+==~~~~~====~~~~====~~~~===~~ Angel Feather's Log ~~==~~~~====~~~~====~~~~~==+
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The afternoon sun was still well above the horizon, warming the air and making it almost pleasant outside for those that ventured forth. Spring was fast approaching, but winter had yet to give up its claws entirely. Which was reflected in the ice and snow that still dotted the landscape outside.
The chaos that was Lorna's life as of late, at least abaited while she spent the weekend in the Mansion still. With the agreed upon training with her father. Yet that had been earlier. Now? Now was time for homework.
Sprawled out on a sofa in the main living room, Lorna had her chin propped up with a hand. A book spread out before her. Her hair was the dyed brown she wore during her semesters at the Frost Institute, and tumbled around her shoulders. She was clearly relaxed, her hair drying from the shower she'd taken after training.
Somewhere the TV was on with the Ed Sullivan show playing for the various other students.
*
There aren't too many people who might pull up here in a Porsche. Warren is on that short list. He drove up here himself, which is an oddly big deal, as it required having the driver's seat specially modified for him. But it was worth it, and he is in an exceptionally good mood as he enters the mansion. This is one of the few places where his customary long coat is purely for purposes of the weather, and he shrugs out of it as soon as he is inside, letting his wings free.
*
Thea had gotten out of the non-modified passenger seat, blonde hair loose over the deep red color of her coat. It's shed to reveal a black dress with splashes of red in an abstract pattern over it, paired with black heels. She'll shake her head with a smile at Warren. "Going to get a speeding ticket, racing around like that." There's no real censure in it, as she moves to check her lipstick, as red as her coat.
*
With the late afternoon hour, Lorna is far from the only regular scattered about the grounds. A few students heading outside wave to Warren, one with a crackled pattern on his skin ducking under one of Warren's spreading wings with a companionable, 'Hey.' Thea is given a few curious looks, as if she were the more unusual sight standing next to a winged man, and then the group of kids is outside, the door closing behind them.
Oh? Have we a guest, Warren? a familiarly accented voice sounds in Angel's head, and he even catches the flash of recognition when Xavier realizes the new arrival is not in fact a complete stranger.
*
Lorna, looking for just about any excuse to avoid reading Wuthering Heights for her English class, was eager to shut the book and get up at the sound of the car pulling up. She peered curiously from the room into the hall to spy who had arrived, and upon spotting Warren at least she brightened, recognizing him from the last time they'd run into each other.
A wave was offered from her position just down the hall and she approached with a glance spared toward the woman that accompanied him.
"Oh neat! I didn't know you knew about the Insitute here."
*
Warren speaks out loud, but only to focus his mind to reply to the Professor, "Yes sir. Someone I'd like you to meet." Which probably sounds a little bmad to Thea. On entering the building proper and being greeted by Lorna he gives a smile, "Oh, I more than know about it. I'm an alumnus." He takes a moment to introduce Thea to the green-haired girl.
*
The green haired girl whose hair is currently brown, Thea smiles. "Thea. A pleasure." Then brown eyes shift to looking for the Professor, and memories of things Warren and Logan have both said drift through the swell and undertow of her thoughts. No, she's not a stranger, this man has seen her heal with nothing but her hands in a blown apart Mutant town. "So this professor of yours is a mind cracker?" It's not meant as an insult.
*
Steps can be heard descending the staircase and Charles Xavier soon enters the foyer as well, hands in the pockets of a cardigan.
"Mind reader, really," he chimes in conversationally. 'Cracking' rather suggests some form of resistance being overcome. And in some situations I suppose that's true, but more often it's rather the trick to not be inundated with everyone's passing impressions day in and out. I like the term reading, because it's similarly difficult to find one's self surrounded by bold print without absorbing any of it…hello again, Thea." This last is offered with a bemused smile as Charles reaches the rest of the group.
The expression is turned briefly on Warren and Lorna as well, though in Lorna's case there's a quiet flash of concern."
*
A smile spread over her lips, and she combed her fingers through her currently brown hair. Warren had last seen her with her natural green some time ago. So Lorna grimaced faintly at the thought, images of Seth, her and Warren running into each other soon after the giant's attacks, and then were gone. "Oh, well, I suppose that makes sense for why I didn't know. I only visit on the weekends to spend time with my father." She shrugged and then glanced toward Thea with a smile.
"Lorna Dane, it's nice to meet you. I have to go back to getting my homework done though. I'm taking this Brit Lit class that is totally kicking my butt." A sheepish laugh at that, and she was spinning around to leave with a wave. Until she spotted the professor coming down the stairs.
A flicker of unease spread over her and she then very pointedly started going over the characters in the novel she was reading for class. Something something Heathcliff was a jerk.
"Hi Professor," She waved and then excused herself back to the other room.
*
The unease on the Professor's face and Lorna's hasty departure make Warren a bit agitated, literally getting his feathers ruffled. He spreads his wings momentarily and resettles them, much the way someone else might re-corss their arms fo ra change of position. He looks to the Professor, "Thea, meet Professor Charles Xavier, the school's founder. He looks to the blonde and fffers her a smile, "I'm glad I finally get to introduce you."
Looking to Xavier again, Warren shakes his head, "I've been meaning to spend a bit more time up here, but with some of the things that have been going on, and a company to run, it's been hard to find the time.'
*
Thea arches an eyebrow. "Well, I do have to admit, you are not at all what I was expecting with talk of this Professor." There's a warmth in brown eyes. "This is a far cry from our scene in Mutant Town, Professor Xavier. I much prefer this." Well, she's definitely dressed more nicely, her hair is done, and she has lipstick on. What's not to like better about meeting a man that way? "I expected someone much older and more stuffy." There's a teasing note in that for the Professor.
*
Xavier lets out a quiet sigh as Lorna beats her retreat thinking loudly about English literature, but for the moment he lets it be.
Turning his attention back to Warren and Thea, he offers his hand to shake Thea's warmly, chuckling at her words. "A fine thought Warren, but as it happens we've met— though I may have to ask just what it is you've all been saying about me, considering."
If things were different he might also mention his sister always maintained he was plenty stuffy, but with all of this mess lately that's a reference he'd prefer to leave unmade. Instead he asks Thea, "What was it you took me for then, if not an academic?"
*
Warren smiles, "Well, I suppose that does simply thing a bit. And I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you wre down in Mutant Town with everything that's been going on. Frankly I've been wanting to discuss omet thing sith you… I've some ideas on how I can put my family's fortune to good use, and Iv'e been making some small efforts already"
*
Thea will slip her hand into the Professor's with a smile. She's not out and out flirting, but there's a hint of it in her expression. "Oh, academic maybe, but thinking you were more of the charity organizer or something." The smile is warm, a look up and over at Warren. She maybe has a hand in the small efforts so far.
*
"Or something," Charles agrees. "But perhaps we should talk in the library rather than remain stranded in the hall—" he turns to a different room from where Lorna was studying, leaving her her privacy. To Warren Charles adds, "To be honest Warren, I had rather hoped that we might have such a talk eventually, myself. But given the circumstances, I really hadn't expected to see very much of you these last few months. If you've ideas though, whenever you'd care to discuss then, I'm at your disposal."
*
Warren nods to the professor's suggestion of moving to the library, and starts haeading that way. that way. He obviously needs no directions here. To the professor he states, "We3ll, lately, I've payed outof pocket forsome emergency supplies to be moved in after the attack. But that's just crisis management… triage. Long term…" he shakes his head, "You know my father wanted me kept out of the public eye, Professor, and why. But he was right about one thing. With me running the company, eventually someone is going to realize why I wear long coats all the time. I just feel lie if we handle it properly, I could make thsis something that helps us all."
*
Thea follows in behind Warren. Not in a meek, submissive way, more like she's just taking in the place and letting him not get her lost. There's a glance and a smile at the Professor, before she's looking up at Warren again. "It will be a big deal, and we all know that. I.. can't be out in the open. Not with my job."
*
The library is clearly one meant for function not just ambiance. Since the building became a school even more shelves have been added to what was already an impressive amount, but there is still room for study tables and centrally a collection of comfortable well stuffed chairs perfect for a chat or a quiet read. Xavier takes one of these as he offers a short nod to Warren. "It's very likely, yes. I suppose now the question is simply whose terms it's to be on when it becomes known. It wouldn't be easy, but I'm certain you're right. Too many people have only had the bogey man story of mutants told to them. While there are…groups who are making efforts to show people powerful mutations can be a source of good, a truly public figure could do a lot to shake up some of those assumptions." he doesn't outright mention the X-men yet, though Warren of course knows plenty about them.
Xavier does add curiously to Thea, "Your job?" he has an inkling of course, but seems not to have the whole picture.
*
Warren nods to Xavier's words, "My thoguhts exactly. I'd rather it be on my own terms, of course… Butt there are really two things that concern me. First, I have to really solidify my place at Worthington, INc.. Given the size and prestige of the company, my age alone makes people nervous, even if it is my family name on the door. That's part of the reason I haven't moved on this immediately. THat and… I feel like I can do some real good as an advocate who is seemingly normal. A pretty face with an old-money name, championing the cause of mutant rights. It could get us the right kind of attention, for once. Use my business dealing to creaet some real opportunities for some of the people down in Mutant Town…."
He shakes hies head, trailing off, thenl looks at the Professor again, "Of course, I wanted to make you, and…" He hesitates. There are some thigns he hasn't told Thea about, after all."… some of my old classmates aware of what I had in mind."
*
Thea takes a seat, smoothing her skirt under her thighs and over her knees. She'll lean casually against one arm of the chair, a smile for Xavier. "I figured you had put it together. I'm a nurse, at the hospital in Hell's kitchen area." There's the faintest flush, before she notices that hesitation. She looks at Warren, a curious look with a faint arch of her eyebrows. She knows there is something going on there, something he doesn't want her to know. Huh.
*
"It was more a question of why you felt your profession meant you couldn't be honest about what you do…" he thinks of his talk with Elixer. "Not that there aren't very real concerns for any of us in that sort of position."
Turning to Angel Xavier answers him as well; "I understand what you mean Warren, and I agree that it would be wise to take some time to settle in to your new position," he agrees, though there's a slight furrow to his brow that very likely foretells the following, "..but."
He takes a breath and continues, "As much good as it would do to have the sort of support you're describing… I worry about leaving it too long."
*
Warren nods to the professor, "Of course. The longer I leave it, the bigger the risk of it coming out some other way. Particularly as there is sure to be speculation on why I might champion that particular cause." He shakes his head in uncertainty. It is so much to consider.
*
Thea looks between them. "Well, people might not like being seen by a mutant. Or me using my powers, even though they're incredibly useful." She shrugs, before she's watching Warren again. "Warren and I discussed solidifying his base in the board of directors and things first. But maybe he should champion a couple causes. Throw everyone off." There's a dazzling smile for Warren then. "I'm sure I could find a few."
*
"With some of the tragedies that have been occurring, I don't think it would be that startling a move to offer humanitarian aid." Xavier observes, tone sober. It's not exactly the sort of situation one would ask for to make supporting a cause easier, after all.
"But I don't know as there's reason to intentionally alienate your board of directors along the way…there are rational reasons to act. Perhaps instead you could use those initial actions to speak to open dialogue with your board members, individually if possible. Find out where the stand, and why."
*
Warren nods, his expresin on serious. "Which is exactly what I've been doing. I just need to be a bit more public about it. Speaking of public, there is a related matter that was brought to me, and I would loeve to hear your opinion on it, professor. There's been talk for months of the posibility of a police task force manned by mutants, and I was approached by… well, Tony Stark's former assistant, actually, who's been working along with Wilson Fisk to promot the idea."
*
Charles starts to nod. "Yes, I've been speaking with police chief Sousa about—" and then he actually startles a bit, catching up with everything Warren said. "Pepper Potts?" he asks. "I was told recently she was a missing person."
*
Thea falls silent, letting those two men talk. She knows miss Potts, though through reputation and that incident on the street. But still..she can pump Warren for details later.
*
Warren looks startled, "Well… that could certainly explain why she hadn't gotten back to me recently. our conversation was just before New Year's. He shakes his head, "I wasn't aware she had gone missing since. I was simply wondering if it is an idea you support or oppose?"
*
Xavier clicks his tongue in disappointment, "No, it was after the New Year. If you do hear from her though, perhaps you might let me know? As to the police team… I don't oppose it… so long as it is formed voluntarily. Indeed, people seeing mutants in trusted positions of social responsibility would be a very good thing, and I've heard more than one resident of mutant town with little trust for the police. This would help with both… If it becomes an excuse to force mutants to declare themselves or to unwillingly press them into service, that is another matter entirely. But thus far I've found Chief Sousa's view on those topics favorable."
*
Warren nods at that, "THank you Professor, that was exactly my concern. And I didn't want to throw my full support behind it without your knowledge." He pauses and scowls, "Ms. Potts' disappearance may change my thoughts on my timetable for the other matter as well." He payses and gives a someone bemused smile, "When she came to me with a rather impassioned argument about the importance of mutant rights and the potential of a relevant police force… I removed my jacket. SHe was rather shocked. But obviously, it means she knows."
*
"I see." Xavier smiles a bit at the scenario miss Potts found herself in appealing to Warren, though he still looks troubled. Tony had suggested Pepper had thrown off all her responsibilities due to an addiction. It sounds a great many people Charles knows trusted her, and now no one knows what might have become of her. He's tried to find her in Cerebro, but it's much more needle in a haystack for those who aren't mutants.
"Well, my only word of caution would be to make it very clear what you support about the program and why. I expect if it happens no matter our intentions someone will try to leverage it adversely, but if we're mindful we should be able to keep it a positive step."
*
Warren nods, "Thank you again professor. There's no one whose opinions I 'd trust more on this. I find myself relieved that we're mostly in agreement." He pauses and smiles, then notes "And Professor… whatever my duties now, you can always call me if I'm needed. Manhattan is only a short flight."
*
And to that there is a warm smile. Charles reaches over to pat Warren's shoulder. "I'll very much keep that in mind — though I hope you know while I'm always happy to offer my opinion, I have a great deal of faith in your judgment, Warren. I do hope we'll be seeing you more often, now. The both of you, even?" he adds, addressing Thea as well.