12363/Two Telepaths and a School

Two Telepaths and a School
Date of Scene:	21 October 2020
Location:	Jean's Office - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Jean gets home and she and Emma come to some terms.
Cast of Characters:	Phoenix, Emma Frost

---

Phoenix has posed:
Jean has been back for a short time and (mostly) behaving herself. It was a good excuse to catch up on an unholy amount of emails, chat about a school dance, and otherwise get a feel for things she'd missed. But it was high time two women had a talk, and so as schedules freed up Jean and Emma made plans to sit down. Jean's in her office but not at the desk, instead sitting next to the fireplace in an oversized green sweater with her iPad in hand. She's scrolling through something but her attentions don't seem wholly focused on it. Her shoes are by the low gas fire that's going and look like they're propped up to dry.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma's been expecting to have a conversation as Jean has returned to the grounds. But there is also wariness to her as she joins the redhead in the office. "Jean," she greets in her usual cool tones. Being here, working with the students, seems to have softened her edges some -- although she still has that aristocratic bearing and coolness, she's less haughty. Just 'regal' in the sense that she holds herself to a very high standard.

As she makes her way into the office, she still looks like Emma Frost -- white slacks and white-blonde hair -- but unusually she's wearing a cashmere top in an glacier-blue that matches her icy eyes, its V-neck tastefully high without hiding the platinum necklace at her throat.

A surface scan of the other telepath is polite but definitely present as she walks to the seat across from Jean. "Is the lawn still wet, then?" The wet shoes.

Phoenix has posed:
"The lake is wet, and yeah, the lawn too." Jean replies as she sets aside her tablet. To the initial senses, Jean is still herself if physically a bit thinner than she left. Tempered and aware for all her calm outside demeanor. But she is more now, as if everything about her was turned up a few notches on the dial. It is there. No one needs to directly see the sun to see its light and feel its heat. It is unstrained now but diffused, as much apart of Jean now as her own powers.

"I was out talking with Scott, Alex, and Victor. We all happened to catch each other on our respective walks. I meant to catch up with you earlier but I know you've been busy. Has everything been going alright?"

Emma Frost has posed:
"Well enough," is Emma's reply. Her eyes are intent on the redhead as she gets a feel for what's going on with her. "I noticed you were replying to emails from the students." The observation is made calmly, but there is a protective sense to Emma -- as if she's unsure of Jean right now. "Are you certain you're ready to step back in?" The unspoken part of the inspection, of course, is felt by the redhead. Emma's not trying to *hide* that she is deliberately and carefully scanning for Jean's mental well-being and for anything of concern.

Phoenix has posed:
"I'm not going to eat you, if that's what you mean." Jean says, probably with all of the reassurance of a tiger telling a snow leopard that it doesn't mean any harm. It may not in that moment, but that doesn't mean it can't. "Or the kids. I'm me, Emma. Just a little more.... eh, enlightened, for having been sitting on a mountain. She and I have made our peace."

Emma would find no turmoil like she did before. Instead of cages, there's a whisper of a starscape, and beyond the human thoughts and feelings of Jean the sense of the Phoenix. Still vast, yawning, and wholly alien; but it seems calm now. "There's a lot still to understand, but we're working through it. Me sitting idle isn't going to help. I still have a life to live, but I have been working on plans to take some of the weight off and not try to do everything myself like I had been doing."

Emma Frost has posed:
Tipping her head, Emma acknowledges that Jean is *allowing* her to see into her mind with a quirk of her lips. "I'm quite certain you'd still find yourself biting off more than you can chew if you tried," she retorts evenly on the whole 'not going to eat you' thought.

"You seem on a more even keel," Emma admits, her telepathic fingers still testing the edges of Jean's expanded perceptions. Not a challenge so much as a verification that the Phoenix isn't simply biding its time before wreaking havoc. "Your integration is certainly more seamless than I expected to find it at this early stage." Crossing her legs at the knee, Emma purses her lips. "So tell me what I can do to assist in keeping you in a place where you aren't so overwhelmed as to then turn into a ravening Logan."

Phoenix has posed:
"Well if we ever need a school fundraiser, we could probably sell tickets to it." Ah, there Jean is. Her humor is a refreshing spark, like swiping a hand across a foggy bathroom mirror and seeing the clear reflection under it. There's no push back from Jean or her roommate for all of the psychic rifling. Things do seem at peace in that newly expanded world of Jean's mind, though as the inspection continues, Emma would find the impression of some scars like the cracks in the earth left by fault lines. Jean may not have come back completely unscathed.

"It's easier that we found some common ground to stand on. As for this place... I'm trying to convince Charles to come back. Strictly to do the high level work that needs doing. I'll work under him on more of the day to day work, and I've also asked Alexis to step in to a mirrored role. *Not* to slight you." Emphasizes Jean, though not ungently. "We both know the students need people who aren't X-Men to see as role models and guidance, and I wanted someone who's attentions and time aren't going to be taken up with covert missions. Someone who can be here full time and that can be here when the rest of us have to inevitably step away. Ideally, we can find more staff to step into those roles so that the X-Men can disengage fully... some day."

"That's my hope, anyway. People like me, Scott, even you, we're all a bit too touched by what we've seen and done. We all mean the best but we can never step away from that other life. We can't, because then that means those kids have to fill the hole we leave. So, help me by just... being you? I know that sounds stupid and vague, but I know you'd die to protect these kids the same as the rest of us, but you also want to see them free to live real lives. So keep guiding them. Call them out for being reckless. Call /us/ out for stupid decisions. I'm working through me, that'll just take time, but I need people who are willing to get right up in my face and tell me if I'm being an idiot. The team calls me their heart, and Scott's their head, but we need someone to be the voice of reason around here too."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma hadn't expected the other woman to come back unchanged *or* unscathed by what she was out there doing -- the Phoenix Force was one pissed-off entity due to being locked up in a teenager's brain for years. But she's actually relieved to see that there is some amount of genuine coexistence.

The blonde's chin comes up while she listens, and if Emma is taking offense, it doesn't show. Internally, she has to admit that Jean is not wrong -- there are certain times when the X-Men must step away. And quite frankly, she agrees that they all *should* step away from teaching. "Qualified to teach or otherwise, I'm actually glad to see someone other than the combat team teaching," she admits. She *would* die for these kids, that's a given. "They may have to fight someday, but the truth is that by teaching them so early, we're shaping the way they see the world and training them to always fight instead of seeking out other possible paths."

She smiles just a little. "I am shocked that you would consider me a voice of reason," Emma confesses.

Phoenix has posed:
"Why not? We all have our moments of being blind, but you are not a fool." Says Jean with a lopsided grin. "You rarely miss an angle and you have no qualms about playing the devil's advocate. Loudly, when necessary. We need that insight, even if we may not always welcome it. And..." The smile falters then as she adds, "I also need to trust that there's someone who will tell *me* when I'm not being myself and not be afraid to confront me."

"This is new ground I'm on. I'm fine now, but I'm still treating this carefully. I know this is something that isn't going to work forever with the life I tried leading before. Who I was, and who I am now, aren't the same. I'm coming back to work so that I can start to move away from it, and Alexis is that first step. This role is new for her, so help me help her? With both of us teaching her, she should be in a good spot to... hopefully, eventually take over entirely."

Emma Frost has posed:
Pulling in a slow breath, Emma nods thoughtfully. "I can do that," she agrees. "I have no issues stepping back from the headmistress role but I sincerely doubt I *could* stay here and keep quiet if things are being done badly." Her smile holds an edge of amusement, almost teasing. "I'll give you the benefit of my experience at the job while we train Alexis. But I'm glad that it opens up a little more time on my end, as well. I did not want to miss the field trip."

And then she tips her hear to add quietly, "I think it would be an extremely good idea for us to cultivate as good a relationship as possible with Atlantis for a variety of reasons. Not the least of which being that should the time ever come that we needed a place to retreat to, they might be willing to take in some of the mutants -- especially the children. If there's going to be a fight as Atlantis takes a place at the global table, I think we -- the X-Men in particular -- need to make sure we have our own avenues. And the current political climate is not conducive to keeping our students safe if push comes to shove."

Phoenix has posed:
There's a considering noise from Jean as she shifts in her chair to pull her legs under her on the chair. "That's a valid point, though it doesn't mean the children wouldn't face attempts to extradite them. Not all of them have the luxury of understanding parents. I couldn't ask them to take us all in. We do have some safehouses across the world in the event that we need places to escape, but none designed for long-long term use. Worse comes to worse, we know that Erik would likely accept us in Genosha. We all have our differences, but we are mutants, and he wouldn't deny that. But I don't doubt that it would be a very final decision. The world would damn us, but if we're turning then then we'd likely be already."

She pulls her mouth in a thin line as she mulls over things, even as she asks, "Why bring that up this early, though? Are things not looking positive for Atlantis to be getting along with the other powers?"

Emma Frost has posed:
"No, we couldn't ask them to take everyone in. But... they have dominion over islands and such things, too. And yes... if things go that far south, we're already in the midst of war." Emma pauses and then admits hesitantly, "The governments of the world are ... let's call it a little uneasy with the requirements that Atlantis is laying before them regarding clean energy. And the Atlanteans apparently have a bit of internal strife going on as well -- they tried to kill their own prince."

Phoenix has posed:
"Oh delightful." Jean says in a tone exactly opposite on the excitement scale. "Though really, that's par for the course for every royal dynasty in the history of existence. It sounds more like we'd be the ones to play host to a refugee before it's the other way around, but it wouldn't be the first time for that either."

"I've not up to date on the negotiations, though I'm all for a more sustainable and clean energy source myself. Part of the campus here is already self-sustaining, given that we don't need the utility company noticing the spikes from Cerebro. I take it Atlantis' proposal isn't settling well with their collective wallets?"

Emma Frost has posed:
"Well.... the reason the prince approached Frost Industries first is because my shipping fleets have been moving in that direction for a number of years. But yes... they're definitely less than happy. The retrofits are not cheap. And it will hit their wallets for a while. The alternative, however, is that they will no longer be allowed to ply their shipping lanes over regions that Atlantis claims. And ... since the undersea kingdom can enforce this in a great many ways that no one on the surface can fight, there is a possibility that it could get dicey." Emma shrugs slightly. "Although, who knows? Maybe Atlantis things will take their damn attention off mutants." Bcause that'll happen. Right?

Phoenix has posed:
"I'd say we can hope, but wishing that kind of attention borders on wishing Atlantis even more trouble." Jean says with a soft exhale. "I imagine Atlantis simply being and proclaiming their boundaries has already been causing an uproar, given the world enjoyed treating international waters like their own playground. Sounds like it all hinges on balancing the cost of the retrofits with less financial impact. It's a good time to be a manufacturer, I suppose. There's a lot of money to be made there, but that's about the extent of my business knowledge."

"So why is Atlantis trying to murder its own prince, anyway? And is that going to cause any trouble for the field trip?"

Emma Frost has posed:
"It shouldn't. Apparently there are myths of a purple-eyed mage being born to ... I don't even exactly know. Be the downfall of their civilization." Emma rolls her eyes. "He is apparently a throwback to original Atlantis. But no, it should not impact the field trip at all. The king has guaranteed that our students will not be at risk."

Clearing her throat, Emma also admits, "James has potentially asked to accompany the students. It might be prudent, if you're fine with an additional staff member going. There are one or two who cannot go along -- one of our students can't be affected my magic, so we will be unable to get her the life-support equipment. But other than that, things should be relatively simple."

Phoenix has posed:
"Mm, another genetic quirk leading to misunderstanding, it sounds like." Jean says with a displeased wave of her hand.

"Take who you think will be the best and that the king approves of. We can spare staff to serve as chaperones. You're in charge of this since Prince Garth is your contact, so if there's anything and anyone you need to keep the kids safe then let me know. Especially people who can keep those kids from getting involved in case that something goes wrong. Some of them see trouble and can't help themselves, but their own safety aside, we cannot have them sticking their noses into international issues."

Emma Frost has posed:
"Yes, I can only hope." Emma snorts softly. "You should be aware.... that although I am keeping the school's situation and the identities of all of you out of it... I am going to tell him who I am. Before we take the children to Atlantis. At some point, being an X-Man is going to come into play; the man is a member of a hero team in the city as well. But your identities and the school's nature will not be part of the conversation."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey is quiet for the span of several breaths after Emma says that, in the end giving her head a singular nod. "I understand why you'd want to tell him. If he's part of another team, he may very well figure it out in time. We're known to some of them out there. Supergirl, for example, knows who I am. As does Superman as I had to assist him a few months ago. Just talk to Scott first so that he knows, alright? You know him and security, and it'll be better to hear it from you than me. I'm sure he'll grump and grill you about it - you know how he is - but better than he knows in case if any issues crop up in the future."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma snickers. "Considering that the prince has worked with the likes of Robin -- who, if all urban legends are to be taken at anything approaching face value is the protege of the singlemost paranoid human being on the planet outside *maybe* Nicholas Fury -- the secret will hold." The blonde smiles slightly. "But I'll tell Scott."

Phoenix has posed:
"Ugh, don't say his name too loud. It wouldn't surprise me if SHIELD is listening in on this building." Jean pinches the bridge of her nose as if fending off an approaching headache. "It's bad enough we've had to work with them, I'd rather not invoke their overlord. Scott was saying this morning that X-Force may be pairing with some of them to go after this Metaforce group that causing an uproar to try and help show that mutants are capable of policing our own. I get the reasoning, I just hate being any closer to them than we need. But Scott isn't a fool, he knows what he's doing. It does make the concept of retreating to some hidden island somewhere all the more enticing though, except that I'd miss Starbucks."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma laughs outright. "Without coffee, you are an evil being," the blonde informs the redhead. "We might as well end the world right there and then." But she's clearly teasing. "As to policing our own..." She sighs quietly. James is in the middle of all that. "I can't decide how I feel about that. It hasn't exactly gone well for the Avengers at times." And they're the teachers' pets of the spandex set.

Phoenix has posed:
"I'm trying to tone down the caffeine, along with other... beverages. The less influences on my mental behavior the better, but the recalibration is not enjoyable. At all."

"Every team has their issues, but they're also trying to police everything from humans to aliens to gods while under not just their own moral umbrella but whatever whip SHIELD is cracking at them. Mutants at least stick to one species and a more limited lot of influencers. We'll never be one hundred percent successful, but at least we understand the nuances of our own."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma eyes her and mutters, "Tomorrow, don't come near me. You'll be bitchy as hell." Caffeine withdrawal is a real thing. She narrows her eyes, almost playfully. "I don't need a Phoenix with caffeine withdrawal." She moves to stand and then smirks, "And don't kill Summers when he opens his mouth and says something stupid next. I don't want to clean up the splatter. I already had to haul him out of his room and shove him back to work. That's as much of the man's physique as I want to be exposed to."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey lets out a quick laugh at the warning to keep her distance, though as the talk turns to Scott the expression falters. There's a familiar stiffening of the wall around her mind. "He'll always be safe from me as long as there's any shred of my in my head." Heavy words, but there's more than just gravity behind them. There's sadness, the impression of something raw.

"Thanks, for making sure he didn't wallow himself to death. Dealing with emotions are not his strong suit." Which is a vast understatement. "He's got missions on the mind now, so no one should need to bodily shove him out the door for awhile."

Emma Frost has posed:
Eyeing the redhead, Emma is quiet for a long moment. And then finally, she says quietly, "You're welcome." If there is one thing that the blonde telepath might actually understand, it might be whatever the sadness that Jean is hiding. And a brief brush over the other woman's mind conveys -- God help both of them -- a genuine desire to be there for her. To connect in a way that Emma has spurned as long as Jean's known her. But she pivots on her heel and heads toward the door, perhaps uncomfortable about allowing Jean to *know* that. "If you need to talk, you know where I am," she says softly as she lets herself out.