Chapter Fifteen:
"Hello, Sebastian..." Erik replied pleasantly, "Nice to see you again..."
Sebastian Malloy stood with his arms folded and regarded Erik Lensherr and Raven Darkholm closely. It had been a very long time since he had seen either of them, and (besides looking a little older) neither of them seemed to have changed much.
"I'm not sure if I should share that sentiment," Sebastian said, with some understandable anger, but Erik simply smiled with unwavering politeness. Sebastian may now be a very powerful creature, but Erik only saw the brash young man he knew from his days at the Council.
"I understand," Erik replied, "Which is why I accompanied your niece and nephew back to your home. I know you have many questions for me and we have much to discuss. May we sit?"
"I would prefer if you didn't," Sebastian replied, catching Raven's icy but not unexpected glare, "However, since Sid told me that one of your people tended to Rebecca's wounds, I suppose I owe you a chance to explain your actions."
Erik nodded appreciatively, and inwardly was amused by how well Sebastian was managing to mind his manners. Perhaps he had grown up a little bit over these past two decades after all. Raven, however, was not so entertained by Sebastian's subtle insults. She was still Raven Darkholm in Sebastian's mind. He had never become accustom to calling her Mystique.
They took their places on several couches before a large, unlit fireplace. Small beams of the morning light escaped through the large shuttered windows, and Sebastian stepped around them carefully before joining his 'guests.'
Erik glanced around the room with honest approval, "It seems you've done quite well for yourself in this new life, Sebastian. Your brother and parents would be proud..."
"Cut the shit, Erik," Sebastian replied quickly, "Just tell me what you want with my family now and what possessed you...and your little terrorist group... to invade my home."
The polite smile faded from Erik's face. If Sebastian wanted to skip formalities and speak with Erik on equal ground...fine. So be it...
"It's quite simple, really," Erik said darkly, "Your family has one of the longest histories of supernatural and mutant powers that the Council ever recorded. Yes...I say mutant powers. Just because they did not have a name beyond 'witch' or 'sorcerer' did not mean they were not mutants."
Sebastian did not interrupt, but nodded once, unable to deny Erik's words.
"Now..." Erik continued, "That mutant legacy is in danger. The past few years have seen an increase in violence towards mutants that has not existed since before your niece and nephew were born. I suppose you recall the riots and mobs that would kill any psychic and slayer they could find..."
Sebastian nodded again, "Of course I remember. The violence we always suspected William Stryker of sparking, though he never took credit for them. But, if I'm not mistaken, Erik...you're actions at Liberty Island marked the beginning of the most recent increase in violence against mutants. Right after that, the Friends of Humanity formed, a type of KKK just for mutants. Stop me if I'm wrong, Erik."
Erik narrowed his eyes at the young/old man, and tapped his fingers against the wooden arm of the sofa. Sebastian met his gaze, and Erik once again wondered at how much Sebastian had changed since becoming one of the undead. Yet, he still knew the boy within this tougher, vampiric body...but the time to provoke Sebastian into a true argument would come later...when the twins joined their little party again.
"You want my niece and nephew to help you against those violent forces, right?" Sebastian continued, "You want them to do exactly what their mother...and their father...helped you do before."
"That was a long time ago, Sebastian," Erik replied calmly, "Our methods of facing such violence had changed and grown as much as you have."
Sebastian glared at Erik, "I guess so, considering the state in which I found my home two nights ago. We've both become more effective at what we do to our enemies."
In that moment, Sebastian's face changed, his teeth grew longer and his true nature was revealed. He took more than a little pleasure in the fact that Raven recoiled slightly at his appearance, though Erik showed no reaction.
"We are not responsible for the destruction of your home, Sebastian," Erik said calmly, "The machine which attacked your family, and my Brothers, was created by the same forces that started the riots a quarter century ago."
"Stryker is dead," Sebastian said, his white fangs gleaming, "Even the Council agrees on that..."
"And I would have as well," Erik said, "Before seeing him alive at the feet of that machine. Fortunately, I can agree with the Council's opinion again...Stryker is dead. His own creations saw to that. But his forces were not entirely destroyed. Your family was in danger from the followers of Stryker long before my people located you."
Sebastian's face faded back to its normal state, and he sighed.
"Yeah, that's true," he said, "But I would hate to think that your actions have brought new attention to us."
Erik nodded, "It was certainly not my intention to do so. But, what is done...is done, as they say. And my interest in making contacts with your family again has not changed. Rebecca guessed it, you know. How knowing someone in the Council would be beneficial if I need to acquire certain records or information from their libraries and databases."
"And what kind of information would you be looking for?" Sebastian asked, sounded suspicious again.
Erik shrugged...and lied.
"I'm not sure yet," he said, and Raven smiled sympathetically as to agree with him, "One does not miss the Council's vast resources until they are unable to access them. It is no secret between us that some demons masquerade as mutants, and visa versa. I would hate for any of my people to mistake a demon for a mutant and end up being changed into a..."
"I get your point," Sebastian said angrily, and Erik shook his head apologetically.
"Educating mutants against such threats is the best way to protect them," Erik said, "And that means acquiring certain texts that one cannot find at the local mall book shop."
Sebastian actually chuckled slightly at this, "Give it a few years. You know how demons like to sell their life stories as fictional novels."
Erik nodded and smiled, "Indeed. Until then, access to the Volumes would be appreciated."
Sebastian stared at him for a moment, searching Erik's face for a falsity or hidden motive. However, Erik Lensherr had always been very convincing with words, and was confident that Sebastian Malloy would not recognize Magneto's true need to search the Council files... at least, not yet.
Then, Pyro and Toad entered the flat again, carrying several bags and cases up from the car. Sebastian turned and looked at the two unknown mutant with surprise, but Erik was quick to introduce them.
"Ah, here are two more of my Brothers," he said and Sebastian relaxed slightly, "This is Mortimer Toynbee...also known as Toad. And this is John Allerdyce...also known at Pyro..."
"Pyro?" Sebastian said in surprise, and the younger mutant straightened his shoulders slightly.
"Yes," Erik continued, "His gift is very similar to Rebecca and her mother. Pyro...Toad...please take our things to the guest rooms. Sid said they were down that hall...thank you."
Sebastian watched the pair closely as they headed out of the room. Erik sighed and shook his head slightly in exaggerated worry.
"I was actually hoping Rebecca might be able to help young Pyro," Erik said in a low voice, "He has some difficulty controlling his power, you see. From what I've seen of your niece's skill, she may be a good teacher for him."
"Unless he pisses her off," Sebastian mumbled and then put one hand to his temple, "We'll discuss this further tonight, Erik. Once the twins...and me...have had some rest. I'm not used to keeping such early hours..."
"Of course, Sebastian," Erik said, trying to hide his pleased smile, "I wouldn't want to make any decisions if you don't feel in your best state of mind."
"Whatever, Lensherr," Sebastian snapped rudely, "Just...keep your people out of trouble until sunset. Xenia...until then."
Sebastian left in the same directions the twins had, and Magneto watched him go with curious amusement. Mystique glanced at him with a pleased expression.
"If we get access to the Council's records," she said anxiously, "We'll have the location of every powerful mutant on the planet they have been tracking."
"And more," Magneto agreed, "The trick will be keeping the Malloys' trust."
"Well, he did offer xenia," Mystique said, "That was more than I expected."
"We gave his kin shelter and protection in our home," Magneto said, "So he is morally obligated to allow us a safe stay here. Impressive, that he still remembers the old traditions. Hopefully, he will continue to be as hospitable when night falls."
***
Author's note: Xenia is a Greek word, which relates to an old tradition that says one should treat a stranger with hospitality and as an honored guest, so that if one finds themselves in that stranger's land one day, they would be treated with the same kindness. Good philosophy.
PS – Also began prequel story for X-Books. Firestarter 2 was on the other night and my muses said "Hey...why don't you write about this movie?" Can't argue with the muses.
Review responses:
To DemonRogue13: Thanks again for the reviews. You're sending one for every chapter, which is great! :-) The sad Cyke chapter came out of my sister's opinion that there wasn't enough of him in this book, so I owe her a co-author credit on that chapter.
To Xany Kaos: Pudding plot! I found those at the store for the first time in years the other day! Or were those pudding pops? Hmm... Either way the muses were happy. And don't think Toad has been forgotten! After all, he came with them to NYC right? :-)
To BJvision: I hate when my computer has problems. Then I have to resort to the ancient writing technique of pen and paper, and as a lefty, I find that method to be quite illegible when I'm done. :) I am a fan of Romyness, mostly because I like Remy's personality, but I'm not ready to rush into any possibilities because I like Bobby too. I guess it's gonna depend on what Rogue decides she wants, which I don't know cause she hasn't told me yet. Thanks for the review!
To Kernl Toad Sandrz: I thrive on suspense so don't hyperventilate yet! :) I can't give away the end because I don't know it yet. (And you think the suspense is hard for you.) Thanks again for the review!
To Carmilla: Thank you for the comic compatibility support! I really only know what I read online and what my lil sis tells me. The rest I'll just decide when plot holes need filled in. :-) I'm glad you're enjoying the series and the crossovers. Mutants have it too easy, right? Let's complicate their world a little bit more by stirring in a little Buffy-verse, Prophecy-verse and Stephen-King-verse. Yay!
To Lil Sis: Go ahead. Bask in your brilliance. Take joy in your genius. Just don't dissect any more Toads! Stupid med students with your stupid scalpels. No wonder Toad hasn't been around this week. Arg. :-P PS- See you Easter Sunday...