[It feels different, but in a cleansing, pure way. All the anger, all the resentment and bitterness that he's seen in Mystique - it's all gone. This must be who she really was underneath it all. He finds himself nearly speechless faced with her. She's even saying something he always wished he'd heard from her.]
H-hey... It's okay. I get it. You... you must be very busy...
[He goes for her arm... and right into a tight hug.]
But as long as we can... be a family... that's what matters!
[There's hardly any hesitation before Raven returns Kurt's hug, both arms wrapping tightly and securely around the younger mutant in an embrace that feels like home. She's fully accepting him, without question, and isn't this what everyone wanted? There's nothing wrong about a mom finally accepting her child.
And yet, there is something in the air, in this peaceful dream, that doesn't sit right. Scott shuffles awkwardly, like he's finally noticed it, but he stays silent, uncertain. He wants Kurt to have this, just like how he wants Alex to be here. On the other hand, Raven doesn't seem to be affected by anything, only responding to Kurt.]
I know I can't make up for the past, but I'm here now. [...] We will be family here. With all your friends. You won't be alone again.
[For the first time ever, Kurt actually gets to hug her. It feels so warm and soft. Like how he'd imagined it would be like - just like he'd always dreamed.]
That- that would be great. It's what I always wanted. Just for us all to... to get a long.
[Flashes in his mind occur. For a moment, she seems to be made of stone before returning to her current appearance. He winces, but he doesn't let go. Still, he finds himself looking towards Scott for the moment, from the hug.]
[It's a just for a second or two, but there's no mistaking it, probably not by the teleporter and not by the increasingly concerned glasses wearing teen that's still standing just a few feet away. He-- what was that?? Except, he's seen that before, somehow. Strangely enough. An incident where he and Kurt saved a statue of Mystique from crashing into the ground.
That definitely happened, even though it shouldn't have, and makes it everything that's happening right now feel off. He noticed that earlier flinch from Kurt too, so he knows that his friend is at least somewhat aware too.]
...Y-Yeah, it's great.
[Everything they want is right here.
Turning to look at Alex, he can see his brother still smiling at him, but he also seems to be glitching as well, turning younger, like he's becoming a different version. Why does that also feel familiar? Like it's happened to him before? But they're both still happy. That's what matters the most, right?
Scott's jaw clenches, that unsettling feeling getting harder and harder to ignore and he doesn't want to ruin things, but he can't just ignore the wrongness much longer.]
No, Kurt, I... [He shakes his head, breath suddenly sucked in like he's not going to like what he's about to say. He doesn't want to do this, but it's the right thing to do, right? Why does it suck so much though?]
There's something wrong here. I... I didn't want to see it before, but you were right.
[Kurt's doesn't know what else to think about it - or rather, he doesn't want to think about it. Mystique's alive, well, here and Good. They can be a real family now, at long last! He doesn't dwell on the reasons he wants that - the reasons why he should know this isn't real.
But Scott's words dig back at him and start to crack the illusion.]
W-wait, no, you don't mean that. I get it now! Everything's alright, and there's nothing to worry about...
[Those words start to die on his lips though. He looks down and tears his eyes away from Mystique. Memories flash through his head of their experiences in his own life - and of the one family member missing from this equation. Rogue.]
But that, that's not the way it should be. It's not really the way our lives go, is it?
[He lets out a sigh.]
Y-you just had to wait until she showed up to realize it, huh... [It's the closest to a joke he can manage.]
[Scott just looks pained when Kurt initially protests, not really having a good response because this is what he's always wanted. For all his friends to be happy with their family or whoever else, just living normal lives and not worrying about horrible shit. But... it's not real, is it? He's getting more aware of that fact by the second and it's only heightened with Kurt's own comment, solidifying that this isn't how their lives are.]
It can be. Our lives can be like this. We just have to fight for it.
[He tries, trying to be a little encouraging at a time like this. Just because what's happening now isn't real doesn't mean it's impossible, right? ...Even if Mystique in Kurt's world is dead-- he can be happy still. Scott believes in that much at least.
He doesn't really smile back at the joke, but he tries, eyes finally pulling away from the still form of his brother. Maybe he's lucky that he can still go back to Alex after all this.] Sorry man, it took me a while this time.
It's okay. Even the fearless leader is behind sometimes.
[He tries to tease with more of a smile while coming to terms with this. He slowly loosens his hold on Mystique.]
But you're right! This, or something like this - this is the peace we're fighting for. We're not there yet!
[His Mystique might be gone. She might have been gone even before becoming a statue, but he still has family that he can find this peace with. And he still has the real Scott here, too.]
It's just a real nice dream for now. But we gotta wake up eventually, right?
[Wait, a dream...? That's what this is, huh? Kurt's right again. It explains all the inconsistencies that have been going on so far, but more than that... this is a dream that Aldrip has created. It took his ideals and wants and turned them into this. Something furious beats in his chest at the thought because now it all feels tainted, with Scott barely managing to control his anger by sucking in a deep breath.
Kurt's presence is probably the only reason why he's able to do it. Also just needs to remind himself that it's already been ruined.]
Let's get out of here. [Scott says with a rather serious note in his voice, the mutant straightening up and looking around at this false place with barely concealed anger.]
[This experience has just felt more and more like a dream, especially with the red filter - and with things being too good to be true.
That almost makes it easier for hkm to accept this. To say goodbye to this dream world. But it's still not easy, and he knows it's the same for Scott too.]
R-right. I think we got enough beauty sleep. [He defaults to trying to keep things light.] Need me to pinch you, dude?
[It's Kurt's joking tone that helps subdue a lot of that rising anger. Most of this is the fault of Aldrip, most likely, but... it was heavily influenced by him, wasn't it? This is his version of Xavier's mansion and everything, and he made Kurt have that brief spot of false hope before tearing it away from him.
Regret starts taking over some of that anger.]
...Sorry for dragging you into this, Kurt.
[Maybe he shouldn't prolong their stay in this dream. They probably should be having this conversation when they're 'safe' and awake back in Aldrip, but Scott feels the need to say it now. What if they forget all about this? Or like other dreams, it becomes something faded in the back of their mind?
No, he has to get this off his chest now.
Scott swallows again, eyes darting to the flickering Alex and the frozen Mystique, before he fully looks at his friend once more.] I... know this must've sucked for you too.
[Kurt manages a weak smile as he responds to Scott, with a shake of his head.]
Hey man, don't go blaming yourself here. It's not like you meant to do this. You got pulled in by the perfect illusion! If I was the one who got hit first, I'm sure I would have been even harder to snap out of it...
[He knows it must be hard for Scott, with how much he misses his brother and everything. Back in his world, even though they're long distance, the brothers still stay in regular contact.
In any case, he doesn't want Scott to keep wallowing on this. Just because they're getting out of a dream means the mood has to go in the opposite direction! And also because, Kurt does feel like he's appreciated this experience in one way. He looks back towards Mystique before continuing to address Scott.]
...And... hey. It's not all bad for me. I'm actually kinda glad that - that even if it's not real, I got to meet... your her. For a little bit.
[It meant a lot hearing about a Mystique who really was a better person. A hero. And actually seeing her like this and interacting with her a bit? Maybe that will help him find more peace on the matter.]
So, uh, thanks. If you're going to be sorry about this, I'll thank you for it too.
[He wants to refute Kurt, at least say that he's supposed to resist this sort of thing because he's... Cyclops or something. He's the leader of the X-Men and the others pretty much accepted that without question, despite him not being a X-Man yet. It's meant a whole lot to him and guess it's felt like he let Kurt down a little. Not that he doubts his friend's words or think that he's just saying this to make him feel better, but he can't help but take it hard.
Maybe because he's watching Alex's glitched form and he still misses him. But it's also so obvious now that none of that was real.]
...You don't mind that she's not the real Mystique? Just something made up from what I briefly saw of her? [There's no hiding his surprise as he looks at Kurt. Not only is he okay with all this, but he's thanking Scott too?? That's more than he'd ever imagine getting from this sort of situation.]
[Kurt knows Scott will take this hard no matter what. And he sees that as all the more reason not to get on him about it. Why kick someone when he's down? Especially surrounded by people he misses.]
...Hey, it's... it's real enough to me. Her being a hero in your world is still real, right? So it's just giving a face to that.
[He blinks as he looks back at her with a smile.]
And hey, maybe it'll give my own dreams some more pleasant Mystique imagery to choose from. That'd be nice. [Especially as an alternative to nightmares about the Mystique statue's shattering.]
[If Kurt's fully sure about that... Scott swallows tightly before taking just a few steps forward to his friend so that he can place a comforting hand on his shoulder. He's not sure if he could get behind something like that, but if it truly makes Kurt feel better, then he's not going to argue.]
Yeah, she's still a hero.
[And he's pretty sure that's what Mystique looks like in his world. He's only seen her on television and newspapers, but she is a very important figure to mutants everywhere. Scott manages a weak smile, nodding slightly as if to encourage the both of them.]
[Maybe it's a way of coping, but Kurt will take what he can get. It's probably the closest he'll ever get to meeting that Mystique anyway.]
Thanks. [He looks right at him with a warm smile in response.]
We can't stay in dreams, but we can take the good from them with us, yeah? Basically, you don't have to worry about me. It's fine. We should get out of here, before whatever this is tries trapping us with some kind of all-you-can-eat buffet or something!
[Another kind of dream that would be hard to escape...]
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expiationlogs2025-01-13 12:39 pm
no subject
H-hey... It's okay. I get it. You... you must be very busy...
[He goes for her arm... and right into a tight hug.]
But as long as we can... be a family... that's what matters!
[Right? That is what he wants... right?]
no subject
And yet, there is something in the air, in this peaceful dream, that doesn't sit right. Scott shuffles awkwardly, like he's finally noticed it, but he stays silent, uncertain. He wants Kurt to have this, just like how he wants Alex to be here. On the other hand, Raven doesn't seem to be affected by anything, only responding to Kurt.]
I know I can't make up for the past, but I'm here now. [...] We will be family here. With all your friends. You won't be alone again.
no subject
That- that would be great. It's what I always wanted. Just for us all to... to get a long.
[Flashes in his mind occur. For a moment, she seems to be made of stone before returning to her current appearance. He winces, but he doesn't let go. Still, he finds himself looking towards Scott for the moment, from the hug.]
This... Isn't this great, Scott?
[Everything they want is right here.]
no subject
That definitely happened, even though it shouldn't have, and makes it everything that's happening right now feel off. He noticed that earlier flinch from Kurt too, so he knows that his friend is at least somewhat aware too.]
...Y-Yeah, it's great.
[Everything they want is right here.
Turning to look at Alex, he can see his brother still smiling at him, but he also seems to be glitching as well, turning younger, like he's becoming a different version. Why does that also feel familiar? Like it's happened to him before? But they're both still happy. That's what matters the most, right?
Scott's jaw clenches, that unsettling feeling getting harder and harder to ignore and he doesn't want to ruin things, but he can't just ignore the wrongness much longer.]
No, Kurt, I... [He shakes his head, breath suddenly sucked in like he's not going to like what he's about to say. He doesn't want to do this, but it's the right thing to do, right? Why does it suck so much though?]
There's something wrong here. I... I didn't want to see it before, but you were right.
no subject
But Scott's words dig back at him and start to crack the illusion.]
W-wait, no, you don't mean that. I get it now! Everything's alright, and there's nothing to worry about...
[Those words start to die on his lips though. He looks down and tears his eyes away from Mystique. Memories flash through his head of their experiences in his own life - and of the one family member missing from this equation. Rogue.]
But that, that's not the way it should be. It's not really the way our lives go, is it?
[He lets out a sigh.]
Y-you just had to wait until she showed up to realize it, huh... [It's the closest to a joke he can manage.]
no subject
It can be. Our lives can be like this. We just have to fight for it.
[He tries, trying to be a little encouraging at a time like this. Just because what's happening now isn't real doesn't mean it's impossible, right? ...Even if Mystique in Kurt's world is dead-- he can be happy still. Scott believes in that much at least.
He doesn't really smile back at the joke, but he tries, eyes finally pulling away from the still form of his brother. Maybe he's lucky that he can still go back to Alex after all this.] Sorry man, it took me a while this time.
no subject
[He tries to tease with more of a smile while coming to terms with this. He slowly loosens his hold on Mystique.]
But you're right! This, or something like this - this is the peace we're fighting for. We're not there yet!
[His Mystique might be gone. She might have been gone even before becoming a statue, but he still has family that he can find this peace with. And he still has the real Scott here, too.]
It's just a real nice dream for now. But we gotta wake up eventually, right?
no subject
[Wait, a dream...? That's what this is, huh? Kurt's right again. It explains all the inconsistencies that have been going on so far, but more than that... this is a dream that Aldrip has created. It took his ideals and wants and turned them into this. Something furious beats in his chest at the thought because now it all feels tainted, with Scott barely managing to control his anger by sucking in a deep breath.
Kurt's presence is probably the only reason why he's able to do it. Also just needs to remind himself that it's already been ruined.]
Let's get out of here. [Scott says with a rather serious note in his voice, the mutant straightening up and looking around at this false place with barely concealed anger.]
no subject
That almost makes it easier for hkm to accept this. To say goodbye to this dream world. But it's still not easy, and he knows it's the same for Scott too.]
R-right. I think we got enough beauty sleep. [He defaults to trying to keep things light.] Need me to pinch you, dude?
no subject
Regret starts taking over some of that anger.]
...Sorry for dragging you into this, Kurt.
[Maybe he shouldn't prolong their stay in this dream. They probably should be having this conversation when they're 'safe' and awake back in Aldrip, but Scott feels the need to say it now. What if they forget all about this? Or like other dreams, it becomes something faded in the back of their mind?
No, he has to get this off his chest now.
Scott swallows again, eyes darting to the flickering Alex and the frozen Mystique, before he fully looks at his friend once more.] I... know this must've sucked for you too.
no subject
Hey man, don't go blaming yourself here. It's not like you meant to do this. You got pulled in by the perfect illusion! If I was the one who got hit first, I'm sure I would have been even harder to snap out of it...
[He knows it must be hard for Scott, with how much he misses his brother and everything. Back in his world, even though they're long distance, the brothers still stay in regular contact.
In any case, he doesn't want Scott to keep wallowing on this. Just because they're getting out of a dream means the mood has to go in the opposite direction! And also because, Kurt does feel like he's appreciated this experience in one way. He looks back towards Mystique before continuing to address Scott.]
...And... hey. It's not all bad for me. I'm actually kinda glad that - that even if it's not real, I got to meet... your her. For a little bit.
[It meant a lot hearing about a Mystique who really was a better person. A hero. And actually seeing her like this and interacting with her a bit? Maybe that will help him find more peace on the matter.]
So, uh, thanks. If you're going to be sorry about this, I'll thank you for it too.
no subject
Maybe because he's watching Alex's glitched form and he still misses him. But it's also so obvious now that none of that was real.]
...You don't mind that she's not the real Mystique? Just something made up from what I briefly saw of her? [There's no hiding his surprise as he looks at Kurt. Not only is he okay with all this, but he's thanking Scott too?? That's more than he'd ever imagine getting from this sort of situation.]
no subject
...Hey, it's... it's real enough to me. Her being a hero in your world is still real, right? So it's just giving a face to that.
[He blinks as he looks back at her with a smile.]
And hey, maybe it'll give my own dreams some more pleasant Mystique imagery to choose from. That'd be nice. [Especially as an alternative to nightmares about the Mystique statue's shattering.]
no subject
Yeah, she's still a hero.
[And he's pretty sure that's what Mystique looks like in his world. He's only seen her on television and newspapers, but she is a very important figure to mutants everywhere. Scott manages a weak smile, nodding slightly as if to encourage the both of them.]
Well, um, I hope it does help man.
no subject
Thanks. [He looks right at him with a warm smile in response.]
We can't stay in dreams, but we can take the good from them with us, yeah? Basically, you don't have to worry about me. It's fine. We should get out of here, before whatever this is tries trapping us with some kind of all-you-can-eat buffet or something!
[Another kind of dream that would be hard to escape...]