16918/Avalon Calling

Avalon Calling
Date of Scene:	14 January 2024
Location:	Central Park
Synopsis:	Betsy is feeling the need to go to Avalon. This forces her to face the reality of her relationship, leading to the amicable parting of Betsy and Alexander.
Cast of Characters:	Alexander Aaron, Betsy Braddock

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Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I dunnooo," Alexander's voice was light, calm as he strolled along the walk with Elizabeth at his side. His hands were in the pockets of his jeans and his stride had that casual roll to it that signifed an ease of motion that wasn't entirely fitting the moment. Which in some ways, the way he handled such news, might give some insight into why he had heard like things so often.
    "The more I hear about Xavier's the more I think it's a cult." He says as he glances sidelong at her. It was cold in Manhattan, the remnants of snow still clung to the shadowy portions of Central park, yet there was no wind this morning thankfully. Yet the young Olympian wore only his normal fare of jeans, sneakers, a black t-shirt, and that worn grey hoodie that was his default for when he just needed to grab a jacket and go.
    "Bunch of young people, indoctrinated in a closed setting, lots of telepaths and mental manipulation going on behind the scenes..." His lip twists as he looks at her askance, one eye scrunching up as if eyeing her warily.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
"It isn't like that," Betsy protested as she shook her head negatively. She was dressed far more properly for the weather conditions. A heavy coat, gloved hands currently tucked into the pockets. Jeans as well with boots on her feet. Topped off with a matching scarf and hat to help try to keep the chill from getting to any inch of her skin outside her face. And she was half tempted to wrap the lower half of it with the scarf as fog drifted from her lips into the air with each word.

"They are just taught the same thing any other students are. With a bit more in learning how to control their powers so they can blend with society more easily. And do not present a danger to others from a lack of such control."

She considered the last. "And they aren't mentally manipulated." Then she had to sort of walk that back because, if a student was not a fit for the school, she was pretty sure they were manipulated to keep the secrets of the school. "Typically. It's not like we just run amok in their brains all the time."

She gave a little shrug as she continued. "I need to spend more time since they did give me so much in my life." Though she hadn't actually studied there. It was more the X-Men as opposed to Xavier's School itself in her case. "Additionally, I feel this...draw. I tried to call Brian and ask about it but it goes to his voicemail. And I can't reach him telepathically, even using means that allow me to scan the planet. That makes me think he's in Avalon."

She had explained about her family ties to that mystic place. "I feel perhaps I need to go there first, see if I can find out what is going on. Or maybe it's not really him so much as a tug to go there. I'm not really sure. But Time in Avalon can be ...tricky."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The young blond man's smile had a slight sardonic twist to it, but there was no malice in his thoughts that she could sense. There was a touch of sadness, a hint of disappointment, but also a level of acceptance all told. And when he looked sidelong at her she could see the warmth in his gaze and feel that slight glow in his thoughts, the positivity of how things had passed with them, the memories they shared.
    Of course he deflected with a hint of humor, "Well I suppose I'll miss you. But mainly the penthouse." A hint of wryness to the words, since he had been luke warm on the penthouse to start, but over the last year they had made some positive memories there.
    The hint toward his true feelings, however, is when his hand reaches out as he looks away. Their fingers interlace. He squeezes her hand once. He looks back at her and smiles, shrugging slightly with his eyebrows as if to say, 'what can you do?'
    "I understand though. Part of me would like to run off with you, but yeah."

Betsy Braddock has posed:
"You could come with me. But I'm not sure that is fair of me to ask," Betsy admitted as she had brought her hand out to meet his, twining fingers and looking at how they interlaced before bringing her gaze back up to his face. "But with the way things go there, it could be years pass before I get back here. Or it might only be moments. I never know what might happen, what challenges I might find once there.

"And while you know I love you, I would be asking you to leave your family behind." A hint of a smirk. "Well at least your father. And while time isn't a big deal to him, this is your first time around and I feel like it would be for you both in some ways. Not even thinking about your career." They had already touched on all this a few times. She knew he agreed, even if there was a sadness to their parting. It wasn't that they were imcompatible, it was more that there were other things in both their lives that didn't really mesh.

She took a step forward and leaned against him, bringing her other hand up to rest on his upper chest. Even through the shirt and hoodie, she could feel his warmth. "But we had a good time. Amazing memories. And I will always love you." That smile again. "You can stay in the penthouse as long as you like. No reason to have it sitting empty while I'm away if it is a long time. Though, if it is a short time, you are still welcome to stay there. It's not like there's not enough room."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I mean," He smiles a little as they took that small moment of respite from their stroll, the edge of a copse of trees giving some hint of privacy, cover against the world. Not much in truth, but a slight feeling. "Being away from my family would be a little bit of a positive."
    Which is a truth as he looks at it, "Though with the weirdness of what's going on with my father..." He doesn't elaborate further, she already knows it well. He pushes a hand through that violet tinged hair, looking at it for a moment, then back ot her eyes.
    Easier to focus on the practical, the direct. "You know the penthouse is more your thing, I'd be alright in like... one of those capsule hotels in Japan." His lip curls up a little more. But then the next breath has his features slightly wilting a little. He works his lower lip slightly.
    That hesitation she can feel, that word. Love. She knows the difficulties he has with it, that need and desire to be as honest as he can be. "I do love you too." She can feel the investment he gives toward the word. Though as ever with it there's that shadow in his thoughts, as if hoping that he understands that feeling. A commitment, however, in him deciding to use it.
    "But I'd feel, if I stayed there..." He doesn't elaborate how he'd feel, but she can tell. And then again that gentle humor.
    "And besides, when you bring back all your male model friends from Milan for a house party it'd get weird." His lip twists slightly.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
"Weird?" she protested, clinging to that and not focusing on the rest for the moment at least. Betsy knew he wondered about his feelings. Because of being Olympian, he feared he couldn't love. Yet, she knew he could from being in his mind. She had felt it and had assured him he had that within, the capacity for it all along. Yet, no matter, the doubts would remain. It was the nature of people. Even Olympians apparently.

"They would absolutely adore you. And you are Greek so..." She waggled her brows playfully, making sure he knew his options would be wide open there. "But I would probably melt the brain of any woman you brought home for a time so yes, that is indeed problematic."

It was only half joking. She did tend to be a little possessive of those she was attached to. It wasn't so much jealousy because she was confident in herself and wasn't afraid someone could 'take' someone from her. But it was more a possessive feeling even if they were breaking up. Fair? No. But a reality she was willing to admit was there for her.

"Would you like me to buy you a place if your old one isn't available?" Then she shook her head, dropping her gaze. "Now I sound like I'm trying to pay you off for our time and that is not what I mean at all." A look back to him with those violet eyes. "I'm sorry. I just hate this in so many ways but I think we both realize it's for the best."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A small chuff of exhalation as she teases himm back, then they start to walk again, footsteps quiet upon the sidewalk as they continue their stroll. For a time he doesn't answer, just walking with her, looking ahead of them. Then she offers to _buy_ a place and he eyes her askance, "What? No." That last word a little emphatic just a split second before her gaze drops.
    Then when she looks back up he's smiling a little. "My old place is still there. I doubt my dad's rented it out. I'll be fine."
    Then there's quiet again as they walk, his hand holding hers gently to the crook of his arm. She can feel the pensive ebb and flow of his feelings, his thoughts. He doesn't voice them for the moment, silence reigning between them for a time.
    Then he chuckles slightly, seems to consider not sharing what made him laugh that quietly. A moment and he decides to do so, "I was thinking of reminding you my family is fairly well to do, but then I was like, 'well maybe not in comparison to you guys, but still.'" His eyebrows lift.
    He looks back at her then asks, "You going to be okay?" Even as the words are spoken, she can hear him mentally editing them and he says, "I mean. I know you're going to be okay. I mean... okay okay?"

Betsy Braddock has posed:
She had no doubts they had plenty of money. It was just in her nature to not think about it and offer things to those she cared about. It wasn't meant as a flex or any such silliness. It was just her trying to be nice. Thankfully, he understood that about her though it had taken time for him to learn it.

The last drew a slight nod from her with a little smile. There was a sadness to it. "Of course. We both will. It's been lovely and I wouldn't trade our time for the world. And who knows what the future can hold for us both. Those Fates of yours may have other things in mind."

She turned to try to steal a little kiss. "I'll be okay. I promise. Though if you have doubts, we can just try this long distance, trans dimensional, maybe years apart relationship."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Another small stop in their walk, he turns to face her. She steals that small kiss and he squeezes her hand again gently. "That appeals in a way, though I would feel like... I dunno. Like I was holding you hostage on some level. And time for me is..." He doesn't go on, since he still hasn't felt the true touch of how his age, his lifespan, how time will affect him. But he knows that years are precious.
    Then his hand lifts to her cheek, his eyes search hers for a moment. A breath is taken, and she can just feel that sentiment, that warmth, that adoration between them. His eyes close and their lips touch. Just a soft brush, the faintest caress, then their lips part. Only a moment, like a memory of other kisses they had shared.
    He eases back and takes a deep breath. "I'll miss you." He confesses, his forehead resting against hers gently.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
She took a moment to just savor that closeness. Eyes closed, feeling the pressure of her forehead against his, the warmth of their breath mingling. The heat from his higher body temperature. "I'll miss you too." The words practically a whisper.

Then she forced herself to take a deep breath, pulling her head back and standing tall. Another quick lean to give a kiss to his lips, more chaste this time. Then a tiny step backwards. And a second. A third. But her hand was still firmly entwined with his own as she continued that distancing. Until both their arms were extended a little in front of them.

A moment then she released his hand. "Until the next time we meet. I wish you every happiness in the world."

And she turned to quickly leave, fighting the urge to look back over her shoulder or simply just run back into his arms.