[ Ned listens quietly; he agrees with what Erik is saying. He'd always known it was only a matter of time before he slipped up and people found out about him. In hindsight, it's remarkable he's made it this long. As for what Erik says about knowing from personal experience, Ned is curious, but he doesn't pry. He doubts that it makes very well for light conversation. It's enough for now to know that it's something they have in common. Neither of them are hiding anymore. ]
[ And then Erik is making his offer of protection and it takes Ned a moment to find his voice. There's something in the way Erik had said it that lets Ned know this is no idle talk; he means it. ]
I don't know what to say. Just like that?
[ Ned isn't suspicious, exactly, but the look on his face makes it clear that this is staring to all seem a little too good to be true. He's never had anyone on his side like that before (except perhaps River, these past few days). Not since before his mother died. The idea that he is alone--that he will always be alone, that he deserves to be alone, and that he will thus always have to fend for himself--is embedded in him far too deeply for him to pluck it out easily.]
But you don't even... you barely know anything about me.
[ What Erik is saying about sticking together might make sense if Ned had something to offer. He'd understand a simple quid pro quo, a question of safety in comptent numbers. But he's just... Ned, a piemaker who also dabbles in reanimating corpses. Not really very useful. ]
[ It occurs to Ned with a sudden and sinking feeling that Erik doesn't know the whole story. All he'd said in the message was that he had brought someone back from the dead. He hadn't mentioned the cost. Here he is, letting himself get his hopes up, when for all he knows there's some strict mutant code against murder. Maybe whatever powers Erik and others like him might have because of their mutation are nowhere as deadly or unnatural as his own? Or perhaps he isn't even a mutant, really; Erik had said he would have to ask Charles about it. Just because he's also had to hide doesn't mean they are entirely the same. ]
What if I told you there's more to what I can do than I said on the video? That... that there are consequences, when I bring someone back?
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[ And then Erik is making his offer of protection and it takes Ned a moment to find his voice. There's something in the way Erik had said it that lets Ned know this is no idle talk; he means it. ]
I don't know what to say. Just like that?
[ Ned isn't suspicious, exactly, but the look on his face makes it clear that this is staring to all seem a little too good to be true. He's never had anyone on his side like that before (except perhaps River, these past few days). Not since before his mother died. The idea that he is alone--that he will always be alone, that he deserves to be alone, and that he will thus always have to fend for himself--is embedded in him far too deeply for him to pluck it out easily.]
But you don't even... you barely know anything about me.
[ What Erik is saying about sticking together might make sense if Ned had something to offer. He'd understand a simple quid pro quo, a question of safety in comptent numbers. But he's just... Ned, a piemaker who also dabbles in reanimating corpses. Not really very useful. ]
[ It occurs to Ned with a sudden and sinking feeling that Erik doesn't know the whole story. All he'd said in the message was that he had brought someone back from the dead. He hadn't mentioned the cost. Here he is, letting himself get his hopes up, when for all he knows there's some strict mutant code against murder. Maybe whatever powers Erik and others like him might have because of their mutation are nowhere as deadly or unnatural as his own? Or perhaps he isn't even a mutant, really; Erik had said he would have to ask Charles about it. Just because he's also had to hide doesn't mean they are entirely the same. ]
What if I told you there's more to what I can do than I said on the video? That... that there are consequences, when I bring someone back?