[backdated to March]

[markedformore]

It's taken Erik some time to come to the conclusion that he has been avoiding The Subject. He's drawing close to a year's time on the island and with the momentary lapse in December, he's not been able to feel the calming presence of metal, has been unable to control the magnetic fields around him with little more than a simple thought. Rage and serenity matter little when placed in such a situation and it draws on each and every day.

Today, he feels just as powerless as all the rest, which is partially what drives him to the lab in search of someone who likely has the answers for the questions Erik has yet to ask. He sets aside his wariness at hearing an answer he won't like and makes time to visit Hank, bringing nothing to create small talk between them. He's given his blood, he's waited, and now he wants to know what he hasn't been asking.

"Are you busy?" he demands, upon seeing Hank inside the laboratory.

Comments

[markedformore]

Erik bites back a condemnation. It will be useless and it will likely only make Hank feel worse. Though he's unsure why he ought to be kind to his feelings, he doesn't think he'll accomplish anything by being outwardly cruel for the sake of unleashing his anger -- and Hank doesn't deserve it. "So, what are you telling me? That it's hopeless? I'll never move metal again?"

[two_natures]

"That's not what I'm saying," Hank replies with a sigh, because he doesn't believe that's true, not for a moment. The island is too unpredictable for that to be the case.

"I'm saying that right now, it's not a possibility, but the future can't be discounted entirely."

Just because physical changes on the island have been temporary before doesn't mean that'll always be the case. Though, Hank hopes he's not affected again, if it happens.

[markedformore]

Erik takes one moment longer to debate whether he finds this acceptable: he does not. "Then don't stop searching," he says brusquely, giving a nod of his head as confirmation that they're done with this conversation. "And ask Charles for help when you need it."

[two_natures]

"Right," Hank replies with a nod of his own, and while he'll keep Erik's request in mind, restoring mutations isn't exactly where he thinks his work is currently headed.