10957/Finding Balance

Finding Balance
Date of Scene:	02 February 2020
Location:	Library - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Shannon and Colossus meet in the library for some hot mulled cider (non-alcoholic, of course!), talk of the recent patrol, and life lessons.
Cast of Characters:	Colossus, Nightingale

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Colossus has posed:
    It is in the warm confines of the library in Xavier's mansion that things can sometimes seem their most homey. Especially on an evening such as this with the embrace of winter so clear outside. That shock of white with the freshly fallen snow and the chill of frost upon the windows, it lends a feeling of old man Winter's caress. Though inside the library he's held off by the crackle of the fireplace and the warmth and coziness of the decor.
    For Piotr Rasputin it is ideal. Especially with his freshly made mulled cider in its mug on the end table beside him, right next to a thermos of more since the tall Russian knows he is likely to have more than just the one mug's worth.
    In his lap is an old leatherbound book that he is perusing, occasionally taking a sip from his mug. Turning a page. Enjoying the atmosphere of such a night as this.

Nightingale has posed:
     Free of the medbay at last and newly returning from a trip to Salem Center with some friends, a familiar winged figure tiptoes into the library. It was a place of quiet and normally of solitude. Little droplets of melting snow cling to the ends of her mostly blonde hair, and linger upon her white tunic sweater, like a dusting of diamonds gifted by old man Winter. Her boots have been left behind in her dorm, leaving the girl in her stocking feet. She carries an old, well-loved volume of some sort, one that bears the image of a Pegasus rearing, neighing a challenge to some unseen foe.

     The sitting area by the fireplace, however, was already occupied. Shannon pursed her lips slightly, reluctant to disturb another in the midst of their own thoughts. Still, the crackling and warmth of the flames was tempting...

Colossus has posed:
    Though it is a place of solitude and the library is larger than most, it is not so big that the arrival of another is entirely unlikely to go unnoticed. Piotr looks up, bright blue eyes looking across the way to met Shannon's gaze and he smiles. One hand lifts the mug a bit as he signals his greeting at first merely with gesture and then with words, "Privyet, Shannon. Join me, do." He motions with a nod to the other of three chairs set up in a semi-circle around that fireplace.
    And he lifts his chin, "I have made mulled cider," Non-alcoholic of course, "Would you care for some?" Though there is not another mug he does have the top of the thermos available at hand to serve in that role.
    In his lap he has a book that declares on the spine prominently the word simply depicted as 'ROME' and beneath it the name of the author, harder to discern but a single word for the name.

Nightingale has posed:
     Who could refuse an offer like that? Keeping her wings tucked in neatly behind her, Shannon makes her way over to join Colossus, seeming perhaps a bit smaller inside than usual despite the smile tugging the corners of her lips upwards. "Spasibo... hopefully that's right?" Her pronunciation is far from perfect, yet hopefully the intent was understood. The mention of mulled cider draws a light laugh from her, and she wrinkles her nose a bit. "Better you make it than I. The last time I tried it, I went a little heavy on the cloves and had a numb tongue for the rest of the night."

Colossus has posed:
    A nod is given to her, her smile returned back to her as he leans forward to take up the thermos and remove the cap. "Then all the more reason you should have some now, yes?" And as he says that he twists the top off of the container and flips the lid over, allowing him to pour some of the still steaming liquid into that plastic container. That is then set upon the table between the and he will break off the top of his cinnamon stick to place it in hers.
    There, now with that cobbled together cider he extends it toward her and lets the smile return. "I see you are doing better, Shannon. I am glad." That said he closes his book mostly, though holds his place with one fingertip. One large leg crosses over his thigh as he tilts his head toward you.
    "How do you feel?"

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon accepts the improvised cup of spiced cider with a smile of gratitude, setting her book down on the table nearby; the wording on the spine proclaims the volume to be 'Greek Myths and Legends', bearing no hint of a label that might otherwise mark it as a library book. Perhaps it is a volume from her own collection? Her jeans barely whisper against the chair as she sits down, curling her legs up beneath her and settling her wings into a more relaxed pose.

     For a few moments, she stirs the cider slowly with the cinnamon stick, actually taking it out and nibbling on the end, with an evident fondness for the spice. "That... is a loaded question," she begins, her voice quiet. "Physically, I feel much better. But the nightmares will probably linger a few more days." She shrugs, a bit nonchalant about the whole thing. "I'm not certain how much you heard about the whole incident...?"

Colossus has posed:
    The tall man's eyes hood a little as his brow beetles, a touch of concern assuredly as he tilts his head to the side. A nod is given as she speaks as he follows along with her words. When she mentions feeling better physically he gets a small smile as if relieved and then straightens up in his chair a little at the mention of nightmares.
    "Da, time is usually all that can help when such preys upon one's mind." Then he tilts his head to the side at her question. "Only what little was in the after action report. I would be interested in hearing your side of matters. My sister does not often speak of such at length."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Things would have gone much worse, had it not been for your sister and Gwen. Wish I had half their courage and smarts." The firelight dances in Shannon's pale azure eyes, the winged girl enjoying the aroma of fruit and spices in her cup. It's a comforting, homey scent, a bit of cheer to steady the nerves and soothe the soul. She takes a small sip, gathering her thoughts.

     "It started as what should have been a routine patrol. You'd think we'd know by now that routine, isn't. I spotted the smoke out over the water, and it turned out to be a ship in distress. Or, more precisely, being hijacked. Either it was one of Mr. Stark's vessels, or it was from someone who does business with him, because some of the crates on board bore the logo."

     The winged teen cracks a bit of a smile, her eyes twinkling with a hint of what could almost be termed glee. "The crew of the ship were being held on deck towards the stern of the vessel. There were about fifteen we saw, including the captain, being guarded by three of the hijackers. I dropped two of them with a flying drop-kick from behind." She actually laughs for a moment, shaking her head. "Remind me not to tick off your sister. I don't think I'd want to wind up in an infinite loop between two portals like she did to the third person who was holding the crew captive."

Colossus has posed:
    "I am sure they are saying the same thing about your presence, Shannon." Piotr says after her first few words, but then he falls silent for the time, turning to listening as his eyes follow her lips at points only occasionally returning to her gaze. Perhaps it helps him with translating what she says, or perhaps it is more habit from his learning.
    At the mention of Stark his eyebrows lift with curiousity and he nods again, one hand lifting to gesture that she should continue though she had not shown a sign of halting. He takes a sip of his cider and watches as she elaborates.
    Then she mentions Illyana's efforts and his lips twist upwards, warm but there is still a hint of concern. Perhaps just at the prospect of his sister in harm's way.
    "What happened then?"

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon sighs a little bit, her grip tightening on the cup in her hands. It is as if she is drinking in the warmth to steel her nerves to continue the tale of the patrol gone awry. "I heard one of the hijacker's radios go off. Someone was talking about setting charges, and whatever those goons were after was ready to be taken off the ship. Gwen and Illyana went to the bow of the ship to take care of things, and I took to the air to see if I could spot the charges." She grimaces, shivering and taking a long sip of the cider. "Oh, I found them, alright. Three satchel charges. If I'd have had any sense I'd have seen if Illyana could've portaled them out of there. But my only thought was getting those charges the hell off the ship and into the water, because it seemed pretty likely they were going to be set off remotely."

     She shivers a second time, her voice gone a bit quiet. "I did manage to get them out over the water and drop them. But they were detonated, and I had no time to get clear. The last thing I remembered was being knocked out of the sky and hitting the deck of the ship, hard. Next thing was, I woke up in the medbay with my midsection wrapped up, my wings in splints, and one nasty egg on the back of my head."

Colossus has posed:
    A nod is given slow and steady as he listens to her replay of the scenario. He frowns a little and takes another sip of cider, then says quietly. "Very heroic of you." Agreeing that her actions to save the others from the blast charges was a good one. He unfolds one leg then crosses it over the other, shifting his weight to the other hip as he looks on at her.
    "But yes, it is best in such conflicts to have the capabilities of your comrades in mind as well as your own. Would have been more wise to allow Illyana to aid."
    But then he holds up a fingertip, "Though such connection and forethought often only comes with time and practice. Is best to train with the people you intend to go into conflict with as much as you can. To become second nature, these thoughts. So you did well."
    Then the smile, "But always room for improvement. I am glad it did not cost you too dearly, this lesson."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shrugging a little, she smiles faintly. A faint hint of rose tints her cheeks at the compliment of her actions. "Just doing what had to be done. I'm no hero." Shifting a little bit in her chair, she nods in agreement to his wisdom in regards of the capabilities of one's teammates. "There is a lot I don't know about her gifts. But if it looks like I'll be going in the field with her, you're right, it'd be wise to train with her more often. I'm more frequently paired with Bean, if anybody. And that's if I'm let out in the field at all."

     Pinching the bridge of her nose lightly, the winged teen shakes her head. "It's difficult, being in this position. On one hand, I know the teachers want to do their job and protect us. I had a similar talk with Kitty about this. The teachers want to protect us, but sooner or later trouble will find us, even if we don't go looking for it. How can there be balance between the need to prepare properly and actually get out in the field to do some good out there, and the need for the teachers here to keep us safe? Is there a way to find that balance?"

Colossus has posed:
    "You have time, Shannon." Piotr says as he remains seated there in his chair, the book pulled over to rest upon his lap. "Not too long ago... most of us did not have the choice to be able to take the time needed to train. For there were... matters most pressing." Which might be an understatement considering the trials and tribulations they had to face when many of the X-Men were first to be X-Men.
    "Take that time to focus on training, for self-improvement, and finding your niche from which to operate. Your time has not come yet, da? And it is a good thing. For it is ever a dire day when duty and sacrifice calls."
    He smiles gently, one large hand lifting to push through his short dark hair and then that hand rests upon his shoulder. "My advice to you is this. Prepare. Gain what experience you can safely. But be ready for the call. It may be us at one time coming home and asking for everyone's help against a threat to the world. Or it may be simply in a friend asking you for life advice that you can grant. Do not view either path as a lesser one."

Nightingale has posed:
     "If that call ever comes. It'd be nice to be needed sometimes." The wistful note quavering in the girl's voice betokened too many times of longing, needing to help, and often being left without the opportunity to do so. The mention of the lack of choice to train has her furrowing her brows, and tilting her head slightly to the side. Just what had he and the others gone through? What trials had they endured?

     "Life advice? From me? Ha. Maybe someday, when I get to be your age, perhaps." There is a hint of laughter in her voice, a bit of teasing to chase away the more somber mood of the moment.

Colossus has posed:
    "So old as me, indeed. The oldest of old X-People." Piotr tells her with a half smirk. He takes up his mug and takes another sip, only to find it mostly empty. Then he gauges how much is left in the thermos. He crinkles his nose. "Bah. I seem to be out of cider." He starts to push himself to his feet. "This was a fine talk, Shannon. Thank you for sharing with me."
    That said he turns and moves toward the door and then asks sidelong, "Is there anything I can get you?"

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon shakes her head, and smiles a little bit. "Just the chance to maybe be of help to you one day. You and your sister have both been very kind and that means a lot. Thank you." Finishing her cider, Shannon replaces the improvised cup back on top of the thermos, and scoops up her book from the table. A whisper of fabric against the chair, and she is on her feet, bringing the thermos back over to Colossus. "It would be nice to give a little back to a friend who has given so much."