Template:Featured Articles/49-2024
 "You really didn't join them on purpose? For whatever they were offering?" Hope didn't ask what Clan Akkaba was; she knew. But something about the way she asked - maybe the uncertain, scared undertone of her voice - said that this was a question she needed to ask, and have answered, directly. Not something she would take for granted, assumed from other conversations. "I am an *X-Man*." The answer was automatic, delivered in a tone that indicated this should have been an explanation sufficient in itself. Marius cleared his throat and walked back some of the intensity before he continued. "However, if it must be said: the answer is an unambiguous no. Once Akkaba had me an offer was made, but there was never to be any choice. I refused. Over, and over. It made no difference." The Australian paused for a moment, considering whether this was truly an overture he wanted to make, then accepted that he had nothing else. "Your dad's mission being what it is, I was thinking . . . if I were to tell you how Horseman are made, might that perhaps come in useful?" Hope shifted, sitting up a little straighter. Her face lost a little of its cautious restraint, too - not giving way to excitement for intel, but rather reacting to what Marius had said just before that, eyes flashing with sickened unsurprise. "That - that might be helpful," she said, clearly trying to choose her words with care. "But . . . " Her more-natural countenance conveyed some sheepishness. "I did throw a table at you. And steal Kyle's mutation and try to attack you too. You don't owe me anything." The seriousness of her reply left Marius amused despite himself. "I'm still in the process of making amends to those inconvenienced by the attempted genocide, which I don't mind saying is something I am finding quite difficult to gift for. In short, I find myself in a helpful mood." Hope blinked. "You're . . . giving people gifts because you tried to kill them?" she guessed after a moment spent trying to parse Marius's words. "Correct. The gesture is largely symbolic, I admit, but in your case . . ." Marius brushed a curl from his orange eyes. "If a bit of knowledge can help someone in the next world, well, it wouldn't be the worst thing." Hope considered this. "My world already had, um, he was already - woken up. And killed. But my dad helps other worlds, and I want to too. So - " She nodded, decisively. "Okay." |
