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Bellion was seated out in one of the gardens that were so numerous on the School's estate. He found it strange to see nature so tamed and orderly, but he still enjoyed the beauty of the plants. He delicately traced one of the stems of the most peculiar plants he had found. A rose bush. He was dazzled by the simple beauty of its color and pricked his finger more than once on its protective thorns.
He sighed and looked away. Glad that Ororo had been kind enough to find him a pair of sunglasses that he could wear outside. With no lush jungle vegetation to protect him from the sun he found this new world much too bright for his dark eyes to handle. He sighed and looked back to the main house. Wondering how long he would be forced to endure this new world.
That morning he had tried to begin a conversation with the Professor on when he could return and once again he was told it was best for him to stay here. He wondered if the X Men could comprehend that it wasn't him he was concerned with. It was his people. He had been getting visions of them and they were wandering through the dark jungle aimlessly with less and less hope every day. He took a breath to calm himself; anger would not serve him well.
Logan was watching Bellion from a distance, slightly irritated by the Shaman. It was obvious that he didn't want to stay and that while he did comprehend the danger that Magneto posed he didn't care and wanted to return. His calm attitude rubbed Logan the wrong way, if he wanted to leave why didn't he just leave? Logan had wandered aimlessly for years trying to find his past; at least Bellion knew what he was looking for.
Bellion looked up at Logan's approach and smiled "Good afternoon Logan." He said softly turning his attention away from the rose for the time being. He could see by the tense way Logan held himself around him that he did not like being near. Bellion could understand that, the unknown made many people uncomfortable.
Logan narrowed his eyes at the casual greeting and said "What are you doin' out here? Aren't you trying to get the Prof to let you go back?" Logan wanted to see the Shaman crack and wondered how long it would take for him to lose his calm completely.
Bellion looked thoughtfully up at Logan "It is true that I would very much like to leave so that I could return to my people. However as the saying goes we have reached a 'stalemate'. I cannot go back without the aid of the Silver Falcon and the Professor, in his kindness, seeks to protect me by keeping me here." He shook his head and said softly to himself "He doesn't understand."
Logan felt his lips curling and said "The gates right over there…. Just walk out and keep walking until you find your people." Logan thought he was prepared for anything the Shaman could throw at him. However he did not expect laughter.
Bellion gave a small chuckle and looked up at Logan through the tinted lenses. "Logan…what possible good can being stubborn do for me? Yes I am sure if I walked out those gates the Professor would respect my decision and not stop me. But where would that get me? I am in a world in which I know little about and have no idea where on a map my home even is. One should always know when they are stuck, whether they like it or not."
Logan blinked in surprise at the Shaman's logic and shook his head "Well then you better get ready for a long stay then." He waited to see what response that remark would get when they were interrupted.
"Logan!" Scott called as he hurried over to the two men. He knew that expression on Logan's face, it was quite familiar to him since it was the one he always wore when he was trying to get under someone's skin.
Scott came up beside Bellion and quickly looked to see if he was upset and was glad to see the Shaman merely smiling calmly at whatever prodding Logan had been doing. He then turned his attention to the problem and said "The professor wants to see you." It was a childish lie, but he didn't want to be his usual self to Logan with Bellion watching.
Logan looked between the two of them and frowned "Yeah right." He said but walked off; it seemed he also wanted to restrain his usual attitude around Bellion.
Scott waited until Logan was out of earshot before he turned to Bellion "Are you sure that you're okay? He has a way with people…"
Bellion laughed and shook his head "No he is quite fine Scott." His expression turned to one of almost sadness as he looked at Logan's retreating back "He has many burdens that he carries…he needs an outlet for his anger at the world and I am more than able to handle his barbs."
Scott looked at Bellion and then back at Logan's form which had disappeared into the house. He felt himself sympathize a bit with Logan, knowing that life wasn't easy for the feral mutant before he pushed it aside. "Actually it's you the professor wanted to see…he wants to find out how your powers work exactly."
Bellion frowned and looked up at Scott with confusion "I understand that for the moment I have no choice but to stay here…however must you continue to disrespect my by insisting something held sacred to me is nothing more than scientific fact?"
Scott opened his mouth to say once again it was because it was but Bellion stopped him by gently putting a finger on Scott's mouth. "Even if it is…I would appreciate it if my beliefs were respected."
Scott had nothing to say to that and lowered his head as he gently took Bellion's hand away from his mouth so that he could speak "I do respect you and who you are Bellion…the Professor just wants to know what Magneto is after."
This only made Bellion sigh sadly before he shook his head and said softly to himself "They'll never understand." Those words made Scott feel guilty but he had no choice but to escort Bellion to the Professor.
Bellion stood before the Professor his hands held firmly at his sides as he said "As I said to Scott…I have no choice but to stay here for the time being…but please do not insult me any more by disregarding my beliefs."
Xavier looked at the young man standing before him and nodded slowly "Very well…if you insist than all we can do is keep you in the safety of the School." He was thoughtful for a few more minutes before he looked to Scott "We have a field trip today…It would be best if we left in an hour."
Scott nodded and watched as the professor rolled away and gave a slight smile to Bellion "He means well he does… he never meant to disrespect you."
Bellion returned the small smile and said "I understand very well Scott…" He left to return to the gardens. He tried to spend as little time inside as possible. He was certain that he would never get used to such a set up and the gardens were a welcome reprieve.
Scott watched him go before leaving to get ready himself. He had no doubt that they would run into Magneto there and wondered what would happen when their paths crossed.
XXX
At the museum the Professor was able to pause as an incident occurred with his students. The unfrozen mutants looked around in mild confusion as the report came on the news about the attack on the President. Students and teachers alike felt an ice cold shiver of fear as the reporter went into details.
Xavier knew already they were evacuating to leave and wondered if his old friend had anything to do with this. He had been quiet since the strange attack on Bellion's people. He shook his head and helped usher the students out. He wondered if this was the beginning of the war Erik often talked about.
XXX
Bellion looked up from his spot in the garden when he heard the students return. He smiled as he looked upon the children. Professor Xavier was doing great good with these children. Helping them come to terms with their abilities. Helping them become healthy happy adults.
Watching the children made Bellion think back to his earlier discussion with the professor. His tribe and their traditions were very important to him. However he could not ignore the fact these children had powers he could not explain. He closed his eyes and thought deeply, would whatever results Professor Xavier gave him really change him? The answer was no.
Even if the Professor proved beyond a doubt that his abilities were nothing more than conditions inside the human body…he would still believe in tradition. He knew he had upset the professor earlier that day, and knew that he only wanted to help him like he had helped these children.
Bellion came to a decision and stood following the large group into the house. He would inform the Professor of his choice and then perhaps what they found could benefit them both.
Bellion came in just as the Professor was saying that Logan would be watching the house and children tonight. Bellion gave a small amused smile; did he count as one of the children? He could see by Logan's expression that he was not impressed, but there was little he could do.
The professor looked up at Bellion's entrance and smiled warmly "Ah there you are…I don't think the gardens have ever received so much attention before."
Bellion felt at ease with the warm smile, he was glad that while the Professor had been upset before he did not hold Bellion's choice against him.
The Shaman walked forward and half knelt so he could take Xavier's hand "I have thought deeply over our conversation earlier. I have great respect for you and what you do here with these children… if understanding my power helps you than you may run your tests. I know now that no matter what you tell me my beliefs will remain unchanged."
The Professor looked stunned for a moment before saying "Very well… Let us begin the tests tomorrow. I'm afraid it will be only you and Logan tonight. The rest of the team is going to find a rouge mutant and Scott will be accompanying me on a visit."
Bellion smiled and bowed his head "Tomorrow it is then."
As you might have noticed I am mixing bits of the X Men movies/comics together. It all serves a purpose. More to come soon!