xp_logs | Logs: Nathan/Medusa and Forge/Medusa

Medusa drops by the mansion to check on Nathan. In the midst of their usual banter, she gets some rather disturbing news.

"They're letting me sit up now," was Nathan's greeting to the redhead standing in the doorway. "I gather this is progress. Although I want to register a complaint about the food." He had sensed a familiar-shaped blank-ish spot coming, and thought very hard about the proper first impression he wanted to make. After all, this was the first time Medusa had visited him in the infirmary - he thought. It's very bad when I'm not absolutely sure... And he couldn't blame that on the drugs.

Medusa arched an eyebrow, arms crossed over her chest, but there was the hint of a smile on her lips. "I will be impressed if they let you out of here. It seems as if it would be more efficient for you to just move in to the infirmary or at least have a Nathan room set up with your belonging for your frequent stays."

"Don't exaggerate, your Majesty. And have a seat - I've had enough redheads looming over me and looking disapproving this week." He let his eyes follow her, rather than moving his head. Drugs or not, moving hurt. "I've decided no more Russia."

"So how many countries does that bring the no travel list up to?" she asked, an innocent look on her face as she sat down. A tendril of hair reached out to pull a pitcher of water and two glasses towards her.

"I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me." Nathan sighed and gave the glass of water a hopeful look. "You know, having a proper strategy is overrated. When you can have one and still get shot in the back..."

A glass of water was extended to almost within Nathan's grasp. "Perhaps that means a different strategy should have been applied," she said before extending the glass the rest of the way.

"Possibly. Assumed I was dealing with a... military situation-" It really was the best way to put it. "-but it wasn't. Well. Except for the Russian attack helicopters." Whoops, that was maybe a bit too much to say.

"I see," Medusa replied before taking a sip of her water. "I would just like to recommend that you avoid getting shot in the back in the future. In fact, I recommend you do not get shot again period, regardless of location."

"I try to avoid it. It just sort of happens." Nathan sipped at his own water, trying to focus on the conversation and not how he felt. Mind over matter and all that crap. "Wish I could do the week over again..." he murmured, then looked up at her, impelled by a sudden sense of unease. "Your security on Attilan. For your husband. How good is it?" And that didn't even touch on her security, while she was in New York...

Medusa's hair flared out, though her face didn't betray the anxiety those words filled her with. "It is excellent. Pietro has altered all the security protocols regarding our security details. However..." she paused, green eyes searching Nathan's face, "...perhaps I will call and encourage him to place Blackagar's security on higher alert."

"I think... yeah." He hated to give her this kind of news. "You should talk to Scott, or Ororo, for all the details... it's a concern. This woman who shot me is... she was responsible for the attempt on Barath. And T'Challa, back in December..."

A strand of hair rose up to rub Medusa's temple. "I will stop by one of their offices when I leave here," she replied. "To see to what extent security is needed beyond my husband's." Both she and Crystal tended to have a false sense of security while in the States, partially due to spending the majority of their time at the mansion. But if Blackagar was a target, either she or Crystal could easily be as well. Which would mean increased security for Medusa in her flat _and_ Crystal in the mansion. That was not going to be a fun conversation. "Perhaps I should speak with Forge as well."

"Yeah..." Nathan let his eyes shift away from hers for a moment. He was actually most worried about her, although he didn't want to come out and say that aloud. "There's part of me..." He stopped, started to shrug and then winced - even with just the one shoulder, the muscles across his back still pulled. "Slippery slope, you know," he finally said, even the minimal energy that had been in his voice slipping away. "Deciding how to respond, when you're faced with someone like that... I could have killed her. Didn't."

"And how are you feeling about that decision now?" the redhead asked.

"Hoping I don't ever regret it," was Nathan's honest answer. "I didn't... I made a decision, you know. That I'd killed enough people in my life, so I was going to do everything I could to find a better way to solve problems." He looked at her, gray eyes weary and a bit unfocused. "Always trying not to backslide. Old habits die hard... but I just keep telling myself, it's the easy way out. For all involved."

"Well it is the easy route," Medusa said. "The villain does not have to face the consequences of their actions and the hero saves the day in the moment without having to maintain safety the hard way. Of course, killing comes with it's own burdens as well. It sounds like it was not a decision you reached lightly."

"It's just something I've had to think about. You can't... tell yourself, that you're trying to build a better world, and then kill the people who disagree with you. It's all or nothing." Practice what you preach. Nathan wondered if he was making any sense at all, and looked up at Medusa with a tight little smile. "Sorry. It's the drugs. They make me ramble."

"Whatever. You rambled before the drugs and I am quite certain you will ramble again. But a certain Russian doctor might come in and chide me for stressing you if I do not let you rest," Medusa said as she stood.

"That or the Scottish one..." Nathan sighed, and managed to set the glass of water on the bedside table with his telekinesis. The glass wobbled dangerously in the air, however, and came to a rougher than usual landing. "Hey... make sure John's not setting fire to the office? He likes to do that, when I'm away..."

Medusa watched the glass's shaky path with a bit of concern in her eyes. "You just worry about getting better. I promise the office will not be set ablaze. Juliette keeps a fire extinguisher by her desk." As she stepped out the door, she turned to smile at Nate and say one last thing, her eyebrow yet again arching up. "Now."

After stopping at Scott's office to get the whole story, Medusa decides to talk with Forge about her sister's security...among other things.

A strand of hair extended to knock on the door, the sound having a very official ring to it. Medusa had gone directly from Nate's bedside, to Scott's office, and now she found herself in front of the door to Forge's office. What was supposed to have been a short get well visit had turned into something much larger. All in the day of a queen.

Forge grumbled something to himself about yet another student forgetting their email password and hit the button to automatically swing his office door open without looking up. "What?" he asked in a frustrated tone as he shuffled papers, "If you've got a--" when he looked up and caught sight of Medusa in the doorway, however, his entire attitude changed. A smile crossed his face and he almost sprang up out of his chair. "Your Highness," he said proudly, "this is a pleasant surprise. Come in, have a seat, what can I do for you?"

"Thank you. I wish I could say I was just dropping in to say hello, as I know I have been deficient in keeping up with you since our return," Medusa said as she walked over to a chair and sat down. "Or to make sure your intentions with my sister are honorable. However...I assume in your role as an X-Man trainee you are aware of the recent assassination attempts against Barath and T'Challa."

Forge nodded and sat down at his desk. "Well, of course, I was there when Prime Minister Barath was my what with who?" He did a double-take that nearly knocked him out of his seat, hands literally flailing as he sputtered, trying to compose himself. "Whoa. Okay, um, well. Rewind a bit, your Highness, if you please. My what with your sister?"

Medusa raised an eyebrow at Forge. "Your intentions. But as I said before, this is not the time to discuss them. Let us make sure my sister's safety is arranged first before we address that issue. The security team in Attilan is focusing their efforts on any rumors they come across of assassination attempts targeting myself, Blackagar, or Crystal. However, with Crystal residing at the mansion, her security here obviously needs to be increased for the foreseeable future."

Forge nodded solemnly, brain switching gears with some reluctance. He folded his hands and leaned on his desk towards Medusa. "I've already begun implementing a more rigid evaluation of the passive security measures here, but as for individuals... forewarned is forearmed. Crystal is possibly one of the more responsible and vigilant people I know - she's found herself in personal peril on a number of occasions, and I think I know her well enough to say that she'll take any actions necessary to prevent herself from ever being a victim."

He steepled his fingers thoughtfully, tapping them against his chin. "That being said, she also doesn't keep to a schedule of regular public appearances, there aren't paparazzi camping outside the gates here, she has as much privacy as she wishes. She's become rather adept at blending into the everyday city crowd as well. If someone wants to target her, they're going to have to be a professional who's really done their homework - and that's an entirely different tactic. You may as well try and beef up security against an earthquake."

"I know my sister's power and her control of her abilities uniquely qualifies her to almost be her own body guard." She paused. "I doubt the threat to her is severe, as targeting the king or myself would seem more in line with the previous attempts. I just want to take every precaution possible to protect my sister. It sounds like you are telling me there is nothing more that can be done."

Forge raised a finger in polite contradiction. "Not so. I happen to know, for example, that Crystal is so far 1-0 against attempted assassinations," he said matter-of-factly. "Would-be assassins who didn't expect a small child to command the power of the wind, for instance. From personal experience, one of the biggest mistakes one can make with Crystal is to underestimate her. You say that her control of her powers makes her almost able to protect herself - I say that if she had a bit of specific training on personal protection and security, she'd be able to protect herself - or others -better than any bodyguard I've ever seen."

Medusa nodded, satisfied with the revised explanation, though she arched an eyebrow at Forge. "I am well aware of how that particular attempt went. Though you are quite correct, individuals all too often underestimate my sister." The queen leaned back slightly in her chair, her hair relaxing to drift gently about her face. "So you will arrange for her to have that particular type of training," she stated as fact rather than a request. "Please bill any costs to the Attilani government, so long as they are reasonable."

Forge arched an eyebrow right back, mimicking Medusa's posture. "Easily enough done. The most important factor in personal security is, after all, awareness. And so... you had another purpose in coming to see me, other than the inherent joy of my presence, I believe."

Medusa spread her hand out, her hair mimicking the movement. "Perhaps." She relaxed her hands and waited in silence, watching the man across from her.

Forge remained silent for a moment, then sighed and leaned forward on his desk, hands fidgeting slightly despite his calm expression. "Your sister," he said cautiously, "is an amazing woman. She has been a very good friend to me over the past few years. I certainly don't want to see any harm, of any kind, come to her."

Medusa held up her hand to stop Forge from continuing as she rose to her feet. "John, you have my blessing. I would have thought you already knew that." Spinning on her heel, she managed to keep a grin off of her face until her back was to Forge, though her hair was rippling with amusement. If Forge pursued anything with Crystal, she had no doubts he would treat her sister well. And if he didn't...well, she was sure that her comment would cause quite an entertaining reaction.

Forge just stared after Medusa, dozens of retorts fizzling in his brain before he finally just smiled and went back to his reports.