Manuel and Betsy Braddock - Just ... talk

[x-empath.livejournal.com]

Who: Manuel de la Rocha, Betsy Braddock
Where: Student Lounge
When: Wednesday night
What Happens: They talk, they come a little closer to mending the breach between them, they both have inappropriate thoughts



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Manuel sat in the Rec Room, having cleared off a large table for use in the upcoming poker game. He had six decks of cards in front of him, and was in the process of unwrapping them and shuffling them thoroughly. In the center of the table sat an enormous box of poker chips, also brand-new and never unwrapped.

Open-invitation Betsy thought sourly. Against her better judgment, she went to join the other patrons of tonight's poker game. It'd had been months since she'd appeared openly among the students and staff. It had become habit now. A few random encounters, but mostly, she stayed in her quarters. To make herself seem more normal, she'd comment on the journals and disappear amidst her work, never really taking in the scenery of summer.

As Betsy made her way to the student lounge, she cringed. The boy was alone and Betsy fought every response that instructed her to run back to her quarters and lock the door. Instead, she moved into the room slowly, walking loudly enough to make her presence known. "Hello, Manny."

"Elisabeth." he said with a smile and a nod. "You're a touch early." he said. "Take a seat, please?" he said, gesturing to one of the chairs around the table. "I'm not scanning you, and I won't be." he said, in an attempt to reassure. "And my own mind is buttoned up tight. You could probably break it, but not casually. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?" he asked, as his hands made short work of another unshuffled deck.

"No, nothing at the moment." She took the offered seat and looked about the lounge. She tried not to stare at the clear definition of his body. No longer a child, yet not quiet a man. She wondered what experiences would harden the boy so, but she shook her head. This was not the place for such thoughts and so, Betsy looked on as he shuffled the deck. "I would never try and venture within your mind without reason, Manuel. You don't have to believe me, but you shouldn't have to guard yourself....so firmly."

"It is for your protection as much as my own." he said simply, unwrapping another deck of cards. He could see her interest, but let it pass unchallenged. "Safer for everyone if I button up tight. My discipline is much better than it was when I was in Kwannon's class, but it's not so perfect that I don't occasionally slip and project something I shouldn't. I only had three months of training, albeit extremely intense training."

"I'm sorry," she said abruptly. She stopped herself from continuing, but the air was thick with her discomfort. A part of her regretted not being able to protect any of them from their experiences. Even if it wasn't possible, she still wished for the chance. Redemption was a foolish goal, but in her eyes, a goal to strive for, nevertheless.

"Don't be. I'm overall in a much better place than I was when I came in. I've never met a being of such power." he said with a shiver. "Your best plus my best never would have slowed him down. But he pushed me hard - he drew out my flaws, my weaknesses, and forced me to confront them until I embraced them, made them a part of myself instead of something that happened to someone else." Manuel said mildly as his hands absently shuffled another deck of cards.

"I see." His casualness disturbed her. She kept her eyes lowered, choosing not to continue the conversation. Betsy was not objective enough to handle such a discussion, not without help. But, Manuel decided he would search out the help of the Professor and Samson on their terms. He did not ask for her help and therefore, she could not intercede. Betsy grimaced. "Do you miss your life there then?

"Not at all, honestly. It was a hard life, with the training and the swordplay, and my lifestyle there would have killed me eventually. I was Loki's pet Spymaster, ferreting out lies and dissent. That lasted until I made a very bad mistake." he said with a slight shudder. "Given the choice, I would much rather be here. People are cleaner here."

An innocent man being tortured. She felt Manuel's anguish as he continued his task. Betsy shuddered, as she
caught more snippets of the session. Her hands tightened under the table. Manuel could not know that she'd "seen" any of it. It was not her place she berated herself mentally. Her voice remained unmoved, cold, as she spoke. "Asgard was not the place of fairies and elves, then?"

"It had those, yes." he said. "But it was also filthy, hot, crude, and undeveloped. Peasants lived in brutal poverty, while Lords and Gods ruled with iron fists. Jubilee, Angelo, or Jamie can speak more towards the nonhumans - the only ones I had any contact with were the Frost Giants. A simple people, really. Unsophisticated, and devoted to their Jarls."

"You say, that each of you were place separate from eachother in various locations," Betsy said, her curiosity piqued. "I wonder if there were particular reasons for placing you in different company. The God of Mischief is nothing if not ironic."

Manuel shrugged. "I never got the chance to ask him - I did not know the others were even there until they showed up at the Enchantress's castle." he said, with some bitterness. "I thought I was alone, and then I discovered Amanda was being held captive..." he bit off his words, focusing on reinforcing his mental shields. Still, an image slipped through - something about a slave-spell being cast on him by Amanda.

"What happened then?" Betsy asked curiously. Then the sight of a blonde Amanda binding Manuel, the emotions slipping through, Betsy buckled down her reaction. He remained quiet, Betsy continued. "I'm sure you did well enduring as you have," she said admirably.

"I don't really want to talk about it right now." he said, fighting hard to keep a grip on his control. "Some wounds are still too fresh to be poked at." he said, then looked at Betsy with black irony. "Advice I should have taken when I needled you, eh?" he said with a rictus grin.

"I think we were both too close to the topic at hand to handle ourselves appropriately." Betsy said with regret. "Mostly," I believe I could've fought harder. Betsy paused, not willing to share that thought. "I doubt I will ever forgive myself for her actions."

"Though, I do not remember ever giving you advice, per se." She smiled, sadly. "I do remember a few well-placed threats."

Manuel smirked. "That was then. I'm determined to make myself a better person." he said with determination. "I cannot afford to become the monster I too easily could be."

"It is in the past," she said. Betsy bowed her head in thought before placing her lavendar eyes on him. "You must know, I never saw you as a monster, dear. Never that. I saw sadness and need. A hunger not many could replenish. I saw a boy lost in the bog, searching for his way home."

Manuel blushed slightly and turned his gaze away from Betsy. "Did you, now?" he said. "Did you think that when Kwannon gave your body to me?" he asked nastily.

"Though, even then, when Emma brought you to the school, Manuel. I had never met anyone with as much potential as yourself. It is what caught /her/ attention so." Betsy replied coolly. "But don't think that because she gave you anything of value. There are distinct differences between Kwannon and I. And whether or not, you chose to believe that is of your own accord."

"Though, if you wish to ask such questions." She said curiously. "I'm sure there are other questions you wished to ask?"

"I believe you." he said simply. "I have no reason not to. As far as the questions go - nothing comes immediately to mind." he said with a shrug. "You're still a beautiful woman, but different from her. She had an aggressive sexuality - she flaunted what you have. You are far more reserved - a suggestion, not a blatant photo. It is far more appealing."

"I'm glad you approve," she said amused. Odd, how this conversation would not have occurred a week ago. It was obvious both had changed since then. "Though, I could and have never been as open as our departed companion. Thankfully, it has never been in my nature to flaunt." Besides a few choice model shoots, of course.

"Despite the photographic evidence to the contrary." he said with a grin. "But it's obvious that you have very different ideas about what is appealing."

"Yes, despite that. It was a way of revolting against my mutinous brothers, I assume." Betsy let out an infectious laugh and smiled at him. "Different ideas? Why would you say that?"

"You're very beautiful, but in a more classical way. Not so much flash and sex, but elegance and style." he said with a grin. "I much prefer your style to hers."

"I'm honored that you think me that way." She smiled up at Manuel. Catching herself before alluding to her admiration, Betsy continued. "Though, I doubt that very much. As you said before you left --I have amassed a nasty amount of colors which I tend to project carelessly. My style is not for want. I appreciate the flattery, but there is no need to do so for my sake."

"Who said it was for you? Can I not express appreciation for beauty without my motives being questioned?" he asked, then shook his head. "I do not wish to argue with you. Could you get those chips ready?"

Realizing her mistake, Betsy rose quietly from her seat. She regarded Manuel for a moment, before heading to the appetizer table. She remained quiet, even as he continued to reshuffle the same deck. It was not her place.

Manuel closed his eyes for a second, and exhaled deeply. "I'm sorry." he said simply. "I really do not want to fight with you. There must be a way that we can patch things up, regain at least cordiality if not a warm relationship." The fact that he was seriously hot for her body he tried to keep buried very far away from both his link to Amanda and the surface of this thoughts.

She kept her back toward him, while working laying out the crisps. She felt the lust still. "I'm sure we could manage a civil relationship. There is just a bit more history to work through on my part." Betsy paused, thinking a moment. "I will make an effort, if you are willing, Manuel."

"I think that we could arrange something." he said with a cautious smile. He could see her lust, feel it pushing his own onwards, but he kicked it back down as hard as he could. "I don't make you uncomfortable, do I?" he asked with a wicked grin.

She still felt the trace whispers of a ghost. Supposedly dead. Yet, she felt herself the reaction deep within herself and in a disturbing way. And she knew that Manuel had sensed it, as well. Damn! Betsy smiled back at him, trying to ignore any trace of the demon within. "Not so much, no. Why, are you picking up on anything that disturbs you?"

"Not at all." he said with a very familiar grin. Seems that he was backsliding just a bit. "That's very good to hear." he said. "So - have you played this game before?"

"I'm glad." She turned her back to the table, arranging the drinks in an orderly fashion. "I've played a game or two. Mostly, to my loss," she said sadly. Thought, she lied. It would not be in her interests to reveal that Betsy had been known to play the patsy, a time or two. It wouldn't harm to play the defenseless woman, if it was to her advantage. "It is a fun game. Though, sometimes I do need someone to help explain it to me. I'm sure I can have Pete or Nathan when they're not busy showing off to one another."

Manuel grinned. "If you'd like, I'd be perfectly happy to give you a private lesson in how the game is played. Sometime when we can devote hours to making sure you get it just right?"

"I'm sure that is unnecessary." Not on your life,Betsy bit back her choice reply. "I can manage on my own tonight. Though, I appreciate your offer, Manuel. At least in the future I will know whom to contact if I am in trouble."

Manuel just grinned and leaned back in his chair. "I suppose you do." he said, then looked at the table with a smile. "Well, I think we're just about ready to get started here."

"We are, but if only the others show up." Betsy said amused. "I'm sure there are only taking advantage of the hot water heater. Not that I blame them."

Manuel rolled his eyes at Betsy. "True." he grudgingly admitted. "I would have to have gone through all this trouble for nothing."

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OOC Note: We're handwaving the first night of poker. Sorry!