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It's getting late. The younger students have gone off to bed. The older students aren't inclined to be in the library at this hour when there's no test upcoming. It makes things quiet for Bobby who's sprawled in one of the more comfy chairs with a book on algebra and taking notes in a notebook. Next to him, a bottle of beer is on a coaster on a table.
*
Whereas a good many of the students tend to avoid the library when there isn't a pressing need to study, Charles Xavier tends to gravitate there most evenings to work at the table in the corner or — much like Bobby — settle down with a book and a good drink.
Today would seem to be one of the former as he steps in with a folder full of essays he's part way through marking, and he smiles when he spots the older student there. "Good evening, Robert." he greets. "Restful evening?"
*
Bobby glances up and gives Xavier a quick smile. "Hey Prof. Just writing up some lesson notes. I didn't like what I already had planned for next week. Too boring, not that algebra is ever not really boring. But especially with everything happening lately it needs to at least pretend."
*
Really, Xavier should probably just start thinking of them as teachers instead of old students he supposes, but it's the sort of mindset that's harder to break than he'd strictly like to admit.
Crossing over to his habitual table Charles gives a chuckle, sitting down and flipping open his folder. "Finding shockingly interesting new applications for seemingly boring things is something of a knack of yours, I'm delighted to hear you're applying it to curriculum." he remarks, pulling a colored pencil from behind his ear. "Though it has without a doubt been an…eventful month."
*
"You could say that." Bobby agrees, slipping a bookmark between the pages to mark his place and then closing the book. "Too much happening all at once. No one knows what to concentrate on first. People are just going to freak and over react to everything as if they're all related. Which is, as usual, not good for us."
*
"People fear that which they do not understand, and right now unfortunately, there's a lot that is not understood." Charles agrees with a faint grimace. "But it also means people are looking for answers. Perhaps now more than ever is an opportunity to show that for our part, we are allies."
*
"By fighting aliens once they show up? Or supposed Viking gods?" Setting the book aside, Bobby reaches for his beer. "This might be the time to keep our head down and hope they forget about us. But if we do go out there, we should make sure we can't be recognized. Jean's coming up with a few possible masks and stuff. Whatever we do, we're going to need to be extra careful."
*
"On that we agree." Charles replies, turning his chair around and crossing one leg over the other knee; his grading can wait a bit longer. "I've spoken with Crystal. She knows something of these new arrivals to Earth, and they can shapeshift at will." he lets out a breath, eyes rolling briefly as he remarks, "An entire species of Ravens. We're implementing a password system for those arriving at the mansion, and I fully support taking steps to protect our identities should a situation arise that we could aid in. …But if one does, I believe that we should."
*
"A password? That's a good idea. Though hopefully they'll neve realize who we are to impersonate any of us." Glancing at the bottle, it frosts over before Bobby takes a swig. "I suppose if we happen to see something, we can't just stand by and not do something. Even if some of them do deserve whatever happens to them.:"
*
"Even for those who have made poor decisions in the past out of fear, sometimes all it takes is one profound experience to change their mind." Xavier says with a shrug. He knows as well as any this isn't always the case.. but you never know which times are which if you don't try. "And for every person like that who may or may 'deserve' help, there are many more innocents who might have nothing else to protect them but us should this situation turn dangerous."
*
"Yeah, yeah." Bobby doesn't really disagree; he's just been frustrated at everything happening since the Avengers fiasco. "We'll do what we can. And speaking of, I tested Alex's brother a bit. He's very eager to join and he seems to have the basics down. I told him he can start training with others to learn teamwork."
*
Charles chuckles a bit at the sing-song reply. "It's possible I was teaching a philosophy class during final period, do excuse me, Robert." he turns an interested look on Bobby at that turn of conversation. "Scott?" Charles nods. "He strikes me as a very determined young man. Rather like his brother in that respect." Charles falls quiet for a moment, brow furrowing as he picks up Bobby's frustration. "..As to that charming government group, I mean to make another attempt at meeting with their representatives."
*
Bobby makes a face and snorts slightly at that. "If you do, demand someone other than Sousa again. He's so… Well, you met him. He didn't get better with exposure. Why they sent a bureaucrat on a mission I don't know. Did they contact you?"
*
"No, not Mr. Sousa and his belligerent friend I'm happy to say. And no, Crystal believes she's located a rather more reasonable contact. Which is a large part of why I'm willing to give the matter another try." Charles still looks pensive, pencil twiddling in his fingers as he admits, "In truth I saw nothing in their minds to suggest they were dishonest. I believe Sousa was indeed looking for powered individuals for his missions, but that he intended to recruit them willingly. Still, good intentions are of small use without good execution, and in that I'm afraid we rather failed on both sides."
*
Like hell on both sides but Bobby's not going to say it. His thoughts are loud enough anyway. "Suppose it can't hurt. Not like they did anything to earn our distrust. Though it doesn't say much about their competence. Who's the new one?"
*
The thought is enough to cause Charles' mouth to quirk anyways, though he too virtuously doesn't comment on it aloud. "A miss Peggy Carter, according to Crystal. I know her only from Mr. Sousa's mind, which was colored by an extreme fondness, but the more factual qualities I remember being attributed her are encouraging."
*
Bobby shakes his head at the name. "A woman? Surprising. Though they had negro and mutant agents so I guess they really don't discriminate. Which is a point in their favor. Never met her though. I don't think she was involved in any of the Avengers stuff."
*
"Yes," Charles agrees, shifting with a sigh in his chair. "They're a perplexing bundle of contradictions. But there is enough that is hopeful I think to warrant another try." he nods as well at mention of the Avengers mess. Another thing that's a pro if it's anything.
*
"And with this weapon-X matter raising it's head, there will be a very clear way for them to prove their good intentions, if they really do mean to back them up." Charles adds.
*
"And if it doesn't work out, you can just remove or alter her memories of it." Bobby points out. "So nothing lost. Just don't meet somewhere they can record it. The original place would probably still be good. Not like they can easily infiltrate that bar."
*
"If it's still in operation." Charles agrees. "And thank you Robert, I'll be mindful."
*
"It is." How Bobby knows he's not saying but it's pretty obvious. "She'll probably be warned about it though so we're not likely to learn much from her reaction. Still, it's a safe spot for the most part."
*
Charles smiles wanly. "If she'll go there when she -is- warned I think that will say something in and of itself. But as we've already remarked, inclusiveness doesn't seem to be a failing of this.. SHIELD. I suppose time will tell."