Silver Linings

Posted on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 @ 5:04pm by Charles Xavier & Connor Bruin & Moira MacTaggert & Cameron Hood & Aurora Summers

1,721 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 2: Northern X-Posure
Location: Muir Island
Timeline: August 11th, 1990

The flight from Westchester to Muir Island was a familiar one for Charles, but this time it was bittersweet. Many of the mutants who had come and gone from the Mutant Research Center were there on the dime of the X-Corporation. Today, though, Charles was delivering a sizable group personally. It was the least he could do.

For the first time in recent memory, the passenger compartment of the Blackbird was full without being on mission. Despite the full complement, not much conversation passed between anyone.

Iceman. Bobby. One of the Professor's First Class. Lost himself to an amnesic fugue while on mission.

Escapade. Bliss. A bold and brilliant talent who lost herself on mission in perhaps the same way.

Elizabeth. Myfanwy. A brave young lady who was out of control and needed a safe place to land.

Levi. Dustdevil. A survivor if there ever was one. Now he would lend his strength to others while they recovered.

Jade. Bloodhound. The nurse he had pulled out of Texas to help mentor his team. She had requested to go with the others to Muir Island and continue the care she had begun at the Mansion.

Between Jade and Moira, Charles could not refuse. The flight seemed to take an eternity and still feel over in an instant. By the time the Blackbird settled down and prepared for debarkation, the Professor was tempted by a fugue state himself. Dissociation certainly flirted with the edges of his mind as everyone made their way to the landing strip.

Aurora had heard that Bobby was leaving, having shared the captive experience with even though she barely knew him, she considered Bobby someone who could have been a good friend. She had caught up with Xavier as they left the Mansion, now they had arrived at Muir Island she had hung back aboard the blackbird before deciding to catch up with Xavier as he headed to the landing strip. “Professor...May I accompany you?”

"Of course," Xavier replied as he watched the others idly wander toward the main lodge of the Muir Island facility. ~I could use some company~ His thoughts touched Aurora's mind, expressing emotions telepathically that his steeled facial expression would not express physically. Grief. Disappointment. But also hope.

Aurora smiled. “Thank you Professor.” She expressed her thoughts privately. ~This must be hard for you Professor, I’m happy to be here for you.~

Cameron was rather silent as he exited the plane last. His heart ached a little as his nose picked up the sent of the North Sea. He wouldn't say it smelled different from the Atlantic Ocean back in the US. But knowing this particular bit of salty water was so close to home struck him deeply. He longed to go back home, to see his family again, but he knew he couldn't, not as long as he was considered as a deserter.

The silence among his traveling companions caught Cameron's attentions. It had been silent on the flight, except for Cameron and Jade's chatting. Most of the passengers were in some type of mental distress. But he had also noticed that Aurora and Xavier had been quiet. "You know how it's considered rude to whisper when in company?" He remarked dryly, attempting humour as a way to bring attention to it.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude” Aurora offered a smile. “Everyone seemed pretty quiet so I was too.”

"My apologies, as well, Cameron," said the Professor. His eyes watched Jade escort Bobby and Bliss toward Moira. "Your thoughts seemed elsewhere."

Aurora’s gaze turned to Bobby as well, they didn’t know each other very well but he had tried to help her when they were both prisoners. “I wish there was something we could to help Bobby, I hope he gets the help he needs here, I hope they all do.”

"Bobby is stronger than even he knows," said the Professor. "He will recover. With the right space and support, his old self will return." The unspoken truth was that Xavier wished it was sooner rather than later, but he would not bring harm to a student even if it meant potentially saving others. Bobby's mind would simply have to return to him in its own time. "Muir Island is the best place for him right now."

Aurora nodded. “I’m curious about this island Professor, what’s its history?”

"Muir Island has been privately financed by myself and a handful of other mutant advocates throughout the world," the Professor explained. "Our goal is to better understand the X-gene in order to help mutants better adapt to their mutations. The research conducted here has been instrumental in my programming of Cerebro." Turning grave, the Professor added, "Dr. MacTaggert has also helped treat mutants who have been maimed by unethical research and experimentation." His voice softened a bit as admiration for Moira crept into his tone. "It's both a place of great tragedy and great healing. Connor spent most of his life on this island."

Speaking of the devil, Connor was already doing handsprings across the open field to his favorite old tree that overlooked the cliffs. He let out loud whoops all the while.

Aurora couldn’t help but grin as she watched Connor, he was a very unique individual that she happened to like. “It’s nice to see Connor enjoying himself, we had a nice conversation albeit telepathically. He maybe non-verbal to anyone else, but to me he speaks just fine.”

"Connor's is a sharp wit," the Professor warned with a half-smirk on his face. "And his thoughts are less restrained than his actions. Have care when your mind touches his. You may get more than you bargained for."

Aurora nodded. “I’ll be careful Professor, that I promise.” She smiled warmly.

After speaking with Jade and giving her directions for lodging, Moira left her to escort Bliss and Bobby to a quiet area for later evaluation in favor of meeting with the Professor and the others.

"'Ello, Charles," she said warmly, "and to ye all. Ae wesh thot et ware aendar baetter circumstances faor oos ta maet. Ae'm Moira. Plaesure oll tha' saem."

Aurora had to really listen to what Moira was saying, she wasn’t used to such a strong accent. She smiled politely. “I’m Aurora, It’s nice to meet you Doctor McTaggart.”

"Oh my..." Moira did a double take when looking at Aurora. Her eyes flicked at Charles for a moment.

~Yes, we've noticed~ Charles said to Moira's mind.

"Tis ollwaeys a plaeshoor maeting woone of the Proofassour's staudents."

"Doctor MacTaggert, it's nice to see you again." Cameron said, stepping forward to extend his hand.

Moira shook the man's hand and gave a smile. "Olwaeys," she agreed. "Maek yarsaelf at hoome faor just as loong as ye want to stae."

"I don't believe we will be staying long..." the Professor began to say.

"Are ye certain, Chaerles?" asked Moira. "T'would be right good t'have ye stay awhael."

Looking at his group, Xavier pondered the proposition. Then, reaching out to Connor's mind, he projected a query. ~Connor... how has your flight simulation fared of late?~

Connor stopped in his tracks from a hundred meters away and stared in the direction of the gathering. ~Mind-to-mind communication would suggest that you already know the answer to your question. If you have a request, then make it. Otherwise I have sights to see~

~Fair enough~ The Professor chuckled silently to himself but allowed amusement to flood their telepathic link. ~Moira has invited me to stay for a few days. Would you be willing to take the others back to the Mansion?~

~You mean will I babysit the autopilot while the Blackbird flies us back to the Mansion~ Connor quipped. ~I can do that. But how does everyone else feel?~

Nodding with acknowledgement, Xavier addressed the group around him. "Connor has agreed to fly the Blackbird back if I were to stay for a time, but has expressed concerned about passenger objections." Looking to Aurora and Cameron, he asked, "Are there any? Please do not feel pressured one way or another."

Aurora looked towards Connor, then back at Xavier. “I don’t mind flying back with Connor Professor, I trust him. Hell, I might actually learn to fly the blackbird myself if I watch Connor on the way back.”

"We can schedule flight hours on the simulator back at the Mansion if you wish," the Professor said. "But perhaps he would welcome your company in the cockpit all the same."

Aurora looked at Connor. “If that’s alright with you Connor? I promise not to distract you.”

Having just run back to the group, Connor thumped his chest twice and stared at Aurora with a crooked glance and his fingers pressed against his eyes.

~I am not easily distracted!~ he thought as intensely as he could. ~My hyperfocus cannot be shaken. Watch me calculate the square root of 5,410,500!~ He did a handspring and let out a quiet grunt while he concentrated. ~Approximately 175.55 repeating~ With that, he sprang back to his feet. ~See?~

Aurora gave Connor a apologetic glance. ~I didn’t mean to suggest you were Connor, I was just saying that’s all. Flying us home is an important job.~

Connor stuck his tongue out at Aurora and then went back to his somersaulting.

"Well..." The Professor said aloud. "I've often said that Connor ought to come with a warning label."

That remark made Moira giggle and stare after Caveman fondly.

“I see what you mean about Connor, Professor” Aurora smiled. “He’s a curious one that’s for sure.”

"Quite a compliment coming from you, Enigma," the Professor teased. "Well, since it's decided, then I am going to take Moira up on her earlier offer for refreshments. The rest of you may do as you please for the time being, but I recommend leaving sooner rather than later so as not to race the sunset back to New York."

A frisbee landed near their feet. Off in the distance, Connor waved his hands with a hoot and holler.

"Perhaps anoothaer few mooments?" Moira suggested with a broad grin as she flung the frisbee back at Connor.

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