Players:
Summary: Skyler and Jono have a heart to heart (so to speak) about the events during their capture and the aftermath.
Date: March 23, 2010
Heart-to-Gaping-Hole-in-Chest conversation.
Rating: PG
Xavier Mansion - Recreation Room
//What was once the Parlor has been turned into a Recreation Room for the students. A nice plush carpet meets the light blue walls giving it a homey feel. A pool table at one end, a foos ball table at the other, and entertainment center with video game systems, movies, and of course, cable TV. Big comfy chairs and couches surround a coffee table for comfortable loafing. Long glass windows with a pair of French doors line one side of the room bringing in plenty of light during the day. The main rule in here is to clean up after yourself. //
Skyler has been doing a good job at avoiding people for the past week, only recently coming out from his self-imposed imprisonment in the holding cells. Still he feels like the nature of his appearance is enough to fowl the mood of anybody eh comes across, so he's been generally trying to keep to himself. He currently can be found in the rec room, sitting in one of the chairs, blood red eyes watching some of the younger students be, well, studentish outside.
It's not that Jonothon has been avoiding Sklyer, but instead respecting that need for space. He's avoided too many people not to understand that. «Want some company?» From someone who understands? Too bad Skyler couldn't take on his appearance. That would have been a little better, right? Slowly entering the room, wearing his normal assortment of black, the man approaches. Doesn't try to get close, but instead pauses at the window, careful not to block views, and to look out as well. «Need any help?» Uncertain as to what to say really. He knows both of you are hurting though.
You say, "Not really," comes the mumbled answer to the first question. For the second, Skyler tears his gaze away from the window to look up at the thin man. "Yes. I do need help. I don't know who can help me, though," He admits. Pause, then a smirk. "Good to see you at least got to keep your face. You're a handsome guy." It's not a come-on. A statement of fact and a compliment."
Jonothon looks back as Skyler speaks. The compliment has him smiling softly. «Thanks.» That Skyler doesn't want company doesn't stop the Brit though. He leaves the window and sinks down into a chair. «Heh. That's what I've been feeling all week.» Needs help, doesn't want anyone around. «Don't know how to help either, Skyler, but I thought I could at least try. We've both been changed, and on top of that you took my power and paid the price for it. Figured I was about the best one to talk to.» He shrugs kind of helplessly.
Skyler winces at the mention of the rather explosive ending to the final conflict. "Yeah," he says, shaking his head. "I'm surprised you managed to stay in one piece all these years." This last is said with a great amount of admiration. He knows exactly what kind of power Jono manages to keep in check on a daily basis, and it's no small feat by any stretch of the imagination. He looks back out at the window, still looking like he feels, hollow and empty inside. "Sinister sent us here to die," he says. "Or, at least, to dispose of us. We weren't what he expected. We were… flawed. This was just a convenient way to get rid of us and do as much collateral damage as possible." He sighs, and pinches the bridge of his nose. "God, what do I do, now? I'm a living reminder of the kind of evil that man can do. And all the people that I hurt. Jesus, I nearly killed July. How can I stay here when I look like this?"
No answer is given immediately about how he stays in one piece. «I'm stubborn.» There's no real pride in this admission though. Jonothon isn't about to make light of that. He does nod of Sinister sending people to die. «I know I was a lousy marauder.» That he's amused over though. The whole trouble with what to do now? «You know, I asked that every day when my powers manifested.» Looks away for it. «Was a late bloomer. Eighteen and I was finally sorting myself out from being a teen… then bloom.» Hands lift as he motions. «Killed people when I did it too. In this popular night club when it happened, and I woke up in the morgue without my lower face.»
«Locked myself away for a while, and every day I asked myself that. What do I do now? I was a monster, had killed people, couldn't even pass for human anymore… How did I face the friends I didn't kill? The only answer I ever found was that I didn't want to die. I wasn't ready to. Every day I woke up I asked myself if I was ready to die. The answer was always no, so I lived out that day. Little by little it got easier. Slowly, painfully, things improved. The important thing, Skyler, is that it doesn't matter what you look like. It's who you are. Use an image inducer. No one here blames you.» Now if only that could make one feel better.
Skyler's jaw visibly clenches as he looks down at the ground. "If only I can stop blaming myself."
«That's part of the slow and painful.» Jonothon shrugs. «As awful as it feels right now, it's built into us to forget. To eventually over come the pain and forgive. The problem is getting there. I'm not ready to die yet. That's a question you have to answer for yourself. If it's no, then you continue on. Even if it sucks.»
Skyler remains silent for a while, digesting the advice the older man has given him. "You know," he says, "I think I could live with it better if I just didn't look so /goth/. I mean the permanent black lips and black mascara just don't do it for me." Ah, there's the Skyler we all know and love. Skyler holds up a hand, "And the black fingernails. I should learn how to play the guitar and be in a death metal band. I'd fit right in."
In spite of himself, Jonothon smiles for that. It's a pretty lame smile, but he gives it just the same. «Be glad you didn't end up permanently without organs or face.» He'd gladly deal with black lips if it meant having a face. Sure he has it now, but years without put that into better perspective. «Really, there are easy options about the appearance. You've been dealing with that issue for as long as you've had the power.. is this really all that different?» Jono believes the real issue isn't how Skyler looks.
Skyler counters with, "You're lucky you only blew away your chest and face." He considers Jono's last question for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I suppose it isn't." He considers his reflection in the glass, and runs a hand through his short, black hair. "You know," he muses, "If I let my hair grow out and instead of the goatee maybe a soul patch…" he twists his head, ordering his thoughts, before a wicked smile spreads across his lips. "You know what? Fuck it. I'm going to make him regret the decision to make me his little clone. I'll be, like, the anti-sinister. Tarnishing his good name by doing good deeds."
«I'm lucky in a lot of ways, Skyler, but it took a long time for me to see that.» Jonothon has grown up a good deal. Still has a ways to go though. As Skyler starts thinking, the Brit gives a far more earnest smile. That's the spirit! «Good.» He approves of this idea! «Sinister could use a kick to the bollocks.» And Jono really hopes that he can go along to help, but he doubts he will be able to. A bit risky as of yet. «Hell, get a tattoo.» He rolls his eyes, but mostly in amusement. «Just.. start seeing your friends again? When you're ready. It'll be important, for all it may not seem so now.»
Skyler looks thoughtful again before admitting, "I should probably go see Robin. God, I'm so glad I didn't run into her when I was controlled."
Jonothon merely nods as he rises to his feet. «Cheers, mate.» Want to see Robin, he's so not going to stop Skyler. «You want an image inducer, just ask. Certainly not mandatory though.» Offering that, the man doesn't linger. Has his own hiding and avoiding to do.
