Mutatis Mutandis

Posted on Fri Apr 18th, 2025 @ 8:44pm by Charles Xavier & Connor Bruin
Edited on on Fri Apr 18th, 2025 @ 8:45pm

1,189 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 6: X-Fernus Agenda
Location: X-Mansion | Professor Xavier's Office
Timeline: December 19th, 1990

The Professor's office was quiet, lit only by the soft flicker of the fireplace and the dull gray light of a wintry afternoon filtering in through tall windows. The scent of burning oak and old paper hung in the air, calming in its familiarity. On the mantle above the hearth, carved in old wood and surrounded by ancient tomes, was the school's Latin motto: Mutatis Mutandis.

Connor sat across from Charles Xavier. The firelight played across his face while he engaged the Professor in a telepathic conversation that bypassed his need for sign language or sign-to-speech translation.

~Do we know if they are dead or alive?~ Connor didn't need to specify who. They both knew.

Charles Xavier folded his hands together slowly, his brows drawing faintly. ~Cerebro has not been able to detect Aurora or Alex... but that doesn’t mean anything conclusive. Especially not when Essex is involved~

~Between hiding the First Class for so long in addition to all of Genosha being beneath a cloak of secrecy, we must assume that Nathaniel Essex is able to completely blind Cerebro at will~

~Yes~ Xavier agreed with some reluctance. ~Just as he blinds himself from any moral compass~ He looked toward the fire as if searching for some shape in its shifting flame. ~Aurora's defection... what she became under Essex's influence... it suggests that time moves differently in Limbo. Or perhaps moves in too many directions at once. She returned aged, more powerful, and warped by something deeper than ideology~

~We must conclude that Limbo is another another planet~ Connor poked the outer edge of both eyes with his fingers while he thought it through. ~Perhaps it is another dimension or domain, like the Astral Plane~

Xavier glanced back at Connor, impressed. ~Indeed. Or perhaps something older still. Humanity has long spoken of other worlds layered upon our own—your Gaelic heritage calls it the Otherworld, yes? I believe our ancestors were more aware of these axes of existence than modern science gives credit for~

~Like the strings of a harp~ Connor began to imagine his metaphor coming to life, painting a vivid picture in Xavier's mind. ~Each one with its own vibration, each one a world~

~A poetic analogy~ Xavier smiled warmly. ~And fitting, if String Theory is to be credited~

There was a pause, and then Connor’s gloves moved again. ~Aurora chose her fate when she went away with Essex. But what of Alex? How could he intentionally side with Dr. Moreau? That was beyond apartheid. It was a crime against humanity~

The Professor sighed and leaned back in his chair. ~Alex was always caught in the orbit of his brother's star. He wanted to matter—to be more than the little Summers brother. Before Krakoa, he was considering leaving the mansion entirely. I believe... he was looking for identity and purpose. Unfortunately, that makes one susceptible to radical causes. If Moreau, and through him Essex, offered that purpose—~ He paused, summoning a charitable description for one of his oldest students turning traitor. ~Then it would not have taken much to turn him~

~I know your mind~ Connor looked at his mentor dead in the eye. ~Alex betrayed everybody, which makes him a traitor~

Xavier looked pained. ~Perhaps. Or perhaps he believed he was doing the right thing. There are shades to every betrayal~

Connor didn't respond to that. His thoughts moved to a new question. ~What about the Phoenix Force? That was orders of magnitude beyond anything short of an atomic detonation~

Xavier's face tightened. ~It only seems to manifest when the lines between life and death grow thin. That lined reached Jean. We may not see or hear it again for some time, but we cannot afford to forget it~ Then he added ~Reed Richards and the Future Foundation may help us 'illuminate' the matter with further research~

Connor nodded once, accepting the answer, then looked around the room. ~So many people have left for Manhattan. The mansion is beginning to feel empty~

Xavier chuckled. ~Yes. Hank most recently moved on to new studies with X-Factor and the Future Foundation. The mansion's lab, at least, is still in good hands. How are you finding it?~

~It's perfect~ Connor admitted with a rare, open smile. ~I've always wanted such a lab to call my own~

~I'm glad it's getting proper use in his absence~ Xavier let his pleased sentiments flow openly. ~Between you and Cecilia, it's hardly idle~

Connor's fingers steepled together. ~I must confess that I do not enjoy sharing it with her, or anyone for that matter~

That earned a chuckle from Xavier. ~No, I imagine not. But I'm glad she’s here. Especially after Kayleigh...~

Connor finished his thought without hesitation. ~Left us too~

~Yes~ The professor's sentiments turned charitable toward the young lady. ~Not every mutant chooses or is able to walk the path of an X-Man~

~And by the laws of statistical averages, somebody has to be mediocre~ Connor wasn't cruel in his assessment, just brutally honest.

Xavier looked over at Connor with quiet wisdom. ~Where you see mediocrity, Connor, I see someone who learned her limits. There is no shame in that~

Connor shifted, his mood darkening. ~It's just that we have lost so many people besides Kayleigh. Jace and Aurora joined the Dark Side. Meja and her family went back to Sweden to avoid mutant persecution. Ethan abandoned the team as soon as he lost his legal internship and ran away to join Levi in the Savage Land. And... Bliss..."

~Bliss is doing well in her convent~ the Professor assured.

~She still left~ Connor insisted. ~I hate change~

Xavier's eyes drifted to the motto above the fire and drew Connor's attention to it. ~Mutatis Mutandis, Connor~

~'With things changed that must be changed'~ Connor translated. ~I understand it, but I still don't have to like it~

~No~ Xavier agreed, smiling wanly. ~You don't~ He let the concession linger a moment. ~But in the face of change, we endure. And we rebuild~

Connor nodded once. ~So who is next?~

Xavier looked at him, bemused. ~Next for what?~

~To replace those who have abandoned us~ Connor replied, then, thinking of the Professor's words, chose a different mindset. ~To teach~

The Professor's expression warmed with expectation and pride. ~Sarah. I would like you to begin her training. I believe she'll be a tremendous asset, but she needs direction~

~Yes, sir. I accept the challenge~

~Good~ Xavier leaned back in his chair, folding his hands together once more.

The fire cracked gently between them, a soft percussion to the hush of thought.

~Christmas has been such a such a wonderful holiday season thus far~ Connor thought in a rueful musing. ~It's busier than every Christmas which I spent with Moira at Muir Island. I just hope there aren't any more surprises~

Xavier chuckled. ~For the rest of the year, let us hope it remains wonderfully, blissfully uneventful~

Connor nodded once. ~You took the words right out of my mouth~

The two of them stared at one another before breaking out into a laughter so rich it left them both out of breath.

RSS Feed