Taming the Wild

A Proper Thank You and Good News

"I never got to thank you properly for saving my life that afternoon." Charles said

He had come to Erik's shop especially for that purpose, and picked a time right before Erik closed his shop so that no one would be around to bother them while talking.

"You're teaching my children. I can see the improvement. That's all the thanks I need." Erik replied, his usual reserved exterior accompanying his every word, his every motion.

"I knew you'd say that." Charles replied with a small smile. He was doing his best to make Erik feel comfortable around him and earn his trust.

"Do you read minds?" Erik chuckled and Charles froze.

Damn it! He wanted to befriend Erik, not for Erik to discover all his secrets!

"Relax, it was only a joke." Lehnsherr said

Charles forced a laugh but it sounded fake and he cursed himself for being so stupid.

"I brought you this gift to buy your forgiveness for the way I acted after you saved me." Charles said

Erik raised an eyebrow at the small box Charles offered.

"Umm, no, thanks. People get jumpy after they've been almost killed. I understand." he replied "You don't owe me a present or anything."

"But I insist." Charles pressed, shoving the cardboard box in the blacksmith's hands, wrapping his fingers around Erik's long ones and squeezing lightly as if to make sure he won't drop his gift. "Please." he said softly, looking up at Erik.

Erik stared at him with furrowed brow for a moment and then nodded slightly.

"Good!" Charles smiled brightly, letting Erik's hands go.

"You know I'd do the same for anyone, right? You were no different." Erik said as he opened the little cardboard box "And no amount of ridiculous gifts from some British aristocrats can bear enough meaning for me to--" he cut himself off when his eyes fell on what was inside the small box.

Charles smiled again.

"H-how did you know...?" Erik whispered, his eyes fixed on the gift.

"I read minds, remember?" Charles teased and surprised himself with the ease in which he said the words. Not a trace of nervousness or secret horror.

"This may sound strange but... I've dreamed about this!" Erik said, taking the small wooden out of the box.

"Did you? Wow. I suppose it's a coincidence." Charles smiled

"In my dream" Erik continued, looking at the talisman as if hypnotized by it, "this figure was protecting me. It made me feel calm and relaxed like I've never felt before."

Charles nodded. "Well, maybe this one that I carved for you would give you the peace and serenity from your dream in reality too." he said

Erik looked at him, his features softened by his emotions; emotions Charles felt so tempted to feel with his telepathy, but managed to stop himself once again. It was enough that the other day he unlocked the brightest memory in Erik's mind to find images of Erik's mother, his children and this symbol. Charles decided on the symbol as the best option for a gift and carved it out of wood. He hoped this present would really bring joy to the man. And it did, apparently. This made Charles happy too.

"You made this for me?" Erik repeated, still having a hard time believing that anyone would bother

"Yes. I wanted to buy your forgiveness, remember?" Charles teased and Erik chuckled. "Well, did I? Buy your forgiveness?"

Erik grinned, shaking his head. "No." he said "But you damn well earned it!"

On his way home Charles felt light as a feather! He had a lovely talk with Erik during which he realized that the blacksmith was actually not as hard to talk to as Charles originally thought. In fact, Erik was pretty interesting and knowledgeable, he was intelligent and very passionate about his opinions. Besides his face was glowing so pleasantly when he saw Charles' gift for him.

Charles was pleased to admit to himself that he's found a person he'd gladly call his friend in this town! It was about time he expanded his list of Moira, Hank and students.

When he got home an unexpected visitor was waiting for him.

"Hank! I'm sorry, did you wait here long? I didn't expect you tonight."

Hank shook his head. "Only a couple of minutes. It's nothing really." he said "I came to bring you these."

Hank handed him a few papers.

"They're ideas for the school curriculum."

"Oh, yes! You said you'd bring those one of these days." Charles smiled. He couldn't help himself really - he was smiling all evening for some reason. "Wanna come in?" he offered

Hank shook his head. "No. It's late, I should be going home." he looked at him closely "Are you alright?"

"Of course I am!" Charles replied, still smiling

"You just seem... odd and flushed."

Charles shrugged. "No idea what you mean. I feel fine." he reassured him

"I didn't say it was a bad odd..." Hank muttered but then jumped "Oh! I almost forgot. This letter came for you today right after you left. It seemed important - good stationary and all."

Charles took the letter and his face lit up when he saw whom it was from.

"Just don't run into the woods again. Moira warned me about you and letters." Hank made an attempt to joke

"I won't! But this is rather important!" Charles beamed

"Well, good evening then." Hank smiled

"Good evening, Hank! And thanks again!" Charles grinned once more and got home hurriedly to open his letter.

Just as he was expecting the letter was important! It was from Sebastian Shaw.

Sebastian Shaw who was a family friend. Sebastian Shaw who used to visit Charles' step-father a lot and who offered Raven should go with him to America. Sebastian Shaw who told all those exciting stories that got Raven so hooked on making this trip in the first place. Sebastian Shaw who later sent a distressed letter to the Xaviers informing them that Raven did not arrive when she was supposed to. Sebastian Shaw who blamed himself for the mysterious way in which Raven suddenly disappeared. Sebastian Shaw who wrote to Charles, offering him whatever help he could in order to find Raven. That Sebastian Shaw was writing to Charles now, informing him that he was passing by Carlton and had the intention to visit him if it wasn't inconvenient.

Of course it wasn't inconvenient, Charles thought. This was good news. Sebastian was pretty influential in this country. If anyone was going to help Charles find Raven faster, it was definitely Sebastian Shaw. And the fact that he was coming to Carlton proved that he was actually serious about helping Charles find his sister. Or even better, maybe he already had some news! Maybe his people had discovered something about what happened to Raven! Maybe this letter was a good omen. Maybe now finally Raven will be saved!

Charles smiled some more. Oh, yes! It was a good day indeed!