Z. EVA / TEMPUS.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Eva doesn’t see Scott as much with him serving on the X-Men and her working with the Five, but she’ll always be fond of him. After all, he’s the one who recruited her originally. She spears a piece of lettuce before popping it in her mouth. “You did face plant, but it happens to the best of us.”

“We’ve done this before.” She’s tired and it’s obvious in her voice. “Little X-Men come from the past and cause trouble. But you’re saying you don’t know why you’re here, so we can drop it for now.”

“So you’re telling me that you know the science behind time travel, then?”

“A cringeworthy scene.” Eva admits. She’s only seen the film recently, and that’s because people kept trying to ask her if time manipulation was anything close to it. “Of course time travel is real. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I think you’ve watched too much Back to the Future, because that’s not how time manipulation works.”

If there had been another option, Eva would have gone to them first. She didn’t necessarily want to be talking to Mystique, but worry for her friend thrummed through her. “Hope Summers.” She put the name out there between them. “She’s gone. I know you’re on the Council with her. What are they saying about it?”

Eva snapped her mouth shut, eyes narrowing. “I came because I had a question, but you’re making me regret it. I went to my Emma, but she’s... distraught.” That was one way to describe her after Esme’s disappearance. “And Jean’s gone. We’re running out of options.”

“If you ever die, don’t expect me to bring you back.” She was being factitious. They’d bring back all mutants, within reason. Keller would have to fuck up incredibly badly to get off the queue. 

“I could’ve sworn we’ve done this before.”

“Do you know how tired I am?” What the Five did was normally effortless. It recharged them, even. Now, Hope was gone. They had protocols in case this happened, but it felt different. The machine was missing one of its wheels. “I’m not staring at you. I’m looking through you.”

Although on the Guard, Eva had no intention of hurting the stranger or altering the other four. The wariness was hard to dismiss, but she just shook her head. “Of course. That’s why I’m politely asking you what you’re doing here.” It was imperceptible, the air around them shifting slightly as time around them began to slow. “Let’s start with your name.”

“I would never leave you there to rot.” Eva shook her head, impassioned. “None of us would. How could we? We’re supposed to help Krakoa and you’re part of Krakoa. So what if you’re a mutant? We resurrected the Cuckoo’s and Laura.” It didn’t seem fair to leave Gabby behind, which also meant it wasn’t fair to leave Madelyne perpetually in the queue. It was wrong to pick and choose, to prioritize some clones over the others. It just wasn’t fair -- or right. “Is there anything I can do to help with your readjustment?” 

“Of course.” The words were spoken slowly. “Okay, Father Hellstrom, is there something in particular I can help you with?”

“Eva Bell.” She hesitantly shook his hand. “Of Australia. You said Titan -- is that like Thanos?”

“You know my name.” Now, that was awesome. “I used to want to be like you, just so you know. Only, I’m not a super soldier. I’m a mutant and I can control time. To an extent.”

“What would the point even be?”