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

[atthemercyof]

[ Erik doesn't reply, gaze lifted for a moment to search Charles' face, to try and find chinks in the scaffolding they've constructed time and time again. Weakness is definitely seeping in.

Another move. ] It's the last stand for men without faith.

[oldcardigans]

[ Glancing at him quietly, fingers resting undecided on a pawn. ] There are people involved that haven't a clue what this is about. And the children are still trying to find faith in themselves.

[atthemercyof]

Ignorance shouldn't be an excuse. [ Though the children - Erik is building fondness for them, slow and protective. But they need to learn, they need to be ready. He knows it is cruel, but it will keep them alive. ]

[oldcardigans]

[ Charles isn't sure he agrees, knowing intimately that there are innocents that will be thrown into disarray if he allows either side to escalate. ] I am simply saying not all will have a defined opinion or ideal - there are too many that could be caught in crossfire with no understanding of why they may lose their lives for it.

[atthemercyof]

Well then we must hope they become educated before it's too late. [ His expression is neutral, but it's quite clear he assumes casualties will happen.

Humming. ] The machine won't stop for worry.

[oldcardigans]

[ Patiently, though Charles is increasingly wary of finding out exactly how far Erik will take it. ] Surely mercy is a part of war, if, in fact, that is what this is. There's honour to be found in sparing those not looking for death from something they can't understand.

[atthemercyof]

I'm afraid you underestimate how much I will defend something to the death. [ It comes out casually, clear there's a line, us and them. Erik knows where he stands. ] Mercy can only come if you want it, if you stand down long enough for it.

[oldcardigans]

[ Placing a pawn two spaces ahead. Charles remains hunched over the board, invisible battles shooting across his vision as he's seen what Erik has done that wasn't in pure self defense. Bloody revenge has no resemblance to what Erik speaks of, and the knowledge that he may take a more forward approach when the day comes is steadily growing in the back of Charles' thoughts. ] You have a choice. Being so quick to react - I don't believe anyone doesn't want mercy in the end, Erik.

[atthemercyof]

All I want is for Shaw to die, I'm willing to go to certain lengths to make that happen. [ Moving. ] I won't be forced to lie down again, Charles. I will do whatever it takes.

[oldcardigans]

[ Quickly setting the next into place. ] At what cost? You've paid very dearly to get to where you are now, but can you afford more?

[atthemercyof]

It's because I've given so much that I can't not keep going.

[oldcardigans]

[ Pressing his lips in a thin line for several long seconds, his gaze makes it as far as Erik's chest. ] As long as you accept there may be unforeseen consequences.

[atthemercyof]

As I cannot tell the future, I'm assuming all the consequences are unforeseen.

[oldcardigans]

[ An unhappy set to his mouth. ] Semantics.

[atthemercyof]

[ Earnest. ] I don't know what's going to happen, Charles.

[oldcardigans]

[ Shrugging uselessly. ] I can't tell you anything but what I believe.

[atthemercyof]

And I can only tell you where I'm aiming, I'm not omniscient, this will be as much a blind side for you as it for me.

[oldcardigans]

[ Struggling for something other than his ideals to justify it. Quietly. ] I don't want you to have more regrets weighing. And to me, this is the way it happens.

[atthemercyof]

What's another compared to what I already have?

[oldcardigans]

Because you have something to protect now, and the repercussions can affect those bonds. [ Turning his glass around, he bites his tongue. If they make it past this, Charles would need to pick up the pieces, whether Erik would be there or not. ]

[atthemercyof]

[ Gaze sharp while he searches Charles' face. ] You've known for a long time what I've set out to do. No matter what happens in the interim, I will stop him. If you can't accept that, then I am sorry, but I won't change my mind.

[oldcardigans]

[ Eyes going hard as stone. ] I am not going to stand aside so your disregard for collateral damage can indiscriminately lash out at men who've done you no harm. You've said you're not blinded by what he's done, but that makes it worse - you'd premeditate deaths of those who've done nothing to you. That isn't vengeance. That is a dangerous precedent to take, my friend.

[atthemercyof]

[ Drawing a hand over his eyes. ] Why are you so under the assumption that I am a good person? My terms have been clear from the very beginning. People will survive as long as they stay out of my way.

Whether you like it or not, war is on the horizon. I would rather not stay blind to it.

[oldcardigans]

Because you are, you're better than this. [ Anger sparks at the gesture, like Erik has learned nothing of Charles' faith. ] I've known for a long time what you intend for him, but don't pretend that you're not giving yourself free reign to defend yourself from people who have no way of hurting you. They have guns, Erik, you can do the math.

This is a battle ground, but you don't have to kill them Erik, is that so hard to understand? You have so much power, but what good is it if you prove you can't use it for anything but violence? What future can you build?

[atthemercyof]

[ Arching a cool eyebrow. ] I am not out to level the playing feild, if that's what you're implying. But you have to open your eyes, hoping blindly for a war without bloodshed will get us nowhere. I'm sorry Charles, but I am preparing for when the tide turns against us.