[The First Mutant Mayhem] – Unveiling the Stranger – A Familiar Face

In the year 1961, within the esteemed walls of Oxford University in England,

Raven found herself in a classroom, stationed at her desk, her attention firmly riveted to Charles. His charm was evident in his radiant smile as he effortlessly engaged their attractive female classmates in conversation.

With a wistful smile, Raven turned her gaze down to her hands, becoming consumed by her inner musings. Unbeknownst to her, time had slipped away, leaving the classroom devoid of their attractive female classmates.

It was Charles' approach that brought her back to the present. He took a seat beside her, his gentle nudge pulling her out of her reverie. Turning towards him, she met his smiling face and his curious question, "What are you thinking?"

A sigh escaped Raven as her gaze landed on the file Charles was holding, triggering a recollection of a phrase he had used during his conversation with their female classmates. She echoed his words, "Mutant and proud?"

Charles was taken aback momentarily, but he responded affirmatively, nodding as he said, "Mutant and proud!"

Another sigh left Raven's lips as she turned her focus back to her hands, whispering wistfully, "If only..."

"Excuse me?" Charles queried, not catching her muttered words.

With a swift change in her bearing, Raven turned towards Charles, meeting his gaze as she questioned, "Would you date me?"

Without missing a beat, Charles replied, "Absolutely. Any young man would be privileged to be with you. You're absolutely gorgeous."

In response, Raven's eyes narrowed as she transformed into her true form, revealing her distinctive blue skin. She asked him pointedly, her tone laced with an underlying threat, "Am I gorgeous... even looking like this?"

Caught off guard, Charles stuttered, "Like... um... what?"

Emphasizing her point, Raven questioned him more firmly, "Blue?"

Charles composed himself and replied, "You're my oldest friend, Raven."

To which Raven retorted heatedly, "I'm your only friend."

With a slight nod towards Raven, Charles expressed, "I appreciate that."

Raven, however, was not in the mood to let Charles sidestep their conversation and she pressed on, her tone filled with ire, "And your answer?"

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Charles breathed in deeply before answering, "I just can't see you in that light. I feel a sense of responsibility towards you. Any other sentiment would just feel... inappropriate."

Once again, Raven sighed, her expression hinting at a glimmer of hope as she asked, "What if we weren't acquainted?"

Charles, too, released a sigh before responding, "But the fact remains, Raven, I do know you."

Casting his gaze upon Raven's melancholic countenance, Charles expressed his concern, "I'm not sure what's been troubling you recently. You seem unusually preoccupied with your appearance."

Raven, maintaining her natural blue appearance, dismissed his concern and announced, "I'm tired." She gave a sideways glance at the file he was holding and continued, "Why don't you read your thesis to me? It's a surefire ticket to dreamland."

Charles, feeling a tinge of offense about her comment on his thesis, defended, "My thesis is actually of great significance. It revolves around the topic of mutation - The very process that led us from being single-celled organisms to the most successful reproductive life form on this planet."

He noticed Raven's lack of interest and, in an attempt to spark her curiosity, he began detailing, "Consider Homo neanderthalensis, for instance. Their mut--"

Suddenly, a voice from behind them interrupted their conversation, causing both to startle and spin around. Raven swiftly reverted back to her human appearance, clutching Charles' hand tightly as she eyed the newcomer with apprehension.

The man stood behind them, his face concealed by the brim of a hat and garbed in a suit, continued the discourse on mutation, "The mutant relative, Homo sapiens, was an anomaly. Any period of peaceful coexistence, if it ever existed, was ephemeral–"

Raven's grip on Charles' hand tightened noticeably, prompting Charles to turn his gaze her way. Observing her fearful expression, he communicated telepathically, <Calm down, Raven!>

Looking back at him, Raven retorted, <Calm down?! How the hell am I supposed to do that? A complete stranger has seen my true form.>

Charles' attention shifted back to the man who was uncannily reciting the very words inscribed in his thesis. He furrowed his brows, puzzled, as he hadn't shared his thesis with anyone except his sister, Raven. Raven urged him, <Quick, Charles! Probe his mind, discover his identity!>

Charles nodded, squinting as he tried to penetrate the man's mental barriers with his telepathic abilities. However, despite his multiple attempts, he couldn't break through. He conveyed to Raven, <There's a snag. I can't delve into his mind.>

Shocked, Raven turned towards him and queried, <What? How is that possible?>

Charles clenched his jaw and repeated, <I just can't access his thoughts.>

Not ready to give up, Raven insisted, <Push harder, Charles!>

Nodding in agreement, Charles was about to amplify his telepathic effort when the man interrupted them again, "Historical data shows, consistently, that the emergence of the mutated human species in any territory was promptly followed by the complete extinction of their less-evolved counterparts."

With a simple gesture, the man flicked the brim of his hat upward, uncovering his features. To their surprise, it was Val grinning back at them, saying, "It's a pleasure to see you again, Charles Xavier," effectively halting Charles in his tracks.

Raven, too, was taken aback, but upon recognizing him, she shot up from her seat, her finger pointing accusingly at him as she exclaimed, "You! Why are you here? You sexual miscreant!"

Unfazed, Val merely rolled his eyes, the smile on his face remaining intact as he replied to her, "Likewise, it's good to see you, Raven Darkhölme."

Raven folded her arms and huffed at him, her glare intensifying as she demanded, "You still haven't addressed my query, what–exactly–are–you–doing–here?"

Meanwhile, Charles, still reeling from the surprise, shook his head and narrowed his eyes at Val. He found it puzzling, 'Strange! The first time we met, I was able to penetrate his mind, but now, I can't.'

Intrigued, Charles posed his question to Val, "How do you know the content of my thesis? The only person I've shown it to is Raven."

Val laughed in response, his reply shrouded in mystery, "I have my methods, Charles."

He cast his gaze over the pair of them, remarking, "It's been a substantial number of years since our last meeting. Both of you have matured so much."

Rising from his seat, Val approached them, gesturing towards a nearby chair as he proposed, "Please, make yourselves comfortable. We're in for a long conversation."