16459/Max and the Maximoff's

Max and the Maximoff's
Date of Scene:	05 August 2024
Location:	Hammer Bay, Genosha
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Magneto, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver

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Magneto has posed:
Genosha wasn't just a tropical country. It was almost an equatorial country, and an island. That meant heat and rain. Today was the former, and as it was a, by Genoshan standards, a cool 27 degree day, Erik Magnus Lehnsherr had elected to spend it by the pool in what was once known as the Presidential Palace.

He was currently sitting on a lounger, with a white robe draped over his shoulders, and a table in his hand. Even though he was 'relaxing' today, he was still working, keeping abreast of what was going on. He had a little side table with a drink, one that was blue on the bottom, green in the middle, and red on top.

The pool was multitiered, with a waterfall built into each level, as the palace was on a hill, overlooking Hammer Bay. Palm trees surrounded it, with white marble railings, Greek and Roman inspired, with a beige marble pathway around. There was a bar, one that had been served by staff during the former regime, but since the change, it had been left vacant. They would have to think about that, as menial though it may be, it paid well, and it was work for a mutant.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Turning to face her brother, who stood beside her, Wanda's voice held a gentle, persuasive tone, her eyes full of understanding. "Pietro," she began softly, her expression earnest. "I know this isn't easy for you. Believe me, it's not simple for me either. But we need to try. Just this once, let's be open-minded about visiting Erik."----She stepped closer, her hand gently resting on his arm, the warmth of her touch contrasting with the cool sea breeze. "I understand your concerns," she continued, her tone filled with compassion. "But people can change, Pietro. And even if he hasn't, we're stronger now. We can handle whatever comes our way. All I'm asking is that you give him a chance. For us, for our family."----Wanda paused, allowing her words to sink in, her gaze unwavering. "You don't have to forgive him or forget what he's done. But maybe, just maybe, we can find some common ground. For our own sake, if not for his."

Quicksilver has posed:
Pietro was almost vibrating under Wanda's reassuring touch, he was that wound up. "Fine." he spat. "For you, I will give this a try. But I do not and will not listen to him slander us, slander you, or try to recruit us for his merry band of abusive idiots." he said from clenched teeth. He raked his hand through his silver hair, althouth the usual two strands flopped back into his eyes again.

"Do you think he's actually changed? That he can change?" he asked his sister as he hung onto his calm and his slowness by his fingernails.

Magneto has posed:
Blissfully unaware of the impending emotional baggage, the mutant who chose the name Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, as much as he chose Magneto, rested under the hot tropical sun. He looked up at the sky to see a person that looked like a Gargoyle, gliding through the air. It was an orange-red in color, wearing clothing that he couldn't make out at this distance. But it seemed like there the man was going for a flight with a woman, pink wings, and human flesh tone, while a third one, just levitating somehow, like Rogue did, though this was a younger boy, who was having trouble keeping up.

At one point, the boy seemed to begin to fall, flailing his arms. Magneto sat up from his chair, ready to levitate himself up to help, but the other two mutants came to his rescue. It was a worthy sight. His people were all right because they were together.

Going back to his tablet, tapping away, he picked up his drink and sipped it through the straw.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda, having reassured Pietro with a gentle squeeze of his arm, took a deep breath and stepped away, her crimson cloak billowing slightly in the warm breeze. She moved gracefully toward the lounging figure of Magneto, her steps purposeful yet unhurried. The sunlight glinted off the intricate patterns of her cloak, casting a faint, mystical shimmer around her.----As she approached, Wanda's expression softened into a warm, welcoming smile. "Hello, Erik," she greeted, her voice melodic and kind, breaking the peaceful silence that surrounded him.---- Wanda continued, her tone both respectful and sincere. "I hope we're not intruding. We thought it would be good to come and visit."----She paused, allowing her words to settle as she took in the serene, picturesque surroundings. Her eyes met his, filled with genuine concern and the desire to bridge the gap between them. "It's been a while, and we wanted to see how you were doing," she added, her voice carrying an undertone of apology. "I hope that's alright with you."----Wanda stood there, her presence both calm and reassuring, waiting for her father's response, hoping this visit could be the start of something new.

Quicksilver has posed:
Pietro kept his pace slow, in time with his sister, and spent the small eternity reviewing his history with Magneto. His time in the Brotherhood, the casual cruelties, Wanda's harassment at the hands of the other members of the team. It made him burn but he was going to be doing his best to sit on his temper.

He knew full-well where that part of his personality came from. Honed by Django and the other men of their clan, but the source was Erik Lehnsherr.

But perhaps, as Wanda kept trying to tell him, the Master of Magnetism had changed. Softened, at least where his family was concerned.

Magneto has posed:
Her approach had been subtle, teleportation magic, mutant, whatever explanation it was, didn't leave a flashy light like some, or the smell of sulphur like others. He heard the footsteps, but he was not concerned. Magneto was not easily spooked. Though hearing his name, he turned, and saw that warm and welcoming smile, "Wanda," he said, his face lighting up in appreciation. "How delightful to see you again, my dear." He immediately stood, synching his semi-transparent white linen robe at the waist. "You are never an intrusion," he assured her, though he had caught the 'we'. "I thank you for your consideration, but I am well. I just wish that you would visit more often."

His relationship with Pietro was so much more difficult than with either Lorna or Wanda. Turning to him, Erik said, "Hello Pietro, you are looking well." To Erik's eyes, Pietro had put on some weight. The man never seemed to eat enough in Erik's view, so it was nice to see his cheeks a little fuller. It could be nothing, or maybe it was just an attempt to find some common ground. And while making strong eye contact, he added, "every word I said to your sister goes for you as well."

As neither of them were dressed for this environment, he suggested, "if you are staying long, please, feel free to change in the rooms," this was a big enough pool area that it had its own change rooms and showers in a separate building, "there are suits and towels in there," they kept a variety for guests in just this kind of situation, "or perhaps you would prefer we go inside?"

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda peeked over at Pietro, her sharp eyes catching the tension still etched on his face. Sensing his struggle, she offered him a small, reassuring smile before turning her attention back to Erik. Her welcoming smile remained as she acknowledged that she was indeed a bit overdressed for the tropical setting.----"Thank you, Erik," she said, her tone warm and appreciative. "But I have it under control." She raised her hands slightly, her fingers tracing delicate patterns in the air as a soft, crimson glow enveloped her. In a seamless transformation, her elaborate costume shimmered and shifted, morphing into an elegant two-piece bathing suit that retained the deep reds and intricate designs of her original outfit. The top was styled with delicate straps and subtle mystical symbols, while the bottom complemented it with a graceful, flowing sarong-like wrap.----Wanda glanced back at Pietro, a playful glint in her eyes as she silently offered to do the same for him. "The day is lovely," she remarked, her gaze sweeping over the serene pool and the lush surroundings. "It's nice to take a break from the vigilance at the X-Mansion and just enjoy a peaceful moment."----Her eyes returned to Erik, still smiling warmly. "We could use more days like this," she added, her voice carrying a hint of wistfulness. She appreciated the rare opportunity for some family time, hoping it would lead to a deeper connection between them.

Quicksilver has posed:
Pietro glanced back at his sister, his glance demurring her offer to change his outfit. Instead, using his speed, he darted over to one of the aforementioned changing rooms and found a set of blue trunks that were A) not a Speedo and B) not embarrassingly floppy like the Americans preferred to wear. So he split the difference down the middle with a trunk in his preferred blue with silver accents, and then vigorously applied sunscreen and got himself a pair of sturdy-looking sandals that might not fall apart if he had to really move and, absurdly, a straw hat to keep the sun off his head and out of his eyes. His jog back to his sister's side was much slower.

Stupid flip-flops definitely didn't appreciate being worn by someone that could move as fast as he did.

Wanda's outfit was ... perfectly in line for a woman of her age and relationship status, although it was still a little off-putting to see her showing that much skin.

Magneto has posed:
Erik watched as Wanda performed her magic, never ceasing to be amazed by it. "Remarkable, as ever, my dear," he said, when she had changed into something more appropriate for the weather and their surroundings. No doubt, it was quite a bit more comfortable for her too in the heat; however restrained it was by Genoshan standards.

"And how is Charles?" He asked, when she brought up the vigilance of the X-Mansion. Disagreements or not, he was his best and oldest friend. There was no one he trusted more. "You are welcome anytime, and we have set up a room, for each of you, yours to claim, should you ever wish to stay here."

Erik's silvery hair was swept to the side, free and flowing, while the semi-transparent linen robe flipped open in the wind as Pietro ran, possibly a deliberate motion, as if that small amount of wind burn might make up for a lifetime of pain. No matter, Erik retied the robe around his waist, covering the red speedo that he wore. He nodded his head when he saw his son jog back at a more normal speed. "I see you found something to your liking. Would either of you care for a drink?"

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda's outfit and hair were momentarily swept by the sudden gust of wind from Pietro's superspeed sprint to the changing rooms. Used to her brother's quick movements, she simply smiled and adjusted her now slightly tousled hair. As Pietro returned, she graciously acknowledged Erik's compliment on her choice of fashion. "Thank you, Erik," she replied warmly.----When Erik inquired about Charles Xavier, Wanda's expression grew more serious. She shook her head slightly, concern evident in her eyes. "Charles isn't present at the moment. There's been a mystical disturbance at the mansion---a phenomenon that caused demons to be summoned and attack the school. Several people were injured, and I'm currently investigating the nature of this disturbance."----Patting Pietro on the shoulder gratefully, she then turned her attention back to Erik, her smile returning. "A drink would be lovely. If you have lemonade, I'd prefer that." With that, she moved to join Erik, appreciating the rare opportunity to enjoy some peaceful family time amidst the picturesque surroundings.

Quicksilver has posed:
Pietro relaxed fractionally as Wanda touched his shoulder. "Water for me." he said, a little more curtly than he likely intended. Could he use the calories and the sugar? Absolutely. Was he going to take anything from Magneto's hand that could be used against him? Hard pass. But the hydration under this tropical sun would be good for him.

"You look well as well, Erik." he said, as usual refusing to give him any other honorifics other than perhaps Magneto. "Despotism agrees with you." he said blandly.

Magneto has posed:
Erik's face turned. The first time he had not been warm and inviting today. He was trying to be on his best behavior, more for Pietro than Wanda, as he generally seemed to get on well with her. His son, well, there was tension. But hearing about the plight of Charles Xavier had him concerned. "If I can be of assistance, don't hesitate to ask." He finally said after a long contemplative pause.

Walking towards the bar, he was barefoot, and stepped down, as this bar was accessed from this level, but could serve those in the pool as well. He poured a glass of lemonade for Wanda, water for Pietro. Both were from bottles, but served in plastic glasses, with an internal water chamber, which kept the drinks cold. Plastic just made sense around a pool, as dropping glass was a serious issue.

"Thank you," he said, returning the drinks to them, "though I'm curious to know which Genoshans I have oppressed, or been cruel to." He knew that he had been elected, much to his chagrin. But he had much work to do in order to repair his relationship with Pietro.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda closed her eyes and sighed, shaking her head slightly at Pietro's negative comment. Though the urge to reprimand her brother was strong, she chose instead to focus on maintaining a positive atmosphere. With a deep breath, she opened her eyes and offered Erik a warm smile.----"Thank you, Erik," she said graciously as she took the glass of lemonade. "And I appreciate your offer to assist. I'm just not sure how well your presence might be received, given the history between you and the X-Men."----When Erik inquired about Pietro's comment, Wanda quickly decided to steer the conversation in a more constructive direction. Her voice brightened with an earnest tone as she spoke up, eager to shift the focus. "Actually, there is something you could help with," she began. "Recently, Lorna was infected by a vampire. We've managed to purge the infection as far as we understand, but there's been a residual effect that's causing us concern."----She took a sip of her lemonade, savoring the cool, refreshing taste in the tropical heat. "According to her boyfriend, Lorna seems to be experiencing changes in her personality, and I'm afraid she might be more susceptible to vampiric influence under these circumstances. Perhaps you could help us figure out what's happening and how we can help her?"----Wanda's eyes, filled with a mix of concern and hope, looked to Erik for his insight and assistance. The gentle breeze rustled her hair and the palm leaves around them, adding to the sense of urgency and the need for familial support in this delicate matter.

Quicksilver has posed:
Pietro sighed. His barely-sister was infected by the walking dead? She'd probably get on beautifully with the wannabe-globe-conquering maniac that spawned her. And him. And he had promised Wanda he'd try to be less-antagonistic so he dropped the despotism accusation entirely. And hey, look! Water! With ice! In a plastic cup! He uncapped it and drained it in seconds, finding it oddly refreshing and free from plastic taste.

He knew why he was so untrusting of Magneto, he thought as a moment of revelation.

They were too much alike. And likes, as any middle-schooler knew, repel. Fathers were supposed to be the prime influences in a boy's life. But for that role, he always substituted Django Maximoff for Erik Lehnsherr. He wasn't there when Pietro and his sister were growing up. He wasn't there when the mobs chased them, when Wanda suffered from migraines so bad she occasionally couldn't see. He wasn't there when Pietro nearly starved to death, unable to obtain enough calories to sustain his speed. Django gave him a culture, a heritage.

Magneto had nothing to offer but homo sapiens hate and a dream of mutant domination. The sad, sick thing, the thing he hated admitting to himself? He too could hate like that. Slow, stupid people always getting in the way.

Magneto has posed:
"It's important to stay hydrated in weather such as this." He knew that he could expect a similar greeting among the X-Men as he had from Pietro. Maybe it would be a little less hostile. He did smile though at when she steered the conversation, after he had obliged Pietro's remark with an actual inquisitive response.

He listened to the plight of Lorna, wasn't sure what he could do to help. He raised an eyebrow, and began to move towards the water, taking off the linen robe, tossing it towards his lounger, and stepped into the water, one foot at a time, while holding his drink. He wanted to cool off while thinking.

"I have heard of vampires, some limited experience, and will do what I can, of course." He sounded hesitant, as if he genuinely wasn't sure what he could do in that situation. Nor was he good at dealing with outside influences. Charles, Jean Grey, or Emma Frost would probably be more use there. But it was nice to be asked.

"I do have some contacts, that might know more, however. The Midnight Sons, for example, seem to specialize in these kinds of situations."People as old and well traveled as Magneto got to know everyone. The question was; would they speak to him.

As he slipped into the water, the bar fridge door opened on its own. Two metal stir sticks levitated in, picking up another bottle of water, and floated, over the recycling bin, where they, with two more, twisted the cap off, letting it fall, and continued until they reached Pietro's cup, being poured in there. Afterwards, they levitated back, the sticks depositing it in the recycling bin, where the cap and the original bottle remained.