11869/Jolteon, I Choose You!

Jolteon, I Choose You!
Date of Scene:	29 July 2020
Location:	Jackson Heights, Queens
Synopsis:	A young mutant previously rescued by the X-Men, Cloak, and Dagger is rescued again - this time from suburban drudgery. Onwards to adventure! Onwards to... more high school.
Cast of Characters:	Faraday, Nightcrawler, SpyderByte

---

Faraday has posed:
After being returned home from her very poorly advertised cruise (0/10, do not recommend), Indira had some thinking to do. It was easy to do that, because her parents absolutely refused to let her out of the house under any circumstances. She's started wearing holes in the carpet from where she's been pacing. It wasn't a difficult sell to her parents to get Indira enrolled. A school of all mutants? Protected by mutants? Protected by /a lot of stuff/? The call was maybe fifteen minutes max.

So today is that day. Indira's bags and a box of stuff sits in the entry of their basic, middle class home just outside of Bushwick. The girl in question is inside sitting on the couch, a wireless controller in hand while she plays the newest rendition of GTA. Suffice to say, she is not driving at anything even remotely approaching legal speeds.

"Indira," Says her mother, a polished but modest middle-aged woman. "Have you finished packing your clothes? Toiletries? Did you remember your medication?"

"OH COME ON! Stupid local! I was clearly right f---"

"Indira!"

"What? Mom, gimme a minute to finish this race!"

Nightcrawler has posed:
    The non-descript black can pulls up to the front of their home, though Kurt was not driving. He had on a nice suit, and a hat (yes, it *is* a trilloby!) and he gives a soft puff of air outwards, turning to the student who's accompanied him today on this errand.

    "Feeling particularly social today, Jeremy?" he questions playfully.

SpyderByte has posed:
Tapping his fingers together, Jeremy glances upwards towards Kurt, then blows his hair away from his face. It's long now, hanging past his chin at this point. He's wearing his thick hoodie and black chained pants. Holding his phone in his hands, he turns it about a bit.

<< A little. I had to pet a bear last night at the swimming pool. >> Okay. That's weird.

Faraday has posed:
As they pull up in front of the house, there's a soft and subtle sensation that things are just Right. It's an old house but taken care of, nothing too remarkable. Maybe it's the color of blue? Or the carefully tended gardens out front. The air around the property is soothing and even refreshing, like a night of good rest in a comfortable bed.

"MOOOOM!" Okay, that doesn't mean someone in there is feeling warm and cozy. Indira stares in shock at the black screen of the television that her mother just turned off.

"There is a car outside, they're here. So be sure you have everything, Indi." Says her mother, followed by a man's voice from the kitchen. "Indira, listen to your mother."

Huffing noisily, the teen gets up from the couch and tosses the controller aside. "Ugh, I'm sure I have everything. You didn't have to ship me off this fast." She peeks out the window in the door, squinting at the car outside.

Nightcrawler has posed:
    "These things do happen at the school." Kurt agrees amicably, and he activates his holographic disguise, appearing just as a normal looking human being would, albeit with blue-black hair and very light eyes. "Well, shall we go introduce ourselves to the new student?" he offers chipperly, and he hops up, galliantly to ring at the door. "They should be expecting us. I'm sure she is just as excited to meet us." he states with a wry smile.

    And as Indi had poked her head out, she might have seen the slightly stooped form of Kurt Wagner, the Amazing Nightcrawler, turn into a mild-mannered gentleman wearing a gray suit and a stupid hat.

SpyderByte has posed:
<< She likes to use a lot of curse words to her friends when she texts them. >>

Jeremy says from his spot in the car, his cheek pressed to the window and staring out into the street.

<< She also uses a lot of middle finger emojis. >>

Nudging the car open, the Goth steps out in all his black glory. He easily stands out amongst a nice neighborhood. He's boneless, lanky and broody. He reaches up to pull his hood down to at least reveal his face behind his thin glasses. He nods to Kurt. Ready when you are.

Faraday has posed:
Indira Bhandari squints at the two as they get out of the car with a curious, interested noise in the back of her throat as she spies the holographic tech being initialized. "Huh, nifty." Then she just stands up and yanks the door right open and leans herself in the frame with her arms crossing over her chest. "Yo. So they sent you to get me out of another box, huh? They find you in one too?" She asks then of Jeremy.

No preamble and clearly she remembers Kurt. She doesn't even blink at a gasp of outrage from her mother. "...Mom, chill. Geez." With a roll of her eyes, she steps aside and gestures them in with an excess of grandiosity and a voice so dry it could flatten soda. "Oh do please come in, we've been waiting for your arrival. Can we get you tea?"

Nightcrawler has posed:
    "Ah! That is a voice I know!" Kurt's cheery voice rings out, and he takes off his hat as he makes his way to the door. "Good afternoon Indira, Mrs. Bhandari. It's a pleasure to meet you in person," he states to the mother, and then to Indira, "And not in such dire circumstances. I'm glad you are no worse for wear!" he smiles cheerily, and straightening up. "I am Kurt Wagner, and this is one of the students who has agreed to help me out today, Jeremy Statton -- and tea would be wonderful, yes, please." he gives a cheery smile.

SpyderByte has posed:
The question about finding him in a box causes Jeremy to hunker down a bit behind Kurt. He scuffs his foot on the ground a few times before he lightly cleras his throat. "No." He says simply, one word and in a shy tone. He shifts his eyes to the side and towards the ground as he rubs at his elbow of his opposite arm, then holds his phone a bit tighter in the free hand.

"I-I-I c-c-c-c-an g-get yuh-y-our bags." The soft stammer comes out as he sways a bit on the sides of his feet. "Ss..ssssorry about m-uh-my v-voice." He seems reluctant to use his phone for a change.

Faraday has posed:
Mrs. Sita Bhandari is quick to rush up to Kurt with a bright smile on her face. "Oh, Mr. Wagner, is is a *pleasure* to see you again. Our family is forever in your debt. If we can ever be of service, please don't hesitate to ask. I will never forget what you have done for us."

"Literally." Mutters Indira under her breath as she passes by Jeremy. "She can't forget *anything*. Really sucks sometimes." She looks down to her two lumpy duffle bags, a duct taped cardboard box, and one moderate suitcase. "Sure, if you want. I can grab some too." She squint at Jeremy as he apologizes. "Why? It's a voice. Not like you're blowing out my eardrums or anything." She hoists up one of her duffles and slings it over her shoulder.

From the kitchen comes Mr. Naveen Bhandari, carrying a tray of handless cups and a tea pot which he sets down on a polished coffee table. "My wife is right." He says as Sita busily pours a cup for Kurt. "You brought our daughter home, and now offer her a safer one than we have been able to provide. It is a relief to know she'll be among those who will understand and can help watch over her."

Nightcrawler has posed:
    Kurt looks suprised, mildly, at Jeremy speaking up. His eyebrows rise up, and he leans over just slightly "If you are certain, Jeremy, but they have offered us a refreshment before we go. Let's take the tea first, and then we can manage the bags, ja?" he gives a smile, gently tapping the young man on the shoulder with apparently two fingers, though Jeremy would just feel the oversized one.

    "I'm sure you all may have some questions, and I would be happy to answer any before we make our way upstate."

SpyderByte has posed:
"P-P-People sss-ssstare at mmm... me.." Jeremy says in a softer voice to Indi in regards to his voice. He leans down to grab the straps of the bag, then hefts it up. It's heavy. He gives a bit of a wobble on his feet, then reaches down to use his other hand to pull it upwards.

When Kurt interjects, he sheepishly lowers the bag back down to his feet, then gives a slow nod as he peeks up at Indi from behind his waves of thick bangs. "Okay." He says in his usual hushed tone as he inches over towards a chair and settles down into it, swallowing up within his oversized hoodie.

Faraday has posed:
Indira Bhandari was inching for the door as Kurt insisted Jeremy stay and have tea and there's a fleeting stare of longing from the teen as she looks out the window. "...aaaw man, first it's tea, then snacks, then more tea and snacks." She's dropping her duffle and shuffling for the kitchen before her father even calls out, "Indi, please bring the mawa and pinaca." She drags her feet as she goes, and the keen of ear could hear the static sparks the gesture causes.

"Most of the questions my wife and I had have been answered. Your headmistress has been very understanding with our calls. We just want to be reassured that she is doing well. I'm sure you understand that children are not always forthcoming with their academic and social difficulties."

Indi brings a silver tray out to set it on the coffee table. There are small square cakes that smell of cardamon, milk, and almonds and are sprinkled with pistachio. There are also balls that looks to be rolled in cocoa powder, but smell more like brown sugar and coconut. There's also small containers of cream, sugar, and several small spoons and napkins. She slumps down restlessly in one of the oversized, plush armchairs in the meticulously arranged living room. "What they mean is they don't think I'm ever going to call, text, or email them because they'll find out I'm skipping all of my classes to play video games or go meet up with boys or something."

"Nothing of the sort." Indira's father insists. "The past week has been one of the most difficult times for our family. We just want to be sure that she is comfortable and happy and doing well."

Nightcrawler has posed:
    Kurt gives a gentle smile to Jeremy, and explains; "Jeremy is another newer student at the school. I used to actively teach, but now take more of a support role." Kurt explains as he seats himself. "Ah! Mawa, Jeremy, if you have not tried it before, it is very similar to fudge. Are those pistachios?" Kurt inquires, delighted at the sweets as he gives a nod of his head. "You are very gracious hosts, but really, knowing the children were able to return home is all the gratification and thanks I need." he smiles.

    He purses his lips a moment, and gives a nod.

    "I can certainly sympathize; this last week has been difficult on so many, and now you are sending Indira off again. I can assure you, we have a strict class schedule, we do insist on students learning, and because we have relatively small class sizes and they live on campus -- in most cases, save for some of the older students -- it becomes very difficult to skip classes." Kurt gives a smile.

    "They do get an assortment of classes. We have a wonderful physical education program. We are offering fencing and martial arts. I myself piloted our theater program, which is being continued by my active teaching replacement who also is overseeing our musical program -- and I, for one, always insisted my students contact home when they can." he gives a sad sort of smile. "We have many students who are not as fortunate as Indira or I, where our families celebrated our differences. She is very fortunate."

SpyderByte has posed:
Opening his mouth to respond, Jeremy pauses as they continue to talk. He gives a shake of his head at the question. No. He has never had it. He slowly inches forward to reach for a piece of 'fudge', putting it into the middle of a napkin. He casts a glance over towards Indira for a moment, then blinks his eyes a few times before he gives his phone a squeeze.

A message vibrates on her phone. Green text with a blinking spider cursor. << Hi. It's Jeremy. I am a technopath. I talk to networked machines. You will really like our rec room. It has a lot of video games. >>

Faraday has posed:
"See, Mom? Good student to teacher ratio, on campus living? I'll be fine! We really should go, it's a long drive and we shouldn't kee--" Indira is cut off with a 'tck' from her mother as she speaks to Kurt. "So long as she takes it easy. Her heart, you see, it has an arrhythmia and she really shouldn't push herself. She hates us for it and it grieves me to tell her no, but things like martial arts or soccer are just such a risk."

The girl sinks in her chair, staring up at the ceiling with that look of embarrassed teenager. "Mooooooom, you already sent them the medical papers. The people who need to know, know. So could you please not?" Undeterred, her parents continue to chatter poor Kurt's eat off while Indi slowly turns her head to give Jeremy one of those 'kill me' expressions. She picks up her phone to eye the message and cracks a lopsided grin, and she quickly types back. << That's sick! I can't wait to get out. I love my parents, but they're even more overbearing than before. I am seriously going to need a list of all the sports. I bet they're wild there. >>

Nightcrawler has posed:
    "I was appraised of her situation, and have made some reccomendations. Luckily, because of the nature of some of the student body, our medical staff is also top-notch, as I can personally attest to." Kurt gives a slight wince. "It was truly an unforgetable performance of King Leer." he jokes, happily distracting the parents so that the two students can get better acquainted.

    "Certainly many have physical and sometimes even emotional limitations. We will be keeping an especially close eye on Indira for both." he gives a smile. "And if it is so that she cannot partake, we have arts, music, sciences and..." he pauses a moment, "Outdoorsmanship Appreciation Classes." he finishes, thinking of Logan dragging all those students into the woods.

SpyderByte has posed:
<< I don't do sports, but the others play full contact with powers basketball and football. One of the new kids can turn into a bear. I got to pet him last night. He likes the pool a lot. >>

The next message comes through on the phone to Indira as he pokes at the fudge on his napkin, then takes a small bite. He gives a lick of his lips happily, then takes another larger one.

<< Let your parents have this moment. I wish mine cared about me, or was proud of me. They were happy to get rid of me, even before they found out I was a mutant. You are so lucky. >>

He shuffles a bit in place on the chair, picking at his napkin with his fingers.

<< You are going to have a lot of fun. We have a few classes together. So if you need someone to study with, I can help you. >>

Faraday has posed:
<< No sports. PFT. I'm gonna. >> Indira glances aside to Jeremy at the message about his family, her expressions faintly sour as she turns to type back. << Sorry your family are dicks, but at least no one is stringing you on. I hate lying, even to make someone feel better. It's just being cruel and it doesn't help them in the end. I love my folks, I'm just ready to live my own life. I can't sit safe on a couch forever. >>

"Excellent. We're happy to hear that, Mr. Wagner. A school such as yours is no doubt familiar with all sorts of challenges. Sita's family as well as my own came to this country many generations ago, seeking freedom from terrible persecution. Sadly it is a dream we still seek, but here there are hopes such as your school. We have every faith she will succeed and become a shining example of what hard work and dedication can achieve. But our daughter is right, we should not keep you so you can begin your drive. May we pack you some refreshments to go?"

Nightcrawler has posed:
    Kurt sips his tea. And he gives a soft 'oh!' sound, and smiles. "That is a dream that we all share. Immigrant and mutant alike." he gives a smile. "I would be most greatful for a few refreshments for the road, but please, don't let me put you out." he replies happily, and turns. "Indira, we can load your things, please make sure we are not forgetting anything." he gives a smile, and hops up, spritely, and goes to pick up some of Indira's duffles.

    He's not sexist, not in the least, but between the recovering student and Jeremy, he's confident that he could take all the bags... if he wanted to let his tail show.

SpyderByte has posed:
<< I would trade you parents in a heartbeat. They really love you. >>

Jeremy folds the napkin in half and gently places it back down on the plate, then rises up to his feet with a jingle of chains that hang from his pants. He reaches out to grab one of the bags again, hiking it upwards and over his shoulder as he gives another wobble. He offers up a polite smile to Indi's parents, then leans in to bump his shoulder against his new classmate's before he starts for the door. Thump. Jingle. Thump. Jangle.

<< You can have the radio. Mister Wagner plays German pop music and I do not understand it. Please pick something cool. >> The text practically pleads.

Faraday has posed:
<< Bet they'd adopt you if you asked. >> Texts back Indi before she hears those fabled words of dismissal. Freedom! Indira is up on her feet like a shot and with a bzzrck of static electricity as she abandons the chair. "Right, right, gimme thirty seconds. I'll go do one last run through." And run she does, up the steps towards where her room must be.

Sita, with grace and poise and probably held back tears of pride and sadness, delicately picks up the tray and carries it into the kitchen to load up things to go. Her husband remains, a professional smile on his face likely hiding much the same emotions. "It is no trouble at all. You saved our daughter. Nothing will be an inconvenience against that." He helps carry things as well, picking up the suitcase so he can assist in carrying it outside.

In short order, Indira is coming back downstairs with a bookbag over her shoulder. She scoops up the box left in the hall before following everyone with her mother in tow, with a plastic grocery bag full of boxes of snacks and bottles of water, more snacks than were on that tray. Moms. Firm hugs are exchanged between Indi and her parents, and each contact seems to bring about another pop of static, and more reminders to behave and take care of herself followed by Indira insisting she will keep it all in mind. Teenagers. "Alright! All ready to go. Let's get this road trip goin! Who's got shotgun?"

Nightcrawler has posed:
    "Thank you Mrs. Bhandari, you are too kind." Kurt insists, even a little embarrassed, but accepts the bag on behalf of the students. He'll send it to the kitchen, that should take care of it quickly.

    The items are loaded up and secured with bungees. The van is ready to go, Kurt gives one last wave to the Bhandari parents, and then when the question comes up:

    "I've got shotgun!" Kurt announces, holding up his hand -- and then looks at the two teenagers. "Oh, right, I'm the responsible adult." he gives a smile, and turning off his holographic projector, assumes the driver's seat.