10340/Anything but routine

Anything but routine
Date of Scene:	07 December 2019
Location:	Wellness Office - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Alexis Carr visits the Wellness Office to discuss medical care but draws a crowd instead.
Cast of Characters:	Triage, Prismatic, Nightingale, Nightcrawler, Cannonball, Siryn, Shadowcat

---

Triage has posed:
Now that classes have ended and most of the students have converged on the dining room, Chris takes a few moments to tidy the desk and put away stray papers that he neglected while dealing with the usual parade of patients - some with routine maladies and others suffering from afflictions that are unique to the students here. With his trusty tablet sitting to one side, he rearranges several sheets and slips them into a manila folder.

Prismatic has posed:
    Allegra Caradenza never liked medical offices. All the poking and proding done by the doctors trying to figure out just why her skin was raw and irritated in her early teens had given her a disinterest, and her difficulty in obtaining vaccinations and having to explain her reasoninings was problematic at best, so when the newly-minted 'teaching assistant' makes her way into the Wellness Center with a glum expression, looking over her own paperwork with a soft 'ugh'.

    "Oh! Hullo -- Chris, Right?" she greets him with a small smile. "Closing up for the day? I can come back another time."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon is doing her part to tidy up the wellness office, making the beds and picking up debris, instead of finding herself a patient here for once. She's got a few cuts and bruises absorbed from minor injuries sustained by students throughout the day. Still, they are borne with good cheer, and she hums a lilting, powerful, yet unfamiliar melody to most. She glances up upon hearing Alexis and waves, tucking her ice-blue braid away behind her left ear. "Alexis! Hi!"

Triage has posed:
Chris taps the manila sheath on the desk to straighten all of its pages. He looks up from it when he ears Alexis's clearly timid plea for an excuse to escape, and then Shannon's cheerful, sing-song call of greeting. He, too, smiles. Beckoning with his hand, he invites, "No no! Do come inside Miss Caradenza. I can't keep normal doctor's hours here." He chuckles. "Most of the real trouble comes after classes dismiss for the day. So what brings you here?" He glances again to Shannon and nods, smiling. "Take a break and rest," he urges.

Prismatic has posed:
    "Hey, Shannon." Allegra greets her, and then rubs her own hand a moment as she blushes a moment, "You know here at the school you can use my real name, right?" she jokes, "I don't think anyone's going to run off and report to my father that I'm galavanting with mutants now." she replies gently to the winged girl, then turns back to Chris.

    "Oh, well, just needed to stop by and drop off some forms, see about alternative ways to get immunizations needed for interacting with the students. My skin isn't exactly... easy to work with, medically speaking. she explains.

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon smiles and nods, striding to join both healer and newly-minted assistant teacher over by the desk. While she may be resting her body by leaving off the tasks at hand, she refuses to rest her mind. A soft chuckle escapes her, and she shakes her head. "If that's what you'd prefer I call you, but I knew you first as Alexis. It's up to your preference." Her eyebrow lofts as she listens to Alexis alluding to what must be part of her gifts, and cants her head slightly to one side. "If you don't mind my asking, what /are/ your gifts? Besides the obvious superpower of completely brilliant music, of course."

Triage has posed:
Chris inclines his head when Alexis advances into the room. "In that case, I'll put up the sign.," he answers. He strolls to the door. a set of antique, horizontal metal rails adorn the outside face of the door. Two of the three have wooden slats. The third has the word 'OPEN' printed on it. He slides out one of the slats and inserts it to cover the 'OPEN' slat. Now, a new sign appears, reading 'IN CONSULTATION.' Once he has finished, he closes the door and heads towrard the desk, wheeling two visitor's chairs behind him. "Have a seat," he suggests, waving to the chairs. He circle to settle into the third seat, behind the desk. "I expected to see you here eventually," he adds. "What name would you prefer?"

Prismatic has posed:
    The olive-skinned woman blushes in embarrassment at the compliment from the winged Shannon.

    "That one I'm afraid isn't accompaniment to my genetic abilities." Allegra states wryly in her terribly proper British accent, no sense in trying to hide it now. "Unless, I suppose, there's something to do with the vibrations of the crystaline network beneath my skin, except for that only appeared when I went through puberty, and I was already enrolled in Saint Cici's at the age of six." she winks at Shannon, then from her jacket pocket she pulls out a red-and-yellow striped bag.

    "Jellybaby?"

    She turns to Chris as he puts the consultation sign up, and she gives a slight huff, keeping the offered bag out to Shannon as she does, in fact, take a seat.

    "Well,that is... an interesting question to lead. Within the school? Allegra Caradenza. It's... nice to be myself again." she states, and then offers the bag of Jellybabies to Chris.

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon grins as she sits down, plucking a few jellybabies from the bag. Thankfully, they turn out to be a few of her favorites. She sighs with delight as the taste of blackcurrant blossoms in her mouth, at the demise of one of the sweets. "Allegra it is, then, though hopefully a slip to Alexis now and again might be forgiven?" The blush has her chortling, and she smiles. Good. Mission accomplished. Heaven only knows that Allegra had done the same to her, by similar means! Settling back to enjoy the sweets, she observes the whole exchange with curiosity, and a light smile.

Nightcrawler has posed:
What does a fuzzy blue elf that also looks like a demon from hell do at this time of year? Decorate. Kurt's been decorating -er'where- because he can pretty much go --er'where-- and now he is set for the Wellness Office.

Appearing in his customary cloud of smoke and sound of air displacing, Wagner has several large boxes with him, and five of the BAMFs. Humming even as he appears, tail flicking back and forth.

Triage has posed:
"First of all, allow me to set your mind at ease," Chris offers. "As you might imagine, we don't run a traditional clinic here." He smiles and takes one of the small candies - also black currant, as it happens. He turns it curiously between fingers and thumb. "So these are Jellybabies?" he marvels. Looking to Alexis, he explains, "When I was a kid, I often wondered if my parents had come from the distant past. They were fans of Dr. WHo and other British television that we got here by PBS, and many other things from the mid-20th century onward."

When Kurt appears with the sound that is startling to strangers yet equally familiar to old hands at the school, Chris grins and turns toward the sound. He stands from the chair and offers, "Do you need a hand with those?"

Prismatic has posed:
    "I get the distinct feeling, Chris, that there is very little in this school that is traditional." Allegra replies, and she gives a bright grin.

    "Ah! Yes, my nan knew Pertwee when she was a young lady, and I grew up watching much of the older ar--"

    Allegra however does give a jump at the sudden sound of air displacement, her eyes going wide as she turns, her hand still outstretched and she sees Kurt.

    And even though Sam Guthrie had told her some of the other faculty look a bit odd, she wasn't prepared for a fuzzy blue elf with a spade-tail. She gawks for just a moment, minding to keep her mouth shut even if her eyes are wide, but since Chris doesn't have a bad reaction, and presumably Shannon won't... she simply raises her eyebrows, brings the red-and-yellow striped bag out, and offers:

    "Hullo, jellybaby?"

Nightingale has posed:
     The sound of displaced air, coupled with the aroma of brimstone and the sight of indigo smoke is a familiar one to the winged healer in training. Initially, Shannon smiles brightly when she sees Kurt, and she gets up to offer a hand with the boxes. "Hi! Need a hand with th..."

     Her voice trails off, the color draining from her face when she sees the five bamf's with him, however. Her wings extend out behind her, tense, with the feathers ruffled, and she freezes in place. Pale blue eyes glance between Kurt, the bamf's, then back again. With a few deep breaths, she works on relaxing, and tries to smile a little.

Nightcrawler has posed:
"Please do! There's a lot to put up - and don't worry I'm being sensitive to Semitic, Arabic, Muslim and secular beliefs!" Kurt beams and motions "Anyone who wishes, please feel free to help." the BAMFs already dragging garlands of various types up the walls.

Accepting the jelly baby, he beams, "Danke! I haven't had these since coming back from vacation!" pausing, "New stu-" he sees Shannon's reaction and halts, "Everything alright, Shannon?"

Triage has posed:
Chris circles the desk, ready to help with the decorations, although the BAMFs certainly seem quite capable of arranging things in splendid array. He pauses to touch his rest his hand lightly on Shannon's arm when she reacts abnormally to their counselor's presence, or more likely, his accomplices. He whispers something to her. Then he nods to Allexis. "Our new teaching assistant," he explains.

Prismatic has posed:
    "Bitte sehr!" Allegra replies, listening to Kurt's accent, and she is almost completely distracted by the BAMFs when the wings extend, and with Allegra to Shannon's back she gives a soft 'ack!' and tilts backwards in her chair, before sliding down and is nose to nose with some rather ruffled feathers from Shannon's wings.

    "Ah, Shannon?" she inquires, unsure, as she flails her other arm for balance in her awkward position.

    "Hullo, Allegra Caradenza, Music Assistant Teacher, how do you do? Forgive me for not shaking hands!" Allegra states from beneath Shannon's wing.

Nightingale has posed:
     Gradually, Shannon's wings relax, and she tucks them in behind her, the pallor of her face slowly shifting to a more normal hue. "It's alright... just... I had to deal with some unfriendly bamf's a couple weeks ago, when there was some extra protection being put in place here. It damn near killed me, having to strike at enemies with the face of a friend." She tries to smile somewhat reassuringly at Kurt; her fear is clearly not of him. She tilts her head, trying to work through a translation in her mind, a welcome distraction from the momentary remembered terror. "Es ist in Ordnung, Herr Wagner. Ich habe keine Angst vor dir."

     That blush returns, and she glances behind her, reaching out to help Allegra back to her feet. "Sorry about that. Are you alright?"

Nightcrawler has posed:
"Wait... unfriendly..." he blinks and manages to get out a distracted, "Kurt Wagner, miss." to Alexis, bobbing his head. "What happened Shannon... were they red?" His intent to decorate missing for the moment, though the Bamfs are happily set in their work.

Triage has posed:
Chris nods again when Kurt and Alexis make their own introductions. He nods to Shannon and then smiles. "Thank you for the gift of these decorations," he adds. "I'm glad to see the school looking so cheerful for those who won't be able to leave for the holidays." He explains, "We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and now we're hoping that the rest of the season will be quiet and fun for the students." Again, he glances to Shannon to see that her wings are relaxing at last. Then he explains, "We had a bit of ... trouble while arranging some additional protection around the grounds."

Prismatic has posed:
    Allegra blinks between the two speak a moment, her eyebrows rising up, her lips pursing and she accepts the hnad up from Shannon, clasping the taller girl on the shoulder a moment before she turns to Chris "Perhaps the intake would be better suited for another time, Mr. Muse. It appears Shannon has some things worth tending to that might be better treated without someone from outside." she murmurs to the cheery boy, though she rubs the back of her hand a moment, looking uncomfortable, and a bit forlorn at all the Christmas decor going up.

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon shakes her head. "No, I'll go if you'd prefer. Please, Allegra... won't you stay?" Offering a reassuring smile, she sidles away, only to help one of the smaller bamf's with their box if it's allowed. She keeps her wings tucked in tightly behind her, and glances back at Kurt. "It was about three weeks ago. I remember they were in blue, and well... you can pretty well guess my wings made me a bit of a target. Wait... there's red ones?" Now she just looks very confused, glancing between Chris, Kurt, and Allegra. But, at least she doesn't seem ready to bolt!

Nightcrawler has posed:
"A very small few. But that doesn't matter right now... " Kurt blinks, "No one has to leave. Please... We're all safe here." mouth twisted into a sad frown. "I'm sorry. I. I had no idea. What was it? Was it when Wanda was trying to do what she was going to do for the school?" This is what happens when you go on Euro Trip.

You catch murderers outside Munich.

Confront a bigot Reverend.

Have an amazingly romantic trip to Paris.

Come home to find out relatives crashed a party.

Triage has posed:
"Yes," Chris confirms, inclining his head. "Her efforts worked, but there were ... complications." He glances to Shannon again, nodding encouragement. "We had a few injuries but no deaths," he reports. "The school is safer for it." He looks to Alexis and answers the silent concerns that seem to be floating in her mind. "We're safe here, and if Shannon trusts you to stay while she talks about what happened, you're quite welcome. You'll need to know about these things soon enough."

Prismatic has posed:
    "I.. .all right." Allegra replies quietly, her shoulders draiwng down a moment as she glances between the three others.

    "Just feels odd. Haven't even signed the final dotted line yet." Alexis murmurs back to Chris, and then she goes to grab another chair, letting Kurt take hers. She sits down, and looks to Kurt, watching him quietly, then listening to the other two. It' an awful feeling, being the new one in the room!

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods slowly in answer to Kurt. "It was. Wound up keeping the staff from miss Maximoff, too, with permission to seek proper training in its use." She reaches out to briefly rest her hand on Kurt's with a light smile. "It was just... really, really hard, having to fight a few someones that looked so much like someone I really like and trust. It just shook me up some."

Her focus shifts to helping the bamf's with their boxes, keeping to the sidelines and unpacking the decorations, one by one. Each new twinkling treasure seemed to lighten her spirits, and she seems to relax a little bit more. An apologetic smile is offered to Chris and Allegra, but she doesn't speak up again, for now.

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt Wagner nodding slightly, Kurt's brow knits again, "I'll tell you about my father sometime. It may be important." tossing a box of candy canes to one of the Bamfs now, "I got his face, mother's coloring." swallowing and looking around the room. "Sorry I wasn't here to help."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie comes walking into the room. Seems word gets around fast, someone saw the new teacher heading in there. Sam knows how school gossip works, so hearing Alexis was in the wellness office cause she got blasted in half on accident, he is pretty sure it is a bit of exaggeration, but he is coming down to check, and see what has really happened. He is not running but walking with determination.

Triage has posed:
Chris shakes his head. "Please, don't feel guilty over a vacation," he answers Kurt. Then he looks to Alexis and nods. "We take care of each other, so knowing a few details usually helps," he explains. "Also, please, call me Chris. Some of the younger students call me Mr. Muse, but you're in a different league." He flashes a smile to Shannon when he sees her helping with the decorations, but before he can say anything, the sound of footfalls through the now open door catches his ears, which are always alert to the approach of potential patients. When he sees Sam, he sighs and waves. Anticipating his question, Chris smiles and assures, "She's fine." Then he waves to one of the bamfs. "We're ... redecorating for the season."

Prismatic has posed:
    "I usually default to proper addressing. I'm a bit old fashioned, I suppose, but you cannot be wrong if you are being kind and polite." Allegra gives a smile, relaxing a bit more now that everyone wants to stay, no one wants to go, and the strange little mini-Kurt Wagners are busily decorating the office. She's mostly staying out of their way, they appear to have a good handle on things.

    "What-- Oh! Hullo, Sam." Allegra gives a smile, relaxing in a chair near Chris's desk, and she gives a wave. "Was trying to figure paperwork, address care plans for my skin condition."

Siryn has posed:
Theresa Cassidy had seen Sam walking through the halls with that purposful gait. She might not have been around her old teammate as much as she used to, but she knew that posture. Curious, even a bit concerned, she follows after to figure out just what had gotten him upset. She pauses in the doorway with a hand raising to linger against the doorframe as she takes in the others in the room with an eyebrow raising. "H'lo."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods, and steals one of the candy canes from the bamf holding the box of them. But, instead of keeping it to herself, she chuckles lightly, unwrapping it and breaking it in half to share with the mini-elf. Kurt gets a raised eyebrow and she nods. "I'll have to ask you about that later, then. Please... don't feel guilty, you're helping now and that's more than you realize." That smile is turned on him for a moment...

...until enter in a wild Sam. And he looks like he means business! She smiles somewhat and waves, taking a step back. Whatever it was, it was probably better to just keep an eye on things, and not interfere. Too, as Theresa enters, she waves, smiling over to her. "Hey there!"

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt nods again and looks to Sam as he enters, and the Theresa. "I leave for a few weeks and more and more people come in ja?" the BAMF given candy makes big eyes at Shannon before issuing a mighty, midgit-ey "BAMF!" as it munches on the bit of candy. The little imps haven't even noticed the tension... they're even laying landmines of mistletoe from the ceiling.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie nods, and will walk over and lean down to kiss Alexis on the cheek, and says "Word was going around you has a papercut to you tripped and fell into the sun." He jokes a bit with he looks around and says "Seems you have met our fencing drama teacher, and head medic, as well, as the mini blue man group." He says of the bamfs. He looks over, and says "And the lady who just joined us is Theresa, another old friend of mine, who might drink that nasty hot tea with you." He teases.

Triage has posed:
Chris's attention shifts quickly from Sam to Theresa. He steps toward the unfamiliar woman. "If you're here officially, ma'am, we're in a bit of a casual mode, but don't be fooled. I'll be glad to help."

Prismatic has posed:
    "Goodness, that is quite the rumourmill going in the school!" Alexis's ears turn pink -- not just a blush, but a light Barbie pink color as she turns to stand, and she offers a hand to the newly introduced Theresa, "Good evening, Theresa, pleasure to meet your acquaintence. Allegra Caradenza, I was just hired to help teach music. Eschew his comments about the nasty hot tea, only heathens drink it cold and so sweet a she." she jokes. Long standing argument.

Siryn has posed:
"I... What now?" Terri blinks rapidly when Sam introduces her to Alexis. A grin creeps over her face seeing what their relationship was, even if he'd just told her... but it's Chris that has her looking terribly confused. Her head tips to the side regarding him a moment as she gathers her thoughts. "I'm sorry, I don't follow? Official capacity?"

Nightingale has posed:
     "I think he means to ask if you're hurt or otherwise in need of a healer, Theresa." Shannon smiles a bit at her, just an instant before bursting out in a fit of giggles over the tiny but mighty cry from the mini-BAMF! She tries to echo the sound, raising the pitch of her voice to a tiny bit closer to the mini-elf's. "BAMF!" Candy shared, language learned--well, somewhat, anyways!--she pops her half of the candy cane in her mouth, thoroughly enjoying the treat. "If it's something minor, maybe I could help?"

Nightcrawler has posed:
Looking up at the all of the mistletoe, Kurt then eyes the BAMFs and then the others before flipping to one of the walls and clinging setting to putting up decoration, "Mein Gott, they're making the counseling rooms into make out parlor."

Triage has posed:
"This /is/ the Wellness Office," Chris explains, "We rarely have so many smiling faces until people leave." He looks upward, in time to see one of the BAMFs hanging another of the green land-mines. Then he looks to Shannon and nods. "SHe's right." Then he adds, "She's Shannon. I'm Chris."

Siryn has posed:
"Och," Terri cries out in mock pain as her hand lifts to press to her chest. "Sam. Sam, they're callin' me ma'am. When did I get old, Sam?" A little cluck of her tongue comes and the hand drops away to flash Chris, Shannon, and Allegra. A bamf nearby is pointed at. "Thas probably older'n me. I'm fine though, just saw Sam storming through and thought I'd see what had him riled up. I'm Theresa Cassidy. Terri," she clarifies with a nod. "The art history teacher." Reaching out she takes Alexis' offered hand to shake with a grin. "Pleasure. Music, eh? Been told I've got quite the voice myself."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie says, "Ah think it happened when we got made into staff to be honest, it was in the fine print and we missed it." He jokes a bit to this "Butbeing old we get to set their bed time, and hollar about them being on our lawns." he jokes, He does stand near Alexis smiling a bit goofily."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon chuckles softly and nods. "I remember you from some weeks ago. I was just getting out of the medbay again, and wound up having to pull a sword out of Logan's back. I think I also remember you from the memorial a couple months ago, and you /do/ have a lovely voice." She smiles a little bit, and gives a slight up-nod in the general direction of the classrooms. "Maybe we'll have to sing sometime. What kind of music do you like best?" She glances around at everyone else as she helps hang up some of the decorations, even starting to hum, and finally sing a bit of a holiday tune--with a wink and a smile to invite everyone to join in, if they care to.

"Veni veni, Emmanuel
captivum solve Israel,
qui gemit in exsilio,
privatus Dei Filio.

Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,
nascetur pro te Israel..."

Prismatic has posed:
    "I've always felt that particular ode too somber for decor, too sacred for simply garland." Allegra replies to Shannon gently as the bamfs go about. "My suggestion would be Good King Wenceslas, or perhaps 'Deck the Halls?' Although I'm also fond of an old ditty called 'Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day'." she jokes, watching the Bamfs move about, before turning back to Theresa

    "Art history? Do you have a favorite period? Style? And it seems like there's enough here to start in on a choir!"

Triage has posed:
Chris smiles when Shannon begins to sing. Then he nods to Alexis's comment. "It's really more of an advent hymn, which is fitting. We're in that time." His eyes wander around the now well decorated room. "Still, I'm glad that he visited and brought the decorations, even if they're early." He looks to Theresa after Alexis manages to ask the very questions that were on his mind. "Yes, please," he adds. "Teachers often try to teach as if all of them were euqally good, but I'm sure that you have favorites."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie says, "You know I have thought about picking up a literature class, but Ah need to talk to Doug and see if he would want to help. Doing one that specializes on Sci fi writings." he says after listening to Shannon sing a bt."

Siryn has posed:
Theresa Cassidy merely gives a sheepish shrug at the mention of art history. In spite of it being her apparent curriculum. "Not terribly? I mean, there's things I like about a lot. Mostly I just got an arts and lib degree and these guys here suckered me into becoming a teacher." Leaning forward to include Chris she mock whispers, "Don't tell 'em but I've been winging it and coming up with lessons pretty much the night before classes. Think I'm getting the hang of it, though."

The singing causes the corners of her lips to twitch with a repressed smile as she regards Shannon, and her song. "Don't know many religious songs. Didn't grow up that way," she explains before clearing her throat lightly. A deep breath is drawn only to be let out in her own song.

"Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la~!"

That last note carries though. It more than carries as she tips her head upward toward one of the Bamfs holding a candycane. The air practicaly vibrates... No, it DOES vibrate, and then the candycane breaks in half.

Terri's hand snaps out to catch it, and she promptly pops the sugary treat between her lips with a satisfied smile.

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods slowly and falls silent at that, turning a little bit red. She busies herself with putting up garland here and there, dancing out of the way of mistletoe land-mines. She smiles a little bit as she listens to everyone. "I'm sorry... I've gotten the impression before that Kurt's faith is important to him, so given the season, it was my hope he'd enjoy hearing it." Her eyebrows go up at the title of an unfamiliar tune, and she pauses where she is, tilting her head slightly, eyebrows quirking upwards. "What's that last one? I've never heard of it."

She smiles over at Sam, and is about to ask him about the literature class when... SNAP! Her eyebrows go up, and she grins at Theresa. "Now that's one way to get a candy cane."

Prismatic has posed:
    Allegra is looking up, making sure she's avoiding any and all of those green kissing mines, keeping one eye on Sam, and she goes a bit pink to her ears. "Ah... my apologies then. I'm... from a mixed household, but I grew up in the Catholic tradition, even if I attended an Anglican church." she gives a small laugh, "I s'pose that's one contention between my father and I." she muses, then she leans back, and she gives a little humm of the melody.

    "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, I would my true love did so chance,
    "to see the legend of my play, to call my true love to my dance.
    "Sing, oh! My love, oh~ My love, my love my love -- this I have done for love.

    "Then I was born of a virgin pure, Of her I took fleshly substance
    Thus I was knit to man's nature to call my true love to my dance --
    "Sing, oh! My love, oh~ My love, my love my love -- this I have done for love.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie is all innocent and such, but he does keep close with Alexis. and smiles as she sings. He figures he will play along if all are singing he will too. a bit off key he will add his song to the others.
     Grandma got run over by a reindeer
     Walking home from our house Christmas eve
     You can say there's no such thing as Santa
     But as for me and grandpa we believe.

Triage has posed:
Chris smiles at the range of tunes. "I think that with that, we've hit three great themes of the season - reverence, joy, and childlike fun," he concludes. Then he looks at everyone. "Are any of you staying here for the holidays? We'll have some students staying, and a modest feast of our own. If you don't have other plans, why not join our little gathering?"

Siryn has posed:
Theresa Cassidy crunches on the candycane with a little nod at Shannon, along with a wink. "Don't get to show off too often but I do have a set of pipes on me." More than just the way she could sing. She really could. When Sam starts in with the country tune she snorts with mild laughter. Then the question comes. "Aye, I'll be around. Don't have much in the way of family. Not the sort I can visit easily at least."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon giggles madly as she hears Sam singing, grinning at him and joining in with the next portion of the song. Now, how could anyone miss knowing /this/ one?

"She'd been drinking too much eggnog
And we begged her not to go
But she forgot her medication
And she staggered out the door into the snow

When we found her Christmas morning
At the scene of the attack
She had hoof-prints on her forehead
And incriminating Claus marks on her back!"

Mention of staying over for the holidays does cause her to go very quiet for a few moments, but then she nods, and smiles lightly. "I will, but I do hope to visit home a little closer to New Year's. Figured the folks staying here could use a smile or two." She eyes Chris, and chuckles, shaking her head. "'Modest' and 'feast' around here do /not/ belong in the same sentence. Remember Thanksgiving? We had leftovers for over a week!"

Prismatic has posed:
    Allegra pauses as Sam breaks in, and she looks up at him with a ruefull, mischevious smile as he sings out Grandma got Run Over, and she lightly pokes his upper arm. "Point made." she laughs mirthfully, then glances back at Chris as she sits down.

    "Well... provided I'm all moved in and can negotiate out of the lease on my apartment, I'll be here for most of it. I work with a homeless youth group back in the city, so I'll be there for some of it, too. /Apparently/, I already have two guitar students here."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie nods and says "Yea, Ah shall be here for most of it, Ah am thinking I might blast home last Christmas ever after pretty much everyone is asleep and come back the day after christmas day or such. Though I had thought about making adding a bit of a side trip, depending on some things.

Siryn has posed:
Theresa Cassidy chuckles quietly, and nods at everyone. "Well I'll definitely be here. I won't terrorize you all with my cooking though." Oh, man, she had so many bad stories about that. Crunching down on her ill gotten candy again she tips a wave to the room. "I'm off for now. Got some planning to do for other things. Nice meeting and chatting."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon grins at Allegra and nods, chortling and rubbing her hands together with sheer glee. "Of course you do," she chimes in. "One right here, and of course, I was talking you up to Bean, and now that he's starting out on guitar, well, who better to help teach us both? Anybody who can get me to play 'House of the Rising Sun' in the middle of the club on the first try has got some serious chops."

Her brows furrow, as if she's trying to think of something, then she snaps her fingers. "Snowboarding! Ummm... Sam? Don't suppose you need any help with music or something else at the club, do you?"

Theresa gets a smile and a wave, as she steals another candy cane from a box left temporarily unattended by the bamf's. Or perhaps they left it out on purpose, who's to say? "Nice to see you again, finally on a good day when the fertilizer isn't hitting the fan."

Triage has posed:
Chris nods at the answers, and invites, "Then if you're here, please, celebrate with us. Some of the students don't have proper family, for various reasons. Some might like to think of us as their new family, and that's a fine thing." Looking to Allegra, he volunteers, "If you need help with the shelter, not only now but at any time, I'm here. I'll be glad to lend a hand. I'm sure that some others would be glad to help, too." He smiles when Theresa offers her presence, but not her cooking. "It can't be worse than what /someone/ did to the kitchen just before Thanksgiving. We spent several days on cleaning that mess and replacing the briquettes with edible food." He won't name the culprit, but surely the infamous rumor mill is a good source of such information. "I can guarantee that there's more to a feast than the cooking. We'll need people to serve, people to set places, people to clean up afterwards. All help will be welcome!"

Prismatic has posed:
    "A pleasure to meet you, Theresa." the younger teacher stands, and offers a handshake again. "I look forward to working with you. We'll have to have tea sometime." she states in a friendly manner, "At least my cooking won't mess up the cucumber sandwiches... too much." she wryly adds as Theresa leaves, and she gives a little huff. She gives a little grin to Chris, and she purses her lips.

    "I think they would like that. A lot of the kids I work with leave home due to a variety of reasons, and end up in Bushwick. While I was playing on the streets, I could get them help. Now.." she wrestles a moment. "Now I'm here, upstate."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over and says "You let Shannon root for her sports team, and Ah am sure someone will be able to clean up." he teases a bit and says "What kind thing you looking for helping wise Shannon?" He will ask her, and to Alexis he says "I can get ya into town pretty quick, we also have some teleporters who can help, and if you want we can work on getting you a car."

Triage has posed:
"Even upstate isn't that far now," Chris agrees, nodding to Sam. "Especially when someone is in need, we'll find ways to get there." He looks to Alexis and adds, "You haven't moved away from the shelter. You've made arrangements for more of us to help. Quite a few of us organized the feast for Thanksgiving. We should be able to help your friends when they need it." He steps toward the box of peppermint sticks left near Shannon and takes one. He glances between her and Sam, and asks, "Did somieone just volunteer you to organize this little shin-dig?"

Nightingale has posed:
     "Oi! Smartypants Guthrie!" Shannon shakes her fist playfully at Sam, and giggles. "Not my fault the Yankees cheated!" She chortles, shaking her head, making a grand show of ruffling her wings as if agitated--but the laughter tells a different story. "Whatever I could manage. Heck, you could even get me playing on stage if you insisted, though that would depend on what Allegra wanted to do. She's way better than I'll ever be." She does make certain to stay well out of said assistant music teacher's reach, sticking her tongue out at her and giggling. "See, Chris managed to convince me to give snowboarding a chance, but damned if I won't earn my way there."

She chuckles and grins a little bit at Chris, shrugging. "Not sure who's organizing what, but I've got to get some of us together real soon to gather some greenery for garlands and wreaths like Mr. Rasputin and I were talking about, and I'll be making pomander balls for a while, too. I think Gwendolyn and I were looking to help with the feast, but there's so many hands and hearts willing to help here, it'd be great to include as many as possible."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie smiles over at shannon "They did not cheat, but if thats what you have to tell yourself." he looks to Shannon and says "Well if your looking for extra cash your going to have a better chance making it bussing table or such, since your still learning more we let you play for experience more than paying you to play.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde opens the door to the Wellness Office. "Come on Tommy," she says, making way for a student to go through the door in front of her. He's has a bit of a shiner forming already around his eye, and gives Kitty a sheepish look as she follows in behind him and closes the door.

"Hello," she offers to those present. "Tommy had a little bit of a run in with an icy spot," she says, resting her hand on the teen's shoulder. "Feel up to taking a look?" Kitty asks Chris.

"Sorry about that Miss Pryde. At least I didn't dent your car or anything," he says sheepishly. Kitty tells him, "No, but you sort of dented your head, which isn't a trade-off I'd rather have," she says. Though she loves that car. Loves it, and takes care of it to the point of minor obsession.

Triage has posed:
Chris watches as the last of Kurt's BAMF's dances along the place where wall and ceiling meet, stringing a festive strand of holly. Once the last tack is in place, the little blue mini-Kurt dissappears with its distinctive sound of air displacement. "I wonder if they handle birthday parties," he quips to Shannon and Sam. The sound of the door opening again draws his attention. When Kitty arrives, coaxing Tommy forward, he smiles, recognizing the youth. He waves. "Well, I should have known that we'd have some real customers in time." He looks from Tommy to Kitty and back to Tommy. "It's not so bad," he guesses. Then he looks to Kitty. "What happened? Is there any risk of concussion?" he asks.

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods to Sam, and smiles. "If that's the way to go, then that's the way to go. Hope I'd still get to play a little, but well... with Christmas coming, and possibly snowboarding and all..." She grins a bit sheepishly. "Anything would be appreciated."

Tommy's and Kitty's entrance gets her attention and she purses her lips slightly. However, she moves over near Chris to observe, but not interfere unless called upon. Either way, this could be a good chance to learn.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over, and says "Tommy, little hint don't headbutt anything you can't go through when you head butt it." He will smile at the kid, and says "Oh kitty, was hoping to talk to you and lockheed sometime soon when you get a chance and can get him to come along.

Shadowcat has posed:
"Thank you Chris. Yes, never a dull moment, is there?" Kitty asks. Her hand guides Tommy forward towards the healer, the youth moving over to take a seat on the examining table. "I was running in the parking lot and hit some ice," he tells Chris. Kitty nods her head in agreement as she moves over to find somewhere out of the way to lean against, crossing her arms. "I was just heading outside and say him go face first into the car right next to the headlight," she says. "Probably best to check him for one, yes," she says.

"Aw, it's just a shiner, not a big deal," Tommy says. "We don't have to tell Mr. Parker about this either, do we?" Kitty grins over at Tommy. "Of course we do. You don't think we can keep it from him, do you? He'll get to give you all sorts of advice on avoiding ice. You will completely make his day and make him feel useful. I wouldn't take that away from you, Tommy," she tells him.

Tommy looks uncertain. Like he thinks he's getting bamboozled, but isn't sure. He nods to Samuel and says, "Well, it wasn't intentional, but... good advice?" He smiles to Shannon as well. Kitty meanwhile has an eyebrow go up in curiosity. "Oh, Sam?" she asks, not getting a lot of requests to include Lockheed in conversations.

Triage has posed:
"Ouch! Face first?" Chris asks Tommy, following the teen to the examining table. He signals for Shannon to join him so that Sam and Kitty will have more freedom to talk if they wish. "Even if you don't tell Mr. Parker what happened, you could ask him about avoiding ice. Also, ask about why water expands when it turns to ice. Most liquids shrink when they become solids. But not water." He shakes his head. "Scientists love to explain things like that, and explaining helps them to practice organizing the facts in their heads." While he talks, he peers at Tommy's blackened eye. "Even though I asked, I planned to check. You can't be too careful with concussions. Right, Shannon?" he glances sideways to her and then back to Tommy. "Now, Tommy, I don't think that I've seen you as a patient yet. So, here's how it works. You lie back and close your eyes. You'll feel a brief warmth, and possibly a light tingle, like someone tickling you. It won't hurt. Soon, you'll be back on your feet and ready to go."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon smiles and nods to Tommy. "It would feel very similar if either one of us healed you, Tommy. The main difference would be, I'd absorb your injury. Chris' gift works a little differently. But you'd just feel a very nice warmth, kind of like being wrapped up in a warm robe right after a bath, with a cup of hot cocoa in your hands." Glancing over at Chris, she nods in agreement, and smiles. "No, you can't be too careful." Has she perhaps learned a bit of caution after all?

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over to Kitty, and says "Wanting to make sure Lockheed knows the new cat that will be seen around is part of the family, and not to be ran off or toasted." he jokes a bit and says "Warrior Joe is Allegra's cat and Ah think she thinks Ah was joking when Ah said would make sure the dragon did not eat him."

Shadowcat has posed:
Tommy looks perplexed. "What's so special about water that it behaves differently?" he asks. Kitty flashes Chris a smile as he works in the learning experience. "That's something to do with chemistry. And physics. Actually chemistry is physics to some degree. But, Mr. Parker can explain it to you," Kitty says.

Tommy gets ready for Chris. "Ok, sure. I've heard of what you guys have done. You healed Miss Pryde, everyone says, after the field trip. So, this should be nothing, right?"

He lies back, while Kitty nods to Samuel. "Oh, he wouldn't go after something here. I mean, not a normal pet or something. Only if he thought it was dangerous. An alien infestation, you know," Kitty says. She doesn't say more on that. Not all the students know about the sidra infestation that Lockheed ate.

Triage has posed:
"That's right," Chris confirms. "Physics and chemistry are like two siblings or two players on the same team. They work together," he notes. "This should be small, like a scratch," he adds. "Miss Pryde's injuries ..." He shakes his head. "Even if you have a concussion, it's a small thing after that. She took much worse." Chris leaves it at that, unwilling to share exactly what that battle cost - days of recuperation for both of them, and others injured beside Kitty, although hers was the most perilous. "Now, relax. Breath normally." He waits until the teen's eyes are closed, and then he lays his hand over the blackened eye. He begins to breath slowly, evenly. His own eyes clamp tightly. He wills life force to seep slowly into Tommy's head, first to seek injuries and then to coax the teen's own body into overdrive to heal. The process takes only 90 seconds, and then Chris, and causes only a few beads of sweat to form on Chris's brow. Then he lifts his hand to reveal smooth and clear skin with no trace of the injury.

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods, and smiles lightly at Tommy. "Yes, we did," she confirms. "Though Miss Pryde is a very strong woman, and she had a lot to come back to." Chuckling softly, she offers Tommy a wink, and teases him good-naturedly. "Someone has to keep you out of trouble, right?" Silence reigns as Chris begins the healing process on the young man, and she watches over them both, marveling anew at Chris' incredible healing gift. "You'll be alright."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie nods his head a bit and says "Did not think he would bother him much, but being new to the area, figured if Lockheed did not know he was ok being around might try to run him off and Joe lived part of his life as an alley can so a bit rough looking you know?

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty watches as the healing takes place. She flashes Shannon a smile, then looks back to Chris and Tommy. "Now you won't have that black eye when you try to get a girl under the mistletoe," Kitty says. She glances around. "What is with all of the mistletoe, anyway?" she asks. "I'm not sure we need to be encouraging teenagers ALL that much, do we?" she asks with a wry grin. Thinking back to herself at that age. Not that Piotr would kiss her, darn him.

She nods to Samuel and says, "It shouldn't be a problem. Most people don't realize how intelligent he is. But, might be good for the cat to meet him. Probably more likely the cat might run off than be run off. You should see Lockheed with Jester. It's like Jester's his pup, not ours," Kitty says with a grin.

Triage has posed:
Chris steps back and nods to Tommy. "That went well. Now you're ready," he concludes. He glances upward at the sprigs of mistletoe dangling overhead. "Those were Kurt's idea ... or the mischievousness of one of his little assistants," he explains. "I'm sure that he meant no harm. He might have left more in other parts of the mansion." He looks back to Kitty and Sam. "Cats are wonderfully intelligent creatures, but so is Lockheed, if the look in his eyes while you were unconscious was any indication, Miss Pryde. He seemed to understand what I needed to do. I'm glad that he and Mr. Parker were there for you. They helped with a recovery that I can't provide, the recovery of spirit." He looks to Shannon and adds, "It's good that we haven't had many close calls like that."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon nods slowly. "Indeed. That one took both of us, and neither one of us should have or did attempt it alone." As for all the mistletoe? She rolls her eyes and chuckles softly. "Blame about five mini-bamf's for that. Kurt complained about them turning this place into a make-out parlor." She snickers to herself, and shrugs. "Ah, well. It is as it is."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie nods and says "Oh Doug has told me just how smart he is, and he has pretty much the good life, he helps out but gets pampered pretty good for helping out Ah believe.

Shadowcat has posed:
Tommy sits up and says, "Wow, that was pretty cool. Thank you, Mr. Muse." He reaches a hand up, feeling his eyes which all the pain and swelling is gone from now. He gets up to go check it out in a mirror. Kitty meanwhile chuckles. "Oh, it's fine, just hopefully not this much around the rest of the school," she says.

Kitty gets a big smile and she nods. "They were both amazing. From what I'm told. I still don't remember anything from it, except some vague recollections of talking to Rachel when she went into my head," she says.

Tommy looks over to Chris to ask, "So am I ok to go now?" Kitty tells him, "Just be careful out there. We need to get that spot salted as well. Or, well I could get Lockheed to dry it up I guess," she says. She smiles to Sam and Shannon. "He deserves it. Has saved my life, the whole team's lives, on a number of occasions."

Triage has posed:
"You should be fine, Tommy," Chris answers, patting the teen's shoulder. "Only be careful about that ice. Landing on your backside is neither fun nor dignified." He grins. "Give my regards to Mr. Parker when you see him. And pay attention when he explains about Valence electrons and ionization. Both are important concepts to learn if you want to follow him into chemistry."

Nightingale has posed:
Shannon chuckles softly, and winks at Tommy. "Chemistry always made a lot more sense to me in the kitchen. You could try looking up images online of various molecular gastronomy techniques, and then see if you can explain how they might work through chemistry. Maybe even try some of them out yourself. Then you manage to learn two things at once, and maybe impress the ladies a little bit."

Triage has posed:
Chris looks to Shannon and grins. "Chemistry can be quite an impressive thing," he agrees. "Now," he adds, looking to the three visitors. "Shall we call it a night?" He gestures toward the door. "I think so."