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Post by Tessa Brands on May 10, 2011 15:21:03 GMT -8
She walked up to the gates of the Xavier Institute for the Gifted, with a single duffel over her shoulder and an umbrella over her head. Her outfit was simple enough and her shoes practical for the weather. Why did she have only a duffel over her shoulder and no other luggage? Well, that was because the rest of her things were going to be arriving in a day or so and these things she had right now were her essentials.
"Well, this is it I guess." She commented to herself with a smirk as she began to walk through the now opening gates.
It had been what, seven years since she'd met the super-bald Professor Xavier? Crap, did he hear that thought? Crap, did he hear that thought about him hearing that thought? Oh this was just going to be special. Tessa laughed at herself and shook her head as she approached the building.
The walk didn't take long. Not that the building was all that close, it was just that Tessa made it seem like a shorter time by working on a few songs in her head and editing the lyrics. Once she got to the sheltered doorway, she collapsed the umbrella and shook it a couple of times while knocking at the door with the toe of her boot.
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Post by Cyclops on May 10, 2011 18:13:32 GMT -8
Scott sat in the nice, high-backed leather chair that he had brought down to his "office" not half a week ago. Yes, his "office". Even when he said it out loud he felt like he should have put it in quotation marks, though he didn't want to be the idiot standing there in the red shades doing that kind of pose. His eyes were closed, allowing him at least some relief from the constant bombardment of ruby energy that occurred due to his powers.
He still, to this day didn't understand how something like ruby quartz could take that much punishment from his powers, and not even be affected by its kinetic energy. To some, it might have seemed like the ruby energy was absorbed by the crystals, but it wasn't; it was deflected back towards his body by the lenses in his glasses and visor. That meant that the energy was cycling inside his body, ready to be unleashed or else simply vented through exertion or even, he imagined, through his pores as mere background energy. Not that he was much of a scientist; he didn't even understand how the energy could come from both those things in his eyes and yet store itself in his body before being unleashed when he opened his eyes.
It didn't make sense.
Either way, he knew that thoughts about this were fruitless at best, and was glad to hear the perimeter alarm go off inside his office. The white walls took on a slightly red tint as the lights pulsed, indicating to him that someone was outside.
Hopping up from his chair, Scott brought up a display that took up a good portion of the wall. The image flickered on to the screen, and he could see that it was a young woman. She looked familiar, though... And then it clicked in his head: Her name was Tessa. She had some sort of subliminal psychic power. The Professor had told him about her when he was psychically training Scott to resist attacks of a telepathic nature. Not that Scott knew if he could resist her; a non-telepath could only be so well trained.
Scott headed out of the office when he saw that she was approaching the building, guessing that it was up to him to do the meet and greet. He hated these...
He was just walking to the door when he heard the knock, his left brow rising in reply. Opening the door, he stood before her, taking an instant to size her up. That was one of the few advantages of wearing sunglasses; nobody could tell when your eyes were giving them the once over.
"Tessa, right? Come in." Scott said, holding the door open and stepping to the side to give her room to enter.
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Post by Tessa Brands on May 10, 2011 18:25:58 GMT -8
The door opened just as she was about to toe-knock on it again while at the same time adjusting the strap to her duffel bag. When her foot had come to only air, she looked up to see someone was there rather than the large oak surface and halfway was glad that she hadn't kicked his shin or something.
"Tessa, right? Come in."
"Yeah, hey.... Thanks." Tessa commented, looking him over with a smirk as she stepped in upon his moving to the side to let her through.
"Huh, I was expecting someone with a lot less hair.... and a lot more wheelchair. You seem to know who I am so I'm guessing I'm in the right place."
She grinned.
"Either that or you just happen to be one of my fans." She partly kidded.
"So, are you going to introduce yourself, or am I going to have to start with the embarrassing guessing?"
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Post by Cyclops on May 10, 2011 18:45:19 GMT -8
"Yeah, hey.... Thanks."
Scott noticed the smirk, but its meaning was lost on him for the moment.
"Huh, I was expecting someone with a lot less hair.... and a lot more wheelchair. You seem to know who I am so I'm guessing I'm in the right place."
Scott gave her a nod, himself wondering where the Professor had gone to. He liked to go on those strange sabbaticals of his, and he never really told Scott where he was going either. Scott was about to say something when she continued.
"Either that or you just happen to be one of my fans."
Fans? Her tone was somewhat jovial, but why would she have said it otherwise unless she had actual fans? This was what happened when you didn't really listen to music that came out in the last ten years. Assuming she was a singer. She looked like a singer. Actress? Maybe. He couldn't be sure.
"So, are you going to introduce yourself, or am I going to have to start with the embarrassing guessing?"
His brow rose only for a split second, before he spoke.
"Scott. Scott Summers. I'm the acting administrator while the Professor is out." He said finally.
"So what brings you here?" He asked, guessing that it was about her powers but wanting to get the full story.
That way he could get an idea of her.
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Post by Tessa Brands on May 10, 2011 19:41:26 GMT -8
"Scott. Scott Summers. I'm the acting administrator while the Professor is out."
The Professor was out? So she was stuck with talking to a substitute? Alright, shouldn't be too bad. Though she did wonder if the shiny scalped man was off talking to another gifted individual. That led her to wondering how many of them were here. The students he'd recruited.
"So pressed-collar." She commented, in a way saying that he seemed to have a bit of a stick up his ass, without being rude about it.
"Well, nice to meet you, Scott."
"So what brings you here?"
Tessa set her duffel down on the floor and gave a stretch.
"Well, let's just say I'm accepting a long overdue invitation. I did my alone thing, found myself, and all that. Now it's time for me to do the discover myself with other people thing." The redhead commented before lifting the bag back up now that her shoulder had gotten a break.
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Post by Cyclops on May 10, 2011 20:31:46 GMT -8
"So pressed-collar."
She sure was polite. His brow rose slightly. It was the natural reaction for him when dealing with people's... Attitude towards him. He knew he wasn't the most likeable person in the world, but she was still assuming a lot after about ten seconds of knowing one another.
"Well, nice to meet you, Scott."
He was sure it was, even with the presumption that he was no doubt as uptight can be.
"Well, let's just say I'm accepting a long overdue invitation. I did my alone thing, found myself, and all that. Now it's time for me to do the discover myself with other people thing."
Scott nodded.
"So when was the last time you spoke to the Professor?" He asked.
The Professor didn't really tell Scott much in that department. Scott was a drill sergeant; it was his job to get people in to fighting shape, and to help them use their powers effectively. He wasn't the touchy-feely type that the Professor was. That didn't mean, however, that he was lacking warmth. It was just hard to see sometimes. Being responsible for the lives of others in one of the most direct and dangerous ways possible tended to do that to a person.
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Post by Tessa Brands on May 10, 2011 21:21:25 GMT -8
"So when was the last time you spoke to the Professor?"
She thought for a moment, shifting the duffel back some to adjust the weight while re-adjusting her grip on the umbrella.
"Well, today's a Tuesday... sooo... About nine years. He popped in for a visit when I was fourteen, to give me an offer. I didn't take it back then but he told me that the offer was open at any time and there'd always be a room for me here." She commented.
Tessa was so used to keeping it to herself. So used to keeping her mutation a secret from everyone, even her family. This was what kept her from just coming out with it. Talking about her powers, that is. What she didn't know was that it was to the point where she had kept it partly a secret from herself. She knew that she could effect peoples moods with her singing but that was the extent of it.
"So, is that the case? Do I have a room here? If I took too long, I'm fine with that too. I mean, it has been almost a decade. Even twinkies don't last that long, despite what myths might try to tell you." Tessa commented.
Alright, so she was starting to ramble a little. She was a bit nervous and she hadn't been expecting to talk to anyone except Professor Xavier. He was still here, right? She hadn't heard otherwise. But then again, she also hadn't heard from him since... well, his visit.
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Post by Cyclops on May 10, 2011 21:36:36 GMT -8
"Well, today's a Tuesday... sooo... About nine years. He popped in for a visit when I was fourteen, to give me an offer. I didn't take it back then but he told me that the offer was open at any time and there'd always be a room for me here."
Nine years was a hell of a long time. While Scott was sure that the Professor's standing invitation was still open and valid, he wondered why it had taken so long for her to finally bite the bullet and show up. He'd heard her reasons before, but he honestly didn't know if they could be taken at face value. Without the Professor to sense whether she was being genuine or not, Scott had to use his own judgement, and while he didn't completely trust her just yet, he had to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"So, is that the case? Do I have a room here? If I took too long, I'm fine with that too. I mean, it has been almost a decade. Even twinkies don't last that long, despite what myths might try to tell you."
Scott gave her a nod, pressing his lips together in to a forced smile. It's not like she'd know if it reached his eyes anyway, what with the shades he was wearing.
"There are guest rooms yes, and of course you're welcome to stay. The Professor is away like I said, but he will be back soon hopefully." Scott said.
"Do you have any questions? I've been here longer than anyone, so if there's anything on your mind, feel free to ask." He said, trying to do the whole "host" thing properly.
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Post by Tessa Brands on May 10, 2011 22:16:20 GMT -8
"There are guest rooms yes, and of course you're welcome to stay. The Professor is away like I said, but he will be back soon hopefully." Scott told her after a nod and a smile.
Well, smiling was a start, she supposed. It bothered her a little that she couldn't see his eyes but she'd survive. And it was good that the Professor would be back soon, as she felt a little awkward coming to a strange mansion and meeting people she hadn't seen before while having all intention of moving in.
What was she doing? Moving in with a bunch of people she didn't know all because some kind seeming Mr Clean in a wheelchair paid her a visit when she was a young teenager and told her there was someplace she could fit in at. Now that she had that thought in her mind, Tessa almost had second thoughts. How did she even know this was genuine? It had been nine years, and nine years ago he could have been playing on a child's imagination. A glance went towards the door.
"Do you have any questions? I've been here longer than anyone, so if there's anything on your mind, feel free to ask."
"Alright.... so why are you here?"
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Post by Cyclops on May 10, 2011 22:25:04 GMT -8
"Alright.... so why are you here?"
Scott hadn't been expecting that. Naturally, not many people asked him that question, so he was forced to think about it for a moment, his lips turning inside slightly as the thoughts ran through his head. In actuality only a second or two passed, but in Scott's mind he had run through several different ways to answer her. Thinking that honesty was the best policy, he shrugged, crossing his arms in front of him along the line between chest and stomach.
Then he spoke.
"I was brought here when I was sixteen, because my powers were a danger to those around me. I'm an orphan... Or at least I was, before the Professor. He gave me a home, an education, and taught me how to control my powers. I suppose the best way to put it, is that what he did with you, what he does going around the world finding mutants... I was the first one." He said, hoping that his answer would satisfy at least some of her curiosity.
It was pretty obvious that the funky shades he wore were somehow related to his powers, but he didn't do anything to draw attention to the connection.
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Post by Tessa Brands on May 10, 2011 22:51:59 GMT -8
"I was brought here when I was sixteen, because my powers were a danger to those around me. I'm an orphan... Or at least I was, before the Professor. He gave me a home, an education, and taught me how to control my powers. I suppose the best way to put it, is that what he did with you, what he does going around the world finding mutants... I was the first one."
Well, the story seemed to stay the same. Not the whole orphan thing or the danger thing, but the powers and taking under wing thing. A home, education, teaching how to control one's powers... Yeah.
"It's a really messed up world nowadays... So I'm going to play it bold and ask if I can see it. You said you were sixteen when you came here, and you sure don't look sixteen now... So I'm guessing you got to that part of controlling at least to a point." Tessa commented, putting on a brave face.
She had to be sure. Like, absolutely sure. Seeing was believing and she wasn't going to admit anything until she had proof that this wasn't some trap the FOH made after taking baldylocks down at some point in time.Tessa was at a very uncertain point right now and she needed some sure footing. Either she'd get it, or she wouldn't. She sure as hell wasn't going to get carded.
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Post by Cyclops on May 10, 2011 23:00:13 GMT -8
"It's a really messed up world nowadays... So I'm going to play it bold and ask if I can see it. You said you were sixteen when you came here, and you sure don't look sixteen now... So I'm guessing you got to that part of controlling at least to a point."
Scott's jaw clenched, and the rest of his features tightened with it. His power was deadly, and not in the slang "cool" way. He was literally a walking death ray, and he didn't like to take off his glasses at all, unless it was something X-Men related. You didn't get to be this uptight without something in your life making you that way, and for him, it was his power. How could he show her, though.
"It's not really something I can show you indoors. There's too much of a chance of me destroying something, and I'm still working off my debt after the last accident." He finally answered.
"If you want to go outside I can show you, but I don't know how interesting it's going to be for you." He added, not wanting to build it up to this super-awesome power that just ended up seeming like a special effect out of a Hollywood movie.
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Post by Tessa Brands on May 10, 2011 23:48:49 GMT -8
"It's not really something I can show you indoors. There's too much of a chance of me destroying something, and I'm still working off my debt after the last accident."
So if they had accidents, they had to work off their debt? Well, that explained why for some place that was supposed to be filled with gifted students, this place didn't have much in the way of demolition or damage or any of that. And it wasn't as if wheels was able to delve into a bank full of infinite money... right?
"If you want to go outside I can show you, but I don't know how interesting it's going to be for you."
"Sure, outside would be fine. I still have my umbrella and everything. It's not because I want you to show off or anything, it's just... I guess I need a little proof this is the real deal, you know?"
He should be able to understand, right? He didn't seem like the type to have THAT much of a sheltered life he wouldn't know what she was talking about.
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Post by Cyclops on May 11, 2011 0:42:19 GMT -8
"Sure, outside would be fine. I still have my umbrella and everything. It's not because I want you to show off or anything, it's just... I guess I need a little proof this is the real deal, you know?"
Cyclops gave her a short nod. He remembered what he had been like, sitting in that alley, barely a man, hiding in a cardboard box with a rag around his face to cover his eyes. Scott had scavenged food, snuck in to hospitals to get painkillers, and even engaged in underground fighting just to try and get a bit of money for some food.
Of course, meeting some rich guy in a wheelchair who promised to "take care of him" was the creepiest thing in the world, but upon hearing all the details, he decided to give it a shot. Best decision he'd ever made. It had been the making of him, and now he was every bit the man he had hoped he could be. He was strong, self-reliant, and he was able to stand up for himself. That mattered more than he could have admitted.
"Come on." He said, leading her outside.
They soon ended up standing by a machine that was sitting on a large table. It was a clay pigeon launcher. Looking at her, Scott indicated to the machine.
"Count to ten, and then fire. As many as you want." He said, stepping away from her.
Standing several feet away from her, Scott put his right hand on his glasses, and prepared.
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Post by Tessa Brands on May 11, 2011 9:59:40 GMT -8
He seemed to understand where she was coming from. Well, that was a plus. That was, if he was being genuine and wasn't putting on an act. When had she become so paranoid? Well, when she had seen one of those "demonstrations" by the FOH, that's when. It had been horrible, and there had been little she could do about it except depress the crowd to where they weren't up for torturing the poor guy anymore.
"Come on."
She was still cautious, but putting her duffle down on the floor and sliding it with her foot to have it up against the wall with hopes of it not being too noticeable, she went to following him outside. The umbrella was opened as they got outside, her feeling like her having used it earlier would have been pretty pointless if she let herself get rained on now.
As he brought her over to a table with some.... thing on it, she squinted at it a little. What the hell was it? She would have nudged it with her boot but not only was it a little high up for someone wearing a skirt, but she didn't think the action would be appreciated. Yes, she was a very footsy person today, she was aware of this.
"Count to ten, and then fire. As many as you want."
Rather than asking on how, she just poked and prodded at the device until something shot out of it. She did this a few more times in rapid succession.
Almost right after, there came flashes of red light and the launched objects were reduced to ashes. Like super ashes.
"Holy crap..... Well, congrats Scott. You've just convinced me this isn't some scam." She commented. ((permission was given to somewhat mod cyclops and his blastgasms))
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