xp_logs | Crystal and Maximus

A scene from the Attilani palace this week.

Maximus had all sorts of games for a variety of consoles. Crystal had never really taken an interest in them before she had arrived at Xavier's, but once she had started playing videogames with Julio, she had asked her cousin to help teach her how to play, and more than that, how to play well and win. With that no longer a concern, Crystal had still decided to play videogames every now and again, or at least watch Maximus play. At the moment, she was engaged in the latter, watching the small purple dragon on the screen run around flaming sheep who attempted to flee.

"So tell me more about this mutant school," Maximus said, grinning at Crystal as he guided Spyro into a hidden area. He'd missed his cousin while she was away; Crystal always seemed to have the knack of putting him at ease, more than any of the rest of the family. "You and Medusa have invited so many of them to the wedding, I'm starting to wonder if the palace will still be standing afterward."

"Do you really wish to speak of such horrible things?" Crystal asked, making a face. Both Crystal and Medusa had spoken to their parents in detail of the events of the weekend preceding Crystal's last week at Xavier's. She hadn't asked Medusa what she had told Blackagar, but she was fairly certain there had been some rather interesting discussions. Maximus hadn't pushed for details right away, but Crystal had still filled him in on the mansion craziness he hadn't know about. "Perhaps we should have suitcases checked for leather uniforms?" she suggested, only half-joking. "They have been invited to attend an Attilani celebration; this is not a field trip, and it has nothing to do with the X-Men. I have assured people that they do not have to worry about the troubles that seem to find the mansion residents wherever they go, but with the number of 'events' that befall them, I would not be surprised to find them wanting to be prepared for something to go wrong."

Oh really, Maximus thought, his Inside Voices muttering their discontent. He silenced them with practiced ease, laughing at Crystal's expression. "Perhaps we should! This is a royal wedding, after all; we simply can't be too safe, don't you think? And really, the day we Attilani need to ask a lot of disaster-prone thrill-seeking Americans to help with our security . . . we're doing them quite enough of a favor allowing them to attend at all."

"They are used to school dances and parties at clubs," Crystal said. "I think it will be nice for them to experience a proper formal function." She leaned back in her chair. "They really do not mean to be as rude as they are sometimes, I think. Just try to remember that if they say anything uncalled for; they are not attempting to act in an improper manner, this is just how they speak and act, and they will be here at most for four days. You will not have to put up with them for an entire year as I did."

"And from everything you've said, I thank Heaven for that," Maximus said wryly, his attention momentarily distracted by a complicated series of maneuvers that eventually launched Spyro high into the air on a long glide toward yet another hidden area. "Don't worry, dear cousin, I'll do my best not to embarrass your guests by expecting them to be too unduly civilized." He punctuated this last statement with a quick grin.

"If Jennie licks her silverware, know that this is not something she normally does and it will be meant as a joke," Crystal said, smiling a bit at the thought of Jennie getting tired of "good behavior" and licking her knife just because she could. "Also remember that most, no, all of them, I believe, went through a traumatic experience recently and this weekend may very well serve as the first time some of them have taken any sort of a trip since then." She watched the soaring dragon on the screen, waited until Spyro had landed, then moved from her chair, grabbed the controller, and made Spyro flame the air, keeping an innocent look on her face as she continued to play.

"People actually do that? They lick their silverware? And they're allowed to eat in public?" Maximus's incredulous pause was more than time enough for Crystal to grab the controller, and he made
a face at her when he recovered. "And what happened to asking for a turn? You've been with those Americans too long, that's what I say. Though I suppose if they're all worn out and shocky, allowances may be made."

"Perhaps some people do, but Jennie does not," Crystal explained. "As I said, it is a joke. Yes, you are correct, I was there for far too long, but now I am simply preparing you for the upcoming 'invasion' of current and former Xavier's residents. It will not be so bad; we did not invite the entire mansion, even if it might seem like it. Also, although there will be many of them, they will be here, in our home, not in New York."

"You're preparing me for the invasion by stealing my controller? Really, Crystal." Maximus laughed. "I'm rather curious about them, truth be told. And I will behave, of course." His smile took on a brief inward air. "I'll do Attilan proud."