bakerstreet | thursday pic prompt

[I did it. I made it through the intro and the first lecture and am done for the week. \o/ BRING ON THE WEEKEND and all the tags (I say, as though Friday doesn't even exist).]

Of all the answers Aurus had possibly been prepared for, that perfect-cat-and-dog-storm was certainly not one of them. It was peculiar and this time quite unlike anything he knew--the boy who saw through his dog's eyes in particular. That was fascinating. What it meant about the bond between the child and the animal for that sight to be not just metaphorical, but literal. And as far as getting used to it went, Aurus smiled, "Then I suppose it's not really a surprise that you've accepted a talking plant with such ease."

It was, to be fair, the first time he'd spoken about himself in precisely that way or put exactly that fine a point on the matter, but he definitely wasn't doing it just to shock Hank or provoke a reaction from him. In its way the remark was slightly self-deprecating. Maybe, though, he wouldn't have been totally surprised if he happened to surprise Hank a bit, since he didn't think that the extent of his species difference had fully settled on anyone here yet. (Or else maybe they simply didn't care.)

At any rate, he nodded his thanks as the reached the library door and said, in a low voice, "I'll see you later then," as he quietly stepped inside.

He was more than happy to wend his way quietly through shelves of books, waiting for Charles to finish...and maybe listening in a bit. He was interested to hear Charles teach, especially since philosophy, much more than science, was a topic that felt natural to him. Being a proverbial fly on the wall for a few moments suited him just fine...though he did try to make his way to a place between the shelves where Charles, but not his students, could see that he was there, hanging back so as not to interrupt.

[*CHEERS!!!!!!*]

Well Aurus managed to stun Hank with his words. He blinked slightly, eyes going wide, and a thousand questions instantly sprang up in his mind before Aurus excused himself and stepped into the library, leaving Hank there staring. ...Talking plant? Was that the strange feeling when they shook hands...? Those questions would have to come later, after they made a volcano together. What a strange day today was turning out to be, which was saying something in a school full of mutant and children!

Charles had a class of slightly older children, and from the sound of it, they were disceting a book. In fact, they were discussing 'Lord of the Flies' and currently, what was civilization? Charles' rich voice filled the library without being too loud, centered in the middle of his children who were all comfortably seated around in the open part of the library, gesturing as he took suggestions, encouraged the children to give more. Eventually, he did catch that glimpse of blue and noted it, but made no gesture or look towards Aurus. It wasn't long, though, before he wrapped things up.

"Good! Tomorrow, I want everyone to come up with a one sentence statement of what they believe civilization is. No looking it up in the dictionary! This is your own idea of what civilization is. Class dismissed." Charles gave a smile to the students, who gathered up their bags and books, happily chatting with one another as they made their way out of the room. A few caught sight of Aurus, but they didn't come up to him, while Charles waited until the last student left before he came around to where he had spotted Aurus before.

"Good to see you made it through breakfast." His smile grew with that, amused.

Aurus had to admit that he felt a little self-satisfied about that flash of realization he saw in Hank's eyes. More of that later though.

For now Aurus turned his attention to the class. He was watching the students' body language, the attentive ways in which they kept their eyes turned to Charles, some leaning forward towards him here and there.

Of course Aurus had never heard of Lord of the Flies. He easily caught on that they were discussing a book, but it was far less clear that it was a work of fiction and not of history. Nonetheless, the core question being asked, the question of civilization, was an idea that (like so many things here) he wondered if he and his kind didn't rather complicate. It was something perhaps he and Charles would come to discuss in a roundabout way.

Stepping out from the aisle of books as the students were dismissed, Aurus waited for Charles patiently, a warm expression in his eyes. "Hank was an excellent host. He demonstrated the electricity in your walls, and I have been promised a volcano this afternoon. He seemed to think that the students would like to meet me--they do seem curious. But I imagine you will decide when you feel that is appropriate."

A beat and then, "I hope the revelations of last night didn't keep you too long awake."

Comparatively, Aurus thought, things all felt somewhat different this morning than they had the night before. In part, he supposed, that was not merely the new day but the fact that he was not, for the first time in many months, dressed or armed for wandering.

Hank, of course, had had no reason to remark on what Aurus now wore, not having seen him the night before in his armor and weapons. He wondered, though, what Charles would think of this new apparel made of leaves and the fact that Aurus now, as requested, didn't look like a warrior or even especially dangerous. Actually, he looked like he belonged in the Grove, where most sylvari dressed much as he was now.

'Promised a volcano?' The words were clearly mimed, not sure where on earth that would have come from given that the volcano incident had happened several years back when he was first learning to teach. What had Hank promised? "AH- yes, I'm sure that the students would be quite interested in meeting you. For now, it's a question of who to begin with and exactly what should be done to handle that. I've been thinking on that this morning, but it will be something we need to discuss."

Charles gave a small dismissive wave of his hand. "No, but it certainly had me up early this morning." He studied Aurus for a moment, then with approval in his voice, said, "I appreciate your effort to wear else this morning. Seeing an armed and armoured stranger around the school might have provoked a few issues that frankly, none of us would have wanted to deal with. ...Really now, though," Charles leaned forward in his seat, studing closer. "Are those leaves? Or merely fabric to suggest as such?"

Aurus could have clarified about the volcano, but he didn't. He was sure it would become clear sooner or later, and until then he was also sure the fleeting confusion wouldn't do Charles any harm. A bit of confusion from time to time was, in Aurus's opinion, good for people.

Likewise with his clothes. He watched Charles take a good close look at him, knowing that closer inspection might easily reveal the places where the thicker stems mimicked the blue of his skin (though nowhere near as clearly as at the back, where his current clothing seemed practically to sprout from somewhere near his waist, and where his partially bare spine showed a uniform line of flat, pale nodes, as though buds or leaves might once have grown there as well).

"Yes of course they're leaves," he said just a little coyly, knowing both that it wasn't nearly as obvious as all that, and also that they were now quickly approaching a topic they'd circled clear of the night before. "I grew them myself."

"Oh yes, of course." Charles' voice was dry as he looked up, giving a pointed raised brow towards Aurus that suggested he wasn't taking a lick of that coyness. Still, it dissolved into that curious smile of his as he didn't hold up his sarcasm long. "You grew them? You'll have to explain more, given that we showed you are electricity in the walls." Teasing, just faintly, before he looked around the library. With his class dismissed, and a quick mental sweep, it seemed that they were alone. However...

"It may be better if we continued our conversation in my office, for privacy's sake. Otherwise, who knows what little ears may decide to peep in when least expected." He chuckled quietly, backing his chair up slightly before starting towards the door. "Also, exactly how did you convince my second in command to show you a volcano?" Because he wasn't quite following the volcano bit!

"Lead the way," Aurus inclined his head to indicate he would follow Charles to his office or wherever else he would prefer they talk.

That didn't mean for a moment that he was going to easily relinquish these threads of light fun he was holding though. "If we're going someplace more private I might even let you examine them more closely if you'd like." (Ok, so he was seriously just saying that as a bit more teasing, to see what kind of reaction it would get, really not as a proposition.)

And as for the volcano... Aurus got the door for them as they moved into the hall, and then explained, "Oh, I just told him that I required a demonstration if I was going to believe that there hadn't been any magic involved in that incident with you and a classroom of children covered in baking soda and ketchup."

[*falls over* The crazy is finally done... my girlfriend's mother came up for the weekend. Guests are stressful - the mom is 10x more stressful since it was the first time we met. Sorry for the lack of replies!]

Aurus' vague statement of possibly suggestive nature earned him a raised eyebrow from Charles. The 60s had been a time of revolution for certain relationships in this country, but it wasn't something that rested easy. Most of Charles' interest had lied with women, though a certain someone had gotten in closer than any ever had and that was... a very strange relationship to begin with. So, after a moment or two, Charles decided it was innocent in nature and chuckled. "I have to admit, I'm quite curious." Unthinking on how that sounded in return.

He started leading Aurus out of the library, turning down the hall towards his office. !!! Charles' eyes briefly widened as Aurus explained what the volcano meant, then he ended up laughing. "That traitor! Telling that story around... it was when I was teaching for the first time and got a little too overzealous! You'll enjoy the less explosive version of that experiment, I imagine, though it might not be nearly as impressive as you might be imagining."

[Congrats on making it out alive! You have all my sympathies. In-laws are a special kind of stressful. Even the not-so-bad ones are a recipe for instant high blood pressure--I know objectively that my partner's folks aren't bad, but staying in one house together is like a recipe for family conflict. I hope you got on well with your girlfriend's mom though, and of course no worries re: tag speed! RL's gotta RL.]

Not that Aurus was to know it, but American culture of the 60s (or even the 70s, 80s, or 90s for that matter) could hardly have been more different than sylvari culture, particularly when it came to the topic of sex. Inevitably, at some point, this matter would come up between the two of them, and probably it would be soon. Not because of any innuendo or suggestiveness though. They were, after all, going to talk about what sylvari were and where they came from. There were a number of reasons why sex and reproduction would be natural topics.

But the crux of the matter was this: sylvari had absolutely no preconceived sense that any one sexual taste or proclivity was more or less natural than another. It mattered to them not one whit. They did, however, know that humans sometimes considered it to matter quite a lot. Not all humans. And comparatively in Tyria even to the humans it mattered relatively little.

Whether or not mutants technically constituted a new race, Charles was clearly much closer to a human than anything else, and it would have been hard to miss that momentary glance that Aurus had earned himself. For now he stored it away. They needed to start with the question of species difference first. Whatever developed after, whatever curiosities, whatever ventures...well, bridges to be crossed if and when, and all that.

For now, as they walked, Aurus reached up to his hair and plucked a leaf off one of his long fern-like fronds. As he did, he casually told Charles what he'd thought when Hank first told him the volcano story earlier: "I might not be too difficult to impress. In my world, making a volcano would be the purview of an elementalist--a lava font, they commonly call it. They're often used on the battle field. Quite deadly. One safe enough to make with children--a lava font without the lava? It's rather impressive already."

And then he passed the leaf to Charles. It was small, no more than an inch in length, and deep purple, the color of Japanese maple, but softer in texture. "Here. Something to tide you over." He smiled, "And to prove that I'm not judging you too much for whatever early mishaps you might or might not have had with your students." All lies. In truth he wasn't judging him at all. If Charles knew half the mishaps that Aurus had had with Hakkyuu he'd have probably had a good laugh too.

[She was a very nice woman! I liked her a lot. I just get stressed whenever I have guests over... want the house to be perfect, for them to be comfortable, and just- bah. XD I go a little Martha Stewart-y sometimes.]

"Then I imagine you'll enjoy it quite a bit," Charles said as the leaf was offered over to him. His brows briefly lifted, but he reached up and took it gently, wondering if it was any different for Aurus as for him to pluck a hair from his own head. Did it hurt, even momentarily? Would it regrow? Would it wither like any normal leaf from a plant? His gaze dropped to the leaf itself as his mind pondered over these many questions, studying the shape and the vein structure before his thumb brushed across the surface. It was almost more fleshy, or perhaps a bit like the lamb's ear plant, but nothing he could have put his finger on. His eyes came back up, meeting Aurus' eyes before saying, "thank you. For both this," a little twirl of the leaf between thumb and forefinger, "and the lack of judging. I'm deeply grateful that Hank doesn't have photos of the ensuing crimson version of myself from that experiment, though." The corner of his mouth came up in a briefly self-deprecating smirk.

They made it to his office, and once inside, it was very much Charles' little sanctuary. There were several photos around the room, revealing a wide variety of people - a younger blonde girl standing beside someone who was definitely a younger charles who was definitely without a wheelchair, Charles, Hank, and a group of children in front of the school with a year, a group of people, some younger, some Charles' age, and one slightly older man standing close together, looking proud. Books were up on nested bookshelves that went to the ceiling, a broad wooden desk with wooden chairs, a table with a built in black and white chess board... in fact the overriding feeling of the room was wood, with the fireplace capping off one end. Charles gestured for Aurus to make himself comfortable.

"So where do we begin?" A quiet but amused sound, with him gesturing out towards the door they had just entered through. "What do you think, so far?"

[I can sympathize with that. I get house neurotic when people are coming over too. I try and clean everything within an inch of its life. At least it sounds like you got to enjoy meeting her as well as stressing over it though. That is good!]

Aurus could have made some remark about finding another occasion to repeat the crimson--he'd just have to discover something that would make Charles blush impressively; it would be a fun sort of challenge. He did think it. He didn't say it though. Subtlety and understatement felt more appropriate.

When they arrived in Charles's office, Aurus gave himself a moment to look around the room. The photographs in particular interested him, and he leaned in to look at them more closely. "These are amazing likenesses," he glanced between Charles and the younger version of him in the picture. "Every detail is exact but there's no so much as a brush stroke." Tyria had many things, but it did not have photography.

He didn't linger too long before taking a seat in one of the chairs though and directing his full attention to their conversation. Art and its methods of production was a topic which he figured could wait. He considered the question of his thoughts so far for a moment, and presently answered:

"The blind boy who could see through his dog's eyes was a bit of a surprise." He gave a wry half-smile before offering a more serious reply.

"Hank has told me how much hate and mistrust there is towards mutants out in your world. To me it sounds like absurd, obsessive in-fighting between groups of people who are more alike than they are different, but one doesn't stop conflicts merely by judging them to be silly and obtuse.

"This school, though--everything about this place--feels safe. Even I can feel how like a sanctuary it is, and I have nothing that I particularly need to take haven from. It's a great kindness to offer that to people. And it's a shame that kindness alone will never be enough. But I'm sure you already know that. For all the differences between our worlds, there are some consistencies. Ideas, I am starting to gather, are one thing actually translates fairly well."

[HAHAHA Someone who understands the house neurotic cleaning thing! That's me to a T @_@ It was still good! I'm super happy I got to meet her (she lives about 8 hours south of me so it was a bit tricky.]

"Photography," Charles commented in respect to Aurus' words about a brush stroke. "I'll show you later, if you're around for a time. Perhaps you'd like a photo to take with you." Briefly, an idea cropped up into his mind on the idea of letting Aurus travel with a poloroid camera and some negatives for him to use. Something for the back of his mind to remember for later.

"Ah yes, Jeremy. We've recently been attempting to see if he can accomplish this feat with other animals, but it's been without success. As for the rest..." Charles gave a small shake of his head. "People fear what's different from them. This entire concept of mutants is not new, I don't believe it is, but never have we been in a time where information can be passed so easily and knowledge spread. However, Hank's recently suggested the mutations may be cropping up faster than in years before but that may be due to the growing population--" He hesitated, then gave a quick laugh. "Apologies, always a topic I could ramble about for hours. I wanted this school to be a sanctuary, to make it so that children could grow and live in peace and perhaps we could start the movement forward of peace. It may never be enough, but at least there is someone willing to do something about it."

He leaned back in his chair, his weight on one elbow, watching Aurus' reactions to all of this closely. "Unfortunately, there are some out there, on both sides, who chose to take things to the extreme. It's made some things harder, but it has also backfired for them."

[At least that means she won't be dropping by unannounced. My in-laws live on the other side of England, a fact for which I am SO glad. Means there's always some degree of warning. lol]

Seeing how Aurus was already hoping that he would stay around for at least a while, he was happy to add 'photography' to the list of things which would be revealed in due time. (A polaroid would make quite the stir in the Grove...and would probably bring every asura in Rata Sum nosing around in the spirit of scientific inquiry.)

There was one point on which Aurus did not wholly agree with Charles though: "People here fear what's different from them. But I believe you're wrong if you presume that's inevitable or inherent. You'd be basing a general principle on the fairly limited perspective of humans having been the sine qua non--what is and what has been, as you told me last night. But that would be merely to repeat their mistake in perspective all over again. If it's inevitable that humans fear those who are different, then my race would have been dealt with harshly by them right from the beginning.

"Perhaps people here have simply grown used to encountering too little difference instead of being submersed in a world of it every day. They see small variations and amplify them to the nth degree, make mountains out of molehills.

"Of course I don't know--I'm an outsider, after all, this is merely how it seems to me." Aurus was relaxed as he said all this, sitting back comfortably in his chair, feet crossed at the ankles. He could easily see Charles' passion for this topic, and he wasn't merely going to humor him. For his part, Aurus would also talk about this sort of thing for hours, but while he already respected Charles a great deal, he was not going to simply defer to him.

The two of them had lived very different experiences, and they would inevitably have some different perspectives based on them. That, as far as Aurus was concerned, was one of the things that made this all so interesting.

[Wait do you live in England??]

(Wouldn't that be fascinating? Or would it be introducing a foreign product to a system not ready for it yet? Potentially dangerous in some fashion, if Charles thought on the subject longer.)

First, Charles' brows lifted in surprise at the latin term in Aurus' words, but given that the man had traveled through time and space, quite literally, perhaps it wasn't so much of a surprise. So Charles spread his hands, not quite a sign of defeat but at least to his point. "You are correct, in that respect, that it is people here, but regardless of the situation elsewhere in the universe, this is our situation here. Time and time again humanity has shown that when it fears, it fights, even when it is foolish or even harmful to do so. Our very existence is questioning the very existence of humanity - what is it to be human? That uncertainty and lack of understanding causes fear. The fear of not being able to control something even more so. Humanity struggles to control the world around it, subject nature to its whims. They fear volcanos and tornados and tsunamis and hurricanes becase of the destruction they bring and the inability to control that destruction. Unfortunate, I believe they think of us in the same manner."

He paused, and shook his head. "Not all, not all. There are good people about there who understand, who do not fear us but only the madmen that every society has. Over all, one person is intelligent, understanding, and thoughtful, but when in a group, or subject to a group's thinking, they become foolish and easily panicked like a herd of horses."

[Yeah, I do. I'm originally from the states though. (I grew up in Westchester county, ironically enough!)]

(Not as dangerous by half as many of the things that people might bring into the Grove. Or, for that matter, the things that they invent in Rata Sum.)

"Perhaps," Aurus suggested, "it just needs to be the right group. Strange for me to say, maybe, given the solitary life I've lived for so many years, but groups--I think here of the three Orders of Tyria, each with their own methods, their own philosophies, and yet focused and purposeful. They may not all be uniformly wise, but neither are they foolhardy. A group might just as well be assembled to defend your interests as to threaten them.

"It's the latter that sounds most dangerous to me--not the mob or the panicked stampede, but the coordinated, deliberate attack. There is always, in my experience, at least one madman or zealot on every side of anything. If the good humans fear only mutant madmen, then what are the good mutants to do with the human ones?"

[West Chester County as in up in NY? I'm from and still live in PA! ^_^]

"I've been working on that. Right now, the government is pleased enough to have somewhere that they can hold up as an excellent school for children that otherwise could become potentially dangerous in most schools. Hank and I have helped them on a few occasions as well in other areas." Not going to talk about how many held up Raven as a hero. As far as madmen go... we've been handling it one case at a time. We've already had to deal with it once. It was... a trial, but we pulled through it and I'd like to think in the end, we did a service in the eyes of many which has helped our situation."

Little did he know that down the line, not all that long from now, hell would practically come to earth thanks to a madman of their kind.

[Yup! I grew up in the town of Hartsdale which is the southern part of the county. I always pictured the Xavier school to be a bit farther north, like Briarcliff Manor area. And hey, PA! We would once upon a time have been almost like neighbors!]

Aurus considered this for a moment before speaking again, and when he did, his answer was at first oblique: "'Never leave a wrong to ripen into evil or sorrow.' That's something that Ventari tells us.

"I hope, for all your sakes, that the conflicts to come will pass with a whisper rather than a bang. But from the rest of what I've heard--from both yourself and from Hank--it hardly sounds like either of you really expect your situation to improve quickly or smoothly. I wonder what malice might ripen while you wait." He shook his head, recognizing the situation for the complicated skein it clearly was.

Presently, he continued, not with the tone of someone making a suggestion, but more as though he was advancing a philosophical point. "I believe that when you hope a battle will never come, that is when you must train for it the hardest. Not because you anticipate fighting it though. Admittedly, Ventari and I rather disagree on this point. I think in his opinion I still carry too much anger."

[According to their address, they're up in the NE corner of the county, I believe? What got you across the pond to England, then?? Heck of a jump!]

"You and I have that same hope. I... we have seen what happens when a small group of hated people try to rise up and make their voices heard, in this world. It's a very slow process, difficult and tiring, but... I cannot sit in silence and allow nothing to happen. We've become a voice, a rallying point, and I wish to see that continue. We can show people that there is nothing to fear in the average mutant, despite our gifts, no more than they fear their neighbor. I'm not afraid of that uphill slope."

"As for Ventari... I would have to agree with you, rather than him." The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. The X-Men remained a secret thus far, and he planned to keep it that way. "If your mind and body are trained, you are more likely to avoid the battle to begin with as well."

[Oh it's all my partner's fault (mostly). He's British. (Also I came over here to do my PhD.) We might relocate stateside sometime in the next year or so though. Seems we just can't decide what side of the Atlantic we want to be on.]

"And more likely to appreciate every day that you are not called upon to fight it," Aurus added with a nod.

Ventari could hmph at him in his head all he pleased. Ultimately, Aurus knew, their disagreement was far less pronounced than would be the case for many people. And Aurus did still consider himself to be a disciple of the old centaur sage, even if he was rather unorthodox about it.

"It's interesting to hear you say that though, as nothing I've so far seen here gives the impression of anyone being trained for combat. If it's taking place then it is very well hidden. And though I don't doubt you have your secrets, Charles, you strike me much more as a diplomat than a fighter."

He didn't mean this as any sort of insult or even as a supposition based on Charles' chair. Aurus wasn't nearly so naive as to think Charles defenseless. The man just didn't have a warrior's demeanor about him. If it was there at all, it was masterfully disguised.

[That's really sort of romantic, though. My girlfriend is moving up here - will officially be moved in this upcoming weekend - because I had the established job and house. Very excited for it, really nervous. How was it moving over there?? /also, borrowing a tiny bit from the comics to fill in Charles' missing years...]

In many ways, what Aurus thought was true. When he had been able bodied, he had been trained in martial arts and had been quite capable, but his mind, and mouth, had always been his most used tools. Today, that was even more true, but his mind had developed newer abilities, things that made him possibly more dangerous than when he had been able to deliver a punch. Things that sometimes frightened him as he learned them, but kept them tucked away for if they ever needed to be used.

"I would definitely consider myself a diplomat," Charles agreed. The X-Men... that wasn't something he was quite ready to discuss with Aurus, not yet. This would always be a school first, a preparations for battle second. "There are those among us who have seen combat, and would be ready to fight if necessary, but this is a school. I wish peace to reign here, above all else. I want a place where children feel safe, not that something could happen. I don't want this to become a battle ground."

[Haha I suppose it is, though we're dorks and never really think of it that way. We had like the Least Romantic civil partnership ceremony ever and are always so pleased with ourselves for it. But congrats to you guys though! Moving in, especially across a distance, is a big thing. Relocating over here was hella expensive (and took forever). Also lots of substantial lifestyle changes I didn't really expect. We live in London, but even here the shops all close at 5 or 6. "Open Late" means open until 7pm. Ugh. Aaaaaand I admit to being totally blind re: comics verse X-Men, so all's good with me!]

"Let's hope it never does. But you may be more trusting than I would be if you're willing to take it on faith." He considered this for a moment and then added, "Though I suspect I'd probably be a fairly bad diplomat. I don't think I have the patience for it."

The statement was made quite dryly, so it wasn't really clear whether he meant it seriously or was being facetious. He didn't let it settle for long before deciding it was time to shift the topic a bit though.

"Speaking of. You've been impressively patient on the topic of my leaves." A crooked, teasing smile here, "Most humans don't make it half so long when they meet a sylvari for the first time. Is that just well-schooled manners, or are you really not troubled to know?"

[...5 or 6-- oh my god. I don't even get out of work until 5 how do people LIVE?!]

Did having the X-Men mean he didn't trust? Perhaps, but he wasn't a fool, either. There would always be the need to fight, to be able to push back against forces humanity wouldn't otherwise be able to stop. Still, he gave a small smile. "Sometimes, it needs someone more blunt who is willing to speak his mind than the constant forced politeness and bantering. It takes all kinds, though patience does generally end up being required."

The commnent about having 'waited' to ask his questions made him chuckle, gesturing to himself. "You're speaking to a man who can listen in on your mind. I generally don't want to be asked questions, most mutants don't. I've learned the patience to wait for a proper opening or be polite about it, given how I would want to be treated." He shrugged, clearly amused by it, then pointed as he leaned forward. "But as you've clearly offered an opening... you'll have to forgive me if any of my questions are rude out of ignorance. Do your people consider yourself more botanical or more hominina?"

[I've lived here for like 8 years and I still don't know. I mean there's fuck all you'd actually want to buy in most shops anyway. The selection is enough to make any American weep. But Sundays are legit the worst. Run out of milk at 4:00 on a Sunday? You're probably screwed until morning.]

"And for all I know you've been doing so all morning," Aurus seemed completely unconcerned at this possibility though. "For the most part these days I generally presume that someone is listening. Even when they're quiet at least one or two of the Legends are almost always still there. I find nothing objectionable about having you in my head--I like you, and some of them I don't get on with at all well."

It did make sense to him, given what he'd learned thus far, that mutants would prefer that people not pry. It was also worth a mental note for when he met the students here. Aurus was much more subtle and tactful than most sylvari, mostly because he took notice of how his race's proclivity to ask blunt questions so often made people uncomfortable. (Being aware of that fact meant that Aurus could use it to deliberate effect instead of random accident.)

Personally, though, Aurus's perspective was completely different: being a de facto ambassador for his race meant that questions simply came with the terrain. And he couldn't not be an ambassador for his race when he'd set off to travel the world before most of the world even knew what a sylvari was.

He leaned forward in his own chair, elbows resting on the arms, and mirrored Charles' posture. "You needn't worry about being rude--there's very little you could ask that I'd consider indecorous. And there is no 'more' about it. I am thoroughly a plant."

[...Suddenly I'm pretty happy to be an American. Even in my mother's backwater country area you can get milk at 4pm on a Sunday (maybe not until 11AM but still...)]

"I have not," Charles said in a voice like a promise, hand coming briefly to his chest. "I don't, usually, unless I believe there to be an issue. I've... grown since I was a teenager." The corner of his mouth lifted, briefly, remembering how he was in his youth. "However, there is nothing even similar to you in our world. The most notable movement in any plant might be the Venus Fly Trap, which actively closes on prey that it is able to, but even that is rooted to the ground. Definitely nothing on the level of intelligent life. Does that mean you were-" His brows pinched, searching for the word, "grown, rather than birthed? Is it from another of your species? Seeds, perhaps?"

He paused in his thoughts coming aloud, expression utterly curious. Aurus was used to Humans, to whatever degree, and he seemed to have no issue with the idea of mutants, but Charles had to wonder how common something as wild as a talking, walking plant was across the universes. This meeting had certainly become more and more eye-opening with every minute passing!

[LMAO as I write this, at after 5pm, I have just had the horrifying experience of realizing that, because of a load of convoluted crap that I shan't bore you with, I am in actual DESPERATE NEED of a rental car. Tonight. Literally the ONLY thing that is going to save my ass is that I can get to a London airport where things will still be open. Otherwise I would be beyond fucked.]

"I was grown," Aurus confirmed. "From a tree."

He let that settle for a moment before continuing. "That would be a rather stingy answer though. Let me tell you the story:

"Some two and a half centuries ago, during the time of the Krytan Civil War, a human soldier named Ronan was separated from his unit. Alone, he made his way into a cave where he found a clutch of strange seeds, one of which he took--a seed the size of a man's fist.

"He intended to take it home to his village and show it to his daughter, but when he returned, he found the village burned to the ground, his family murdered.

"There, he forever lay down his weapons, and planted the seed on his family's grave, and there he stayed until the end of his days. He was joined by Ventari, the centaur sage of whom I've spoken, and together they tended the Pale Tree which grew from that seed, building a sanctuary of peace and friendship all through their lives.

"It is from that tree--the Mother Tree, we say--that sylvari now grow. We mature in pods on her branches, and when our time is right, we drop to the ground and awaken. We are fully grown and we know much more of the world than a human child. We can read and write and speak; we know the foundation of Ventari's teachings--all these things come to us in what we call the Dream.

"The more we live and experience, the greater the Dream's pool of knowledge. But we are still a young race. The Firstborn only awoke about twenty-five years ago."

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/has no issue with the MIB reference she made in this tag

There is never any issue with MIB references, truefax.

<3

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