"And you're familiar with the briefs?" Erik asked.
Emma and Clarice nodded. They stood in front of a table, papers and briefs scattered over the surface. It was almost three a.m. and Charles was feeling more than just a little drowsy. He had to struggle to keep up with what was being said at times. He was most definitely not at his best in the mornings.
If they had done it at any other time though Emma and Clarice would arrive in Virginia far too late. They would have only a few hours of respite before they would be catapulted into their new jobs. Parliament was clambering for some sort of resolution on the situation between them and SHIELD, eager to pay the MRD back for the Night of Fire. Something would need to be done, and it would need to be done fast.
The two had come prepared. Emma was wearing a thick coat, despite the fact that the Genoshan weather didn't call for it. Charles could only assume that she was dressing for the weather in Virginia. Clarice was still wearing clothes appropriate to the current temperature. He supposed that she would change on the plane.
Behind them Laura looked out the window, standing on her tiptoes to get a better view. She watched the men fuel up the plane and a few of the aides go in. Others were loading up their luggage. To a girl who had never left Genosha the sight must have excited her, even if she was leaving her birthplace soon.
Charles did worry about her. From what he'd heard Laura was a sickly child, always coming down with a cold or a fever. At times he wondered how Logan's daughter could have so many problems. Emma had assured them that she could make the trip though, and the doctors had agreed with her. At least Laura was healthy and alert as she looked out the window.
He supposed that she was also gaping at the sight of her 'uncle' teleporting around the tarmac. Laura had grown up around Azazel and Clarice, meaning that teleportation was common to her. Charles could see her weaving her head around, trying to follow his path. Perhaps she was looking for Raven, Jimaine, Kurt, and Stefan as well.
"Don't worry your majesty," Emma said, "I have no intention of failing."
She smiled.
"I have already prepared several arguments to tell SHIELD where to stick it," she said, "Among other suggestions."
Erik grinned but Charles frowned. Emma caught his expression.
"Don't you worry either," she said, "I didn't use that language or tone when I rehearsed it in my mind."
"Good," Charles said, "We don't want to start an international incident. And Clarice, you know the current policy changes?"
"Yes," Clarice said.
"Then I suppose it's time to bid you both a fond farewell," Erik said, "I hope that you are successful in your trip."
Emma and Clarice nodded. Laura let out an exclamation of delight.
"Emmy!" she called, "Uncle Azazel and Aunt Raven are here!"
Emma smiled and walked over to her niece. She looked over at the window and feigned an expression of surprise.
"So they are! You're very observant," she said, "We'll have to tell them goodbye before we go, won't we?"
Laura nodded. Emma hoisted her into the air.
"We'll check in when we get there," she said, "Magnus, Charles, goodbye."
"Goodbye Emma," Charles said.
"Goodbye," Erik said.
Emma smiled and walked out of the room, her heels clicking on the floor. Charles looked after her. Just like letting Laura go to the United States he'd had his reservations when she'd announced her intention to raise a child. She had pulled herself together admirably though. It was hard not to admire the amount of hard work that she had put into raising Laura.
Clarice shook her head after her, but Charles could see that the corners of her mouth were turned up.
"She does know how to make an exit," Clarice said.
"And an entrance too I hope," Erik said.
"Don't worry about a thing," Clarice said, beginning to sweep the papers off of the table and gather them into a stack, "If there's anyone who can get SHIELD to agree to those concessions, it's Emma."
She inclined her head.
"No telepathy."
"No telepathy," Charles agreed.
Clarice looked down at her watch.
"It is time we get going though," she said.
"Yes, I understand," Charles said, "Have a safe trip."
"Travel well," Erik said.
"Thank you," Clarice said.
She snapped her briefcase shut. With a final wave she walked out of the room. Charles sat down in a chair, Erik beside them.
"Godspeed to both of them," Charles said.
"Indeed," Erik said.
He flexed his fingers.
"If this doesn't work then I have half a mind to have a little talk with this Director Fury myself," he said.
"Erik, don't talk like that," Charles said.
"You saw the last missive he sent us," Erik said, his tone flat, "It was both condescending and completely devoid of information. Of course I'm upset about this sort of thing Charles; me and the rest of Genosha."
"I don't like it either," Charles said, "But we're doing this the diplomatic way. Try to remember that."
"I know, I know," Erik said, "I wasn't crowned yesterday."
He shook his head.
"I just hope that I'll be able to announce positive results during the next parliament," he said, "The left wing is ready to eat us alive if we don't have results."
He cracked his neck.
"By the way," he said, turning his head so he looked Charles in the eye, "Did I tell you that Lorna will be attending the next session of parliament?"
Charles inclined his head.
"You did not," he said, "When was this decided?"
His friend smiled.
"The moment she gave her speech," Erik said, "She's quite adept at this, and she should be getting more experience. She's going to need all of it and more when she's Queen. It's best to start early."
Charles managed a smile despite how tired he was.
"That's something the old royalty used to do with their heirs," he said, "Introduce them to parliament around this time in thier lives."
"I don't agree with everything they did," Erik said, "but it makes sense for her to be involved, to see how things work. Traditional or not, it was a good idea."
Charles hesitated before asking his next question. He knew what a touchy subject it was for Erik.
"Does this mean that you're planning on announcing her position in the traditional manner?" asked Charles.
Erik leaned back in his chair.
"The Genoshans were far too fond of pageantry," he said.
Irritation crept into Erik's voice. Charles sighed. They had had this conversation far too many times for his taste.
"We've been over this before," Charles said, "It's just as important as a coronation and carries just as much national pride."
Erik made an irritated gesture.
"Lorna is my only child and women have been able to succeed in Genosha for two hundred years," he said, "Of course she is foremost in the succession."
He shook his head in exasperation.
"This whole ceremony to confirm her place in the succession is ridiculous," he said, "I don't even have any other relatives who could claim the throne."
Personally Charles had to agree with Erik on the matter. Who else would succeed him? All of Genosha knew how much he doted on his daughter. She was a popular symbol among Genosha's youth, and there was an element of nostalgia. Lorna was the daughter that had returned to her liberator father after years in exile forced on them by the MRD. Susanna occupied a similar place, made all the more tragic by her demise.
Others could remember Lorna the day after the Night of Fire. She had been holding her father's hand, staring her defiance and loyalty into the camera. To Genoshans everywhere she had looked to the future with defiance and strength. If Lorna lived to be one hundred no one would ever forget that. The simple act of getting up and holding her father's hand had given her an image of hope for the future for the rest of her life.
It helped that she was her father's daughter, both in mutations and convictions. Charles knew that she was much more affectionate towards humans, but Erik had cultivated a strong will in her as well as a fierce loyalty to her country. If all went well then she was going to make a fine Queen one day.
The ceremonies were just the rubber stamp on this, but it was still important.
"I am aware of this," Charles said, "It's just a ceremony."
"It's implying that there was some sort of doubt that she was going to succeed me," Erik said, "She's always been the only Princess of Genosha."
"No one has ever said that you weren't going to have her be your heir," Charles said, "Everyone has always assumed."
"Rightly so," Erik grumbled, "but I know what people are going to say. Lorna is the bottom line on the matter; no argument."
"There is no argument on the matter," Charles said.
His friend looked away, rolling his eyes.
"It's just an opportunity for everyone to get excited," Charles said, "To show off our national pride and pomp. It's silly but…oh…"
He waved his hand around.
"Do you remember my wedding?" asked Charles, "It took months to plan and Moira's veil almost had to be carried? They spent two days decorating the church?"
"I remember," Erik said.
"It's just like that," he said, "Only with her coming of age ceremony. It's supposed to happen when she turns sixteen. We're going to have to start planning it now if we want it to happen then."
Erik sighed and rubbed his temples. Frustration built up in Charles, mixing unpleasantly with his lack of sleep.
"I'll think about it, alright Charles?" Erik said.
"The same way that you thought about her going to school?" asked Charles.
His friend's expression hardened, but Charles pressed on.
"She was supposed to start attending high school courses at the Institute," Charles said, "For some reason I rather think you missed the deadline."
Erik held up a hand.
"Stop right there," he said.
He took a shuddering, angry breath.
"I will not have her be exposed to such an environment," Erik said, "It is not safe, there are too many people."
The implication that the school was unsafe only served to irritate him further.
"Rahne goes every day," Charles said.
"Rahne is not going to be Queen," Erik said, "My daughter is. I'm not going to risk her safety like that Charles."
Charles saw too late that he had touched a nerve. Lorna's safety had always been a preoccupation with Erik. Once Susanna had died Erik had made sure that Lorna stayed even closer to home. She only went out for charity events or the odd ceremony. The only social visits she made were to the Xavier house, and only then in the presence of her father. Rahne always had to visit her for sleepovers which, with her busy schedule, was happening less and less to the unhappiness of both of the girls.
He tried to backpedal, get back on safer ground.
"I'm not asking that you put her in an unsafe position," Charles said, "I'm just asking that you do this one ceremony that native Genoshans will appreciate and naturalized ones will enjoy. We still need to keep up our image. There are still those that think that we're weak."
To his relief his friend's expression softened.
"You're right," he said.
He sighed.
"But there will be no speculation," Erik said, "It has always been her."
Charles nodded.
"I know that."
He grinned.
"I don't think anyone's ever doubted that for a minute," he said.
Erik nodded, looking tired but at the same time determined.
"I sincerely hope they have not," he said.
