Papa was a rolling stone

[magneticfields]

Who: Erik Lehnsherr, Wanda Maximoff, Peter Maximoff, Rogue, Clara Oswald, Diana Prince, Charles Xavier
When: The month of December, very carefully planned that none of these are happening at the same time (he has a color-coded calendar)
Where: Various places around the station, see prompts.
What: Erik's personal life is a disaster that I am attempting to contain in one place. This log is for the various dates he has lined up, as well as spending time with his children. And fighting a demon with Charles.
Warnings: Not expecting any, will edit to include warnings if something happens.


I never got a chance to see him (Closed to Wanda)

[ It takes Erik a few days to recover from the shock of Peter's revelation. One thing he definitely needs to do is talk to Wanda. Her odd behavior, and strong reaction when he so grievously misinterpreted the cause, now made sense.

There were still murky waters to navigate. The fact that she had her own parents, even though Peter was his son and Peter's sister was Erik's daughter. That apparently her brother is not here. That there is some sort of dimensional shift that has changed things for her in ways Erik does not quite understand.

He wants too, though. Try to define the strange situation that has tied them together. It is perhaps a selfish impulse, though he is sure that if she tells him to leave her alone, he will do so. And so he goes looking for her, starting in the library because he had heard she might be there. ]

Never heard nothin' but bad things about him (closed to Peter)

[ One thing is clear, Peter needs to know more about Erik's side of the family. Possibly also his mother, as Erik is certain that she has not told Peter the truth about how or when they met.

But the more important thing is to tell him about his family, all that they have lost. The legacy only lives so long as there is somebody to remember it. And now there will be, once Erik is gone.

He goes to Peter's quarters, at a time they both agreed on, with a hard copy of information that he wants Peter to have, and the intention of not getting sidetracked. And the locket. Because the first thing he needs to tell him about is his sister. ]

Papa never was much on thinking (closed to Rogue)

[ Erik is still not sure whether or not this is a mistake. He knows his intentions are good. It has occurred to him that much of what he finds interesting in Rogue is what attracted him to Raven. And becoming physically intimate with Raven was a mistake, one he will not repeat. Clearly Rogue is searching for some kind of mentor, and if Erik can serve in that role, and serve as a voice of reason against whatever it is that Charles is teaching her, all the better.

They are meeting in his quarters, of course. He's not interested in dealing with the inevitable wild rumors that would spring up the instant any of the others saw them interacting. He's done what he can to make sure the lighting is comfortable but not in a way that could be described as "mood lighting". He has a pitcher of what he has been assured is a decent approximation of "sweet tea" in the refrigerator. He is not sure what Rogue intends to prepare, but he expects the tea will go well with it. As well as sweet tea goes with anything, anyway. ]

Spent most of his time chasing women and drinking (closed to Clara)

[ The truth of the matter is that risotto is not as difficult to make as it appears. The trick is to just keep stirring it, and most do not have the patience for it.

Erik is a patient man.

He's left the door open so that Clara can come in without him having to leave the stove. Along with the ingredients he's using, he was able to obtain a few new articles of clothing. A sweater, one that actually fits him and not Charles, in a nice dark maroon. A grey broadcloth shirt underneath, and khaki pants. And an apron over that at the moment, as he is not going to ruin his new clothes.

He hums quietly as he adds a ladle of stock to the rice and stirs vigorously. ]

I'm depending on you to tell me the truth (closed to Diana)

[ Erik didn't bring a chessboard with him, of course. He made one shortly after arrival. Inlaying different alloys to make the checkered pattern, forming various bits of scrap metal into the right color and a shape that he liked. He hadn't actually had time or opportunity to play anybody in the two months since he arrived, and so he is looking forward to teaching Diana.

She is an intelligent woman, and a strategic thinker. Once she picks up the basics he is certain she will quickly become a worthy opponent. He has set the board up in the greenery, on a small table with two chairs that probably wasn't intended to be used like a bistro set in the park. But it's peaceful there, and it is nice to be around the plants.

And if the taskbots get out of hand he can always just stick them to the floor until the cavalry arrives. ]

and that ain't right (closed to Charles)

[ The thing rattles inside the locker. Erik glares back at it, hand up, fingers splayed, keeping the door in place and a flashlight shining directly on it. He's not sure exactly what part of this setup is keeping it in place, so he keeps it all in place.

He flicks on the video call feature on his A.C.E. ]

Call Charles.

Comments

he is a trainwreck of a man

[monomachy]

[Their meeting in Kaittos had left her in a strange place with Erik. She knows he has done terrible things in his past out of anger, and though it is not for her to judge him, she cannot help but worry that he could prove dangerous to the people on the station if left unchecked. She has already convinced herself that he needs guidance, gentle as it may be, and so meeting him in the Greenery for a game of chess had been the first step towards that.

She has laid aside her armor for the day, hoping to come across as more open in a dress she acquired on Kaittos. Though Diana has little skill with sewing, the Kaittans were master craftsmen and had been able to create the garment from her descriptions alone. It is comfortable and nonthreatening attire, something sorely needed after she had donned her battle armor to meet him last. This is a meeting between friends, not a warning.

Breathing deeply of the clean air in the gardens, Diana wanders until she finds where he has set up two chairs and a table. She casts a critical eye upon the board as she approaches.]

That is a caturaṅga board, Erik.

it's all part of his charm

[magneticfields]

[ The greenery is warmer than most parts of the station, another point in its favor. Especially for spending time with Diana. Erik doesn't know much about Themyscira but it seems plain by her preferred style of dress that it must be quite warm. He stands as she approaches, feeling oddly underdressed despite previously feeling quite sharp in his white suit and pale blue shirt. ]

Diana, you look lovely.

[ Which wasn't at all a response to what she said, but the best he could do until his brain had a chance to catch up. He glances at the board. ]

It can also be used to play checkers. But I only made the pieces for chess. If you could describe the pieces for caturaṅga, I could make them for next time.

[ It may be a bit premature to assume a "next time" but he is ever the optimist. ]

[monomachy]

[The Amazon smooths her hands down the front of her dress, feeling self-conscious for the briefest of moments. She had not often worn clothing like this on Themyscira; as an adult, her life had been that of a warrior. Each moment had been spent training, studying. She had never really dressed like a scholar or an artisan. But she is more than just a soldier now--she is an emissary, a representative of her people. The only one of them to ever leave the island. She needs to put on her best face and, in some cases, her best clothes.]

Thank you, Erik.

[She moves closer to the table, eyeing the board as she steps around it. Her gaze falls on the pieces, and her brows raise.]

Actually, these pieces are remarkably similar. Is this a strategy game?

[magneticfields]

It is. I expect you will have some skill for it, once you learn the particulars.

[ He pulls out a seat for her and waits until she sits to take his own. ]

Chess is quite popular in most places of the world. I know of at least one other person on the station who is quite good at it. So, I can teach you the basics, help you polish your skills, and then unleash you so you can go on to conquer the rest of them in yet another way, hm?

[ He smiles, feeling quite relaxed. Enough to flirt with her a little, which is an improvement over the last few conversations they've had. ]

[monomachy]

[She pauses briefly before taking the offered seat. She remembers this being something people in London had done, and even in Veld. Once seated, she scoots closer to the table and picks up the black king to examine.]

I believe I shall.

[Placing the figure back on the board, she looks up and smiles at him.]

Unleash me? You make skill sound so savage, Erik.

[A tease, soft and friendly. She, too, feels better about this encounter as well, and it shows. Diana emanates a gentle sort of ease with people she's comfortable around, and it seems Erik has fallen into that category again.]

❝ carry on my wayward son ❞

[quickfingers]

[Peter coasted after the last time they talked, floating along wondering what he'd done and what effect it'd continue to have on his life. He told Erik he was his father and there was no rewinding the clock on that? No taking that back now. But Wanda's been given a heads up and all that's left to do is wait and see what unfolds from here for the long term.

He's waiting for his dad (still fighting the innate desire to run,) while fiddling with a wooden puzzle game he picked up from Kaittos. It's one of a small set he picked up - some of the only non-edible goods he grabbed while there. He looks up at the sound of company, and low key realizing this is the first time he's saying sup to Erik under the full and open knowledge from both parties that he's his father.

You think that maybe he'd be like, say hi dad but nope.] Hey.

[magneticfields]

[ Erik doesn't really know what to expect going forward. This is territory he never thought he'd find himself navigating. After losing Nina he had resigned himself to never having children. And yet here he was, talking to his son.

His son! ]

Hello, Peter. [ He hesitates. ] I, ah, heard a friend of yours was injured. I hope she will be alright.

[ He sets his things down and takes a seat on one of the chairs, not entirely comfortable but accepting that this is just how it's going to be for a while. Perhaps forever. ]

I had some things I thought we might talk about, but is there anything in particular you would like to know?

[quickfingers]

[Peter looks back down at the puzzle in his hands when Erik mentions Kelly Ann, frowning in frustration as he twists a few wooden pieces to keep trying to solve the puzzle. It still bothers him that that happened, especially since it did so on board the shuttle.] Yeah, that was pretty messed up. But she's cool, should be fine.

[He looks to Erik after a few beats, still fidgeting with the toy in his hands but it helps to expel some of his anxious energy as they get back on topic. He might've come up with a small list of things to talk about since the last time they talked but once again the words evaporate when he has the chance to ask.

After a silent first attempt, he tries once more:] Do you have questions for me? [Maybe that'll be an easier start.]

[magneticfields]

[ There is one thing that's been weighing on him, even though he's fairly certain he already knows the answer. Natalya had made her opinion of faith in general very plain quite early in their relationship.

It is not an easy thing to ask, for a number of reasons. He looks at his hands for a moment before looking back at Peter. ]

Did you know that we're Jewish?

like mother like...

[notmarieanymore]

[Sweet tea goes great with absolutely everything, why do you think otherwise, Erik, gosh?

Having used her ability to speak French in exchange for a good amount of items in Kaittos, Rogue's able to arrive wearing a long-sleeved wrap dress and leggings to better cover her skin. She still has her gloves on- the details of what powers both she and Erik had had not been brought up, and she was not exactly eager to explain to him what her powers were. Hell, maybe Charles had told him or Logan or someone. Maybe he'd read some of Laura's comics- who knew. If anyone brought up the subject, however, it wouldn't be her.

In addition to garments, Rogue had gotten a decent amount of food, most of it non-perishable.

Stuffing the ingredients she knew she'd need to make what she hoped was going to be some fried chicken-adjacent in a spicy sort of marsala over rice. She hoped the bright colors of the spices would help provide a meal for all of the senses, as Erik pointed out.

Carefully, Rogue knocks on his door, a bit harder than usual due to the muffling from her gloves. She waits until he opens the door before stepping in and greeting him with a smile.]

Hey sugar!- I went running with Logan this morning, so I've built up quite an appetite. What about you? How're you doing?

X-Men need to learn how to date outside the family

[magneticfields]

[ There is a shocking amount of simple syrup in that pitcher. And very little tea. ]

Hello, Rogue.

[ He smiles in spite of himself. It really is charming the way she says "sugar". ]

I have been keeping busy, as ever. [ She had to walk through his construction zone to get to his room, after all. And that isn't even his primary project. ] And quite interested about what it is you have planned.

Yeah, but they're so much more understanding about the mutant thing

[notmarieanymore]

Hey.

[She smiles back at him- gosh, the way he smiles with too many teeth? It's infectious, and she finds herself smiling still.]

I can tell. [She places her items on the kitchen counter.] I'm attempting fried space chicken over rice, with a little bit of spicy sauce, I'm hoping it'll be like a marsala. [She's already got the jar of sauce that she'd gotten done before hand.]

I hope that works for kosher?

do you want a Summers family bc this is how you get a Summers family

[magneticfields]

Sounds like it should. I certainly appreciate the effort, it's very thoughtful of you.

[ He leans against the counter and crosses his arms, looking over the ingredients with some curiosity. ]

Is there anything you want me to do, or should I stay out of the way?

[ex_bossily211]

[The first argument is always an awkward thing to navigate. Clara doesn't forget about it, but she chooses to act like it isn't in her thoughts at all. And really, it isn't. The moment's passed and things have fizzled out, and she's eager to share a meal with him. When she reaches his room she makes her way in, she can smell his cooking and heads straight toward the kitchen.

Her heels are kicked off on the way, and she shrugs out of her leather jacket. She's wearing one of her usual little dresses that's a bit too tight, a burgundy one that compliments his sweater nicely. Unable to keep from laughing at the fact they match, she makes her way over to his side. ]

It's a good thing my hair's pulled back tonight.

[She won't be able to play chef's assistant if it wasn't, after all.

When she sees an opening where his attention isn't entirely on the risotto, she rises up on her tiptoes to steal a quick kiss. After that argument, she doesn't exactly feel the need to project her bubbly exterior as much as she might have before. She doesn't need to pretend everything's just fine with him, not anymore.]

Is there anything you need me to do?

[magneticfields]

[ Erik doesn't look up from what he's doing, because it is tricky, but he hears her shoes clatter on the floor and the sound of some heavy article of clothing being dropped.

He glances up to see if she's actually still wearing anything, and has to admit the dress is quite nice. ]

You look lovely, my dear. That's a nice color on you. And there isn't much to do but if you want to throw things in the pot when it's time, that would be helpful.

[ There's even a conveniently clear place for her to sit on the counter, if she's so inclined.

For his part, the argument of the other day rates so low on the "relationship-straining fights" scale that it barely rates. She does know about his daughter, now. Which is not something many people know about. And that is a level of intimacy he is not entirely sure he is comfortable with, yet. ]

[ex_bossily211]

[She never does well just standing there idle, so she's pleased he has something she can do. Seeing that available spot, she hoists herself up to sit on the counter. Her eyes stay focused on the pan and the risotto, though she does glance up at him every so often.]

I'm awful in the kitchen. My mum was the best at making soufflés, they were her specialty. After she died, I was obsessed with trying to make them just the same as she did. I've still never mastered it.

[She reaches over to grab one of the ingredients sitting nearby, just so she can have something to hold.]

You seem like you know what you're doing though. Maybe you'll rub off on me.

[magneticfields]

Soufflé? Those are quite complicated, my dear. Sometimes you really need to learn how to walk before you can run. And I don't know if I can help with that, I'm a terrible baker. [ He glances at her sidelong, grinning. ] But don't let that stop you from trying the "learn through friction" method.

Those peas. [ He nods toward the bowl of peas on the counter. ] Could you add them please?

[seeingscarlet]

[It's been months, even more if the last time Erik was here counts, and Wanda is still not sure what to think. It isn't as if he's just Peter's world's version of her father...as far as she can tell, he's a completely different person. Maybe...but no, there's no point in wondering when the only person who could answer that question is dead.

And that's the other side of the problem. The twins were orphaned so young they had to adapt and learn to get by on their own. She doesn't really know how to be a 'good daughter' anymore, and she's pretty sure that where Erik's concerned being 'human' is a disqualifier. He probably wouldn't like her so well if he knew where her powers came from.

With Peter and Lorna, it was easy to overlook the differences between their worlds. This is so much more complicated.

So Wanda does nothing, hoping beyond hope that maybe Erik won't realize there's another Maximoff until she can get her emotions in line. Of course, if she actually wanted to avoid him, maybe sitting in a public place wasn't the best plan. Which is why she has a bit of a deer-in-the-headlights look when she glances up from her book and sees him standing there. Yikes.]

E-Erik. [Her tongue feels like lead. What is she supposed to say?]

[magneticfields]

[ Erik approaches her slowly. Not cautiously, but sedately. Everything about this situation is odd, even more so than what the one with Peter. ]

Wanda. [ He smiles gently. ] I was hoping to find you. Do you think we might be able to talk?

[ He pauses. ]

Unless, of course, this isn't a good time.

[ Or it will never be a good time. ]

[seeingscarlet]

[Once again, Wanda wishes she could do Vision's neat little trick of noping out through the floor. She still doesn't know what to say and this is terribly awkward and why did he have to make it so much worse by flirting with her? No one needs that extra layer of awkward.

But there's no sense in trying to put this off now that he's tracked her down. He knows.]

It's fine. [She closes her book and motions for him to take one of the chairs across the table.]

What did you want to talk about?

[She only asks for politeness's sake. Even without using her powers, Wanda knows all too well why he's here.]

[magneticfields]

[ He takes a seat, not terribly comfortable. He had been organized when he spoke to Peter again, because it had been pre-arranged and agreed to. Not so with Wanda. ]

I expect that Peter has spoken to you. Perhaps before he spoke to me.

[ He smiles softly. Given how intimidated Peter was when he finally revealed the truth to him, it seems obvious that he confided in somebody before taking that leap. ]

I was curious to know how you feel about it. He has referred to you as his sister, which... could affect our relationship. Or could not.

[ He keeps his tone carefully neutral, not willing to pressure her one way or the other. And avoids looking at her too closely, not wanting to notice similarities between her and Nina in the color of her eyes, or the shape of her nose or the way her brow quirks when she's thinking. ]

[welcomeprofessor]

[ He gets the call early enough that he's still groggy. That mop of mussed, untrained hair speaks volumes he can't vocalize as he turns the video on. He blinks at the brightness of the screen for a moment, rolls his shoulders back, and moans tiredly. ]

What is it, Erik?

[magneticfields]

[ Erik does a double take at the video feed. ]

Are you... did I wake you up? [ Erik's been up for hours. He rolls his eyes. ]

There's... a thing in the workshop. I have it cornered for the moment. Get down here, I want you to take a look at it.

[ He angles his wristband toward the vents of the locker, flicking on the light. The demon scrambles to avoid the light, tendrils flicking like the tail of an angry cat ]

#donotwant

[welcomeprofessor]

[ Charles groans and even takes a moment to made a rude gesture at the camera, which is honestly answer enough. ]

A thing. Well. I'm certainly glad you've woken me up for--

[ And yet the view angles, those tendrils moving through the air, and he actually jumps, very suddenly awake. ]

What in the bloody hell is that?

[magneticfields]

[ Erik returns the favor because when was the last time he asked for help. ]

I don't know what it is, Charles. That's why I called you.

[ The locker rattles in a worrisome manner. ]