thisavrou_log | The Son Never Shines on Closed Doors

Who: Erik Lehnsherr and Peter Maximoff
When: Day after Peter's arrival
Where: Erik's workshop
What: Peter reunites with his father. Erik reunites with that kid who did him a solid ten years ago but is kinda annoying
Warnings: If estranged father plots aren't your bag, proceed with caution

[ It's taken longer than he anticipated, mostly because of how much raw material he needed to accumulate, and how much other work he needed to do in order to obtain it. But finally, Erik is putting the final touches on the workshop.

As finished as it's going to be, at this time. The greatest area of need at this point is power tools. Erik can create whatever hand tools they need, and have fully stocked a standard set in each work station. But creating power tools is much more complicated, and requires using materials other than metal. Perhaps one of the other engineers will be able to supplement where he is lacking and they will be able to make what they need. Otherwise, they will have to share what little they have until they are able to find more.

There are lockers near the door with the scavenged theater blacks folded and set on the shelves, organized by size. Several modular workstations, stocked with hand tools and a few power tools. Retractable safety shields in the walls and the floor, though not as many as Erik would like and he makes a note to see if any of the other engineers can construct power shields. There's a stockpile of broken appliances that he intends to use to occupy children and young people who need something to do. The lighting is acceptable, that's another thing to fix, though. Mostly it's just the ceiling lights which aren't as useful when doing fine work. Another thing to work on moving forward.

He starts taking notes on his A.C.E. ]

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[ Erik nods. ] Ah, yes, Wanda. I've met her, here. Lovely girl. I'm assuming the whole being from Sokovia instead of America thing is part of this alternate reality you're talking about.

[ Erik gestures to the pile of broken appliances. ] We have those, if you'd like to try your hand at anything. Mostly I've been collecting them to use as materials to teach the younger people. Practical application is always beneficial. [ He gives him a look. ] I know you could go through that entire pile in short order, but I'm going to ask that you refrain so we can use them for that purpose. Also if you decide to do any teaching, try to keep that in mind as well.

Yeah, sometime like that. Sokovia... [He repeats the word, briefly raising his brows because ain't that a mouth full.

He looks over to the appliances, letting out a deep breath slowly as his eyes flick over them. With a salute-like gesture he affirms he won't go playing with all the toys before other younger people get a chance to too. Truth be told he's still only invested for something to do around Erik, but it might come in handy to learn a thing or two. Especially about newer or unfamiliar tech.] Cool.

Don't think I have much to teach but we'll see. It's pretty neat what you've done, it should turn into something sweet.

I don't think there's a Sokovia in our world. But the part of Europe where it is located has always been volatile.

[ More recently because of the Soviets, but there's always something.

He shrugs at Peter's compliment. ]

This isn't altruism. Idleness breeds discontent. The discontent seek scapegoats. I've spent enough time serving as a scapegoat in my life. It is an experience I would prefer not to repeat.

[ He starts to sort through a crate of scrap metal. ]

Plus, the more helpful I appear, the more reluctant the others will be to try to exact punishment for transgressions than if I were more recalcitrant.

[This isn't altruism.

Would that have been too much to ask for? Peter's not sure what feeling that flares up inside him, but he's not surprised. If anything, it feels almost too familiar - his father never seemed to be a man without some sort of a plan in action. How else do you become one of the most infamous mutants of your life time? It's moments like this that give Peter a bit of an insight at just how complex the workings of Erik's mind must be.

He's always thinking ahead but in the mindset of a mutant. Peter wants to admire that but he can't help this feeling that one day this will just come to another head, culminating in some space equivalent of a baseball stadium dropped around the White House.]

I see. [He thinks he does, anyway.] Act nice, get a good rep then stir shit.

[He bobs his head forward, brows raised. No, he's not trying to assume Erik's up to shit but it just feels that way. He's gotta work at not sounding so accusatory but it could be worse - he's actually not all that judgmental right now.] I get it.

[ Erik smirks. ] That's the general idea, yes. I don't have any particular plans to cause problems at this point, I just expect at some point my opinions on what needs to be done will diverge enough from the norm that such measures will be necessary.

[ He is quiet a moment, considering how much of his life has been spent trying to stave off the inevitable. And wondering why he's the only one who sees it coming. ]

Plus, I hope to learn from the other engineers here. It's a rare opportunity, some of them have technology and skills that are decades ahead of what we have.

Yeah, there's a lot to catch up on. [Peter's already dreading the inevitable day the batteries on his walkman run out and yeah, that's kinda low on the chain of necessities around here but it would be nice to do something about it eventually. Maybe some kind of rechargeable battery? They're in space, anything's fucking possible.

But right now Peter's aware that he's lingering and although he has a good half dozen questions he'd love to ask Erik, none of them have much relevance to the situation at hand. So instead he just puts a tool back that he was messing around with and rolls out his shoulders.] If it's cool, I'll come tinker in here sometime - look at the stuff you got here and practice or whatever. Get familiar with all this new space age stuff.

'Cause honestly there doesn't seem to be much else to do. [Anything interesting, at least. As not to draw this out:] I heard about the greenery, I think I'm gonna go check it out.

[ Erik nods, smiling slightly. ] You are welcome. I will be announcing it as open for use very soon, with any luck you'll find something interesting to occupy yourself with here once it is being utilized.

And Peter. [ He says just before the young man leaves. He had always kept himself apart from the others. Until Cairo. Whatever his reasons, mutants are always stronger when they band together.] It is good that you're here. For all of us.

[Peter looks back, tilting his head with an expression that swims subtly between a few emotions as he listens to what Erik says. He sets his jaw, swallowing hard and giving something of an aloof nod in return - it's funny, Erik doesn't have any clue just how much that means something to Peter.]

Thanks. Here's hoping it stays that way. [He has a habit of mischief, intentional or otherwise. He smiles though, giving a tip of his head before peacing out of the room. He rubs at his chest as he leaves, feeling like there's a rock stuck there for some reason.]

The Son Never Shines on Closed Doors

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