let's go to war to make peace,

[atthemercyof]

[ Locked to oldcardigans ]

[ Erik would be something nonchalant if not for the way he stands just beyond the front steps, arms crossed over his chest, gaze slanted at Agent MacTaggert. Her departing pleasantries are more directed at Charles, because Erik very clearly excudes distrust, and even distaste, to any of the Suits. But that doesn't mean his presence is not very much there. The conversation through the night weights itself down at the back of his mind. Too many people are showing an interest now, invasive little questions that get passed off as pleasantries from someone Charles trusts.

Erik sometimes wonders if Charles would just let the government steamroll right on other him. He hopes MacTaggert knows Erik won't allow that as long as he's here.

He tips his head a fraction in acknowledgement of her goodbyes, lifts his gaze skyward slightly, because there's something ticking away in the house tonight, a static kind of unease that crawls under his skin. It's a bit like the dark roll of sky just before a storm as dark eyes follow the movement of the man in front of him. ] Well?

Comments

[oldcardigans]

Yes? [ Neck prickling with the displeasure that flowed off Erik the entire visit, Charles sighs emptily, smoothing down his waistcoat while he tracks the departure of her government-issue black sedan. Still, Charles was caught off guard by a number and depth of the inquiry, the shadows that loomed couched in a disarming smile that gave him an idea of the efficiency in Moira's skill at getting what she's ordered to. Erik burned with disapproval, Charles dodged and built half truths to many of them, but the encounter has left a distinctly unpleasant film over the day that Erik won't let go without confrontation. Charles should have known.

Steeling himself with civility and reason, Charles turns on his heel and back to his friend, meeting his knowing look. ] You shouldn't be so cold to her; she's just trying to balance what her superiors expect and supporting us. It can't always be easy for all of us at once.

[atthemercyof]

[ It's by some miracle that Erik doesn't roll his eyes outright, mouth twisting slightly. He doesn't really understand Charles' drive to have the cracks smoothed over, there's no point hiding his distrust. ] I wasn't aware it was a requirement to have warm, fuzzy feelings towards the CIA.

[oldcardigans]

For a friend, thank you. [ It's short, but not without a kind of softness to mitigate the edge. ] We have a good chance here to make some ties by which we can ease the way forward, the least you could do is not sit and glower at our contact.

[atthemercyof]

She's no friend of mine. [ Chin tilting towards the door slightly, like he's actively relieved to see the back of her for the night. ] And so far the only ties I see are the ones they're hoping we'll hang ourselves by.

[oldcardigans]

You're talking rubbish. [ Sliding hands into pockets, expression drawn. ] If you won't respect Moira then attempt respecting what I'm trying to do for all of us.

[atthemercyof]

I'm sorry, was your sense of self-preservation out for a walk when the good agent was talking? [ Erik's expression is shifting, guarded still because of the way the conversation from the evening had turned, incredulous because Charles does not see it. Erik can only see how things could spiral terrible. ] They're after far too much, Charles. They send her because you'll fail to see past her friendly interest.

[oldcardigans]

[ A tense moment passes while Charles carefully remembers not to get riled. ] I'm not a child Erik, please don't treat me like one. [ Of course Erik would see Charles' front as giving in to the CIA's demands, but he's already rapidly looking for a way out of this conversation. ] I gave nothing that wasn't already known from the reports given when the facility was attacked, but the impression must be given that we are open to cooperation. They are after too much, but we have control of the proceedings as long as information is witheld.

[atthemercyof]

Being cooperative will just encourage them to walk all over you. You need to stand up for yourself Charles, this is not their facility any more.

[oldcardigans]

[ The line in his brow deepening, he softens his eyes, words tipped with something a little pleading. ] I'm doing what I have to to protect us and move forward at the same time, why are you being so difficult?

[atthemercyof]

Because you're a terrifyingly good person and they know that. I'm not being deliberately obtuse, I'm not trying to hurt you, I'm simply telling you that they know your weak spots. You want to play by the book because you imagine we will all come out unscathed, but this is how things happen. Being meek in the beginning doesn't make the threat any less.

[oldcardigans]

And showing aggression will only make them more afraid and then nothing will stop them from making anti-mutant protocols. We must be careful, my friend.

[atthemercyof]

They're moving anyway, there's nothing we could do to stop that. Just because we're helping them now doesn't mean once we've fulfilled our duty they won't look at us, what we can do, and decide we're the next threat.

[oldcardigans]

[ Shortly. ] We're not having this conversation. [ As calmly as he can, he brushes past Erik and into the main entrance of the mansion, stalking down the foyer with little hope Erik will actually listen to him. ]

[atthemercyof]

[ He hates the way human life can trickle into this place, how Charles' regard for the safety of people who will turn on them can so easily blind him. Erik stays where he is for a moment, pulling the gates closed with a flick of his wrist. ] I'm merely suggesting you stay cautious, Charles.

[oldcardigans]

[ Stalling his progress a fraction, the emotion behind the sentiment is true if the statement itself is patently ridiculous. Charles is playing this the only way he knows how to, with a large degree of trust placed in the CIA, but trust given, in his experience, is rewarded. Erik knows little of it, and Charles suffers his misguided intentions in return. ] You're being paranoid, Erik. Were giving them no reason to turn on us and the idea of it is insulting to the allies we would have if you just helped me.

[atthemercyof]

A little paranoia might keep you alive if it comes to it.

[oldcardigans]

[ Audibly scoffing. ] They're not going to kill us, for pity's sake.

[atthemercyof]

[ The night air is cool from where he's still standing, and for a moment he feels nothing but an irrational sort of anger. Charles is comfortable in his beliefs, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. The other man would do well to know that. ] They won't trust you when they've had their use of you.

[oldcardigans]

[ Safe in the study (though not truly as long as metal weighs him down), he stiffly stands only as far as his feet take him, having his fill of frustration out of Erik's irrational obsession with humans turning on them. ] If the CIA are sure we can't be trusted, why don't they take care of Shaw themselves? Certainly they'd just as soon destroy us all if they thought they could make enemies of mutants.

[atthemercyof]

[ Closing his eyes for a moment. ] They know they can't defeat him alone. We're convienient.

[oldcardigans]

[ Raising his eyes to the ceiling. ] And the rest of the world? We're not the only mutants in existence, Erik, it wouldn't make sense.

[atthemercyof]

It doesn't have to make sense. The CIA will only tolerate us as long as we're firmly under heel. What about after? When they want to take the children back because we're stronger together and they don't like it?

[oldcardigans]

They can't do that legally to anyone but Alex, and I'd never let it happen if it came to a head. Erik, Erik you're talking about extermination. The CIA isn't large enough to lead a private war without it going public, and if the population discover that they're systematically wiping out citizens of the country, you don't think that a stop would be put to it?

[atthemercyof]

Yes, because society has never shown to be frightened of something it can't tidy away before.

[oldcardigans]

No, it would be war. [ A pang strikes Charles - his people, of course. ] I promise you, Erik, it won't end that way. We have control of our own destiny and people do learn from the past. Just help me, that's all I'm asking.