16467/A Tour of Xavier's School

A Tour of Xavier's School
Date of Scene:	09 August 2024
Location:	Salem Center, Xavier's Mansion
Synopsis:	Rogue reluctantly shows Magneto the latest round of work on the mansion.
Cast of Characters:	Magneto, Rogue

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Magneto has posed:
Magneto descended from the heavens, his red and purple costume fluttering in the wind. The Xavier Mansion had undergone another reconstruction, a process so frequent that it seemed to have become an ongoing project. He landed smoothly near the back of the estate, his purple boots making barely a sound on the newly manicured lawn. The mansion stood before him, its facade gleaming under the afternoon sun. He glanced at the building, his face barely readable behind his helmet.

As he stood near the rear entrance, the anticipation of the tour mingled with the quiet hum of the estate's background noise. The wait gave him a chance to take in the surroundings: refined, classical architecture with a touch of modern efficiency. He might have imagined that the guide was being briefed on his arrival as he patiently stood there.

Rogue has posed:
It figures that she'd get the job...no mission, no concerns and...well, no metal if he caused trouble.

Besides, he'd shown her around Genosha...it was only fair after all.

The brunette with the white-streak was currently approaching, wrapped in her green and yellow costume complete with her jacket around her shoulders before she moved to touch down from her hover, offering a nod.

"Almost strange to have y'here without it being the start of the fight, but it looks like you're following me today since the Professor is of meeting some new potential students."

Magneto has posed:
Magneto saw Rogue's descent. He imagined she had been briefed only moments earlier and was somewhat taken aback. "That can be arranged, if you so desire." He said when she talked about being glad he wasn't there to start a fight. "But no, I am not here to be your enemy." He added cooly, before warming, "We are all mutants. Isn't that what Charles preaches, mutants and humans working in harmony?"

Ever the gentleman, he offered a covered arm, curious to see if she would take him up on it. Her arm was covered. His was. There was no danger. But would she accept the gesture? "I would gladly follow you, Rogue."

Despite their differing ideologies, he had always found Rogue's straightforward manner and quiet strength commendable. They walked along a path leading to the new Mansion, Magneto's eyes taking in the design of the mansion and its surrounding grounds. It was evident the X-Men had spared no expense in upgrading their base of operations. He wondered how they afforded these reconstructions.

As they approached the main entrance, he commented, "You've made it more open and accessible than I remember, no doubt with advanced security features integrated throughout." He knew that they were there. He could sense them. Magneto's gaze lingered on the sophisticated equipment, which was hidden behind an innocent looking control panel, a mix of admiration and skepticism in his steely blue eyes.

Rogue has posed:
"Be a shame for me to throw you out on your rear this early," Rogue offers lightly before folding her arms under her bust before she was offered the arm and she exhales a breath. It was the same offer he'd made with Genosha after all.

Linking at the elbow she gesture for him to follow. Of course, she didn't intend to show him the labs, the danger room, all of that...but odds were he could sense all the metal and circuitry.

"We keep things safe as we can. Of course, there's also -us- to keep the kids safe."

Magneto has posed:
Rogue was a real dynamo, bursting with energy and enthusiasm. Magneto couldn't get enough of her spirited nature and vibrant zest for life. Her colorful expressions and unique way of seeing the world made every interaction with her a joy. She was a breath of fresh air compared to the people of Genosha, who often treated him with an almost reverent awe, as if he were a deity. While their adulation was flattering, it also felt oddly unsettling, and he often found himself putting on a facade to meet their expectations.

As he watched her animated gestures, a genuine smile spread across his face. When she finally accepted his arm, he walked alongside her, thoroughly engaged in whatever she decided to share. He took an earnest interest in her stories and demonstrations, appreciating her unique perspective.

"I have every confidence that this school, along with all its students, is in capable hands, even if they are gloved," he remarked, his tone warm with admiration. "But I can't help but wonder about the X-Men's guardians. Who is it that ensures their safety? And more importantly, who looks after you?"

Rogue has posed:
Rogue herself comes to guide him. Classrooms, living quarters, sports areas, common rooms all one after the other. The school was flourishing as it often did, defiant and hopeful in a world of hate.

"We ain't so easily broken," Rogue offers lightly with a sidelong glance. "An' besides. We look after each other, not just in a fight. After all, we're a family here. Mutants, but also all people we've found we love as much, if not more than blood."

Magneto has posed:
He showed an interest that went beyond what she might have anticipated. He shared comments, critiques, praise, and even suggestions for improvement on each room they toured, adding his insights whenever he had something to offer. Magneto was more than just a ruler - though technically the Genoshan council had elected him. He possessed a sharp intellect and a broad knowledge base, akin to the professor's. While he was not a teacher, he certainly had the potential to be one if he chose to be.

"I don't doubt that," he concurred. Who could truly break Rogue or the X-Men? "I'm pleased to hear that the connections remain strong. Charles' vision is admirable, as are your efforts to bring it to life. I simply hold different views on some of the finer details." He paused, stepping away as he noticed a bust of his old friend. Turning back to Rogue, his steely blue eyes locked with her emerald green ones. "We cannot choose our blood any more than we can choose our race," he said, gauging her reaction. "But we can choose our family."

Rogue has posed:
She doesn't falter, she doesn't look away. Her eyes meet his and she nods, her own arms crossing once more. "An' we choose how we decide to deal with folk. The professor could have chosen a different path, but he decided to open his home, to make this a place for everyone. Even before Genosha, this place has been a home to mutants."

"My home."

Magneto has posed:
Magneto felt a surprising sense of kinship. Like him, Rogue had little patience for foolishness. Her unwavering commitment to Charles Xavier's vision earned his deep respect, even though his own views diverged. As she crossed her arms, he met her gaze and stayed relaxed.

"You've never given me cause to doubt your judgment," he said. "Rogue, you embody Xavier's dream in a way that's profoundly meaningful. I understand the feeling of being unwanted and without a place to call home - I've experienced it myself, just as many of our kind have. I'm glad that you've found a place here, and I want you to know you're welcome in Genosha as well."

Then, in a gesture that might have surprised her, he removed his helmet.

Despite being in the mansion, where Professor Charles Xavier, Jean Grey, Emma Frost, Betsy Braddock, or another telepath might be, he was demonstrating his trust.

Rogue has posed:
It was...unexpected. Still, Rogue did her best not to openly react to it. Still, there would be a moment to consider before she tilts her head to the side, blinking. "Wow..."

Okay, so she wasn't as good about hiding it as she thought. "I uh...thank you."

Arms uncrossing, she tilts her head to the side before she came to turn away towards the common area.

"I'm uh...going to get a drink. Anything else you're wanting to see?"

Magneto has posed:
Cradling the helmet under his arm like a knight from ancient tales, he made a conscious choice to carry it this way rather than simply levitating it behind him. The gesture had the desired effect. Revealing his greatest vulnerability - his mind, which he had long protected from intrusion - was a deliberate act of trust.

He took satisfaction in the surprise it brought her, evident in her expression. The gratitude she showed was sincere. With a smile, he said, "Think nothing of it, Rogue." The effect was immediate; she relaxed, no longer glaring at him with suspicion. As she turned toward the common area, he walked beside her.

"May I join you for a drink?"

Rogue has posed:
"I mean, momma would've said it was rude not to offer a guest a drink, so you might as well."

And so it was that Rogue would end up finding herself, in full costume, walking into the staff kitchen of the mansion to find herself a drink...alongside Magneto, one of the X-men's own occasional enemies.

Retrieving a soda, she paused for a moment before handing it over to the man. "So... you've seen the place...well, this new version of it. What do you think?"

Magneto has posed:
Her charming colloquialism brought a genuine smile to his face. There was something universally appealing about Southern hospitality, at least in his view. "So, I owe my thanks not just to you, but also to the woman who raised you," he said, unsure if she meant her birth mother or Mystique, but acknowledging that whoever it was had done an admirable job.

Magneto was dressed in his full costume too, though the helmet had drifted away at some point, following him in its own silent orbit. Accepting the can from her, his purple-gloved hand brushed against her yellow one, and he popped the top with a satisfying snap. "You've done an impressive job here. From the figurines and portraits to the furniture, everything has either been salvaged or beautifully remade. It's a remarkable school, and I imagine, a wonderful home. I understand why you feel so protective of it."