Chapter 5: Lights in the Sky
Que, Ororo, and the Professor left the next afternoon on what they called the X-Jet. Regardless of the circumstances, this plane was sweet. Que couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship and tech of the jet, and it was the most Charles had heard her speak since they left the cottage that morning. Que talked for almost 30 minutes after takeoff. She had so many questions, comments, and even some suggestions for improvement.
Charles never realized what an icebreaker a nice aircraft could be.
After their conversation on the aerodynamics of the plane, the Professor started explaining more about the school.
All students had a senior staff mentor, attended regular classes to satisfy the the requirements for high school graduation, and had regular power training sessions. The academic placement might be a bit more difficult. Que hadn't been to a real school or classes in almost 8 years, but her self-taught skills and knowledge she had already acquired were quite substantial. They would have to see where she was at academically and go from there.
Professor Xavier would be her mentor along with the help of Storm, who had never had a mentee before. After that, they sat quietly for the majority of the ride, aside from a stray question now and then.
Que stared out at the clouds, exhausted. She couldn't believe the events of the previous day and would have never thought it could lead to her just dropping everything and leaving. Storm was right though, if she stayed, who knows the damage that she could cause. Que couldn't bare the thought of hurting more people, but she had a feeling that maybe these people could actually help her.
As the jet was on autopilot, Ororo had dozed off in the pilot seat leaving just Charles and Que awake, staring out at the night sky.
"When did you realize you were different?" Que asked quietly.
Charles looked up in surprise. They had not spoken in probably an hour.
"I was about 9, but I did not recognize what was really going on until after Primary school."
"What do you mean?" she prompted.
"Well, I heard voices, and it took me a few years to realize I wasn't crazy. The voices were not in my head but were coming from the people around me. It took time and a lot of practice to finally be able to tune them out. That is also part of the reason I founded the institute, so I could provide a place for others to learn and grow together. It is very isolating when you have no one like you," Charles explained turning to face Que. Whether it was his position or just that there wasn't enough time in a day, very few students ever ask him about his experience.
"Que, can you tell me a little more about your gifts?"
"What? Other than I can be a bit breezy, and the beacon by my house wasn't actually that necessary?" Que smirked, but Charles sat patiently through her attempted evasion.
She glanced down before continuing. "It's hard to really explain. I guess the best way I can describe it is that I can control the natural energy around me. I can create light, lightning, wind, and cause small earthquakes. I can feel everything, their energy, the flowing of a river, the breeze, living things too. They all have streams of energy, and it's like I'm connected to them, like a spider and its web. When those streams build or block up, things happen."
"I'm sure that can be quite overwhelming," Charles said nodding in understanding.
"But it isn't all bad, I guess," Que said tentatively, holding out one fist. Slowly, she opened it revealing a small orb of light no bigger than a quarter. It was quite beautiful.
"I have had my abilities for as long as I can remember. They have changed, well I guess developed more, as I have gotten older, but I've always been able to do this," She smiled gazing at the light and continued. "It isn't dangerous or anything. I really don't know how it works, but it's peaceful to me somehow."
She let the light drift off her hand toward the Professor. It was like a firefly dancing in the night. Charles cupped his hands, and Que let it rest within them. She was right. It didn't hurt and there was a warmth about the orb that put the aging man at ease as he gazed into the sparkling sphere before it dimmed away.
"Thank you for sharing that with me. It was quite beautiful," Charles said.
They sat in silence for a moment or two more before the Professor spoke up again. "It is probably best you try and get some rest. We should be landing in an hour."
With that they both settled back down to have a brief reprieve before what would be a very early first day.