"I never would've guessed, Charles. You've got a real talent for directing theater."
Aboard the Sirius Ship, Erik Lehnsherr slowly opened his eyes in his seat and gave Professor Charles a playful wink.
Suppressed laughter echoed through the command hall at the center of the warship. Professor Charles Xavier's cheeks gradually turned red beneath his Cerebro Helmet.
He looked at Mr. Howlett, seated right in the middle, whose expression was just as wryly amused, and gave an awkward grin.
"For the hope and future of Earth! We must persevere and fight to the death!"
Laura kept a straight face as she exaggeratedly imitated her "dad's" stirring speech in a deep voice. Emma couldn't help bursting into laughter, while Jean Grey beside her clutched her stomach and giggled uncontrollably.
"Honestly, Charles, that was the fakest part. Dad would never say something like that. Just thinking about it makes me cringe. And the way I died—that was awful! It was like I'd actually experienced it. Looks like I'll be having nightmares for days..."
Azazel shuddered as if he'd broken out in goose bumps, curled his tail around himself, and edged closer to his wife, Raven.
The laughter in the command hall grew louder. Even Alex and Colossus Peter, still wrapped up in layer upon layer of bandages, trembled as they held their stomachs.
Remembering their own "heroic" performances, the two of them awkwardly hunched their shoulders.
"...But the professor's mind control has definitely improved. If I'm not mistaken, the people you controlled weren't under your constant supervision. Was it something like planting a mental seed in them?"
Emma's laughter faded. Speaking softly, she tried to smooth things over for Charles, looking at him with a questioning expression.
"You're right, madam. For mind control over such a vast distance, especially considering the Kree