Deadly Games
Posted on Thu Sep 12th, 2024 @ 9:22pm by Charles Xavier & Meja Vikström
Edited on on Thu Sep 12th, 2024 @ 9:49pm
2,490 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Episode 5: Days of Fortune Past
Location: The Bronx | New York
Timeline: November 1st, 1990
Meja sat on the sofa in the lounge room of her family's apartment, her legs curled up against her torso with her toned arms wrapped around them. Her eyes, having changed to a burnt sort of orange since the incident were glued to the TV as it blared the news of a man who had passed away that day due to the injuries he'd sustained the night before. Gasping audibly at the revelation, hot tears streamed down her freckled cheeks.
It was the familiar embrace of her mother's arm slung over Meja's shoulders that provided comfort to the distraught teen. Elias, her father stepped into the doorway and looked over his glasses as he continued to chew on the apple in his hand, speaking with half a mouth full, directed at his wife, "He didn't make it?"
To which his wife shook her head silently, forcing him to humm lightly in thought before he moved out of the doorway and to the telephone connected to the wall of the hallway. He chomped into the apple as he picked up the receiver and dialed. His brow furrowed as it rang. He was picking the apple out of his mouth as he waited, with the slightly muted sobs of his daughter echoing out of the lounge.
The other end of the call picked up after only a few rings. "Hello," said a compassionate male voice. "You have reached Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters. How may I be of assistance?"
Professor Xavier had already made passive contact with the Vikström family. Unsolicited contact was a very touch-and-go scenario which require delicacy and finesse. The packet the family had received in the mail outlined the public-facing services of the school along with an invitation to call a private phone line in order to hear more about a special offer for those facing significant hurdles regarding mutant relations with the public. It was this private phone line Elias Vikström had called.
"Allow me to say that this line is secure," the Professor added before Elias could answer. "Everything which is said will be kept in the strictest confidence."
Elias paused a moment before dropping the volume to his voice, "Her attacker passed on and, not surprisingly, she's not taking it well. I think it's time you two met." His tone was terse and full of worry.
"Meja..." whispered the Professor. "I can be there this afternoon."
When the Professor's town car rolled up to the curb outside the apartment building in the Bronx, the Professor waited a moment before he exited the vehicle. Pedestrian traffic being what it was allowed for camouflage as well as witnesses. A little patient and discretion with a dollop of telepathic obfuscation went a long way.
Professor Xavier's conventional wheelchair rested in the backseat next to him. He opened the door, set the wheels down on the sidewalk to better unfold it, and then shifted himself into the seat. Most New Yorkers avoided a man in a wheelchair as they would any other obstacle. They otherwise paid him little mind.
Approaching the porch steps which were far from ADA compliant, Xavier closed his eyes and gave a telepathic push in all directions for people to not to notice or remember what he did next. With another push, Xavier accessed his latent telekinetic power and levitated the wheelchair from the sidewalk to the top step where he then rang the bell.
Juliette, Meja's mother answered the intercom by pressing the 'speak' command button, her tone was as terse and full of worry as her husband's. "Who is it?" she demanded. The volume of her voice was normal but forceful, to say that her maternal instincts had kicked in surrounding the accident would have been an understatement. Even slightly muted from the carriage through the microphone, it wouldn't be hard to know that there had been trouble at the apartment.
"Charles Xavier," the Professor said loud and clear into the intercom. "Calling upon the Vikström residence for the scholarship eligibility."
The only reply was the buzzing of the iron clad entrance releasing and swinging slightly open in an outward motion, as it did so, two boys no more than 8 years old rushed out, one almost smacking right into Charles in his chair, laughing a little and running off down the street to the left and into foot traffic.
"Oh my!" The Professor chuckled at the rambunctious boys. Preserving innocence such as that was a microcosm of his greater dream.
Xavier entered the building and made his way to the elevator where he could reach the appropriate floor. After he arrived at the Vikströms' door, he gave it a sharp knock.
There was a few muted footsteps and the door opened to a tired looking teenager, her long hair was in fresh intricate blades and an arm in a sling. She looked over her shoulder as her father fell in behind her, a comforting hand placed on the unaffected shoulder.
"Professor, thank you for coming so quickly." Elias paused as the first smile since the accident grew on Meja's lips, her head snapping back to the stranger at their door, a tone of surprise laced her words, "You're... Professor Charles Xavier! Oh wow, I'm such a fan of your work."
Stepping back and putting a hand out to push her own father out of the way and clear the hall behind them. A smirk grew on Elias' face, this was commonplace between himself and his youngest child. "Please... come in." Meja insisted, the smile growing to her strange orange eyes.
"Thank you," the Professor said as he wheeled inside their home. His pleasant demeanor made no distinction between the X-Mansion and their humble domicile. He was a guest in Castle Vikström and he acted the part. "For the greeting and for the welcome. I understand there has been some troubles of late. Perhaps we might go somewhere we may talk?"
It was a polite invitation for the family to determine who should be present going forward. For his part, Xavier just smiled at them with genuine excitement to be there. This was his life's work, not twisting the arms of politicians or speaking truth to the loss. Giving a helping hand to those who have nowhere else to turn was what got him out of bed in the morning.
Meja was hardly a step behind him as she nodded, mirroring her keenness to speak to a man she already had on a pedestal about something she knew he'd be able to help her not only control, but strengthen.
"Yeah... of course, my room's right here."
Motioning to the right as they approached, thankfully her door was already open and was sparce enough to allow a wheelchair. Smiling to herself a little more than she already was at the floorspace she'd cleared to make way for her morning routine of crunches and push ups.
Entering the room but allowing the door to remain open a discreet width, Professor Xavier positioned himself within eye shot of the hallway.
"I can see you know how to take care of yourself," he began. "Outside of your family, do you have anyone you trust to take care of you?"
Meja perched on the edge of her bed, one leg folded under her body as she sat, back straight but at ease. She huffed long and slow as her line of sight extended off into nothing, allowing herself to think before answering.
"Outside of my family? I trust my sensei to help protect me, but no one really comes to mind that could take care of me better than momma and pappa."
Her vision snapped back into the room as it moved over to take hold of the Professor as she answered, shrugging a little.
"How would you like that to change?" the Professor asked.
Before she could respond, his voice was within her mind even though his mouth stopped moving. ~Don't be afraid. I am a mutant, like you. My gift allows me to speak directly into your mind. As flattered as I am with your admiration of my work, you have only scratched the surface. I have told your parents that you are eligible for a scholarship at my school for the gifted. But I will be honest with you now as I always ever will be: there is more to it~
Images fill Meja's mind. Cerebro. The War Room. The Danger Room. The Blackbird. The X-Men uniforms lined up in a row.
~I sponsor the X-Men. Your courage leads me to believe you are a viable candidate. If you come with me, then you will be embarking on a new path, one that is filled with great risk but holds potential rewards in a better future for all~
"Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters has an opening," the Professor said aloud, "if you are interested."
Meja blinked forcibly as the images in her mind faded, as well as the Professor's voice audibly addressing her.
Her torso shifted forward as a slow smile took over her features and she nodded as she began to respond.
"That sounds... so cool and I'd be honored."
It was difficult enough for her to form the sentence, as emotions welled up in her throat, her eyes began to tear up and almost on cue, Juliette, Meja's mother cracked the door open a little more, a grin plastered over her face as she exclaimed, her hands clapping once loudly as she did so.
"Det här är en lycklig dag (This is a happy day)! Oh my little bug! Congratulations!"
Elias appeared next to her, a more demure smile that spread to his eyes as he nodded, adding a warm congratulations as his gaze then turned to their guest.
"Grattis bug, and thank you so much Professor, we've always known our little girl was special, but this is going to change her life. We owe you our sincere gratitude."
"I have dedicated my life to the betterment of mutant-human relations," Professor Xavier replied, "and I believe our young Meja has what it takes to represent the next generation of brave, noble mutants which this world desperately needs. My school will see that she is equipped for the task."
Glancing back at Meja, the Professor favored her with a knowing smirk. ~It would be best if nobody knew about the X-Men, but I will not require you to keep secrets from your parents~
"Enrollment can begin as early as today," the Professor said. "If you wish to come with me, that is. Unless there are any questions, I will await your decision outside."
Meja squealed and laughed, happy tears rolling down her cheeks as her father embraced her. Her mother was barely a pace away, smiling and silently crying. Jumping up from her bed, she embraced her mother and continued to laugh, nodding as both parents helped her with the bags Meja had been instructed to pack not but an hour beforehand.
The family exited Meja's room, all smiles as she slung the duffel bag over her torso, picking up her favourite backpack from the hook in the hall and turned to face the Professor.
"I'm ready."
"Well, that was quick," the Professor replied with a chuckle. He had known the answer would be quick, so he had not hurried out the door. "I'm happy to have you among us, Meja. You will be very happy at the school, I think." He nodded at Elias and Juliette. "We do ask that parents call ahead to schedule visitation times, but otherwise Meja will be available by phone at any time. Thank you for entrusting your daughter to our institution. You won't regret it."
Elias spoke as Juliette was a mess of tears and smiles, she'd lost all ability to communicate in english due to her overwhelming emotions, "We'll call every week and please let us know when there are breaks in classes, as we'd love to see the school, once bug is settled in ofcourse."
After guiding Meja back to the town car with another burst of telekinesis to glide his wheelchair down the steps, the driver was ready and waiting to let them into the passenger seats in the back.
~He will be unaware of who we are when he finishes his shift~ The Professor projected assurance into Meja's mind. ~It will be as if he was asleep the entire time. We may speak freely on the drive to the school~
Meja sighed and smiled, nodding, "Do you teach any classes, Professor? I've heard about your school but I don't know much about the kind of classes and the kinds of kids you have there."
"We don't do classes as such," the Professor began. "As a boarding school, we have the opportunity to utilize what's called self-directed or open learning which is largely based on projects and peer development. There are still plenty of core subject studies but also ethical, social, and emotional development to provide a holistic education experience." As the car merged back into traffic toward the highway which would lead back to Westchester, the Professor chuckled at his brochure-ready spiel. "Essentially you will be assigned age-appropriate textbooks, but most of your studies will be special projects in preparation for higher learning or other opportunities." Hoping that was more clear, the Professor added, "As for kids, no two are the same. Our student body is small but diverse. Everyone has the chance to stand out and fit in all at once."
Shifting a little as she took her jacket off, Meja smiled a little as the Professor explained how the Institute worked. She felt a slight rush of enthusiasm when he mentioned the preparation and possibilities for other opportunities. It was the most excited she'd felt in years, and even more so now that she was with someone who'd been the very spokesman for the rights of mutants in modern society. "I can't lie... that sounds really cool... the one thing I'm looking forward to is learning what I can do and getting stronger with my abilities."
"I'm glad to hear it," the Professor said, "because that is the school's primary purpose. Our training facility is state-of-the-art. We'll track your performance and help guide your development toward your full potential." He paused for a moment and asked, "Do you have any questions about the X-Men?"
Meja bit her lip before responding, "What kind of powers do the others have? I've heard of some of the missions they've been on, I look forward to meeting and training with them but I got no idea bout what kind of powers other mutants can have."
"Well, that is a bit of a long story," said Xavier with a rueful chuckle. "We've had quite a few members of the team over the years. We have quite the ride ahead of us. Perhaps it is best I start at the beginning..."
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