AN: Yeah, bug me about how late it is later. And no, it's not later yet. See if you can spot our guest.
As Ororo padded along down to the Professor's office, she sighed deeply. As of late, the Professor had been placing more and more responsibility on Jean and Scott, and removing the burden from her. While it had been a nice change of pace for a while, Ororo had quickly grown weary of sitting around watching the world go by. That silly little date with Davis was just a symptom of her rampant fidgetiness. As much as she hated to admit it, she almost required the workload she had grown accustomed to. It kept her busy, kept her thinking. And Ororo Munroe was not an idle woman.
Making the last winding turn, she pondered what the Professor could want to see her for. Probably just another "harmless check on my love life," she mused. The Professor was like any other father figure: a bit protective on whom he approved of, while at the same time a bit teasing. Considering that there were only a few people in the mansion with currently active love lives, Ororo figured that the Professor did more than just check on her.
Softly rapping her knuckles against the heavy cherry wood door, Ororo paused to wait for the Professor's acknowledgement before entering the cluttered office. While most people would consider the Professor a neat freak, Ororo always had pegged him as a packrat, cluttering the office with trinkets from friends and news clippings about mutants. After all, who else would need so many paperweights?
"Ororo, dear. How are you today?" Xavier looked up as he spoke, eyes shining for one of his prize students.
"Very well, Professor. And yourself?"
"Just fine, dear. Please, have a seat."
Winding around the furniture, Ororo gracefully placed herself into one of the elegant green chairs facing the desk. "What is on your mind?"
"Actually, I have a particular purpose for you, Ororo. In the not too distant future, I hope to have a new student join us." Rifling through some loose papers, Xavier came across one with a photo on it. "This is Nina. She is a mutant with an unusual ability." Turning the paper around, he allowed Ororo to see "Nina" more closely. "She seems to be able to split her personality, and devote some into another creature. Most often, she chooses this," he pointed, "a golden brown monkey that serves as her constant companion."
Ororo studied the picture of the monkey, a slight crease forming on her forehead. "A very interesting power indeed."
"Yes. I was hoping that if she does arrive, that you would take her under wing, Ororo."
Ororo looked mildly shocked. "Me, Professor? With her personality split, would not Jean be a better choice?"
"No, I do not think so. I fear Jean's talent may frighten her, make her feel as if someone is trying to rip her shaky personality apart. I feel your calming influence may help guide her."
"I am honored, Professor, and I accept."
Xavier smiled, and a hint of humor crept into his eyes. "So, Ororo…" he trailed.
Ororo rolled her eyes, and finished his sentence for him. "…how is the love life coming?" She huffed a bit. "You ask that every time, Professor."
"And yet, I remain curious every time."
Leaning back and allowing her shoulders to sink into the overstuffed chair, Ororo sighed. "There is nothing to tell, Professor. My lack of a love life could fill the pages of a book with its dull persistence."
"Did you not have a date with a young blond man recently?"
"Yes." Ororo plucked at her hemline. "Unfortunately, 'young' was the operative adjective. I do not think he is a bad young man, just that he does not possess the maturity necessarily to be in a relationship with an X-Man."
The Professor leaned forward and looked directly into Ororo's eyes. She unconsciously fidgeted under his piercing stare, suddenly feeling a bit like a side of meat laid out on display for everyone to see its innards. "Are you thinking of yourself as an X-Man, or a woman first?"
"Obviously, I have to consider the ramifications of dating while I remain an active member…"
Holding up a hand, Xavier silenced her. "Considering and allowing to dictate are wholly different concepts. Keep that in mind."
Ororo pursed her lips, trying to retort, but failed. Once again, her father figure had effectively bisected her without even trying.
"That's why she should jus' date me. Make life simpler." Remy stepped in the open door and stood behind Ororo, dropping his hands onto her shoulders. "After all, I not care that she's an X-Man."
Infuriated, Ororo spun in her chair, knocking Remy's hands off her. "Were you eavesdropping, Remy LeBeau?"
"Non! Jus' passing by when I heard something about your love life. And I care very much about my padnat's love life." Remy added an innocent smile on to the end of the sentence to punctuate his 'pure motive.'
"Thank you for the talk, Professor," said Ororo, clearly ignoring Gambit for the moment. "If you will excuse me, I need to have a chat with my friend here."
"Thank you for coming to my office, Ororo. Please, come back soon. I do enjoy these chats." He nodded, signaling Ororo to leave.
Remy lazily made his way out of the office, Ororo hot on his heels. Once they were both outside, Ororo carefully closed the door before whirling to face Remy. "Do you have no sense of privacy? Do you not respect my personal life?" She poked hard into his chest, causing his ever-present trench coat to billow out around him.
"Wanna have a picnic?"
Ororo sputtered a bit. "What? A…where did this come from? Here I am trying to berate you for…"
"I've got that salad dressing you love."
Ororo slumped against Remy, using his chest for support. "Fine. When?"
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"I…..AMMMMM……GLAMOUR GIRL!" Winking, Taina gave what she perceived to be a saucy smile before blowing a kiss. She held the pose for a brief moment before dropping her head and moaning. "Why are all the good names taken?"
Looking into the mirror again, she attempted to assess herself fully. Mosey brown hair, a slight build, and an average face. Certainly not 'Glamour Girl.' She pulled on her eyelids, looking at the black circles that seemed to take up permanent residence under her eyes. Maybe she should just be Raccoon and get it over with. She flopped back onto her bed, it speaking in protest of being abused.
"'No-See-Em?'" No, that's a mosquito. "'Butterfly?'" Yeah, about as effectual in a fight as one, too. "'Fairy?'" What is it with these winged creature names?
Secretly, Taina wanted to fly. When she first started getting powers, she was scared. Afraid that everyone would shun her and leave her in the cold. After a bit, though, she realized that powers might mean she could fly.
Of course, what does she end up with? The ability to have people not be able to smell her. So helpful that was. "No, Mr. Evil Man! Don't come near me! I have powers! I can make you not smell if I've taken a shower or not!" Taina huffed and rolled over, glancing into the mirror again, studying herself.
"Maybe 'Ghost? That sounds appropriate. Or 'Mirage.' Maybe 'Wraith?'" She buried her face into her pillow. "Maybe I can just be 'Useless.' That fits," she mumbled into her pillow.
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AN2: No, it's still not later. Next time, Ororo gets to flex her teaching muscle with the new students, while Scott leans on her to teach him something….
Yeah, I think Scott's quickly becoming my favorite character to write in interactions, along with Remy.
MagnusXXN: Nah, no romance. I don't do it well. They always turn out to be horrid mockeries of love. I think that says something about me… ;)
Stormfreak: See Nina's cameo above? She'll return again.
Silverblade: Yeah, I love Cyclops in well-written stories where they show he's more than a one-dimensional slide show.
Rhapsody: Sarcasm made easy? I could make millions… :P
Libby: You're making me blush. Stop it, it's contrasting with my lipstick. ;)
Lici: Thanks! And I need to catch up on your fics.
Nina: There you are! *points up* And you're coming back in Chapter 7!
Darlin: Ummm…now?