Daddy's Little Polaris

[Erik Lehnsherr]

There were not many instances in Magneto's life where he was truly at a loss of what to say. This would mark one of few and rare occurrences. He had finished speaking to Magda about this not too long ago, and knew she was hurt by it. Yet there was nothing he could do. He could not go back to that night where he had been grief stricken and found himself seeking out the comfort of another woman's embrace. And of course, not knowing until recently that it had in turn, produced a child. And that that very child, was in the Brotherhood. Not only that, but he had developed a good relationship with her. She was loyal, and showing great promise. She was extremely skilled and used her powers for all that Magneto had hoped mutants would use it for. He had had his suspicions of course. The similarity of power among many other things. It had been enough to cause him to go to Lorna's former residence and question her adopted parents. That was where he had uncovered the truth: that he was Lorna's father. He knew he could keep this discovery to himself, not uttering a word of it to her and let everyone -- including her -- continue to think that he had no children. Which, was really more of an assumption considering he had no bonds with them. Though he would be lying if he said that this discovery did not make him question whether his numerous nights of lacking judgment and his desperation for shallow intimacy, had created more lives than the one he now knew about.

But he was not a liar. And this truth, could not be withheld from her. She deserved to know, and he would handle the repercussions accordingly. He had become her mentor in many ways, yet today . . . he would reveal himself as being her father. And with that, he feared the expectations that were associated with it. Expectations he was unsure he could meet. He had called her out for 'training', which was really his way of speaking to her in a private and isolated location so that no one else would hear. Magda had been the very first person he had told this to, and Lorna would of course be the second. For this was not something he wished to freely advertise to the world. Not until he fully accepted it himself for even still, he felt it had not completely registered in his mind. He arrived at the specified location, a large field in the back of the headquarters, as it was in a rural location to avoid discovery. His mind raced through all the different ways he could and should tell her about this . . . none of them seeming proper. How did he exactly tell his daughter that he was her father? A role that he never planned to take and yet one, that was suddenly thrust upon him. To reject it now seemed . . . impossible. Just as impossible as it seemed to embrace it.

Tag Polaris

[Lorna Dane]

Lorna was rather pleased with how things were going right now. She had managed to gain his trust, his attention, and even now some training that wasn't part of what he gave everyone else. Clearly she was a favorite. Clearly this proved she was the best there ever was! He was the perfect leader and she was the perfect solider. Direct, powerful, and mightier then all the other little pretenders that followed him around like puppies. Weak ants they were. Begging for scraps of what he gave her.

He had gone away recently and she had wanted to be taken with him, but instead he had entrusted her with the ants and keeping this place safe. That alone was a mind numbing task but one she welcome to undertake. Proving to him she was nothing if not his equal was her current goal. She was even learning to change the gravity fields and use the magnetic ones to fly like him! Her powers were so perfectly fitted to be trained by him, and to be his right hand.

Entering into the room, floating a few inches from the ground, she held out her hands in prides. Flight wasn't easy, and she was still working on control for anything above a few feet. "I've been mediating like you said." Which was a new level of bored, but one she was putting everything she had into so she could be as strong as him. Her powers where great, maybe she could even surpass him one day. Folding her feet up under her, she stayed floating, and moved closer to him, as if she was just sitting on a chair. "Soon I will be ready to go higher." Even if it killed her.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Magneto looked at her as she entered and then continued to watch her when she levitated into the air. He would have spoken words of encouragement and praise as he could see she had been practicing . . . but now was not the time for that. This was no ordinary training session. He had to tell her something of extreme importance and he could not let himself get distracted in talking about her abilities and capabilities. If he started to do that, then it would distract him from his true purpose of seeking her out today and then it would be longer until he revealed the truth to her. Magda already knew. Polaris was the only other person he was obligated to tell. Anyone else, would either find out or they wouldn't. But this was not information that he would so freely offer.

"Polaris, I need you to ground yourself." Literally. Not figuratively. "For I have something important to discuss with you. It will require your full attention." He looked toward a chair and extended his hand, using his abilities to pull it a little forward so that it was near her. He knew she could do it herself, but he had merely done it to show that he wanted her to immediately sit down, not wishing to waste any time for that would only further stall him in telling her this. And his actions showed clear indication that he required her to sit for this conversation. For the impact of his words were great. Hell, he himself may even need to take a seat for repeating them was no easier than hearing them for the first time. For each time he said them, the more real they became.

[Lorna Dane]

He didn't praise her, and from anyone else she would have been annoyed but with Magneto she knew that if she had earned praise then he would have given it too her. He moved a chair toward her, and Lorna drifted toward it and dropped herself into it. Or tired too, as she ended up slightly off center and more on the hand rest then the chair. She used her hands rather then her powers to adjust herself. She then sat up straight and tall, before moving her hand out and summoning a chair for him.

Her powers were not telepathy, but she could lower the gravitational field around the chair allowing it to float, then using a magnetic field to push it forward. The idea was sound, but it lacked accuracy, and ended up flying too quickly toward him. She put up a field around him quickly, and the chair bounced into it before landing on it's side. "That looked better in my head." She muttered, jumping up to lift the chair and then moving back to her seat quickly. Gesturing to the chair, she meant for him to sit as well.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Magneto watched as the events unfolded. From her sitting in the chair to her trying to move the other closer to her. As she did try, she lost slight control and the chair went flying toward him. Though he did not flinch nor budge. He remained completely still, unmoved by the apparent threat that was about to hit him. Polaris once again, reacted quickly, blocking the chair from hitting him as it then went flying in the other direction. Under different circumstances, he would have taken this opportunity to talk to her about honing in her gifts and focusing more. But now was not the time. Once again, he would only be stalling the inevitable conversation and he needed to be upfront with her. She put the chair in place, speaking of how it had not gone according to plan. He silently went to sit in the chair, looking at her. Looking at his daughter. Everything else seemed completely numbed at the moment, as he tried to continue to process this truth . . . though knew he was failing.

He was unsure how long it would take. And he was of course unsure how Polaris would act. He did not fear her reaction. He feared the expectation that would come with this new role -- especially since he knew nothing of being a father. "It often does, when you do focus too much on elaborate planning and not enough on execution." It was not a criticism, merely advice to her. He was rather proud of what she could do, as she had incredible skill and of course, remarkable gifts. And now, it made sense where they came from: powers that were so similar to his own. "The reason I have come here is in regards to my most recent departure. I went to address suspicions I have been having, and they were confirmed to be true." He didn't know how to say this. He could just blurt it out. He could drag it out a little and explain. He could . . . he didn't know. "They involved you."

[Lorna Dane]

"Noted," She would work on that to please him and make sure she remained impressive in his eyes. Polaris was nothing if not willing to do whatever it took to please him. Magneto was the leader in the war on humans, and while Polaris did not fear them in any way, she understood now that sometimes you had to fight for the weaker ones. When she first saw Magneto speak on the tv she had taken it as permission to enjoy her powers. After meeting him she had learned that there was a purpose for his actions and it wasn't mindless dominance. While she didn't like helping the weaker mutants, she understood his plan and would fight for them.

Mostly because it allowed her to fight harder. Not because she wanted to help.

His next words gave her pause. To do with her? She knew she wasn't a rat or a betrayer and anyone who tried to prove her false would die slowly so what did he want? Then it came to her. He had gone to her homeland. "I can assure you that my human life has nothing to to with me now, nor will effect me." Polaris told him, not even giving it power. She cared little for it. "Lorna Dane was a pretender, and I reject anything to have anything to do with her." She might be reaching, he might have only gone to do something else in the area, but she wasn't one to be a fool. While her human family might not have been the brightest she had gained some level in intelligence.

She wanted no family now. The brotherhood would be the ones she acknowledged as anything close. Magneto would be the head of it, and she would be the might behind it. "If it is my past that makes you doubt in me, I can go and kill them." She offered. "They mean nothing to me but a reminder of wasted years that I could have been mastering my powers rather then living in silence."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She sounded like a true solider. One that again, instilled a sense of pride in her. And he knew it was not the pride of a father . . . surely it was not. For he felt it even before he had discovered the truth. If anything, he had called himself her mentor, growing close to her above the others for she time and time again proved herself. Yet now when that word held a blood bond between them, it seemed harder to accept it. "I have no doubt in you," he told her, his words sincere and without an ounce of hesitation. She had given him no cause to doubt in her. Not in terms of her loyalty, her powers . . . nothing. It was not her past that he held against her . . . but her past was relevant to this. Just like his was. "But it is in regards to your past, as well as mine, for it seems both our pasts are intertwined." Linked by Susanna. Never had he thought he would be sitting with the woman's daughter now, explaining to her that he was her father. When Susanna had a husband that had claimed that title . . . supposedly.

"I met your mother, many years ago," he began to explain. He could not say that he knew Susanna, for he didn't. Their relationship wasn't deep nor meaningful. It had been based on lust and desire to be in one another's company for a single night. "I never saw her again after that one encounter." He had not known -- nor even cared -- what had happened to her. She had been human, and he had been obsessed with finding Shaw. "However it appears that on that night, a life was created. Your life." There it was. No more subtle hints or explanation of details. He knew that he had basically already said it, and now all that was needing, was a definitive statement. "Polaris, it seems to be that I am your father." Magneto was not even certain how he was able to speak the words so fluently, without an overflow of emotions that filled him or expressive of the thoughts in his mind. He had merely said them, and hearing them echo back caused all the unfamiliar feelings and thoughts to course through him, just as they had when he first discovered the truth.

[Lorna Dane]

"I have no doubt in you," Good! Because that would be nothing bu a waste of time on both their parts. She was here to stay and nothing sort of death would drag her away. She a goddess here, and she planned to rule over her kingdom with chaos and fear. He had no reason to think she would ever doubt him. "But it is in regards to your past, as well as mine, for it seems both our pasts are intertwined." They'd met before? Surely she would have remembered such a meeting. Unless he was pretending to be human. Or she was and had not noticed him. How did one not notice him? "I met your mother, many years ago," What? "I never saw her again after that one encounter." Her mind prickled, and her lips parted slightly, as if she knew without thinking where this might might go. Her mother? "Before her husband dispatched of them both?" She bit out not bitter, but aware that Arnold had killed them both.

"However it appears that on that night, a life was created. Your life." Her. She was created. By her human mother and HIM. Magneto. Her father. "Polaris, it seems to be that I am your father." Her lips tightened into a bare hint of a smile, as her breathing deepened slightly while coming quicker. Magneto. Father. Yes. Her fingers stretched out as she enjoyed the power that even now was surging through her blood. Never wanted a family be damned, this was what she wanted her whole life! Yes! This was it! Her father! The right side of her lips tilted up, and her chin raised with pride and pleasure. Yes, this would complete things perfectly. A father. A daughter destined to be by his side and nothing under the sun could stop them.

Her shoulders squared out as her chair became more of a throne in her mind, and the world was suddenly bowing at her feet. Yes. This would do just nicely. He had done this. HE had sought out this information! He had wanted it enough to take time from the brotherhood and make sure he knew the truth! CLEARLY she was favored! CLEARLY this was what he wanted! His best solider by his side, his daughter, his general! Nothing could tear the apart now! "Clearly I was bred for excellence, human mother not counting." Crossing her legs she sat there, as if the might of the power within her would explode any moment. "Clearly this was destined. For me to to be here, with the gifts given to me by your blood, and for me to use them while by your side."

"Do I get to call you father now?"

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Magneto was unsure as to how she would react. But the second he saw the slight glimpse of a smile . . . he knew. She had often showed particular loyalty and devotion to him. He knew it had been the cause of tension, particularly among her and Magda. And now, he feared it would be even more so. Her reaction showed clear favor to his words, seeming rather pleased with the idea of being her daughter. It was evident she was not going to reject this title, though he did not feel guilty that the thought of rejecting his own title had crossed his mind. Perhaps part of it was still there. How did one suddenly become a father? How did one open his arms to his daughter he had not know was his for so many years? He left all these uncertainties firmly in his mind, not about to reveal any of them to her. Her words gave him a great deal more to think about, as she went on to say that she was bred by excellence -- meaning him and not her mother -- and her body language suggested that she had already accepted and embraced this role in a rather welcoming manner. Her smile became less subtle and her position became more, authoritative.

She had seemed to be more understanding of this truth than he was, for he felt he was still in some sort of strange state of denial . . . where as she was not. Her last question finally gave him direction of what to say in this moment. "I believe it best to keep this between us for the time being," he told her. He was not about to advertise the fact that he had a daughter. Only Magda knew, and now, Polaris. "The role of fatherhood is not one I ever intended to possess." And even now . . . he still did not know what to do with it. He was not going to give her false promises of now being her father and such. He was not a liar. He would be brutally honest before lying in any given situation, and this was no exception. "For now, our bond is what it has always been prior to this revelation." Until he had more time to think and to consider. For in his arrogant mind, he would be the one to make the final decision.

[Lorna Dane]

This was good. So much power. She had known she was strong but this, this proved her to be unlimited in her strengths. All she had to do was learn to master it and then the world would bow at her feet, and she could hand it to her father. HER FATHER! "I believe it best to keep this between us for the time being," That was unfair! Why would they hide something so right between them! "The role of fatherhood is not one I ever intended to possess." But it was here now, and the greatness was over powering the plans he might have once had.

"For now, our bond is what it has always been prior to this revelation." Of a leader and solider? There was no going back! "Why would you hide this? For the first time you can send a message to the humans and make sure they know that your power will not end with you. That even should they manage to kill you that the Brotherhood will live on, and your reign will be passed! They value bloodlines more then family, give them one to fear, Magneto!"

Was this about his little gypsy? Was he hiding her because some old bitch couldn't bare to know there was someone out there with a stronger bond then her? "This is not something we should hide. This is something that proves we are unstoppable. Your power, even when watered down with human blood, is stronger then all of them combined. This is your chance to prove it. Rain hellfire on them. Let me bring honor to you name."

"One I should bare too, as mine is a human name."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Magneto remained silent as she questioned his reasons for hiding this. He most certainly had his reasons for it, and could understand her own viewpoints. She saw this as an opportunity to bring more power to his name. To show the world that his family would carry out his legacy when he was gone. That Magneto was not just a man. But even still, he did not wish to publicize this. How could he when he himself had not even come to terms with it? It would take time, but he also knew there was no alternative. She was with him, and he wanted her to remain with him. For all she had done to strengthen the Brotherhood, and all she had done for him . . . the bond that they had developed could not be severed by this. It was merely a matter of whether he acknowledge her as his daughter, or as Polaris, as she had been before. Although, based on her reaction and suggestions, he had a feeling she was making that decision for him. "This message was given by the formation of the Brotherhood. That is my legacy." His words were not meant to cause offense to her or even to reject her. He was merely stating that The Brotherhood had been what he left behind should his death come sooner than expected. He had never planned to have children, and so the Brotherhood was the family he built and left behind when his days came to an end. That would be his legacy.

"We must not get ahead of ourselves, Polaris," he told her, in the hopes that she would not vocalize this information to anyone else. "I know not what it is to be a father. And until I can understand this role, no one else can know." It would give the others -- their enemies -- an advantage over him. He was no longer requesting they keep this between them, he was demanding it. Even though his voice remained as level and calm as it always did, there was an authority to it, telling her that this was his decision for the time being and that it was not to be disobeyed. "In the meantime, I urge you to use this if you feel it will further strengthen your determination. Allow it to silently be reflected in your actions." He was not going to try to minimize her actions against humans or the strength she attacked them with during their missions. He knew better than to attempt to do that. "But it must not be revealed. Not yet." If ever. But again, he had a strong feeling that he would not have a choice. Something like this would not be kept secret. Though he had to admit, that if he were to be forced to have a child . . . Polaris was the ideal daughter in so many ways.

[Lorna Dane]

"We must not get ahead of ourselves, Polaris," No, this was the time to get ahead! Why was he holding back?! This should be the time to push and break through the wall of humans, and make it crumble at their feet. Mutantkind united behind the house of Magneto once and for all! Surely it was his meek little lover that protested this. She had the most to gain by remaining the closest thing to an heir but the real heir was here now and the useless old bat could learn her new place and step aside. "I know not what it is to be a father. And until I can understand this role, no one else can know." And she knew nothing of having a father, but she was fairly sure that he was more of one to her then the other human family she pretended to have. "I've never really had a family, Magneto, but from my understanding you have done everything a father should have done. Given me a roof over my head, training for the world, and protection, not that I needed it, but you gave it. I need nothing else from you but for use to continue as we have, but to more greatness now that it is blood that units us rather then alike minds."

"In the meantime, I urge you to use this if you feel it will further strengthen your determination. Allow it to silently be reflected in your actions." And she would, she would use them to her advantage, because this blood was fueling her now when nothing but her own had done do before. "I am no longer limited by the thoughts that my human parents are a hindrance for me. I see now that I can amass to something far greater then I assumed, and I will not stop until I have completed my transcendence into what is mine by blood. I will rule the new mutant world at your side, and we will erase the human predators to our kind." "But it must not be revealed. Not yet." "For now I will train in silence, and use this to push myself to new places." Pushing to a stand, she stretched her arms, as if magically he had given her increased powers with nothing but a few words. "You will find me more ready then ever before to learn all you have to teach me."