xp_logs | Nathan and Charles, Sunday early evening

After one final practice session before the Vegas trip, Nathan and Charles go for a bit of a walk and discuss a few last things.

"Beginning to feel like winter out here," Nathan observed idly as he and Charles followed one of the wider and more easily wheelchair-traversable paths down towards the lake. The session had been a fairly long one, given the various preparations that needed to be made for the Vegas trip, and some fresh air had seemed like a good idea.

"It is indeed getting to be a touch chilly of late," Charles answered amiably, smiling faintly to himself as he took the time to observe their surroundings. He took breaks far too rarely, considering the last time he'd been out to like this the leaves still had been green - he decided, then and there, to make this sort of thing something of a habit rather than the exception. If nothing else he needed to drop by and see Cain. They hadn't chatted (well, debated might be a better way of putting it) in far too long now. Being absorbed in one's work was no excuse to neglect family. "You've been progressing very well, Nathan. The way you've finally integrated your precognitive abilities is certainly a good proof of this."

"I still feel like I'm a bit in the dark with them," Nathan admitted. "But I suppose that once we get back from Las Vegas I can start experimenting in earnest. Moira is already plotting." The smile that crossed his face as he mentioned Moira's smile was, if possible, a little more dreamy even than usual.

The expression was noticed, and match with one of deep amusement, along with a hint of something not unlike joy. "We shall be keeping a very careful eye on her during your absence, Nathan. Although I do not think I will risk keeping her from climbing up chairs and the such - I expect she might object to being coddled. Even in her... delicate condition." Charles' voice deepened over the words as he kept a straight face with relative ease. "I do believe congratulations are in order, at that."

Nathan glanced down at him, smiling. "Thank you," he said, echoing that telepathically, and wondering a little at just how natural it felt to do that. Definitely progress. "I'm not looking forward to leaving her, I have to admit, but I know this trip is important."

The segue to another level of talk was easy for Charles - it was nice to be able to do so again, he thought, feeling a touch of wistfulness still. When Jean had been among them, it had been habit rather than the rare moment. #It is indeed. I have no doubt that the children will do well, although I confess I still prefer to be checking in on them myself every day.#

#I'm a bit anxious about that,# Nathan confessed. #I know you'll be doing most of the work, but that's quite a bit farther than I've ever tried, before...# Anxious or not, though, he would do it gladly. Daily contact with Charles meant one more, considerably more expert level of assessment of how the kids were doing.

#The only way to ascertain the progress you've made is to put yourself to the test, Nathan.# Confidence radiated quietly in every word Charles 'said' as they moved down the path, nearing the lake. Glancing in the direction of the boathouse, he continued. #I expect we will discover that you've increased your own range, by the time the week is through.# Not only the children would be discovering their limits, after all.

He didn't need to be telepathic to have guessed that would be Charles' response. Nathan's smile grew as he looked down at the path ahead, but then faded as something else occurred to him. #I guess seeing how well I cope with the psi-suppressant tech in that casino will also be a test.#

#They are loathsome devices and I, for one, detest them heartily.# There was a touch of something feral to the unrepentant good cheer enveloping the thought. #Should you decide to gather as much information about them as you can while you're there, I would most certainly not be adverse to hearing about it afterwards.#

Nathan nodded, mentally filing that away. #If nothing else, the first-hand observations should be useful,# he said. #I'll have to see what else we can get. Maybe while Forge is in Arcade's computer system...# He stopped, shrugged. #I know it's not as high a priority, but the casino being that heavily outfitted with the damned things certainly limited our options here.#

#Well, it's not as though the ability to multi-task evades us entirely now, is it?# It was both a joke which still amused Charles to a certain extent, considering how telepaths had to constantly deal with more than one information flow at the same time, and it was also a nod to the presence of the Askani in Nathan's psychic mindscape. #Besides. We can't afford not to monitor the extent of the technology he possesses.#

Nathan smiled a bit sheepishly. #I'm rusty,# he said. #Hence the operational myopia. But I will talk to Forge once we're in Las Vegas.# He glanced down at Charles as they approached the edge of the lake. #I'll do everything I can to keep the kids safe,# he sent more seriously. #I know the ideal is to retrieve that information and keep Arcade in the dark, but if it becomes necessary, I'll yank them out, irregardless of what it does to Remy's plan.# He smiled again, more faintly. #He probably wouldn't be happy to hear me say that, but he and I will just have to agree to disagree if it comes to that.#

Charles smiled at that, looking over the lake serenely as they came to a stop. #Remy, for all the seemingly narrow focus he is keeping on matters, is still fully aware the importance of keeping the children safe from harm.# Which did not mean Charles would not be keeping an eye on things himself - he owed the children nothing less, of course. #If it becomes imperative to pull out, however, let me know immediately. There are provisions in place, should that eventuality come to pass.#

Nathan nodded, letting his breath out on a sigh as he stared out on the lake. #It occurred to me that this is the first chance I've really had to do something for the school as a whole since I've been here,# he sent. Not using the word repayment, although he knew Charles would sense that was what he meant. #I'm kind of glad for the opportunity. After all the good that's come to me from being here...#

People needed balances sometimes, some more than others - Charles had made it clear to Nathan often enough that he didn't feel anything was owed to him. And now it would be disgraceful to try and dispute Nathan's own sense of debt on the matter much further. #I can only say that I am glad for the chance to bring you whatever aid I and the others here were able to render.# A faint sense of rightness in belonging among them colored the thought, a second welcome home of sorts.

#Some debts enrich the soul,# Nathan translated quickly, with a flash of a smile at Charles. #Yet another Askani proverb. I really ought to write them all down one of these days...#