7136/A frank discussion

A frank discussion
Date of Scene:	30 July 2021
Location:	Asteroid M's Cafeteria
Synopsis:	Lydia has to get something off her chest, and then they talk about a lot of things and who really reads these anyway?
Cast of Characters:	Lydia Dietrich, Clarice Ferguson, Raven Darkholme

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Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"Please meet me in the cafeteria." It's a short message from Lydia sent to Clarice and Mystique's phone indicating that she's ready to talk. She had been mulling over her emotions and reactions to finding out the truth behind Clarice's hunts, and she thinks she's got things ironed out enough to express them constructively.

In the cafeteria, Lydia has found a table that's secluded off in a corner, idea for a private conversation. Before her is a plate of waffles that are topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. The 24/7 waffle bar is, by and far, one of the best things about this place.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Once Hank returned to the Medical Bay, Clarice was firmly removed by Mystique - and she'd retreated to her own room for another shower, and a few moments of privacy. The message on her phone is a surprise, and a relief, and a concern all at once. Maybe Lydia wasn't cutting ties with her entirely, then.
    Or maybe Lydia simply wanted to say goodbye, properly.
    With her stomach twisted into knots, she makes her way to the cafeteria - finding Lydia's gaze long enough to give her a small, tight smile. She doesn't join her quite yet, though, as she opts to partake of the waffle bar herself. With fresh fruit involved - it had to count as real food. Right?
    Sure.
    She even has the decency to add a fried egg on the side before she makes her way over and slips into a seat with her food. "Hello Lydia," she offers in a quiet voice.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Once she manages to get Clarice out of the med bay, Mystique had returned to her room to watch the computer screen running through files, the project still going, still running, the list getting smaller and smaller. The message made her phone vibrate, causing her to retrieve it from the desk top to look at. She hadn't expected just twenty-four hours, and she was pretty sure that was a bad sign.

Heading to the cafeteria, her eyes scan the room to place who is there and where they are before going to collect a cup of coffee and a single waffle, no butter, smothered in whipped cream with just a few strawberries for color. Carrying the coffee and plate to the table, she set sit down before sitting in the chair by Lydia.

"Evening," she offers with a smile, even if her gut was telling her shit was about to hit the fan.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia's back straightens when both women join her. To Clarice she gives a reassuring smile and a gentle, "Hello." Mystique gets a peck on the cheek to show that, maybe, this isn't going to be as bad as all that.

She takes a moment to look between the two women, and her face grows serious. "Thank you for coming," she says. "I've had some time to think about things, and I wanted to share with you where I'm at about this." She looks at Mystique in the eyes, and then Clarice. "To put it frankly, I'm upset." She holds up her hand to forestall any interruptions. "I'm not upset that Clarice is a killer, or that she enjoys it. If I can make peace with the fact that my girlfriend is one of the world's most wanted terrorists, then I can make peace with that."

She shakes her head. "No, I'm upset because you lied to me. Sure it wasn't a straight up lie, but you led me to believe, perhaps naively, that your hunts were for animals. There was plenty of opportunities to correct me of that misconception, but instead you opted to let me believe the lie. Perhaps you thought that because of my idealism I would think lesser of you. Perhaps you wanted to protect me from the truth," she scowls. "Whatever the case may be, I'm not some delicate flower that needs sheltering."

"Listen," she continues, "I know what I signed up for when I joined The Brotherhood. I have no illusions of it's past actions, and I joined with eyes wide open. I'm, frankly, hurt that you feel that you have to hide parts of yourselves for me to be your friend." Her eyes turn to Mystique, "When we were working out the boundaries and the rules of our relationship, the first thing I said was that I didn't want you to lie to me, that if you lied, this would be over. You're getting a pass on that because this wasn't your truth to tell."

She turns to Clarice with a serious expression. "So I'll make the same stipulation with you, since I didn't before. Do not lie to me, and I won't pry. If there's something that you can't talk to me about, say that, but if you ever mislead me again like that then our friendship /will/ be over."

She's silent for a moment, watching the reaction from the two before saying, "That's all I have to say."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice gets her first bite of her waffles as Mystique settles into place, but as Lydia begins to speak, she instead pokes and prods at her food without nibbling anymore of it, her gaze locked uncomfortably on her plate. She doesn't answer immediately as she tries to gather her thoughts, but it isn't easy for her. Finally she offers, "I was drunk when I mentioned the hunts. I thought- if I just didn't bring it up again... And, I mean, he did teach me how to hunt and track animals as well, so..." She sighs, and stirs some of the strawberries about in her whipped cream.
    "I don't have many friends. I'm not very good at making and keeping friendships - I just don't know how. And I didn't want you to think of me as a monster, or sick, or broken..."
    She lets out a frustrated sigh before adding, "Hank practically stumbled on the truth in the MedBay earlier. He said he didn't believe I actually get satisfaction from killing. And I- I didn't want to lose another friend, so soon after- after last night. But I didn't want to lie to him. So I told him he was wrong, and he just dismissed. Said he was sure that wasn't actually the case. I never meant to lie to you, Lydia, not really," Clarice admits, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "I just- I didn't- I don't know. I never meant to lie."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Settling back in the chair, Mystique listens as Lydia says her piece. So precise, decisive and practiced. She managed to get out all the words she wanted, and express her feelings on the matter. The entire time her own face was that mask she wore, letting nothing slip out, not even in her eyes. It was important for the moment that Clarice get her say without her own reactions interfering.

When Clarice finished speaking her amber eyes shift from the purple mutant to Lydia, her own mind attempting to ensure she doesn't sound as harsh as she normally would.

"I never mentioned the hunts," she states, keeping that edge out of her tone. "I never referred to them, I never brought them up because you're right, it wasn't my place to say a damn thing about it. I get a pass? Lydia, no one lied to you. Clarice has every right to keep her secrets in any way she wants, and I most certainly am not going to share someone else's secrets."

She shifts slightly in the chair, one leg crossing over the other as she folds her hands in her lap. "I understand your hurt, and I get why learning that truth about Clarice would lead to pain, but there's one more truth you need to face... some secrets are too hard, too painful, and too dark to share. They may be hinted it, they may be noticed, they may lead you to believe or think something, but that doesn't change that there are some things that scare the hell out of people like Clarice and I to talk about."

She finally takes a drink of her coffee, a small one, her mind racing now for numerous reasons. "Honestly, would you have stayed if you knew this about Clarice in the beginning? Would you have taken the time to get to know her, or look at her like everyone looks at Creed? No one gives him a chance, just assume he's completely insane. So yeah, we're hesitant to reveal some things to you, and not because your delicate flower, but because we respect and care about you so damn much, that we're terrified our truths will drive you away."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia lets out a long, drawn out sigh, her expression softening as Clarice speaks. "I understand, and to be honest it /is/ hard for me to reconcile what I know about you and what you like doing. I think it has more to do with the vicious and savagery of it all than the act itself. After all, you used that to save over a hundred people in that article, and if that's how you're directing your... your bloodlust then I really shouldn't complain." She gives Clarice a gentle smile, "I still want to be friends with you, okay?"

Lydia listens to Mystique nodding, cutting out a piece of waffle to eat before it gets too soggy. She takes a moment to think about her reaction. "To be honest, I don't know how I'd have taken it, so that's fair. I know you've done horrible things in your past, and I promised I won't pry. I still won't. But I've seen you assassinate a US senator in cold blood and start a riot, and yet I still fell in love with you." She sighs, cutting another piece of waffle out, "I just don't want to be somebody where you feel like you have to hide parts of yourself away in order to love."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice shoots Mystique a brief, but grateful look for her words of support - words that she agreed with, but never would have been able to find, herself. Her attention shifts back to Lydia, and her first response is a wordless nod. "I'm glad," she offers quietly. "I thought last night- I mean, I was already in a dark place." And that added anguish had been the last thing she'd needed. It was bad timing, certainly.
    "And the hunts aren't something I do all that often. I just- sometimes I need it. It's hard to put into words - hard to explain. I mean, I've never- it's not something I've ever really talked about before."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The waffle remains ignored, but it is what Mystique chooses to stare at for the time being. There were things in her past that she will never talk about, not even on her deathbed. Most were her own fault, some where unavoidable, but one day they would all come back to bite her in her blue ass. One had already, one haunted her every single day and slapped her in the face at the most unexpected time, Kitty's birthday party.

Very slowly she turns her eyes back to Lydia, "So what happens when one of the too many secrets bites me in the ass?" she asks bluntly. "Do I get called a liar for not telling you? You keep saying you know what you were getting into when you joined the Brotherhood, but I've had a hundred and forty years of mistakes, nightmares and secrets. Those are going to come back to bite me in the ass, some already have and more will. I hate myself for the things I've done, the things I was forced to do, why would I share those with anyone? It's not about hiding myself in order to love, it's hiding it so I /can/ love."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia nods and looks a little sadly at Clarice. "Sorry for having made you worry like that when Rahne is in critical condition," she says. "I just... something like that I needed some time to get all my thoughts in order so I didn't say anything hurtful out of anger."

Lydia listens and shakes her head. "I don't... no. I felt like I was deliberately led on by a misconception that I had. Perhaps that wasn't the case, but that's how it felt." She purses her lips thoughtfully. "I don't expect you to share everything with me. I don't want, or need you to. I'm just hoping that when a secret does come to bite you in the ass, you wouldn't mislead me about it. You would say something like, 'This is one of those secrets,' and then I would nod and say 'Okay, is there anything I can do to help?' I hope that when that day comes that you'll be able to share that with me."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I'm not mad at you, or anything," Clarice answers Lydia. "It's just- it's one of those things that happens. The timing was shit." She spears a strawberry with more force than's strictly necessary before adding, "But I'm better off today than yesterday, at least." Doesn't mean she's //great// - but she's better than yesterday. She eats the strawberry, while turning her gaze towards Mystique, concern showing on her features for a moment - but she doesn't press. Whatever past nightmares Mystique is thinking of - either she'll bring them up someday, or she won't.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Finally picking up her fork, Mystique stabs a whipped cream covered strawberry off the waffle and turns it around a few times, not really eating it, not yet.

"If something from my past comes to bite me in my ass," she says quietly. "I won't deny that it's something from my past, or one of those things I won't talk about. I had no intentions of ever doing that." She turns her amber eyes from the strawberry to Lydia. "I just can't talk about them, and I'm glad that you both get that. Maybe some day..." she turns the strawberry over again, then just sets the fork down.

"Clarice asked me once about what happened with Rogue, how she's my daughter and yet she's not, and why Rogue can't stand me. I didn't want to talk about it the first time she asked, but I've come to realize that is one thing I can talk about, because I fucked up and I know I fucked up, and she will never trust me again, and I deserve that."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia nods at Clarice. "You look better today than you did yesterday. It's good that Mystique is forcing you to take care of yourself, as well," she says with a grin, showing that she's being a little light hearted. "Rahne will be happy to see you when she finally wakes up."

She then gets up and goes over and gives Mystique a hug, with a peck on her cheek. "I'm glad we're on the same page, then. I don't want you to feel pressured to talk about your past, and I'm sorry that I came off that way."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I pressure her sometimes," Clarice remarks simply. "...not too often, though." No, she usually leaves Mystique alone about her past. Unless it somehow seems to become pertinent. She watches Lydia and Mystique for a moment, then, turns her attention back to her waffle - cutting off a large-ish bite to eat. After she swallows, and pokes at her waffle again before she asks uncertainly, "So... we're alright? Everything's okay?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique stands to hug Lydia close, perhaps a little too tightly, then places a soft kiss on her forehead and then lips. "Sometimes pushing isn't a bad thing," she offers, then gestures with a thumb at Clarice. "It's how she gets things out of me, but she also knows when to back off."

Sitting back down, she pulls Lydia into her lap. "I know you aren't pushing to know my past, but I also know you would like to know it, you both would for that matter. I can't forgive myself for some of the things I've done, so I know neither of you could or would. I'm not ready to be alone again, so it's better that those things stay locked away. They only effect me right now."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia nods to Clarice. "I'd hug you, if you want, to show that we're okay. I wanted to talk this out so that we /can/ be okay. I don't want to lose you, either of you, over something like this."

Then she's swept off her feet and into Mystique's lap. Giggling she wraps her arms around her neck. "I'm still learning. I want to know you. All of you, the good /and/ the bad. I hope with patience and time, you'll share some of those things with me. You might find that sharing might ease the burden of those mistakes." She leans forward and gives Mystique a deep kiss. "I know you've done horrible things in your past. I also know that you're trying to make amends. I feel that you're punishing yourself for those mistakes and that just makes my heart hurt."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice opens her mouth - a quip on the tip of her tongue - but she shuts it again, cutting off a piece of her egg instead. "Yup. I know when to back off." And she knows better to even mention or //hint at// the five letter word she's not allowed to ask about.
    As for the offer of a hug she adds quietly, "I wouldn't mind a hug, really." That's all she says, though. It helps that she knows it's coming - and that no one else is currently in her proximity.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique stands Lydia back up so she can go hug Clarice, but not without a light swat on her rump. She didn't miss the look on Clarice's face, no she most certainly did not, but since the woman didn't say anything, she can let it go. Another mental kick to the side of her own head for having ever mentioned it.

Cutting off a piece of the waffle with her fork, she takes a bite. It was Lydia's turn to offer comfort after all, last time she hogged it all. "Clarice," she starts once the bite is swallowed. "I'll tell you some day, but not today."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia gives Mystique a peck on the nose. "I'll be back." She disentangles herself from her girlfriend, and lets out a surprised squeak when she gets swatted from behind. She goes over to Clarice to give her a warm hug. "It'll be okay," she murmurs before releasing her and climbing back into Mystique's lap.

She pulls her own waffles to sit next to Mystique's and cuts herself a piece to chew on. "So," she says conversationally. "What have you got planned for today, lover-girl?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Another forkful of waffle was made but Mystique has to take a moment to look at Lydia. Lover-girl. That was unexpected, but she liked it, and a grin spreads across her face, "I don't want to go too far, in case Rahne needs something, and I have to be here when Jasmine arrives or I will insult her followers, so... maybe a swim with the fish in the gardens."

The waffle bite disappear into her mouth to be enjoyed, followed by a sip of coffee. "The program is almost completed, if it finishes today I have to start the next set of programs to scanning with new perameters."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"I might just join you in that swim," Lydia says. "I've never swam with fish before. Do they nibble at you?" She takes a moment to take a bite of her own waffle. "You've been talking about this program and searches a lot. What've you been working on?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique glances to Clarice for a quick second, then looks back to Lydia.

"They nibble toes, but they don't have teeth so it just tickles," she admits regarding the fish. "They don't have names, but I did number them and can tell them apart."

Another bite of waffle, well more whipped cream really cause yummy. "The program is searching a massive data base of names with certain descriptors added to find a list of people falling into the category I'm searching for. I can't say much more than that right now, but there is a purpose."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice leans into each hug in turn - flashing both women a brief smile, and adding towards Mystique, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I certainly don't have any five letter words that will remain unnamed in mind." As the pair return to their side of the table, she goes back to nibbling at her food - giving a curious look towards Mystique as she mentions the program once more. "Well. When you're ready to share, I suppose," she remarks easily.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"You'll have to teach me their numbers, then," Lydia says. "Maybe I'll give them names. I'm good at coming up with names, after all. It's a writer thing." She nods at Mystique when she tells her the purpose of her program. "I see. I hope you find the person you're looking for."

Clarice just gets a shake of her head. "I swear. You two. You're just /trying/ to make me insatiably curious about that word." She harrumphs and wraps her arms around her girlfriend. "Well it won't work."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The food is now forgotten. Mystique wraps her arm around Lydia and pulls her close, and... back into her lap.

"I spoke of something to Rogue, while Clarice was there, a complete slip of the tongue." She kisses Lydia's neck once, then pulls her in close, just holding her in silence.

"It is... the one part of my past I regret the most, the one thing I..." she shakes her head, done talking about it and instead distracting herself by just laying her face against Lydia's neck.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    What could it possibly be? Clarice cannot help but wonder as she continues nibbling at her egg and waffle. She knows better than to press the issue, however. Instead, she suggests a fish name. "Lord Scaly-Bottom. If we don't name one of them that I'll be extremely disappointed."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia leans into Mystique's nuzzle, resting her cheek on her forehead. She runs a hand through her girlfriend's red hair, a more comforting gesture than anything else. "It's okay," she reassures.

"We'll let you name that one," Lydia says to Clarice. "I already plan on calling one of them Miss Bubbles." She looks thoughtful for a moment, "Is there an easy way to tell the male fish from the female?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique remains there in that place for a moment, taking in Lydia's scent to wash out the thoughts in her own mind and get shit together in her head. That's about the time she comes out of her own thoughts to one of her fish being named Lord Scaly-Bottom and another getting miss Bubbles... maybe she just just climb back into her own head? No, time to step out.

Sitting back slightly she replies, "No, you can't really tell without examining up up close, but I know their genders so I'll tell you so that you can choose the appropriate names.... Lord Scaly-Bottom, seriously?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "This is what you get for not naming them yourself," Clarice replies brightly. "Leaves you open to childish retribution." Not that she honestly can think of anything she needs to 'get back at' Mystique for.
    Still, it distracts her from her own woes - so who's to really complain?
    "What did you mean, anyways? 'Family'?" she asks unexpectedly, without looking up from her food as she cuts herself another piece.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia just lets herself being a comforting presence, her ectoplasm reacting to her emotions by gently caressing Mystique in soothing waves. She shrugs once Mystique pulls back and agrees with Clarice. "Who names their fish just /numbers/ anyway?" She's silent, though when Clarice asks her last question, looking quite curious herself.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique adjusts Lydia in her lap so she can better see Clarice, though there might have been a little fondling and one more kiss to her neck. "Exactly what it sounds like Clarice," she replies bluntly. "I consider you family, I wouldn't call you a daughter as I have a horrible track record with being a parent, but if I didn't, that's what you would be, or rather, how I see you. I realize it's not my place, and I might be too protective... I should probably learn to keep my noise out of your business, but I care too much to do that."

Her eyes shift back to Lydia, "I hadn't intended them to be pets, but they sort of swam their way into my heart... by then it was too late, they were just numbers."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice nibbles on her piece of waffle while Mystique answers - her features set into carefully neutral lines she's learned to wear while processing information without giving away her thoughts quite yet. "I wouldn't say it's not your place," she answers quietly, after a brief silence. "Or that it's necessarily unwelcome. I mean - I don't know. I care about you too, of course." But family? 'Daughter'? It was plain enough Mystique wanted to use the word. "Can someone be a friend, and mentor, and mother?" she asks - her tone light, even though something in her eyes, and the wrinkle of her forehead that shows she's giving more weight and consideration to the notion than she means to show.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia carves another piece of waffle from the stack, making sure that it has the right amount of fruit and whipped cream. "I don't see why not," she says, answering Clarice's question. "As long as it's not /my/ mother, that is."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique tilts her head slightly. "I think they can, so long as boundaries are established regarding each thing. What are you thinking? I can see it in your eyes, there's something on your mind." She takes a drink of her coffee about Lydia, as she has no intentions of moving her. "Yeah... no, I know I was a bad parent, but dayum... at least Lydia, your mother does love you she just needs an off switch."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "What - and you don't love Rogue? That's bullshit," Clarice says bluntly. "...families are complicated. And hard," she adds more quietly. As for what she's thinking? Well. That's more complicated.
    She continues to focus on her food, cutting another bite as she tries to sort out her own thoughts enough to offer a coherent response. It's not until she eats another bite in silence that she even dares to try. "I- It means a lot to me, that you would think of me that way. I guess I just didn't really expect it. And I'm trying to sort things out, still... after learning about my own parents, so recently. I just... it's a lot. There's a lot happening all at once lately, it seems."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia rolls her eyes. "Tell me about it. It's a miracle I came out as well adjusted as I did." She looks thoughtful for a moment, tapping a finger to her lips, "Though I suppose one could argue that falling for one of the world's most wanted terrorist might not count as 'well adjusted.'" She gives a dismissive little shrug, and gives Mystique a kiss on the nose before turning back to her waffles, finishing them off.

Lydia turns to Clarice. "You're feeling overwhelmed, it's only natural. It's why Mystique wanted you to take time off, to help you sort out some of those feelings. It's why I had to take a day to myself." She shakes her head. "I'm obviously not telling you to take a break, because you need to be by Rahne's side for when she wakes up but.... when she does you might just want to spend some time with her>"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The coffee cup gets set down no the table.

"You have no idea how deeply I love Rogue, and what I would do for her, but I fucked up with Rogue. I did it to her and myself, and no amount of love will change that. She doesn't believe I can change, and she has every right to believe that given what I did to her, but we aren't talking about Rogue."

She closes her eyes, keeping her thoughts on this moment and not letting them shoot off to the past she can't change. "I hadn't intended to say anything Clarice, I know things chaotic right now, but you asked, and I didn't want to brush you off or lie. You can take it with a grain of salt, tuck it away for now, put a pin in it. We can come back around to it a little later when things are calmed down, how does that sound?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I did take time off," Clarice points out wryly. If you could call her convalescence 'time off.' So much of it had been spent training, and working on her studies, and trying so hard not to let herself panic about the helplessness she felt without her powers to protect her.
    "There's no grain of salt. You said it - so I believe that's genuinely how you feel. I just... can't really sort how I feel yet," she admits. She gives Mystique a small smile before adding, "But I definitely don't feel upset. I- it means a lot of me. That I'm sure of."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
A frown pulls down at the corner of Lydia's lips when Rogue is mentioned. This isn't the first time Mystique has mentioned her and about how much she deeply regrets what she has done. She wishes she could do something about that, take that pain away, but she knows that this is one of those things that she shouldn't pry. At least not yet.

She doesn't want to interrupt, but she needs to get some coffee for herself. She wiggles out of Mystique's lap, making sure to get an extra wiggle in there (so much for not interrupting) and says, "I'm going to grab some more coffee." She turns to Mystique, "You want me to top you off while I'm at it?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique nods to Lydia, "Yes please, thank you."

Back to Clarice she offers a smile, "It's the truth, as genuine as it gets. Like I said, hadn't planned to say anything because I didn't want to overwhelm you, so if you need time to sort things out, take it. And you really should consider an /actual/ vacation at some point, maybe do a walk about with Rahne when she feels better."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    An actual vacation? Clarice? That's a ridiculous notion, but Clarice responds with an uncertain nod of her head. She'd rather that than letting Rahne wander off alone again.
    Not that she really has any say in the matter, and she knows it.
    "Maybe," she agrees. She takes another bite of her food before adding quietly, "In a way - it helps, actually. I mean... It's always a good thing, isn't it? Knowing that you're- that people care about you. And just how much they do."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia dutifully cleans up the used plates and takes the coffee mugs back to the cafeteria. She makes a couple of mugs of coffee, making one of them just the way Mystique likes it and hers with plenty of sugar and cream. She returns and sets Mystique's mug down in front of her and takes a seat next to her.

Lydia nods, "It's good to reiterate it every once in a while too. Reaffirming how you feel about people is a way to make sure people know that they're loved, and in what way."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique accepts the new mug of coffee, eyeing it with a smile. Lydia knew how she liked it and remembered, something else she would have to get used to. "Speaking about how I feel is not precisely an easy thing," she offers. "I used to deny having feelings, of any kind, other than rage... so I get it Clarice, it's not easy to even know what you're feeling, but when you do, don't deny them like I did. Speak then, whisper then, scream them, whatever it takes to get them out. I'm having to relearn how to express real emotions, don't ever end up like that."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice shrugs her shoulders as she offers, "Understanding them is hard enough. Speaking them....?" That's something else entirely, though her gaze does flick to Lydia as the woman speaks the word she'd shied away from. 'Love.' Why was it such a difficult word to voice?
    "I mean - I guess that's why I said what I did earlier - about when I got hurt. Because I don't think I did ever thank either of you, properly. I'll have to find a moment with Mister Creed, to thank him as well."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia gets a coy look and says, sotto voce, "/I'll/ say she's learning how to express them." Louder, though, she nods to Clarice. "Expressing your feelings can make you feel vulnerable, especially ones of affection. What if they don't love you back? You're opening your heart to them and they have a chance to break it."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique leans over and gives Clarice a light pat on the arm, "Creed knows, he'd die for you Clarice. You already know he'd kill for you. You don't have to say anything to him other than a simple thank you, and he'll know." She takes a drink of her coffee. "That's all you really need to say to me. I know you care, even if you can't express it."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice's gaze goes to Lydia at her words - turning them over in her mind with a thoughtful look, before Mystique earns her attention once more. "I do care. You're important to me," Clarice says simply. That much, she's come to terms with already. "And I would do the same for either of you, without hesitation," she says firmly. "I always have your back, you know that." She finishes off the last of her waffle at last, pushing her plate away so she can focus just on the egg.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia squirms uncomfortably in her chair. "If push came to shove, I think I would kill for either of you," she admits. "I would try to find another solution first because... I'm not as comfortable with killing as the two of you are." She looks up, with a slight frown, "But if push came to shove, I think yeah I would."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique scoots her chair close to Lydia, putting her arm around her. "You only have to kill if it is to defend yourself," she states perhaps too firmly. "I know you would likely try to do so in defense of Clarice or I, but only if you can insure your own safely. My life is not worth yours."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I would try to never put you in the position where you'd have to make that choice," Clarice offers. "And I know Mystique feels the same way. And of course I'd kill for you, but... I think that carries a little less weight than it does for you. But My- ...Raven's right," it's still an adjustment, that, "You watch your own back first, then the rest of the team. Otherwise none of us'll make it home, you know?"

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia turns to Mystique and gives her a stern look. "I hate it when you do that." She says, catching her eyes and looking rather sad. "When you put yourself down like that. To me, your life is worth just as much as mine." She nods to Clarice. "Of course. I can't protect anything if I'm lying bleeding in a ditch somewhere."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique looks between Clarice and Lydia, then back again. "If there is one thing I am good at, it's getting out of sticky situations. I have been doing it my entire life."

There was a pause there, a twitch to her left eye. "I do look out for myself, but it's also my job to look out for all of you." Her eyes settle back on Lydia, "My life is of lesser value only because I have already lived two life times Lydia, I have seen the world and done a great deal in it. You've just started, have a lot more to see and do, /that/ is why your life is more valuable than mine."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "And what becomes of the Brotherhood without you?" Clarice asks. "Who steps in to fill your shoes? Because it sure as hell isn't me - I can't even read yet." She says it easily - of course, she also pitches it low - so it won't carry beyond their table. She finishes off the last of her egg, and pushes that plate away as well before she adds, "I mean - that's part of why I would think it worth it to risk my life for yours. It's certainly not the whole story - but it's a part of it. We need you."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia just sighs helplessly. "It doesn't matter how /long/ you've lived. You mean a lot to me, and I wish I could get you to see yourself the way I see you, and besides, Clarice is right. The Brotherhood would fall apart without you."

"Speaking of which," she says to Clarice. "Have you been able to do any of that homework I assigned you last week? I know that between losing your powers and Rahne, you might not have been in the best place to do it."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "You mean a lot to both of us," Clarice supplies quietly, before shifting her attention to Lydia's question. "I got some of it finished before Rahne stopped answering my messages. But after that..." she lets out a frustrated sigh. "I mean, I tried to do some of it. I was just sitting there by her bed, not //doing// anything, but I just... couldn't concentrate. I had to give up the ghost eventually, you know?" she offers with a shrug of her shoulders. "I'll try to get some of it done - I know it's important. But I can't make any promises right now."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Well shit. Clarice was using logic, Lydia was using emotion, Mystique didn't have a chance in hell against either of those things. Taking another drink of her coffee, she is more than willing to let the conversation switch to Clarice's home work. In fact, she decides to remain quiet and let that conversation take over, it was safer that way. She could admit they were both probably right, in her own head, but to say it out loud made it to true.

What would happen to the Brotherhood? Erik could lead, he'd likely takeover if something happened to her, but what direction would he take it? Was there really no one else? Slowly she got lost in her own thoughts, she continued to listen, but the topic has made her start thinking.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia takes a sip of her coffee and nods to Clarice. "Don't worry about it, if you're not up to it. I'll grade what you've done and you can figure out the rest once Rahne is doing good." Then she puts on her Teacher Voice, "But if you two /do/ go on a walkabout, I'm going to want a written report of the trip. One page." A pause. "No pressure," she says with a grin.

She notices Mystique's pensive stare, and bumps her shoulder against her. Just to show that she cares.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "If I finally go on this //vacation// you've been pushing me to take - I'm going to have to do //homework// on it?" Clarice protests with a grin. She must be feeling better - though her gaze does abruptly shift towards the MedBay.
    Okay, not completely better.
    "Fine, fine." Her attention shifts to Mystique next, then back to Lydia as she leans in to add, "She's quiet because we're right."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pulling herself back into the moment, Mystique offers Lydia a smile, "Sorry, got distracted."

She turns her attention over to Clarice, "And I'm not quiet because she's right, I'm quiet because you're right... because there isn't anyone else to lead and if something happened to me, the Brotherhood would end. I don't like that."

Now that she admitted her thoughts and didn't want to, she changes back to the other topic, "No, you don't have to do homework on vacation. No home work, no work work, no training, no nothing but enjoying yourself and what you're doing with the people who go with you. /That's/ a vacation."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"Focus on having fun on your vacation, then you can worry about the homework later," advises Lydia. Her attention turns back to Mystique as she speaks. "Who do you have as your second in command? Do you have /anybody/? I've only seen you handling everything which... is also not healthy."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I meant homework //on the topic of// my vacation," Clarice points out. "...though I'm not even sure where I would go on a vacation." Obviously any location would be possible. But where would she //want// to go? Hmm.
    "I honestly sort of thought- I mean, when Raven said she wanted to mentor me..." She gives a shrug of her shoulders, "That maybe she had a notion I might be suitable for something like that. Eventually. I still have too much to learn, though."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique sits herself up a little more, "Clarice, you are the next in line, but you aren't ready yet. That much is true, and won't change. It's exactly what I meant when I said I would mentor you, some day you will lead the Brotherhood."

Now she looks to Lydia, "But until there, there is no one else, which means I keep doing what I'm doing. Right now, things are too unstable in the Brotherhood for anyone else do to it, so I have to. Healthy or not, this is something far bigger than just me, and I won't let it die, I've worked too long, and too hard to reach this point. I'm sorry that worries you, but it can't change, not yet."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia looks thoughtful for a few moments. "Maybe take her to your island for a few days? Just to get away, just the two of you," she suggests.

She nods to Mystique and lets out a sigh. "I know," she says. "I hope that I can be a welcome distraction from time to time so you don't burn out too quickly. And let me know if there's anything else I can help with. The only admin experience I have comes from herding teenagers as a TA, though."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "...yes ma'am," Clarice offers. That was equal measures of gratifying, and terrifying, and definitely something she would have to strive to live up to. She owed her life to the Brotherhood - so certainly her dedication and willingness would never be cause for doubt. She needed to be competant enough, too.
    "Well, you already are helping - by helping me get ready. I can't run something like this if I'm not educated." So she's going to have to take her studies even more seriously than she already was.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Leaning over Mystique places a kiss on Lydia's neck, "I have been doing this, alone, for years. I won't burn out any time soon, but if there are things you can help me with, I will let you know, I will let you both know." She looks over to Clarice as she sits up.

"You have time Clarice, and you can't go any faster than you are capable of. It falls back to do the best you can, can't expect more than that. I talk to Erik a lot about things, but in many ways, regarding the Brotherhood, he follows my lead... never tell anyone I said that, he'll deny it."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia nods at Clarice. "If we're serious about this we'll need to set up lesson plans for some of the other core studies like maths." She looks pensive for a moment getting lost in her own thoughts. "Maybe some history. It'd have to be a focused study, though, not the general stuff that most schools want you to get. Focus on decisive battles and political conflicts, that kind of thing. Hm."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique scoots her chair even closer, so she's sitting right beside Lydia, and her arm goes back around her. "There is one project Lydia, that I think you should be in charge of." She comments, one brow lifting slightly. "You remember how I talked about wanting to get a school going in Bushwick, right? I was serious, and I want you to start looking into locations and what it will take to make it happen."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Obviously not, but... I should do my best," Clarice replies honestly. Not that she hadn't been doing so before - but now? Well - she was doing so with more help, which was more important, perhaps, than she'd realized.
    "I've been doing math with some self-tutoring programs - like I showed you before, with my reading. But... I honestly have been concentrating more on the reading. It's more often that you're handed a menu, or a mission report, or the like. Rather than being asked to do math on the spot." So - yes. It was all a factor of which was more necessary so she could 'pass' for literate and educated.
    "I think a school is a wonderful idea. I mean - I think, if anything, having missed out on an education has shown me how important it really is. I hate to think of anyone else not having that chance."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia is knocked out of her reverie by Mystique's closeness. "Hm?" she says looking over to her. "Oh! That's right!" Her eyes light up at the prospect of getting a school up and running in Bushwick. She nods, "Okay. I'll start doing some research to find out what needs to happen. A private school will be easier to set up than a public one, though... why /isn't/ there a public school in Bushwick? It's big enough to have at least an elementary school." And she's off again into her own little universe as she mulls over the specifics of the project.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique sighs softly, "Because it's Mutants Lydia, and the area is considered unsafe, because there's no money to build one when it will just get destroyed, there's a hundred reasons, and none of them make any real sense." She shakes her head. "Private school, but it has to be open to any mutant child who wants to learn, no matter their powers, even if that means making up scholarships for them."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Did you see John Oliver's latest episode about housing discrimination?" Clarice remarks.
    Wait - Clarice watches almost no TV. But she watches that?
    ...it was probably one his many episodes on mutant-related topics that got her hooked on the show, to be fair.
    "I mean, it mostly focused on, you know, //housing//, and the history of discrimination against african americans, because there's more history on that to draw trends from. But all of that stuff applies to this, I'd imagine. That's why we don't have a school, and even if we did have a school - it wouldn't be a 'good' school," she complains.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia's head bobs in agreement as she listens to the other two women, still lost in her little zone. "If we set up a private school then we'll need to set up a scholarship too," she agrees, "Or else nobody in the area would be able to afford going there. I wonder if we can set it up as a non-profit?"

She gets pulled out of her reverie when she's asked about John Oliver. "What? Oh! No, I haven't watched the latest episode. Been busy with other things." Other things being mostly Mystique.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique stares at Clarice, "Whose John Oliver?" She heard the rest, but that part stuck in her head. "Non-profits are harder to establish, but it can be done. I have a lawyer persona that could be used for that, as the face of the primary donator." She looks back to Lydia. "You know who this Oliver person is?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "A TV personality who does a weekly comedy show about the news of the week," Clarice explains, "Along with some sort of story about problems in America. Prison reform, and housing, and unemployment, and things like that. He did a few episodes on mutant rights issues, which is how I learned about him. I don't watch all of the episodes - the topics don't always interest me - but he's pretty funny." A smile ghosts across her features for a moment, her fingers tapping an idle beat on the table now that she's done with all of her food.
    "If I can help with getting a school organized... I mean, I don't know what I could do really, but you know I'd be happy to."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia nods in agreement when Clarice explains who John Oliver is. "He's quite funny, and is a very solid mutant ally. If you've got a half hour or two to spare, I can dig out some of his mutant rights stuff and show it to you. I think you'd get a kick out of him."

Clarice's offer to help gets her thinking though. "I should make you my PA, but that assumes that I have any inkling on what I'm doing." She turns to Mystique and very pointedly says, "Which I don't. One of the first things I'm going to do is find somebody with real administrative experience and get them on board. I'm sure somebody around here wouldn't mind the promotion."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
There is a twitch to Mystique's left eye at the concept of someone else involved, clearly this is a mutant with issues regarding handing control to others. Apparently she was starting to get used to passing some of that control to Clarice, with the Neighborhood Watch programs, and to Lydia with the concept of the school, but with someone else?

"I know everyone on this Asteroid," she says slowly, then continues a little quicker. "Literally, I have spoken to everyone, at least once. Those I trust are already in key positions, and report to me. I can't speak for those in Genosha, nor will I take their resources as they are needed there, the people I mean, they are more than resources, sorry. For now, look into what it would take. Not many of the mutants around here are educated however, so I doubt you will find someone with those skills here." She reaches up to rub the bridge of her nose. "You may have to look further out, find a mutant who could conceal themselves and get an education."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "We will need someone, though, or we're setting Lydia //and// the school up for failure. And that simply won't do." Clarice shifts in her seat, gaze flicking towards the Medical Bay once more, and then back to her friends. She's doing her best to be present in the conversation, and to give herself and Doctor Hathaway a break. She's mostly succeeding. "What's, um, a 'PA?'" she asks - unfamiliar with the term.
    "...you know. I wonder if we could get John Oliver do give the Brotherhood some good press. But I get the impression we'd have to genuinely convince him."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"I'm loath to go outside of the Brotherhood for this," admits Lydia. She looks thoughtful for a few moments before adding, "I'll look into what it takes and then draft a proposal on what we'll need so we have a better idea of what we're dealing with."

She gives Clarice a relieved nod, glad that somebody else recognizes that this is a lot to put on the shoulders of somebody who is completely unprepared and underqualified to do this kind of work. "A PA is a personal assistant. Think glorified secretary that does a lot of the grunt work for a manager or executive. It's a good way to learn how to manage... well.. everything. Time, people, reports, the whole shebang, since you get to see and help with all of it."

She shakes her head. "It's not something I'd recommend you going into any time soon, though. I think we should focus on your education first. That's work enough as it is."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "A secretary kind of needs to read and write," Clarice agrees in a dry voice. She sounds woefully unqualified to be //anyone's// 'PA.'
    "And there have to be others who are dedicated to the cause of mutant rights and equality who'd be interested in helping get a school like this off the ground. Hell, we could talk to the folks at Xavier's to see if they'd recommend anyone. You know they'd be genuinely interested in having another successful school in place. They'd only steer us to folks they honestly trusted to be up to the task. The Brotherhood isn't the only game out there." It's just the one she most avidly supports.
    She blinks as something utterly unrelated pops into her head. "Huh. If - or when - I do take the Brotherhood on my shoulders... I doubt I'd be able to serve on Genosha's Royal Guard anymore."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique sits up so fast her arm accidently smacks Lydia in the back, "No! Xavier's is /not/ being involved in this in anyway!" Okay, that was harsher than she meant it to be.

A quick glance to Lydia before she moves her arm, "Sorry about that." Then she looks back to Clarice. "I will walk the streets of Bushwick with a sign before I go to them for this. I've seen how they run their school, I've seen how selective they are, and the lessons they teach. I've been in their classes, seen their courses, listened to their way of doing things. It will /not/ be near this school. They preach a lesson I don't agree with Clarice, that the Brotherhood doesn't agree with." Although her tone calmed, her determination did not. "Have you ever listened to their way of looking at the world? They honestly believe, in every way, that one day mutants and humans will be able to live and work together, and where as I'm all for that, I don't believe that time will come for a very long time. Mutants today need to be taught the truth, that our lives will be hard, that they can be and do anything they want if they put their minds to it, but they cannot hope for a future and rely on humans, not yet. Mutants have the right to be who they are, people like you and Lydia, who can't conceal your mutations have a right to go to school, to learn to choose for themselves what they want to believe and not have some false sense of hope shoved down their throats because Charles believes it will happen in his life time."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"Ack!" Lydia cries as she smacked. She nods at the apology and watches Mystique, surprised at the fervor of her convictions. She nods as she listens though. "I don't know much about Xavier's school, to be honest. I didn't even know it /was/ a school for mutants until I met you two." She shakes her head. "What kind of message is that really saying, hiding away in secrecy like that? A school for mutants should be built where the mutants /are/. A school where /any/ mutant should be able to attend and /be themselves/ without fear."

She looks back up to Mystique and sighs. "I agree with their goals. Mutants and humans /should/ one day be able to coexist but they're going about it all wrong. You need to build from the bottom up, not the top down. It's just... just so /frustrating/."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice doesn't look particularly surprised by Mystique's sudden fervor and passion - nor does she seem particularly moved by it - but she listens to all of it without any interruption, and gives her a 'finished now?' look at the end that was probably as big a sign of her emotional exhaustion as anything else. "Not everyone who comes out of there shares their philosophy or their outlook perfectly. Not everyone they'd be aware of does, either. They might be be able to point us at a few people we could meet, research, talk to ourselves - and decide if they're suitable or not. Unless you have an arguement on why there's harm in simply asking?"
    She lets out a sign before adding, "I'd like to live to see equality." She's just not convinced she will. She and Mystique had already talked about this though - and fairly recently.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique states bluntly, "Because I don't want them to know about the school until it's there and running, that's why."

She stands up now to start a slow pace around the table. "I get it Clarice, I do. You may be right that not all the students out of the school thinking the same, and yes, I would /love/ to believe that the answer to the problems between humans and Mutants was just around the corner, right there, in reach, but it's not."

The pacing continues as she goes, her face twisted between the agony of the fight she's been in for so long and the desire for it to be over. "I don't agree with Xavier's tactics, the way he does things, the way he thinks. Erik remains his friend, they've been friends for so long and yet they are polar opposites. Maybe I'm wrong," she stops and looks at Clarice. "Maybe I should trust them, but I've been their enemy far longer then I've been their ally, I just can't do that, not yet."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia watches the dialogue between Clarice and Mystique. This seems to be an old conversation, one that they've had repeatedly. She looks thoughtful as they go on until she's had enough of the pacing and reaches out to take Mystique's hand in her own.

"They don't trust us. Not completely," she says. "The few that I've talked to, well, they're just waiting for us to stab them in the back. Perhaps reaching out to them for something so transparently benign will help show them that we mean when we say that we have the community's best interest in mind. Think of it like an olive branch, much like forming the watch was." She shakes her head, "And, much like the watch, Xavier's can feel good about doing something for the community by only putting in the minimal effort into it."

She looks up at Mystique, and kisses the knuckles trapped in her hand. "Since you assigned this to me, I can take point on it. Be the one who talks to them, if you're okay with that." She rubs the knuckles with her thumb reassuringly. "They don't have to be involved any further than that."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice's gaze follows Mystique - but she's more or less slumped in her chair at the moment. She hasn't touched any coffee or tea - because she knows she should really get some honest to goodness sleep soon. "Yeah, well, you know what I think about being 'enemies' with people who are also trying to further the cause of mutant rights and equality. Waste of effort and energy. It just further pushes out the timeline of when we're going to get this shit taken care of." She shrugs her shoulders before adding, "But there's bad blood and mistrust on both sides. ...I'm so fucking tired of it." She's obviously been hearing the same thing Lydia has - but she knows there's little she can do about it that she isn't doing already.
    "I trust them well enough. I trust Hank. I trust Rahne - even if she is naive about somethings. I mean... that's not necessarily a bad thing. We need people with that hope, and that... I don't know, innocence about them. If they were all like us..." she gestures between herself and Mystique, "We'd be pretty fucked." Her expression goes distant and thoughtful for a moment. Was that part of the reason why she was so drawn to Rahne?
    She lets her attention be drawns back to Lydia as she adds with a gesture of her hand, "See? ...we outnumber you, boss."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The minute Lydia takes her hand, Mystique stops and looks at her, stares at her. There is a twitch to her left eye again, a split second decision made that involves Lydia not being punched in the face, and to calm down from the touch. Neither of them realized just exactly what they were asking of her, just how difficult it was to be the one to offer an olive branch... again. She wanted to pace more, it worked out the aggression her, but she wasn't going to yank her hand away.

"Of course they don't trust us," she finally says to Lydia. "Rogue has told them everything I did in the past, they've dealt with Erik's anger in the past, there's no room in that for trust... but it goes both ways, I don't trust them either."

She looks to Clarice, "I like Dr McCoy, I could probably come to trust him in time, he has an open mind and a big heart, but he's one of the rarer X-Men, isn't he? The one who can't conceal himself, so his need to be accepted is just as great as mine, he merely goes about it a different way. I've let you take things to him before Clarice, because you trust him, but this is something far bigger that items to test or be looked at."

She finally does have to take her hand away, but she doesn't yank it away, she pulls it away unless Lydia has a death drip on it. "There are a lot of people here that are like Rahne here Clarice, you merely haven't met them. They are the very foundation of the Brotherhood, the reason we can keep going and moving forward. I need time to think about this, to fight the battle in my head and decide, but if... and it's a big if... I decide to allow this, Lydia does the talking, and it's with Dr McCoy."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia's grasp on Mystiques hand is gentle, and as such when Mystique pulls it away she lets it go without complaint. "I'm here for however you decide, Mystique. And I'll abide by any terms you set forth." Even if it does make her job that much harder. "Take as much time as you need to think on it," she says, gently. "A project this big isn't going anywhere anytime soon."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "He's not the only one - but yeah," Clarice agrees. She gives a shrug of her shoulders as she adds, "He declared us friends the other day which was- honestly, unexpected. But it was nice." She lets out a sigh before adding, "You know I won't breathe a word about it to them if you don't want me to." But she also thinks it's a mistake to be so closed about something that, frankly, has little to gain from such secrecy.
    "Anyways. We'll make it all work somehow. It's too important to do anything else. We can't achieve our goals with an uneducated populace." Yeah, that's Lorna talking right there.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The pacing continues, around the table slowly, her mind racing repeatedly over the same old arguments, the same fears, the same hatreds, the same mistrust. It was easy to say trust me, to look Jean and Charles in the eyes and say she changed, it was another to let go, to open up, to let that trust begin. Was she so set in her old ways that she couldn't bend, just a little, one more time?

She steps away to look out the window at the stars. It really was all on her shoulders, every decision, every action, every possible moment to do the right thing, or do the wrong thing. Erik was the figure head, the man in the ivory tower, the real authority and thus all repercussions of decisions made, landed on her shoulders.

"Clarice," she says softly. "Why do you trust them? What it is about them that draws you to that trust? That allows you to give it?" She turns slowly to look at the purple mutant. "You know they don't trust you, they find you naive and innocent, they tell you to leave the Brotherhood, to leave Genosha, so why do you trust them?"

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia watches Mystique pace, a pained expression on her face. This is the first time she's seen her lover like this and it hurts to see her this conflicted. She remains silent as Clarice is addressed directly.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Lorna's one of them," Clarice points out simply. "And I trust her as much as I trust you, and Mister Creed. And I've met and talked with Professor Xavier. I mean, we don't agree completely on methodologies - but he's sincere, and dedicated to the cause of furthering mutant rights and equality. And - hell, they're so damned 'white hat' with the moral code that's been shoved down their throats for years - where's the harm in tipping our hand on something like this? A //school//? What are we so afraid they're going to do with that information?"
    She lets out a sigh. "Besides, I trust them because it's better than the alternative. Because the bickering and the infighting is hurting us, hurting our //cause//. You don't think our enemies - our //real// enemies - crow with delight when they see mutants tearing each other apart over what's essentially petty differences? The more we can bridge this divide, heal this rift, and work together - the better off we are. You've heard this from me a million times."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique looks back out the window, letting everything Clarice just set start to turn around in her head just like everything else already was. Reaching up she touches the window, tapping a star somewhere out there as if she could touch it.

"I agree the bickering and infighting is a serious problem," she admits quietly, tapping the star again. "It's one of the reasons I agreed to start working with Xavier's in the first place. I know enough time hasn't passed, I know they can't trust me yet..."

Quite suddenly she punches the window, she knows it won't break but maybe her hand will. "Damn it..." Another punch and then she looks back to Lydia. "Do it. Talk to whom ever you need to, but make sure they know this is our school."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"Of course," Lydia says. "They already have a school, anyway." She looks down at her coffee and considers a few things for a moment. "I'm probably going to have to pitch this as a neutral school. One that isn't affiliated with the Brotherhood or Xaviers. If they're still having trust issues then they'll be skittish around the idea that this would be /ours/." She takes a sip before reassuring, "But it /will/ be ours because we'll be doing all the work on it."

"I'll start trying to figure out exactly what I need to ask them /for/. I don't want to go rushing in on this." She turns to Clarice, "I take it you can get a meeting with Hank when the time comes?" She looks thoughtful for a moment, "Maybe I should meet him before then so he knows who I am."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice frowns faintly at the punch - but doesn't comment. She continues to sit slumped in her seat as she watches the other two. "I don't know. They have to learn to trust us sometime - and if they refuse to help? Well, it wasn't our fault - you know? We took the steps, offered the olive branch..." She gives a shrug of her shoulders. "I think Hank'll take us at face value, though. I mean, I certainly hope he will."
    She nods her head towards the Medical Bay as she adds, "Arranging a meet'll be easy. At the school, at Harry's over drinks... whatever. As long as he has the time, he'll come. And he's with Rahne right now - or I wouldn't be here." Rahne shouldn't be alone. She's been adament about that. Rahne needs someone she knows and trusts with her when she wakes up.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique shakes her head, "No... the Brotherhood has to be mentioned, no secrets, fill transparency when speaking about it. You can explain our part is merely financial, seeing the place built, however you want to word it, but don't leave out our involvement. That leads down the path of them finding out alter and blaming me for lying, when I didn't and I won't. This whole thing is based on transparency when dealing with each other. That might make it harder, hell it will likely make it impossible, but it has to be that way."

She turns back to the window, flexing and unflexing her hand a few times, debating just one more punch but the pain in the hand was enough to remind her, to keep her from losing it. "Full... transparency," she repeats one more time. "Lydia, I think it a wise idea if I go with you, but you do all the talking. I need them to see that you have my support in this, but the decisions are yours to be made, not mine. It's a bit of a political move, but I honestly believe it will help in the long run. If they don't want to help because of it, so be it."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"That.... wasn't what I meant," Lydia says, shaking her head. She stands up and walks over to where Mystique is and places her hands gently on her shoulders. "What I meant was that we wouldn't be emblazoning our name all over it like Xavier's does. I just meant that we should emphasize that this is being built for the community and not as some kind of vanity project. Of course we'll have full transparency."

She leans forward and gives Mystique a peck on the cheek. "I love you, but you need to go blow off some steam, and Clarice needs to get to bed." She heads back to the table, "Let me clean up here and I'll see you back in your room?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Well. I think we should also have whatever funds the Brotherhood puts into the school publicly disclosed as well. Because full transparacy really is best if we're ever to earn any sort of trust. But I agree - we want to avoid the impression that we're tryint to churn out new recruits through it," Clarice comments - before finding herself a target of Lydia's attention. The kneejerk reaction to protest is written all over her features - but she responds with a sigh instead.
    "Yeah, fine," she answers. Even though she's fairly certain she's in for a few nightmares tonight.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique leans into Lydia's touch, then nods, "Yeah. I don't plan to put any kind of marker on the school. It's free and clear, we're just helping fund it." She turns slightly to look at Lydia, then kisses her on cheek. "I need distraction, but... I really want to shoot something in the face, so I'll take distraction."

She looks over at Clarice, "Let's get you to bed, alright? We can talk more tomorrow, and you can keep pointing out how fucking wrong I am about certain things, deal?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "So fucking wrong," Clarice agrees readily - flashing Mystique a smile, before her expression goes more serious. "I wouldn't mind shooting something in the face, either," she mutters. "Hell I could really use the chance to work off some tension." She allows Mystique to urge her to her feet, as she leaves Lydia to handle the few remaining plates.
    I mean. Not that there aren't //other people// who would take care of that if they simply left them.