1964-02-18 - Acrobatic housekeeping
Summary: Xavier stops by to check in on Kurt, and they chat.
Related: None
Theme Song: None
xavier nightcrawler 


Evening at the old church, and once again Charles Xavier is stopping by. He glances around in the large and stately room as the door shuts behind him, idly straightening his coat. It's not long before his scan of the room pauses, a small smile showing on his face as he finds sign of what, or rather who, he was looking for.

*

Nightcrawler tends to help out at the Church most days; if it's not cleaning, he helps with basic paperwork or, really, anything that needs doing. It's not for payment at all, but it's to do something and to help out. It also tends to mean a couple of meals that he doesn't have to cook for himself and that is payment enough most times. Today he's been dusting some of the harder-to-reach decor in the Church. Seeing that he's unafraid of heights and seems able to balance on the most precarious of surfaces, it's a perfect job.

Movement in the Sanctuary has him peering down, yellow eyes blinking a moment before he recognizes the young Professor. There's a 'Bamf' of dark, sulfurous smoke, and another as he appears back on the floor near the other. "Herr Professor! This is a surprise! Are you doing well?"

*

Not the least perturbed by the sudden appearance, Xavier turns his smile on Kurt, clapping him on the shoulder. "Very well, thank you. And yourself, Kurt?"

*

Nightcrawler grins brightly and even reaches out to clap the Professor on -his- shoulder then! "I am doing fine, just fine. Is this a visit? Did you need to see the Priester? I know he has about somewhere…" although it's not that small of a Church. "Can I get you a coffee? Or…" he's British, "A tea? It is a tea in bags, so maybe not so good…" he's lived in England for a little bit…he's a little familiar with the tea obsession.

*

The question draws a chuckle from Xavier — he grew up mostly in America despite the inherited accent, but as far as tea is concerned it's another situation where 'if the shoe fits.'

"Tea would be lovely, thank you," he replies. "And yes, a visit; though was I interrupting something?" Xavier tilts his head at the cleaning implements.

*

Nightcrawler gestures with his free hand for Xavier to follow him. No need for them to stand around in the Sanctuary when they can sit in the cozy little kitchen area. "Tea it is. Und I was just helping out. It is easy for me to reach the difficult places, so it means the others who clean can be safer und more comfortable on the ground. It lets me pretend a little that I am in the Circus again, hanging upside-down, so high up!"

*

Xavier's footsteps echo slightly in the large room as he follows Kurt to the kitchen area, hands now comfortably in his pockets. "It was a fond time for you, wasn't it? When you were an acrobat."

When they reach the little kitchen, Xavier heads unerringly over to the cabinet with the tea bags and kettle, since Kurt has his cleaning supplies to see to.

*

"Ja," Kurt offers with a wistful little sigh. He glances back over at Xavier, "I liked the attention." He's at least honest about it! "Und I liked performing…und I liked that people were not afraid of me." That last bit turns his smile a little sad. "Most thought it was a costume, but they were not afraid." That came later. "I do not know what would have happened if I did not have the Circus taking me in."

He quickly puts the cleaning supplies away before moving to wash his hands at the sink. "I think there may be some kuechen as well somewhere."

*

"It's not only children who react by example; if you and others around you act as if something is normal, it's remarkable how often newcomers will do the same." Xavier muses as he reaches over to put on the kettle.

"It's nice to be reminded that it's a phenomenon that can be used to promote tolerance, rather than the opposite…though! As to snacks I actually arrive bearing gifts! If you'd accept turkey sandwiches as an acceptable stand in, of course?" He pats a pocket of his coat, which crinkles with the sound of brown paper.

*

Nightcrawler grins and turns back from the supply closet and shrugs, "It -is- normal for me." He's known nothing different his entire life. "Sometimes I wonder how hard it would be without my tail…und would I want to fit in with everyone, but then I think that no, I like who I am." Even after all the grief it's caused him over his lifetime. "It is easier than being afraid all of the time, I think."

The mention of turkey sandwiches has his expression brightening, "I would! You do not mind?" He's not starving, but sometimes he gets tired of his own simple cooking. "Let me get the teacups und you can choose the tea."

*

"Not at all! That's why I picked them up; I am the one dropping in unannounced, after all." Xavier nods, the teabags added to the cups as they're brought over. "Fitting in is something of a misleading term as it is.. there's no innate reason acceptance should require shared superficial traits. But I think your reasoning is wise; all too often I find those who hate the most are also the most controlled by their fear."

*

"You are always welcome, Herr Professor, if you announce or not!" Kurt grins and gets some napkins before gesturing that Xavier should sit. He -is- the guest, after all. "When I first came here, I was afraid. The attacks on…mutants…had started, I could not find my friend, und I was told to go home to Germany. But I do not think Germany is any better…" and he's still not sure he can forgive them. He's trying, but it's very hard. "But then I found my friend und I saw the children who were not really afraid of me," once he bought them ice cream. "Now I have hope."

*

"Fear isn't anything to be ashamed of." Xavier replies seriously, pouring hot water in the cups and placing them on the table.

"Letting it rule you however… that's another matter entirely. Especially when it leads to hurting others." Even so though, he smiles, sitting at the small table. "But there are a lot of brave people in the world..and kind ones. I'm glad that you were able to find some of them here." the sandwiches are produced and set down as well, completing the meal in miniature. "And you know, if you were looking for an outlet for your acrobatic talents, you're always welcome to the gym at the school."

*

They've spoken about the school and Kurt is a little less convinced that it's a cult, but he's not entirely free of that thought. "Oh, I have met many kind people…such as Herr Fury und the other soldiers…most of them have families now, it it would be strange for me to show up there. I write them often though," so they know that he's all right.

The mention of using the school gym has him looking at his sandwich for a moment before he asks, "Is the roof very high? I have been…" there's a sigh, "I have been going to one in the city when it is closed." There's a newish scar for that one.

*

All considered, Charles can't really blame Kurt for his caution. Especially after he's been talking to Raven, for multiple reasons. But Kurt is far from the sort he usually seeks out for students. Kurt has impressed him as the sort of man who can find his way in life with his head held high and his heart at peace.

Which all adds up to Charles not pushing Kurt towards any sort of position at the school. Yes, he may be out of work, and yes there are some students, especially those with powers that enhance their physicality that could benefit from lessons from a professional acrobat. But it's not something Kurt needs.

Which of course isn't at all to say he isn't very welcome. So Charles replies with a bit of amusement, "the ceiling is fairly high. And I can at least say you'd be welcome to use it without any need for trespassing."

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