12531/Back from home, looking for peace.

Back from home, looking for peace.
Date of Scene:	07 December 2020
Location:	Kitchen - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Shannon finally corners Warpath and manages to get him to sit down for some belated birthday cake. Much hilarity over upcoming birthdays ensues--especially when Jax and Jeremy join in the fun!
Cast of Characters:	Warpath, Nightingale, Jax Miller, SpyderByte

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Warpath has posed:
     Weekend away at the farms he owns. No family to speak of other than Shannon, but he hadn't been there for a while. The D&D adventure was an interesting sendoff before heading in to check in on the place. A few scraps from the refrigerator to carry off to his room to eat and then prepare for tomorrow's classes.

Nightingale has posed:
     Except that is perhaps not all Warpath is likely to be carrying off to his room that night. The sweet, rich aroma of pumpkin and spices fills the kitchen. A round cake frosted with cream cheese sits on the counter, and Shannon is only just now putting the finishing touches on the frosting. She smiles as Warpath comes in, not even turning her head to look at him. "Welcome home, shik'isn," she says, finally turning around to give him a hug if allowed, the frosting-covered spatula still in hand.

Warpath has posed:
     He looks at you as you walk towareds him and does indeed let you hug him,"Good evening shik'isn. The cake smells good. What are you up to?" He stays with the hug a few moments as he seems to have had a long weekend and is worn down a bit,"Any excitement while I was gone?"

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon just shakes her head, a wry smile on her face as she steps back. Poking gently at his chest with one finger, she giggles, her eyes fairly dancing as she cranes her neck to look up at him. "No, but I've a bit of a bone to pick with you. You ran off before I could bake this for your birthday!"

Warpath has posed:
     So normally he is pretty serious, but just for a moment he gives you the lighter side, looking over his shoulder and muttering softly,"Don't say that so loud. Do you everyone to know?" He looks back and sighs softly,"I haven't really done much for birthdays in a long time. You are the closest thing I have to family other than Emma and we haven't been around each other for a while either. I tend to forget it at times."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Well, then I'll have to remember it for both of us," Shannon replies, stepping back and shaking the frosting-laden spatula in his general direction. Her smile widens, a little bit of a tear coming to her eye as he affirms the family bond. "It's nice to be wanted and needed," she says, turning to drop the spatula in the sink, getting a couple plates, forks, and a knife to cut the cake. "So how was your trip, then?"

Warpath has posed:
     "You do that." he replies as she steps away. A hint of a smile touches his features and he replies,"It's nice to have someone that wants to be wanted and needed." He watches the spatula hit the sink and shrugs,"About like usual. Answer questions, allocate funds, and wonder if I should be here doing this or there making everything work as it should. I have good staff there, but sometimes it seems like I have to watch over everything inspite of them."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon chuckles lightly, turning back to Warpath with the knife in hand. She offers it to him, handle first, smiling. "Your cake, you cut. I wasn't sure what kind you liked, so I hope pumpkin spice with cream cheese frosting is okay. Happy birthday."

Warpath has posed:
     Taking the knife he looks at the cake and absently rolls the hilt through his fingers making it rotate in a circle as a habit. There are reasons why he is known for being deadly with any blade that touches his hand. He starts cutting the cake in even slices,"That is the best kind of cake." he assures her,"Combine that with the fact that my sister made it makes it perfect."

Nightingale has posed:
     The smile that lights up Shannon's face is priceless, the winged teen puffing up with no small amount of pride, her wings flaring out behind her. "I'm glad you like it," she replies, perching on one of the stools near the counter, propping her chin up in her hands. "Huh. Curious, why do you roll the knife around like that?"

Warpath has posed:
     Finishing the cut, he looks at the blade as it rolls through his fingers again,"Habit, mostly." he admits and walks over to put the knife to put it in the sink as well,"The knife is my favored weapon, the flash of the blade make people hesitate. It just gets done out of habit and practice. Skills unpracticed are skills no longer available to you."

Nightingale has posed:
     Nodding, Shannon smiles, tucking her wings in neatly behind her. "I've been keeping up with those exercises you had me doing," she offers. "Though I haven't gone into your danger room simulations. I prefer practicing with you."

Warpath has posed:
     "It is better to practice with a real opponent. Someone that can think for themselves and adapt to a situtation. The Danger Room is close, but close isn't good enough. It is good you keep up the excercises though and be sure you remember to never lock yourself into one way of doing anything. You have to be wary of limiting yourself."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon nods, her smile self-deprecating and a touch wry. "Yeah, I learned that the hard way, too. I'd say getting shot out of the sky in the middle of a flying drop-kick and having to be caught by the Hulk is Nature's way of saying, 'Change it up there, kiddo'."

     Her brows furrow for a moment as she thinks, then they loft again. "Ah! That's what I was meaning to ask you about! Do you remember that one gentleman that was helping us out a few times there? The one that we first saw when we were going in to get miss Cassidy? I've got a pretty good hunch he might be the one who helped out my friend last year, and I was hoping to find him and thank him myself. But you're the one who knows how to get in touch with him."

Warpath has posed:
     "You have to admit. Getting caught out of the air by a raging green monster had to be an interesting and enlightening situation." he replies with a shrug,"Be thankful the brute was there."

     He considers to a moment the one in question and he finally nods,"I believe the gossip rags call him the Winter Soldier. I have contact information for him, but I never really have the time to catch him and talk to him. I will try to arrange a meeting for both of us if you want."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Yeah, I actually remember that name coming up on comms," Shannon replies, swinging her feet back and forth as she goes for her slice of cake. "And yeah, I'm glad the big green guy was there. Not someone you want to piss off, but there've been times it's good he was around."

     A smile of gratitude for the offer of a meeting lights up her face, and she dips her head, flicking her wings in a gesture of thanks. Of course, it's hard to say much, when one's mouth is full of cake....

Warpath has posed:
     Taking a slice of cake as well and he nods,"He is power incarnate, but that much rage is difficult to focus and sometimes the collateral damage is...excessive." He considers that for a moment and shrugs,"Raging and out of control as he gets, he still seems to do what would typically be considered right."

     He takes a bite of cake and chews it thoughtfully as he watches her try to say thank you while food is in her mouth. He'd make a great waiter...well that part anyway. The rest...not so much."

Nightingale has posed:
     Taking care of the bit of cake she was eating, Shannon smiles a bit sheepishly, leaning over for a one-armed, one-winged hug. "Thank you for just being you. Here's hoping you have many more birthdays to come." Her smile widens, and she can't quite stifle a giggle. "And next year you're not getting away with just a cake."

Warpath has posed:
     He considers and returns the half hug,"I think I left his number up in my room. I will find it and look into calling him for you." he assures you. He does get pretty busy sometimes, but he will try to make good for little sister,"Next year is a year away. We'll see if I have what it takes to escape...if I remember it before you do."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon giggles madly, her eyes twinkling with mischief that speaks volumes. "We'll see about that. We'll see." Pausing, her brows furrow, as she tries to think of something, her lips moving silently as if to shape unfamiliar sounds. "And... aheeihyeh, I think it is?" She glances up at Warpath, tilting her head as if confirming. Her pronunciation was not the greatest, but there was a hopeful smile.

Warpath has posed:
     "You have a year to make plans." he replies with a wink,"That much time you could probably plan a good strategy to catch me at it." He considers the word and replies softly,"You're welcome." He laughs softly and adds,"Aheeihyeh. Very close, just a little more emphasis like that. You've been busy."

Nightingale has posed:
     "It's a good word in any language," Shannon replies, brightening, her wings a-flutter behind her. "And you -will- be caught on your birthday. There is no escaping the inevitable... mwaaahahahaha!" Peals of laughter escape her as she teases the great warrior, many of the cares that often weighed her down just slipping away, and shadows that often lingered in her eyes, banished for the moment. "Even if it's just a cake, you're not escaping."

Warpath has posed:
     He takes another bite of the cake and listens to her dire plans with a shake of his head,"You realize, of course, that I have access to your records and I can get information on your birthday and such things and make sure you are tortured on your birthday too." he teases mildly,"Of course, if it's your company and just cake I think I can let it slide."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon gulps and lets out a little -meep-, pale blue eyes going as wide as dinner plates. "You wouldn't! Oh crap, my eighteenth, too!" Whoops. The fork is dropped to the plate, and both hands cover her mouth as if she could take back what she just said. But it was too late.

     She was doomed.

Warpath has posed:
     "Eighteenth birthday." he muses and smirks at her reaction,"Ah yes. I think it is only right to make sure it is memorable. Maybe something more than just a cake since I don't know the first thing about baking one for you." She is doomed indeed. Plans are starting to move already.

Nightingale has posed:
     And with plenty of time to make plans, Shannon is surely doomed! "Good thing that's not till summer. Gives me plenty of time to hide." She and Warpath are both seated at the kitchen counter, with what looks like a pumpkin spice cake with cream cheese frosting roughly between them. It looks as if a couple slices have already been taken out and enjoyed rather thoroughly. Shannon herself is dressed in her red tartan sweatpants, baggy grey tank top, and her floofy sheepdog slippers, with an expression distinctly reminiscent of a deer caught in the headlights.

Jax Miller has posed:
    How do you know you're about to be visited by an errant Jax? The cognoscenti describe three advance warning signs that may, or may not, occur simultaneously. First, there is the possibility of the sound of whistling. A jaunty tune, usually, drifting closer until the Jax can be observed in his natural habitat, which tends to be wherever he happens to be at the time. A second warning sign is the sound of chattering, usually on the topic of football, basketball, baseball, any other kind of organised sports, or music. This is much under debate at the moment as a sign unique to the Jax, and may in fact be a common trait of the Greater Spotted Teenager. Lastly, and this is held to be the most certain means of deducing the presence of a wild Jax nearby, there is the sound of someone making no noise at all. This is, many hold, of course palpable nonsense.

    These people tend to have rich careers in the movie industry as free-range critics, but their opinion on the topic of the Wild Jax must perforce be held to be suspect. Why else, it is commonly asked, did they move away from the exciting life of wildlife observation?

    At any rate, Jax walks through the door. Shirtless, shoeless and still expecting service, no doubt. In fact a shirt is currently hanging over his shoulder, and his ears have that pinkish tint of intense heat exchange taking place, a sure sign of recent exercise.

    "I'm telling you, you'll be ready for the game. Trust me on this..."

    This is to Jeremy. Clearly some collaboration for the Flag Football game is afoot. Or a-hand, as the case may be.

Warpath has posed:
     Jimmy looks like he's just returned from out of town because, well he has,"Summer time. Even more time to plot." he muses furthur,"Maybe I can set things up off campus and arrange male strippers since you'll be eighteen." It isn't often that he gets in the mode to tease anyone, but she started it and it's just a matter of which one is better at it.

SpyderByte has posed:
Heading into the kitchen after Jax is Jeremy. He's covered in sweat and wearing a pair of swishy gray shorts with a shirt thrown over his shoulder. Thus, the lanky goth is shirtless as well. He has an arm draped over Jax's shoulders as he gives him a playful hip bump. << If you say so. >> His voice comes through the phone strapped on his arm. << I am still catching the ball with my face. >>

Lifting up his free arm, he wipes it across his sweaty brow, then gives a bright smile to the sight of Shannon and James. He waves to them as he goes, then peels away from Jax so that he can go to the fridge and get a bottle of water out from it. He screws the top off and takes a sip from it. << I see cake! >>

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's jaw just drops right then and there. Her face becomes an artist's study in shades of crimson, scarlet, and rose, clear to the tips of her ears. The only sound she can make is a horrified -squeak-, followed by her wings snapping into place in front of her like a shield. "You wouldn't, shik'isn!" Cake, for the moment, is forgotten, and the entrance of two Greater Spotted Teenagers into the environment that seems to draw many of their species, is acknowledged with a wiggle-wave of fingertips above the leading edge of her wing.

Jax Miller has posed:
    "That just means you're looking at it when it's coming at you. I'd be worried if you were catching them with the back of your head, but you've got good awareness. Just a matter of practice on the actual handling, that's the easy bit." Yup. Ever supportive, Jax gives Jeremy a squeeze across the shoulders following that hip bump and then veers away in the opposite direction, towards the cake, the teacher, and the mortified peer. His ears are like dish antennas... he hears everything you hope he hadn't.

    "So..." he says as he sits down, eyes bright with mischief. "I didn't know that was an option for our 18th in the school. Can I pre-book mine in advance?"

Warpath has posed:
     He laughs finally, that sort of laugh that shakes the windows. To some it might be mildly disturbing. To others terrifying,"I have a lot of money and limited things to spend it on." Noting the arrival of the duo he offers a nod to the pair and he adds,"On that note, I have to get lessons to prepare. Something else to torture with." He starts towards the exit and adds,"Thank you for the cake shik'isn."

SpyderByte has posed:
Wait, did someone say male strippers? Jeremy's cheeks flush a bit as he rubs the back of his neck.

<< I didn't get those for my eighteenth birthday. I got a tattoo and Shannon made me a cake. >>

So, not a bad day overall of course. He takes a bottle of water and hands it to Jax with a grin. He gives a glance over to Jax, giggling a bit at his statement.

<< .. Can I come? >>

Lifting a hand, he waves to James on his way out before he turns and leans against the counter.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon is utterly, completely mortified, turning to both young gentlemen. "NO!" is the quick reply, though she covers her mouth at that. Rolling her eyes, she giggles, her attention suddenly on the rather interesting task of gathering the means to serve out a couple more pieces of cake.

     "You see, I was teasing Mr. Proudstar about making certain he couldn't escape his own birthday celebrations next year, and once I opened my big fat mouth about next summer being my eighteenth, well... all hell broke loose." Yes, she had to make sure she cut the cake -just so-, and deposit the sweet payload onto the perfect plate, ensuring both Jax and Jeremy had a slice.

Jax Miller has posed:
    "Come? Of course you can come, Jer. That's the kind of party I'll share with all my friends, because embarrassment shared is embarrassment enjoyed." A wink at that, and Jax tilts his ears /just so/, to indicate that he may or may not be done with the joking around for now, and that his previous statements were entirely true. They are, indeed, remarkably expressive ears to those who know how to read them.

    "Now now, Shannon, don't worry. I mean, what could possibly happen when you accidentally tell your teacher you're turning eighteen next summer, and then repeating that bit of information to two of your friends entirely accidentally, despite these friends having a reputation for having no off switch..."

    Big. Feline. Grin.

    "Ooh, birthday cake, thank you!"

SpyderByte has posed:
<< No we can't come, or no you're not having strippers? >>

That's a valid question. Jeremy gives a grin to Jax as he steps up next to him again, curling an arm about his side as he leans in against him. He reaches out for the cake and happily takes a bite once he lets go of his furry friend.

<< Yum. I love cake. What do you want for your birthday, Shannon? I can order anything and have it shipped over. >>

Anything. That's a lot of things that it could be.

<< If Mister Warpath is ordering strippers, I suppose I can order a big cake for them to jump out of. >>

Nightingale has posed:
     "Nooooooooo no no no no no... no strippers!" But, as the turn of phrase goes, the cat was out of the bag.

     Perhaps literally, in this instance.

     Somehow, Shannon's face becomes even more red, with that hue starting to creep down her neck as the teasing continues. "And of course, I'd want you both there. Anyways, that's not till jul... ahhh, hell..." Somehow, the normally rather close-lipped young woman just could not seem to shut up.

     Oh, yes. Doom was imminent.

     "Ummm... heck, I don't know what I'd want for my birthday. I'll have my hands full hopefully sitting for my EMT exam that month, if all goes well. What about you two, what would you want for your birthdays?"

Jax Miller has posed:
    "Jul-ahh-hell. I see." By now, if Jax grins any wider the top of his head will fall off. Despite that, he's still eating the cake like a civilised person, as if the part of him doing the eating and part of him doing the teasing are two distinct entities that just only happen to share a body at the moment.

    "I can't promise you /anything/, but I can have a good go at most things. July does happen to be one of the months Surprise isn't out for charter, so... hmmm..." Oh dear. Plans. They're forming!

    Brows raise and his ears perk up when he gets asked what he'd want for his birthday. "Well, if male strippers are still an option... but not this time around, next time. Gotta wait until I'm eighteen for the male strippers. Out of a big cake, I think, y'know, it's a classic. And the rest sliding in on fire poles or something..."

SpyderByte has posed:
<< July twenty-fifth >>

Jeremy will just spoil the birthday surprise for Shannon. He's a jerk. A jerky-jerk. Offering up a bright grin, he stuffs his mouth full of cake as he leans in against Jax playfully. Licking his lips to clear some frosting away, he giggles.

<< I don't know what I want. Though now I can't stop thinking about male strippers. >>

He just likes to tease the winged mutant, tipping a wink.

<< Maybe you can jump out of a cake. >>

His brows lift upwards to Shannon, then winks before he takes another bite.

<< Or an Amazon gift card. >>

Nightingale has posed:
     What Shannon was considering doing was whapping both young men upside their respective craniums with her wings.

     What she actually wound up doing was getting up off of her stool, marching right over to both of them, and hugging them both from behind, enfolding them in a feathery embrace. "YOu two are awful. Don't ever change." It seemed there would be much birthday doom-age all around this year!