Log File 2017.05.21

Ruby, one who’d never intended to be an X-Men, had ended up there watching over her comatose brother Mal. As well as the few other X-Men remaining: Mickey, Sarah and Veronica. Layla had departed suddenly to who-knows-where without explanation or much warning. Max had left, conflicted and angry, to go stay with his mother. In the meantime more reports were coming in about mutant sightings across the globe not far from the site of where the Pyramid had crashed into the sea. As much as she didn’t want to be there, Ruby also didn’t want to leave Mal’s side either.

It’d been close to three weeks since Apocalypse had been defeated and the actions while under that influence still weighed heavy on Max. The lives he’d taken… he couldn’t fully process it all and had retreated to reading and studying. Centered more around psychology currently since it was mentioned by his mother that it would do him good but he didn’t care to have any further reprograming or anything closely resembling it at the moment. Steena herself had been amused when Max had made the choice to join her, but was quickly realizing it would be better for him to be around them. That they could offer him something better to help him through this, more than she could right now. Gavin had stayed close for the time being, stating the arrangement as temporary— there wasn’t an old home to go back to…and he’d rather keep off S.H.I.E.L.D’s radar after recent events. Steena thought to have a chat with Max and urge him to return to the X-Men and the estate, saying he’d always have a place with her but that the apartment they were currently in was never meant to be home to him. They would be able to better help him and give them a chance to be a far better person than she could. Max didn’t feel he deserved to be around them or that his past actions could be forgiven. The back and forth conversation had perked Gavin’s attention since he was still there, leading him to add his own two-cents when Max started claiming he was a monster. If there was something Gavin knew well enough, it would be that line of what made one a true monster. It didn’t make for a better turn in the conversation as Max stormed out throwing a tantrum, of course when the sounds stopped…Gavin noted that Max was gone as well. Steena looked like she was just going to accept it and not go out looking for her son— the same young man she’d gone through hell for only weeks prior. He called her out on it and stated he was going to try and track him down and she could join or not in finding Max. Some trace scents were picked up, but with the young man’s ability to port, neither had luck trying to find him in the city.

Layla had been at the monastery for about a week if not more…or less— time didn’t really matter so much in this place. Peaceful solitude. After a time Rand came to join her, immediately asking for the name of her sister even though they’d not spoken a word on the matter yet. Though that led to the opening of the conversation about why she was there and what she wanted. His ability to observe and assess to the point of annoyance what she could say or anticipate her actions was in ways far to similar to her own abilities. He pointed out she needed to stop blaming herself. What’s done is done and if she let the shame she felt consume her, it wouldn’t allow her to be there for Molly or to save her when needed. Annoying as it was to hear it from someone else, she couldn’t deny what Ethan had said and bringing her to ask how to stop that blame. Rand stated tomorrow at dawn…and leaving her to puzzle out the rest of what would come tomorrow. What would be left if she let it go…

#EthanRand #LaylaHarper #GavinFrey #SteenaWinters #MaxwellWinters #RubyLarkin