[The general summons his soldier: Magneto and Pyro have a little chat.]

[tm_magneto]

[RP for Tm_Pyro, locked to same.]

After reading Pyro's statement about the people he'd killed, Magneto had a feeling he was missing something. He sent the summons that his lieutenant meet him in his office at once, and paced back and forth, thinking as he waited for Pyro to comply.

Rogue had told him that Pyro had not been himself lately. Erik had

Comments

[john_ispyro]

[tm_magneto]

"Yes." Magneto thought very carefully about what he wanted to say. There were questions about these murders Pyro was claiming credit for, certainly.

But that wasn't the reason Erik was concerned.

"Pyro," he said quietly, "What is the matter?"

[john_ispyro]

[tm_magneto]

"All right," Erik said, nodding, his voice very calm. "Sit down. I am going to talk for a minute, and I just want you to listen to me. Can you do that? Good." Erik began walking, some of his rigidity evaporating as he paced.

"We lead a very hard life, Pyro, and it is, by necessity, isolated. It is very hard for us to be with others who are not part of this life. Believe me, I know. I have trained for years to have relationships with my children, and I always fail. Because as much as I love them--and I do love them, Pyro, never doubt that--I know--and they know, they will always be Magneto's children, and I will always be Magneto." He stood next to Pyro and put his hand on his lieutenant's soldier. "You will always be Pyro. There is no going back, not now, not ever. And the people you love will always be in danger because of it

[john_ispyro]

[tm_magneto]

Something about Pyro's story was not quite ringing true, but Erik wasn't sure why. He certainly understood Pyro's vehement rage. "No, it is abominable. Pyro, I want it understood that my feelings about what you have done are not necessarily that you have done anything wrong, but that you went about your behavior in an inappropriate way. In the future, if you hear of such injustices, bring them to me first, before you go off half-cocked, mmm?" Magneto raised a brow, his tone gently censuring. "I could have come up with something a lot more...theatrical. We must make it about the greater good of mutants, not our own personal vendettas. In the future, you won't do this again--not because I have issue with what your actions as much as I do with how you violated protocol. And there will be consequences for that, as I am sure you realized when you did it

[john_ispyro]

[tm_magneto]

"Of course you have my support," Erik said immediately. "It is tricky, but I will be able to turn this to our advantage. I shall release a statement saying you acted under my orders, if you like." His mouth twisted. "If you think your reputation is bad, it is nothing compared to mine." His voice was only slightly mocking.

Erik clapped his hand on Pyro's shoulder again. "And I wish I could tell you that it wasn't true, that you would not lose friends over this. But you will. It happens. I am sorry, for what it is worth, but it is the path we have chosen. Perhaps one day it will be different, and we will not have to do such terrible things."

Magneto gave Pyro a searching look. "I feel I have been remiss, somehow. I want you to feel free to come to me with things that are bothering you, whatever they may be. I am your general, but your friend, I would like to think."

[john_ispyro]

[tm_magneto]

"I have about four houses you don't know about," Magneto said, with a small smile. "I am glad you have a place of your own. Just let me know some way to reach you, if you go there on furlong."

Magneto's voice changed, sharpened. He began pacing, hands behind his back. "Now. We must think of how to do this. I will speak to the others, but I think the best thing to do is for me to issue a statement." He paused. "Is that what you want, Pyro? Or do you want this to be your responsibility?" It seemed to Erik that for some reason, Pyro wanted this to be his responsibility, his call. "I am fully prepared to allow you to do that, if you wish. You are already wanted, it isn't as if this is putting you in any more danger than your past actions on our behalf."

[john_ispyro]

[tm_magneto]

"No, you don't want that. And what you said is true. This is who you are, and what you will do for the cause, and it will save you less stress if people know this about you now rather than later. Believe me, I know."

Erik went to sit behind his desk. "Very well. I'll release a statement." He looked at Pyro thoughtfully. "Is there anything else you feel you need to tell me, Pyro?"

[john_ispyro]

[tm_magneto]

Erik was quiet. "John," he said, in a rare instance of using Pyro's first name, "You are dismissed from duties, training, and chores for the next three days. You are not to go anywhere near a computer, not to leave the house, and you are temporarily relieved of your status within the hierarchy. I expect you to be present only at mealtimes, in which you will eat. You will take this time to sleep and take care of yourself. Are we clear?"

[john_ispyro]

[tm_magneto]

Erik smiled, a touch coldly, and his voice was chill when he spoke. Something about Pyro's attitude was not entirely genuine, but Erik thought it was likely due to the fact the young man was worried about his boyfriend and upset. Still, it would not hurt to throw a warning in for good measure. "Good. You best listen. I ask for obedience and I expect that you give it to me. If I find out you have been lying to me, I am going to be very displeased. I have earned my reputation, lad, and you don't really want me to show you how. I trust that you are loyal to me, in return for this loyalty I am showing you. Do not prove me false."

His face relaxed, and Magneto became Erik, a near seamless transition. "And if we can do anything for Doug, do let me know. I expect that, when this is settled, I may finally meet him, yes?"