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[decussate]

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"An insurmountable problem, I presume? Go on, then."

Contacts

Barbichette

Belote

Berger

Coccinelle

Colombe

Éponge

Fourmi

Geai

Glouton

mall meet cute <3 <3 <3

Marteau

Mygale

Pinson

Sentinelle

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Comments

[decussate]

Knave is a codename, while Arlecchino is my god-given name. It isn't a secret, per se. I just find it practical.

[thetruefocus]

Which would you prefer me to use? I don't mind either way, I just don't want to be impolite.

[decussate]

Always so obsessed with propriety. If you're that concerned, my friends tend to use Arlecchino. Given that we were engaged not so long ago, I think you've earned the privilege.

[thetruefocus]

What my family lacked in emotional awareness, they poured into propriety. I am honored to have your real name, then. I did plan on tease you by calling you my intended.

[decussate]

I'm sure Erik would have loved to overhear that. Please, spare me the ire of a jealous lover.

With that said, he's a lucky man. Being promised to you wouldn't have been the worst of arrangements.

[thetruefocus]

It could have been worse. There are people who truly felt themselves be in love in one of those situations, and came out of it with a new set of feelings.

[decussate]

Interesting. I imagine that could be a convenient situation if both parties found it agreeable. Were these people at odds before?

[thetruefocus]

I couldn't speak for them, but it wasn't what they wanted. And I doubt I would have liked my feelings for someone coming about that way either. Imagine us coming out of that believing we were in love and/or had a familly together.

[decussate]

An intriguing thought exercise. If two enemies contract amnesia and become lovers afterward, is either half of that relationship more valid than the other?

[thetruefocus]

I would think that may be a question for someone right this instant. Memories are important, they change you, you can grow or backtrack. It doesn't matter that it was only a few minutes of memories, they still linger. And that is likely to change someone's perspective, if even slightly.

[decussate]

I concur. A person's current memories are ultimately what make a person. So whether that person likes it or not, knowledge of a false life can be just as valid an ingredient in one's perception as true life.

For instance, I now know that you would be a dedicated partner in difficult circumstances. At the very least, that would be your intent. It doesn't mean I want to marry you now, but your conviction certainly has my respect.

[thetruefocus]

I must ask, is what you said about the Crimson Moon true to your life too, or was that part of the fantasy?

[decussate]

The main points were factual. Luckily, I have no desire for biological offspring, or that might indeed become a major point of angst. There are enough suffering children without me adding to their ranks.

[thetruefocus]

Does that blood cause you suffering regularly?

[decussate]

Suffering is a terribly subjective term. It implies such pain and distress as to be debilitating. I wouldn't say I now suffer from my blood any more than you suffer from your paraplegia. It simply is, and we carry on.

Though as I child, I can say I suffered. That was only natural.

[thetruefocus]

I understand.

[ His suffering does exist, albeit one he just lives with, as she says.]

How are you since the train? It wasn't easy for many people.

[decussate]

It wasn't anything I can't handle. I think it's fair to say I have a high tolerance for these things.

I must say, you do like to worry. Allow me to ask if you are still experiencing hardships from the train ordeal.

[thetruefocus]

Yes, I am a champion worrier.

Not precisely. I did have a bad time once everyone woke up from it, because for a telepath, having a lot of minds projecting instant panic and upset feelings is on the overwhelming side. Acreage was also loud given they were scared of the Cube. So I had a headache most of the time we were there. It's terribly annoying.

[decussate]

I see the issue. I've grappled enough with the so-called stormkissed bonds that have cropped up since that meteor passed. I don't envy what you have to contend with on a wider scale.

[thetruefocus]

I've dealt with it over the span of my life, but I lived in quieter areas to lower my chances of it becoming overwhelming. That isn't possible here. I refer to my abilities as gifts, as do most mutants, but we know that sometimes they are curses too. Do you ever feel that way with your abilities?

[decussate]

Certainly. For all the complications they've caused me, I imagine I'd be quite dead by now without them. And if I weren't dead, I would be afforded much less power with which to influence my world. They've granted me unique opportunities I can't complain about.

But I can see why not all would have tempered views on the matter. Persecuted as your mutants were, I imagine many felt they couldn't express their abilities in fulfilling ways.

[thetruefocus]

Many of them couldn't. Some mutations were visibly obvious, which meant they sometimes could not go out in public without getting stared at or treated poorly. My own sister Raven was naturally blue with scales and gold eyes. As a shapeshifter, she could hide herself, but she was often angry at the world that she had to hide.

I did have the privilege of an invisible mutation. Even my adopted son Scott who is here has to see through a specific visor because beams come out of his eyes uncontrollably otherwise.

[decussate]

I can't say I blame your sister. It's a difficult thing to feel trapped in your own skin.

You mentioned Scott before, but I wasn't aware he was your adopted son. Is he your only?

[thetruefocus]

I used to encourage her to hide. I didn't understand what it felt like for her. It just seemed easier to live in a human form. It is one of the reasons we became estranged.

I have various adopted children, as you do. My adopted daughter Ororo was recently sent away. Scott and Logan are the ones still here. There are a few others who was raised at my mansion, but they were closer to others than me.

Technically, this was an older version of me who raised them, but we've all maintained our relationship dynamics here.

[decussate]

I see. I thought of them as your pupils and staff, but you're all rather more than that.

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, Ororo. Is her departure something that brings you anxiety?