(Untitled)

[markedformore]

Erik has lived through enough talk of 'secondary mutations' to know that out of nowhere, they strike. Still, Erik hasn't been expecting this to happen when his primary ability has gone dormant and this inexplicable change has come on suddenly. It is without reason or explanation, but so was his first mutation

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[thebettermen]

He can't move his legs

[markedformore]

There are certain liberties that Erik is insistent on seeing through. Privacy is tantamount, but when he goes searching for Charles and hears only pleading, his resolve crumbles quickly and easily. Immediately, he presses his weight into the door to barge through as quickly as his body can, in this state of older age. He feels weaker, though sheer determination alone would see him through an attack, were one to arrive.

He is so relieved to see Charles alive and well that it takes a second longer for him to process the change in appearance. "You don't seem to have fared well through the activities of last night, Charles, whatever they might have been" he observes, as kindly as he can, offering a slow-building smile in commiseration.

[thebettermen]

Based on appearances alone, the man who's entered the room might have been a stranger, at least on first glance, which is all Charles pays him until he speaks, forcing Charles' gaze upwards once more to take in his friend with a critical eye. They've both aged, then, though Erik's continued mobility will see him win this particular competition. A brief, pained smile flits across Charles' face, but it's at odds with the older features, the type of uncertainty worn best by younger men, but it can't be helped.

"I'm afraid not, old friend," he agrees, and the panic still's there, the worry that this will be permanent overriding everything he's heard about this island's tricks. "Erik, I can't--" Stopping short, he lets out a sigh that's equal parts frustration and fear, clapping his hands to his thighs as though that might actually make them work again. "I can't feel my legs."

[markedformore]

Erik wishes that he had some explanation for this. Better, some enemy to place the blame on so that he could exact a kind of justice. He puts that aside the moment Charles tells him of the true problem. He's closer instantly, panic sliding through him though he refuses to show it upon his face. "We need to get you to a doctor, Charles," he says, his voice heavy with worry. He worries that he will not be able to do this, but he has trained himself his whole life to exceed expectations.

Erik will not fail Charles, not today. "Do you remember what happened? Was there an accident?"

[halfscarlet]

Billy hadn't exactly gotten the hang of his new body or anything, but he was more used to it. Walking around, talking, getting some food and checking out the chaos was enough to make him settle in his new skin, at least for a little while, and it occurred to him, after seeing Tony, that maybe he wasn't the only one he knew who'd changed.

He wasn't sure why he headed for the boarding house, but there was no turning back once he was there, and besides, maybe Erik would need his help. Playing tricks on Magneto wasn't good for anyone's health, whether he was powerless or not.

"Hello?"

[markedformore]

It's as though Erik's seen a ghost. It's not that he's seen the woman before, but there are aspects to her that remind him so keenly of Magda that it pains his heart to see her. For a moment, he pauses and struggles to regain words while the past seems to be doing its best to return and stun him. "You can't be," he gets out, words hushed and almost tender.

[halfscarlet]

"Holy crap," was Billy's less eloquent response. He stood in the hallway, staring at a face he definitely recognized. "It's -- I'm Billy, Billy Kaplan. Oh my God, you got older."

Apparently, being afflicted with a whole new body gave Billy the talent to name the obvious.

[markedformore]

"Yes, I..." He's still finding it difficult to put this together. He tells himself that he's merely seeing ghosts and that the past has not come back to haunt him. Erik has trouble believing himself. "Billy, are you okay? Do you feel well?"