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There is a certain restless air about the Xavier Institute. Between the official start of the school year and whatever it was the X-Men were recently up to on Coney Island, things just feel that slightest bit… tense. Different. Off. For the most part, people are able to ignore it and simply go about their business.
And then there's Piotr. The massive Russian has claimed one of the armchairs in the school's foyer and has his sketchbook open in his lap, his brow creased in concentration as he sketches. And, clearly not for the first time, rips the page out, crumples it into a ball, and gives it an irritated toss into the nearly-overflowing trash bin next to his feet.
New page. New sketch. Grumble grumble.
*
Logan doesn't feel like things are wrong. He's feeling pretty good, actually. They went in, got their friends back. He's about got the cabin finished on the back property, so he can have his own place. Just need to dig the pit for the outhouse.
He comes in from the outdoors, cigar chomped between his teeth, a grin on his face, "Leaves startin' t'turn. I'm ready for it. Dunno how you yanks live with all this hot weather," he smirks, just in time to see Piotr tossing his piece of paper, "What crawled up yer britches, kid?"
*
Rory is starting to become more of a regular sight around the Mansion as the young man gets more comfortable with his surroundings and fellow mutants. He's also putting a huge dent in the food stores as one of his favorite activities is searching for snacks at any hour of the day or night. Despite his prodigious appetite, his small frame isn't growing in any direction, and Rory remains the skinny waif he's always been. He walks into the foyer, munching on an apple. When he sees Piotr sketching, he approaches the man cautiously; partially becasue he dosn't want to interrupt whatever Piotr is doing and partially because there's someone he hasn't met yet talking with the big Russian. Rory is cautious around strangers for the first time, and Logan is…very caution-inducing. He gives a shy wave to the pair with his free hand. "H'llo."
*
"I can't believe this…" Dr. Strange murmurs to himself as he sweeps his Cape into place. It settles with near-sentience about his shoulders and hangs, a comfortable weight. He plans to visit the Institute and speak to his errant apprentice. After her brother's recent visit and shared concerns about summoning demons, it is time for another…chat.
He gestures with practiced sharpness, an aura of Mystic power about his fingertips. The air in the Sanctum's Loft crackles and writhes as the doorway spirals open, lined as always in golden lightning. It reveals the Institute's foyer, not much farther after the closed entryway doors, and he strides down the brief tunnel into the room. His steel-blue eyes settle on Piotr, seemingly involved in sketchings of sorts, some other Institute attendee, and a rough-looking man apparently chewing on a cigar. For now, he remains quiet, letting his presence - and reputation - precede him. Perhaps Piotr will tell him that he's here for naught and Illyana will no longer summon demons. And perhaps pigs will fly.
*
Piotr's eyes flick up from his sketchbook when Logan arrives, pencil falling still on the page. He considers correcting him — he is, after all, decidedly not a yank — but elects to shrug a shoulder and voice some agreement, instead. An olive branch, of sorts. "The cooler weather will be very welcome."
He offers Rory a friendly little waggling of his fingers as he considers Logan's question. "I am… nothing new. Everything related to the facility. I cannot think," he says with a note of frustration, dropping the pencil onto the page and leaning back with a sigh.
And then Strange arrives with… his usual flair. At least Piotr doesn't startle too badly — he's a touch high-strung. "…Doctor. Good afternoon?"
*
Logan doesn't know Doctor Strange from Doctor Seuss, so when the strange man in the cloak manifests in the foyer, Logan's response is to pop claws, shifting quickly with a SNIKT to place himself in front of him. At Piotr's recognition, though, he eases back, retracting again.
"Doctor, huh? Somebody got the sniffles?" he asks, nodding to Rory when he sees the kid.
*
Rory starts to walk towards Piotr, smiling a bit. And then, Doctor Strange pops in suddenly. Rory scampers towards a corner, hiding behind it and peeking his head out to watch the scene unfold. For those with heightened senses, the young man has a scent of fear and…a slight canine odor? Regardless, he's definately a skittish thing.
*
Silent paces drive Kitty Pryde in from outside. Her breath rakes through her lungs in and out following her rather lengthy (perhaps too long), determined run around the grounds. She's been gone far longer than she intended. Perhaps it was just a day for running; more likely it was a day for thinking.
With her high ponytail, and her easily identifiable running shorts, it's almost impossible to miss her purpose for being outdoors. And then there's her reddened cheeks and the beads of perspiration that have formed along her forehead. Her eyes, however, seem red and puffy.
She steps into the foyer, head tilting to the side as she spies the conversation taking place. Her lips turn into a polite smile for those gathered, and for a moment, she seems like she's going to high tail it to the residence.
But as she takes a single step, the searing pain from a charlie horse in her calf crumples her to the ground. Her face scrunches into a pained scowl as she stretches along the floor. A tight smile, that is probably somewhere between toothy grin and a grimace, pulls her lips and she lifts a few fingers in a way. "Heeeey…" Her eyes narrow as she looks at the crowd gathered.
*
It's with the long experience of defending himself that Strange remains staunchly standing even as Logan approaches him quickly. Had the man actually swung for the Sorcerer Supreme, he would have made contact with a kinetic energy shield and been deflected. Giving the cigar-chomping Logan a cool smile, he replies,
"Dr. Stephen Strange, M.D., neurosurgery. A bit more complicated than your average cold - and good afternoon, Piotr," he adds, giving the young man a nod of greeting. He then addresses everyone in the foyer as a whole. "Is Miss Illyana available?"
The entrance of the young woman, whom he recognizes from the bullet wound resealing, makes him glance over. Her collapse, resulting from some sort of momentary leg trauma, makes him wince and step over to her. His Cape spreads out around him as he kneels down and offers a hand. "I remember you from the infirmary. I appreciate your aid that you gave during that time." His eyes twinkle in a kind smile to her.
*
"Something like that," Piotr asides to Logan in a low voice, before he offers a reassuring smile towards Rory. "It is alright. The doctor is a friend," he says gently, beckoning to the much smaller young man with a hand. "I am sure he did not mean to startle you." People here just have a way of doing that.
He's already shifting to his feet before Kitty arrives, and then Piotr is wincing in sympathy. He takes an aborted step forward before Strange is at her side. That's… probably more helpful, actually. He quietly clears his throat, suddenly a bit awkward. "Katya. Are you alright?"
*
Logan snorts, 'You don't wanna startle anybody, probably best not to just teleport right into their domiciles, ya dig?" he says. He takes a long drag on his stogie and grabs a chair, raising an eyebrow as he watches Piotr run to Kitty's aid, "I don't see no bones stickin' out, I think she'll live, loverboy," he chuckles.
He winks at Rory as he grabs a chair for himself, "Don't worry, kiddo, I don't bite. Well, I do, but only those what deserve it," he says. "Who ya hear t'see, Doc?"
*
At the mention of the teleporting man's name, Rory gets a bit bolder and comes out from behind the corner. He walks towards the gathering, his eyes still on the mage. "Doctor Strange?" he asks in his Scottish brogue. "Are ye Illyana's teacher, then? The…the Sorceror Supreme o' Earth?" Logan's attempt at calming Rory seems to have worked, as the boy smiles at him. "I bite sometimes, too," he says with a smile. "But only when I'm hunting for food."
*
The pain is momentary, but sharp. Fortunately, it resolves itself quickly enough, and Kitty has very quick company. Her eyes squint with recognition before Strange speaks, but he seems to more readily place her than her him. She casts him an easy grin, "Right! You were helping Yana; her mentor right? I don't think we actually met — I'm Kitty." The appreciation of her help earns a very quick, "I didn't do anything. I'm pretty sure you did all the work. I'm just glad she's okay. She's a good egg that one." She accepts the hand and is back on her feet in no time.
Her head turns to Piotr who earns a quick nod and then Logan who elicits a smirk. "I'm fine, thank you Piotr. Just.. went too long today I think," the understatement of the year.
Rory earns a comical grin for his comment about biting. "Hopefully you don't bite the hand that feeds you though…"
*
Strange makes a mental note of the name to the face (Kitty is now filed away under 'Illyana's cohorts') and takes a step back once she's on her feet. She seems to be in good hands for now. His lips rise in a polite smile when he's addressed by Rory and he nods.
"Yes, I'm Miss Illyana's tutor and need to speak with her if she's present. Is she here?" he asks again, a bit of an edge in his tone. "It is very important that we resolve…certain problems."
*
Piotr is just going to… pretend he didn't hear Logan. That seems like it might be for the best. Instead, he shakes his head at Strange, a tightness coming to his expression. "I have not seen her yet today. I suspect she is in Limbo," he says lowly, tucking his sketchbook under his arm.
After a moment's thought, he does finally turn to Logan and indicates the good doctor with a tip of his chin. "If you wanted to, he might be able to help you minimize the consequences of your deal," Piotr says, forcing his tone to remain as even and warm as he can.
*
Logan kicks up his feet and then raises an eyebrow as Piotr calls him out, "Well, ain't you just full o' talkin' about other people's business," he says with a little growl. "I dunno if that's how they do it in the Motherland, boy, but I didn't ask you for no help."
"Basically, yeah, Doc, Illy ain't here right now. I'd say sorry you wasted the trip, but well, s'what ya get when you don't call ahead, am I right?"
*
Rory shakes his head to answer the Doctor. "Nae. I have nae seen Illyana since I met her last night. Maybe she had to go back to her palace in Limbo to punish that demon some more? It didn't seem to like being called by her last night." And Rory just has this innocent look on his face like he just decribed the weather from last night. Then, he realizes something and blushes. "I'm…umm…Rory. Rory Sinclair."
*
Helpfully everyone else answers the Doctor's question, prompting a small shrug from the brunette. What she can offer though is simple, "I'm happy to pass along a message that you were here looking for her though — and suggest she see you," Kitty's eyes narrow and she guesses, "as soon as possible?"
*
Strange raises one eyebrow at Logan's response and his lips thin accordingly. The man is not endearing himself to the good doctor, not yet, anyways. He's sorely tempted to turn aside any offer of help. His steel-blue eyes are shadowed as he readies a sharp retort - and then Kitty speaks up. Glancing down at the young woman, he lets out a slow sigh, sounding not quite like a cornered snake, but enough to indicate displeasure at the apparent waste of his time. Illyana was supposed to be here, focusing on friendships and being mortal, not gallivanting around Limbo.
"If you could, please, Miss Kitty. Let her know that I'll be at the Sanctum until further notice."
Despite the doctor's shift in focus, Rory's introduction wasn't missed. Strange tilts his head slightly to one side as he takes in the sight of the timid young man. After a brief once over and thoughful nod to himself, one corner of his lips rise in a cool smile - not cold, just calculating. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sinclair. Perhaps we'll see each other again in the future."
With a half-turn, Strange then gestures at the air. Once more, the portal opens with a rippling effect on nearby reality and the low buzz of electricity. "I appreciate your assistance and good day," he says over his shoulder to the general gathering, and then he steps through it. The oculus of lightning sucks inwards with a teeth-tingling backlash of power and then dissolves into a point of nothing, leaving the foyer undisturbed once more.
*
It probably says something that Piotr's attention doesn't so much as flicker away from Logan as Doctor Strange makes his exit, the Russian very still and very quiet. It isn't until several heartbeats following Strange's departure that he moves, turning just enough to look over his shoulder at Kitty and Rory.
"…excuse me."
It probably comes out more curt than Piotr meant it to. Rather than waiting around to find out, however, he just grips his sketchbook and pencil a bit too tightly and strides his way deeper into the mansion, headed for the rear grounds.
*
Logan shrugs and pops up out of his seat, "Okay, I"m gettin' a beer. Keep yer nose clean, kid," he says, patting Rory on the shoulder as he heads on out."
*
As Doctor Strange disappears, Rory is left blinking. And then Piotr is stalking off. And Logan is going on a beer run. Rory is left just looking all around, wondering where everyone is going. But, Kitty is still slightly injured, so Rory goes over to her. "Are ye okay, miss? D'ye need some help?" He offers a hand to help her out and a shoulder to lean on.
*
A solid nod affirms that Kitty will indeed tell Illyana to visit the Doctor when she sees the blonde next. "Of course. I'll let her know the next time I see her." The doctor's exit, however, causes Kitty to do her best codfish impression. Her lips part, her mouth gapes, and she tilts her head at the place where the doctor had once stood. "Talk about making an exit," she mumbles to no one in particular.
Piotr's rather abrupt exit following Strange's causes her mouth to close tightly. It takes all of ten seconds for the wily brunette's brain to implode, thinking up a myriad of half-nonsensical things. Fortunately (or unfortunately for you, readers) Kitty's filter is working full tilt today.
"I need — " she starts and looks towards where Piotr retreated " — to check on him. It's been a long few days and I need to make sure he's okay — "
She accepts the shoulder and gives it a squeeze. "Thanks for the help, kind of pushed things too hard today — just need to get faster." With Rory as support, the pair tread back towards Piotr, but Kitty still isn't moving quite fast enough, and so she actually calls to Piotr's back, "Pete! Wait up!"
*
Because it's Kitty's voice that calls after him, Piotr actually does stop mid-step, though he is still clearly very tense. The fact that he doesn't look back is pretty unusual.
By the time she and Rory catch up, Piotr is scowling quietly down at the floor between his feet, his jaw tight. At least he hasn't broken his pencil?
<I am fine,> he says in quiet, tight Russian. Then winces. When Piotr repeats "I am fine," in english, even he doesn't sound convinced.
*
Rory isn't much bigger than Kitty, but he stays steady with her, letting his thin frame support her. When they catch up to Piotr, Rory sands near the big Russian, as if he's giving Kitty the choice of whom to lean on; even if it's an obvious choice. Rory gazes up at Piotr, an aprehensive look on his face. "Did…did I say something wrong?" Because, of course, it *has* to be Rory's fault somehow.
*
There's not a lot of things that can kill Kitty Pryde's spirits. Typically, from the Jewish woman's perspective, the world is a sparkly inviting place that is full of shiny goodness. So when she rather gently reaches out a hesitant hand to press against the back of Piotr's shoulder, and she whispers, "You don't have to be," it might come as somewhat of a shock.
Of course, bawling for ten minutes straight in a public place acted as catharsis. After weeks of bottling her emotions, everything erupted at once.
Which is probably why her next thoughts are equally telling: "I'm not." Her eyebrows draw together sharply. Her puffy eyes evidence the incredibly emotional conversation at the cafe. "But… I'm here." She swallows hard. "For you. If you want." Pause. "And even if you don't."
Rory's concern earns a very weak smile and small shake of her head.
*
Between the pair of them, Piotr might just have been straight-up shocked out of his mood. "No, Rory, of course not," he says quickly, giving him a very genuinely apologetic look. "It was not you. I promise. I am sorry if I made you worry otherwise."
And then Kitty… well. The look Piotr gives her is much more difficult to really place, though the concern underneath it is very clear. And, strangely, relief. "I… yes. That would be helpful."
He smiles weakly at the pair and gestures back towards the foyer. "I went to Illyana's mentor with my concerns the other day," Piotr explains tiredly. "About the deal she allowed Logan to make. And Logan is just…" He trails off, some tightness returning to his jaw.
*
Rory nods to Piotr, grateful for the words. The young man is going to say more, but Kitty's reaction to the big Russian changes his mind. He closes his mouth and nods again. "Well…I should probably…" He's backing away slowly, trying to think of a polite excuse. "I mean, school is starting soon, yeah? So I should…get…studying?" By now, he's safely moved away from Kitty and Piotr, given them a wave as he turns away completely to go back to the kitchen in search of more food.
*
Kitty's hand remains on Piotr's shoulder, and her tone flattens "Logan is Logan." She inhales a long deep breath and her hand sinks a little heavier on Piotr's shoulder. And then Rory is retreating, prompting a wrinkle of her nose, and a quiet remark, "Wow. Maybe I ran way to long — I feel like I cleared the room," obviously a shower is in her future.
Her throat clears, her chin lifts, and she attempts to find Piotr's eyes, "I'm in your corner, you know. Like actually." Her lips quirk uncomfortably, "Even when I am throwing you out of second floor windows…"
*
A quiet, slightly irritated rumbling noise comes from Piotr's throat at Kitty's assessment of Logan. But his expression does soften again as he watches Rory beat his retreat. "No. He is just shy," he says with a light sigh, giving her a weak smile.
Piotr's eyes are easy for her to find and he gives a small nod. "I know. I do not think I thank you for that enough," he admits, running a sheepish hand back over his hair. "…and that was not your fault, Katya. That was mine."
*
Warmth reflects in Kitty's eyes as her head shakes ruefully. "No thanks necessary. You'd have my loyalty even if you didn't want it, Piotr." She even put in the extra effort to say his name right.
But her chin drops at the last, "No. I should've let you destroy it before even bothering to call my parents. I didn't think that maybe I wasn't okay. I should've been stronger mentally. Emotionally. I — " she's spiralling into self-blame again. She forces herself to look back up, but when she does, the moisture glistening in the bottom of her eyes is unmistakable. "Why didn't you steel out on me? I… I could …see everything.. feel everything.. hear…" She chews her bottom lip.
*
The effort she makes at pronunciation doesn't go unnoticed. Piotr develops an odd smile and reaches over to give one of her hands a careful squeeze.
"And before we went upstairs, you asked me to destroy it," Piotr tells her in a very plain, almost small voice. His lips twist to one side and he lifts his shoulders in a shrug - the rest is self-explanatory.
With a worried frown, Piotr turns and lowers himself down into a crouch in front of her, sketchbook laid in his lap so that he can reach up for her shoulders. "I could never — you would have hurt yourself," he explains a touch lamely, looking flustered.
*
Kitty blinks hard, actively trying to keep from opening the well all over again. "I.. would've rather…" Piotr can feel her shoulders sink under his hands. "I watched in horror as I…" her eyes lid. She sighs softly. "I love you, Pete. Love you. Want you safe and taken care of. I want to protect you. I want…" Her finger tips lift to his cheek.
And although Piotr might see it as unrelated, for Kitty, it's exactly the same. "Please let me help you now. Please. You don't have to be fine for me. I'm not fine. I'm broken, hurt, and disillusioned. The world isn't what I thought it was." It's a painfully honest moment for someone who's been lying to herself, and consequently everyone around her, for weeks. "But I can be strong for you. You've been strong for me."
*
"I would not have been able to forgive myself," Piotr says with very quiet conviction, leaning his cheek into the touch. "If protecting myself had hurt you? I could not." He makes a bit of a face at her and lets out a slow breath. "…it was selfish. I am sorry."
Quietly, Piotr scoops his sketchbook and pencil back up before he rises to his feet, and offers her one of his hands. "Just… not here," he says awkwardly, glancing around the hallway. "I am… very private person. With you, I do not mind sharing — " which he's pretty sure he's been doing, but perhaps not enough. " — but… audiences."
*
There's a small nod at Piotr's explanation about the window. While Kitty might not be happy about it, she actually understands it, and if she were really honest about it, would acknowledge that if the tables were turned, she'd do the same.
The hand is grasped and given a squeeze. There's a faint pull of her lips followed by a nod. "Alright. I get it. Even the walls have ears around here — "
*
With a nod, Piotr returns the squeeze and turns to head not for the grounds, but for the stairs. The options for actual, genuine privacy in a place like Xavier's are… limited.
Though he does pause partway up to give her a look a quiet thought. "…your room?" he hazards, a brow lifting in question. The last time they'd been in Piotr's room… yeah. Maybe not there.