Masschew-- Massachewsits?
Posted on Mon Jan 13th, 2025 @ 10:42am by Maeve MacKenna & Drew Williams
1,097 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Episode 5: Days of Fortune Past
Location: Steps Outside X-Mansion
Timeline: November 22nd, 1990
Drew turned to Maeve after taking a seat next to her. He gave her a curious expression. "Drew, Drew Williams. I'm from Cambridge, Massachusetts. My sister and I arrived here Monday night." She was a strikingly beautiful redhead with a very distinctive accent. He glanced about the grounds. "I gather from your accent that you aren't from around here." Her accent reminded him of an exchange student that had been from Dublin last year.
"Nice to meet you. I'd heard we had some new people... just grateful I'm not the new girl anymore." Maeve smiled as the boy say next to her. ""You're right though, not from here. Ireland, well... an island just off the coast called Achill Island but I'm as Irish as they come. I've never heard of Masschew-- Massachewsits?" she couldn't say it, God love her, she tried but her tongue tied at the attempt.
Drew chuckled at Maeve's attempt to pronounce the name of his home state. "Pleasure to meet you as well Maeve." He glanced out at the estate for a moment before turning back to her. "So? Did your family send you here when they found out you had...powers?"
A shiver rose up Maeve's spine. A flash of her running away from home after her mother died which coincided with her powers activating. The years on the streets of mainland Ireland and some of the UK and then subsequent trafficking to the US and her then killing them in fear. After that she ran into some Sentinels and and found her way here battered, bruised and hungry. "I don't think my family know I have powers. I kind of ran away when I found out I had them. Been a couple of years since then..." she trailed off as she felt her story was rather negative. "Sorry, depressing mode done. Did your parents send you here? Didn't you come with someone?"
Drew took off his fur lined bomber jacket when Maeve shivered thinking the chill in the evening air was the cause. Her expression caused him to think his question had raised bad memories as he handed her the jacket. A look of concern and regret crossed his own face. "Please forgive me, I didn't mean to raise bad memories."
Maeve felt the warmth of his jacket across her shoulders. She smiled at the offer, it was a nice gesture even if she didn't feel the cold much. Whether that be through her Celtic heritage, or the power she had over the earth beneath her feet she had no idea. "That's okay. Just been a rough 3 or 4 years... I lost count... but I'm here now and I'm happy and safe. I sometimes think of home, what my sisters are doing, my father, but I'm not quite ready to face them if that makes sense?" she asked half rhetorically. "Sorry, I don't mean to depress you." she scoffed a little at herself.
Drew couldn't imagine what life had been like for Maeve. Her expression indicated that some of her experiences had been unpleasant. "You're apologizing to me? My folks sent Angela and I here to be safe. I've even been able to talk with them briefly on the phone. You've had it much worse than me and yet you are still smiling. How are you able to stay so positive?"
Maeve shrugged, "It's not all been bad. There have been good people along the way, mostly other mutants, people who helped me. Though being a young girl in London must have been the worst, people just look after themselves there. My village on Achill was a close knit one so I try to find something like that wherever I am. I think I found it here." she looked behind her and scanned the mansion. "Bad stuff makes you stronger, and if fate wanted me to go through that to get me here then, well I'm glad it did."
"That which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger." Drew was not a particular fan of Nietche, but the philosopher had a point in that regard. He gave one last look over the estate. "It's been an honor and pleasure meeting you Maeve. Hope your evening stays pleasurable."
She had heard that saying before, it was interesting that people thought you had to fight off death to become stronger. A rather singular view she didn't entirely share. In her mind it was maybe one thing that helped make you stronger but without friends, without 'family', you'd be a lot weaker. Being alone isn't always the best. "You know you speak a bit funny, but I think you're alright Drew." Maeve smiled warmly at him as she passed him back his jacket. "Thank you for this. I think I'll go for a walk. This may be my first Thanksgiving but I'm still not sure what the point of it is. Maybe I'll try and find out next year."
Drew took his jacket and put it back on. He looked at Maeve for a moment and decided to tell her what Thanksgiving meant to him. "I know it's only an American holiday, but for my family, it's about spending time with loved ones and being thankful for family." He paused for a moment. "If you will allow me to offer you some advice. Call home and talk to your dad and your sister. Tell them you're safe, that you love them, tell them...whatever you feel you need to. Do that and I think you will understand the meaning of Thanksgiving." Drew realized his words were just as much for himself as they were for Maeve. He turned and walked away. It was time to find Angela and tell her how thankful he was in having her as a sister.
Maeve was sure her sisters would love to hear from her. She'd sent letters, postcards back home. That way it made her harder to trace. Not that it was easy to find people in the 90s who want to stay hidden. "Cheers, Drew. I appreciate it." She smiled and waved as he turned and walked back inside. The mansion was full of young people she was beginning to form strong bonds with. Maybe she'd give home a phone... but she didn't even know the number, or if they still had a phone at all. She might have to reach out for some help...
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