age of the geek, baby

"Top ten? Okay, noted. I will update the official spreadsheet accordingly," Lulu said. "Wait, if you're above Henderson but below Callie, that ruins the whole system I have going, but of course we can't move Callie's place at the top of the list..." Not that Lulu actually had a spreadsheet to rate who was Carmen's favorite. That would be truly absurd. "No, I totally get it. I mean, technically the physio-chemistry doesn't totally make sense, but the fact that it all comes together despite the volatility? Not to sound like what's his face, that actor guy, but wow. Really wow. No, you should say it yourself. This is beyond pretty awesome."

"It's a brain twister, isn't it?" Xavier grinned. There probably wasn't a real spreadsheet... that would be totally absurd... unless he threw one together real quick. He made a mental note to return to this very important debate later. "I know, right? I swear, whenever it technically doesn't totally make sense, it's the magic. That's always the rogue element, the missing calculation. Whenever there's a magical or magical-adjacent item involved, it throws everything. Thankfully, in our favour this time. Man, I could talk about this for hours, I swear." Xavier laughed at her 'wow' and almost pop culture reference. "I'm proud of you, Lu. Truly. Thank you, I appreciate your support. Never feels closer to old times than days like this."

If it were anyone else, Sophia would offer to explain it with small one syllable words, but she enjoying the banter, was having fun, so she resisted the urge. "If we're talking in hypotheticals, I could be talked into a lunch that included a glass of wine. Or two. I like to save my tequila for after four o'clock."

"Well, alright then. You want somewhere respectable since it's pre four o'clock and we only just officially met, right? Neutral, obviously. Don't want too many eyebrows raising or claws flyin'... How about an hour at Rhonda's?" he paused for effect before grinning that sunshine grin, "Hypothetically."

Something made her want to reach back out to the vial. She had to curl her fingers into fists to resist the urge, silently count to five before it went away and she could turn her full attention back to Xavier. "Oh, of course. I mean, I wouldn't lie when your skills are involved."

"Thank you, I appreciate your honesty," he grinned. Xavier let out a laugh at her answer, trying not to mumbling something about 'a sticky note!?', before pulling out his tablet. He tapped a couple of times before holding it out to here. "Don't hold back, you can put down whatever you need. Oh, you can even voice note it if you want - the button on the bottom left, just there. You've got it, though. Whatever you vibe with."

"ey, the first step is to visualise. i'm picturing houses everywhere, people happy and we get the good snacks as a thank you. it's a full proof plan, man."

"you know i support any plan that ends in the good snacks, man. i'm not trying to throw you off your game, i'm just sayin', let's take the time to plan. there's nothing wrong with manifesting your vision first. that's how things tend to work out for me," he teased with a bright grin.

"Traded one for another. This one has better lighting. And listen," Scott held up his hand to signal Xavier to shut the hell up if that was even a possibility, "hear that?" The sound of sweet, sweet nothing. What could be better? Solitude, of course, but Scott found that to be an increasingly unlikely blessing.

"What? What is---," Xavier huffed a laugh as Scott held his hand up, running smack bang into the point. Some people just weren't born to be social butterflies, huh? That was cool. Xavier doubted that Scott had ever really been happy to see anyone come through his office door. Except Carrie McReid but Xavier wasn't gonna say anything about that. "Don't sweat it, it takes the time it takes. My girl Callie has a schedule like you wouldn't believe, I know. Let her know I asked you, that might sweetened the deal by a day or two."

If someone had asked Jamie how she had gotten herself from Scott's office to Xavier's, she couldn't be sure that she would give them an accurate breakdown of her movements. Ever since seeing that inventory list while chatting to Scott, she had been on autopilot, not even realising she had decided to snoop until that's exactly what she was doing. But where the hell were they? All she had found in here was textbooks, Funko Pops, and a suspicious number of dirt jars. Where was he hiding them?

"And I would be de-lighted to hear whatever it is you might cook up," Xavier grinned, making his way into his office and dumping a pile of scrap onto his desk. The fact Jamie McArthur had been rummaging around didn't phase him one bit. Actually, he kinda respected the initiative. What the heck she could be looking for, though... "You know, most people would ask for what they wanted first, get rejected and then go ahead and steal it anyways. You're skipping a few steps, here. Crucial ones, even."

"guysguysguys...i think i can rebuild some of the buildings around here. it's like some bricks, cement and wishful thinking, right? i'm telling you, i could really rock this"

"easy there, picasso. let's just focus on clearing this area first and then you can get creative."

Lulu wasn't sure if she should laugh at the prospect of her being Carmen's favorite or call Xavier a liar for even implying it. "If I'm her favorite, I'd hate to think of what being her least favorite would be like. Not that your her least favorite. I'm sure she likes you." Lulu decided to take advantage of the subject change that his tablet offered, eagerly leaning over it. If what was on it was true, it was certainly...Well it was a combination, one that she had never seen before, one she wouldn't have thought of. Lulu was impressed, no denying it. "And it's stable? Because grinding down protection stones usually causes all sorts of...Oh, but the herbs would cancel it out, wouldn't it? That certainly is clever, isn't it?" Yes, she was going to nerd out over it.

"No way, I'm top 10 at least. Above Henderson maybe... Definitely above Russo, c'mon. Not above Callie, though. Everybody loves Callie, even Carmen Caffrey. Oh, then there's Scott, her new favourite. Well, new-ish. Anyway...," Xavier shook his head, trying to stay focused on the task at hand. Nerding out with Lulu was always one of his all time favourite things to do and a sure fire way to distract him from gossiping. "Yup, rock solid. The herbs-- Yes, you get it. Right? I was like... Woah-," he mimed his brain exploding with his hands- "When it worked, right? I mean, it's volatile in theory but then you can ground it with just the right combination. It's pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. Plus, it'll work in a pinch to keep us safe."

For a second, Sophia was tempted to squeeze Xavier's hand, not in a painful way, just enough for him to know that she meant business. But no, she let the instinct pass. "Well, that was spectacularly unsubtle. I'm almost impressed. But no, I do not have any real plans. Luckily for you. Maybe."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he grinned. Oh, man... he really was in trouble. "Well, I wasn't planning for my luck to run out today. What are you into? Lunch? Margaritas? Hypothetically speaking, y'know."

It took Alison a moment to respond to him. The strength of the magic from the vial had caught her attention. It had been ages since she had felt magic that strong, since she had allowed herself to feel magic like that, and she was surprised by how much it had unsettled her. Alison was suddenly glad she hadn't fully opened the vial, and she gently put it down on the table. "As long as it's not bad news, I think it's okay." That's what she told herself everyday. That's what she wished everyday.

Xavier watched her carefully, trying to gauge her reaction to the vial. He didn't know what it was like to be a witch but he just felt in his gut this was something. There were strings being pulled here and not by the usual puppeteers. Given it was all theory, though, Xavier opted to keep it to himself. For now. "You took the words right out of my mouth. Oh, genius minds? I like that. Agreed."

"I wouldn't ever dream of forgiving them," Scott said as a matter of fact before simply glaring at the stupidly outrageous card taking up prime real-estate on a desk he'd only had back for a mere 20 minutes. Was nothing sacred anymore? The tea could stay, he supposed, but he wasn't going to let Xavier know that he didn't mind the gift itself.

"Ouch," Xavier grinned. There was no doubt that Scott was one tough cookie but Xavier wasn't a quitter. He'd warm up to him eventually, right? Besides, anyone Carmen backed was cool with him. He gave him a quick once over, refraining from asking to see his wound (for research purposes, of course). "Are you glad to be out of the slammer?"

It had been years since Faith had seen Havensdale in daylight. She was somewhat surprised to find that much of it looked the same, just run down by time and emptiness. The evil powers that be had left their marks, sure, but her house was still there, begging for her mother to tend to the planting beds. That wouldn't be happening any time soon. It might never happen.

"You gotta make sure you never give Henderson a moment of peace, Hunter. The man needs to live on his toes," Xavier grinned, appearing at her side with his gear attached. "This is definitely a coincidence. I'm just out here, collecting soil samples, minding my own business. Walking in the same direction as you if you can stand it. No pressure, though."

As soon as he was no longer tethered to a blood bag Scott had fought against the ever nagging pains in his side to return to his office. His sanctuary. A space just big enough for a desk, a couch, a whippet, and absolutely fucking no one else, ideally.

"Sorry, man. I've got hands full and overestimated how gently I bumped the door. The boys were in charge of the gift so you'll have to forgive them," Xavier greeted, bustling into the room, arms full of tea and an oversized 'welcome back' card. He knew Scott'd hate it, even if it was nice to be recognised as an integral part of the team.

It had been a few days since the big shake and still, no one seemed keen to fill Percy in on what had happened. He hadn't even really seen anyone of note–merely guards sent to make sure he was getting his rations and behaving himself. It was boring. He hadn't anticipated being locked up for this long–surely one of his brothers would take pity on him soon?

"And you know we appreciate that," Xavier grinned brightly back. There were numerous, necessary, precautions that the underground had to use when it came to outsiders. They hadn't kept the Resistance secret and safe all these years by playing around with fire. (And not everyone had been kept safe, he knew that better than anyone). "I wouldn't take the sour faces too personally, the boys aren't going to welcome you with open arms until they get the go ahead. How's everything in there, anyway?"

At the "I'm just a guy" comment, Alison felt herself frown. Sure, she had not spent a lot of time with Xavier for obvious reasons, but regardless, she did not like it when anyone, student or otherwise, put themselves down. Especially when they were talented.

"Thank you," he said, a little surprised to hear it but grateful nonetheless. Xavier watched her hands as she took the vial, waiting with anticipation for her to open it. He often did trust his instincts and they actually, rarely, let him down. At her words, he let out a breath. "I wish it were better news. I, ah, wish that all the time, actually. We could really a use a win," he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh, clearly they were. Especially the sexy," Sophia agreed with a laugh. It was not exactly a clever line, but Sophia just wanted to have a little bit of fun, and he seemed up for it. This is why she needed to get away from the Manor more (and just getting drinks with Ian Morrison did not count). "The pleasure is all mine, Xavier." She held out a hand. "Sophia."

"Alright," Xavier grinned while definitely not blushing, your honour. There was nothing wrong with a little innocent flirting, right? Nay, flattering. He took her hand and hoped he'd make it through the day. "Well, thank you for that, Sophia. You got any plans today? Is your cute boyfriend waiting at home for you?"

Lulu managed to hold her cup still. It would be an utter tragedy if this all ended with coffee spilled all over her desk. In fact, she might actually cry if that happened. "Thank you for that little warning. If I hear her, I'll make sure to hide. Just temporarily, of course. Just until she's...calmed down." Her anxiety did tamp down slightly at the news that Christopher Andrews was, most definitely, completely locked up. "You wouldn't happen to know this little something that the witches cooked up? Just for research purposes, you know."

"I totally understand," he grinned. They'd both known Carmen a long time now, and personally, he found her bursts of unfettered rage endearing. 'Fists of fury', came to mind. Xavier wouldn't have it any other way. "Just between you and me, though, I still think you might be her favourite down here. Hurtful, but I'm living through it." At her question, he grinned even wider. Finishing up her coffee, he handed the mug over carefully before pulling up his tablet. "So glad you asked, Lu. Combo of these herbs - this one, obviously, but this one... never even seen it before. Plus, you know the funky little, bloodline hunter, protection stones? Ground down to powder, mixed in, a few magic words, and then I just made it airborne. Home diffuser with a kick."