𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕀𝔼𝕊 𝔽ℝ𝕆𝕄 𝔸 𝕎𝕆ℝ𝔻 ～ 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘔𝘤𝘈𝘷𝘰𝘺

43 - [CX] Reticulation

R E T I C U L A T I O N
noun [ri-tik-yuh-ley-shuhn]

A netlike formation, arrangement, or appearance; network.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You were anxious to visit the school. It had such a high standard and reputation that it has collected over the years and you didn't want to feel out of place.

Nevertheless, you were overjoyed to finally see the 'School for Gifted Youngsters' from the inside.

You followed your best friend [y/b/f] who followed Kevin, a colleague at work, down a cobblestone pathway that led from the main gate of the plot all the way to the mansion-school itself. The breeze was fresh and rejuvenating; you felt at peace as well as a rush of excitement.

You're here at the school grounds not only to cross it off your bucket list of 'things to see', but to see a newspaper interview take place live. Your best friend is a photography while Kevin is a journalist. The school is having a major panel event today and you had the opportunity of tagging along. There are going to be all sorts of important people and reporters from organisations. A network of people would be present here today and you're just a small cog in the system.

As you stepped on the porch, the large and wooden main door slowly opened, creaking as it did. You froze for a moment, curious to know who was standing on-

"Welcome!" A young man with glasses greeted and opened the door further, allowing your group of three people inside, "I hope your trip was alright."

"Yes it was, thanks," Kevin said and the young man smiled.

"My name is Hank by the way," He put his hand out for a shake and the three of you responded with your names as well, "The Professor has been waiting for you, he's waiting in the main hall where most of the event will take place."

You followed Hank towards the hall, through a long corridor that had the hall at the end. You peeked into a couple of bedrooms with doors slightly open, and glimpsed on the lawn outdoors through the windows.

This place was grand and it didn't disappoint at all.

As soon as you stepped closer to the entrance of the hall, a rush of loud noise filled the atmosphere. People chartered and moved around the room. There must have been around twenty-five to thirty people inside, with new ones still to come.

You stepped closer to your best friend, not fancying the idea of getting lost in this maze of a house.

"Hank, please provide these two gentlemen with programmes for the event, thank you," A man wearing a suit with neat, combed-back hair requested and smiled.

You stared at him with fascination. Other than the British accent with which he spoke, he seemed intriguing.

Hank nodded his head then smiled at the three of you before leaving your presence. "Hello, I hope Hank had been a good escort!" The British man chuckled, "I'm Professor Charles Xavier."

He greeted and you raised your eyebrows discreetly. You were shocked that he was the famous Professor, you imagined him to be someone older...

You looked to Kevin, who started asking the Professor about the event. For a moment you glanced at the Professor, and your eyes met with each other's. You smiled slightly, hoping that he'd smile back but his mind was preoccupied with something.

You spotted a long table with refreshments placed on top and you walked towards it. You examined the pastries and crackers, and the various salads. There were at least five different drinks, all that look completely different from the other.

"Do try the olive bread, it's brilliant," The Professor suggested. You looked back to him as you responded, "I surely will-"

You looked around with confusion, the Professor was busy sitting at a table and talking to a group of four people. But you were positive that he had just spoken.

You stared at the group at the table then furrowed your eyebrows and turned back ahead. You then returned your attention to the arrangement of refreshments.

You gazed upon the appetizing parables, wanting to have everything. You grabbed a small plate and placed as many things as you could on top without making the fact that you were starving ob-

"Have you tried the olive bread yet?" A man said from behind you, startling you in the process. You turned around sharply and took a deep breath when you saw that it was the Professor.

You raised an eyebrow, "Did you ask me... I'm sorry, I mean that practically everyone's been talking about this 'olive bread'. I might as well give it try!"

He grinned then stared at you intently while you picked up slice of bread with a pair of tongs. "So how are you liking it here? I'm sure it didn't disappoint you," He stated and you clenched your jaw, "We've never refurbished the place. The school has been like this ever since it had started."

You watched him, slightly creeped out. It was as if he was answering the questions written in your mind.

You nodded your head slowly, feeling odd, then forced smile on your lips. "Um that's cool Professor," You responded.

"So tell me about yourself. What are you fond of?" He asked and requested for a glass of wine from a waiter.

"Well I... I like painting and researching. I enjoy coming to events like these," You gestured around the hall, "They help me learn about things I probably wouldn't know. I also like interacting with people..."

As you continued talking, Charles watched your every action. He stared at you for moments on end, using his mind to look into yours.

After a lengthened pause in the conversation from his side, he cleared his throat. "Do you know what mutants are?" He asked flatly.

"I'm sorry?" You gulped.

"Mutants... Mutation took us from single-celled organisms to being the dominant form of reproductive life on this planet. Infinite forms of variation with each generation, all through mutation," Charles explained in a rush, "And that's what forms mutants."

You ran a hand through your hair,looking over his shoulder then back at his eyes. "I've heard about it... sort of," You replied, "My friend had been talking about it, and how they're among us."

"Do you still work for the CIA?" Charles questioned out of the blue and you scoffed.

"Excuse me? Where did that come from?!" You responded with agitation, clearly offended.

He crossed his arms and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just curious [y/n], it's another step towards getting to know you," Charles said.

"W-Well... that's part of my past and I have no link to it anym-more," You stated and took a deep breath. You shoved past him, walking over to your best friend.

Charles watched you move away, furrowing his eyebrows with a hint of concern.

He peeked into your mind and saw your entire history. All the work you did at the CIA as an agent... All the work you did to fight off mutants and here you are standing at the heart of the heart of the mutant community.