Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

[brokenoptimism]

Charles stared up at the once welcoming silhouette of the Mansion apprehensively. It had been so many long and harrowing months since he had been here before it, and he was surprised to see it still in tact. He had rather thought the CIA would have destroyed it

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[kpcalmntelepath]

No operatives here, only Charles. The children had gone out for the evening, in secret...Or what they thought was. Most of the had projected so loudly, he almost said something, but decided a quiet evening in the study would be just the thing to clear his head.

As soon as he curled his pale fingers around the door handle, Charles turned towards the vague direction of the front door. Narrowing those baby blues, he shot a telepathic stream to figure out who it was. It certainly did not feel like Erik, or any of the children, so who?

Even though he was worried as to the identity of the intruder, who seemed very familiar with the layout of the mansion, Charles decided to enter the study none the less, and made himself vaguely comfortable in his favorite armchair, eyes fixed on the door. The route this person was taking would bring them to the study soon.

[brokenoptimism]

Charles had intended to make this trip simple and quick. He froze, hand still on the door handle as worn blue eyes fell on a pair of crystal blue twins. Confusion flashed briefly as his brows knit together, his walls flashing up even stronger than before.

This was a trick. It had to be a trick. His expression set into a frown as he debated his options. He would make himself vulnerable trying to reach this look-a-like's mind if it was some form of trick. Then another possibility occurred to him that had his eyes widening slightly.

"Raven?"

[kpcalmntelepath]

A few emotions flickered across Charles' face as he watched with great scrutiny what appeared to be his identical twin. Brows furrowed, he tilted his head ever so slightly, weighing out the options before forcing his own mental walls to reinforce.

Setting his expression to his usual easy smile, Charles shook his head, "I'm afraid not. Though I was about to ask you the very same question." His voice echoed through the space between them. For some reason, he couldn't force himself into an assertive or aggressive position. Perhaps it was the shock of staring at himself, or perhaps it was something more subconscious. Whatever it was, Charles remained in his chair, legs crossed one over the other, hands steepled at the finger tips as he studied the form in front of him.

[brokenoptimism]

Wariness and learned caution remained at the back of Charles' mind as he made his way forward, slowly. He was watching the image of himself with a mixture of fascination and disbelief that were only barely veiled in his expression. It was like looking at a photograph of his past.

"What are you doing here." His voice mirrored the others almost perfectly, though his held a quality of weariness to it. He was still reluctant to reach out mentally, even as he drew nearer to the illusion? projection? perhaps they had drugged him again? other man. "Who are you?"

Had he shown his hand too soon in mentioning Raven? Of course it was not her. He would have sense her if it had been. She could fool the eyes but not his mind. How strong had Emma's abilities been? Surely not enough to produce an illusion of this quality while he had his mind blocked.