A light breeze awoke Adara from the dream she'd been having. A thin shaft of sunlight stabbed through a slit in the curtains and hit her eyes like a laser beam. She rolled over on her side to get out of its path, then spent the next few minutes waking up...and thinking about that dream.
She'd been in the ruins of an old castle, staring around at the rubble, when Kurt had suddenly appeared perched on one of the high walls. He had called down to her, saying, "Is this the ruins of your life?" Before she could answer, she woke up.
It had been a disturbing dream, to say the least.
Adara got into a pair of jeans and a tank top, pulled her hair back in a ponytail so it didn't look so rumpled, then walked down to the kitchen, hoping nobody would see her in this morning state. She hated anybody seeing her before she'd fixed herself up, brushed her teeth and brushed her hair. It was about 11 in the morning, she noticed. Had she slept THAT late??? The night before came rushing back to her and she suddenly felt embarassed about being in Kurt's room. Like it was a sanctuary that shouldn't be disturbed. Her fear of him was gone, but her mistrust was still there. He had a lot of secrets. Still, this just made her more curious about him. He had invited her to talk to him about her problems, but she had denied having any. The last she wanted him to see her as was weak.
At present, no one was in the kitchen. Good. Adara hated anybody watching her eat. Or doing anything personal, for that matter. Especially strangers. She rooted through the cupboards and drawers until she found the proper wares, then made some pancakes, bacon and eggs. No diet for THIS girl! She could afford it. Besides, at only 117 lbs, she could gain a few. With a satisfied sigh, Adara turned off the stove and sat down at the table to eat. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until now. It was all she could do not to plow through the stack of pancakes like a bulldozer. Thank God no one was watching her.
She caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Quickly, she swallowed her bite and spun around. It was Kurt, standing in the kitchen doorway. She didn't hear him approach, and the reason why was fairly obvious. He was wearing that same black, armored bodysuit as when they first met in Idaho(not Colorado!), and that suit didn't have any shoes. The leggings ended halfway down his calves, leaving those weird, tridactyl feet bare. Judging by the slightly damp nature of his short hair, and the fact that said bodysuit was unzipped halfway down his chest, it looked like he'd been working out.
He bowed, his tail flicking up behind him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on your meal. I'll come back later, if you wish."
Adara swigged half her orange juice, watching him out of the corner of her eye, then gave him what she thought was a small smile. It came out more as a smirk. "Hey, it's a communal kitchen. And you're not intruding. You might wanna keep your distance, anyway. My table manners and morning breath would scare anybody."
She looked at him briefly. Kurt didn't exactly look morning fresh himself, but at least on him it looked good.
"What have you been doing since last night? Don't you ever sleep?"
Her words seemed to put him at ease. He padded around to the refrigerator and started pulling out various sliced meats.
"I don't really sleep much, compared to others," he admitted. "Today I slept in until seven. I've been doing routines in the Danger Room with Logan for the last few hours. This is a lunch break.."
Adara blinked. "You slept IN until seven in the morning? How much sleep do you need?"
He kept bringing out meat, then cheese, then condiments. "Four hours, perhaps five. I need more food than sleep."
Adara chuckled. "You wouldn't know it by the look of me, but I need a lot of food, too. Save some of that meat and cheese for me, too. I'll need it in a few hours."
He turned to the counter, closing the brushed steel refrigerator door with a nudge of his leg. "Compared to the hordes of students that will be here in half an hour, I am the least of your worry. I have never seen anything spoil in this place. Still, there will be plenty left for you."
Most people would have just dumped the armload of food on the counter, but Kurt used his tail to help him place things neatly. Then he brought out a bag of large rolls, grabbed one, and set the bag back before he even set down his own roll. An uncharitable thought about his being anal-retentive came to Adara's mind, and she quickly banished it. Better fastidious than sloppy, and she'd seen way too many slobs.
"At least you are not one of these American women who peck at vegetables all day," he commented over his shoulder. "I have never understood that. It is one thing to do so during fasts, another to do it all the time."
Ah yes, the rabbit food women." she smiled. "I'm one of the weird ones. I have trouble GAINING weight. Must be my fast metabolism. And if I fasted, I would get anorexic. Well, I might not be booty-call material, but I'm damn athletic. I'd like to see all those size D, J-Lo butt types try to keep up with me in a race." She raised one eyebrow for punctuation and stabbed her eggs unintentionally hard.
He glanced up briefly from his sandwich making. "Every woman has her own beauty, and all beauty has its special place. I think, though, since I am used to more athletic women, that I find that beauty more attractive. On a personal level."
Adara's eyes grew wide at this unexpected compliment, then she quickly recovered and changed the subject.. "Speaking of athletic...what do you do when you train? Looks like you work pretty hard."
"It depends. As a unit, we train in a battle simulate. When I am alone, I work on bars and swing lines. Today Logan came down to me." A grin flashed on his face. "I think he wants to get me back from the time I beat him sparring last week. He wanted a rematch. I will never understand why, though. I have only beat him one time out of four."
Adara had been listening intently through the whole explaination, and she was intrigued. "I'd like to make use of that room myself." she said. "If I'm going to be an effective member of this team, I need to learn all that stuff too." She rose and started putting stuff away. "Besides," she added, patting her butt once, "I can't let THIS get flabby."
Kurt's heart gave a few extra beats when he heard those words. He was so frightened last night, frightened that he had scared this woman away, that she would not be able to trust him again. And she was the one who made mention of how she'd like to be a member of this team. He silently thanked God for covering up his own personal mistakes.
"I'm sure the others will be as happy to hear that as I," he said, "though I cannot imagine you getting 'flabby' so soon. They will start you out alone, of course, to see what you can do. It will be like an obstacle course... somewhat." His grin had a mischievous edge to it as he remembered his first session, full of pits, slamming panels, and spinning floor tiles, all designed to confuse and overwhelm him, but not injure. "They won't bring out the missiles for at least a day or two."
Adara was momentarily taken aback by the missle reference, but the shock was quickly replaced by her customary determination. "I got through Basic, I can handle this. This way I can get my edge back. AND vent my aggressions." She firmly but playfully kicked the refrigerator door shut and walked back to the table to finish her coffee.
Kurt cocked his head. " 'Basic'?"
"Basic training," Adara clarified. "Boot camp. I was in the Air Force, emphasis on WAS."
" Ah." Kurt nodded. "You will have to speak with Logan sometime. I think you would have much in common. He also uses the Danger Room for such vents. I think he was military at some time, and he left with the same 'bad taste in his mouth' as you did."
He was making two sandwiches; one out of a roll, and the other with sliced bread. Both were being piled rather high. Was he THAT hungry? Then Adara heard someone else walk closer to the kitchen from outside. Kurt finished the second sandwich, put in on a plate, and held it all out behind him with his tail. Logan came into the kitchen, noted the plate, and immediately grabbed it.
"What?" he demanded, looking at the rather huge sandwich. "No pickle or chips?"
Kurt laughed. "You said sandwich! You said nothing about chips! I remember the bet distinctly!"
Adara grinned over the rim of her cup at this exchange so they couldn't see her amusement. Again, she was amazed at how Kurt could balance the whole damn plate with his tail and never drop it. She could imagine him moonlighting in some restaurant somewhere.. She was somewhat intimidated by the macho Logan, but still found him likeable. She just made a mental note not to get on his bad side. Finishing her coffee, she got up to leave. "Looks like you guys need the place to yourselves. I'm looking forward to training, Kurt."(should she leave here, or will Logan and/or Kurt want to inform her about the battle simulation rooms? Will Logan get curious about her Air Force experience? ((He probably will, as it's a sure bet his keen hearing picked up a lot of their conversation, but he won't ask any time soon. He knows how much the military screwed him, and that he doesn't like to talk about it. He'll probably figure she's the same way. That's not to say he might not ask Kurt about it, though....)) Not sure whether to close this out or not!)
((I think this should get played out for just a little longer, but not too much.))
Logan grabbed an unopened bag of chips and grinned (or was that a leer?) back at Kurt. "You don't lose much time, do you? A nice, romantic stroll past the spinning blades of doom...."
"Oh, yes, I'm very romantic that way," Kurt responded dryly. He turned to Adara. "Adara, this is Logan. There are times when he fits his call sign too well."
Adara set her cup in the sink. "And what would that be?"
"Wolverine," Logan answered, grabbing a bottle of some kind of soda out of the refrigerator. "Don't usually go by it much anymore, though."
"In any case, Adara, it is Herr Professor who sets up the first training programs," Kurt went on. "I'm sure he would be happy to set it all up for you. I warn you, though, you will probably have an audience. This is something like an initiating."
I think singing for an audience is more nerve-wracking." she half joked. "And I'll have to talk to the Professor about that. I'll admit I'm a little nervous, but I won't rest until I do it."
::That's right::, Kurt thought. ::She does have a lovely singing voice...::
He thought about mentioning it, but then he glanced at Logan, ripping open the bag of chips, and thought better of the idea. As good friends as he may be with this man, Logan didn't seem to have many social graces as far as the fraulines were concerned. Not in his opinion, anyway.
"Sehr gut," Kurt replied. "Please, let us know when it is all worked out."
Logan, his face buried in the refrigerator, called out, "Hey! Where's the dill spears? You eat them all again, elf?"
Kurt rolled his eyes with an exasperated growl. "Again with the complaining! They're in there somewhere!"
"Yeah, with one left in the bottle!"
"I think I'd better go." Adara whispered so only Kurt could hear, then quickly stole from the room.
She'd been in the ruins of an old castle, staring around at the rubble, when Kurt had suddenly appeared perched on one of the high walls. He had called down to her, saying, "Is this the ruins of your life?" Before she could answer, she woke up.
It had been a disturbing dream, to say the least.
Adara got into a pair of jeans and a tank top, pulled her hair back in a ponytail so it didn't look so rumpled, then walked down to the kitchen, hoping nobody would see her in this morning state. She hated anybody seeing her before she'd fixed herself up, brushed her teeth and brushed her hair. It was about 11 in the morning, she noticed. Had she slept THAT late??? The night before came rushing back to her and she suddenly felt embarassed about being in Kurt's room. Like it was a sanctuary that shouldn't be disturbed. Her fear of him was gone, but her mistrust was still there. He had a lot of secrets. Still, this just made her more curious about him. He had invited her to talk to him about her problems, but she had denied having any. The last she wanted him to see her as was weak.
At present, no one was in the kitchen. Good. Adara hated anybody watching her eat. Or doing anything personal, for that matter. Especially strangers. She rooted through the cupboards and drawers until she found the proper wares, then made some pancakes, bacon and eggs. No diet for THIS girl! She could afford it. Besides, at only 117 lbs, she could gain a few. With a satisfied sigh, Adara turned off the stove and sat down at the table to eat. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until now. It was all she could do not to plow through the stack of pancakes like a bulldozer. Thank God no one was watching her.
She caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Quickly, she swallowed her bite and spun around. It was Kurt, standing in the kitchen doorway. She didn't hear him approach, and the reason why was fairly obvious. He was wearing that same black, armored bodysuit as when they first met in Idaho(not Colorado!), and that suit didn't have any shoes. The leggings ended halfway down his calves, leaving those weird, tridactyl feet bare. Judging by the slightly damp nature of his short hair, and the fact that said bodysuit was unzipped halfway down his chest, it looked like he'd been working out.
He bowed, his tail flicking up behind him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on your meal. I'll come back later, if you wish."
Adara swigged half her orange juice, watching him out of the corner of her eye, then gave him what she thought was a small smile. It came out more as a smirk. "Hey, it's a communal kitchen. And you're not intruding. You might wanna keep your distance, anyway. My table manners and morning breath would scare anybody."
She looked at him briefly. Kurt didn't exactly look morning fresh himself, but at least on him it looked good.
"What have you been doing since last night? Don't you ever sleep?"
Her words seemed to put him at ease. He padded around to the refrigerator and started pulling out various sliced meats.
"I don't really sleep much, compared to others," he admitted. "Today I slept in until seven. I've been doing routines in the Danger Room with Logan for the last few hours. This is a lunch break.."
Adara blinked. "You slept IN until seven in the morning? How much sleep do you need?"
He kept bringing out meat, then cheese, then condiments. "Four hours, perhaps five. I need more food than sleep."
Adara chuckled. "You wouldn't know it by the look of me, but I need a lot of food, too. Save some of that meat and cheese for me, too. I'll need it in a few hours."
He turned to the counter, closing the brushed steel refrigerator door with a nudge of his leg. "Compared to the hordes of students that will be here in half an hour, I am the least of your worry. I have never seen anything spoil in this place. Still, there will be plenty left for you."
Most people would have just dumped the armload of food on the counter, but Kurt used his tail to help him place things neatly. Then he brought out a bag of large rolls, grabbed one, and set the bag back before he even set down his own roll. An uncharitable thought about his being anal-retentive came to Adara's mind, and she quickly banished it. Better fastidious than sloppy, and she'd seen way too many slobs.
"At least you are not one of these American women who peck at vegetables all day," he commented over his shoulder. "I have never understood that. It is one thing to do so during fasts, another to do it all the time."
Ah yes, the rabbit food women." she smiled. "I'm one of the weird ones. I have trouble GAINING weight. Must be my fast metabolism. And if I fasted, I would get anorexic. Well, I might not be booty-call material, but I'm damn athletic. I'd like to see all those size D, J-Lo butt types try to keep up with me in a race." She raised one eyebrow for punctuation and stabbed her eggs unintentionally hard.
He glanced up briefly from his sandwich making. "Every woman has her own beauty, and all beauty has its special place. I think, though, since I am used to more athletic women, that I find that beauty more attractive. On a personal level."
Adara's eyes grew wide at this unexpected compliment, then she quickly recovered and changed the subject.. "Speaking of athletic...what do you do when you train? Looks like you work pretty hard."
"It depends. As a unit, we train in a battle simulate. When I am alone, I work on bars and swing lines. Today Logan came down to me." A grin flashed on his face. "I think he wants to get me back from the time I beat him sparring last week. He wanted a rematch. I will never understand why, though. I have only beat him one time out of four."
Adara had been listening intently through the whole explaination, and she was intrigued. "I'd like to make use of that room myself." she said. "If I'm going to be an effective member of this team, I need to learn all that stuff too." She rose and started putting stuff away. "Besides," she added, patting her butt once, "I can't let THIS get flabby."
Kurt's heart gave a few extra beats when he heard those words. He was so frightened last night, frightened that he had scared this woman away, that she would not be able to trust him again. And she was the one who made mention of how she'd like to be a member of this team. He silently thanked God for covering up his own personal mistakes.
"I'm sure the others will be as happy to hear that as I," he said, "though I cannot imagine you getting 'flabby' so soon. They will start you out alone, of course, to see what you can do. It will be like an obstacle course... somewhat." His grin had a mischievous edge to it as he remembered his first session, full of pits, slamming panels, and spinning floor tiles, all designed to confuse and overwhelm him, but not injure. "They won't bring out the missiles for at least a day or two."
Adara was momentarily taken aback by the missle reference, but the shock was quickly replaced by her customary determination. "I got through Basic, I can handle this. This way I can get my edge back. AND vent my aggressions." She firmly but playfully kicked the refrigerator door shut and walked back to the table to finish her coffee.
Kurt cocked his head. " 'Basic'?"
"Basic training," Adara clarified. "Boot camp. I was in the Air Force, emphasis on WAS."
" Ah." Kurt nodded. "You will have to speak with Logan sometime. I think you would have much in common. He also uses the Danger Room for such vents. I think he was military at some time, and he left with the same 'bad taste in his mouth' as you did."
He was making two sandwiches; one out of a roll, and the other with sliced bread. Both were being piled rather high. Was he THAT hungry? Then Adara heard someone else walk closer to the kitchen from outside. Kurt finished the second sandwich, put in on a plate, and held it all out behind him with his tail. Logan came into the kitchen, noted the plate, and immediately grabbed it.
"What?" he demanded, looking at the rather huge sandwich. "No pickle or chips?"
Kurt laughed. "You said sandwich! You said nothing about chips! I remember the bet distinctly!"
Adara grinned over the rim of her cup at this exchange so they couldn't see her amusement. Again, she was amazed at how Kurt could balance the whole damn plate with his tail and never drop it. She could imagine him moonlighting in some restaurant somewhere.. She was somewhat intimidated by the macho Logan, but still found him likeable. She just made a mental note not to get on his bad side. Finishing her coffee, she got up to leave. "Looks like you guys need the place to yourselves. I'm looking forward to training, Kurt."(should she leave here, or will Logan and/or Kurt want to inform her about the battle simulation rooms? Will Logan get curious about her Air Force experience? ((He probably will, as it's a sure bet his keen hearing picked up a lot of their conversation, but he won't ask any time soon. He knows how much the military screwed him, and that he doesn't like to talk about it. He'll probably figure she's the same way. That's not to say he might not ask Kurt about it, though....)) Not sure whether to close this out or not!)
((I think this should get played out for just a little longer, but not too much.))
Logan grabbed an unopened bag of chips and grinned (or was that a leer?) back at Kurt. "You don't lose much time, do you? A nice, romantic stroll past the spinning blades of doom...."
"Oh, yes, I'm very romantic that way," Kurt responded dryly. He turned to Adara. "Adara, this is Logan. There are times when he fits his call sign too well."
Adara set her cup in the sink. "And what would that be?"
"Wolverine," Logan answered, grabbing a bottle of some kind of soda out of the refrigerator. "Don't usually go by it much anymore, though."
"In any case, Adara, it is Herr Professor who sets up the first training programs," Kurt went on. "I'm sure he would be happy to set it all up for you. I warn you, though, you will probably have an audience. This is something like an initiating."
I think singing for an audience is more nerve-wracking." she half joked. "And I'll have to talk to the Professor about that. I'll admit I'm a little nervous, but I won't rest until I do it."
::That's right::, Kurt thought. ::She does have a lovely singing voice...::
He thought about mentioning it, but then he glanced at Logan, ripping open the bag of chips, and thought better of the idea. As good friends as he may be with this man, Logan didn't seem to have many social graces as far as the fraulines were concerned. Not in his opinion, anyway.
"Sehr gut," Kurt replied. "Please, let us know when it is all worked out."
Logan, his face buried in the refrigerator, called out, "Hey! Where's the dill spears? You eat them all again, elf?"
Kurt rolled his eyes with an exasperated growl. "Again with the complaining! They're in there somewhere!"
"Yeah, with one left in the bottle!"
"I think I'd better go." Adara whispered so only Kurt could hear, then quickly stole from the room.