1963-09-17 - Here to stay?
Summary: Medusa and Crystal discuss their housing arrangements with the Professor.
Related: If there are no related logs, put 'None', — please don't leave blank!
Theme Song: None
crystal medusa xavier 


The time that the sisters have spent with the X-Men in the mansion has been something of a safe haven. But the longer they remain, the more concerned Medusa, at least, becomes. Is it really fair to these people to potentially embroil them in problems that are not even their own? As calm as it has been, Medusa's conscience cannot permit her to remain without the realities of the situation being presented to Professor Xavier. And so here she sits with Crystal, regarding Charles with a solemn, careful gaze.

"I cannot thank you enough for what you have done, Professor." Medusa's hair, while in its contracted state, is nonetheless ridiculously long, and so it has a slight lift to it to keep from trailing on the ground. It floats around her like an aura, or as if drifting on the surface of a pool of water. "But I also do not want to presume on your generosity when it comes to providing my sister and I safe haven, especially not with the danger it might bring to your home."

*

Xavier brings a glass of wine to his lips and, at Medusa's thanks, pulls it away from himself for a moment. He looks around the room with slightly wider eyes, as if being thanked made him think of something.

"My dear Medusa, I have done almost nothing. And having yourself and Crystal here under our roof has been a pleasure to all of our students. As for providing that roof, suffice to say that my parents paid for it."

*

Though Medusa has pressed for this conversation, Crystal, at least, has been reluctant. Then again, Crystal has grown rather attached to the Institute. Leaving isn't something she particularly cares to entertain. So while she has come with her sister, she sits off to the side, unusually quiet. It's a difference from how she's been thus far, and the reason is clear - Medusa is her sister, but also her queen.

Charles' response earns a flicker of a smile, wry. "And it has been my great pleasure to be here," she replies with genuine warmth. "I hope that having us both here doesn't change things. But there are some in Attilan who might not have felt threatened while Medusa was out of the picture, trusting that Black Bolt would be occupied with searching for her, who might now think differently."

*

If one of Medusa's locks brushes briefly against Crystal's shoulder in affectionate reassurance, it is an unremarked upon gesture as Medusa smiles at Xavier's reply. And perhaps a touch of envy at the wine. "Nonetheless, it would be remiss for us to assume that our welcome here is long term. And if it were…" she allows a small note of hope to creep into her voice as she looks over at Crystal with a gentle smile before returning her regard to Xavier, "We would also be remiss if you did so ignorant of who we are and the dangers we present, particularly given it all centers around a cause not your own."

*

"Come plain, please, Medusa. What are you worried about? Our biggest fear as Crystal came to us was to find you. Now that you have been found I had assumed all would be well. If there is some sort of danger I am not sure we should beat around any bushes." He notices the potential envy of the wine and tilts his head, "Crystal, I would be happy to share if you are thirsty."

*

"That…sounds lovely, thank you." Crystal stands at Charles' offer, moving to claim a glass and pour for Medusa before herself. "Medusa, Charles is aware of who and what we are, and the situation in Attilan," she explains to her sister. "When I first came here, it seemed prudent to share what information was necessary."

Not entirely true - Charles found that information before she even reached the door - but there are some things she doesn't really need to share with her sister. "Interestingly, we were actually unable to pinpoint Attilan while we were searching. It seems either the city is protected, or we…register differently."

*

"Ah," Medusa says, only a faint glitter in her eyes as she lifts her chin in acknowledgement. A lock of hair extends to take the glass once Crystal's finished pouring in order to bring it to her hand. "This conversation may be briefer than I thought. Though I have no doubt that the city is protected, part of it's defenses are designed to keep us hidden from the rest of humanity. But we are also not mutants. Not in the sense of the natural evolution of DNA, at any rate. And with Crystal and I as members of the royal family, we are a threat to the usurper who currently sits on its throne. We will take it back. One day." But not today. Not tomorrow. Probably not even next week. "If Maximus were to decide he wanted to try to eliminate us, it could endanger you and yours if you permitted us to stay amongst you. I am not suggesting you couldn't handle it, but you are doing us a great kindness, and you deserve the whole picture."

*

Charles pulls himself out of the leather chair he's seated in and moves to the side of the room filled with cabinets. He pulls down a pair of glasses and fills them with a bottle of wine from the 1800s. As he returns with a tray and two glasses, he sets that down on the table in front of the women. "I certainly do not want to discount what you and your sister are troubled with, Queen, anything but. That being said, there are several students here whose presence here brings great consequences. To me it is an issue of philosophy. We are a place of refuge, or we are not, my Queen. Woe to the person whose dangers are too great were we to feel otherwise."

*

"I suspect that if Maximus were to attempt to play his games here, he would find himself thoroughly outmatched by Charles," Crystal notes, taking a sip of her own wine before she settles back into her seat. Medusa can no doubt read her sister well enough to know that the knowledge doesn't necessarily make her more comfortable, but she does trust the man. "While I explained our situation to Charles and Erik, I've not made the information public. There are some who have picked up the details. Jean, it seems, is aware, but that's no surprise. And Scarlett, thanks to her connections with Asgard. Darwin and Warren were also present. Beyond that, I have avoided explaining how we're different to the people here."

*

Medusa brings the wine to her hand, and takes a sip, with the delicate air of someone for whom drinking wine has been taught as an appreciative art. There's the mildest of glances in Crystal's direction. "I'm not in the habit of second guessing the abilities of any son of the House of Boltagon." she says before looking back at Charles. "Please," she says, her smile momentarily demure, "You are hardly my subject, Charles. Medusa. I insist." Of course, if he's not her subject, she can't boss him around, can she? "As a geneticist I can't imagine you're not being interested in our true nature. But putting that aside, if you are willing to extend a permanent residence to us, or at least a long term one, I know it would make Crystal very happy if we accepted. Which we would."

*

His brown eyebrow raises just a moment as she mentions the House of Boltagon. What happens with Attilan is fascinating to him, yet he has always hesitated to ask because of what he says next. "From when I first met Crystal, it was clear to me that having too much knowledge about your people might bring harm upon you or upon us, Medusa." Apparently, a Queen of Attilan can boss him around anyway she pleases. "I admit that I am enthralled to learn more. At the same time, it is important to put my own curiosity aside." He nods vigorously, "You and your sister can stay as long as you like."

*

Crystal's relief is doubtless clear as day, both to the psychic and to her sister. "Thank you, Charles," she says quietly, though there's a deep warmth in the words as well. "And…" Her smile slips crooked as she looks to her sister then back to Charles. "In all honesty, I may have been overly cautious," she admits. "I felt it was not my place to decide what could or should be known about us. But if Medusa feels differently, then I'm certain there is a great deal to discuss."

*

"I don't think in this case, ignorance would be bliss." Medusa says frankly. "It's not the information that would endanger you, it's what you chose to do with it. And if something were to happen, a lack of information is what would bring you harm. I shall propose a happy medium; ask us both what you're inclined to at any time, we both reserve the right to answer or not as we feel it ultimately important for you to know, and for Crystal's part if she feels she must ask me first, that's fine, though I trust her good sense implicitly."

So basically Charles can satisfy his curiosity as long as he doesn't mind the occasional none of your business as a reply. She gives Crystal another glance, warm but concerned; there are probably a few topics they'll go over and mutually decide not to discuss. And then it's back to Xavier. "Thank you very much. If you require any assistance from Crystal and I, whether for the school or in the field while we are under your roof, do not hesitate to ask. We are both highly educated and well trained."

*

"That all sounds more than fair," Charles replies as he takes another swig from his glass. "I am sure I will have many questions." Indeed, many questions and many desires. It has been his hope to someday visit this Attilan ever since Crystal came to him. But that, of course, would be a long time in coming. Another is to meet this mysterious Black Bolt.

"I thank you in advance. Your sister has been assisting us in our day to day operations and I am happy to report we have never had a smoother start to the school year since our Institute opened."

*

"Oh, don't tell her that," Crystal laughs, coloring slightly as she leans into one corner of her chair. "The last time we were doing anything useful, I was busy complaining about lessons. Better that she think I've never learned any of these useful tasks," she teases, grin flashing.

*

Medusa laughs. "No chance of that!" she tells Crystal with a delighted laugh, a subtle relaxation of her posture indicating this moment is just about two sisters, rather than a pair of super-powered shiny princess types. She looks back to Charles as she takes a sip of her wine. "I don't want to keep you from your work. Perhaps once we've settled in more permanently, as Crystal seems to have already established her role here, we can discuss how I may be of assistance as well?" Nearly twenty years of being able to interpret Black Bolt has left her with a good guage of how to read people, and she's studying Charles intently at the moment.

*

Charles smirks and nods before finishing his glass of wine. "For certain, Queen Medusa. And in the meantime, please do make yourself at home. It is, I am afraid, a bit too cold now for the pool, but I trust you will find our walkway by the lake one of our best attractions."

*

"Well, it doesn't have to be too cold for the pool. I could warm it up," Crystal points out, smile crooked, before she takes a sip of her wine. "But the lake is very nice, and the grounds themselves are lovely. And a relief from the city," she adds with a grateful look to Charles. Actually, since Crystal took up residence, if there were anyone measuring air and water quality around the institute, they'd notice a marked improvement in both. One of the quieter benefits of her presence.

*

"Just Medusa. Please." the Inhuman in question asserts. There's another delicate sip of her wine, and she adds casually, "I look forward to the opportunity for you to show it to me. This time of year is quite my favorite; I'm sure it's beautiful." She turns a broad grin to Crystal. "I was out on the back property the other day and bumped into Scarlett. A very eloquent woman."

*

"Oh, of course. My mistake," Charles says with a chuckle. "I look forward to it, Medusa." He groans lightly as he gets back out of his chair and nods to them, "As for now I should probably get back to grading papers. Ladies, it was fantastic getting a chance to speak with you both. Medusa, I am very happy that you were found. Your sister was very concerned for you."

*

"And grateful for all of the help I received as well," Crystal adds, standing as Charles does. "Erik is back from England, if you get the chance to speak with him. He's very curious as to what happened here while he was away." There's a cautious note to the last, concern for Erik as well. "I've told him some, but…" She trails off, shrugging uncomfortably. "You two are old friends. You know better than I how he reacts to hearing of these sorts of things. He should know, but I think you could explain it better than I."

Turning back to Medusa, she laughs softly. "Scarlett is a rare creature indeed. Hidden depths with that one. But she seems to have everyone's best interests at heart."

*

"I daresay no more happy than I am." Medusa says with a smile, moving to rise from her seat and saluting Charles with her glass. She'll be taking that with her, because wine. She'll wait briefly to see if Crystal's coming with, and then excuses herself, heading out the door.

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