The point between rage and serenity

We have it in us to be the better men. (ooc: This is an independent roleplay blog for Charles Xavier from X-Men First Class, I will interact with anyone from any fandom. Please check the 'Info' page for current information. If you'd like to know what's going on, that is. Occasionally NSFW Currently on Semi-Hiatus)) Disclaimer: I own none of the images or gifs used here unless stated otherwise.

[klaus-sadisticandcareless]

I’m for dinner. ( he’s only half kidding. ) An’ you’re awful at participating in joke-ful banters.

( on a more serious note. ) …. we’ll see what the kids want. 

[birthrightandburden]

I was about to say...

I don’t think you’re a necessarily child-appropriate meal. [ Charles appropriate though? Most definitely. ] And I’m lovely at banters, it’s just sometimes next to impossible to know when you’re bantering.

[klaus-sadisticandcareless]

You can’t cook. I ‘ave to fly to New York more often then not just to make sure you’re not dead.

… this coming from a man who’s died a near fistful ov’ times, it should show how concerning that is. ‘m getting you a cook. ( a very unattractive and annoying cook, but a cook nonetheless. )

[birthrightandburden]

Unless the cook is also a mutant and in need of my school’s very specific brand of help I’m not particularly interested in hiring.

Though I do thank you for your concern, I think it’s worth noting I’ve survived this long with my tragically horrible culinary skills, and in all likelihood I probably won’t suddenly start starving just because you’re not there to cook for me. [ A pause, followed by a coy grin. ] Which is very sweet, by the way. I always appreciate it. [ What is for dinner? ]

[klaus-sadisticandcareless]

so i should just disown them, perhaps then I’ll have an off-put shot of obtaining some nice gesture from ‘em. … – y’know – one of my kids asked me once if I was dating a supermodel. 

[birthrightandburden]

Because I live in New York and drink more than I eat?

I’m touched. [ And his ego is pleasantly fluffed, but Charles knows full well that while he might be adequately handsome, he is most certainly not supermodel material. ]

[klaus-sadisticandcareless]

…. teenagers can be nice? 

[birthrightandburden]

To just about everyone but their parents, yes.

And even them, once in a blue moon.

[klaus-sadisticandcareless]

our kids are getting along. ( a little too well. he’s a little concerned now. should he be? Charles, he’s always concerned, you need to tell him when he’s being rightfully concerned. )

[birthrightandburden]

There’s a definable limit to how many teenagers you can put in one household before they start...Ah, how do I put this delicately?

....Indulging urges.

If you’re determined to be concerned about something, that is. It is possible for people to just be nice to each other, after all. 

[monsterisee]

Suppose I’ll just have to bring the entire cupboard.  ( all it takes is a quick glance over the shoulder, not even remotely attempting to disguise his mocking determination.  the nob turns itself, and motions the door to a  half open settle. with current clarity it can be heard, that yes - it is the sound of wood grating - and yes, that is  a quiet tremble coming from the kitchen, cabinet flexing at the wall containing it. ) You wouldn’t infer that your children are light sleepers – ? ( everything’s still in place, Charles. he’s displaying you an option - consider it benevolent. )

[birthrightandburden]

. . . . I’ll get it.

[ P r i c k.  The words don’t leave Charles lips, but his eyes say it for him. Before he excuses himself from the room to fetch some scotch, grabbing two glasses along his way. Unless Erik floats over some ice, they’ll be having it dry, he decides. He doesn’t like losing, but Erik has a habit of calling his bluffs, so he’s just going to put the glasses down on the desk with lackluster grace and pour Erik a single shot and himself a double.  He shoots it down, sitting in the chair he offered to Erik. ] So, I believe you wanted to talk about something?  [ Let’s move on from his failure, he’s not enjoying seeing you gloat. ]

[monsterisee]

( That doesn’t work on him, Charles. He’s quite possibly the only person immune to – …. mno. and he’s back on his feet. )

Funny. ( He’s laughing on the inside. Somewhere  - down in the abyss. Maybe a bit past it. )

mhm, far left corner or right? ( don’t test him, Charles. wouldn’t put it past him to drag the entire kitchen cupboard to prove a point. you can let Erik play guess work and toss his way around in the kitchen without supervision - or you either : get it yourself, or toss him a hint. your move. )

[birthrightandburden]

Bottom right.

It’s the only bottle without metal on it, coincidentally. .  [ Now he’s just being a little shit, but to be fair, you did start it. ] Normally I’d fetch it, but since you were sweet enough to offer I figured you wouldn’t mind.

[monsterisee]

A calm display.

( Charles has words. Erik, as you bluntly put, has positioning. And it’s a hand reaching over to fix the collar of the other,  although it’s more for the obnoxious tug then a good natured gesture. )

… was I not subtle? ( —- Does Erik even hold a definition to ‘subtle’? Probably not. )

ah-ha.  ( creak. Charles’ chair may have nudged back a few inches,  and Erik’s sliiiiding over to sit at the center of the desk, facing the other with curled lips ever-so-unpolite taunt. )

… – you may have misinterpreted my ‘god amongst insects’  statement a bit too literal.  ( … Charles you can’t point Erik out on his hypocrisy. How incredibly rude? Now he’s a step lower on the playing field.  … this relationship only works if he feels like he’s in charge. be the better man. step down. )

[birthrightandburden]

[ No. ]

Oh? Was that not how you meant it?

My mistake, here I was trying to be next messiah just to fit into your definition of mutantism. What a relief, I was so dreading the crucifixion.

[ It touches just enough on reality for Charles to veer sharply away from the subject. Flicking his eyes up to meet Erik’s and holding steady, because he’s convinced he can drown you in his calm oceans of blue before you destroy him with your hurricane of sea-green. ] --About that scotch? I’ll have the strongest bottle of it, if you’d please. [ If you can pick it out without looking, that is. Because if you have to get up and check, it would appear Charles has hit checkmate. ]

[monsterisee]

( Relax, he still intends to use the chair. Give or take after he’s 

subtly certain he’s containing the upper hand. That’s just what they constantly are, though, aren’t they? Playing power. Consistently neglecting comfort and a placid aura.  They’re never untroubled - at least, not in any of the near present, currently. )

( … as aware as he is of this, it doesn’t stop him from unsettling further, by sitting on the edge of  his desk, hands folded idly on his lap.  and he’s peering down at Charles. )

should I fetch it?  ( … you can already hear the liquor cabinet opening from the fair distance. )

[birthrightandburden]

Are you trying to show off? [ Erik has positioning, Charles has words. ] Honestly, I don’t think I’ve seen quite so impressive a display of peacocking since I last went to the zoo.

[ And those disarming smiles that say ever-so-politely, “This is my turf”. ] I’d return the favor and show off some of my growing “talents” [ He indicates this by a wiggle of his fingers by his temple. ] but you seem much more skittish about me being as ‘loud and proud’ about my mutation as you are with yours.  Which is a shame, because if you’re willing, these days I can turn water into wine--Sans the hangover, of course.  [ Did you really think that just because he was rusty, he wouldn’t play this game too? ]

[monsterisee]

( the chair is sliding back with a light creak - 

all while Erik diligently walks towards it,  but he doesn’t settle into the seat just yet. )

a simple knocking gesture is all it would take?

( he shrugs with the corners of his lips - a mocking comprehension. ) who knew.

( and there he is - hovering over Charles’ shoulder and perusing at the stacks of paperwork. ) 

That’s a fair assumption. ( there’s a pause, then a hand reaches past and fixes a stack of papers to match evenly. )

[birthrightandburden]

[ Of course. Because if Erik sat in the chair and did what Charles wanted, Charles could have control of his conversation. Erik could be in a place he was uncomfortable, and Charles could have the upper-hand. So of course Erik comes over. With his all-too-familiar cologne and the confidence that allows him to think that he has a right to read Charles’ files. ]

Always good to see that you manage to maintain a wonderful sense of humor while still possessing a horrible temper.  Quite honestly I didn’t think it was possible to have both traits. [ It’s spoken as he closes the file, glancing at Erik again. Just like he’s attempting to close himself off, a task that’s not easy when someone who can read you as well as he can read the words off the page is standing over your shoulder. ] If this is a social visit I’ll need to break out the scotch.

[monsterisee]

Wouldn’t have heard me if I had.

( canting his head, he lifts idly clenched knuckles to the door frame and –knock knock. )

[birthrightandburden]

Do give me some credit, just because I can ignore you’re supposedly siren-like calls to revolution doesn’t mean I’m completely deaf to all attempts to capture my attention.

[ Sass will just get you sass, none the less he gestures with an open hand to the seat opposite his desk. ] I assume you have something important to tell me.  [ After all, what brings them together aside from incoming disaster? ]

[llynirr-deactivated20170615]

Erik Lehnsherr + Villainy

[birthrightandburden]

[ He keeps his back facing the other, leaning over the desk to stare at some paperwork. The lines of his muscles seem tense, and he’d be lying if he didn’t admit to feeling some ache. ] The polite thing, [ He finally glances over his shoulder at him. At Erik. ] Is to knock. 

It seems you’ve forgotten. 

[birthrightandburden]

is this it, is that the extent of this.

[birthrightandburden]

[thegraveheart-deactivated202001]

   There’s nothing peaceful about living and nothing satisfying about what a bunch of dead guys decided life meant. It’s brutal and bloody and unforgiving.    [ The conclusion? He survives. He’s always survived and he’s going to continue to do it, whether he’s paranormally driven mad one more time or tailed by another pack looking for a fight, snapping at his heels. ]    Philosophy is old and fundamental, but it makes you think in circles for hours and doesn’t help me with the fact I’m failing chemistry.

[birthrightandburden]

I can name a few philosophers that would agree with you on your former points--As for your later, that’s known as circular reasoning I believe, and ideally you’d want to avoid it.

Philosophy is whatever you make it, you see, just like the world. [ Still, Isaac’s patience will wear with him, and he does need to address the chemistry business. ] --As for chemistry, I’ll need a list of your strengths and weakness and when you started being troubled with it before we begin.

[klaus-sadisticandcareless]

You don’t really think I sent you to him just to teach him about his bloody classes—? I mean, yes, do help him with his studies. I did mean it when I said I want him caught up on what he missed. And I do need him to actually graduate. What ‘m asking is to — ( pauses. )  Help him.

[birthrightandburden]

Did you honestly doubt even for a moment that I didn’t intend to?

[ Klaus did you think that you could drop an emotionally crippled youth on Charles’ lap and not have him immediately pull out the bandages? ] You of all people should know better.  [ Do you remember when you threatened and rolled your eyes at him too while Charles just smiled patiently and softened you up? ]