A Reunion

[367]

What's Up?

It's been a month since Professor Charles Xavier fell into an enigmatic coma, leaving his institute and his protégés to continue on without him.

It's been three days since the mark that had appeared on Xavier also appeared on his first eight students, the original X-Men. While none of them have followed their mentor's lead into oblivion, word of this strange shared circumstance reached them all quickly and they've agreed to gather and discuss the situation.

For better or worse, it seems that they're in this together.

It's dark, cold, and snowing outside when they gather in one of the mansion's parlors, a large room with double doors (which they close behind them) and a lit fireplace. The flames inside crackle and dismiss the worst of the night's chill as they arrive one by one, taking positions on two couches and three chairs scattered around a low table. The antique furniture and built-in bookshelves make the space reminiscent of Charles Xavier's office and the man's presence seems to hang over the gathering.

...But at least the bar cart is well-stocked.

Volunteer Slots

Scott Summers had the foresight to prepare a snack for the group before they met up. Or maybe they just needed a distraction. Regardless, they arrive armed with enough deviled eggs for everyone!

During the discussion, Kitty Pryde says something about themselves or their life that is just...not true. They don't know why they said it or where the thought even came from. How strange.

Near the end of the discussion, Kurt Wagner's mark begins to glow, bright enough to be visible through or around anything that might be obscuring it. One by one, the others' marks follow suit, ending with Emma Frost. The glow of their mark persist for several long moments after the others go dull and seems to pulse within their skin...before they suddenly collapse back with a gasp and fall unconscious.

When Emma wakes, only minutes later, their friends are around them and they recall nothing but a blinding light.

ARRIVALS ⮾ DURING THE TALK ⮾ AFTER THE TALK ⮾ OOC

code

Comments

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[totalities marvel girl]

"It'd feel like a funeral if you were wearing a suit," Jean agrees.

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[seeingred scott summers ⊗ cyclops]

"Depends on the color of it." A bold suggestion, when they both know that the only time Scott wears a bright color is when he's in uniform. He'd like to keep doing small talk, but the mention of a funeral tips his mood back to brooding. "Do you think this is a bad idea?"

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[totalities marvel girl]

It was not a totally random remark from Jean, who had spent the better part of the morning spectating various versions of Charles Xavier's funeral in her mind. In one universe, where Jean had been sporting a particularly ridiculous perm of fluffy scarlet curls, it rained so hard and so abruptly that everyone had been huddled under a handful of garish yellow umbrellas, property of the Institute. That Scott and Jean had been long separated but hadn't spared a second thought about sharing an umbrella. It's not always so bad, she wants to tell him. The funeral. Life after it.

"What?" Jean asks, mind clearly far away. Then she shakes her head. The Professor isn't dead. Not here. Not now. "Talking to our friends?"

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[seeingred scott summers ⊗ cyclops]

Scott smiles slightly. He's accustomed to Jean being elsewhere while talking to him. Understandable, with her powers, and it makes him want to move closer. To watch out for her, while her mind is traveling.

(It's the biggest difference between her and Madelyne, who always gives him her full attention, and insists on getting it back.)

"Talking is fine. I mean, all of us being here. Whoever marked the eight of us guaranteed that we'd have to come together." It's a thought he hasn't voiced to anyone else yet.

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[totalities marvel girl]

"Not a very good evil plan," Jean says after seriously contemplating this for a second. She's always insouciant about threats to their personal safety, though. "I'd want to pick us off one at a time."

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[seeingred scott summers ⊗ cyclops]

She has a point. Scott folds his arms in unconscious mimicry of her. "Who would you take out first?"

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[totalities marvel girl]

Jean's hand snakes past him to grab a carrot stick. "Bobby," she says, and crunches it for punctuation. "What about you?"

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[seeingred scott summers ⊗ cyclops]

His shoulders stiffen as she comes close. He keeps his arms crossed. "Kurt. It would deal a serious blow to team morale."

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[totalities marvel girl]

"You don't think Bobby dying would also deal a serious blow to team morale?"

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[seeingred scott summers ⊗ cyclops]

"Kurt does less puns than Bobby," Scott points out, like this is an objective measure of morale. "He'd also keep leading the team even if Bobby was dead. If Kurt died, no one would be in charge anymore."

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[totalities marvel girl]

Jean just laughs like he's told a moderately funny joke.

ARRIVALS: Scott & Jean

[seeingred scott summers ⊗ cyclops]

Scott doesn't understand what's funny, but hearing the bright sound of Jean's laugh, he doesn't care.

"We have to stop talking about murder," he says.