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He certainly wasn't a hero. Not in the way that Jean had discussed or explained to him at least, Gabriel was that certain. It'd been a discussion that had stemmed from the abilities that the people here at the mansion possessed and none of that sounded feasible.
Gabriel had decided to take a walk out to the lawn area of the Mansion after that talk, to contemplate just what all the people at the facility might be capable of, all the wonders they might possess. It was a bit disappointing to be walking in the mid morning with the realization that among all these special people the only thing he had was an absent memory. That did not sound like it was capable of helping anyone in the least.
"So, I assume that your people work together? Do activities to get better with your gifts?" His voice echoed out to nowhere in particular, looking as if he is talking just to himself as he looks around.
*
Scarlett rarely bothers with the mansion nowadays. She keeps her home in Greenwich Village and even that corner of existence sees little of the bohemian, whose wanderlust apparently includes abandoning places for too long. On the other hand, her position at ground central for two harrowing events between Halloween and Kennedy's assassination — notably having a dead alien fall on her, and stopping another from ripping souls off — constitutes good reason to wander. She emerges out of the forest at some point, though, her usual green trench replaced by a hooded cloak trimmed in white, and a shocking amount of snow and frost given New York isn't currently white.
A light, spirited stride carries her over the grass, her pace quickened by muscles warming to the current temperature and use. Creaking leather boots sport a thick rime of clay and dirt, though nothing that a bit of rubbing the sides off will hint at. The gauntlets are in place, as good a warning as any about her current state; gloves off, good day. Gloves on, your soul will get eaten, it's that simple. Spotting another person among the trees and manicured lawns is nothing new, but it does slow her, though upon a second look, it's not just any old student. Nor someone hiding from the professor, which holds some benefits. She slips closer, throwing her hood back to reveal her face. "I thought it was only the nocturnal kids who stayed up til the break of dawn."
*
"We try to." Jean confesses, a light smile upon her face. She was invisible to his seeing, to anyones seeing, at least until she emerges from the shadows of the forest. She wasn't trying to follow Gabriel, but.. she was curious as to what he does alone.
"Did you sense me? But yes. We put ourselves against each other to test ourselves. To work ourselves out to see our potential in case we run into trouble."
Simple explanation. Quick and easy. Scarlett's approach gains a smile. "Those who can't sleep."
*
Logan had been spending some time in town lately, having just returned a short time ago and parked his bike in the garage. He makes his way over, clad in a leather jacket and stocking cap. He hasn't shaved in a bit, growing a bit of a beard as he makes his way along, looking every bit like a Hell's Angel who's wandered a bit into the patrician setting of the Institute.
He comes down just in time for Scarlett to reveal herself, cocking his head, "Well, long time no see, kid," he says, nodding to Jean and Gabriel as he lights up a cigar, "I dunno what yer talkin' about but it ain't my fault, whatever it is."
*
A gathering of people, people that he at least knows, has Gabriel's eyes darting about but his shoulders relax from their initial tense position. "I see." He comments to Jean first before looking at Scarlett. "I do not sleep much. Only uhm… four hours? Is that what it is called?" That question is directed towards Jean for confirmation before he looks to the arrival of Logan. "I apologize. I took this from you." He indicates the shirt he is wearing, an old T-shirt that probably was at the bottom of the dresser.
*
A faint smile limns the redhead's lips, but lacks much warmth that reaches those pale green eyes. Usually infinitely more verdant, their shade barely reaches the tincture of jade. "Good morning," she casts towards Logan and Jean. Whatever else can be said about her, the warmer weather puts some colour back into her pallid cheeks, though she chafes her gloved hands together to restore circulation. Tension barely lingers along her body except what took up residence there in the first place, but her stalking gait is better suited for randomly assaulting a deer than anything else.
She stifles a yawn behind her hand, assessing them. "Are you settling in well? I trust the defenses here against unexpected troubles are better than D.C."
*
Jean doesn't sleep at all. She does nod towards Gabriel, offering up a tiny bit of a smile, another one growing as soon as she spots Logan from his adventures. "Long time no see, old man.." She croons, taking a small step aside to allow Scarlett and Gabriel their conversation.
With a quiet whisper aside, she murmurs to Logan.. "Did you see that? He knew I was there, I was hidden." She's right! He's an alien!
*
Logan grins at Jean, "I know, I haven't had any calls from strange women, no one passing out on my couch, I kinda noticed you weren't around," he says. "You move out and not leave the ol' canucklehead your address, darlin'?" he chides.
"Goes for you, too," he says to Scarlett. At Jean's aside regarding Gabriel, he says, "You were hidin', huh? Regular ol' ninja that you are, I'm sure it did take super-senses t'detect ya," he says.
*
Gabriel ponders the question given him, if he is settling in well for a few moments before responding. "No." Well that's blunt enough. "I still have not learned anything of myself. I spend most of my time wandering the woods. However I was able to work some at the grocery store nearby unloading boxes. I find that enjoyable. But beyond that, I am in much the same situation as before." He isn't sure of how to question next so he just mimics it back to Scarlett. "Are you settling in well?"
*
ROLL: Rogue +rolls 1d100 for a result of: 87
*
The question from two different sources brings Scarlett to a pause, her gaze darting from Logan to gabriel, and then back to the one person who might fathom her statement a little better. "Aside from the fact the gods stopped speaking to me, Lyndon Johnson and Bobby Kennedy seem to have an allergy to me, and my magic refuses to come to the call it should," and there her eyes narrow sharply, a look beyond exasperation forming on her features, "I daresay I am bored, doomed, and pondering how deep I can get into the Atlantic or possibly Lake Superior before I experience any negative consequences. Though largely I am disturbed the knowledge I have refuses to act, and I am not certain why."
A pause follows, and she offers a tight smile, nearly a smirk. "Ah, and I met a spirit of death and fate trapped in a woman's body she refuses to be parted from. On the whole, I suppose you can say I'm falling apart." That much levity remains to her. What else?
*
"I've been around and about, I've come back here though. Always." She gestures towards Gabriel. For the two men primarily in her life. Well three, if Charles were counted. "But sometimes I stay in the city. Charles' apartment. I'll show you all there one day."
With that said, she watches Gabe and Rogue interact, the latter speaking and.. with a slight frown she looks to all three, her cheeks slightly reddened.
With a little lean towards Logan, she murmurs quietly, "What did she say?"
Jean really wasn't that smart.
*
Logan shrugs, "I dunno, somethin' about Kennedy an' God an' some lady's body. Sounds like a right flamin' mess t'me," he says, pulling a cigar out and lighting it. "Ain't no point in fallin' apart, you just gotta put yerself back together again. An' Gabey, wanderin' the woods is one o' the best ways t'learn about yerself. Man don't know nothin' till he knows how he does without all the trappin's o' civilization," he says. "An' oh yeah, definitely gotta see Chuck's apartment. I'd wash the sheets if I were you, though, I imagine that's where he's been havin' his lady liaisons."
*
"Mister Charles is a Lady?" Gabriel asks, having caught the tail end of Logan's statement amongst the confused processing of what Rogue had said. He tilts his head and then shrugs, "He did not seem like a Lady." Then his eyes go back to Rogue. "All of that sounds… uhm.." He trails off, lost for words. "I discovered what candy is?"
*
"Gods. More than one exists, and their silence on current matters is disturbing." That's all Scarlett has to say about that, flitting over to one of the trees and looking up at the branches overhead speculatively. She grips one of the branches, and hauls herself up effortlessly, the walk of her soles against the trunk mostly for show rather than actual necessity. "He means the professor has relationships he keeps from the manor. He wants to be discreet. The women he keeps aren't long term."
*
"No.. It was actually pretty clean.. I mean dusty in a few.." Then Jean pauses, her cheeks even reddening. "Oh." Yep. She totally gets it now.
But she slowly draws back, sitting upon a stump of a tree, her knees crossing and arms folding about her chest. Nothing to see here! No one heard that!
*
Logan arches an eyebrow at Scarlett, "You say so, darlin'. I ain't really the religious type personally, but I ain't one t'judge, long as you don't try'n make me wear funny underwear or sacrifice no goats or nothin'," he says.
He nods in agreement, "Yeah, I figure Chuck probably does all right with the ladies. He knows what they're thinkin', after all. One up on the whole rest o' the male species," he mutters.
*
Gabriel looks back and forth and then raises his hand. "Someone is going to need to explain to me." Yep, he's asking for a break down of mating habits of the Professor, and the species, in general. His eyes look from Scarlett to Logan expectantly.
*
The bohemian might be the best person to do this, and absolutely the worst. She forfeits the right by gesturing towards Logan. Be her guest. "My explanations will be overly clinical and probably miss the spirit of the thing." It is only fair; the soul-thief can look, but perpetually not touch, unless she really wants to be the modern incarnation of a succubus in a minidress.
*
Jean takes in a little breath, then motions Gabriel closer. "Okay.." She rubs her face a little, attempting to figure out the best way to explain. "Well, when a man and a woman get.. that certain type of feeling for each other, and they want to do more than kiss and hold hands. "They make love." She blanches a little.
"Its a different kind of love, persay. Somewhat spiritual. They don't have to love each other and it's okay. But they.. uhm.." She stammers a little. "..need to feel close to someone else. Like.. if you're feeling lonely or.. you just want a warm body next to yours.. or.. many other situations and circumstances that bring those people together to.. you know.. make love."
Totally didn't make sense. But she tried!"
*
Logan raises an eyebrow, "You don't know what fuckin' is, kid? Damn, you really are in bad shape," he says. He puffs on his cigar. "I ain't gonna be the one t'teach ya, though. Jeannie's got the basics there, althought he mechanical part's a little harder to explain. There's a theater down in the Village you c'n go to an' find out. Sticky floors, cheap hot dogs."
*
"Oh!" Gabriel explains, more so at Logan's terminology than necessarily Jean's explanation. "So when that female asked me if I wanted to fuck her that's what she meant." He nods a bit as if understanding, having been so confused at that point of his day. He looks back at Jean and then the others, a slow smile creeping on his face, an amused one.
*
No comment from the redhead on high, her back pressed to the trunk of the tree. She raises her hands and draws some invisible dance with them, playing among the branches. The swing of her booted foot strikes the wood, shuddering the great behemoth, and then settling back to the top of her range before another arc smacks the poor tree. Not fair; what did her makeshift throne ever do to her?
*
Logan's blatant disregard for the flowery way she explained 'fucking' has her cheeks going insanely red. In fact, her eyes even begin to water at the shame of it all, both knees snapping together and her hand covering the lower half of her face. Everything was cringe worthy! Though what comes as a surprise to her, was the fact that Gabriel actually got it!
And someone accosted him?
Uh.. what?
She didn't know if she was jealous or not, but what was certain was the amusement that was written upon his face. She looks to Scarlett for a bit of help, then Logan? No?
Finally.. "What?!"