10085/Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels We Have Heard On High
Date of Scene:	18 November 2019
Location:	Rec Room - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Shannon and Colossus enjoy some seasonal tunes in the rec room, and brainstorm holiday plans. Her pleas for help with the nightmares are also heard. Perhaps help may soon be found.
Cast of Characters:	Nightingale, Colossus

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Nightingale has posed:
     It was a fairly quiet night, with even the rec room empty at this hour. That suited one familiar winged resident of the mansion just fine. At some point, some kind soul had brought in an upright piano to the rec room, offering another venue for the musically inclined to flex their creative muscles, to a (hopefully) appreciative audience of their peers. The lone teen shuffled into the rec room, with many pages in hand, heading for the instrument. She's in a baggy gray tank top, red tartan sweatpants, and the goofiest-looking Old English Sheepdog slippers one could imagine. Yes, floppy pink tongues and all. Seating herself at the piano, she sets the pages down on the bench next to her, opting instead to play for memory for a few minutes. It's a tune in keeping with the pending holiday season, and she raises her voice in song, a silky alto carrying the melody well.

"Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
While the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains..."

Colossus has posed:
Colossus comes to hear the singing, but does not intrude. He's wearing a green and tan sweater vest over long sleeves and a simple tie, black slacks and shined shoes. He looks very much like the teacher he is, albeit perhaps a bit young for the job, barely over college age himself. Massive as he is, it's hard to entirely be unnoticed, even as he leans against the doorway. Should she glance his way, he'll gesture for her to continue, crossing his arms over his chest and just enjoying the sound.

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon smiles and does indeed glance over, maintaining a gentle triplet figure in the proper chord progression. "Then come join me." Teacher or not, each one here were friends and even family. Why shouldn't holiday songs like this be shared? With the hopes that Colossus will indeed choose to join in, she continues singing, with the beloved, well-known refrain.

"Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo..."

A few more bars of an interlude are played, and she just smiles, thinking of the ones who will be staying behind for the holidays.

"Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous songs prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavn'ly song...?"

Colossus has posed:
Colossus smiles and approaches, moving to stand beside the instrument and join in. He isn't a songbird by any measure, but he's solid, a deep tenor with an honest and true sound, unblemished and simple in its tone. He sometimes hesitates, trying to remember the proper translation of the lyrics and smiling cheerfully as he joins in. He, too, is already well within the spirit of the season, in part because he's been working on restoring a vintage train set for display in the foyer during December.

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon raises her brows, pleasantly surprised by Colossus' voice, smiling as the two sing the rest of the treasured holiday tune. As the last notes fade, and she moves her hands away from the keys, she smiles, her eyes a little bit misty. "I don't think you give yourself enough credit... you're really quite good." A light sigh escapes her and she closes her eyes. "I'd be practicing songs like this for my family right around this time of year," she murmurs, her voice gone very soft, trailing off into silence.

Colossus has posed:
Colossus nods, "As would I. Well, my mother and I would. My father and Illyana would usually sit in silence and make faces, but we never minded. That was just their way," he says.

He reaches out and gently puts a hand on her shoulder, offering at least a little comfort if she'll allow him. He's not sure any particular words would help in that regard, not knowing the full details of her situation, and so he simply offers solidarity and presence. "If you would like to talk about anything, I am here to help."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon smiles a little bit. "I actually don't mind Illyana so much. You're lucky to have a sister like her." She takes a few deep breaths and nods slowly. "My family still loves and supports me, and vice versa. But when I came here, I heard so many stories so much worse than my own. So many of the kids here, with no real home or family to spend the holidays with, other than here. It broke my heart."

     A tear does fall, though she doesn't try to stop it. "I called them a couple weeks ago, and we talked it over. I'll be here for the holidays this year, too. We'll just delay our Christmas a little, and hopefully those kids won't feel so alone."

Colossus has posed:
Colossus nods, "Yes, many of those here have been rejected or lost their families, one way or another. I, too, am comforted by having my family's understanding, albeit they are far away and I have not seen them in some time. Except Illyana, of course."

"You are a very sensitive and kind soul, Shannon. The others are lucky to have you as a friend."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods slowly. "So you know how it feels, then. This would be the first holiday season I've been away from them. And I already miss them." She turns her head to look up at Colossus, eyes glistening. She furrows her brows in a thoughtful sort of way, a question forming that finally finds voice.

"Then how can we make this the best holiday possible for everyone here? I think Andrea may have something planned for volunteering in some local shelters for Thanksgiving, but neither of us is sure what's happening with the feast. Gwendolyn and I want to see what we can do to help with Christmas here at the mansion, and it's a pretty monumental task. Where do we even begin?"

Colossus has posed:
Colossus nods, "Well, you'll be pleased to note that I've already been talking with some of the other teachers about that. We're planning a few surprises along the way and I intend fully to engage the art class with working on decorations for the place. I'm trying to see about renting hot chocolate trolleys for the various floors, so kids can have appropriate holiday snacks during the season. We also need to make sure to accomodate for those of different cultural backgrounds. We can't have anyone feeling left out."

"Most of all, we do it by paying attention and caring about other people. I think you already have that well in hand."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods slowly, and smiles a little bit. "It'll be pretty interesting to learn about everyone's cultural backgrounds, and how they celebrate." Her smile widens somewhat, one thought in particular capturing her attention. "Well, what about planning for the feast Christmas day? Seriously, if you think I'm pretty handy in the kitchen, you should see Gwendolyn. Is there any chance we could help with the planning for that? Or for the snacks on the trolleys? Let's be honest, food's a pretty universal thing. Everyone has to eat, even with cultural variants."

So, at least she had heard right, about the art classes and decorations. "Maybe a thought on that. There's a lot of evergreens around. Maybe we could craft garlands to wrap around the banisters going up to the second floor? Just smelling the pine in there would be heavenly."

Colossus has posed:
Colossus laughs softly, "I'm sure your contributions would be very welcome, you and Gwendolyn both. More hands are always helpful when so much is being produced. I think the plans are fairly traditional - Turkey and ham, sweet potatoes and cranberries. Christmas puddings. There is never enough food for this house."

"Garlands and wreathes are an excellent idea. I might suggest we get some dried cinnamon as well, to provide a counterpoint to the pine. No need to be one note. We should make an excursion into the woods to gather."

Nightingale has posed:
     The prospect of a new project seems to do much to brighten Shannon's spirits, her smile widening and her wings spreading out. "Ohh... yes, cinnamon. And allspice. We could even go one step further with the wreaths, and let each student decorate their own with things unique to their cultural heritage. And then there's pomander balls... oh those can smell heavenly, with the orange drying, and the cloves, and cinnamon...."

Colossus has posed:
Colossus laughs, "Well, I see who I should put in charge of projects if I want them to be handled energetically. I'm more than happy to give you a certain degree of carte blanche in terms of decoration, so long as it's kept within reason and no one is offended or pestered by it. I think you can manage that," he says. "I'll see if I can make arrangements for the woods excursion later this week. See if you can find any friends who'd be willing to hike in search of potential decorative materials."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon laughs, her cheeks turning faintly pink, and her wings furling around her like a snowy white, feathery cocoon. "Oh no, I was just thinking of keeping it simple with the garlands, just mixing some silver and gold ribbons in there. And the wreaths would be up to each student to express themselves in decorating it, if you think that wouldn't cause anybody offense? Plus, perhaps for the younger students, they could string popcorn and cranberries to hang outside for birds wintering in the yard."

For the moment, it seems, some shadows have been chased away from the depths of the girl's eyes. "This will be so much better to focus on than the nightmares. Though..." She bites her lip a little bit. "...I should probably still see someone about those."

Colossus has posed:
Colossus nods, "I don't think anyone would and, if they did, it would be simple enough to correct,' he says. "I think you might be a teacher at heart. You're better at this than I am, for certain."

The last draws a slightly concerned look in his eyes and he nods, "Yes, you should. Holding such things inside is not good for you."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon smiles a bit at that. "You sure you're not a telepath? I plan to stay on and heal, perhaps pursue music and medicine. But... I'd also like to teach here one day. Give someone else the same chance I have now."

Nodding in agreement, her tone does become a bit more somber. "They were of things held back for a few good months. I just never really processed or felt them, with everything that was happening, one right after the other. Something that happened a few days ago triggered the nightmares, and... it's a little overwhelming. Even having spoken to Triage and Bean and Cannonball, the nightmares don't seem to get any better. Being able to help with the holidays, it'll do a lot of good... but I think I need proper help with this one. So far, I haven't been able to touch base with Kitty to see what she might recommend. Hopefully she's okay."

Colossus has posed:
Colossus shakes his head, "No telepathy. Simply seeing."

To the matter of the nightmares, he purses his lips, "That you're confiding in your friends is good. Katya is also an excellent advisor and source of wisdom. I know she helped me through many of my darker times, especially after I first came here. She is...very special," he says, a hint of sorrow in his voice before he wipes it away. "Jean is also extremely wise and her telepathic gifts mek her more capable than most. And, of course, there's always the Professor himself."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods and smiles some; she's not blind to the sorrow in Colossus' voice, but does not focus on it for his sake. "Yes she is, but I've not heard back from her. And I'm reluctant to burden Jean with this because she's already got her hands full helping run the school. She is incredibly kind and caring, though, she really is."

The last, though, gets Shannon to raise her brows with a look of disbelief. "You know, I've yet to actually meet him? Though perhaps that's not surprising, I heard he was away for quite a while. Still... if Jean has her hands full, I'd be even more reluctant to bother him..."

Colossus has posed:
Colossus nods, "He is a very busy man, it is true. BUt he is also more approachable than many would expect. I think people keep their distance often more out of nervousness and respect than out of any experience of the man himself. He has always been very kind to me," he says.

"I could provide what insight I could, but I am not the sage that some of those others are. I am a simple artist and a simple man," he says. "I could help if it needed a good punch in the nose. Those I am excellent at."

Nightingale has posed:
     "In other words, sparring with you would probably not end very well for me. So noted." She chuckles a little bit, and smiles some. "No, I don't think him unapproachable. Kitty's spoken very well of him, and so has Cannonball. Me, I just don't know for myself, simply for having never met him. But I'd trust their judgement, and yours."

     Her fingers move across the keys again, the notes very soft, almost background music. One might recognize the tune as 'Greensleeves', or otherwise, just as a pretty tune in a minor key. "I'm guessing you've been out in the field," she begins, trying to frame this as carefully as possible. "Otherwise you wouldn't be mentioning punching things in the nose. So I'm guessing you've also seen some very difficult things to deal with. When the dreams come from those... how do you deal with them?"

Colossus has posed:
Colossus considers, settling into a seat and looking faraway for a moment, "I remind myself that I did the best that I could. And I remember my friends did the same. We will always pay a price for the things we see when we fight. Violence is trauma, one way or another. You are doing the only things you can do. Reaching out. Dealing with your feelings."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods a little bit. "I haven't seen much fighting, just a few times. It's been more on the healer's end of things. When life has been given or wounds healed, in the nightmares, it's turned to failure, and death. So often, there is so very little that stands between us and suffering, regardless of what kind that is. Violence may be trauma... but sometimes, there is very little time to deal with it, if at all. And others have suffered too, oftentimes far worse than that..."

Colossus has posed:
Colossus nods, "While we do battle here, it is not our purpose. We want to help make a world where there will be less conflict, less harm, less suffering. That is not always as simple as we would like to be. It seems contradictory, to train for war while seeking peace. But I cannot deny that the training has saved my life and that of my fellows. We are not the type to strike first," he sighs.

"I am sorry that the healer's lot falls to you. It is a...stressful position, I am sure. To take on the suffering of others as your own."

Nightingale has posed:
     "That's more true than you know," the young mutant adds, her smile a bit of a wry one. "In my case, it's quite literal. Were you to, say, break a bone--although that might be more difficult for you than some--if I were to heal you, that would literally become my injury." There. Let that sink in. "But please don't be sorry. If it's what I can do, then it will be done."

     She nods slowly in agreement, keeping a smile. "I think all of us here hope for that day. But sadly, we do have to be ready for that conflict, even if we don't initiate it. It'll find us soon enough without us going out and looking for trouble." She tilts her head, peering over at Colossus, something of a very steely look settling on her youthful fetures, and echoed in her voice as the notes from the piano fall silent. "But damned if I'll let that stop me from going out there. IF we don't do what we do when it's needed, if we're not the ones that stand up and say 'Enough!' to all the suffering out there, then that dream will truly be lost. And I for one refuse to let that happen. Just... I think I need help figuring out how to process the trauma, when all is said and done."

     Despite the more somber tone of the conversation, the winged one smiles again, her expression softening. "I'll definitely be glad for a more cheerful focus for a little while. It'll be a great blessing, until I can get through to someone who can help. And a blessing even after, too. Let the ones staying behind here know they're not alone."

Colossus has posed:
Colossus smiles and gives her shoulder another squeeze, "I think you're going to be quite a blessing to the school for a long time to come," he says.

"If I encounter anyone I think could help, I will send them your way. In the meantime, keep your feelings open, monitor what you're going through. And comfort yourself in the reminder that the good things, too, are real and worth fighting for."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods and wraps her arms and wings around Colossus briefly for a hug. "Thank you. And thank you for letting Gwendolyn and I pitch in. She'll be thrilled to hear about the decorating plans. And when you hear more about the feast, let us know?"

A little color comes to the girl's cheeks, but she smiles. "No. The school and the people in it are the real blessing, including you."