Log File 2017.08.03

In the garden, Max was relaxing with a glass of Scotch after a long day with his grandfather at the office. His focus was more zeroed in on the music to noticed that he was no longer alone as Alys approached-- appearing to be more distracted with a box containing some bundled fabric in her hands. She'd been distracted and focused on the box that she hesitated after finally noticing Max who was curious as to what she was poking at with the box.

The bundle of fabric wrapped around a small baby bird, nesting within the makeshift home as Alys explains that the poor thing was ill and it didn't seem like the mother wanted the tiny bird anymore. After a moment she asked if he thought it would bother anyone to bring the bird inside for the night, just to make sure it gets better. To her perception, the little bird had felt wrong but now felt better...but she wasn't certain how she knew, she just did. Max didn't see a problem, stating as much before focusing his attention back to make another drink.

That statement had given her some relief until Max inquired if she was using her powers right now. The thought made her blood run cold as she froze like a statue. He pointed out that something had looked odd about her hand closest to the bird, like it was radiating heat on a hot day from a distance...she tried to dismiss and disbelieve that she'd be doing any such thing, but she couldn't help but lift her hand up to check. Sure enough, her fingertips showed a trace haze as she'd lifted her hand away from it...causing a confused chirp from the feathery patient. Max seemed to be a bit flippant at how he stated the observation with a more distant attitude as a deep panic set inside her.

Perhaps he came off a bit more clinical in his attempt to calm her down and point out that the bird hadn't been hurt and was protesting at the lack of attention currently. It didn't sit well with her, Alys nearly dropped the box and her tiny patient...but she tried to calm down. Max rationalized that her power had probably responded to the fever she'd noticed in the ill bird and had somehow helped it being to recover. She felt herself on the verge of tears...afraid of moving and hurting the thing-- all Alys knew was that her power had hurt others. Small or large, that life was still important to her.

Max continued to point out that the tiny bird appeared more distressed at her stopping to soothe it and the fact that she hadn't been hurting it prior...it shouldn't change now. She was just being made aware of actually taking a more active role in helping the feathery creature. Alys couldn't figure out why the more distant tone in Max, even as he was attempting to be helpful to her right now, but dispite that...his words were blunt and factual from observation. Tentatively she allows her hand to drop back close to the bird in the box and letting it make the first move towards her. It came forward and craned its neck up to nuzzle a finger with a more satisfied chirp-- softer and less concerned.

It seemed to please Max as he pointed out that her power apparently had the ability to comfort and prodded to ask how she felt about it now after this revelation. Alys didn't know exactly how to feel...her body only partially draining from the tension and the bone deep chill of terror at hurting the creature. Heartbeat still thrumming in her chest at a rapid pace...and putting a strain to her system, but after a moment Alys admitted some relief at the knowledge. She wondered aloud why this couldn't have been the way her powers had manifested in the first place of which Max countered without prompting that it would make it easy. Noting aloud that his own power had manifested violently.

Alys wasn't amused, even as he laughed a little while making that statement. Point blank telling him that it wasn't funny at all and it shouldn't have to be like that for anyone. He didn't appear to enjoy having his reaction to the situation challenged and retorts basically that this was how it was, and life with its irony and cruelty could be amusing at times. At least in his point of view. She challenged him on that, not stating that it should be easy and it wasn't amusing to watch people get hurt or otherwise. It may have gone too far when she asked if he cared about what happens. That set Max off...he pointed out all the actions he'd taken to point out just how much he "did" care. That Alys herself wouldn't be there...he wouldn't have joined with the X-Men...or spent time trying to help her adjust to life at the estate.

That didn't sit well as an explanation with her, Alys said he should try to show it more and not isolate himself. Pointing out that he kept others at arms length before letting her voice trail off..expecting him to vanish and teleport away instead of dealing with this conversation. But he hadn't run away...Max hadn't teleported away and vanished. Instead he flat out told her she didn't get to question him. Even with the growing feeling inside of not feeling well, she counter argued that if she couldn't then who did-- he'd given her the speech of how wonderful this place is...how lucky she is to be here and she should be glad. Alys didn't ask for any of this. She had a life before this. A life she was happy with...she wasn't some experiment-- the life and friends she'd had were all gone in the blink of an eye.

Her words only served to fuel his outrage more, listing off that he didn't enjoy the life of a privileged rich kid. He was the sick and disabled kid. The people he thought were his parents barely put up with him and kept him from his real mother his whole life. He'd never had anyone he could call a friend until he got to that place and only a about a year ago couldn't even move around without the aid of a walker. This place was change...hope...a dream. Alys hadn't expected all this to burst out from Max. She had pushed him and in turn it'd all come tumbling out...immediately she felt guilty for her words and being less than sympathetic. Max kept to himself and held the world at a distance, so she couldn't have known all this...but it didn't mean it upset her any less. She reached out with a hand, apologetically and stated she wish she could have been there to help and could understand what he'd stated was terrifying for him. She'd never stopped whatever it was she had managed to do for the bird...and whatever that power of hers was doing to help the bird seemed to push away the toxin of the alcohol away before Max shrugged her off-- not wanting her pity. Putting his mask back and place and then teleporting away to end the conversation.

#AlysNikkole #MaxwellWinters