12256/X-DoorDashers

X-DoorDashers
Date of Scene:	28 September 2020
Location:	X-Men Safehouse, Adirondacks Mountains, NY
Synopsis:	Ororo and Scott come to check on Jean and discuss the nature of cosmic forces, their potential doom, and contingency plans over waffles.
Cast of Characters:	Storm, Phoenix, Cyclops

---

Storm has posed:
Perhaps it goes without saying that the morning was gorgeous. Ororo only smiling softly if asked if she ever uses her power to make sure that certain events have such perfect weather. The sun was bright and only wispy, playful clouds skated across the blue expanse. A wind kept the air from being too stagnant or humid but barely enough to rustle trees around them.

Storm let Scott drive them, enjoying the window being down and her hair up in a simple ponytail. In the back seat was a long container that was currently filled with wheat pancakes, waffles, some over-night oatmeal and yogurt, and enough fruit to feed at least two people. Storm also had prepared a black tea and coffee for the venture and had both in large thermoses. Glancing over to Scott from behind her sunglasses and smiling. "I miss her presence at the school. I hope this goes well and we can have her returned to us. Much is lost without her."

Jean was her best friend and the absesne was felt keenly by the Weather Witch. Nodding when she stepped out of the vehicle and helped with the supplies brought along.

Phoenix has posed:
After the basketball game the other day, Charles had a long chat with Scott about their progress. It wasn't as good as he'd hoped. Containing the Phoenix was not going to be an option. Each time they tried, the resulting bonds were increasingly weaker and crumbled in short order, only serving to aggravate the being more. Sleep fraught with nightmares was the least of their issues. Blood was starting to be shed more than tears. Only fast intervention kept the cabin from going up in flames. Outside the cabin, there are several fissures in the ground where before there had been none.

Jean had sent Charles into the nearest town to have a more comfortable place to rest and care for himself that was actually ADA compliant versus a very rustic cabin in the midst of nowhere. She loved him, but this was no place for an aging man in a wheelchair to try and get some sleep - and be safe from her restless nights. The argument over it was likely an extended one, but as there's no signs of him it's clear who won. As she so often has as the years wore on.

The woman in question is outside chopping wood. It's fall and the mountain nights are colder than is comfortable for all the days are pleasant. Surprisingly, she's doing it by hand. While she's strong enough to rip the logs in two with her mind, here she is instead trying not to chop her own leg off. She's not good at it, and the ground near her is littered with gouges where the axe missed.

Storm has posed:
Storm tipped the sunglasses to the top of her head as she came down the slope and wound through a few of the trees. The trek there had to be finished on foot and Ro didn't fancy flying just now. Simply enjoying the press of nature. Some humidity in the air tickled along her skin and told her much alongside the pressure fluxuations. There would be some light rain later in the day, though there wasn't enough energy in the air for it to result in a storm.

Once she stepped past the treeline and saw Jean, her smile was brilliance itself. The wind wisking along the ground in result of the happiness at seeing her friend after so long. "Jean." Her voice warm and rich in it's tenor as she made her way to the small bench to set the things down and walk up quickly to embrace her. Blue eyes touching along Jean's features. "The sun does you well, my friend. I have missed you."

Ro knew that this was necessary. Knew what it was like to have a build of pressure within you that wanted to break free. She also knew what it was like to be feared and how sick it made her. Turning to let her and Scott have a pseudo privacy as she set up the plates and cups so that a family style breakfast could be enjoyed. Turning back around and holding a hand over her lips as she sees Scott take the axe from Jean and head towards the woodpile. "Splitting wood is not an easy task, I can see the determination to learn." Teasing Jean as she sat down on the bench.

Cyclops has posed:
As he makes his way after Ororo, Scott lets the woman take point in the conversation as he will take over the chore of chopping wood. As he plucks the axe up from the ground, he hefts it in his hands to feel his weight, then gives it a few swings. Shifting his jaw to one side, he takes his cap off and turns it around so that the brim is behind him and his hair is tucked proper.

He puts a log up on the chopping block and starts to go at it. As the field leader for the X-Men, he's had a lot of his own stress to work out, on top of him missing Jean around the school. The first chop comes down steady and quick, splitting through the wood, then kicks the two halves to the side so that he can pluck up another.

"Hey." He calls over to Jean as he gives her a smile, trying not to allow too many worried thoughts to be at the forefront, but knowing Jean, she can read every single word of worry in his eyes alone. Even if they are behind ruby quartz Raybans.

Phoenix has posed:
Jean must be keeping her powers muzzled, because she entirely misses their approach until there's the sounds of feet coming up the overgrown gravel and dirt drive that's little better than a goat path at this point. The axe is abruptly dropped and her task forgotten as Jean meets Ororo halfway to return the embrace with enthusiasm. "The sun's the only good thing up here! I'm missing all of my garbage tv shows." From the outside the hug looks normal, but she's holding on to Ororo just a bit tighter, like she was afraid that when she let go the woman wouldn't be there and vanished as quickly as the breeze she can call.

"I'm glad you two came all of the way up here, I know it's a long hike." Jean says as she finally does let go so she can walk over and give Scott a quick hug, peck, and whispered effection before he goes to work. She doesn't harass him about the chopping. She doesn't need her power to know when he's got something to work out, and good luck getting him to talk about anything until he's got all of his thoughts properly in order and cataloged first.

She'll help carry in the food, with the lone place to put it is a single counter space and a card table. A few pieces of furniture, including the futon that was here, have been set to the side with a sheet draped over them. Given the scorch marks still marked on the floor, it's a likely guess as to their fate. "There's... not many things to sit on unless we grab some logs or cots. I can always drag the table outside?" Jean says in her best attempt to not let too much embarrassment creep into her voice.

Storm has posed:
Not much got past the Weather Witch's keen eye. Jean's tight embrace is noted and she makes a mental note to spend more time with Jean. With her ability to call rain, it would likely do much to soothe her friend's worried mind. "You shall have something to look forward to when you return. Maybe order a pizza and binge watch some of it?" Playfully stealing the lingo she'd picked up from the students.

When Jean came back in and Storm's arms were empty, she embraced the woman once again. SPeaking softly into familiar red hair. "I am here for you, my friend. Nothing would ever drive me away." Smiling warmly, but there was steel in her voice. Ororo was resolute as a mountain when she needed to be, a testament to the fact that the world had not been pitched into a weather apocalypse. "This is fine. I brought a blanket for a picnic, if we wished. I assure you, the weather shall be kind." Winking almost impishly as she gestured for everything to be carried back out and laid the blanket out before sitting on it. "How do you fare out here? Do you need anything? I could always fly out a picnic table to enjoy your meals beneath the skies."

Cyclops has posed:
"We brought you an iPad and a hot spot so you can at least watch something." Scott says after he splits a third log that he moves into. The affection he returned was a rare bit of public attention. He returned the kiss to her, brushing his fingers through her hair before he rests his forehead to hers. At home, they're two professional co workers and teammates, but here in the open, he is far more vulnerable.

"You two go catch up while I finish the wood here. I'll carry it to the back and stack it." He says as he shrugs out of his windbreaker, then peels out of his shirt so that it won't get smudged with dirt and mud. He gives a few more swings of the axe to loosen his arms before he sets up another log.

"We can talk a bit later." There's a twitch of his lips into a fond smile for two of his oldest friends. "Hank gives his love as well. He misses you greatly."

Phoenix has posed:
"Cheater." Jean shoots her old friend a Look mid-embrace and a warm smile despite the weight that clouds and shadows her eyes. "We can use the porch, there's enough stuff around that we can wing it. The dirt doesn't bother me really, I've gotten used to it. I've never minded camping. I just usually never went camping quite this long. You two should have told me you were coming, I'd have met you to help carry things." She picks up the card table and folds it so she can get it out the door and set it out on the small covered porch so she can start setting the food on it.

"Scott, you're a lifesaver. I miss Hank too, I miss *everyone*. Even when we live under each others noses, it was still reassuring to feel everyone nearby. It always felt like home. How's everything doing? Kids behaving themselves? Emma drink herself into oblivion yet?" The latter being asked with just a tiny mischievous twinkle in her eye though it is quick to fade. "I hate myself for saying it, but I almost miss the mindless hours of paperwork. They were boring but the headaches were manageable."

Storm has posed:
Storm knew that Jean needed some of the strength that Scott offered. Dependable and unwavering as the oak trees that surrounded them. She worried over her friend's mental state and knew that these meet ups were important to that mental health. Jean, like many of them, had grown accustomed to the people of the school and that support structure was tantamount to all of them. Being apart was as hard as it was having a piece missing.

Storm's laughter was full and unrestrained. "If you like I can also bring some paperwork with me. We can grade them together. Do you remember? Laughing over the most outlandish answers while sharing the whiskey you stole from Logan?" It was a fond memory that Storm kept close. "The kids will start behaving the day that that woman pours out the last of her wine." Shaking her head and smirking, sharing some of that impish twinkle.

Using the table and setting everything up and handing Jean a cup full of coffee. "You will soon be back with us and thinking back longingly to extended camping. Perhaps we can convince a few of the team to sneak away to celebrate the event." It would do them all good to make that connection once more.

Phoenix has posed:
"Oh no, no I'm good." Jean's laugh is quieter than that of Ororo, but the warmth is still there. "I miss the routine, not the actual thing. I'm in no rush to processing everyone's grading sheets and lesson plans." She collects up the coffee with an appreciative inhale of the steam and leans against the wall of the cabin. "It's been so long since we all did anything besides a hasty meet up at Harry's. Adulthood is entirely overrated."

"I hope I can come back soon." She says as she looks down into the coffee's rippling surface. "The Professor and I are both taking a few days to rest and gather ourselves. I'm going to try... talking to it. The only other time I tried, it was loud enough that I was blind and deaf for a few hours after. So I am not looking forward to this. We just don't have a choice. We can't contain it, it's too strong. So I have to hope it's willing to make peace."

Cyclops has posed:
"You sure it is wise to talk to it? It would make you vulnerable to whatever intentions it may have." Scott says as he furrows his brows into creases as he looks over towards them. He places the butt of the axe against his shoulder, then wipes some sweat from his brow with his free hand. "What if you were to bend to it's influence and you lose all control?" His lips press tighter together in a thin line, already starting to form contingeny plans in the back of his skull.

"I spoke with Emma the other day." He finally breathes out. "And she is terrified, even if you would not know it by the look on her face. She said that whatever is inside you will end us all, the world, the universe even if allowed to be unleashed. Is that true?"

Way to break the ice there, Scooter.

Storm has posed:
Storm's laughter easily tapered into a softer chuckle as Jean explained the longing for the routine and not the papers themselves. "There is no reason why a routine cannot be found here. I have brought some things to keep your hands busy. Specifically, I brought you a crochet hook and some yarn. I will show you later how to do it. It will go far in soothing nerves." She remembered being in Cairo on her own. It was the small things that kept your mind off of an empty belly or painful scrapes and bruises that got her through it.

"Do you want me to be here?" Nothing about whether it was safe or whether it should or shouldn't be done. Just if Jean wanted her there to lean on if it got to be too much. Sometimes, just knowing someone was there was enough to strengthen resolve. She looked over to Scott and took a slow sip of her tea. "It matters not how destructive this force is, if it cannot be contained. It must be reasoned with. There are balances in this world that none can sway. There must be moisture before there can be rain. Even on a cosmic level, there is matter and thus there must be anti-matter." She reached out and took Jean's hand.

"I know that it is the farthest thing from the same...but even I must release control over my emotions from time to time else they consume me. It is better when you can control the where and when. I will stand with you when you do this. I promise you this."

Phoenix has posed:
"Yah, she got a glimpse of it when we were talking." Jean says as she takes a drink, if only to wet her suddenly dry throat. "The Professor said he'd never encountered anything like this. I don't presume he's seen and knows everything, of course, but when you can tell he is actually afraid of something... Yeah, it's bad, but what's the alternative, Scott? Throwing open the gates and hoping things turn out okay? We know how well that usually goes. Cracking the door and holding out a peace offering may be the wiser choice."

"It's sentient, in its own way, but completely alien. I tried a few times when it was small and weak to get a feel for it, and it's like dealing with a - this is going to sound stupid - a cosmic-sized dolphin. You know it's intelligent. It can reason, it can think, it can feel, it has awareness, but it's still running on instinct and its from apart of the world that you can't comprehend. When its attention is on you, you know that it knows and is aware, but everything about it is raw and untamed. I guess it'd be like trying to talk to an intelligent hurricane. I don't know if this will work, but it seems better to try than to continue to enrage it and then it chooses the time and place to break free."

Ororo's vow is given a solemn, sad look and a squeeze of the hands she adds quietly, "I've been thinking about this. When I do this, I don't want anyone there. Not even the Professor. Me needing help is second to needing to protect all of you in case this goes south. If this place turns into ground zero, I need to make sure all of you are far away, because the people out there are going to need you."

Cyclops has posed:
There is another frown upon Scott's face as he gives them both a slow nod. He puts up another log on the chopping block, then shifts the axe in his hands. "Emma made it clear that there was only two people on this planet that may be able to .. stop you .. from destroying us all if all attempts to resolve this fail."

He slams the axe down hard on the log, letting the blade cut deep through the soft wood. "But, I think she was wrong. There's only one who has that courage." And it's not him, which is what his thoughts scream at the forefront of his mind, swallowed by his usual insecurities of a certain Canadian with claws. He can look Magneto in the eye, but when it comes to ending the life of his best friend and true love? He's weak.

"But you're going to beat this, because I believe in you, and I believe in the Professor. I know you, Jean. You won't let the worst happen. That's not who you are. You're a fighter."

Storm has posed:
Ororo glanced to Scott before looking down at her small cup of tea, though her eyes did not see it. She listened and nodded her head from time to time. Scott and Jean knew more about Ororo than most and knew that her power was directly related to her emotional state. "Like a storm building inside a small jar. It sounds almost feral...Perhaps you should speak with Logan or even Victor before you do this. I know none more in touch with instinct that them. What I do know is that something that...elemental." She shook her head and took a sip. Gathering herself.

Glancing up at Jean when she refused to have her here and gave a smile, returning the squeeze of her hand. Scott spoke harder truths than she liked to hear. "I think that is why this is important. This small handing of the olive branch. Jean, you have always been the heart that beats in all our chests. That kind of strength and determination should not be beyond consideration. If this entity is benevolent, then it will see this."

"Yet, I will be near when you do this. If anything to assure rain available in case your fire returns." A smile and lifting the hand and pressing her lips to Jean's knuckles in a sisterly manner. "I won't let you do this alone and if I cannot stand beside you, I will still be here."

Phoenix has posed:
"The world has no shortage of heroes and villains, and that can collectively account for a lot more then just two. *If* your collective backs go up against a wall, I don't doubt you'll all think of something. I trust everyone to survive, because if not then I have sorely misjudged just how stubborn you are. You know I wouln't let anything bad happen so long as I've still got a shred of my own thought left, but we're also the soldiers that he made us to be. I have to think on what may go wrong as much as what may go right." She says grimly. "I'll send word before I get to work so you're ready." Provided it lets her make the choice.

"You're right, Ro, maybe they would have some ideas. Though I'd kind of rather not let Victor know there's blood in the water, that may be asking for trouble. He's calmed down but we can't let that give us a false security. He's not much different in that regard. We may be able to find a way to live in peace, but it may never be truly safely."

Cyclops has posed:
"I think what Emma means is that in the moment of rage and fury and flames of destruction that will devour the world .. there is only two of us that will cause you to blink and pause, so that we can .. resolve .. it .. swiftly." Scott trails off for a moment before he lets out another heavy breath. "The world has no shortage of heroes, but none of which can stand in your path according to her. I don't know what she saw inside of you, but it terrifies her and she is a woman who does not scare easy. It scares me as well."

"Victor." He says with a light scoff, laughing. "I can't believe he's almost an X-Man. After all the years of fighting and pissing matches .. it's him that is .. at our side now. Working with Logan. Even if they do go at it in the hallways at times. Can you imagine what he would have been like if the Professor didn't find him earlier?"

Storm has posed:
Ro did not like thinking along such lines, though it was a foolish thing to not consider the worst case scenario. Ro simply nodded and would give nothing more in such regards to this. She would do what must be done, even at the risk of her own heart breaking. Yet, Jean had more than just Ororo's heart. She looked at Scott who admitted that Logan had a place in Jean's heart as well, much as she knew it pained him to admit it. Truly, they had all become more than what they started as. A testament to the strength of allies, she was certain.

"I understand your reluctance, but Victor is more at ease with his...animal than Logan. No offense to Logan meant." Victor Creed was a force of nature that sometimes frightened her - not that she would ever admit or show that. "Still, if we do not reach out to him and give him the choice then we simply slap away the hand held out to us. You can also trust that he will speak candidly. In truth, I would rather he know there is blood in the water than he have some insight that we did not consider."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey looks to Scott as he speaks of endings and her expressions darken then sink with her eyes turning back down to her coffee with a bitter murmur, "Gods walk among us, but it'll come down to friends. You'd think the universe would have gotten bored with that narrative by now." She tips back her head to drain the mug of coffee before turning her attentions to food. It may be a heavy topic, but it's doesn't mean she needs to keep an empty stomach.

"Maybe, I just rather not give him excuses to lapse into old behavior. He knows what I mean to you all. There's reasons Logan hates him as much as he does. He wouldn't tell me all of the details and he couldn't remember it all, but something... terrible happened between them. Something very personal. I don't want me become the catalyst for those two blowing up right when you all don't need to be dealing with it."

Cyclops has posed:
"Terrible things happen to a lot of people. Doesn't mean they have to rip each other's throats out over it." Scott says with a frown on his face as he starts to gather the wood up into his arms, then makes his way to the side of the house to deposit them into the bin. He brushes the splinters off his chest and stomach with a few swipes of his hands, then heads over to gather up his shirt.

"Before you blow up and kill us all, Jean, can you make a promise to at least take Apocalypse out first. I'd love to see his smug face one last time before he is turned into atoms. That guy is a real jerk." He tries his hand at levity as he gives the red head small smile.

Storm has posed:
"The Gods will never tire of their trials." She let Jean's hand go when she reached for the food. Helping to pass over anything needed and taking some of the fruit to put on the wheat pancakes she loved. "You at least have one Goddess on your side." Said with a self depreciating smile as she shook her head. She had never been comfortable with such a role given to her. Yet, if anything she was could be given to Jean to help in this? Ro wouldn't hesitate.

"I do not think that he should come alone, no. I also do not think he is stupid enough to try to attack you. You are not an opponent chosen lightly, Jean Grey." Chuckling softly at the idea of someone underestimating Jean in a fight. "Scott is right, though. I also do not think he should come with Logan. I swear that water and oil sometimes mix more easily than those two." Shaking her head slightly. Only to look up with wide eyes as Scott made a joke about Apocalypse and chuckled softly. It wasn't a great joke, but surely the effort should be rewarded. "Perhaps I will move out here with you after all." Said quietly to Jean with a wink.

Phoenix has posed:
"I'll move him to the top of the smite list, right under that barista who tried to impose a syrup limit. No one tells me how many pumps can go into my Frappuccino. No one." Speaking of people who chose their battles poorly.

"First then, I'll speak to Logan. I am not about to do Logan wrong like that by going to Victor first. *If* there's still some room for ideas, then I will... see about speaking with Victor." She says the words while sucking on a tooth, like she'd bit into a particularly sour lemon. "He's not stupid, which is the problem." She does slant a look towards Ororo as she adds, "Water and oil mix just fine if you shake it hard enough."

She pops a mouthful of food into her mouth to wash away the flavor of desperation. "So that's the plan then. Keep myself calm, talk to Logan to figure out how to reason with instinct, *maybe* talk to Victor, give you all a head's up, then wade into a psychic lion's den while wrapped in steaks and hope I come out the other side. This'll go great."

Cyclops has posed:
"I don't think we should include Victor at all in something like this. It has to be Logan .. or myself. And I don't think I can do it, Jean." Scott says as he gives a stretch of his body, then heads into the cabin. "I'm going to take a shower and rinse all of this off while you two catch up. I love you." He says over to Jean, and a little bit meant for Ro' as well. She is his big sister after all.