This chapter is a little bit lighter than recent chapters. I know I've kinda been piling on the angst...please review.
"Uh, come in," Lance called out.
"Hello and good morning everyone, I'm Mr. McCoy," Beast said cheerfully, as he opened the door looking at each of them from behind black-wire framed glasses. He himself had never exchanged words with the Brotherhood, and was willing to give them a chance. They stared back at him warily, but this didn't put Beast off in the slightest.
"Well, Professor Xavier asked me to give each of you a medical examination to make sure there were no injuries from the fire. He also asked me to tell you that if any of you feel like you need someone to talk to we will be available for therapy sessions. With that all I have to say is welcome to the Institute, and I'm sure it will be interesting getting to know you four," he continued with a sincere smile. The Brotherhood were silent at this, they were still not sure how to react to the extreme kindness they had been shown. It was something they had never really encountered in their lives, and it was overwhelming.
Beast cleared his throat, and gave them an understanding look before asking, "Are there any volunteers to go first?"
"I guess I will," Pietro said getting off the bed to follow Beast out of the room.
"Very good…Pietro is it? Yes, I'm sure I'll get the hang of your names in no time," he said opening the door and walking out into the corridor. Pietro waved a quick goodbye to the others before shutting the door behind him.
Pietro walked quietly behind Beast as they approached the end of the hallway where the stairway started. The mansion was considerably a lot louder now that the other students were waking up, and laughter was echoing from downstairs. Pietro looked confused at this because he was pretty sure it was a weekday, although he couldn't be sure because the days at the Brotherhood Boarding House faded into each other, each as boring and pointless as the next.
"It's winter vacation in case you're wondering. The students still have classes here at the Institute, though. Professor Xavier feels it's necessary for the students to keep their bodies and minds in shape as well as their powers in check," Beast said sensing Pietro's confusion.
"Mmm," Pietro answered, feigning interest.
The glass front door of the mansion slammed open, and a student ran inside, her flip-flops made a clicking sound as she ran across the elaborate tile in the front room.
"MR. McCOY!" the girl yelled running up the stairs to Beast. Pietro didn't recognize her, so he figured she was one of the new ones Lance had mentioned. Her long, straight black hair was dripping water all over the place, and her white tank top and black capris were soaked too.
"MR. McCOY!" she repeated as she got closer to them.
"Yes, Jubilee! What is it?" Beast asked, he was obviously annoyed with her, like this sort of thing happened all the time.
"Bobby PUSHED me in the pool!"
"She's LYING!" a boy yelled running inside after her, as fast as he could. Jubilee gave him a look so venomous and full of hatred she reminded Pietro of the witch in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, before she turned herself into a hag. Jubilee's mascara was smeared down her face and she was crossing her arms and scowling.
"Well Bobby, would you like to tell me what happened then?" Beast asked Bobby placidly.
"I think it's obvious what happened, so what are you going to do about this, this thing!" Jubilee asked. Pietro would have laughed if she didn't look so serious.
"Shut up she-devil!" Bobby cried out at her. Jubilee gave him a murderous look, and Bobby was quiet.
"Maybe we should talk about this when you both have calmed down. Jubilee why don't you go and get yourself dried off, I have some business to take care of," Beast said sighing.
"But Mr. McCoy! Logan told us to see you about this!" Jubilee said eager to see Bobby punished sooner rather than later.
"Fine, Pietro do you mind if I talk to them for a second. Jubilee, Bobby, this is Pietro Maximoff. He and his friends are staying with us for a while. Remember the discussion this morning, or were you two too busy fighting with each other to pay attention?"
Bobby and Jubilee just gawked at Pietro for a moment having just realized he had been standing there the whole time.
"Of course I remember Mr. McCoy. Hi, I'm Jubilee, and this pathetic excuse of a mutant is Bobby" Jubilee said smiling sweetly, pulling herself together and extending her hand to Pietro.
"Hey," he said, awkwardly shaking her cold wet hand, and wishing desperately that he didn't have to meet these people while he was still wearing his pajamas.
"Hi…" Bobby muttered sticking his hand out to shake Pietro's, his eyes glued to the floor. Pietro shook Bobby's hand too, and Beast smiled like this was the kind of Kodak moment he took up this job for in the first place, where enemies forgave each other in times of need. This wasn't really true, though, since Pietro had never met these two in his life, but rather than point this out Pietro let Beast have his moment of bliss. The day that the Brotherhood shook hands with the X-Men would be the day to remember, but Pietro had a feeling of doubt that this day was a lot further of in the future than Beast expected.