*~ Copyrighted to Marvel (except the plot, Kia, Aurora, and Willow.) This is sort of a relaxing chapter, where nothing major happens...but it is setting the scene for chapter 5, when I introduce one of my made-up.*~
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Chapter 4--Cherry Orchard
After the meeting, Storm had offered to walk and talk with Kurt about any concerns and questions he might have had. They walked towards the outskirts of the Institutes property, into an orchard of apple, cherry, pear and peach trees. Every tree was a beautiful white, cream, or lightly orange tainted color as the blossoms that marked the beginning of the growing season replaced all the green leaves that had yet to awaken from the winter.
Storm walked over to one tree, sitting on a low branch as Kurt was content to crouch upon the ground, gazing up at the beauty of new life. His thoughts wandered to his soon to arrive 'student'.
"I vonder vhat Villow's powers are 'dat could be so out of control..."
He mused to himself, even though the thought was stated out loud by accident. Storm lightly smacked her forehead, feeling stupid.
"Of course, I'm sorry I forgot to tell you. Willow has earth powers."
"Earth powers? Such as vhat?"
"She can make plants grow for one...or if she's sad its said that plants around her wilt."
Kurt cringed slightly, feeling suddenly horrible for the girl he had yet to meet...and for the plants left in the wake of her sorrow.
"Anything else I should know about 'er?"
Storm nodded.
"Yes. She can also cause and control earthquakes, and manipulate the landscape. Even the professor isn't sure just how much power she possesses over the Earth."
Kurt was awestruck by this news, not because he feared what terrible power she might have, but it awe that she hadn't somehow managed to destroy the planet during the rough years as a teenager that he himself bleakly remembered. This brought him to his next thought.
"You said she vas older, right?"
Storm nodded.
"Yes I did."
"'Ow old is older?"
"Twenty or twenty one I think."
Nodding, Kurt watched as an orange tainted blossom floated through the air, landing in Storms blizzard white hair. Storm noticed him looking at her and smiled.
"What?"
Kurt pointed to the top of his head, still watching the flower in her hair as a tiny periwinkle butterfly landed on it, creating a serene picture of perfect beauty. Storm rolled her eyes up and looked above her. She went to pluck whatever it was out of her hair, but Kurt began shaking his head.
"No, no."
He said in a hushed voice, reaching over and pulling Storms miniature mirror out of a hidden pocket in her cap and holding it so that Storm could see. She smiled, and reached up slowly, picking the flower up and cupping it in her hand without frightening the butterfly. She looked at the beautiful sight until the small butterfly finally fluttered away, carried by a soft breeze. Storm left the flower follow much the same path, not stopping it as the breeze took it as well.
The day was still young, the sun not even at the noon hour yet and idol talk of things past was all they had gotten accomplished. Kurt finally forced his mind to focus on the soon to be student Willow.
"Storm, is 'dere anything else I need to know about my job 'dat I don't already know?"
Storm pondered for a moment.
"Well, you need to know that you might have multiple new students at one time, not just one."
Her eyes roamed to the sky, as if the answers were written on the clouds.
"I think Xavier covered most everything else."
She stated as her gaze returned to terra firma. Kurt nodded.
"Do you really think 'dat 'de other students might accept me more easily?"
Storm smiled brightly.
"Of course. Rogue has been passing your god name again."
"Vhat does 'de rest of 'de staff think of 'dis new position."
"Most agreed. Scott, of course, was skeptical. Don't worry about him though, he's still taking it pretty hard."
"I know. Rogue 'nd I talked to 'im late last night."
Storms bright smile faded.
"Was he ok?"
Kurt nodded.
"I talked to 'im and 'e vent back inside. I 'aven't seen 'im yet today."
Storm sighed, worried about Scott. Kurt watched her for a moment, but decided against saying anything. He turned and looked behind him, for something seemed wrong. Not immediately wrong, but an impending sort of wrong, just waiting to happen.
"Kurt...are you ok?"
Storm's voice called out to him. Whirling back around to face the concerned looking lady, Kurt nodded.
"Just a funny feeling...'dat's all."
Strom eyed him suspiciously.
"Your sure?"
He nodded a silent answer. There was no need to alarm her about a feeling, if it turned into something more than a feeling later he would be far from alright, but that was later. Right now, there was only peace and silence. Storm was reluctant to let the subject be dropped so easily, but seeing that Kurt was unwilling to talk more she allowed it to slide without another word. The breeze stopped, and more flowers of orange and cream hue fell down around Storm, showering her with natures purest beauty. One section of grass didn't stop rustling however. Kurt glanced out of the corner of his eye to see Logan approaching them. Storm smiled, waving gracefully to him. Kurt turn and simply nodded his own greeting across the shortening distance between them. Logan raised a hand then replaced it at his side. Both watched the wanderer approach, falling silent until at last Logan was within ear shot.
"Hello Logan."
"Hey Storm, Kurt. What are you two doing all the way out here, huh? I though I was the only one who ever came out here."
"Kurt has just been employed as a guide and support for newly accepted students Logan."
Storm stated, avoiding his question all together. Logan glanced down at Kurt, who still sat on the ground.
"Well then I suppose I should offer my congratulations blue boy."
Logan said, smirking. Kurt grinned, knowing that Logan was just joking around.
"Thanks Volfie."
Kurt retorted in the same good nature. Logan gave a stifled laugh, turning back to Storm.
"So 'Ro, ya never did answer my question."
"I was answering Kurt questions about his first student and his new job."
Storm stated bluntly. Logan nodded.
"So who's the first victim?"
"Her names Willow, and she possesses earthen powers.
Logan looked over at Kurt.
"Sound like you got your work cut out for ya already. Tree hugger types are also so touchy about every little thing ya say to 'em and..."
He caught Storms annoyed glare and shut up. Kurt placed a hand in front of his mouth to hide the wide smile and muffle the laugh. Logan shrugged.
"Fine 'Ro, fight the truth...but you know I'm right."
Storm shook her head.
"Could you please just behave for once Logan?"
"Now why would I go and do a thing like that 'Ro?"
Just to taunt her, Logan placed a thick cigar in the corner of his mouth and lit it.
"There's to be no smoking in here Logan."
Storm found herself hit square in the face by a smoke ring. Coughing and batting the tar tainted air away from her face, she glared at Logan again.
"I'm warning you Logan..."
Kurt scooted away from wolverine, his eyes watching the rapidly gathering black clouds above only Logan.
"Whatcha gonna do about it 'Ro? You can't use any of your powers here either...you'll hurt the trees."
The last part was spoken like a real life tree hugger, far from Logan's usual voice. He began to chuckle to himself... but in an instant he was drenched by rain and his cigar was worthless. Storm sneered at him.
"Can't use my powers, eh Logan? You seem to forget so quickly that trees like a good rain. For a nature boy you sure aren't to woods smart."
Logan mocked her laugh.
"Yeah yeah, you got me 'Ro. Ha ha...very funny."
The trio remained there, laughing and joking until it was almost dark. Storm was the first to retire back to the institute. Logan and Kurt didn't linger more than a few minutes before Logan decided that it was time to scan the perimeter, acting as a guard for the school before dark from the one large gang of mutant haters that had recently moved into the city. Kurt watched him leave, taking a moment to admire the beauty of the moonlight bathed trees in full bloom before returning to the back garden to his tree.
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Chapter 4--Cherry Orchard
After the meeting, Storm had offered to walk and talk with Kurt about any concerns and questions he might have had. They walked towards the outskirts of the Institutes property, into an orchard of apple, cherry, pear and peach trees. Every tree was a beautiful white, cream, or lightly orange tainted color as the blossoms that marked the beginning of the growing season replaced all the green leaves that had yet to awaken from the winter.
Storm walked over to one tree, sitting on a low branch as Kurt was content to crouch upon the ground, gazing up at the beauty of new life. His thoughts wandered to his soon to arrive 'student'.
"I vonder vhat Villow's powers are 'dat could be so out of control..."
He mused to himself, even though the thought was stated out loud by accident. Storm lightly smacked her forehead, feeling stupid.
"Of course, I'm sorry I forgot to tell you. Willow has earth powers."
"Earth powers? Such as vhat?"
"She can make plants grow for one...or if she's sad its said that plants around her wilt."
Kurt cringed slightly, feeling suddenly horrible for the girl he had yet to meet...and for the plants left in the wake of her sorrow.
"Anything else I should know about 'er?"
Storm nodded.
"Yes. She can also cause and control earthquakes, and manipulate the landscape. Even the professor isn't sure just how much power she possesses over the Earth."
Kurt was awestruck by this news, not because he feared what terrible power she might have, but it awe that she hadn't somehow managed to destroy the planet during the rough years as a teenager that he himself bleakly remembered. This brought him to his next thought.
"You said she vas older, right?"
Storm nodded.
"Yes I did."
"'Ow old is older?"
"Twenty or twenty one I think."
Nodding, Kurt watched as an orange tainted blossom floated through the air, landing in Storms blizzard white hair. Storm noticed him looking at her and smiled.
"What?"
Kurt pointed to the top of his head, still watching the flower in her hair as a tiny periwinkle butterfly landed on it, creating a serene picture of perfect beauty. Storm rolled her eyes up and looked above her. She went to pluck whatever it was out of her hair, but Kurt began shaking his head.
"No, no."
He said in a hushed voice, reaching over and pulling Storms miniature mirror out of a hidden pocket in her cap and holding it so that Storm could see. She smiled, and reached up slowly, picking the flower up and cupping it in her hand without frightening the butterfly. She looked at the beautiful sight until the small butterfly finally fluttered away, carried by a soft breeze. Storm left the flower follow much the same path, not stopping it as the breeze took it as well.
The day was still young, the sun not even at the noon hour yet and idol talk of things past was all they had gotten accomplished. Kurt finally forced his mind to focus on the soon to be student Willow.
"Storm, is 'dere anything else I need to know about my job 'dat I don't already know?"
Storm pondered for a moment.
"Well, you need to know that you might have multiple new students at one time, not just one."
Her eyes roamed to the sky, as if the answers were written on the clouds.
"I think Xavier covered most everything else."
She stated as her gaze returned to terra firma. Kurt nodded.
"Do you really think 'dat 'de other students might accept me more easily?"
Storm smiled brightly.
"Of course. Rogue has been passing your god name again."
"Vhat does 'de rest of 'de staff think of 'dis new position."
"Most agreed. Scott, of course, was skeptical. Don't worry about him though, he's still taking it pretty hard."
"I know. Rogue 'nd I talked to 'im late last night."
Storms bright smile faded.
"Was he ok?"
Kurt nodded.
"I talked to 'im and 'e vent back inside. I 'aven't seen 'im yet today."
Storm sighed, worried about Scott. Kurt watched her for a moment, but decided against saying anything. He turned and looked behind him, for something seemed wrong. Not immediately wrong, but an impending sort of wrong, just waiting to happen.
"Kurt...are you ok?"
Storm's voice called out to him. Whirling back around to face the concerned looking lady, Kurt nodded.
"Just a funny feeling...'dat's all."
Strom eyed him suspiciously.
"Your sure?"
He nodded a silent answer. There was no need to alarm her about a feeling, if it turned into something more than a feeling later he would be far from alright, but that was later. Right now, there was only peace and silence. Storm was reluctant to let the subject be dropped so easily, but seeing that Kurt was unwilling to talk more she allowed it to slide without another word. The breeze stopped, and more flowers of orange and cream hue fell down around Storm, showering her with natures purest beauty. One section of grass didn't stop rustling however. Kurt glanced out of the corner of his eye to see Logan approaching them. Storm smiled, waving gracefully to him. Kurt turn and simply nodded his own greeting across the shortening distance between them. Logan raised a hand then replaced it at his side. Both watched the wanderer approach, falling silent until at last Logan was within ear shot.
"Hello Logan."
"Hey Storm, Kurt. What are you two doing all the way out here, huh? I though I was the only one who ever came out here."
"Kurt has just been employed as a guide and support for newly accepted students Logan."
Storm stated, avoiding his question all together. Logan glanced down at Kurt, who still sat on the ground.
"Well then I suppose I should offer my congratulations blue boy."
Logan said, smirking. Kurt grinned, knowing that Logan was just joking around.
"Thanks Volfie."
Kurt retorted in the same good nature. Logan gave a stifled laugh, turning back to Storm.
"So 'Ro, ya never did answer my question."
"I was answering Kurt questions about his first student and his new job."
Storm stated bluntly. Logan nodded.
"So who's the first victim?"
"Her names Willow, and she possesses earthen powers.
Logan looked over at Kurt.
"Sound like you got your work cut out for ya already. Tree hugger types are also so touchy about every little thing ya say to 'em and..."
He caught Storms annoyed glare and shut up. Kurt placed a hand in front of his mouth to hide the wide smile and muffle the laugh. Logan shrugged.
"Fine 'Ro, fight the truth...but you know I'm right."
Storm shook her head.
"Could you please just behave for once Logan?"
"Now why would I go and do a thing like that 'Ro?"
Just to taunt her, Logan placed a thick cigar in the corner of his mouth and lit it.
"There's to be no smoking in here Logan."
Storm found herself hit square in the face by a smoke ring. Coughing and batting the tar tainted air away from her face, she glared at Logan again.
"I'm warning you Logan..."
Kurt scooted away from wolverine, his eyes watching the rapidly gathering black clouds above only Logan.
"Whatcha gonna do about it 'Ro? You can't use any of your powers here either...you'll hurt the trees."
The last part was spoken like a real life tree hugger, far from Logan's usual voice. He began to chuckle to himself... but in an instant he was drenched by rain and his cigar was worthless. Storm sneered at him.
"Can't use my powers, eh Logan? You seem to forget so quickly that trees like a good rain. For a nature boy you sure aren't to woods smart."
Logan mocked her laugh.
"Yeah yeah, you got me 'Ro. Ha ha...very funny."
The trio remained there, laughing and joking until it was almost dark. Storm was the first to retire back to the institute. Logan and Kurt didn't linger more than a few minutes before Logan decided that it was time to scan the perimeter, acting as a guard for the school before dark from the one large gang of mutant haters that had recently moved into the city. Kurt watched him leave, taking a moment to admire the beauty of the moonlight bathed trees in full bloom before returning to the back garden to his tree.
