[Take that, Sophie. She did it. Maelle's waiting out front patiently, glad to see Scott coming up the sidewalk after she's mentally done a slow walk from where he resides to the apartment, figuring out how long it usually takes her. And accounting for snow. And maybe a bit of... unhappiness, and the heaviness that must come with the other Scott's arrival.
Still, he made it, and Maelle breathes out a mirthless laugh.]
I knew the spicy chips would do it.
[They should get in, out of the cold, but Maelle steps in to give Scott a hug, arms wrapping around him with his hands still in his pockets. It's what she would want if she were in his shoes.]
[A small smile grows on Scott at her quip, a similar response on the tip of his tongue before it immediately dies in this throat as her arms suddenly wrap around him. Wait, what. He can't stop his noise of shock because a cute girl is hugging him-- okay more than that, Maelle is hugging him and she's not always the most touchy type like this. But she's doing it now, for him, and after that initial wave of surprise passes through, Scott's hands finally leave from his pockets.
And wrap around her in return. No hesitation about that, just that return of warmth and support and appreciation that he's unable to convey at first, words still lodged in his throat as he just tries to breathe in this moment and situate himself. Guess if nothing else, if everything has been pulled under him, at least he has this. It doesn't even feel that cold out here because of her.]
...Thanks, Maelle.
[His words quiet, almost soft, in contrast with the way he's still hugging her to him.]
[The only words she can really think to say. He will be okay, at least, even if he feels awful for now. It won't be forever. She has to believe that the other Scott will be kind and patient, and that will help this Scott come to terms with their current situation. Maelle lets the hug linger longer than she typically would, giving Scott a moment of privacy in a way, before she pats his back and gently pulls back.]
Maybe if he repeats those words to himself enough times he'll start to believe it. But honestly... a part of him is genuinely starting to believe it already, partly because of the girl that's currently hugging him and knowing that deep down, the other mutants aren't going to reject him. It just feels a little scary to hope that much, or think that he won't just be easily replaced, because if it does happen... he doesn't know what he'd do. Felt easier just to brace for the worst.
But it's made him miserable, it probably made everyone around him miserable too.
Of course he's not immediately fully okay now, but he seems like he's less ready to snap now as she pulls away from him.]
Hm? Are you saying that you can cook? [Scott why are you so surprised by the idea of this.....] And what about the chips?
[She gives him an amused look, leading them in and over to the elevator. It's a short ride to the third floor. She can cook well enough to feed others when need be, but she doesn't particularly feel passionate about it.]
There are leftovers from when we got pizza the other night, or I can make a sandwich. Chips go with both options.
[Maelle leads them down the hall to the right door. Their apartment is just enough space for four people, with the kitchen to the right and a lived-in living room off it with a small dining area, complete with a work bench with a collection of books and little projects Gustave collects. Down the hall are the bedrooms, and all is very, very quiet. Everyone is gone, like Maelle said.]
Here we are. The apartment of Expedition 33. Some of us, anyway. Make yourself at home.
Nah, I just make Quentin cook me something if I'm hungry.
[Because for whatever reason, Quentin does that sort of thing for him? Cook pizza bagels, make him pancakes-- he even went ahead and did that annoying mission with the pictures after Sophie said that he wouldn't do it. Thinking about that, something twists in his chest, not sure if he's afraid of losing that stupid connection with the other mutant or maybe hoping that he doesn't have to be afraid in the first place. It's the same thing with Sophie.
But he follows Maelle to her apartment, putting aside those complicated thoughts and feelings about the other mutants to the back of his mind. At least he's going to try.]
And I won't argue with pizza, as long as there's no weird toppings on it.
[Pineapple or anchovies... who would ruin a perfectly good pizza like that?? But it's really not long until he steps inside the apartment that Maelle shares with all her friends-- her family, essentially, the other expeditioners from her world. It's a decently sized place for 4 people, with touches of personal belongings, but it's definitely quiet. Something he appreciates right now with her, even as he does his usual shoving his hands in his pockets bit. Scott doesn't hide the fact that he's looking around, even as he makes his way to the kitchen first.]
Hm, there's more of you? I thought it was just Sciel, you, Lune, and Gustave.
[He's going to drag the pizza box from the fridge though in the mean time.]
[Someone thought a supreme pizza was a good idea. Maelle, most likely, pointing out all the meat and vegetables. Her hands slip behind her back as she slowly trails after Scott, smiling as he looks around. She loves their little home, the colorful bedroom walls, the neat little piles of personality here and there.]
Expedition 33 was a lot of people. But we have two more here: Verso and Monoco. They were sort of late additions. [Did Monoco even count? He does to Maelle.] It's better that they live a little apart from the rest of society, really.
[Considering Monoco's love language.
When Scott helps himself, Maelle laughs, surprised. He took her words to heart.]
[All in all... it's clear that Maelle loves living here with the others and that's what kind of matters the most to him. Of course he'd say that she could always add a pinball machine or a beanbag chair of her own to make things even cooler--]
Huh, cool. Didn't know that. So you're saying that they're even weirder than you?
[Scott calling the girl he likes the most weird... sounds about right, honestly. At least he mainly means it in jest, and really, all his favorite people are weird. Look at the mutants, the Jean from his world. The good kind of weird that at least orders pizza with the correct toppings instead of the Wrong ones. Yeah, he's definitely helping himself to a slice, the teen chomping at one in his hands as he leans back against the kitchen counter.]
But you ordered this? Good taste.
[There's a brief moment right now where he actually feels normal again. Sort of. Maybe if he continues to just say random shit then he won't have to talk about the other Scott again... although something is prodding in him to ask Maelle her thoughts, even if doesn't want to talk about it. It's just one of those stupid feelings that he can't ignore.]
[Not even warming it up? Maelle lifts a brow at that, but doesn't remark upon it as she crosses her arms and leans her back against the counter. She doesn't like cold pizza--but she's not hungry for it right now, anyway.]
I'll have you know that they're a very special and unique kind of weird. Monoco is a Gestral that collects feet, and Verso is immortal. And writes terrible poetry.
[Maelle isn't very pleased with him, currently, so she'll happily throw him under the bus. Verso is a good springboard into things Scott probably doesn't want to think about, though.]
It's weird with Gustave and Verso. Even when Verso wasn't here, I think Gustave felt... replaced. He wasn't with us when Verso came along. They both just kind of know the... general idea of one another. If that makes sense.
[She waves a hand vaguely, a gesture picked up from Gustave long ago.]
So. I hope you don’t feel alone in what you're feeling. I know your situation is a little more complicated, though.
[...Honestly, hearing an unfamiliar species collecting feet sounds weirder than the immortal guy. But if Verso is immortal, does that mean he knows what happens to Maelle and the others after everyone sort of dies? Can he actually save everyone back in her reality? It's a nice thought and something to hang onto for later, whenever he talks to Verso.
Though a frown tugs at the corner of his mouth when she mentions Gustave not being there when Verso joined their group. There's... an awful implication there that is hard to acknowledge, but impossible to ignore, and even though he isn't too close to Maelle's father figure, it still pulls something hard and painful in his chest. Maybe he's wrong, maybe he's jumping to conclusions, but that bad feeling doesn't go away.
He silently chews on his pizza for a few seconds.]
Gustave and Verso are two entirely different people. [...] But the feeling of being replaced sucks, yeah. Heh, does that mean I should talk to Gustave about all this?
[...And okay, he's going to ask now.] ...What do you really think of that other Scott?
I was going to make him talk to you if you didn't want to hang out today.
[Said with a laugh, but it's true. Gustave just knows how to make people feel better, even when everything feels awful. Even when things are factually awful, he's honest and genuine and Maelle loves him dearly for it.
At his question, Maelle sighs as she gives it some thought. She can be honest and genuine, too.]
The other Scott... he's nice, I guess. Quiet. Seemed a little lonely, and I think he doesn't really know what to do with himself right now...
[She shrugs. She doesn't make it a habit to befriend people around Gustave's age, but she's inclined to do so with this guy because she knows his sixteen year old self. Maelle tilts her head to the side.]
The better question is what do you think of him? That's more important.
[He knows that Gustave is a good guy-- he's talked to him a couple of times before and he's helped him out back in that fae planet, but he is glad that he's here talking to Maelle. She's just... sort of the person he is closest to in this world, outside of the mutants. Mostly, Sophie, honestly. Her presence grounds him in a way, maybe not get rid of all those tumultuous feelings, but she definitely helps.
Nice, though. Quiet. A little lonely. Yeah, guess he can see those words describing his other self based on the one interaction they've had, although their encounter was much different just because of who he is. But they still didn't get to talk all that much and then they sort of avoided each other since coming back. Honestly, he really doesn't know much about his other self still, only his initial feelings and the stories he's heard from the other mutants.
He looks down at his half-eaten slice for a moment.]
I don't know. Serious. Stick up his ass. [...] Seemed to have some expectations from me, probably because he was a leader or whatever at my age. I told him I wasn't.
[Maelle makes an amused noise. Stick up his ass? Maybe. He was a serious guy...
She shifts her weight to one leg, crossing one ankle over the other.]
Maybe that's the difference, then? You don’t want to be a leader. Makes me wonder if he became a leader because he had to or if he wanted to. I wouldn't want to be a leader of anything.
[Still, if some future version of herself arrived and told her as much, she would... probably not be pleased. Maelle frowns.]
That's... good, right? The more differences the better?
[Is that really true? That he doesn't want to be leader? Or just... thinking that he really doesn't have the talent or character to be one? He doesn't feel like the right person for much of anything, honestly, so the thought of leading a bunch of powerful mutants who have control over their powers feels ridiculous.]
...I don't know his deal at all.
[Another quiet admittance, showing that maybe he really doesn't know this other Scott at all, really. He has his feelings of leadership but are they the same as that older Scott's? Does he have his doubts about shit? He's hard to read, because of those dumb sunglasses--]
But yeah, I guess so? [If he's really different to that other Scott, then he has less worries about being replaced. But then if the other Scott is successful and a leader and everyone that relies on, it feels kind of bad not to be anything like that. Stupid complex shit that doesn't just fit neatly in a black and white view.
A small annoyed groan leaves him before he stares up at the ceiling.]
I don't know, Maelle. Maybe a part of me wanted to kind of... be there for Sophie and the others and not just them helping me.
I get that. Wanting to help, I mean. It’s... hard, when we're perpetually seen as younger. We are, but... it's not like we're incapable of complex thoughts or helping someone deal with their troubles. We're not children.
[Gustave has shared more with her, lately, and if she asks him directly he doesn't lie. But she knows he wants to protect her from a lot of things, including his own trauma and worries. Maelle would do anything to help him--but at the same time, she thinks she's only really good at fighting. If only all problems could be met with a sword.
She musters up a small smile.]
No cheating by having an older version of yourself that others see as a leader.
[Then it's back to serious, and she chews on her bottom lip as she thinks about what to say.]
... do you want advice, or just to talk about it? Or not talk about it anymore. It's all fine by me.
[Maelle really does understand, huh? Hell she's on a team of adults that are definitely older than the mutants that he hangs out with, so she probably gets it worse when it comes to age stuff. There's less of an age gap between them, but the fact that their Scott Summers is like 10 years or so older than all of them and now it's the reverse probably makes things all weird in their own way.
Maybe there's some stuff Maelle and him can't understand, but that doesn't mean they aren't incapable of trying. Or helping in some way. It sucks feeling like a huge burden, granted, he probably hasn't helped with that perception lately with all the moping and sulking from older!Scott appearing.
Yeah, he can admit that, internally.]
Sure, I'll go for advice. [A small shrug, before he starts finishing his pizza--] Only because I listen to you, sometimes.
[Not always, but who is? Enough, though, and she thinks she knows what advice Gustave would give.]
I think... getting to know him might help? He didn't seem that bad, but that was talking to him as if he's just... some other guy here, not a version of you. Maybe if you talk to him like he's some distant cousin that just happens to have the same name as you, it might be easier.
[An almost tired sigh leaves Scott at that, but it's one of begrudging agreement. He did ask for Maelle's advice after all and he really values her opinion, her thoughts. He knows that she really just wants to help.
Also helps that he now has pizza in him--]
I don't know if I can ever fully separate him in my mind like that, but I guess it'd be better to confront the problem than try and continue ignoring it, right? It's not like he'll go away.
[Well, unless he disappears, like a bunch of other mutants in this place. Which. Is also kind of a weird thing, why did Echo bring so many mutants to this world only to send them back or whatever? Whatever, that's something beyond him and he already has enough things on his plate with the arrival of his other self.]
...Although, I think he is trying to give me space. He hasn't moved into the mansion yet.
[It's either that or he doesn't want to be around the other mutants, which Scott highly doubts.]
Does it feel like you're talking to yourself? It's probably weird for him, too. I mean... same name, same need for glasses, same... childhood, maybe? To a point? But a lot of things are different aside from age.
[She's going to confuse herself. She huffs out a breath of air, shaking her head.]
I guess that's why it's like you're cousins, not twins. I know it's hard to separate it, especially for you, but maybe more time will help with that, too.
Not for me, he feels too different... but maybe it is weirder for him, since he is older and already been through the shit I'm dealing with now. He hasn't mentioned anything about me looking like he did when he was my age, but maybe he just didn't want to.
[But they are from different realities, right? So even though they're the same person-- at least in some sense, guess he'd still look different. The Jean he met here looked different enough from the Jean back home, although they're also over 10 years apart. Maybe his Jean would look like that in the future, though he highly doubts it.]
...But thanks, Maelle.
[Time might help, it might not, but Scott does feel a bit better as long as she continues to be his friend and everything. Although with the way she's speaking about time helping with stuff, he can't help but think back about something she mentioned earlier.] By the way, I've been meaning to ask, did something happen to Gustave back home?
[She hopes she's helped, if even just in the way of being someone he can air his concerns with. She knows that would help her.
She doesn't expect him to ask about Gustave, about if something happened, and it's clear in the way she freezes. What do you mean? She could ask, but he's not stupid. It's probably clear in the regard she has for Gustave--something that was always there, but something that's grown so much more since they found one another again. She loves him all the more because she's seen what he would do for her, and she's experienced how empty the world feels without him in it.
Maelle takes a deep breath, eyes settling on a spot on the kitcheb tiles. It's never easy to talk about. Maybe it should be, because Gustave is alive and well, but the memory of that day is still vivid and twists in her chest whenever she thinks about it.]
... he was killed on our expedition. We all ended up dead, in the end, but his death was... violent.
[He knows that he nailed something here, able to discern the way Maelle freezes and almost looks uncomfortable as his question rings in the accompanying silence. It's really not hard to put two and two together now, although Scott doesn't say anything yet, letting her gather her thoughts-- see how she wants to address this. Will he push it? Maybe. Only because he's talked to her about all the shit that's bothered him lately. It feels right to try and listen in return.
He wants to listen, help out if he can. He cares a lot.
Scott leans a little more against the counter behind him, but he doesn't try to get any pizza or anything else, focus entirely on Maelle and how she pulls up the strength to talk about something that's been obviously hurting her for who knows how long. Guess she's better than him when it comes to hiding shit.]
...I'm sorry. [It still hurts, in a way, to hear that they all died in the end, but he still hopes that can be changed. And right now they're focusing on Gustave anyway.] You and the others lost him early on then. Before the end. That sucks.
[.....]
Maybe, but it's sort of like... getting extra time no one thought to have. Seems dumb to waste it.
It did suck. It does suck. [Him being back doesn't make that day go away. They're both haunted by it, and while time has helped a little, Maelle wishes they could forget it entirely. Her gaze stays where it is, there on the floor.]
In Lumiere, the people going on expeditions are the ones with a year left. You're going to die anyway, so... why not die and pave the way for those who come after? [Right?] I guess I thought... we'd at least have that last year together.
[It was taken away. It could have been a Nevron or an accident, but the fact that it was a man makes it hurt worse. It makes her angrier.]
Now we're here, and I'm always worried he'll be taken away again.
[He looks at Maelle, the way her gaze is turned to the ground, and while it's clear she's trying to keep herself together, it's not like it's easy talking about a dead loved one. Even if he's here right now with her, Gustave is still gone-- killed on a journey that they were supposed to be together on. Worse is the thought that he died right in front of her, something that seems rather likely with the way she's talking about it.
Scott doesn't know what to say, not at first. He's never really lost someone like that before. Sure a couple of his friends disappeared from this place, but they're back where they're supposed to be or whatever. When Gustave leaves, he's just... returning to nothing, and it could really happen at any time. Guess the same could be said for the girl in front of him too though.
...Maybe he can understand the feeling of loss, actually.
He swallows. Then steps forward, a small crossing before he suddenly wraps her into a tight hug.]
We'll figure something out.
[He has no idea what that is, but he wants to say something a little comforting.]
[She doesn't get the knocked out of her by force, but he surprises her. They're not really huggy people--at least thus far--but it's not bad. Maelle breathes out an amused sound, bringing her arms up as much as she can to return the hug.]
Makes sense why I follow that old man around so much, yeah? He can't go far or else he gets himself into trouble.
[Not that her being there helped, last time. Maelle breathes in and gives Scott's back a pat.]
We can't go home. So... guess you should get used to there being expeditioners hanging around the city.
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Still, he made it, and Maelle breathes out a mirthless laugh.]
I knew the spicy chips would do it.
[They should get in, out of the cold, but Maelle steps in to give Scott a hug, arms wrapping around him with his hands still in his pockets. It's what she would want if she were in his shoes.]
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And wrap around her in return. No hesitation about that, just that return of warmth and support and appreciation that he's unable to convey at first, words still lodged in his throat as he just tries to breathe in this moment and situate himself. Guess if nothing else, if everything has been pulled under him, at least he has this. It doesn't even feel that cold out here because of her.]
...Thanks, Maelle.
[His words quiet, almost soft, in contrast with the way he's still hugging her to him.]
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[The only words she can really think to say. He will be okay, at least, even if he feels awful for now. It won't be forever. She has to believe that the other Scott will be kind and patient, and that will help this Scott come to terms with their current situation. Maelle lets the hug linger longer than she typically would, giving Scott a moment of privacy in a way, before she pats his back and gently pulls back.]
Come on, let's get inside. Are you hungry?
[Real food, not snacks.]
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Maybe if he repeats those words to himself enough times he'll start to believe it. But honestly... a part of him is genuinely starting to believe it already, partly because of the girl that's currently hugging him and knowing that deep down, the other mutants aren't going to reject him. It just feels a little scary to hope that much, or think that he won't just be easily replaced, because if it does happen... he doesn't know what he'd do. Felt easier just to brace for the worst.
But it's made him miserable, it probably made everyone around him miserable too.
Of course he's not immediately fully okay now, but he seems like he's less ready to snap now as she pulls away from him.]
Hm? Are you saying that you can cook? [Scott why are you so surprised by the idea of this.....] And what about the chips?
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[She gives him an amused look, leading them in and over to the elevator. It's a short ride to the third floor. She can cook well enough to feed others when need be, but she doesn't particularly feel passionate about it.]
There are leftovers from when we got pizza the other night, or I can make a sandwich. Chips go with both options.
[Maelle leads them down the hall to the right door. Their apartment is just enough space for four people, with the kitchen to the right and a lived-in living room off it with a small dining area, complete with a work bench with a collection of books and little projects Gustave collects. Down the hall are the bedrooms, and all is very, very quiet. Everyone is gone, like Maelle said.]
Here we are. The apartment of Expedition 33. Some of us, anyway. Make yourself at home.
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[Because for whatever reason, Quentin does that sort of thing for him? Cook pizza bagels, make him pancakes-- he even went ahead and did that annoying mission with the pictures after Sophie said that he wouldn't do it. Thinking about that, something twists in his chest, not sure if he's afraid of losing that stupid connection with the other mutant or maybe hoping that he doesn't have to be afraid in the first place. It's the same thing with Sophie.
But he follows Maelle to her apartment, putting aside those complicated thoughts and feelings about the other mutants to the back of his mind. At least he's going to try.]
And I won't argue with pizza, as long as there's no weird toppings on it.
[Pineapple or anchovies... who would ruin a perfectly good pizza like that?? But it's really not long until he steps inside the apartment that Maelle shares with all her friends-- her family, essentially, the other expeditioners from her world. It's a decently sized place for 4 people, with touches of personal belongings, but it's definitely quiet. Something he appreciates right now with her, even as he does his usual shoving his hands in his pockets bit. Scott doesn't hide the fact that he's looking around, even as he makes his way to the kitchen first.]
Hm, there's more of you? I thought it was just Sciel, you, Lune, and Gustave.
[He's going to drag the pizza box from the fridge though in the mean time.]
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[Someone thought a supreme pizza was a good idea. Maelle, most likely, pointing out all the meat and vegetables. Her hands slip behind her back as she slowly trails after Scott, smiling as he looks around. She loves their little home, the colorful bedroom walls, the neat little piles of personality here and there.]
Expedition 33 was a lot of people. But we have two more here: Verso and Monoco. They were sort of late additions. [Did Monoco even count? He does to Maelle.] It's better that they live a little apart from the rest of society, really.
[Considering Monoco's love language.
When Scott helps himself, Maelle laughs, surprised. He took her words to heart.]
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Huh, cool. Didn't know that. So you're saying that they're even weirder than you?
[Scott calling the girl he likes the most weird... sounds about right, honestly. At least he mainly means it in jest, and really, all his favorite people are weird. Look at the mutants, the Jean from his world. The good kind of weird that at least orders pizza with the correct toppings instead of the Wrong ones. Yeah, he's definitely helping himself to a slice, the teen chomping at one in his hands as he leans back against the kitchen counter.]
But you ordered this? Good taste.
[There's a brief moment right now where he actually feels normal again. Sort of. Maybe if he continues to just say random shit then he won't have to talk about the other Scott again... although something is prodding in him to ask Maelle her thoughts, even if doesn't want to talk about it. It's just one of those stupid feelings that he can't ignore.]
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I'll have you know that they're a very special and unique kind of weird. Monoco is a Gestral that collects feet, and Verso is immortal. And writes terrible poetry.
[Maelle isn't very pleased with him, currently, so she'll happily throw him under the bus. Verso is a good springboard into things Scott probably doesn't want to think about, though.]
It's weird with Gustave and Verso. Even when Verso wasn't here, I think Gustave felt... replaced. He wasn't with us when Verso came along. They both just kind of know the... general idea of one another. If that makes sense.
[She waves a hand vaguely, a gesture picked up from Gustave long ago.]
So. I hope you don’t feel alone in what you're feeling. I know your situation is a little more complicated, though.
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Though a frown tugs at the corner of his mouth when she mentions Gustave not being there when Verso joined their group. There's... an awful implication there that is hard to acknowledge, but impossible to ignore, and even though he isn't too close to Maelle's father figure, it still pulls something hard and painful in his chest. Maybe he's wrong, maybe he's jumping to conclusions, but that bad feeling doesn't go away.
He silently chews on his pizza for a few seconds.]
Gustave and Verso are two entirely different people. [...] But the feeling of being replaced sucks, yeah. Heh, does that mean I should talk to Gustave about all this?
[...And okay, he's going to ask now.] ...What do you really think of that other Scott?
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[Said with a laugh, but it's true. Gustave just knows how to make people feel better, even when everything feels awful. Even when things are factually awful, he's honest and genuine and Maelle loves him dearly for it.
At his question, Maelle sighs as she gives it some thought. She can be honest and genuine, too.]
The other Scott... he's nice, I guess. Quiet. Seemed a little lonely, and I think he doesn't really know what to do with himself right now...
[She shrugs. She doesn't make it a habit to befriend people around Gustave's age, but she's inclined to do so with this guy because she knows his sixteen year old self. Maelle tilts her head to the side.]
The better question is what do you think of him? That's more important.
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Nice, though. Quiet. A little lonely. Yeah, guess he can see those words describing his other self based on the one interaction they've had, although their encounter was much different just because of who he is. But they still didn't get to talk all that much and then they sort of avoided each other since coming back. Honestly, he really doesn't know much about his other self still, only his initial feelings and the stories he's heard from the other mutants.
He looks down at his half-eaten slice for a moment.]
I don't know. Serious. Stick up his ass. [...] Seemed to have some expectations from me, probably because he was a leader or whatever at my age. I told him I wasn't.
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She shifts her weight to one leg, crossing one ankle over the other.]
Maybe that's the difference, then? You don’t want to be a leader. Makes me wonder if he became a leader because he had to or if he wanted to. I wouldn't want to be a leader of anything.
[Still, if some future version of herself arrived and told her as much, she would... probably not be pleased. Maelle frowns.]
That's... good, right? The more differences the better?
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...I don't know his deal at all.
[Another quiet admittance, showing that maybe he really doesn't know this other Scott at all, really. He has his feelings of leadership but are they the same as that older Scott's? Does he have his doubts about shit? He's hard to read, because of those dumb sunglasses--]
But yeah, I guess so? [If he's really different to that other Scott, then he has less worries about being replaced. But then if the other Scott is successful and a leader and everyone that relies on, it feels kind of bad not to be anything like that. Stupid complex shit that doesn't just fit neatly in a black and white view.
A small annoyed groan leaves him before he stares up at the ceiling.]
I don't know, Maelle. Maybe a part of me wanted to kind of... be there for Sophie and the others and not just them helping me.
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[Gustave has shared more with her, lately, and if she asks him directly he doesn't lie. But she knows he wants to protect her from a lot of things, including his own trauma and worries. Maelle would do anything to help him--but at the same time, she thinks she's only really good at fighting. If only all problems could be met with a sword.
She musters up a small smile.]
No cheating by having an older version of yourself that others see as a leader.
[Then it's back to serious, and she chews on her bottom lip as she thinks about what to say.]
... do you want advice, or just to talk about it? Or not talk about it anymore. It's all fine by me.
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[Maelle really does understand, huh? Hell she's on a team of adults that are definitely older than the mutants that he hangs out with, so she probably gets it worse when it comes to age stuff. There's less of an age gap between them, but the fact that their Scott Summers is like 10 years or so older than all of them and now it's the reverse probably makes things all weird in their own way.
Maybe there's some stuff Maelle and him can't understand, but that doesn't mean they aren't incapable of trying. Or helping in some way. It sucks feeling like a huge burden, granted, he probably hasn't helped with that perception lately with all the moping and sulking from older!Scott appearing.
Yeah, he can admit that, internally.]
Sure, I'll go for advice. [A small shrug, before he starts finishing his pizza--] Only because I listen to you, sometimes.
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[Not always, but who is? Enough, though, and she thinks she knows what advice Gustave would give.]
I think... getting to know him might help? He didn't seem that bad, but that was talking to him as if he's just... some other guy here, not a version of you. Maybe if you talk to him like he's some distant cousin that just happens to have the same name as you, it might be easier.
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Also helps that he now has pizza in him--]
I don't know if I can ever fully separate him in my mind like that, but I guess it'd be better to confront the problem than try and continue ignoring it, right? It's not like he'll go away.
[Well, unless he disappears, like a bunch of other mutants in this place. Which. Is also kind of a weird thing, why did Echo bring so many mutants to this world only to send them back or whatever? Whatever, that's something beyond him and he already has enough things on his plate with the arrival of his other self.]
...Although, I think he is trying to give me space. He hasn't moved into the mansion yet.
[It's either that or he doesn't want to be around the other mutants, which Scott highly doubts.]
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[She's going to confuse herself. She huffs out a breath of air, shaking her head.]
I guess that's why it's like you're cousins, not twins. I know it's hard to separate it, especially for you, but maybe more time will help with that, too.
[Which is the shitty part.]
Time does help with a lot. Unfortunately.
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[But they are from different realities, right? So even though they're the same person-- at least in some sense, guess he'd still look different. The Jean he met here looked different enough from the Jean back home, although they're also over 10 years apart. Maybe his Jean would look like that in the future, though he highly doubts it.]
...But thanks, Maelle.
[Time might help, it might not, but Scott does feel a bit better as long as she continues to be his friend and everything. Although with the way she's speaking about time helping with stuff, he can't help but think back about something she mentioned earlier.] By the way, I've been meaning to ask, did something happen to Gustave back home?
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She doesn't expect him to ask about Gustave, about if something happened, and it's clear in the way she freezes. What do you mean? She could ask, but he's not stupid. It's probably clear in the regard she has for Gustave--something that was always there, but something that's grown so much more since they found one another again. She loves him all the more because she's seen what he would do for her, and she's experienced how empty the world feels without him in it.
Maelle takes a deep breath, eyes settling on a spot on the kitcheb tiles. It's never easy to talk about. Maybe it should be, because Gustave is alive and well, but the memory of that day is still vivid and twists in her chest whenever she thinks about it.]
... he was killed on our expedition. We all ended up dead, in the end, but his death was... violent.
[He was wrong. The gommage was much kinder.]
I know, I cling to him a lot, huh?
[That's why.]
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He wants to listen, help out if he can. He cares a lot.
Scott leans a little more against the counter behind him, but he doesn't try to get any pizza or anything else, focus entirely on Maelle and how she pulls up the strength to talk about something that's been obviously hurting her for who knows how long. Guess she's better than him when it comes to hiding shit.]
...I'm sorry. [It still hurts, in a way, to hear that they all died in the end, but he still hopes that can be changed. And right now they're focusing on Gustave anyway.] You and the others lost him early on then. Before the end. That sucks.
[.....]
Maybe, but it's sort of like... getting extra time no one thought to have. Seems dumb to waste it.
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In Lumiere, the people going on expeditions are the ones with a year left. You're going to die anyway, so... why not die and pave the way for those who come after? [Right?] I guess I thought... we'd at least have that last year together.
[It was taken away. It could have been a Nevron or an accident, but the fact that it was a man makes it hurt worse. It makes her angrier.]
Now we're here, and I'm always worried he'll be taken away again.
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Scott doesn't know what to say, not at first. He's never really lost someone like that before. Sure a couple of his friends disappeared from this place, but they're back where they're supposed to be or whatever. When Gustave leaves, he's just... returning to nothing, and it could really happen at any time. Guess the same could be said for the girl in front of him too though.
...Maybe he can understand the feeling of loss, actually.
He swallows. Then steps forward, a small crossing before he suddenly wraps her into a tight hug.]
We'll figure something out.
[He has no idea what that is, but he wants to say something a little comforting.]
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[She doesn't get the knocked out of her by force, but he surprises her. They're not really huggy people--at least thus far--but it's not bad. Maelle breathes out an amused sound, bringing her arms up as much as she can to return the hug.]
Makes sense why I follow that old man around so much, yeah? He can't go far or else he gets himself into trouble.
[Not that her being there helped, last time. Maelle breathes in and gives Scott's back a pat.]
We can't go home. So... guess you should get used to there being expeditioners hanging around the city.
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