"Picasso was a painter and sculptor. He is one of the most recognised figures in 20th century art." Alex was teaching a small group of advanced pupils, including Rogue who also took her practical class. She spoke as the students passed around photographs of Picasso's work.
"Picasso's work is categorized into 'periods'. These include the Blue Period, the Rose period and Synthetic Cubism." Alex stopped as she noticed someone had their hand up in the back. She turned her attention to Peter and with a small smile, yes.
"That's all great but surely people aren't really interested in his work? I mean the guy couldn't even draw." Peter asked as he studied one of the photographs.
Alex just smiled obviously unfazed by the question. "Well Peter that is your opinion and a very good question, but a lot of people really respect his work. And about people still being interested in his work," she stopped and took a photograph of her table, "Garçon à la Pipe or 'boy with a pipe' was sold in 2004. It was bought by an Americian for 104.1 million dollars." She walked over to his desk and set the picture down for him to have a proper look.
It was of a young Perisan boy dressed in blue, holding a a pipe in his left hand. "It was the most expensive piece of artwork to be sold in auction until June 2006." Peter was silent but impressed.
Alex walked over to her desk and caught Rogue's eye. Rogue smiled and was rewarded with a wink. Alex sat cross legged on her desk and spent the rest of the class answering questions the students had on all different aspects of art.
As everyone was leaving Rogue walked up to talk to Alex. "That was really interesting. I can't get over how much you know about art," she stopped when she heard Peter shout his thanks as he left, " not to mention how you handled Peter."
Alex and Rogue exited the room together and talked until the bell rang for dinner .
Warren stood on the second floor balcone. His father had offered him the chance to stay the night but he couldn't help but feel like they both should be heading back. He knew his father wouldn't feel comfortable being at the mansion but the sooner everyone knew the sooner they could do something about it.
Having decided he jumped off the railing and went to find his father. It was late so only a few of the staff were still up and Warren was able to walk down the corridor with everyone staring. He was about to walk past the kitchen when he noticed that the light was on.
His father stood gazing out the window completely unaware of his son. Warren gave him a few more minutes of silent contemplation before making his presence known.
"Dad…," he waited until his father turned before continuing, "I think we should go to the mansion tonight, not in the morning. If we hurry we can get there before ten."
Warren Worthington II seemed to think for a moment before nodding his head in agreement. "I think I owe everyone an explanation." So within the hour father and son were on their way.
Warren sat drumming his fingers nervously against the steering wheel. He looked hastily over at the passenger seat. His father sat stiffly with his eyes on the people outside. Warren was grateful that his father hadn't noticed his nerves. He had spoken with Storm moments before they left and he was not looking forward to the greeting his father would receive.
Warren dialed the now familiar number for the mansion. The phone rang for a count of three before Logan picked up. After a forced hello Warren asked to speak with Storm. "This wouldn't have anything to do with daddy dearest would it?"
"Actually Logan it does, not that it's any of your business. Now could you put Storm on," Warren sighed in frustration. Logan agreed, he would wait for Warren's return before starting his verbal attack. There was a pause as Warren's call was redirected to Storms office and after a few moments she picked up, "What is going on Warren?"
"He has explained everything Storm. I am at his house now, we are about to set off for the mansion now," Warren braced himself for her response which he didn't have to wait long on.
"What, Warren you can't bring him to this place. One, the children won't feel safe, two, people will become suspicious and three, Logan will go nuts!" Storm stopped after her rant and decided to listen to what Warren had to say, after all she trusted him.
"I know but he can explain what has happened, and he even has an idea on how to fix it. I think he should explain it himself so everyone can understand."Warren knew that his father would have to win a lot of people over but he couldn't do that if he couldn't explain.
"Warren I trust your judgement. When you arrive, come in through the back entrance, I don't want the whole school to know before we have sorted everything out."Storm decided to give Warren Worthington II a chance, that is what Xavier would have done.
There was a pause on Warren's end of the line, "Alex doesn't know does she?" he didn't want her to worry, or have heard something that wasn't true.
"No, she doesn't but if this really does involve her, she must be told. I won't say anything, you can talk with her when you get here," Storm sighed.
"Thanks Storm, see you soon." Warren hung up as his father came around the corner. "Ready," Warren asked and his father nodded his head in agreement.
Warren stood behind his father, who was seated in front of Storm's desk. He had just finished explaining everything to Storm, Hank, Logan and Alex. They all stood in silence for a moment thinking over what he had just told them. Logan was the first to break the silence,
"You can't expect us to believe that. How do we know you're trustworthy?"
Warren looked to Storm for help but he found that she was thinking the same thing. Hank simply stood and studied the older Worthington while Alex slid to the floor.
"You just have to trust me. Do you really think I would risk my reputation and son if I didn't think it was true?" Warren Worthington II explained looking at each of the three spoke.
"I think he is right. I mean he has so much to lose," Hank supplied as he looked at a very confused Storm. All three nodded in agreement and everyone seemed to have forgotten Alex. Warren was the only one who was aware of her presence, as he hadn't taken his eyes off her.
Worthington II sensed that he was getting somewhere and decided that he needed to speak with Alex. "Where is Alex?" he asked the room. He was unaware that she had been in the room the whole time. Everyone turned to look at her as she sat on the floor, back heavily leaning against the wall.
Storm loosely pointed in Alex's direction, "That's her." She felt guilty that she had forgotten her friend. Warren's father turned, a look of shock on his face, both at the fact that she had been there the whole time and that she was so young.
"I expected you to be a lot older…" was all he could say. Storm was about to go and comfort the girl but Warren beat her to it. He sat down beside her and rapped his arms around her shaking form. he kissed her head softly and spoke in hushed tones.
He comforted her for a while before Storm commented on the time. Warren stood with his arm still around Alex; Hank was going to show Warren Worthington II to one of the spare rooms. Hank was about to walk out with Warren's father behind him when Alex spoke for the first time,
"If you can reverse the effects of the cure, does that mean mutants who got hit with the cure bullet could be give their powers back?"
No one spoke, they all knew what that could mean if it was true.
Although none of the X Men had heard much about Magneto since Logan had attacked him with a few cure bullets, they knew he could still prove to be a threat. He wasn't a man to simply give up; he had lost too much, his pride was especially wounded.
Magneto or Eric as he was called now sent his days in the park playing chess. He would win a small but fair amount of money playing old men at the weekends. They had no idea how much the small metal pieces tormented the once mighty manipulator of magnetism.
Eric lived the life of those he despised, until a person he had not expected to see again, not since Alcatraz Island came with some interesting news. This blonde kept a close eye on the X Men, Eric had his suspicions why but didn't ask. He had been informed that the cure could perhaps be reversed.
He thought this could he his chance to reclaim his stolen power and also pay his goddaughter a visit.
Sorry for the long wait I had a lot of stuff on and there was a problem with loading the story. I wonder who the blonde is? Anyway hope you like. Review and let me know what you think. Until next time. Bye.