cape_kore | 002 Video Day 78

Entry tags:

002 Video Day 78

[Jubilee looks fresh as a daisy. Her hair's up and washed. She's munching on something. Her feet kick up behind her.

For those that are really observant, though, there's the faintest trace of red in her eyes, and just the hint of strain around her mouth.

She at least swallows her mouthful before speaking.]

Logan is gone. I still have the pups, but he's... he's gone.

If any of the newcomers are lookin' for a place to stay, I've got a spare room. Bonus if you know how to cook.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The things she could explain to him if he'd just look.

There's the smallest bitter twist to her lips.]

It's not the first time Logan's left me behind.

[She sighs.]

Sorry, Prof, it's not... you're not my Prof, so there's things you don't understand that mine does. I can tell him things and he understands them because either he was there during or for the aftermath. I can tell you some things, but you've got no context. I need to talk to someone who understands when I just throw up my hands and say "Cyclops!" or when I say "well, ya know, Bobby". They just get the reference.

[She needs the X-Men.]

Not that I'm not grateful, I am, just... it's hard when someone doesn't understand and can't.

[ Judging the way people have reacted to his mutation, that's a little unlikely. ]

I know. I won't apologise, I can hardly be sorry for being my own self. [ A friendly smile, dipping his head. ] But just because I don't get your references, doesn't mean I won't listen if you do need to vent.

I didn't mean it like that. Well, not really. I just...

[She sighs and settles deeper into the couch.]

I'm saying this all wrong and I'm sorry if I insulted you. There is something I'd like to talk about, if you have time? I don't think it's best discussed over the network.

I'm not insulted, Jubilee. [ He smiles at her, soft and helpful. ] Tell me where you wish to meet and I'll be right there.

House 14. I can't really get up right now, so just let yourself in.

And thanks.

[ Here he is shortly afterwards, pushing the door open. ] Jubilee?

Here!

[She raises a hand from the couch, where she's blended in with the fabric and the two large direwolves.]

Have a seat, Prof.

I see you have an honour guard.

[ Watching them because he's never been good with large animals. ]

Wolvie told them to "protect" me. They're... obeying. I guess. They're also warm, so less work to stay warm.

[They barely notice his entrance at all.]

Anyway, I have a small issue.

[ He crosses one leg above the other and folds his hands to his knee. It's not camp, it's distinguished. ]

All right, I'm listening.

[It's totally camp and adorable.]

I burnt out my powers. Not permanently, but I can't even light a cigarette right now. Or a candle. I've tried.

Meaning, that without the pups, I'm really vulnerable. I was counting on Logan, but...

[She shrugs.]

Ah.

[ He's never actually heard of that before, of a power just ebbing out. Sometimes his gets too much to handle but it's always there. ] Has that happened before?

Never this bad. Sometimes, I work them so much my hands tingle, and then I have to wait to use 'em because I can't control the force.

[Which is why she's often dragged out of the Danger Room so this doesn't happen.]

Now... I got nothin'. I knew powering the machine would knock me down, but didn't expect it to be this bad.

[ His frown only grows more troubled. ]

Unfortunately we cannot ask the Doctor what he knows. [ He wonders how long it would take to replenish a completely depleted power source. Or if she's even going to be able to. He doesn't want to scare her though. ] Have you ever heard it happen to other mutants?

I know Wolvie's healing factor would get overworked and take forever to kick in. I know that occasionally a few people will overwork theirs. But burnt out? I dunno.

[She pushes herself up, disentangling herself from the wolves. One of them thumps to the floor, after rolling off the couch. He gets up, stretches with a whine and wanders over to sniff at Charles.]

I'm just not sure how long it'll be until they come back.

[ Charles gets this look on his face when the wolf approaches. He's spent much of his life avoiding outside as often as he can. So he's half curious, half wary. ]

Raven would often find it hard to keep her mutation active were she tired. Little things would slip through, her eyes would change colour, her hair, once her hand turned blue when we were out at the park. [ Perhaps she can hear how old they would have been then from the fondness of his tone. ] I have no doubt yours will kick back in, Jubilee. I only wish I knew how to assist you.

[The wolf sniffs his shoes then wanders toward the kitchen. Jubilee sighs.]

... I don't need assistance. I need protection. Without my powers, I'm vulnerable. I can protect myself, and the wolves help. HECKLE GET OFF THE TABLE!

[There's a thump in the kitchen. Jubilee nudges the other one.]

Go on, go get dinner, Jeckle. Go.

I can do some things, but let me tell you, nothing makes a mutant paranoid like not having access to their powers.

[ Heckle and Jeckle. How charming. ]

What do you need me to do?

[She didn't name them. Blame Logan.

She wants to crawl into his lap and hug him. Jubilee wants the comfort of ~~human~~mutant touch and the familiarity of someone else making the demons go away.

There's a reason she's rarely on her own. She needs that friend, that protection, that security of knowing someone is so close.

And his question drives home that he's not hers. It hurts. Hers would know to just keep a mental ear on her, to keep a mental eye on that unique signature that screamed her.]

Mental tabs. Can you...

[She stumbles for a moment, not sure how to explain it. Jean had explained it once...]

A very low-level, unintrusive telepathic connection. Just something that you know is there, like a spiderweb thread that jiggles if something goes wrong with me? Jean explained it like spatial awareness, without the furniture.

Oh, yes of course.

[ He smiles a little, as though taken aback but relieved. ] I am sorry, Jubilee. I didn't even think to offer. Due to my reputation proceeding me and the reaction I had from some of the people here, I've been trying to keep to my own mental business.

[ He ducks his head, a gesture that is considerably younger than she might have ever known. ] My mutation is, well, I doubt I'm anywhere close to the man you know. But I can do my best to stretch the connection as far as we need it.

We all start somewhere, Prof.

[It's something her coach said to her. She'd fallen and hadn't wanted to keep trying. Coach had convinced her otherwise.]

And let me tell you, it's so weird knowing you're staying away from my head. I mean, I keep checking my shields, out of habit and just... it's weird.

[She's really trying hard not to tackle him and hug him and it's hard. Especially with the wolves gone.]

[ He doesn't tell her he's only know the others for such a short amount of time, only recently met Erik and fell into this world. He'd always thought there would be other mutants but finding them hadn't felt possible.

Until now. ]

I'm rather nosy in the future then? [ He still is. ] All right, will you allow me to get a feel of your signature?

Nosy's one way to put it.

[Downright manipulative is another. But she doesn't say that, not wanting to worry him about the future. There are some things she wants him to know, but they can wait.

She takes a deep breath, steadying herself. Lowering her shields is a conscious effort.]

Whenever you're ready, poke away.

[It takes her a moment, and with her powers burnt, the signature is lessened, but if he'd been paying attention, it's like the static on the TV suddenly disappearing in a silent room. Her shields lower and open her mind. There's still that fuzzy bit at the edges, like angry bees behind a wall. Blockable, but there. There are also paths through the buzzing, paths blazed by previous telepaths, one that feels almost feminine in it's gracefulness, another that's blunt and broken through.

Then the third. Elegant, simplicity. Walls are built around it, allowing a tunnel into her mind only if someone knows how to see it. The minuscule path was laid before the constructed shields around it. An open channel to see into her mind.]

[ He supposes the future Charles Xavier doesn't have a tell as obvious as his, fingertips to his temple and a look of concentration on his face. This is all very fascinating really, he half wants to explore it further. Each piece of her mind - how it is constructed - is so strange and alien to him and yet there is a sense of familiarity.

He follows the path and locks in on her signature and it's like securing a chain to an anchor. He sucks in a breath. ] Fascinating.

[She actually feels it latch into place. It's something she can tell with certain telepaths, but it's been a while with the Professor.

She opens her eyes and looks at him, cocking her head to the side. The proof in how comfortable she is with telepaths is what happens next. She says nothing, but the words are clear to him.]

Do you want to see? Since you're in here anyway?

[She can show him the X-Men, show him the joy she got out of going to his school, that help ease the tragedies.]

( v i d e o )

( v i d e o )

( v i d e o )

( v i d e o )

( v i d e o )

( a c t i o n )

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject