Chapter Text
Charles’ eyebrows scrunched together in concentration, willing his hand to maintain still. Stifled giggles came from his right, and he shushed Raven quietly. He never for a moment took his eyes off the little cage he was lowering slowly, where inside a little mouse was finishing up the grape Charles and Raven had used to capture it. Almost there….
Moira was snoring (I don’t snore, Charles, she’d protest later) softly below them, curled up around a pillow. The cage loomed towards her, before landing on her chest quite gently if Charles did say so himself. By now, the mice had finished up its grape, so it was scrabbling up the sides and squeaking up a storm, noticing the predicament it was in. Moira, ever the light sleeper, blinked her eyes open slowly and stared at the mouse for a second uncomprehendingly, before she screamed and jumped up.
Charles and Raven burst out into peels of laughter in the beams in the ceiling above Moira’s bed, Charles holding his hand up for a high-five which Raven returned quickly. Moira, now catching on (she was quite used to the Xaviers’ little pranks, unfortunately), made a sound of frustration. “Charles Xavier, I’m going to kill you!”
“What, you gonna scream me to death?” He teased lightly between his laughing.
“Oh, just you wait, Charles. Just you wait until I get you back –”
“What is going on here?!” The Mother Abbess burst in, looking around in a panic. Several other nuns followed behind, clearly drawn to the scene by Moira’s scream. There was concern on some of their faces, but others looked unimpressed, already suspecting of Charles’ involvement. Some of the other orphans that resided at the convent were behind the nuns, peeking around them, equally curious at what all the commotion was about.
Moira and Raven instantly sobered up. There was no fear in their faces, as the Mother Abbess was a kind woman who rarely raised her voice except to call attention to herself when she was leading students in a class. However, they knew better than to seem irreverent or childish in her presence when they hadn’t been acting appropriately.
Charles’ laugh dimmed to a slight smile, and he gestured to the floor at Raven. She looked at Charles warily, knowing that whenever they got caught, it meant consequences were coming their way. She gracefully made her way down, landing on the floor with a quiet thump. Charles followed suit, equally graceful, both experienced with heights from climbing trees so often throughout their childhood. “I apologize for alarming you, Mother Abbess. It was all my fault. I startled Sister Moira while she was sleeping.”
The Mother Abbess raised an eyebrow as she scooped up the mice in the cage, squeaking but completely unharmed. She handed the cage to a nearby nun, who grabbed it and disappeared to free the poor thing. “I see. Spare me the details, child.” She turned to the group behind her, raising her hands. “There is nothing to be worried about, children. Please return to your activities. Sisters, if you could please see them back?”
The majority of the group behind them dispersed, hushed whispers and murmurs erupting. The Mother Abbess turned back to the three in front of her. “You may take your leave as well, Moira.”
Moira cleared her throat, dipping her head in acquiescence, and heading to the door. Once she was behind the Mother Abbess, she turned around and gave a glare at Charles, one which promised revenge. Charles snickered, which quickly died off when the Mother Abbess fixed her eyes on him.
“I’m sorry, Mother Abbess, I –” The apologies were already tumbling out of his mouth, when the Mother Abbess raised her hand to cut Charles off. He fell silent.
“Raven, please go see Sister Paula. She will let you know how your chores may change as a result of this.”
Raven nodded once, and moved to the door. Like Moira, she cast a look at Charles over her shoulder, although this was one of mischief, before she disappeared from his sight. Now alone, the Mother Abbess folded her hands together and took a breath, eyes fixed on Charles. Silence stretched between them for a second, before the corners of the Mother Abbess’ mouth quirked up ever so slightly.
“Mother Abbess, I truly am sorry for scaring everyone. I just had finished up my chores for the day, and I had happened to catch a mouse earlier in the stables, and I couldn’t resist scaring Moira, not with her napping so peacefully –”
“My boy, do you like it here?”
The question startled Charles. He was expecting to receive a short lecture about how this is not the way the congregation raised the children in their charge, an increase in his amount of chores, and then be sent on his way. For a second, Charles floundered for a response. “Y-Yes, of course I do, Mother Abbess,” he finally said, puzzled.
“Be honest, Charles.” The Mother Abbess quirked up an eyebrow. “To me, it appears that you… well, that you are bored here. Perhaps it is time you considered seeking somewhere else to call home.”
The Mother Abbess’ words were not unkind. On the contrary, they were gentle, a suggestion. Charles’ brow furrowed. “I can’t leave this place, Mother Abbess. I… this is my home. My sister is here. I could not leave with her remaining.”
“Nobody would fault you for starting a life of your own, child. You are well into your adulthood. Although,” the slightly humorous expression from before returned, with a glance at Moira’s bed, “you do not always act like it.”
Charles shook his head slightly. “I won’t leave Raven behind. My sister is all I have, and I am all she has. We stick together.”
The Mother Abbess tilted her head, studying Charles. This went on for a few more seconds, long enough for Charles to start fidgeting slightly. The Mother Abbess wouldn’t force him out, but he knew that the Sisters were growing tired of Charles’ fun. In all honesty, the Mother Abbess was right; Charles was bored. He had never entered the congregation of nuns with religious intent. He and Raven had turned up on their doorstep years and years back, two orphans with no other family to turn to. And truly, Charles loved it here. Always a roof over their heads, a warm bed to lay on, enough food to keep their bellies satisfied. The congregation taught Raven how to read and write, and educated Charles until he outgrew their subject matter and wished for more challenging and intricate things to learn.
However, leaving to study at a university was never an option for Charles. He refused to leave Raven, so he remained here. There was plenty of work to do for a healthy, strong young man, so the Mother Abbess allowed him to stay out of her own affection she held for the Xaviers. He lived apart from the Sisters, including Raven, but he still saw Raven every day and was nearby.
He couldn’t just leave.
Finally, the Mother Abbess turned. “Follow me, Charles.”
Charles frowned, but did as told. They headed to the Mother Abbess’ office, nerves bubbling in Charles’ gut. Would the Mother Abbess force him out? Had he finally worn her patience too thin?
“Sit,” she ordered as she rounded her desk and also took a seat. Charles sat. “There is a general, not too far from here, who is requesting aid in raising his seven children.”
“Seven children?!” Charles burst out, gasping. The Mother Abbess fixed her gaze on him, and he cringed. “I apologize Mother Abbess, but really, seven children?! Had he nothing else to do to entertain himself–?!”
“That is beside the point, child!” The Mother Abbess said sharply, cutting Charles off. She looked slightly scandalized, and Charles looked down at his hands, willing himself to behave and keep his mouth shut. She cleared her throat, collecting herself. “There is a general, who is requesting aid in caring for his seven children. He is quite busy with political matters currently, and cannot be home as much as he likes. He is requesting a governess from here to assist him.”
She grabbed a letter on her desk that Charles only noticed when she reached for it, indicating the letter was mostly likely from said general.
“That is nice, Mother Abbess, but why are you telling me this?” Charles said carefully, uncomprehending. “I mean, if you allow me to say, I think Sister Moira would be an excellent option–”
“I am telling you this, Charles, because I am going to send you.”
Silence settled in the room. “I’m not a governess,” Charles finally managed, eyes wide. “I’m not - I’m not even a woman. Governesses are women.” Which was a stupid thing to point out, but that was all Charles could even manage to say to protest against this.
The Mother Abbess chuckled softly. “I am aware, child. But I believe you are the most appropriate for this. I see the way you are with the children here. And I want you to step outside of these walls for once. You will take Raven with you, as I’m sure General Lehnsherr won’t mind. I will write to him to let him know of your incoming arrival.” The Mother Abbess’ tone indicated that General Lehnsherr wouldn’t have an option on whether Raven could join Charles or not.
“W-Wait. Wait.” Charles gripped the armrests of his chair, anxiety swirling in his stomach. “Is this because of my prank on Moira? Mother Abbess, I am sorry. I truly will behave, I swear it this time. I’ll even take one of the teaching positions that you have suggested to me. I won’t cause you or any of the Sisters any more headaches, I’ll –”
“Charles,” the Mother Abbess said gently. “This is not a punishment. I think you may even thank me for doing this in the future. And you are always welcome back here, child.” She reached across the desk, and Charles didn’t even hesitate as he placed his hands in hers. She was the closest thing he had to a mother. She squeezed his hands, a soft smile gracing her features. “You are young, Charles. You have so much of the world to see and learn about. I have watched you grow into a playful, intelligent young man. There is something out there better suited for you than this convent.”
Charles gripped the Mother Abbess’ hands, willing the sting in his eyes to go away. Hearing the Mother Abbess speak about him in such a way was touching; he took a deep breath. “Okay,” he said resolutely. “So when do I leave?”
It was three weeks later when Charles and Raven left the convent, their peers waving them goodbye as the carriage took them farther and farther away from the place Charles and Raven had called home for years. Charles’ gaze lingered on Moira, who was holding back tears as she watched her best friends go, but waving them with intense vigor, excited for them. She had been a good friend, and Charles knew he would see her again.
Once the convent was just a dot on the horizon, Charles turned back to Raven, who was practically vibrating at his side. “I still can’t believe they let me come with you! Isn’t this so exciting, Charles?”
“Speak for yourself! You’re not the one who is expected to take care of seven children when you get there. Honestly, what kind of madman has that many children?”
“Don’t spoil this for me with your complaining.” Raven poked his side, causing Charles to twitch and scoot away. “What do you even know about this place that we’re going to anyway?”
“Well, Mother Abbess said that the father is a general, General Lehnsherr. His wife passed away because of some violent altercation when their youngest was just a baby, four years ago. He lives not too far from town, but still in a rather private area. That’s all I know.” Charles wiped his palms on his trousers, wind ruffling his loose shirt. It was a rather hot day, sun beating down on them. Raven adjusted her hat, the wind knocking it askew, and pulled all her hair to the side of her neck to avoid it fluttering in her face.
“I don’t know why you’re so worried. You were one of the oldest among us, you practically helped raise way more than seven kids.”
“It’s much different when it’s my actual job to help with them, Raven.”
“Mother Abbess thinks you can do it. Why don't you?”
Charles huffed. “I don’t know. I – This man isn’t even getting what he asked for. He asked for a governess. And what’s he getting? A man, who is not a governess– Ow!”
Raven had whacked him upside the head. “Stop being so negative. You’re spoiling this for me! We will get there, and you’ll realize that it’s not gonna be so bad. What’s the absolute worst that could happen? They’re kids, Charles.”
Charles had nothing to say to that, so he remained silent. Raven, content to enjoy the reprieve from her brother’s complaining, slouched in her seat and tugged her hat down so it covered her face, crossing her arms and settling in for a nap. Charles was too wound up to even consider doing that, so he resorted to watching the countryside, hoping to God that Raven was right.