11/8/2006

After their rescue of Otto from a highly undesirable fate in the Raft, Exodus
      transported them all to a rather nice apartment, somewhere on the 
      outskirts of the city. The sedatives used to keep Otto under were 
      powerful enough to show that they meant to keep him unconscious 
      throughout the night even, to help make the transfer go hopefully without 
      any trouble at all. As it currently is, the sun has already climbed up 
      into the sky and Otto rests on the large bed, Magneto sitting at a desk 
      against the wall, the chair slightly turned to keep Otto in view. His 
      attention drifts in relative silence, sliding between the window, Otto, 
      Zachery, and a small notebook he's been writing in which rests on the 
      desk.

Recently having picked up a /new/ reason to hate the wretched 'flatscans',
      Zachery's host didn't last too long. It's most likely been deposited in 
      another room, looking considerably... dryer than it had during Otto's 
      'rescue operation'. At the moment, Zachery has been standing - in all his 
      hostless glory - next to the window for a good few hours already, one 
      shoulder jutted up to the wall. A constant, and almost inaudible hiss 
      slithers from between his jaws. This is taking too long.

Otto Octavius drifts slowly up toward consciousness. Automatically, even before
      he's fully awake, his mind reaches out for his arms, only to receive a 
      painful reminder of that still-fresh wound, that empty space within his 
      head and the phantom ache in his sides. "Nnh." The line between his brow 
      deepens as other details filter in. Octavius knows jail cells, and he 
      knows what it's like to wake in one. Even before he opens his eyes, he's 
      aware that this /isn't/ a jail cell. Frowning, he pushes himself up on 
      one elbow and squints around.

First, it's the sound from Otto that draws Magneto's eyes towards him on the
      bed, and as he watches the man begin to move, Erik stands from his chair 
      with a quiet but reassuring, "Otto, have no fear, you're in safe hands 
      now." That voice is unmistakably Magneto's, even without any ire within 
      it and spoken in an attempt at calm reassurance.

Zachery, having listened to whatever minimals sounds tehre were in the room for
      a long while now, immediately snaps his skull toward Otto. Heh. The 
      youngest man in the room turns toward the bed, a grin on his excuse for a 
      face as he takes a single step forward, tilting his skull upward to 
      eyeball Otto somewhat skeptically. "'Morning, Doctor."

Otto's eyes narrow behind the thick eyeglasses. "Magneto." His voice is
      rasping; he grimaces and clears his throat as he levers himself up into a 
      sitting position. "And Zachery." The younger mutant gets a long, bemused 
      look before he turns his attention back toward the Master of Magnetism. 
      Between the lingering drugs and long, enforced sleep, he's still rather 
      bleary. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Doctor Octavius," Magneto greets in kind with a faint curve of a smirk
      starting at the edges of his lips. He glances towards Zachery briefly 
      before his eyes return to Otto again. "There have been quite a few events 
      that have transpired in days of late, it seems. Interesting alliances. 
      One such alliance was made between the Brotherhood and the Morlocks, to 
      take down the Benetech corporation that was manufacturing a...method of 
      exterminating mutants everywhere. Through this, I learned that Zachery 
      desired your freedom as well, and since I have been plotting to do so 
      since I first heard of your misfortune, we joined our forces once again 
      to set you free from spending far more time than you ever should in 
      incarceration."

The look in Zachery's direction is countered with a stare of his own. Although
      the partially translucent mutant's gaze falters momentarily, drawing to 
      the side. Magneto's words are nodded to. Having nothing more to add, 
      Zachery merely folds his arms over his ribcage, gripping his elbows in a 
      force of habit.

Otto gazes steadily at Magneto, the mistrustful frown still pulling at the
      corners of his mouth and furrowing his brow. "...I see," he says after a 
      second or two, and again his eyes shift toward Zachery. A flicker of  a 
      smug smile almost makes it to his face -- see, Otto, you were /right/ 
      about cultivating this particular pawn -- before he absorbs the rest of 
      what Magneto's said. "/You/ wanted me free, too," he says as he looks 
      back at the Brotherhood's leader. The wary frown's back. "Why."

A white eyebrow arches on Magneto's now youthful face, though his eyes
      still hold the wisdom, experience, and withheld power that he's always 
      had. "Because a scientific /genius/ has no place being locked away in a 
      nightmare such as the Raft now, does he?" he answers after a beat with 
      that faint smirk still on the edge of his lips. "I'm afraid they would 
      forcefully make your mind go to waste in such a place, Doctor Octavius, 
      when it could be put to so much /better/ use elsewhere." The smirk 
      finally culminates into a chuckle as he continues. "But to be more 
      direct, as for myself, there was something of -great- importance to me 
      that we had discussed earlier. However, as for Zachery..." He lets the 
      sentance hang off with a lilt of open curiosity towards the Morlock, his 
      own eyes turning to look at Zachery for a possible answer of his own as 
      to why.

Yes. In all this time, Zachery has never even once asked that question himself.
      Why would Magneto even need Otto? Inwardly cursing, the Morlock's mood 
      drops instantly, his eyes trailing uncertainly to the floor. Alas, the 
      subject is changed, and his skull snaps back up to peer at the other men, 
      hearing his name. Registering the fact that the last words of Magneto 
      should probably be finished by yours truly, Zachery's jaws slowly part. 
      "I'm afraid I don't have much of a reason other than repaying the favor I 
      talked to you about, Magneto." He notes coldly, eyes lingering on 
      Magneto's face for a few seconds. "I don't believe details are to 
      necessary be explained, in this case."

Appeals to Octavius's massive ego has always been a good tactic when dealing
      with the prickly genius, and the tension there eases somewhat, though 
      it's taking him a moment to recall exactly what Magneto's referring to. 
      (Well, he /has/ been very preoccupied lately, and the lingering drugs 
      really aren't helping.) To fill the time while he sorts sluggishly 
      through his memory, he answers Zachery. "...Yes. And consider the favor 
      repaid." Then he remembers. "Ah. Your reactor."

While the small smirk has lingered at the corners of Magneto's lips until now,
      the open remembrance by Otto eases it into a pleased grin. "Indeed. In 
      exchange for your help with increasing the capabilities of that as well 
      as being sure that it is performing to the best of its abilities without 
      trouble, I have released you from that imprisonment. Our involvement 
      shall not be traced, either...and," he adds almost conspiratorally, "I am 
      also willing to offer you a safe-haven from their searches, and more, if 
      needed."

Zachery offers Otto a nod of his skull as he's adressed by Otto. "Right." No
      more ties, then. Despite that little fact, he just remains standing, an 
      idle seething starting from the back of his throat as Magneto starts up 
      once more. Nothing threatening or hostile, not even trying to draw any 
      attention to himself. Instinctive, almost, and even with the lack of 
      expression one would almost think he's... concerned about something. 
      Otto, in particular.

"You presume a great deal," Octavius grumbles. "Not the least of which that I
      would say /yes/." He swings his legs over the side of the bed, but 
      doesn't stand up quite yet. "Or that I would be incapable of freeing 
      /myself/ from their pathetic prison. Or eluding their searches." He 
      glowers at Magneto.

The smirk of surety begins to fade on Magneto's lips, edging into that
      tight-lipped expression of near neutrality. "I merely presumed what was 
      inferred at our last meeting - which was in my mind already agreed upon, 
      and it was only a question of time and resources available that was 
      affecting the commencement of it." His tone is no longer -quite- as 
      amicable, though by no means has the ire begun to surface at all. "Though 
      there is no reason that I can foresee for you to change your mind about 
      your assistance with this matter of mine, I can also offer you my own 
      help." Now, a faintly wry tilt washes over his lips and he continues 
      quietly, understanding within his tone of the loss Otto must feel with 
      recent events being as they are for the both of them, "As you are helping 
      return something to me, I can help you reacquire something that was 
      stolen from you, as well."

Otto glowers at Magneto, still, all through the mutant's reply, all but
      snarling at the oblique mention to what he's lost, to the straits he's 
      found himself within now, to his /powerlessness/. For a second or two, he 
      looks apt to snap back an angry retort. Instead, though, he sags a bit, 
      looking weary, and takes off his glasses briefly to rub at his eyes. "I'm 
      listening," he says, more reasonably, as he replaces the thick-lensed 
      eyewear.

Thin lips spread a bit more to the sides, not quite in a grin, but perhaps on
      the path to one. "Good," Magneto says quietly with a small dip of his 
      head in thanks. "I do have certain safehouses within the city - this 
      being one such place - as well as a larger Haven of my own where a number 
      of us have gathered." He pauses here, contemplatively looking towards 
      Otto for a few long moments before he continues, "Though the work with 
      the reactor would be on the asteroid itself, I am willing to perhaps set 
      aside a section of our Haven on the outskirts of the city so that you may 
      find yourself more at ease there." He quickly raises a hand as if to hold 
      off any offense, "While I am certain a genius such as yourself is more 
      than capable of keeping himself safe, and performing your auspicious 
      projects with ease all the while...I do not know for certain how safe all 
      of your places are, after this incident. It is merely another one of my 
      offers I am extending, should you wish."

Otto's eyes narrow; his frown is still disgruntled but thoughtful as well. Even
      blurred by the remnants of sedative, the man's still quite cunning, and 
      the mental gears are obviously turning. "For now, I'll accept the 
      invitation. I assume that you have reliable transport to and from this 
      asteroid of yours." Octavius thinks briefly to the last time he was off 
      the planet and then twitches away from the memory; he didn't enjoy his 
      time with the Beyonder's "Secret Wars", no sir.

Zachery watches. He just watches. Until, he decides, it's enough. The mention
      of an /asteroid/, of all things, might have kicked the lowly Morlock over 
      the edge. "The term 'over my head' once more comes to mind." The blue 
      mutant cuts in, offering a grin in each man's direction as he lurches 
      forward and into a walk towards the door out. "I think I'll take my 
      leave, now. Ta." A simple thank you, for a simple person. At least, 
      compared to his company.

An abrupt nod is given in confirmation towards Otto about the transportation,
      that small but pleased grin steadily returning to the edges of Magneto's 
      lips. "Excellent," he slips in just before Zachery's words, and he 
      quickly glances towards the Morlock, offering him a deep dip of his head 
      as he passes in both thanks and parting. His grin is returned to Otto 
      again, standing a bit taller as he slips his hands behind his back in a 
      loose, semi-casual clasp. "Only good can come of this, and perhaps with 
      the right time and materials, if you may desire it...I can also offer my 
      assistance with any of your projects you have in mind for the immediate 
      future. Considering my affinity with metal, that just may be of use to 
      you in return for your help."

Otto cuts a brief look toward Zachery to acknowledge the departure. "Perhaps,"
      he says, turning back to Magneto. Thoughtful again. "I created those 
      arms, originally, to assist me in my chosen field. Therefore, it is 
      within your own interest to help me in that /particular/ task."

"Indeed," Magneto allows quietly with a small nod of his head, and now that the
      possibly sensitive matter is breached, he continues. "I also may have 
      certain quantities of the specific metals you may require for such a 
      construction, as well. We can assemble a list of resources later, as I 
      have various quantities and qualities of them in various places...mostly, 
      Asteroid M, which is where we shall be going soon anyway." Now, a small 
      but very pleased smirk tugs up the left corner of his lips. "I shall be 
      more than glad to be a fundamental aspect in helping the great Doctor 
      Octavius return to his famous glory."

Octavius gets a sharp, hungry little gleam in his eyes at talk of 'specific
      metals'. There's one in particular he wants, of course, no matter how 
      difficult it is to work with. The rest of the other man's words have 
      enough ego-stroking to smooth down most other ruffled feathers. "Yes..." 
      he says slowly, drawing the word out as if savoring it. "Under such 
      circumstances, I think I can see fit to... assist you."

With that confirmation, the smirk spreads wide across his lips with a pleased
      tilt, and Magneto inclines his head slightly in a nod of thanks. 
      "Perfect. Then I believe with this agreement," he says smoothly, his deep 
      tone richly carrying through the air as he takes the last few steps 
      towards Otto and slowly holds a hand out to seal the deal with a shake, 
      "let our alliance be evermore profitable towards each other."

Otto's smile is thin, crooked, and distinctly unpleasant as he heaves himself
      to his feet and clasps hands with the leader of the Brotherhood. 
      "Indeed." Profitable for /him/, anyway, if he has any say in the matter.

The hands are clasped, and in that handshake, both egoists stare off with each
      other with doubtlessly similar thoughts within their minds. The clasp is 
      released, and Magneto takes a polite step back as he glances towards the 
      door Zachery disappeared through. "Well then, I shall lead you to where 
      we are staying, and Zachery can return to his tunnels if he desires. We 
      have much to speak of, Doctor Octavius. Much planning to do," he says 
      with a smirk as his eyes slide back to Otto, "and much profits to be 
      gained."