#!a.ic

[fcxavier]

{ ` junki know he's there. he's just as aware of this fact as the other is aware of him, walking down the hallways as if he'd never departed. it's with thinly pursed lips that he pushes the office door open } i take it you're aware of our current situation. { ` it's presumptuous, perhaps, but a large part of him holds anger against his friend; a cover for illogical, tormenting pain }

(` the telepath stares mindlessly at the papers in his hands, reports of the occurrences during his leave that were supposed to be read, evaluated -- none that he can wholly focus on with the recent developments; junki can hear their pain, their pleas--if anything he wanted nothing more than to burst in there, but he was smarter than that. everything has to be done right. accordingly. there will be no chance of failure -- of anyone else getting hurt. ) "yes." (` he takes a moment to gather himself before meeting his old friend's eyes, narrowing slightly at the atrocious choice of headgear -- but perhaps even that is a blessing in disguise, he has already seen enough from sen's expression alone ) "those kids won't be able to survive if they stay there for any longer, sen." (` it's obvious, but perhaps sometimes the obvious needs to be pointed out in order to shine focus on the real issue here )

[fcxavier]

okay but how much viagra do you go through a month

"about as much brain supplements you take a month, i suppose." he hums, amusement lilting his words. 

ah, these were the kids he's striving to protect.

[fcxmagneto]

come back to us, professor

I have work to do.

[fcxmagneto]

ah ahha haha ur face let me touch it

“no.”

[fcxmagneto]

i'm back, mags { ` 8'> }

"welcome back." he manages something of a light tone for the young woman, despite the weight on his shoulders of a coming departure and the friend who is still holding out hope for him (til the very last minute). "how was it?"

[fcxavier]

he isn't unaffected by the other's words. they burrow deep and remain while he maintains the calm that both of them need while his friend hurts. he's always been sympathetic to all, and it hadn't taken long to realize that it was no mere side-effect of his power—but the mention of the dead man steels him further. "thousands of innocent people have already been hurt, junki. our brothers, sisters—/our kind/. talk does not bring change, action does. we will change this world, while you talk."

"and you doing this will only hurt thousands more, my friend." his eyes narrow, unwavering in this psychological battle of theirs. he's sure that his friend understands--knows fully well about the inner demons driving him into this as much as junki himself did--he doesn't need to remind sen.

he doesn't want to. he doesn't want any of this.

"action driven by a rage like yours will only bring death, sen."

[fcxavier]

he is no stranger to the expression that greets him upon closer inspection. somewhere within the depths of his chest, his heart gives a bitter pang while his lips remain pressed into a thin line (tone thick with that ever-present dry amusement he is known for)—"you know the answer to that, my brother. you've always known." the chance for arguing those words comes and goes, in silence, "and i'll leave those ways to you. we're greater than this—playing victim with our students. it's time."

it's true -- he had always known. yet the eagerness--the hope--to turn a blind eye and wish and pray for the best of his old friend--a part of him that junki knows exists--was enough to keep him quiet over the years. he had always hoped it wouldn't turn out like this -- and yet, here they were. "my friend, you are the closest thing i have to family -- i know you. i know you can be better than this--this is seito." he sighs a bit, unperturbed by the bitter aftertaste of the dead man's name slipping off his tongue -- he had more important things to worry about at the moment. 

"we can talk to them -- we can hold press conferences, you don't have to do this. you don't have to start a war." he's pleading by now, well aware of his intentions and more so aware of the fact that this goes beyond him and his friend of over a decade--beyond his treasured students. because the future for all of them is clear if junki lets him go through with this today--

"thousands of innocent people will get hurt, sen."

he just won't have it.

[fcxavier]

"why the long face?"

"it seems there's something disturbing the students' -- i can hear distressed thoughts coming at a light speed." he makes a gesture to tap at his temple, thin lips slightly down turned -- the troubled expression on his features is obvious. "are you sure you want to do this, old friend?" the tone is slightly imploring, thick with an emotion that could be either taken as desperate or disappointed--hurt even.

"there are other ways, sen. better ways."

why can't you see that?