1964-05-10 - Picnic Lunch
Summary: Lorna and her father have lunch. Xavier arrives and the two chat while Lorna falls asleep.
Related: Riot logs
Theme Song: None
lorna erik xavier 


Lorna had stayed at the Institute. As per the idea that it was a safe place. Especially after the riots and other crazy happenstances. She had only ventured out a few times, and returned promptly without further incident. She'd been training, conditioning, and was returning inside from another bout. She was covered in mud down the front and flushed red. Her hair was piled back in a ponytail and the sweats she wore were stained with dirt and grass.

She kicked off her shoes before she entered the interior entirely, grumbling something against the 'stupid training course'. Sweat clung to the back of her neck and she pushed her hair back as she tried to carefully pat off the mud from her front on the mat.

The sun outside was warm, bright and cheery. It had rained the night before and the day had dawned with birds. Lunch would be soon.

*

There is Erik. His taciturn countenance is, as always, one of careful observation as he enters, hands at his sides. Long, slow strides carry him purposefully out onto the training course to survey everything at once. Eventually those blue eyes find Lorna and the man pauses. That is when the tray arrives.

Lunch time indeed. A tray laden with food and drink follows Erik out of the building and floats over to the edge of the course closest to Lorna, sitting out of range of splattered muck and mud. Erik himself follows after it in a stately way. When Lorna heads back inside he turns and walks back as well, bringing the food with him.

"I thought we could have lunch together, corra. If you have a moment to spare from your training?" Rare enough it is that Erik would suggest pausing in training for anything.

*

Lorna sensed the magnetic disruption that was her father, only belatedly. Mud had occupied her thoughts otherwise. A smile pulled from lips as she spotted her father and the floating tray. She lurched forward and made to throw her arms around him, but paused a step away, embarrassed at being covered in mud. She let her hands fall back to her sides with a sheepish look.

"Of course!" She grinned, and peeled off more chunks of mud. Her features flushed as she glanced back down at her sweatpants and tank.

"Sorry, I'm dirty. Scott has been sending me on extra conditioning.."

*

"Well, if you don't train you can't become stronger. The mud is part of that," Erik responds reasonably, nodding his head once as he does. "You should go get changed. I can join you inside if you'd prefer. Lunch is already prepared." He glaces back at the tray briefly and then shrugs. "You're improving. Fewer bruises and more mud. We can talk when you return."

Erik nods once, pausing as he considers Lorna for a moment afterward, expression as severe is always. Then he hugs the girl tightly, drawing her against his turtleneck and slacks. Mud be damned.

*

A nod, "I know, I'm just tired. Scott always gives me extra laps to run. And we're not supposed to use our powers for the obstacle course. It's really annoying." She grumbled and shrugged weakly, rubbing the back of her neck.

"I'll go change though, and wash up. I'd love to have lunch though!" She grinned, and made to leave before her father tugged her close and hugged her tightly. Her own arms came up and she buried her face against his shirt, holding on for a long while.

"I missed you, tata." Then she broke off with a squeeze and grinned, before dashing off to change. She was back in minutes, shaking out her green hair and picking out bits of dirt. A clean skirt and blouse of various floral prints was her new, hastily tossed on clothes.

*

When Lorna returns Erik has lost his mud. How has he lost his mud? It might boggle the mind. There are still smudges but one has to look fairly closely to see them. He nods when Lorna comes close and then looks upward, squinting slightly. "I was thinking we could eat somewhere under the sky," Erik notes vaguely in a fairly brisk tone, starting to float upward slightly as he does. "I missed you as well. But I always return… And you can readily find me if you truly have a need. Shall we?" He offers the young woman a hand.

*

Lorna made a tired sigh as her father spoke of going out again, but she nodded with an exhausted sort of smile. "Groovy." She took his hand, her features screwing up with concentration to lift up into the sky along side her father. Her features were still flushed, warm and pink from either exertion, or from embarrassment from her wobbling lift up.

"I know, Professor Xavier was trying to find you. He wanted to talk to you about the riots and what happened." She bit her lower lip and struggled for a second with her control.

"I'm sorry. I'm really tired, tata."

*

"Tired is precisely why we are flying," Erik responds simply. "It's learning control while exhausted that allows you to learn the measure if yourself. Don't fall." Erik floats forward, taking a deep breath as he travels with Lorna beside him, gaze on the ground ahead.

"I will find Charles as soon as we're done," Erik agrees immediately. "And apologize for my recent absence. After- everything that happened I needed to take sometime to calm down. That riot…" he trails off and sighs. "I am just glad you weren't injured."

*

Lorna held on tight as she float upwards and follow him with a wobble here and there. "Oh. I guess so." She mumbled, trying again to correct her balance.

"It's hard." She added after a moment, wind whipping her hair back into her features.

As he mentioned the professor and continued on about being absent she fell silent and glanced away. "It wasn't bad. I just had a few bruises." She mumbled, "It's not like they actually tried to hurt me.. it.. was mostly just people falling all over and stepping on me when I was looking for the thing that caused it all." She shrugged.

"The Professor said that he and Jean will start looking though."

*

"Good," Erik responds to the mention of it being hard. Just that and he continues along. He descends soon enough to land in a grassy field, the tray of food following neatly to set itself behind him. he didn't even spill the pitcher of lemonade.

"Bruises are enough. Under the circumstances I can't blame them for how they acted but the person who made this happen, on the other hand…" Erik frowns, shaking his head slowly as she does so. "I hope Jean and Charles Find something soon, for all our sakes. I've never felt anything like this before. It was- troubling."

*

As the touched down to the ground she stumbled a bit, catching herself with a flicker of her power. She collapsed onto the ground where he'd set down the tray with care. A yawn pulled from her as she curled up, tugging her knees up and settling her chin against her knees.

"Illyana said it was magic. The Professor said he'll talk to her to try to figure things out too. And Miss Crystal said that if the courts still try to bring you up on trumped up charges.. Attlian will take you." She shrugged, turning wide, tired eyes upon her father.

"The Professor said he'll make sure everything works out though.." She worried her lower lip, and reached for the lemonade.

*

"Yes," Erik agrees with a faint nod. "Attilan will take me." He meets that wide, tired gaze and nods, ensuring Lorna gathers up a cup of lemonade without any trouble resulting from her tiredness. He takes a deep breath and then slowly exhales. "Magic," the man muses softly. "I can't understand it. Or tame it myself. That's one thing that is still a mystery no matter how much I've studied.. It bothers me that it is so easy for someone to do with a spell what Charles couldn't. If Illyana finds anything, you'll let me know? I am sure that Jean and Charles will keep us informed as well."

*

Lorna nodded, biting her lower lip before she took a sip at her drink. "I want to talk to Wanda, Billy and Doctor Strange too. They all know more than I do about magic… If I can get a hold of them." She glanced down at her lemonade. "They're pretty busy it seems. At least Doctor Strange is. I dunno how any of it works. I've asked Illyana to try.. but eh.." She shrugged again. A yawn pulled from her and she rubbed at her eyes.

"What did you pack, tata?" She asked finally, glancing to the tray with various food stuffs.

*

"Inside the basket I went and procured a few of your favourite things. Open it and see if you'd like. I did leave you the cheese…" Erik shrugs, looking between Lorna and the basket, tilting his head slightly as he does so, and then pours himself a cup of lemonade in turn. "After you eat I should probably take you back to bed before you fall asleep while flying and fall on your head."

*

Lorna dug into the basket, "Oh! Thanks!" A smile tugging at her lips as she reached in and pulled out a few simple sandwiches, and some cookies. There was fruit, and a thermos of something, likely soup, but she seemed content to pick the usual teenager diet out of what was available. Lorna was a simple girl when it came to fashion and food. The comfort of a something familiar warming her more than anything else. She settled back, opening it up and munching happily on what her father brought.

"And I'm not.. not that tired, tata." She paused and sipped at her lemonade again. "I just hope I'm not getting a cold.. might just be allergies though." She added.

*

"Allergies?" Erik clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "Mmm. It seems likely it's a cold. Exhaustion can do that to someone, especially if they are not eating properly." He tilts his head and then looks over the meal Lorna has set out for herself, frowning.

Erik Lehnsherr and his daughter, Lorna, are currently by a blanket on the grass, a tray of food settled into the middle of it. They are located somewhere near the school proper and talking alone amiably as the gray clouds filter by overhead. Erik, as always, has a very serious expression but itis not clear what they are discussing at a distance.

*

And who just happens to be jogging along, wearing a Xavier Institute T-shirt and sweatpants? Why, it would be Charles. Considering all that's happened in the past few days, it would be rather surprising not to have Charles show up. Though at least, if it is just a coincidence, it's a rather convincing one, as he slows down on seeing Erik and Lorna. He then smiles towards Erik, "Hello Erik, Lorna. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

*

Lorna squirmed under her father's gaze, and picked at the chocolate chip cookie on her lap. "I'm eating properly…" She mumbled, ducking her head and rubbing at her nose. She had been running herself ragged. Between conditioning, training her powers and going back inside to study? Doubtlessly a few of the younger students had found her, nose in a book, passed out and asleep.

As Xavier approached, she smiled, and waved at him. "Hello Professor." She glanced at her father and then back.

"We're having lunch, tata wanted to check in and see how I was doing. I just got off another bout of conditioning on the obstacle course.. So I'm kinda exhausted.."

*

"Speak of the devil. Hello, Charles," Erik calls in his usual serious, quiet voice. He looks up and offers the man a thoughtful smile as he turns to properly face him. "You're not interrupting, no," the man continues, tilting his head slightly as he does so.

"I'm told you've been looking to speak with me about recent events." Xavier would recognize that tone. Lorna is no doubt growing familiar as well. The dour, serious tone where Erik expects to be told something he does not particularly wish to hear.

"Before we get into that, have a sandwich with us. Or a glass of lemonade."

*

Xavier nods, recognizing the tone easily enough, but says, "Both, gladly. I think I'm finally getting a bit old." With that, he sits down across from Erik and Lorna, making a nice triangle as he looks at Erik with a wry expression, "And no, I'm not intending to lecture you. I already have a good idea on what happened, based on talking to some of the others." He then gets a bit of a wry expression, "Besides, I know firsthand how well a lecture would work with you in the first place."

*

Lorna truly did wish to eat, she was hungry, she was always hungry these days with all the exercise she did. Just as she was always tired. As she settled in comfortably, nibbling away at her sandwich and cookies and sipping at her lemonade, her eyes grew heavy. A yawn escaped her. She was safe. With her father and Professor Xavier to either side, what in the world could harm her? And it was just that kind of comfortable warmth outside that lent to naps.

Another yawn followed as she got comfortable on the green. Between her father's words and Xavier's, her eyes drifted shut and she was curled up on the grass beside them. Her own grass colored hair tangling with plant-life that served as her pillow. Her eyes fluttered shut moments later and she was asleep.

Perhaps her father's words about coming down with a cold was correct.

*

Erik watches as Lorna falls asleep and slowly shakes his head. "I told her she was tired," he muse to himself in a tone that is fonder than one might expect of the taciturn auburn haired mutant. He takes a deep breath then, a measured pace that wastes a few precious seconds as the man's gaze returns to Xavier. "Good," he starts simply. "That will save us both a great deal of effort. "I didn't wish to- hurt- anyone, Charles." He shakes his head slowly. "I was suddenly overcome with so much rage. It was like nothing I've ever felt and we both know that I can lose my temper when I am in the mood." At least Erik recognizes it in himself, if not always in the moment. "Have you made any progress so far?"

*

Xavier nods, keeping his voice low so Lorna doesn't get disturbed, or more likely just using a psychic projection to keep up the appearance of a physical conversation, "Well, it sounds like it was some sort of magic, as baffling as that is to say. And we both know a few experts in that area who could probably help us prevent another incident. At least from /that/." He shakes his head, "It sounds like both you and the crowd were affected by something, or someone, else."

*

"That was what I was told at the time. Lorna's friend, Illyana… And there was a man there who seemed to know some magic who tried to do something about it. And failed, apparently." Erik shakes his head, grimacing. "I can resist telepathy. Even you, when need be," He starts, sighing softly as he does. "But this didn't even leave a warning. They need to be stopped and held accountable. Do you think I may have been targeted directly? I am an extremely visible face among our mutant brothers and sisters…"

*

Charles nods, "Very visible indeed, that was my first thought as well. Since, depending on the situation, it wouldn't take much manipulation or magic to stoke a rage in you, my friend." He hrms, "Emotions are far trickier to ward than thoughts, a skilled empath could pull strings and be exceptionally hard to detect. If we investigate this further, we'll need to be cautious, and make sure we have ample protection from both magickal and psychic attack." While he sounds pretty skeptical of magic… he knows it exists, just with Illyana being who she is.

*

"Mmm." Erik nods slowly at that. he takes a deep breath and reaches out and pours a cup of lemonade using his mind. Metal cups, metal pitcher. He does so without moving a muscle save to breathe. "I suppose our work is cut out for us then," he remarks, laughing softly as he does. "I think I preferred when our worst foes were Nazis." He almost spits that word. When he was gone recently he was hunting the National Socialist remnants doggedly to their graves.

*

Xavier hmmms, "Well, I have to admit, hunting down Strucker while we were in Israel was pretty invigorating. Though I'm glad you didn't stay out of touch for long my friend." Well, he's not going to begrudge acts of vengeance against Nazis… if anyone has a right to do that, it's Erik. "But yes, this is going to be an interesting dilemma to resolve. I'm definitely not used to magic."

*

"It's just another science to learn and dissect, my friend. We will come to understand it and how to defeat it," Erik responds briskly. He then glances at his glass, measuring it with his eyes before nodding and reaching out to take it with a hand. A long sip of lemonade follows. A second glass soon pours itself and is offered to Xavier. "Strucker was a basket case, truthfully."

*

Charles takes the glass, and smiles wryly, "I believe the clinical term would be 'nut job'." He then sips the lemonade, sighing a bit, "I do still miss her, though. Even though it was short lived." Oh, yes, Erik would remember Gabrielle, she was pretty hard to forget.

*

Erik nods slowly, sighing softly as he does. "The best things often are," he muses at this, sipping from his drink. "You'll be fine, Charles. It just takes time. It's better not to forget, at least for now." He squints slightly, past the edge of his glass.' How have things been otherwise?"

*

Charles hmms, "Actually, it's been going rather well, Jean and Scott have been doing a great job with the school, though I don't know if I could ever convince Scott of that." He gets a wry look on his face, "And I've been looking around for new students, as well. Found a few interesting leads, since I think the Institute can do more than just be a school for general education." Uh oh. The Professor is getting Ideas.

*

"Oh. Pray tell, what are you considering, Charles? And actually, I was considering teaching a class well. Something practical like Engineering, if Hank hasn't got it entirely covered. Or… Self-defense." Erik sips from his drink again, eyes still affixed to his friend. "And Scott will never be convinced of anything of the sort, he's far too serious for his own good."

*

Charles nods, "He is, and he does. Though, I'm thinking of expanding the curriculum, something for older mutants I find, that need more than just a high school education. A college, actually. Though I suspect we won't ever have enough to have a proper football team." He grins, "And engineering… well, I'm sure you'd be great with that Erik."

*

Erik blinks and then he smiles slowly, nodding. I actually know at least one young man I would suggest take you up on that idea, Charles," Erik replies quietly. ."And quite a few more probably should. I think it is good. Expand the pool of people we have to support the school… And the learning being shared. Not everyone can be found before they are older, after all. It might do some of the former Brotherhood members some good as well, if truth be told."

*

Charles nods, "I admit that would be good to bring the Brotherhood around, to convince them that there can be a truth to the message of co-existence." He glances over at Erik, "But I have thought expansion has been a good idea for a little while now, but talking with some people over my sabbatical brought things into greater focus."

*

"I've spoken to a few of the Brotherhood. They want purpose, to effect a change. The trick is convincing them to find that purpose here and to seek change through means we can support." Erik takes another sip before setting the glass aside onto the tray. "Which means the secret to keeping them here and convincing them of that truth is to give them something active to do. Field missions."

*

Xavier smiles slightly, "Field missions are on the agenda, Erik. Which means we'll need to have training sessions. We need to make sure that any Brotherhood, or really anyone that we bring in, is properly trained to work as a team."

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