Genosha, Day One

[just_a_phase]

Getting to Genosha--at least, if you want to be as discrete as possible and not announce to all the island that you're X-Men--involves more flight transfers than Kitty wants to think about at this point. More than once she drowsily woke up to find her head on Piotr's shoulder.

He didn't say anything about it, so she didn't either.

But after the second time, she found she'd also wake up with a faint smile.

They're finally here, though, finally through customs and security, and they can just...be. Be the two of them. Be lost in the crowd.

It's a little scary, and a little neat, and a lot needed.

Her head's on Piotr's shoulder--well, upper arm--again as they walk by the shoreline, and for once...

Kitty Pryde has nothing to say.

And she thinks that's okay.

Comments

[just_a_phase]

He takes another sip--not one could be called more than that, nor could any be truly called large sips--before considering the glass again and setting it on a side table before settling back in the chair.

"And then came 3. The third generation of Jews who were here because the first came here because of the Shoah." His brow furrows for a moment in honest thought. "I don't know if I've ever used that term around her. If she even knows it, for that matter. That was our gift to them. To be allowed excel, or to be allowed to not have to force yourself to achieve a mixture of C's and B's when that was beyond you. To have, 'Prideman' mentioned as part of a geneology project. To not internalize what happened. To turn the Shoah, the Holocaust--to turn Genocide--into facts that have no real connection to our children, God forgive us, so they could learn to live like those who came before lived. Before we knew how dangerous it was to stand out.

"Well." He taps, a few times, the place on his chest where a Star of David Necklace would rest. "My mother ruined part of that plan. Kitty internalized far more than most. It matters to her more than most--and I think she understands it even better than I do. But she'd have stood out in some ways anyway. But academically, that? That is a safe was to stand out. Her mutation...she can always hide, given what her mutation is. It almost makes her more safe."

His eyes harden on Piotr suddenly. "Your mutation cannot hide you. Only bring attention to you--and to her."

[konocc]

"Much I do not understand, but some? Some I do. I had my family and lost them. But your daughter is not helpless in the face of these things. Nor am I. In either case, we cannot make the choice to hide or to fight for her. She is stubborn and will do as she wishes, no matter what either of us may wish at the time. I accept this." His steel gray eyes focus sharply on the older man. "Do you?"

[just_a_phase]

He laughs again, though this time it's rather more shortly. "I may not have been the father I wished to be, but I have some idea of who Kitty is. She is stubborn and will do exactly what she wishes all the time, in everything."

Carmen just watches Piotr now.

"That will bring even more attention to her. Someone, eventually, will try to use her, if they see her." It's a gamble, but if the boy does really care for her, maybe--maybe this will be enough to get Kitty away. "You put her at risk, metal man. Do not ask her that question, if you love her. Be cruel to keep her safe and walk away."

[konocc]

"What you ask -" He shakes his head, but there's a small smile upon his lips. "She would find me, tackle me, call me jerk, and I would be back here with the same commentary." He raises to his full height, intending to leave. "Some things, Mr. Pryde, are just meant to be."

[just_a_phase]

That gives him his answer.

Either the boy doesn't love his kitten, or he needs the same treatment that Kitty does.

Either way, this will be the best thing for Kitty. And--because it would make her happy--he hopes that Piotr does just need the same treatment. That the love is there, that this is the cure. Piotr's not who he'd choose for Kitty, but she chose him for herself, so he hopes a broken heart, on top of the rest, won't need to be healed.

He hopes she can be spared being treated for that much.

"Remember that, Mr. Rasputin, ever day of your life," Carmen says, and says it tiredly, body now obviously slumped in the chair.

In a handful of seconds, he looks as if he's grown much, much older.

[konocc]

To that, he offers a crisp nod. "I will do better than merely remember, sir. I will honor and treasure it."

It is not what he wanted ideally, but it is better than he feared it could have been. Perhaps the man needs time.

"Thank you for your time. I wish you well."

[just_a_phase]

Carmen basically ignores the boy--young man, whichever--as he leaves.

It's not until a good fifteen minutes have passed that he lets himself close his eyes.

"I wish you had chosen otherwise." It's whispered to sounds of the waves rolling, the faint creeks of the dock itself when strong waves hit it. To the sky above him and water beneath him. To this yacht, his exceedingly temporary home that he realizes--yet again--is empty of any life but his own.

So, really, to no one at all.