` LOVE THE FUTURE

[balance and composure]

LOVE THE FUTURE

government-affiliated mutants
cedar wilson
sophie pineau (vice president of the united states)

other
sebastian shaw (himself)
azazel (sebastian shaw)
hans landa/richard collier (himself)
dimitri vorrhale (hans landa)
andile bogandi (???)
logan/wolverine (himself)
elwood green/mister rain (himself)

deceased
matthew fortman
iacopo foutri/prosper reed

status unknown
charles xavier (professor x)
pietro (quicksilver)
erik lensherr (magneto)
raven darkholme (mystique)
hugh maninder
emma frost

fairie lore and balance and composure only.

[balance and composure]

balance and composure


i'm not organizing my characters anymore



sebastian shaw ･ just really old
kinetic energy absorption/flame manipulation ･ himself
seven nation army
#4A5C66


dimitri vorrhale ･ older than a lot of people
superhuman speed/strength/semi-immortality ･ hans landa is his only affiliation
the formula
#91772A


elwood green (mister rain) ･ early 40s
water molecule manipulation ･ himself
bottom of the river
#001A42


cedar wilson ･ mid 20s
shape shifting (exclusively human-to-animal) ･ (reluctant) government league of mutants
cinderella
#22330C


andile bogandi ･ early 30s
regeneration/reanimation of himself and others ･ ???
atlantis
#E0C77B

[fairie lore]

fairie lore

non-government characters


azazel ･ really old
teleportation, telepath block, superhuman agility ･ the hellfire club
been around the block


erik lensherr (magneto) ･ early 40's
metal manipulation ･ the brotherhood of mutants
i will hunt you down


raven darkholme (mystique) ･ early 30's
shapeshifting (humans), superhuman agility ･ the brotherhood of mutants
always somebody else


emma frost ･ 40's
telepathy, diamond form ･ ???
ice queen


logan (wolverine) ･ old
he's ******** wolverine ･ x-men
i hate you

government characters


richard collier (hans landa) ･ never gets old
invulnerability, eternal youth, overall badass ･ himself (right now the government; vice president of the USA)
better than you


sophie pineau ･ 40's
mind control (seduction), invisibility ･ white house chief of staff
just one kiss


matthew fortman ･ 40's
swagger ･ president of the USA
i am a joke

[balance and composure]

In Geneva, handfuls of men (and one boy) sit at a long table in the middle of a large, expansive room. The curtains are drawn over the ceiling-high windows and there are men in pressed black suits standing at every door leading out. No one speaks to another, only looks, and it seems to be more of a staring contest than a meeting to settle the differences between mutants and humans. Old, uncomfortable men stare at a younger one sporting a crimson tie and visible pride, and at the red-skinned creature sitting to his right. To the tie-sporter's left is a man that would look average by comparison if not for the unceremonious way he slouches with his chin in his hands and stares across the table at a man in a wheelchair.

Said man looks to be keeping company from opposite ends of the characteristic spectrum; a large, gruff man with a sneer sits on his right and the lone boy with a subdued look sits on his left. The boy glances sidelong at the man in the wheelchair, reaching under the table to touch his sleeve to get his attention. The man turns, offers a smile and quirks a slight brow at him. 'Who's the smirking guy and the ones with him? Are they mutants too? Are they the bad guys?'

The man in the wheelchair, Charles, blinks and looks at who the boy is referring to. His smile grows stiff. 'Sebastian Shaw is the smirking one, Azazel is the red one, and Hugh Maninder is the staring one. They're all mutants.' He considers the last part of his answer very carefully as he looks back at the boy. 'They are simply men who are proud to be mutants and are misguided in their actions to portray their pride, Pietro.'

'...So they are bad guys.'

'...More or less.' He should have known better than to underestimate the intelligence of Erik's son, however young he may be.

Sebastian, well aware that more than one persons are talking about him, sits very comfortably. He smiles at whoever looks his way--even at Xavier across the table--and takes the silence in. Peering at a clock set high on the wall, he asks to no one in particular, "Who are we waiting for again?"

No one answers for a few moments. After noticing that none of the humans in the room wants to answer, Charles clears his throat to do it for them. "The president and vice president of the United States. Once they arrive, we can begin."

Sebastian's eyes fall on Charles and his smirk widens into a smile as he puts his hands up and raises his brow. "Of course! How could I have forgotten?" He chuckles as he shifts in his chair. "I hope they get here soon, then. Wouldn't do to keep us all waiting, would it?" Ha-ha.

'...I don't like his laugh, Professor.'

'Nor do I, Pietro.'

[fairie lore]

To most mutants it might seem like an achievement to be sitting at a table with important men (ahem, humans) who sway the path that their country goes on. There was a time when the voices of mutants were not heard and they were hunted down like criminals. Things have gotten better, and now mutants like Azazel and Sebastian Shaw were (reluctantly) welcomed to international meetings. This isn't an environment that Azazel feels welcome in, but one of the few conditions that Sebastian had for accepting his invitation was that he could stay by the man's side. He knows very well why, of course. Still, he doesn't doubt that Sebastian is jumping for joy at just sitting in the place that he's at, because no doubt he'd like to be the one in charge. But alas, there had been some hurdles in the way. So instead he sits pretty and keeps a keen eye out, his gaze rotating between every member.

But he's not the only one sitting there still as a statue, as Logan (that's Wolverine to you, buster)is just mildly confounded as to why he's sitting at a table with all these suits, but he suspects it's part of Charles' plan to show that mutants are well behaved, not dangerous, and... well, mostly not dangerous. He does his best not to grunt as he looks at Sebastian Shaw, a*****e extraordinaire. Apparently they were inviting just about anyone now. The words just barely fall on deaf ears because he feels that just listening to this man is making him exceed the amount of bullshit he'll take in a day.

↻

"So who's going to be there?" One Matthew Fortman, President of the Unite States, mused with no apparent alarm by the fact that he didn't know the answer.

"Everyone is going to be there." Richard Collier (Hans Landa; because it's always Hans Landa) smiled, if not by obligation of his position but due to his nature.

"Haha, of course!" The president laughed, striding down towards the door with a winning grin like in a single meeting he believed he could solve all of the world's problems by virtue of being there.

Hans Landa sincerely doubted the president had such abilities, but he vested far more faith in himself. He, on the other hand, did know every single person who was going to be there, the misfit crew of mutants: from Professor X, pacifier to a fault, to Sebastian Shaw, who was probably still alive because he hung around one person who wouldn't sell him out at the drop of a hat. It would be a nice reunion, he imagined.

Matthew swung open the door, announcing himself by the loud clang of the door meeting the wall. "Sorry to keep all of you waiting, but my watch just doesn't seem to watch to adjust to Swiss time. I shoulda got myself a swiss army knife, those things are really the jack of all trades, haha." He grinned, and with that he took a step forward so Hans could make it into the room, and whom merely announced himself by giving a courteous nod, his gaze finding Sebastian in no time. Is that a grey hair I see peeking out? Nice to see you, old friend.

With that, the pair of them sat down, and the president's smile seemed to be clued to his face. "I'm glad all of you could make it here today.'" He said, seemingly switching to a more serious demeanour. Ah, well, nope. "But enough with the formalities. I think it's key that all of us feels comfortable here so that we can speak our minds. I think we should go around the room and everyone says what they hope to get out of this meeting."

Oh, yeah, there had never been a better peacemaker than him.

[balance and composure]

Several people jump at the President's entrance, including Hugh and Pietro. Those of more mild manners--Charles and Sebastian being among them--address the noise with a look and a polite smile. The blue-eyed man in the wheelchair has the quietest smile and the boy at his side seems to have a hard time sitting still, but Sebastian wears an expression that suggests he is not as pleased and content with the arrival as he looks; partly because Hans Landa is in the wake of it, but mostly because he is thoroughly convinced that the President is a moron.

Charles, meanwhile, is suppressing any rude thoughts in lieu of seeking out what the room thinks and clears his throat once, then again when the suggestion made is a very simple, elementary one that he is ninety percent sure won't help at all, but no one is brave enough to say otherwise. Some even nod or mumble in agreement.

Sebastian isn't the one to say anything first. He's busy holding his tongue and swallowing the biting words he had ready to spit. To be frank, he doesn't think he has to say anything. It's already painfully clear what he wants, and to make his point clear, he looks straight at Charles and smiles expectantly. The pacifist would no doubt have something to say.

"Well, ah, Mr. Fortman," Charles begins slowly, acutely aware of ears and eyes falling on him. "I believe you already know what we all want out of this meeting."

"The professor is right," Sebastian adds on, turning the attention to himself. "He wants peace between mutants and humans and every human in this room wants every mutant in the world dead."

"Now Mr. Shaw, that simply isn't true--"

"Yes it is," Hugh cuts in, looking straight at the man who'd spoken. "You say it isn't true, but your thoughts say otherwise."

"Anyway," Charles sharply interjects, putting a hand on the table. "It is true that all I ask for is peace between us. It's obviously the best choice. It is a small request that requires very, very little thought and I implore all of you to accept it." He glances down at Pietro, who's steeled his eyes to his lap and refuses to look up.

"To be completely honest, I don't think a single human here is going to walk out of this room thinking like that," Sebastian states, ignoring the look he earns from Charles. "I'm simply being realistic. It's the same concept as discrimination within their own species. Even if the majority of the human race accepts us, the minority will still feel the same as they do today."

"Well, what is it that you want out of this meeting?"

Sebastian pauses, then turns his gaze around the room until it lands on the back of his hand held at the edge of the table. "Maybe you should be asking yourselves the same question before asking me."

"Mr. Fortman. Everyone," Charles leans forward to jerk the attention away from Sebastian, his face solemn and serious. "Please. We must work toward peace with one another. Neither side can afford to fight over something as trivial as this. It is far easier to achieve peace than it is anything else, even if some of you may not think so now." It's difficult for him to preach the good intentions of mutant kind when he's constantly reminded that one of the most dangerous anti-human mutants is sitting across from him and that the other most dangerous anti-human mutant is somewhere out in the world preaching the opposite of peace.

[fairie lore]

There isn't a person in the room that doesn't respect the authority of the President of the United States. Azazel smiles as diplomatically as possible, remembering that him and Shaw are both essentially on probation and that only with good behaviour will they be allowed to come back. Logan gives a half hazard rising of the eyebrow before leaning back in his chair, having the small inclination that this meeting is not going to go well. Not necessarily because of any great foresight that he has about Mr. Foreman, but there is just too many conflicting groups in one room. Once again, who the hell decided to invite Sebastian Shaw?

Matthew suppressed a frown as Charles spoke up, though he did look a little deflated. He'd wanted everything to start off smoothly but it seemed instead that everyone was getting right to business. He listens to the quickly escalating conversation, feeling himself drawn to the earnest words of Professor X, and as President he only wanted what was best for his country, and peace seemed mighty attractive while there were many other threats. But then again, none as dangerous as mutants.

Hans looks reserved, abstaining from saying anything until Sebastian rattles on about discrimination. "Yes, but the aim is not to have the majority trying to kill one other, as opposed to expecting everyone to be a hippie. Historically every race has endured much brutal and violent discrimination, lasting hundreds of years, but yet people have overcome it. Christians, Jews, African Americans, everyone has had their day in the limelight in history." He says poignantly, as if he needed to prove that the American administration wasn't entirely composed of bozos.

Still, that didn't mean Matthew was necessarily entirely convinced, because the more he listens to Sebastian speak and the more he remembers about the briefings, the more he wonders how all of this is going to work out. He looks at Charles, who seems to positively glow rainbows and sunshine and hope for peace. But when the man says that peace is the easiest thing to accomplish, he gives a very dry chuckle. "Yeah, if it was just you and us then maybe it'd work out fine, but..." He looks to Sebastian, ever smiling. "I mean, like, didn't you work with the Soviets during the missile crisis? As a patriot, that makes my heart ache." Naturally, he put his hand over his heart As if somehow America's grudges superseded all of humanity's concerns. "So, tell me again how we can all work together?"

"Indeed, Mr. Shaw, what are you bringing to the table?" His gaze hovered over Sebastian, wondering how long it would take for everyone to vote on ousting him from the meeting. After all, the last time he checked Sebastian wasn't jumping for peace with humans, though he'd be very interested to hear if it had.

[balance and composure]

Sebastian feels the room bear down on him with their complete attention. He didn't expect the Cold War debacle to go unnoticed. When it was brought up, the table seemed to shift with the eyes that darted around and the squirming that was done. To be frank, he wasn't all too sure why he was invited in the first place, but he's here now. Might as well roll with the punches.

"Well," He begins, clearing his throat and sitting up. "Yes, I almost triggered World War III on purpose, and yes, I was previously obsessed with the idea of killing off the entire human race so mutants could thrive in its place," Nervous coughs were heard down the row. "But I use the word 'previously' for a reason. I didn't get to commit mass genocide on humanity because of some, ah, setbacks." He resists a sideways look at Azazel, instead glancing down at his lap with a ginger expression. "Let's just say I had what was coming."

"I'm quite ready to put my borderline psychopathic efforts and tendencies behind me and start off on a better foot," Pause, shrug, chuckle. "Well, try to."

"That is rather hard to believe, Mr. Shaw," One man pipes up, taking the words right out of Charles' mouth. "After all, you did almost kill us all."

"Indeed I did," Sebastian agrees, his tone slight and words slow. "But that was well over forty years ago and I obviously haven't tried anything like it since then. Otherwise, you would, ah...well, be dead."

He inclines his head and folds his hands in his lap, licking his lips. "I can tell you right now that I didn't spend nearly five decades building an army up to combat humanity, because these two are quite literally the only mutants I've bothered to keep around," He gestures to Azazel and Hugh. "And I'm not expecting a warm welcome from any of you. That would be foolish of me. But I do expect that you consider my words and take them seriously. I'm not aiming for world domination, because as Professor Xavier pointed out; peace is, indeed, the easiest alternative to achieve." He stops. It looks like something deflates in him as his shoulders sink and his elbows find the edge of the table. "Long story short, I'm here for the same reason he is," He nods at Charles across the table. "If none of you believe me yet, I understand. It'll take time to prove that I'm telling the truth and I'll be willing to swallow my pride for it."

There's a long silence that follows in which most are expecting Sebastian to continue, but he doesn't, so Charles decides to take the stage. "Providing that Mr. Shaw truly intends to work towards peace," He starts carefully, as if testing the words on his tongue and being unsure of their collective sincerity. "Then you already have the X-Men and the Hellfire Club willing to work with all of you so we can stop this asinine fighting over a problem that should not even exist."

"It sounds as though there's another prominent group of mutants you're leaving out of the conversation, Professor Xavier."

Charles freezes almost undetectably. He glances down at Pietro, over at Logan, and then at Sebastian who he expects to be smirking because he would know exactly what group he didn't mention, but the mutant is still looking at his hands with an unreadable face. He clears his throat and shifts, giving a slight nod at the observation. "There is one, yes," He confirms, "But they are not cause to abandon this endeavor. We will do everything in our power to convince them that none of you mean them harm."

"Suppose they won't be convinced. What then?"

"It is better to focus on the present than obsess over the future, my friend," Charles replies evenly, contrary to his inner doubt. "And the present is deciding that we all work together to achieve a common goal for the benefit of all mankind."

[fairie lore]

Wow.

What complete and absolute bullshit.

That was more or less the train of thought that was floating around in the consciousness of nearly everyone at the table, mutant and human alike as Sebastian spoke about how he had reformed or was on his way there and that all they have to do is give him a chance. These thoughts come about with varying levels of crudeness, but it's all essentially the same.

Logan is looking at Charles with a face that plainly says can you believe this guy?

Well, Matthew Fortman is at best highly skeptical, sharing some of Charles' idealism for the good in people, but then again, Sebastian Shaw did collaborate with those Commie bastards and nearly started nuclear hell.

Hans Landa is likely the only other one who believes there is a shred of truth to the man's words, not because he thinks that Sebastian has a soft spot in his heart but because he'll do whatever it takes to get ahead in the game, and for now that's playing ball with the international community. The words nonetheless surprise him, at least because there's no accompanying condition to this declaration of peace. But in time he doesn't doubt there will be.

But the Hellfire Club isn't the only one with a closet full of skeletons, and Charles' pause and careful consideration of his words once the suggestion of The Brotherhood comes up. Though Shaw might have been out of commission for causing chaos there was someone else to take his place, and those who find the Cold War to be a haze in the mind only to look to the recent past to see how dangerous and destructive mutants can be.

Nonetheless, by the end of it Matthew Fortman looks positively glee filled. Hey, look, I saved the world from imminent war! Good job, guys!

Although... that might have been too soon.

The door swung open unceremoniously, and one ominously clad man in red and purple was revealed, and on his head was a matching helmet, a souvenir from a battle he hadn't gotten to finish. "I'm glad we can agree on something, Charles." He steps inside, revealing the small legion following him. "Give us Shaw and The Brotherhood will work towards peace with the humans.

One would think that the President of the United States, human as he was, would look frightened or appalled at such a suggestion or at the thought he was probably in mortal danger. Instead, he looks only puzzled, "I don't know how the regulations exactly work in this meeting... It's kinda tricky."

"If you're in favour of handing over Sebastian Shaw in exchange for peace, raise your hand!" One man pipes in, and almost instantly the hand of every human shot up.

Hans hardly needs to look around. "I think that's a majority, Mr. President." One benefit of inviting a minority of mutants, although both himself and the President had not raised their hands.

[balance and composure]

Oh, dear.

If his previous bout of stiffness was invisible, then the next is slight. Charles' eyes dart to Erik and the Brotherhood behind him and narrow, but not unkindly. The face he wears is something like exasperated and bitter. Beside him, he can almost literally feel Pietro tense and puts a hand on the boy's arm to keep him in his chair. Impulsiveness isn't what will solve problems today.

When one man triggers a vote to throw Sebastian to the dogs in order to save themselves, Charles is keen to note that every human hand (apart from the President's and a blond man's, bless their souls) goes up like a million masts. Not one mutant joins in, he sees, and he's at least spared complete disappointment by that. It might not be out of loyalty (because that isn't the reason he doesn't raise his hand--chivalry to an enemy is one thing, loyalty is still something he has difficulty with), but it's still nice to see.

To break the silence that follows Richard's absolutely astute observation, Charles is about to say something but stops short when he hears someone start to laugh. He sees that it's Shaw and shuts his eyes as though he's trying to avoid looking at a car crash.

"That's a lie." Sebastian points out, much to Charles' chagrin. Sebastian turns in his chair to look at Erik and the gang of mutants behind him, smiling despite the hole he's been dug. "Because after you kill me, you're going to kill them too. Silly you." He flashes his teeth as his hand moves to touch Azazel's hand under the table. Hugh sees the motion out of the corner of his eye and puts a hand on Sebastian's arm.

Pietro jerks to his feet and points straight at Sebastian, his head snapping toward Charles. "They're going to run, Professor!"

"Azazel," Sebastian barks as Hugh's free hand moves to hover over the table. It trembles for a breath, and then vaults towards the door. In the ensuing chaos of officials being violently slammed by the table, a blond man from the President's secret service simultaneously grabs Fortman and Collier by the collars of their suits and pulls them backwards in their chairs to the floor, taking the brunt of the table's impact. Charles does his part to spare those who haven't already been hit by also pulling them toward the floor with one hand and extending the other toward Sebastian and his men in an effort to stop them before they can disappear.

[fairie lore]

Whoever said politics was boring had never actually been in politics, because from where Hans is standing he couldn't have been more entertained. As a man who had a lifetime studying the mind he decides there is nothing more interesting than watching what people will do under duress, when a snap decision must be made. He believes it's when you can really see who a person is. All these men, frightened of Magneto and having no sympathy for Shaw even with his promises of cooperation are willing to sell him out at the very for their own lives, if not the greater good of the nation. He doesn't fail to note that the mutants don't raise their hands, although it's not quite so curious considering that the bulk of them are part of the X-Men and as such have the idea of compassion drilled into their skulls. The few others apart from the Hellfire Club who are there probably just don't see any reason to give sway to one group or the other.

Erik has been waiting for this a very long time and nothing could ruin this moment, managing to hunt down Sebastian Shaw under favourable conditions. "Why don't we test that hypothesis and see who's right?" He grins, his hand shooting out to rise all of the various pens and other miscellaneous objects on the table.

Azazel senses Sebastian's hand touch his, figuring he should anticipate his cue to get the hell out of here. His attention turns to the kid that yells out their plan which kind of seems like a shitty thing to do, but that's kids for you. He's just about to teleport them the hell out of there when he feels a set of chubby arms put him in a headlock, no doubt those of the president of some random country who'd been eyeing him all meeting beside him, ripping him from contact from Sebastian and after that he's disappeared.

Hans is rather annoyingly pulled down with the President, since he could take more than the brute of a table, but alas he has to keep up the charade that he's just like everyone else. He supposes it's his duty to go down with the President, and that's exactly what he does.

Logan also has to make due with doing a barrel roll on the ground, thanks to Charles' pull.

The ball of objects unfortunately collides with the table, much to Erik's dismay, but he's still got Sebastian and that's good enough for him. "Decided to stick around? How nice of you." He hovers off of the ground, as if he needs to appear any more imposing than he already is, hand still outstretched as piping from the walls breaks through the plaster on either side of Sebastian and hurtles at him. He turns his attention to Charles, entirely serious. "You say how easy we can accomplish peace and I am starting to believe you. All we need to do is eliminate Shaw and then neither side will need to fear reproach from the other."

↻

The first thing Azazel feels when he arrives at his new location (some empty hallway) is pain, more specifically he's feels like side has been punctured by something sharp and gives a small cry, although that's slightly difficult because he's still hard of breathing considering there's one arm wrapped around his neck. [********, I'm on your side! Mr. President, do what's best for the world!" He wheezes, his hands trying to pull the arm off and having some success at it.

"I am. And this world will be much better off without Sebastian Shaw." The voice is decidedly female and though Sebastian might have frequently poked fun at him for sometimes being slow he catches on quite quickly this time.

"You b***h." He says, continuing his struggle.

He receives a haughty laugh in return. "That's no way to talk to a lady."

"You're no lady." He'd spit if he could, but his energy is diverted to successfully getting out of his hold, via elbowing her.

[balance and composure]

So things aren't necessarily going as planned.

Sebastian isn't quite used to when plans go awry. He expects that he'll be away from the fray in seconds or less, but he feels the absence of warm skin from his fingers and realizes that something just went wrong. A sideways glance at the empty space where Azazel used to be confirms this suspicion, and if there's a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, he doesn't let it show.

Hugh, on the other hand, lets the entirety of his emotion show in the way he deadpans, freezes and tightens his hold on Sebastian's arm, then suddenly lets go once he remembers who he's grabbing. "Sir..." He utters shakily, muttering more under his breath. His mumbling goes unheeded by his leader, who sits with a careful composition and a loaded gaze directed nowhere in particular. He sits in the face of potential slaughter and the most he can think about is how to escape it.

He's already met with Death once before.

On the other side of the table, Pietro shifts from foot to foot and looks like he's about to jump over the table. "Professor--" He stops, because Charles has two fingers on his own temple and is looking directly at him. "I know what you're thinking, Pietro, and you are not going to do it. You are going to stay by my side." And the boy obliged, if not somewhat forcibly.

Charles makes a sound of protest when the piping is exposed and wrenched around like snakes, and though he is relieved that Sebastian decides to defend himself by shoving the pipes away while his telepath friend assists him, he can't say he isn't just a little disappointed either. But peace is his goal, and true peace was never accomplished through murder, whether it be in cold blood or revenge.

"Erik," He tries, the name sounding bitter and cautious rolling off his tongue. "Erik, believe me when I say I understand exactly where you are coming from, but killing Shaw will only make things worse," He hesitates, but speaks quickly as Sebastian and his telepath are besting the pipes. "It is not you we fear reproach from, my friend, it is them," A hand gestures to the scrambling officials. "And you are not making things any better by showing them the darker side of mutant kind,"

He realizes this is a partly futile effort because, in all honesty, Sebastian Shaw is probably the darkest side of mutant kind that he knows of, but he is adamant that no one dies today. He wishes very dearly to keep the casualties to a minimum of zero if he can, and he believes there's still a chance, however slight it may be. His brow creases and a deep frown etches into his features. "Erik, please, you mustn't do this," He stops there, because the next words to almost leave his mouth are Keep Shaw alive.

"Shaw!" Hugh shouts. Charles looks in his direction to see what he's pointing at and there's the door, wide open and leaving them free to run. The professor does the math very quickly in his head; Azazel is the source from which he is unable to reach the minds of Sebastian, the telepath, and the devil himself. Azazel is gone. Sebastian Shaw is vulnerable for the first time in over forty years.

With a hasty request for Logan to grab Pietro before he can join the fight, Charles throws his focus toward Shaw and the man (along with Hugh) is stopped dead in his tracks. Time ceases for both of them, and Charles makes an extra effort to shield them as he shuts his eyes, hands shaking because despite being able to contain Shaw and Hugh, they are both powerful mutants in their own right and he can't very well keep them immobilized for long if they keep fighting the hold as hard as they are.

"Shaw is but an ordinary man if you do not give him the opportunity to gain strength," Charles hisses, looking at Erik, then at the President behind the blond man protecting him. "If you keep him detained for a certain period of time without a chance to absorb energy, he will be weak. Killing him will only fuel mutiny, even if it is slight in the grand scheme." His eyes find Erik again and stay on him. "Keeping him alive as a weak creature will be the most hellish thing you can do to him. Taking his life is gives him an easy way out, Erik, and you know as well as I do that he deserves no such thing."

[fairie lore]

By now anyone who isn't a mutant as scrambled as far away from the action as possible, mostly huddled in one of the corners considering they couldn't flee anywhere because it isn't worth the risk. They're completely quiet, wishing to go unnoticed and also mostly unsure who they should be rooting for. Sebastian Shaw is a future walking danger to them all while The Brotherhood is a current one, and the X-Men seem so unwilling to really do anything to eliminate either the group so they lose out by default.

Hans is more or less in a similar camp, although he's really rooting for all three at the same time and he no doubt shared Charles' mixed feelings about Sebastian's well being, although he'd have been extremely disappointed if a few pipes did him in and no doubt Dimitri would as well. He's stays silent as the back and forth between the two greatest mutant factions ensue. Him and the President get to a standing position, but hold back from inserting themselves into the situation. The President, for all his general lack of sense, knows that this is one of the times to give a blank look and pretend he's not there.

The pipes come back with a new life as soon as their flung away, merely to keep Shaw entertained as Erik addresses Charles. He can't help but narrow his gaze at the sour tone, but there is their fair share of bad blood between them, which he believes can be mended with, like everything else, Shaw's death. "How exactly will killing Shaw make things worse? Last time I checked, they," His eyes falls upon the same officials before looking to Charles once more, "Approve of the action. This is no different an action than any of the countries they head to. It's simply cutting out the cancer." He says with a diplomatic air, trying to keep himself civil even as his old friend spouts nonsense. Why should he spare one of the worst men and mutants there ever was?

His eyes dart to the position that the man's other cohort is pointing to, summoning some other metallic objects to preemptively prevent such an action, but it isn't needed. Logan restrains Pietro, claws unsheathed for caution, although Magneto could probably already fling him like a ragdoll either way.

Charles certainly has Erik's attention by the fact that he's subdued his greatest enemy, although his words still enrage him, although it is an interesting suggestion."Are you suggesting to leave him in a prison cell and let him rot until the end of his days?" He asks, as if any other proposal is automatically rejected. "That is no different than doing the deed myself, albeit it speeds up the process and ensures that he will never escape. What would rebel? Other than the two mutants he has with him no one would care at all. I can't imagine anyone here lining up to avenge Sebastian. I would be a hero to all, mutant and human alike." He explained, and then expression darkened. "And surely I deserve my revenge, for me and for everyone else's lives that he destroyed."

↻

Azazel might have been out of her hold but it didn't stop her from swinging that knife at him, which he narrowly missed. He is unfortunately not carrying a weapon because he wouldn't have been allowed in the meeting if he was. The best he can do is dodge.

"You're a fool for following Shaw." She says, the disguise falling away until she is in her human form, a pretty brunette who didn't look like someone who should be brandishing a knife.

"I follow Shaw for the same reason that you follow Magneto." He explains, jerking his head to miss a swing to his neck.

"Because he's a good man?" She asks incredulously, lunging at him once more. Raven could see no reason why anyone would ever decide to follow that egoistical, evil man.

"... Well, maybe not the same." He huffs, and sidesteps her attack, punching her in the gut which knocks her down, and for a moment her appearance flickers to the blue beauty that she is, and he can't help be taken back by it. "Wow." That momentary hesitation is enough to get him stabbed in the leg, making him swear.

[balance and composure]

"I never said you didn't deserve it," Charles nods, not completely agreeing with the idea of revenge but knowing that Erik does indeed deserve some semblance of payment for the hell Shaw had dragged him through. "But what better revenge is there to take than forcing Shaw to become human, live as one, and die a human's death? That is the thing he fears most and it will be held over his head for the rest of his days."

His wrist twitches as he keeps one hand extended toward Shaw and Hugh. He sees the former's eyes begin to move and instantly strengthens his hold, ceasing the movement entirely. The mutant's effort is valiant, but useless as long as Charles has the majority of his focus on restraining him and the telepath.

"I do not know about you, my friend, but if my greatest fear--the one thing I cannot overcome even with the will of a thousand men--was daily in my presence until the end of my life, I would be asking for a premature death," He tries a slight smile. "That would be the easy way out, and Shaw merits no such thing. It doesn't matter that no one would rebel. Think of yourself in this situation. Would you not want him to suffer from his greatest fear? Would it not be more satisfying to..." Pause.

Charles isn't sure how to properly word his next phrase without sounding morbid. There are tentative ears (Pietro) and men who are quick to reach any conclusion (every single human in the room) and he doesn't want to give Pietro or the humans any reason to think he is not the altruistic soul he has shown the world he is. He wishes very dearly that Erik would accept the terms without him having to blatantly say it. And he knows Erik is intelligent, so after he's trailed off, he gives a meaningful inclination of his head in Shaw's direction. Would it not be more satisfying to watch him suffer?

[fairie lore]

The time spent apart from Charles gives Erik the realization that he has perhaps become a bit too hasty. The quick gratification of killing him now and here is so very tempting and considering how long he's waited for it he wants nothing more than to end his life. But the fact of spending time apart has also not made him see how Charles is changed. Erik is by no means a stupid man and though the conclusion seems painfully obvious it seems folly to believe that Charles, altruistic to a fault, would even consider it. The beginning of his speech only makes him raise his eyes, but through repetition of the scenario being played out he can see what Charles is offering.

And his old friend certainly makes a compelling case.

His gaze meets Charles', as if for this sole moment it is indeed possible that the mutant is more interesting to behold than his mortal enemy. Ha! And what a funny turn of phrase that shall be, though not for Sebastian. "If you can ensure that he will never escape, then I accept these terms." He says very carefully, because if such a thing were to happen he would forever regret not taking his chance now.

Hans feels sorry for Sebastian and he's positive he's probably the only who does, except perhaps the men who follow Shaw, although neither of them is aware of what's being stated. It is a poetically cruel death, although he can certainly understand the legitimate reasons behind it.

"So... like, where he is going?" The President asks, pausing for a moment before he gets what a (one of his few) strokes of geniuses. "I think as the first step forward to peace that he should be locked up in the US, but with the aid of fellow mutants ensuring his captivity." There is the quick nods of the rest of the officials, who certainly don't want Sebastian Shaw on their own territory, lest something go wrong.

↻

He staggers back, ensure what part of his body he wants to clutch. "If that's how you take compliments then I don't want to see how you take insults." He hisses, glancing down at the blood running down his pant leg.

Raven cocked her head, reverting back to her blue form. "I doubt you meant that." She said with a roll of her eyes, circling around him.

"Blue is a nice colour. I got stuck with red. You know what that makes me look like?" He huffed, keeping his distance away from her.

"The devil?" She asked, though she didn't need an answer. "At least you're not green and look like the jolly green giant. Or yellow and seem like you have a wicked cause of jaundice." She smiled, still gripping her knife tightly.

Azazel couldn't help but chuckle, "That's true." He paused, taking a small step and figuring that he should try and find his way back to that room, which he didn't know exactly where it was...

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." She warned, but didn't approach him. "Shaw is either dead or detained and if you go back the same will happen to you."

Azazel gave a blank stare, feeling himself completely at a loss for what to do. Well, of course, Sebastian always had an order for him. Oh- goddammit-

Sebastian couldn't be dead, there was no way they could do anything to him. But the telepath... He could use his powers on Shaw now that Azazel wasn't there with him, which meant that there was a distinct ability everything had gone to hell. "No..."