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[It's a little distressing, how easy it is for things to return to what passes for normal around here, because Charles finds himself sliding back into routine more quickly than he'd like to think he might have. Admittedly, that's probably better than it's been in the past, but it's still strange to think about.

He spends a fair amount of time hovering around the infirmary, checking in on Jean and Barbara and Rogue and trying to be useful where he can be. He's not a doctor - well, not that kind of doctor - but he definitely is fairly well versed in first aid, not to mention just being someone to talk to or listen if a patient needs it. He's also still attending meals in the dining hall instead of holing up by himself somewhere, and although sometimes he'll have his nose stuck in a book, he's more than willing to put it down and be social.

There's also his regular morning (and afternoon and evening sometimes, if he feels like it, which generally means he's overwhelmed and in need of an outlet) run in the CES, and he does actually make use of the CTS too, now that Arthur is gone and Babs is in the infirmary. He needs to keep practicing somehow, after all.]

[Filtered away from Creed]

Mark brought this up and I thought it would be worth mentioning: as we're the only two on board trained to counsel others, if anyone feels they're in need of someone to talk to in light of what's happened, [He figures clarifying in port is fairly unnecessary, everyone knows what's going on.] We're both willing to make ourselves available to listen or discuss the matter confidentially with you.

[Private Separately to Alex, Anya, Morgana, Zane and Kelsier]

Are you all right? [He knows he's asked Zane already, and Kelsier's likely to try and brush it off even if he's not (as are basically every one of the others), but he wants to be sure.]

[Private to Raven]

[... Just kidding, after a lot of hesitation, he's just going to content himself with asking Erik how she's doing. B(]

[Private to Creed, a while later]

[Again, he's debated saying anything for a long, long time. There's a large part of him that would like to wash his hands of the issue entirely, but as much as he doesn't feel sorry for what happened to him, there's still a part of him that wants to know why. He's obviously not beyond redemption - or at least, he isn't according to the Admiral - so he wants to understand the motivation, especially if it will help prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future.

So he sounds and looks composed, curious, definitely serious; from this communication whatever Creed had hoped to do to him - however personally or intentionally - doesn't appear to be sticking.]

What, exactly, were you hoping to achieve here?

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[Iris, too, has been here almost constantly, either curled up next to Babs or Captain Bush. She's always been a small woman, but usually Iris carries a much bigger, louder presence around with her; she's not someone you can usually miss seeing.

Until now. She's on her way to fetch Barbara some fruit juice, she's still avoiding Rogue because the effort of holding down everything twisting and raging in her mind is still taking everything she has and she can't yet bring herself to risk breaking her grip.

She's not looking where she's going, and she all but runs head-on into Charles; which is another huge guilt trigger. For a moment she looks up at him like a cornered animal; then she pulls the glassy grey-blue calm back over her gaze with a visible effort.]

'Ey. You all right?

[Charles takes a step back to avoid collision, and needs to forcibly push back the memories of what had happened to Barbara, and how he'd felt when Zane told him how Iris was dealing with the whole thing. He's seen a lot in his time here, and from sharing memories with people through telepathy, but he doesn't think he'll ever be used to that level of violence, and he has to swallow thickly before he can even think of opening his mouth to speak.

He's not sure if he's angry at her for what happened. It's - probably - not like she could have stopped Creed herself, and she hadn't given him back his abilities. There's no point in blaming her for what happened, but he's still definitely uncomfortable and trying to hide it because, well. The head thing.]

I've been better. [He clears his throat, trying to meet her gaze without broadcasting any of his own feelings.] How are you?

[Charles isn't broadcasting, and Iris would have to touch him to read him from her end; but she doesn't miss the physical cues, nor forget that he and Zane have a good relationship. Zane saw her at the worst of it, and although she hadn't been herself enough to react then, she knows how it must have looked now.]

...Charles. My brain's organised so I can shut bits off if I need to. That's what 'appened. I 'ad to shut a lot of it down in a big 'urry and it sort of ...threw the rest into a wobble.

[He knows brains. He'll get it.]

...in other words, aye. Better than I were too.

[He knows human (and mutant) and maybe animal brains, not Time Lords, and while he's done a little bit of research into it, it's not enough, not by a long shot. And while he gets needing to shut down certain things to function, it's still hard to wrap his mind around.

But he's not one for judging other people based on their biology, so while he's still uncomfortable, it's more because this has been a lousy few days and he needs time to process it himself.]

That's good. [And he means it, because it's what they have to do here: adapt, and move on with their lives.] Do you mind if I ask a question about your inmate?

[Nothing is good, but she'll take it; Iris has her mental feet back under her now, more or less, and she knows what Charles means. She offers up a rather brittle version of her usual smile as an afterthought.]

'Course you can, lovey; fire away.

I know he has a history with counterparts of me, Erik and Raven, [He starts, choosing his words carefully.] And I know he's also got history with Rogue and Jean. But I need to know how likely it is that he'll continue targeting [My family or our people seems too personal, my team makes him feel vaguely ridiculous - despite all evidence to the contrary, he doesn't feel comfortable labeling himself as the leader of some superhero team.] us, and if there's any threat specific to me or one of the others. He and Rogue haven't said anything to suggest there is, but in light of what happened, I'd rather know exactly what I'm getting into than assuming there's nothing to be worried about.

[It's not an accusation. There's no use being angry with her if there was something there and she didn't think to let them know in advance. Knowing Creed was a problem wouldn't have saved Rogue or Jean, especially considering Rogue already knew what kind of problems he caused. He just wants to be sure they're as prepared as they can be, because he doubts this is the last time Creed is going to lash out.]

Raven's safe, I know that much. And I doubt 'e'll go near Erik again, not after the beating 'e took. You and the others, well.

[She has to stop and think about it, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose as she does.]

...I don't think 'e's specifically going to come gunning for you and yours, no. I'm 'is primary target 'ere and right now 'e's giving everything 'e's got to shaking me off 'is back. What 'e might do is try and use your people; because 'e knows versions of you, 'e knows 'ow you think and 'e's got some idea what you're capable of. I don't think taking extra care'd 'urt. Use the Lassiebots: they can be programmed to call your backup on a voice command. That's 'ow I've got my backup arranged; mine fell down 'cause all mine are wardens - well, there was Pietro, but 'e never woke up, more's the pity.

But I don't reckon you need red alert mode, you know?

[He's not so sure about that. He's had enough experience with how things work here that at times, he's probably honestly a bit paranoid, but he'd rather be prepared than not.

Which is why while there's a part of him that feels like he shouldn't ask, he can't help but blurt out the question. He wants to know, even if he knows he's supposed to be giving her space.]

Why is Raven safe?

You should ask 'er. She is, though, and she'll probably be a lot of 'elp keeping 'im off the rest of you. I do plan to keep all 'is attention on me, Charles love. It's sort of me specialty, that.

[It's not a promise. She has the measure of Victor well enough to know she can't make those. Except the one about trying her hardest, and she lays a hand briefly on Charles' arm to show him, beyond any doubt, how sincere she is about that one and how far she's prepared to go to keep it.]

[He doesn't flinch away from the touch, but there is definitely a prickly of annoyance about her lack of answer, which he immediately feels guilty for. He's not supposed to be hovering, and he's supposed to let Raven make her own decisions, but he'll rip Creed apart himself if he hurts her.

... It's still strange, to realize that.]

Thank you for letting me know.

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