LORNA / POLARIS.

“So are we all just totally fine with the fact that my mother spontaneously combusted? Everyone seems way too calm with everything that’s just happened.”

“Those mutants sure know what they’re doing— I haven’t felt this good in years. Apparently all a guy’s gotta do to feel better is die. Who knew?”

“Geophysics… huh.” Bucky whistled lowly before raising a brow at the green-haired mutant in front of him. “Did your powers make you pick that one?” That was the logical conclusion, but he felt like asking anyways.

“You shouldn’t have to reach extraordinary lengths to be seen for who you are. It’s not fair to you. But that being said—” Erik moved closer to her with a soft smile and caressed her cheek. “I have no doubt you will make easy work of doing something incredible. That much I know.”

“i mean, can’t say i’ve got cool hair, but i did recently learn i’m not totally human so. that’s been interesting.”

“british intelligence,” he shrugs, not giving away much more than that, “nothing to worry about, love. standard protocol.” especially when you’re the daughter of magneto.

“is that a bad thing?” he raises an eyebrow, “should i be concerned or relieved?”

he’s mostly joking, but he keeps the look of surprise on his face to a bare minimum as lorna confirms his assumption. brows raise curiously as he lets out a soft chuckle, “— i get that.”

Rachel grimaced at that fun memory, deciding not to comment as she just nodded and focused on the other part of the statement. She found herself smiling though at Lorna’s next words, her eyes rolling playfully as she nodded. “A drink sounds great.”

“polaris, lorna dane,” hunter let out an impressed huh, “i’ve read your file. gotta say i’d have to agree.”

“Did you inherit anything of your own?” Bucky didn’t have any malicious intent behind the question at all, but he quickly realized how it came off. “I don’t mean it in a bad way. I just.. Well, you said it yourself, there’s more interesting things about you. What are they?”

“None taken.” And he meant it. He was smiling as he answered. “Truthfully, I never considered any possible implications my name would have. Family was.. well, for a long time it did not seem that family was something I was meant to have. The fact that I have one now is proof for how things can change. And I’m sorry that others seem set on keeping you in my shadow. That’s certainly not what I want for you.”

“magneto, scarlet witch—- can’t say i’m familiar with either of them. although, i don’t think i’ve crossed paths with any x-men in my universe yet.”

“My father is a rabbi. You can imagine there was a bit of pressure there.” Steven had some pretty fond memories of spending time in the synagogue, but recently they’d been tainted with some of Marc’s disdain for their religion altogether. His smile fell a bit as he focused on Lorna’s words instead. “But the Monarchy of M sounds like a whole other beast. I’m sorry that you’re feeling that way.”

“Join the club, Auntie Lorna.” Had Tommy ever called her that before? He didn’t think he had. He figured he’d be able to step out of the way quickly enough if she decided to chuck a set of silverware at him or something for the transgression. “My mom’s cool and all, don’t get me wrong, but I think people forget that we’re more than just related to her.”

“Family’s a tough thing to shake. The hard part is figuring out who we are outside of them. If you know, other people will see it in time.”