t have any personal attachments to the ‘products’… one sibling doing it to another, that was even more sick, that took something ‘special’, if something so sick could even be called that. It seemed Michael himself thought the same and that just hurt more, to think that he couldn’t have a brother such as Chris. Suddenly Connor found himself missing the boy, as if all this bad talk might wake him from this gift of a sweet little brother. Odd at times, confusing too, but sweet and loving nonetheless.
"Up until that day Id never managed to make Hood ‘real’ solid…… physically there. But with both you and Madison mastering my power instinctively, that gave me the boost I needed to pull it off. Plus" he admitted candidly "the thought that you’re going to be sold off to god knows who is a real motivator I can tell you! In any case the fact is that we used my power to try to escape. Phased through the door. Materialised in the corridor. It was all very exciting" yes, even now Connor could almost ‘feel’ the X-gene instead of his guest, as if it was somehow seeping out of the boy and trying to pour itself into him. Training with Racheal earlier really helped him focus a bit better and not try to ignore it instead, this wasn’t as bad as the claws…. This at least he could choose, this he felt he could control.
"Anyway" A brow raised slightly, blue eyes burned brightly with interest, so it couldn’t have been too bad, obviously they all got out so it wasn’t like he feared for their lives or anything. But how’d they get out of there? They couldn’t just walk out without their bodies, even Connor knew… somehow… that that’s not how the power worked. He might as well have been reading the instructions from some sort of manual… it almost felt unfair that he knew theirs and not his own. How odd it must be to the others… what one thinks unfair others must long for, was it selfish of him? Anyway.. as Michael said… there was more going on right now then petty annoyances or uncertainty. "we were looking for a way out as I said and I went on ahead to scout. Figured I was safe enough in my dematerialised form. Turns out I was wrong. These people Connor.. they weren’t just your normal guys. There were things down there. Demons. Vampires.. all kinds of crazy things. And they had crazy defences as well." Thank got for Arisa, she already keyed him in on all things supernatural and that included her pet vampire, not that Connor approved but obviously he could see that wouldn’t help matters nor would it change anything.
"I got caught in some kind of trap.. it blew me.. it blew Hood… away.. Litterally! I was scattered.. lost.. together. And the shock.. the shock stopped my heart. I died back there Connor." For a moment Connor just stared, as if not sure if there was more or not sure if he understood what was being said. "On the day we met. And you brought me back to life." Fingers toyed lightly now with the apple, half eaten as it was and now scattered with the occasional dent where the feral’s finger tips had bruised into the fruit. That wasn’t really something Connor expected to hear either, it seemed very little of this was something one could ever possibly expect, it would explain the earlier look in Michael’s eyes as Connor had asked what he thought to be so simple a question.
"To be honest," Connor began slowly once the thought had been heavily mulled over, "It sounds as if you were the one that gave us the ability to escape," It felt strange, surreal, as if this was some sort of test towards how well Connor handled being thrown into the deep end, and yet he knew this wasn’t that, he knew this was serious and yet… it still felt so surreal. "So on that day… you saved my life too, and my sisters," this came almost too suddenly the thought, "That makes you double the hero, and helps me understand now a little better some things I wasn’t sure of earlier," The plate was discarded onto the coffee table, stared at for a moment and then picked up again, he really didn’t find it appealing sitting there at all, but getting up and going to the kitchen might not be the right move right now either. "How’d we get out of it? The auction and all… I know Amlarie said she paid for me to stop me being taken too soon, but she said she didn’t have time to get to the other sellers.. obviously we got out anyway though,"
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
Connors reply didn’t come all at once but when tit did it was kind. More than that, it was generous "To be honest," he said quietly "It sounds as if you were the one that gave us the ability to escape, So on that day… you saved my life too, and my sisters, that makes you double the hero, and helps me understand now a little better some things I wasn’t sure of earlier,"
Michael shook his head, denying any heroic achievement on his part, glad that despite all the things he had revealed Connor hadn’t freaked out on him or questioned the truth of what he had stated. He only hoped that things would continue to go this well, though when his companion spoke again he somehow doubted that that would be the case.
"How’d we get out of it? The auction and all… Connor asked reasonably, before going on to add the words that complicated everything “I know Amlarie said she paid for me to stop me being taken too soon, but she said she didn’t have time to get to the other sellers.. obviously we got out anyway though," Michaels clear grey eyes clouded as his thoughts were pulled inevitably back to that day at the auction and to the young woman who had taken Connor from them.
“Amlarie” he whispered, his voice caught somewhere between longing and despair. I wasn’t surprised when I heard that she was the one you had been with. I told your father she wanted you badly.. that much was clear at the auction. And she made you want to go with her.. Michael drew a deep breath and looked over at Connor. Sorry.. that probably doesn’t make much sense.. its just not that easy to talk about.What happened back then But then again I knew it wouldn’t be before I came so.. I should have been ready for it.
The smile he dredged up was tinged with sadness to say the least as he went on.. Maybe Amlarie had some great motive for doing what she did.. I cant really judge that.. all I know is how things went down from my point of view and that wasn’t really pleasant”
The young Scot composed himself before continuing knowing that this was the hardest part of his testimony , at least as far as Connor was concerned. It was obvious that his respect, not to say love, for Amlarie hadn’t wavered despite everything that had happened. How would he react to someone speaking ill of her Michael wondered? Well all he could do was tell the feral what had happened as truthefuly as he could and let Connor judge her actions for himself. Or not as the case might be.
“We were taken to the market and put in this cage in the middle of the crowd with all those demons coming up and looking at us and you and Madison, well you were just fierce and fearless ….and then she came.. Amlarie… Michael’s voice faltered a little as he remembered her and the sweetness of her regard. She looked at me…… and it was as if for that one moment I was the centre of her universe and nothing could ever hurt me again. It was like coming home…. And belonging and love.. but I wasnt the one she wanted…. Even now there was a world of loss in Michael’s eyes when he admitted that. "And she didn’t even look at Madison.. not in that way .. but you.. oh she paid for you and took you out of the cage and kissed you… and you were lost…. You forgot about everything.. even about Madison. Amlarie left you there……… and all you could think about was getting to her Even if that meant leaving everything and everyone else behind.
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.“Amlarie” It was like how his father sounded at times, and that look that spoke of something difficult for an onlooker to grasp. "I wasn’t surprised when I heard that she was the one you had been with. I told your father she wanted you badly.. that much was clear at the auction. And she made you want to go with her.."Made him, it sounded odd to be put in that sort of way, Connor's head tilted slightly as he thought but straightened with a slight shift of his body.
"Sorry.. that probably doesn’t make much sense.. its just not that easy to talk about.What happened back then But then again I knew it wouldn’t be before I came so.. I should have been ready for it." Madison didn't really say much, she'd shrug most of it off and declare that Connor got really upset with the lack of space so it'd have been best for him not to try to relive the ordeal. "Maybe Amlarie had some great motive for doing what she did.. I cant really judge that.. all I know is how things went down from my point of view and that wasn’t really pleasant” Whatever was to come, it didn't sound too good. It was a chore in itself for Michael to think about whatever happen, it seemed harder still to discuss it, and while part of Connor considered just stating it didn't matter and it wasn't important, another part new it did matter, it was important... And if Michael could deal with explaining it all, then Connor would listen, after all, Michael wasn't doing this just for himself.
“We were taken to the market and put in this cage in the middle of the crowd with all those demons coming up and looking at us and you and Madison, well you were just fierce and fearless ….and then she came.. Amlarie… " But that would have been a good thing right? The feral didn't understand, he leaned forward a little awkwardly in his seat, fingers playing along the rim of the plate in his hand for a moment.
"She looked at me…… and it was as if for that one moment I was the centre of her universe and nothing could ever hurt me again. It was like coming home…. And belonging and love.. but I wasnt the one she wanted…." Was that what this was all about? That she focused on Connor? It didn't seem right, as if he was still missing something and yet part of him readied to state how Amlarie wasn't like that, she was kind to everyone, she cared about everyone, they all held importance to her. But just as Connor's lips parted, Michael's words continued.
"And she didn’t even look at Madison.. not in that way .. but you.. oh she paid for you and took you out of the cage and kissed you… and you were lost…. You forgot about everything.. even about Madison. Amlarie left you there……… and all you could think about was getting to her Even if that meant leaving everything and everyone else behind."Kissed him? She didn't! She wouldn't! It wasn't like that between them..... Denial and confusion set it to the feral's expression, his eyes staring at Michael as if the reply he sought was written in the other's gaze.
"No," here was a shake of Connor's head sideways, an upset look with a voice of authority trying to make what was being said so painfully clear. "It wasn't like that," Of course, how would he even know if it was? The thought didn't aid in calming his mind, "It couldn't have been, I would never...." A hand seemed to try and brush the very notion of such a thing away as it sliced through the air, his body raising to his feet with a nimble grace as the apple still balanced perfectly on the centre of the plate.
"That's not something I would do, I would never hurt leave her, oh sure we argue but even that's hard, and you have no idea," To see the similarities of your mothers father in the face of your sister made it so hard at times, when he disappointed her or caused Madison to cry or get upset, it was like he was somehow doing it to his mother too, it wasn't fair. He looked nothing like his father.. or so Connor thought, unaware how alike he really could appear at times.
But why would Michael say it if it wasn't true? Maybe for the same reasons Sarah said things to him that weren't true.... but Connor always had suspected something, not something so serious but something... An attempt to catch his breath, not to let that well known temper of his family beat aside the years of struggle made in order to keep it subdued. A walk to the sink, the plate tilted to allow the apple to fall into the bin as he passed, the lid swaying with a faint thudding even as he washed the plate.
"But we all came back together.. you, me, Madison, we all returned together, I was told we did, so I was there with you, I never left," The feral's voice sounded more calm, yet there was still the confusion, that need to discover the answer he may not like. The palms of his hands pressed against the edge of the kitchen bench as Connor stared over at Michael, leaning into the bench with the weight of his body channeled down the length of his arms. "I went back right?"
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.No It wasn't like that," Here it was. The inevitable denial! Michael was only surprised it hadn’t come sooner. "It couldn't have been, I would never...." Connor was on his feet now, the movement easy and flawless, his voice taking on a hint of desperation as he tried to convince Michael of the impossibility of what he was saying
"That's not something I would do,” Connor stated earnestly I would never hurt leave her, oh sure we argue but even that's hard, and you have no idea," Michael didn’t doubt the feral for an instant. The bond between him and his tempestuous sister was clear for anyone to see. As clear as the fact that it was Amlarie who had been responsible for his sudden change of behaviour back at the market.
Was that a truth that Connor was ready to hear though? The astral mutant wasn’t entirely sure. All he knew was that it was a truth he had to hear sometime. And that perhaps it would be easier to hear it from someone who had been there and had felt her power even if only for an instant. Michael watched Connor go to the kitchen, the tension in his body obvious as he struggled to come to terms with what was being said.
Still he was keeping it together, even managing to regain some composure before continuing "But we all came back together.. you, me, Madison, we all returned together, I was told we did,”. so I was there with you, I never left," Michael's grey eyes were full of sad sympathy as he watched Connor try to come to terms with what he was being told, not quite ready to accuse the young Scot of lying but understandably reluctant to accept that he could have walked away from his sister no matter what the circumstances.
I went back right? he asked desperately. There was such a need to believe that present in Connor’s voice that Michael almost faltered. Almost, but not quite! It would have been easy to say yes. Yes, you came back Connor and we all lived happily ever after. After all friends did stretch the truth sometimes didn’t they. Especially if that truth was as bitter and dark as this one! And yet in the end he didn’t. Instead he sighed and looked up at the other young mutant and said “No. Connor you didn’t.”
“From the moment Amlarie kissed you it was like…..” As always when explanations became difficult Michaels mind turned to literature. “do you know the Keat’s poem? La Belle Dame sans Merci where the knight meets a strange lady in the woods and she enchants him? Well it was like that. She had you ‘in thrall’ and there was nothing any of us could do about it. Though we did try” T
hese last words were accompanied by a wry smile and there was no recrimination whatsoever in Michael’s voice as he added. “I went after you. Well Hood did anyway, but you weren’t for coming back and I wasn’t strong enough to stop you.” This at least was something Michael could do to spare his friend without it feeling like a betrayal. No lies. No details though. Unless Connor asked for them! And with the rest of the story still to come Michael thought there was a good chance that he wouldn’t.
“In the end it was your father who brought you back”. he went on calmly Your father and Riley. “They were with the group of X men who came to rescue us .. to rescue all the mutants who were up for auction.. and you fought them every inch of the way; ..
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
“No. Connor you didn’t.” Considering who his father was, Connor found himself almost sidetracked with the thoughts of how it must have felt to be Michael right at that point, to face the son of man renowned for his furious temper. On top of it all, it wasn’t hard to tell that Connor didn’t like what he was hearing return of his enhanced hearing made it all the more difficult to just block out and blissfully pretend he never heard it.
“From the moment Amlarie kissed you it was like…..” There was a yuck factor now for Connor, sure back then she was no one to him, but now Amlarie had played the mother figure, and the thought of being kissed by one with that title… Connor just hoped it was more a peck on the forehead, but he got the impression it wasn’t so basic. “do you know the Keat’s poem? La Belle Dame sans Merci where the knight meets a strange lady in the woods and she enchants him? Well it was like that. She had you ‘in thrall’ and there was nothing any of us could do about it. Though we did try” Even if Connor had read such a poem, he wondered if he would have remembered it, all the silly things he remembered, like being afraid of things and he couldn’t quite explain why, needing things set in a certain order or cleanliness that at times so obviously just was more trouble and burden then it was worth… yet friends, family, hobbies, all those were wiped clean for now, having to be rewritten instead. Admittedly, Connor wasn’t entirely sure where Michael was going with talks of enchantment, it seemed odd to hear words like that… though he was still getting over the idea of vampires and mermen and more importantly that his kid sister was friends with both!
“I went after you. Well Hood did anyway, but you weren’t for coming back and I wasn’t strong enough to stop you.” According to Madison, they’d been raised like little warriors, and yet Michael was only a new addition to the school, when placed side by side it would make sense that Michael found it difficult to go up against someone who had trained almost his entire life. “In the end it was your father who brought you back”. Connor’s arms folded across his chest, his face set into a thoughtful expression as he listened, though a slight frown creased his features. His father seemed to have a habit of finding him when he was lost… at least lately, his sisters had said there were times he hadn’t shown up, but everything seemed to be different now… "Your father and Riley. They were with the group of X men who came to rescue us .. to rescue all the mutants who were up for auction.. and you fought them every inch of the way; .." It sounded rough, again Connor felt he was more trouble then his father deserved, or at least more trouble then was fair in any case.
"Riley… I know we’re friends, but I haven’t really seen him around much," Connor wasn’t entirely aware of all the medical things going on in Riley’s life, most people seemed heavily distracted with something going on. "Dad hasn’t really talked about any of that… I suppose he’s been trying to deal with everything else though and Madison hasn’t said a lot about that day, other then threatening bodily harm state wide should I vanish off again," The door to Chris’s room opened slowly, the young boys face peered sleepily outside his room and stared surprised at Michael, shy eyes blink tiredly and then focused on Connor. He was still really tired, and wasn’t sure what time it was, he thought Logan was outside with Connor, but it wasn’t Logan, and suddenly the real reason to drag himself out of bed was gone. There was a polite smile given to both, though a yawn and strained rub of eyes showed he really wasn’t up for sticking around, and with another yawn gently closed his door.
"…Usually he’s more animated, rough couple of nights though," Briefly Connor wondered if he should go talk to Chris, but reminded himself what they were previously discussing and moved back towards the seat. "Anyway, is that what you meant by ‘enchanted’? That I was acting unusual…or do I usually tend to fight them like that?" Would that really make any difference in the long run? If he were the cause of his own resistance back then, or if something else had influenced his behaviour…
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
It would have been a lie to say that Michael wasn’t worried as to how Connor would react to these latest revelations. He could feel memories of the feral’s claws cutting into him trying to force themselves forward, but this time at least the Scottish boy was expecting them and that gave him the edge he needed to keep them under control. Though it wasn’t easy. Still Connor seemed to be taking things, if not exactly in his stride, then at least calmly enough. "Riley…” he said thoughtfully “I know we’re friends, but I haven’t really seen him around much,"
Hardly surprising given all the health problems Riley had been going through lately, though Michael was pretty sure that his team mate wouldn’t have worried Connor in any way by telling him about his own problems. That wasn’t Riley’s style. Still Michael made a mental note to mention to Connor that Riley hadn’t disappeared for no good reason. After all friends were important to Connor right now. More so than usual. And the young Scot was beginning to know Riley well enough to realise that his friendship, while not easily given, was worth having and a force to be reckoned with.
There were other things to think about at the moment though, more immediate if not more important. Michael turned his attention back to Connor as he went on "Dad hasn’t really talked about any of that… I suppose he’s been trying to deal with everything else though and Madison hasn’t said a lot about that day, other then threatening bodily harm state wide should I vanish off again," Michael flashed Connor a quick grin at the idea of how ‘persuasive’ Madison’s threats had no doubt been. Still the fact remained that the events of that day had been shrouded in silence, as far as the family was concerned anyway… till he had turned up on Connor’s doorstep that was.
Was he doing the right thing, Michael asked himself , not for the first time? But then again…. if he didn’t talk to Connor about this then who would? He could see why Logan hadn’t wanted to have this conversation with his son. And as for Madison.. well he doubted that her temper would have let her get very far before she exploded into accusations against Amlarie. And that was something he didn’t think Connor would take too kindly too. Even if Michael himself was, in a calmer fashion, calling her actions into question.
In any case whatever else Connor may have been going to say was suddenly interrupted by the opening of a door and the sudden emergence of a young boy, looking as if waking up was something he had done only recently and not particularly efficiently. Michael smiled curiously over at the newcomer as the sleepy head disappeared back into the bedroom.
So that was Chris. The newly acquired younger brother that Madison had muttered about! How strange it must be to have been dropped into this unique and, if loving, nonetheless dysfunctional family! Michael hoped that the boy could see past Madison’s anger and Logan’s gruffness and be happy with them. Connor he didn’t have to worry about. Madison had said Chris all but worshipped him, something that ruffled her feathers quite a bit from the sparse comments she had made on the subject.
Certainly the sleepy smile Chris had directed their way seemed to indicate that all was well with him, a conclusion Connor had apparently also reached as he left the boy to regain his bed saying only "…Usually he’s more animated, rough couple of nights though," before returning to the previous subject
"Anyway, is that what you meant by ‘enchanted’?” he asked candidly That I was acting unusual…or do I usually tend to fight them like that?" Michael sighed. How was he expected to answer that? Carefully, he supposed. But honestly all the same! “Riley is a friend.” He began slowly “ And you don’t seem to me to be someone who would try to hurt a friend. And you were really fighting. It wasn’t just for show.
There was a difference between how you were before Amlarie kissed you and after. he told Connor seriously. One minute you were there with us. With me and Madison. And the enemy was all those who had caged us and wanted to buy us. Then she came and…. Michael frowned, choosing his words as best he could to explain what he had felt when he had tried to convince Connor to come back. It was as if the enemy suddenly became anyone who tried to keep you from her. No matter who they were.Or what you had to do to get past them
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance."Riley is a friend. " The blonde youth started, slowly and cautiously, part of Connor just wanted to say it didn’t matter, to brush it off and pretend whatever he wanted to... another part wantd to know, wanted to know what else he screwed up in his past that he had to make amends for. "And you don’t seem to me to be someone who would try to hurt a friend. And you were really fighting. It wasn’t just for show." For some odd reason that was something Connor felt so eager to have heard, as if Michael had handed him a treat to lift his spirits, and yet the following comment caused a visible discomfort to once again settle, "There was a difference between how you were before Amlarie kissed you and after." The thought of this woman he thought of as a sort of foster mother kissing him sounded wrong, as it didn’t sound like a light peck on the cheek, but why would she do that? And why would it result in him turning on those he obviously cared about? "One minute you were there with us. With me and Madison. And the enemy was all those who had caged us and wanted to buy us. Then she came and…." It seemed to be a struggle for Michael, and it made Connor feel all the more worse, he must have acted horrible to get this sort of strain from Michael. "It was as if the enemy suddenly became anyone who tried to keep you from her. No matter who they were. Or what you had to do to get past them." But considering what he was capable of... the powers at his command and the abilities so easily able to be stolen, if he really wanted to ... he could do serious damage.
"It explains why my father was so upset with Amlarie.. so upset that I still.. talked of her," There was a sense of guilt as Connor looked down at the floor before him, all those times he had defended her, when in the end his father must have just thought of that time she had caused Connor to act in such an unfitting manner! Dangerous and wild as it seemed... a short breath was taken, did he even want to ask if anyone got hurt? A hand wrapped itself around his other fist, Racheal had said herself that they couldn’t fight, because where he could heal she could not... and if he hurt her... if he hurt any of his friends... there was just as much a chance for them to die as there was for him to recover!
"You were upset when I mentioned healing abilities," There was a pause, cautious in hopes not to offend, but aware he apparently was never one for warming up to a subject gently, "I didn’t mean to offend you with it," Arms folded uncomfortably, flaming blue eyes seeming to drift their gaze over towards Chris’s doorway for a moment before closing. "At first it’s.. cool, no matter how badly hurt I get, it goes away, I can see how that would affect you," He maybe tactless at times, but he wasn’t blind, though even Connor felt that his approach was anything but gentle.. he needed to spend more time with his father maybe, or less, who knew where he got his approach from in the first place! "But then you’re told you heal so well your body doesn’t age as fast... you’ll outlive all your friends, anyone you fall in love with, anyone who is part of your life that doesn’t have that same ability, they’ll all grow old together and die together and you’ll remain, it’s not so cool any more when you see it like that.." This had nothing to do with the topic at hand, so why was he even bothering? A distraction maybe? "That’s why I think Madison won’t let people in.. and Arisa’s closest friends are an enchanted merman who barely ages and a vampire who won’t age. It’s like they’re protecting themselves from all the pain bound to come by not growing close with people who might die before them.. Which limits our choices," It felt awkward, though Connor added softly, "If I ever hurt anyone, I’ll remember not just for one lifetime, but for many... and if Amlarie caused me to hurt someone, I’ll not forgive her," Then again.. she had hurt his father hadn’t she? Maybe not physically, but mentally, Logan looked wrecked whenever speaking of her, or whenever she was spoken of.
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance.
‘To be or not to be..’ that, apparently, was the life changing question. And Michael was never one to argue with the wisdom of the bard. But still.. sometimes ‘to say or not to say’ could be just as crucial.
Connor’s talk of healing had caught him, as ever, blindsided. It was such a big issue for Michael. After all his own lack of healing coloured every moment of his existence, however much he tried to convince himself of the contrary. He might refuse to be defined by his handicap. That didn’t mean that he wasn’t forced to live with it. Or that it was easy to do so by any stretch of the imagination. What Connor was talking about though went beyond the mere healing of wounds.And it was true that Michael wasn’t sure he’d like to live with the consequences.
” you’ll outlive all your friends,” Connor told him candidly “anyone you fall in love with, anyone who is part of your life that doesn’t have that same ability, they’ll all grow old together and die together and you’ll remain, it’s not so cool any more when you see it like that.." No it wasn’t. Michael could readily acknowledge that.
Death was something he had seen close up and personal. And it didn’t scare him. Not in itself. The process of dying now that was something different. But death.. Death was natural. Inevitable! Another stage on the journey or just release! Michael had never been sure which. Though that bright light he had seen a couple of times when he thought his time was up gave him food for thought.
The prospect of immortality though, wasn’t something he had to take into account. Indeed, given his physical condition and the life he had nevertheless chosen to lead, even a normal lifespan was probably too much to hope for in his case. And so he took Connor’s words to heart. Trying to see this blessing as a curse! And managing all too easily!
"That’s why I think Madison won’t let people in.. and Arisa’s closest friends are an enchanted merman who barely ages and a vampire who won’t age. It’s like they’re protecting themselves from all the pain bound to come by not growing close with people who might die before them.. Which limits our choices," Michael’s eyes opened wide in understanding. Lord, yes, Madison! She had such passion in her. How could she let people come near it if she would be obliged to watch them wither and die? That would be torture! But then again so would going through life friendless and unloved.
It wasn’t a choice he envied them. Any friendship they undertook was an act of courage. Any love a future source of pain. But then again wasn’t that always the case? Anyone you cared about could be taken from you at any time. Without warning! There were always risks. Your heart was always out there ready to be ripped apart. The only difference was, Wolverine’s family knew from the start that, if death and aging were the only opponents, then they would be the last ones standing.
That was what Connor was trying to communicate. Why he was doing it was here and now was more problematic. , "If I ever hurt anyone,” he told Michael, the softness of his voice only underlying the intensity of his feelings I’ll remember not just for one lifetime, but for many... and if Amlarie caused me to hurt someone, I’ll not forgive her,"
The astral mutant drew a breath. What should he say to this? Connor had confided in him. Had revealed a part of his own personal burden that maybe he didn’t often share. And all to show the importance he put on this one fact. A fact that Michael could choose to tell or to keep hidden!
What should he do? What would a friend do? That was ultimately what counted. Would it hurt Connor more to know what he had done? Or to let him go on thinking Amlarie’s intervention had been harmless? Whatever her actual intentions had been!
If Michael turned to literature for inspiration he turned to history for clarification. Stories could be woven around events either to inspire or to warn. Truth could be distorted to serve many causes. But history wasn’t meant to be a story you used for your own ends. It wasn’t something you invented. People lived it. Things actually happened. And those involved usually remembered it!
Memory though was apparently something else Amlarie had taken from Connor. So maybe it was Michael’s place to give it back. Though god knows he would try to do it gently. “ Well” he said “ the important thing to remember is that we’re all still here. So nothing that was done back then was something you need to lose sleep over. But “
If he took a deep breath it still hurt. The lung Connor’s claws had punctured. One minor chord in the symphony of pain he lived with. Though somehow he felt that wasn’t Connors fault. If he hadn’t strained his lungs by taking on Paige’s pneumonia he’d have been fine. Of that he was certain. The mocking voice that had said this new ache was something to remind him he had been touched had only been a fever ridden dream. That too had to be a fact. Otherwise all was lost.
He still had enough left breath to talk though. And talk he did. Though doing so hurt him on a whole other level. “ The fact is Connor , you did hurt someone that night. God, that was sooo not why I came here… “ the young Scot ran his hands through his hair as he tried to gather his thoughts. “In fact its the very opposite of why I came.. I figured you might hear about it sooner or later.. and I wanted to be sure that you knew that if it hadn’t been for you.. when you were yourself.. then I wouldn’t have even been there to get involved in the whole thing with you and Amlarie. But the truth is.. No the facts are… because I don’t know what she thought would happen ….you were surrounded by enemies.. so I’m not going there.”
“Motives in history are subjective.” Michael went on And I don’t have enough to go on to make a guess as to hers. But..the facts are… that you saved my life.. you cared about what happened to Madison. And then she kissed you and you left us behind. Without a second thought.” Michaels voice grew quieter as he remembered So I went after you, Hood went after and.. when you wouldn’t listen I, he, put a hand on your shoulder” It was real , it was there, it was now and Michael gasped at the remembrance. “And you hurt me, Connor. You knew that I felt what happened to Hood. But you still stuck your claws in my gut. And that is why I know you weren’t yourself. I’d stake my life on it”
Re: Here's rue... thats for remembrance."Well" It might as well have been a gunshot in Connor’s ears as the youth hesitated slightly in addressing the matter Connor himself had brought forth, "the important thing to remember is that we’re all still here. So nothing that was done back then was something you need to lose sleep over. But" Uncertainty filled Connor’s lungs like water, his hands felt lost as they remained folded across his chest and clenched palms slowly started to grow lightly moist from nervous sweat.
"The fact is Connor , you did hurt someone that night. God, that was sooo not why I came here…" He had hurt someone? He had actually done some sort of damage on the one night everyone’s been briefly mentioning and no one, not even his family, had attempted to tell him? Then again, even Connor couldn’t entirely blame them, how often had he made it clear that this was all taking so much effort just to adjust to the possibilities of how dangerous he was, pointing out that he had been in the past was probably not the best way of getting him to settle in. "In fact its the very opposite of why I came.. I figured you might hear about it sooner or later.. and I wanted to be sure that you knew that if it hadn’t been for you.. when you were yourself.. then I wouldn’t have even been there to get involved in the whole thing with you and Amlarie. But the truth is.. No the facts are… because I don’t know what she thought would happen ….you were surrounded by enemies.. so I’m not going there." It just confused Connor more really, his mind raced and yet couldn’t keep up, some things blurred almost too much to make sense of while others sharpened so clearly into focus.
"Motives in history are subjective." It was explaining to a deer that the whole point of headlights was to help the driver see at night, and yet that didn’t ease anything when those lights were flashed before your eyes and your feet planted helplessly to the ground. "And I don’t have enough to go on to make a guess as to hers. But..the facts are… that you saved my life.. you cared about what happened to Madison. And then she kissed you and you left us behind. Without a second thought."Kissed her... what was that all about? It irked him to think of it, to picture it, it was almost as disturbing as he felt now when thinking of Sarah, no matter where he turned it was as if he was missing some vital piece of the puzzle and being taken advantage of it for that simple fact.
"So I went after you, Hood went after and.. when you wouldn’t listen I, he, put a hand on your shoulder" There was a thudding of Michael’s heart pounding in Connor’s ears, a hand rose to allow his fingers to brush against the ear, the sound was loud, uninvited like heavy weights upon his conscience. "And you hurt me, Connor. You knew that I felt what happened to Hood. But you still stuck your claws in my gut. And that is why I know you weren’t yourself. I’d stake my life on it" Apparently he already had! And personally Connor thought that was enough as it was, too much, and his burning blue gaze seemed to vanish behind shut eyes as fingers rubbed at the feral’s temples as if suffering a migraine. How did he comment? How did he even reply? Emotions bubbled away inside of him, churning like heated tar in the pit of Connor’s stomach, with anger so bitter and powerful, as always threatening to spill over and yet the image of Michael more fearful from Connor’s outburst made the feral feel almost sick. If only that would help, to know that all one had to do was be sick and all the vile at the base of one’s stomach was emptied away and removed from the body all together.
It was never that easy though, and now images of visualized events played out in Connor’s mind as he tried to remember, trying to picture how things played out and yet as most things there was only an empty darkness that was filled with only the things Connor could guess were true. But that made it so much harder when you have one side lying and the other trying to be honest, how do you know... and yet... Connor knew Michael wasn’t lying which meant that Amlarie was and... It hurt his head to think like this, he just wanted to shake it off, then hide in his room and scream for a while.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go down. Or at least it wasn’t what had been planned when he had set off from his room to find Connor. Michael was sure, as much as anyone who had been hurt ever could be sure, that this wasn’t what he had wanted. And yet it was, none the less what he had achieved. Connor broken up, sitting there with his head in his hands, as if his very thoughts were painful!
If this had been what Michael had desired, even subconsciously, then surely there would have been some sense of release at the sight of the feral’s suffering? Some small sensation of satisfaction that only vengeance, however deeply buried the need for it might have been, would have brought about!
And yet there was none. Indeed all Michael felt was guilty. Guilty for having come here in the first place! Guilty for having dragged this subject up from whatever depths it had been buried in. What kind of friend did that? What kind of friend tossed actions you couldn’t possibly be held responsible for in your face and watched you suffer the consequences?
Not the kind of friend Michael was, or at least wanted to be, that much was certain. But still he had done it. His words and his alone had caused Connor this pain. Amlarie might have stolen away Connor’s reason back there at the market but right here and now it was the astral mutant who had stolen away his peace of mind.
Maybe he had been wrong. Perhaps, in the end, no one at the institute would ever have spoken about the incident. After all things back at market had been hectic to say the least. Who, besides himself and Madison could have seen and recognised his injuries for what they were? Probably no one! So where had this pessimistic certainty that, some how or another it would all come back to haunt them, come from?
From years of experience having it happen to him? That was sadly a distinct possibility. George had certainly never hesitated in dragging any of Michael’s own embarrassing secrets into the open. Even if those secrets had been limited to his younger brother’s latest crush or the fact that he threw up whenever he had to talk in public!
It all seemed so petty now considering the very big secret that George had, not only leaked, but indeed exploited for his own ends. The fact that Michael was a mutant! That was huge! And, thanks to his twisted brother, it had been transformed from something that should only have been a blessing into something that had brought Michael more pain than he could ever have imagined.
Still, Michael told himself, he had only himself to blame. He had known what George was. He had seen over the years what he was capable of. The violence! The cruelty! And yet, despite everything, he had still got into the car with him that fateful day. And God knows he had paid the price.
And maybe in the end, that was what this was all about. Not revenge but protection. This wasn’t a judgment of what Amlarie had done, though from his point of view it was all too tempting to cast her in the role of the villain! There had been that one moment of communion though, back there in the cage. Had that just been her power bending him to her will? Or had it been something else? Michael couldn’t be sure. And given the doubt he had refused to take a stand on Amlarie’s possible motivation.
The results of those actions however... Those Connor had a right to know. So that maybe next time she opened a car door to him he would have all the facts at his disposal before he decided if he wanted to get in or not. Though even that justification didn’t make things any easier here and now!
“Oh God Connor” Michael said “I’m so sorry. If I say I didn’t come here to hurt you that will just sound stupid, but it’s true. I was trying to imagine what it must be like to lose my memory, not that I could of course, but I thought it might leave some blanks that I would like filled in. And I really did come here today to let you know that you are someone who saves lives. You are someone who.. left to themselves, recommends people with handicaps like mine to be part of a team.
But given what you said a few moments ago I couldn’t let you go on believing that whatever Amlarie did to you back there, for whatever reason, hadn’t had consequences. So that, if and when, you come in contact with her again you know what could happen. And you’re ready for it ”
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