uisgeannan | [X-Men AU Continuation]

[It's been a grand total of two hours, and Euri is ready to go home.

Home of course being a comfortable apartment in the Upper West Side, near Central Park. Sure, with her mother touring so much it was often only her, but it had nice views and she didn't have to share it with anyone. Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters might be larger than her previous private school, but the latter was smaller and girls only and she never had to deal with roommates and living on campus.

It's all strange and uncomfortable and she'd much rather find somewhere quiet where she can be alone. But no, one of the teachers (she doesn't bother remembering her name, she doesn't want to remember her name) is coming by after she's unpacked to let her know that one of the students will show her around the campus. It's a nice gesture but Euri can't help the sullen expression on her features as she follows her down to a very familiar door.

Apparently someone had seen the two of them talking when she first arrived, and decided it might be good for both her and Pyro to spend a little more time together. Euri isn't sure she believes that, though she remains silent as Professor Ororo Munroe explains the situation to Pyro, not giving him the option to say no.

And when all that's said and done it's the two of them left alone to explore the campus.]

So....

I guess we should get started, huh? [She couldn't sound more unenthused.] Where do you want to go first?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Will you listen to me? It's not an army, and they don't attack anyone. They're pacifists, basically diplomats. But they're ready if things turn ugly.

Bullshit! Pacifists don't need uniforms, they don't need all of - [She waves a hand frantically at the hall] - this crap!

[Oh god, and what would happen if they got caught down here? She didn't think anything of it before, but now it seems like it could be really serious. Biting her lip she glances around, before heading towards the elevator.]

This is so fucked up. I'm not sticking around.

You're leaving? Completely?

[He follows behind at a leisurely pace, not bothering to hide the disgust on his face.]

If you think having a way to defend ourselves is fucked up, then make sure to let the door hit your ass on the way out.

[She glances back at him, scowling at his expression and at least waiting for him in the elevator. Partly so she can keep arguing with him, partly because she doesn't want to touch anything in case she breaks it.]

Defend ourselves against what? Some idiotic civilians? That's what the police are for!

You know what the police did when I was living on the streets?

They chased us around and made us desert every place we found to live. In New York City. Like they didn't have anything better to do than smoke out squatters. It was all because we were mutants, and most of us were kids who'd been thrown out by our parents when they found out what we were. Not like they'd put us in the system, because who'd foster a mutant kid when their own parents gave them up?

One time we were too late, and a squad opened fire on us. We barely made it out alive. That's what the police are for if you're a mutant.

[She stays huddled in one of the corners of the elevator, not looking at him but listening quietly. He sounds sincere enough but she's scared, not wanting to believe he's actually telling the truth. It's much easier to think that the police would protect mutants in trouble and that this school is some secret villain hive than it is anything else.]

That can't be right.

[She shakes her head slowly.]

Maybe... maybe they've just gotten to you. They've got all that shit in the basement, who knows what they can do.

[Yes! Yes, that makes a hell of a lot more sense than what Pyro is saying.]

[This time, his laughter is thick with bitterness.]

I can guarantee they haven't gotten to me. I nearly refused to come here, 'cause I thought they needed to do more. But free room and board is hard to pass up when it's that or a park bench and it's January.

[Shit, she might actually be onto something. Her gaze snaps over to him and without bothering to stop and think she's responding.]

Then you should come home with me.

What?

If they haven't gotten to you then you should just leave. You're in the same boat as me, right? You just need somewhere to stay.

[It seems pretty reasonable to her, and she feels bad that he's being forced to stay here. Especially when she still has a nice apartment that's just sitting empty.]

[But - it -]

I barely know you. I don't know your family at all. Why would they take me in?

Mom's out of the country right now. I'll just call her and explain everything to her. By the time she gets back she'll be completely fine with it!

[Probably.]

And meanwhile, you just get to keep living in your ignorant little bubble where humans actually give a shit about us?

Meanwhile I go home, she takes me out of this insane school and enrolls me back in my old one, and things go back to normal. Easy!

So I get to go back to grade six and play human at some prissy boarding school.

No thanks.

Aren't you doing that here?

[Is she seriously stupid?]

We're here because we're mutants. Not in spite of it, and not hiding it. Yeah, it sucks most of the time, but it's better than faking human.

I didn't fake anything at my old school! [She sniffs.] It just never came up. That's all.

[Well, that was a very long elevator ride, oops. He steps out when it reaches the top floor, then crosses his arms over his chest.]

So go pack up. Leave. No one to miss you yet.

[His eyes light up in challenge.]

Pussy out.

[She follows him out, looking utterly affronted.]

I am not being a coward! If anyone is, it's you! A coward and an idiot!

No, I'm sticking around to see if any minds can get changed around here. You think there's some big conspiracy going on? Bust it up from the inside. Don't run off with your tail between your legs.

[She hesitates, looking ready to snap at him again.]

... Do you think they can change? With all of that - [She waves a hand at the elevator] - stuff in there?

[This is golden. Not only another shit-stirrer, but one who believes that they're some kind of crazy cult or something. Now he's got to get her to stay, just to watch the fireworks.]

Depends on you, doesn't it? You think you've got what it takes to bring this place down? You already know you're not alone. [His expression becomes gentle, almost intimate.] It'd be nice, honestly, not being alone. Having someone else know this place is bullshit.

Maybe....

[She can't deny that's an appealing thought, not being alone. Though she wouldn't admit it her life has always been lonely, and that change would certainly be a bright spot in this whole creepy mess.]

I need to think about it. So... we might as well finish the tour.

[X-Men AU Continuation]

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