07 | day; accidental video; action

[arethebettermen]

[ The PORTAL turns on to show the gym of the Xavier Mansion (which does look more like a gym now). It just shows part of the room, and a moment later the audio clicks on: ]

--are you ready?

As ready as I'll ever be. You're certain about this, Mei, yes?

[ There isn't an answer given, instead a few seconds later the PORTAL shifts slightly as

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[destinedwaters]

[Don't think she didn't catch that tone, friend. For his own benefit, she adds to the encryption.] ...What about you, Charles?

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[arethebettermen]

What about me?

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[destinedwaters]

Do you consider yourself courageous?

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[arethebettermen]

[ He says nothing at first. Instead, he sighs and his shoulders sag. He glances up to make sure that Mei is talking to someone else. ]

I believe we both know the answer to that question, my friend.

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[destinedwaters]

[She sees all of that, and decides to keep her voice low. What would her Master say in this situation...?]

It takes much more courage to stand up to your friends than it does enemies, and even more to overcome what life throws your way. [Ven... Terra... They were both so brave, even in the face of fear.] I believe it shows that you are.

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[arethebettermen]

[ Charles would do it again, of course. He'd stand up for the humans and take the not-so-metaphoric bullet for them. Still, the fact that he and his best friend had to part ways eats at him. The fact that he couldn't be a proper brother to Raven eats at him. Even after it being a grand total of five months after the Cuban Missile crisis (the month at home then four at Promenade), it doesn't change how he ultimately feels about it.

Would he make the decision again? Yes. Does it mean he won't regret the fact that it cost him the two most important people? No. ]

We see how being courageous has left me, Aqua. I only hope that it ends better for your students.

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[destinedwaters]

I hope so, too, but...

[Her gaze lowers. To be truthful, part of her seemed to have faded away at the sight she was greeted with two months ago-some of the wounds not quite healed yet from the experience. The way she knows things are back home haunt her terribly, and it would be all too easy to give into the false delusion that it was all just one terrible nightmare.

But that castle was brought here, the silent white halls and those empty chambers resonating with a concrete heart that simply is not beating within the innermost sanctum. To know that, if she ever returns home like Ven had, she'd-]

They have a strong group, and I know that with all they've faced together in our absence, they'll do just fine.

[She smiles, at peace with her fate. No regrets.]

You still remain for your students; even if not whole, you're still you.

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[arethebettermen]

[ He watches her closely, not saying a word or even sending her thoughts through the link that they share. It's odd how their bond formed - a mixture of her abilities and his own. They are very similar in ideals and dreams, making him wonder how many people like them were out amongst the worlds. Fighting to try and keep everything at peace. How many people were like Erik and Terra?

Charles shifts (as best as he can) when she finishes speaking. Both of them have no regrets for their actions, but think the cost is too high. Both just want the best for everyone, including their friends, at the expense of themselves. ]

Some would argue I'm not me.

[ He says softly. He doesn't even feel like him most days. Continual battles with post-traumatic stress (because he refuses to address the issue) that cause nightmares; feeling recoil every time a friend leaves; the guilt over what happened with Moira. Some days he wonders who the hell he is and how he became the person sitting in a wheelchair. ]I think this is a conversation better to be

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[destinedwaters]

[The silence is nearly jarring, but she says nothing on it for now. How bonds form isn't something surprising or odd to her with all the worlds she's visited in her travels and how so many have touched in this dream. It should be unsettling, and yet... she's still at peace.

Must be the kids rubbing off on her.]

Stress does strange things to everyone.

[She smiles faintly, shifting in her own seat at her desk slightly and nodding. Her gaze falls to the window to her left.]

I'll come by after training. It's almost time that they arrive...

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[arethebettermen]

We'll talk then. I imagine Mei wants to get back to my own training.

[ He glances up at Mei then gives Aqua a faint smile. ]