Nathaniel Santos's Story

When Xavier is back in his own room, he changed his attires into something else that is more informal and suitable for socializing. While most of the time what he prefers are suits and professional choices of wardrobes, it doesn't mean that he is not up to something more fashionable and 'updated'. There's a lot for others to find out about this old man, after all, and it wouldn't be so interesting as to show them all in one go, isn't it? All the chatteries and fussing about how untrustworthy of an individual he is, but if people can truly read his thoughts, they would know that he much enjoys things to be that way.

Glancing at the invitation for the gala, Xavier couldn't helped mustering over what can possibly happen when it actually occurs. It is quite obvious that unlike some of the others, he was born for these kinds of events. This is a known fact even to the mentors that most of the infiltration missions they sent him to before are mostly to be an attendant of these refined activities. And as the saying goes, there is always a party crasher for any parties. It is not entirely a bad thing, in fact, for recently there hasn't been so many occasions where Xavier can stretch his muscles just a little bit more.


Xavier almost chuckled at the message he received from Ross, his all-time favorite drinking buddy. It seemed that others have already started having quite a bit of a get-together in Jack's place, so he figures he should be leaving before he miss all the amusing things that can be already happening there. Usually he would just pop in from thin air and make an entrance but he doesn't feel like doing the same thing twice today, so Xavier summoned a rather exquisite-looking bottle of wine before heading to the literal 'lair of the Devil' in a normal human way.

---

Disembarking the plane that had just arrived at Connecticut with his shades on, Zachary made his way to the parking lot of the airport where he left his car before he left for a trip to Xavier's Institution. He is invited there on behalf of his daddy, who once was a super famous X-Man and a former faculty of the school, to give lectures and teaches lessons for the newly recruited mutants in utilization of their gifts. Well, while a 32-year-old gal like him is still a student spending his days away at the prestigious Descendant Academy, Zachary still takes his pride in his career as a lecturer. So, he enjoys teaching and showing the kids of what wondrous things they can do. A good thing that afterwards he had managed to earn himself a small fanclub.

Speaking of lecturers, Zachary clearly saw the discontented look on Mycroft's face when he handed his leave of absence notice. He always knew the old man hated it when any of the students take a leave on his many 'precious' lessons, whether for an acceptable reason or not. Of course, he respected him and the other mentors for their abilities and experiences, but just like the others, Zachary found them to be a real hassle, or in a cruder way to put it, a pain in the ass. But having stayed there for the past 6 years, it's the least of things that he is already used to already. They are not the best of teachers in the world but, as a student under them and a fellow lecturer, Zachary acknowledges their efforts, nonetheless.

Striding his Rolls-Royce through the residential streets of Bridgeport, he kept himself low as he enters the suburb area where the Academy situated. Passing through all the security protocols and parking his car where it meant to be, Zachary just casually strolling his way up the escalator to his own room, hoping to have nice day off while planning what should he be doing for the day, until a message popped up in his phone.


Frankie is a good friend of Zachary. He pretty much considers her as a younger sister of sorts and is actually thinking about her, since he brought gifts back from his trip to Xavier's for a handful of people who are his friends and acquaintances, which included the daughter of Spidey. "They just had a practical session or something...?" He ponders over the probable reason why they are having a get-together. Seemed like he missed quite a bit during his absence too, which is actually a pity for someone who enjoys working like him. But at least he doesn't have to think over what he is going to do now, so he texted back.


Upon returning to his penthouse, Zachary unpacked and got changing real quick, bringing with him the gifts for his friends before leaving for Frankie's place.

---

"Hey there, Xavie. Where ya heading to?" Zachary caught sight of the son of Dr. Strange on his way, who is also in his usual informal attires and was heading somewhere, rather than in his usual professional suits. For some reasons he doesn't know the man is walking rather than just teleporting like he does usually.

"Good morning, my dear Zach. It seemed that your trip to Xavier's Institute was uneventful." Xavier turned his head and greeted Zachary, a fellow descendant couple of years younger than him and one of the few friends he had, "I'm heading to the so-called Hell's Kitchen of Jack for breakfast, as I was invited earlier. Looks like a band had already gathered there though. Do you want to tag along?"

"Ah, that sounds good. Murdock's always been a dab hand in the kitchen. Though I'm heading to Frankie's place now, actually. A get-together is also happening there. Seems like everyone just in the mood to chill out, huh? Lemme guess, a practical session just took place this morning while everyone was still wandering in the dreamworld or tending to their owns?"

Xavier nodded, "A simulation session after a Hydra base. I thought we would be trifling with the beasts, but in the end it was not as much as striding through a field." He chuckled, "Still, it was a fun one. We had to recover what the mentors specifically noted as of great importance, but the prize is but merely a gala with all the big boys present that is about to take place in this very humble campus, soon."

"Well, I suppose we're both used to the not-so-surprising exercises already." Zachary grinned, "A pity though, I have always enjoyed simulations. But a gala though? This is too good of an opportunity for oppressors to wreck havoc. No altitudes of security could hope to absolutely prevent that. More so if the 'big boys' are going to be there as you say. Don't we all know that already?"

"That is exactly my thought, dearest Zach. But still, a gala is a gala, nonetheless. It's exactly where both of us are meant to be whereas others just didn't seem to be so enthusiastic. At least we can play tag and see to it while it lasts. I don't think my partner for the simulation earlier is up to it, so do I have the pleasure with you?"

"The pleasure is always mine, Xavie. Now I got another thing to think about." Zachary laughed, "And before I forgot. Here's the 'souvenir' for you. Took me a bit of effort and some persuasion but nothing too hard." He took out a small wooden box carved with sophisticated carvings and handed it to Xavier.

"Reliable as always, Zach. If there's any chances to return the favor, let me know." Xavier took the box from his fellow guardian with a nod, and transporting it to his reservoir. They are about to part ways, "I'll catch you up later before the event then."

"Later it is then, amigos."

---

Standing in front of Jack Murdock's penthouse, Xavier called out to inform others of his presence, "Hope everyone's okay in there, I'm coming in." Doesn't even bother to open the door, the scenery changed in a heartbeat and before anyone knows it, Xavier had already been sitting next to Ross. Gazing around, he saw that quite a handful of individuals are here.

Caitria, Jensen and Riley had already made themselves at home, while Jack and Wren are conversing privately, probably something others would be teasing about. Petra, though, is unexpected for someone who doesn't seem like much of a social animal. After acknowledging all of them, he placed the bottle he brought along on the counter and turned to Ross, "Romanee-Conti DRC 1990?" It's already a little bit over a week ago since they hang out to get drunk, so hopefully Ross wouldn't turn it down.

Meanwhile, Zachary had just also made it to Frankie's penthouse. Knocking on the door, he informed whoever inside of his presence, "Frankie, I'm coming in." He opened the door to the place and allowed himself in. Upon entering, he saw both Frankie and Nathaniel seemingly enjoying themselves. He is friends with Frankie but isn't particularly too close with the son of Bane, as he usually keeps to himself most of the time. But he also strikes him as someone who is not only a walking tower, but also a respectable genius as well. And it also occurs to Zachary that Nathaniel is seemingly what they would call 'a hunk with a heart of gold'.

"Glad to see you, little Spidey. Same to you, Nate. How's the simulation been for both of you? Too bad I miss it though." Zachary was quick to make himself comfortable as he approached the two. It was nice to have some moments to chill out before the grandeur, after all.