Kurt was settling in rather nicely, Ororo thought as she walked out of his room with the professor. Charles seemed happy, smiling up at her he said.
"We might be getting another visitor soon." He remarked. Ororo arched an eyebrow.
"Another student? So soon?" She asked. Charles didn't reply. Ororo sighed and shook her head. It was best not to press when the professor decided to be mysterious. While she liked the solitude the Institute provided, she wouldn't mind new students. Teaching Scott and Jean was as instructive as it was enjoyable. It would also be good for the students to have more mutants their own age around. Her own upbringing at the Institute had been rather lonely. She swept towards the greenhouse. If new students were coming soon, it would probably be best to enjoy as much quiet time tending to her plants as she could.
"Storm." The professor's voice said.
"Yes Professor?" She asked.
"I wonder if you could audition someone for me."
That night the prospective student entered the property. He was a classmate of Jean and Scott's nicknamed Toad because of his rather unfortunate mutation. Storm threw open the windows to her room, stepping out and feeling the cool night air on her skin. Smiling, she took to the sky; a small rainstorm wouldn't be too out of place. Toad was dressed in some sort of green suit and was hopping through the property. He was fortunate the professor had shut off the perimeter defenses in anticipation of his arrival. Although, she frowned taking in the young man's swagger as he flagrantly trespassed, she wasn't sure if he was suited to join the x-men. Sending him flying towards the institute, she blew open the doors, smirking as he sailed inside. Floating down, she took her time flying into the entrance. When she entered, Toad was chasing Kurt through the mansion, breaking things left and right.
"He definitely has powers." The professor remarked, wheeling next to her. "He could be one of us."
"Sometimes I think your good heart blinds you from the truth, professor." Ororo remarked, wincing as crashes reverberated through the mansion as Toad chased after him.
"This test is over." The professor said. Ororo shook her head as his offer to join the X-men was rejected by Toad in favor of continuing the fight with Kurt. Jumping on Kurt, he sent both of them falling, only for Kurt to disappear. Ororo's eyes widened when he didn't immediately reappear.
"The Danger room." Charles said, turning and rushing towards the elevator. Storm hurried after him. If they didn't shut off the controls, the machines in the room could kill the two students. While Charles put in his override code, she watched. While Scott and Jean were handling themselves well, the unpredictable nature of Kurt and Toad's reactions to the Danger Room was more of a liability than they were ready for. Flying in, she summoned a lightning bolt, frying the machines closest to the students.
Meanwhile Charles had managed to turn off the others. Floating to the ground she couldn't stop herself from smirking as Toad fled. Apparently he was too frightened by the danger room session to want to stay and Ororo couldn't say she was sad to see him go. Charles pressed a hand to his temple. "Oh no." He murmured, rushing to the elevator.
"What is it, Professor?" She asked, following.
Charles sighed. "I'm afraid Toad is about to be met with an unpleasant encounter." The elevator doors opened and she trailed after him, wondering what he could be talking about, when a familiar voice from outside growled.
"Goin' somewhere, bub?"
Trouble was in the air. Logan could smell it the second he pulled up to the property. He stopped outside the gate and entered a code, sniffing curiously. Rain, lightning. Now that was weird, especially since there'd been no mention...He barely waited for the gate to open. Kicking his bike into gear, he drove into the property, pulling up outside. If she'd used her powers it spelled trouble. Ororo was controlled and not one to frivolously use her ability. He'd find what was threatening her and when he did... Getting off his bike, he stalked around the mansion. It seemed quiet enough, but he couldn't be sure. He'd just rounded to the east side when a window broke as a green clad figure fell out. Logan sniffed the air and growled; he stank, both literally and figuratively. Whoever he was, he was trouble. Letting out his claws, he glared down at him. "Goin' somewhere, bub?"
"No Logan." Charles called from an upper window. "Let him go."
It didn't feel right, especially since Ororo had thought him enough of a threat to try and rain him out, but Logan stepped aside, letting the smelly intruder pass, He hopped away, whining about never ever coming back, which Logan had no problem with. Looking back at Charles, he caught sight of a tall figure moving through the mansion.
"I came back here because I thought I smelled trouble, brewin." He said. "Course, maybe it was just stink boy there." He motioned to where the Toad was hopping away.
Charles nodded and said something, probably polite and inspirational, but Logan wasn't listening, his eyes were tracking the corners of the property, already making plans to fortify the perimeter. If any smelly frog could just waltz into the property, the institute was sorely in need of his help.
Making his way inside he stopped in the entrance. She was there, at the top of the stairs. Wearing her uniform, her expression was cold, neutral. He was dumbstruck. 3 years and she had somehow become more beautiful. She didn't speak, probably waiting for him to speak first.
"Storm." he said, unsure how to best approach her and a formal greeting seemed like the best way to start. She stiffened.
"Wolverine." She nodded in his direction before turning and sweeping away,her cape billowing behind her. He sighed, taking off his hat and raking a hand through his hair.
"She's still mad, huh?" He looked over at Charles. The unspoken question was: does she hate me? The professor gave him a pained smile.
"I think she's surprised to see you here." he said. "It will be good to have you around, old friend." He frowned. "Especially considering the circumstances." He motioned for him to follow. Ororo was waiting for them in Charles' office. Logan tried to catch her eye, but she ignored him.
"So, Charles. What's got you all hush hush?"
"Mystique." It was Ororo who replied. She stared at the desk, ignoring him. "She's disguising herself as the principal at the local high school."
"High school?" Logan grunted. "That's not her style."
"Exactly." Charles said. "We believe she's working a long game...what is, we aren't sure."
"Which means you'd have to stay for a long time if you want to see this through." Ororo murmured, before leaving the office. Logan looked after her.
"My room still in the same place?"
"Yes." Charles said.
Logan grunted, looking at the door. This was going to be harder than he thought. He followed her out of the office. "Ro." He called after her. She stopped, not turning around. "You okay? Did that frog boy hurt you?"
She shook her head. "We were auditioning him. I wasn't in any danger."
He nodded. "Listen, can we talk about-"
"How long before you leave this time." She cut him off. He knew she wasn't going to make this easy for him.
"Ro-"
"Don't." She growled, there was pain in her eyes. "Don't call me that."
He frowned. She wasn't usually this cold, but then again, he deserved it. "Can I at least say-"
"You didn't answer my question." She wasn't going to let him explain.
"What's it to ya, since clearly you want me gone." There was a flash of uncertainty, but her expression hardened.
"It's for the students." She said. "I don't want them getting...unnecessarily attached." She turned to leave, her cape billowing behind her.
"Ro." He said, but she ignored them.
Sighing he shook his head. Going to his old room, he sniffed at the layer of dust it had accumulated. Going to his closet, he dumped his bag on the bed. Welcome home indeed.