Chapter Text
Erik observed the numerous pine trees that covered the hills around them as they drove, the road getting rougher as they made the conversion to dirt road, causing the car to jitter all around. "It's a bit of a risk going out this whole way for a hermit, don't you think," he asked, gripping to the seat tightly.
"It is never a risk," Charles said kindly, "To attempt to reach another of our kind who has been isolated by the world - even if it is by her own choice." His voice was calm and did not betray the thoughts that were on his mind. Charles suspected that this one might well be the most difficult recruitment of all he and Erik had done.
The dirt road bled out until it reached an barbed wire fence, much of the wood and the surrounding area showing signs of scarring from fire with a sign clearing reading "NO ONE ENTER" burned into the plywood. "Seems we got our work cut out for us," Erik retorted, moving the metal away so that they may pass.
Charles ignored Erik's comment and proceeded to search out the mutant mind that he sensed was nearby. He stepped evenly, his and Erik's footsteps echoing oddly in the stillness of the air. The scent of burning wood met their nostrils.
Erik could smell it too as they walked down the road and saw a cabin up on the hill, the surrounding woods completely burned away. "I think we found her, Charles," he mumbled as he approached with caution.
"Erik," Charles muttered, his finger on his temple and his brow furrowed, "I do believe she knows we are coming." An incredulous look was upon his face as he spoke, but it was just barely concealing a feeling of admiration.
"Perhaps we should introduce ourselves?" Erik suggested as the pair walked up to the cabin's door and knocked on it, only be opened as it was unlocked. "Should we?" he asked his cohort.
Charles hesitated before crossing the threshold. "Forward and into the fry," Charles muttered.
Erik followed in after him, looking around the otherwise bleak and worn down house before being confronted by a young woman, walking in from the bedroom, her hair tangled into blonde curls and a fire in her eyes. "What are you doing here? This is private property, so get out!"
Charles stepped forward, his hand outstretched in greeting, "My name is Charles Xavier and this is Erik." He smiled kindly at her, seemingly oblivious to the expression on her face.
Erik smiled awkwardly (like he always did) as he began to state their purpose. "You have an amazing gift, miss, and we were hoping if you would like to join our cause." Krystina back up, shaking her hand. "I don't wanna enlist, I told you all to leave me alone." Flakes of skin were starting to peel off as fire started to envelope her body.
Charles pulled Erik back, "You told someone to leave you alone?" He cleared his throat, standing his ground, "Who did you tell?"
"The rangers, they want me to go enlist along with other mutants," Krystina muttered, his gentle tone starting to ease her, making her skin smoulder out, "But you're not with them, are you?" Erik politely took Charles' arm down and shook his head. "No, we're not, we're just like you, mutant and proud."
Charles smiled and stepped forward, "would you be interested in joining our cause?"
Krystina looked skeptical as he offer but his kind smile drew her in, a slightly goofy charm combined with the British accent made it hard to sat no. "Okay." "Fantastic," Erik nodded as he motioned the pair out, "It'll be interesting to see what we can do with her."