13312/Late Spring Splash

Late Spring Splash
Date of Scene:	17 May 2021
Location:	Swimming Pool - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	A relaxing afternoon by the pool results in Lucas meeting Shannon and Ted. Jeremy is tasked with the care of a new furry little buddy. Welcome, Geronimo!
Cast of Characters:	Nightingale, Lucas Farmer, Ted Gammage, SpyderByte, Rogue

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Nightingale has posed:
     With the weather finally starting to warm up, and Mother Nature no longer seeming quite so confused about what season it ought to be in the upstate New York area, the pool was seeing much more active use. Among those enjoying the sunny day was a familiar winged figure who has her phone out but no earbuds in. Shannon is perched on a large, fluffy white towel by the edge of the pool, cross-legged and with a relatively modest pale blue bikini on. Translation--it would be safe to wear around granny, covering in both front and back what it ought to, but all the same, tied with delicate little strings capped with small silver beads where they belong as well.

     Other kids are either in the water, lounging in the sun, or taking off to enjoy the fine weather out in the backyard, but she for the moment seems caught in the song coming from her phone, humming and even singing along for a few moments.

"But what if I told you the world wouldn't end
If you started showing what's under your skin
What if you let them all in on the lie
That even the Homecoming Queen cries...."

Lucas Farmer has posed:
By the nice sunny day, not having any class to attend yet, the newest student decided to explore around. From the window upstairs, he had spotted the swimming pool and was instinctively curious about it. After finding some old bermuda shorts left behind by the previous occupant of his room, he decided to try the water.

Clad only in the old pair of bermuda shorts, Lucas is sitting on the side of the swimming pool, on the shallow end, his feet in the water, the whiteness of his skin almost matching the colour of the marble walls. It's obvious the lad rarely stayed in the sun for long, his skin being so pale and, here and there, marked with small and faint scars. Watching some other kids swimming around, he seems to be studying their every moves with great interest.

Ted Gammage has posed:
Oh, Ted's here too. He's in a pair of board shorts and a t-shirt. He's not actually getting into the water, though, as he's explained to Shannon on multiple occasions, he sinks like a rock. But he does sit nearby,, looking around and watching all the others gathered and zooming by. He's always been a bit partial to people watching.

Nightingale has posed:
     Perched on her towel, not all that far from Ted, Shannon just smiles, reaching out with one wing to curl around him in a hug. She turns off her phone and puts it in her little brown leather bag, letting out a little sigh, and smiling. It was one of those quiet, lazy, happy days to savor and share.

     But in the midst of people-watching, there is one face that Shannon does not recognize at all, the ghostly pale figure of Lucas perched on the edge of the pool drawing her eye. Waving, she smiles and calls out, "Hi! Water's a little chilly but you should be okay getting in, it won't chill you -too- badly. Not like it would have earlier in April."

Lucas Farmer has posed:
After a time watching young kids swim around, Lucas' eyes travels around the swimming pool, as if looking for someone. There is a /lot/ of kids around, all strangers to him. Then his eyes come to rest on the girl sitting on a white towel who just seemed to be talking to him. Of course, he could reply in the same manner, but shouting is bad. Very bad. It might not be the case at the school, this wasn't clarified yet.

So intead of raising his voice, Lucas slowly gets to his feet, revealing his tall and too slim frame, and slowly walks closer to Shannon and the big guy by her side.

"Hi," he says in a low and quiet voice. "I'm not afraid of the cold," he states, "I want to swim and I'm trying to learn. It seems easy enough." Yeah, trying to learn to swim by yourself. Good luck.

Ted Gammage has posed:
Ted feels the wing slip around and gives a little grin to the wing's owner. "Don' want to disturb yer musicin'," he notes with a low chuckle. He starts to say something else, but she greets someone. He blinks and looks over there now, head angling slightly as he tries to recognize the newcomer, but decides he does not. "'lo," Ted says. "So yer sayin' the cold never bothered y'anyway?" He gives a big, goofy grin then leans back a bit. He briefly ponders asking if the guy has ice abilities, but decides its probably a rude topic.

SpyderByte has posed:
Making his way out to the pool area after spying Lucas across the yard is Jeremy. The young lanky goth is dressed all in black, which is perfect for a dip in the pool. Chained pants, black shirt with a power button logo and a half black trench coat. His thick black hair hangs across his face and down to his shoulders now and just an inch beyond. He almost looks feminine at this point with the build of his frame. He gives a few slow blinks of his eyes.

<< Hello. >>

The phone chirps on his arm strap as he slides his hands into the pockets of his jackets, rocking some on his feet back and forth slowly. His black sneakers are looking worn with duct tape wrapped around one of them.

Nightingale has posed:
     "Swimming's not that hard. It's actually the learning to float part that scares most people first. I know it used to scare me when I was real little." Shannon gives a little flick of her wings, one of them settling flat against her back, and the other remaining around Ted's shoulders. She smiles up at Lucas, reaching up to offer her hand. "Don't think I've seen you around here before. My name's Shannon. This is Ted."

     The chirp of a familiar computerized voice and the jangle of chains approaching catches her attention, and she turns to see Jeremy approaching. Smiling and waving, she calls out, "Hello! Come on over and join us!"

Lucas Farmer has posed:
Wings. The girl - Shannon - has wings! Trying hard to not stare, knowing that this is not a good behaviour, Lucas nods at Shannon, trying to smile. "Floating, yes, it says that too on the computer." So he did do some research about it. "I am Lucas, nice to meet you Shannon, and Ted."

Lucas then considers Ted for a moment, tilting his head, looking like someone who has something to ask, and is refraining. Standing there, in front of Shannon and Ted, the lad often gives the impression that each of his words is carefully chosen. After a moment, he finally answers the question, "The cold bothers me," he finally states, his voice kept low, "But I'm used to it. And..." Another hesitation, "There are far more painful things than a little bit of cold."

That said, his eyes catch Jeremy walking by. The Goth looks slightly better than the previous day. "Hi Jeremy, you look better. Did you find Rosie yet?" he asks, visibly concerned about the lost girl.

Ted Gammage has posed:
"Unless y'don't float," Ted says. "Like some o' us." He wrinkles his nose a bit at that but he does chuckle a little. Hearing the phone chirp off, he glances over and raises a hand in a light wave, "Jer," he says in way of greeting. He starts to speak further, but stops as the conversation switches over to being a little more serious. He's little to imput on this one so just goes a touch quiet.

SpyderByte has posed:
There is a slight shake of the head from Jeremy at Lucas's question. His smile falters and tips downwards a bit. He stops at the shoulder of the other boy, leaning in to gently bump against his.

<< No, not yet, but we will. Hello, Shannon Ted. >>

He scuffs his foot against the ground a few times with his worn sneaker, casting a look at the water for a moment before he shrugs his shoulders a bit to shrink into himself.

<< How is everyone? >>

Rogue has posed:
Having spent a bit of the morning off school grounds, and then going to patrol some of the outer grounds before coming back to the school proper, Rogue lands on the other side of the pool from the students. She's not empty handed, however, like she'd usually be, instead she's got an animal carrier on one hand and soon as she lands the distinct mewling sounds of an animal can be heard.

There's a quick glance between everyone and the woman smiles while approaching the group of Jeremy and company. "Well hey, y'all. Fine day for bein' outside ain't it?"

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's brows furrow and she shakes her head. "No, there's no word on Rosie. I did tap Dr. McCoy on the shoulder about it, though. Fingers crossed, hopefully we'll find something out soon." She eyes Jeremy for a moment, looking at him with the searching gaze of a healer. "You look a bit better. How are you feeling?"

     As she turns back towards Lucas to say something, she catches sight of Rogue out of the corner of her eye. Her brows loft, first one, then the other, at the sight of a pet carrier. "Oh, my! A kitten?" She chuckles a little bit.

Lucas Farmer has posed:
With a nonreassured look on his face, Lucas nods at Jeremy, his concern about Rosie haven't been eased neither by the Goth's answer nor by Shannon's additional details. Hopefully, someone will find the lost girl soon enough.

And then, wonders won cease - after a winged girl, there comes one flying without wings. A bit startled at first by Rogue's arrival, Lucas quickly recovers from his initial surprise, looking at the woman - without staring, mind you - intrigued both by her and what she's carrying. A cat!

If the School staff were observing Lucas during his first days at school, they would report that upon seeing the furry animal, the lad's jaw dropped, his eyes fixated on the animal carrier. They could also observe that while his heart started racing, his general state of constant stress lowered dramatically.

Stepping closer to Rogue, offering his best puppy-eyes, he asks her - or rather - pleads, "Ma'am, can I take it? Just a minute? I promise I won't hurt it."

Ted Gammage has posed:
Ted Gammage gives a lazy stretch of an arm and rolls a shoulder a few times. When he hears the newcomer, he too turns. "Therapy animal?" he says, joking lightly. "Ah didn't know we were allowed pets, actually." He then watches the newcomer sidle up to Rogue, chuckles a little, and slowly rises to his feet.

Nightingale has posed:
     "Then you haven't met Squeakers," Shannon replies to Ted, chuckling softly. "He keeps to my dorm, though. My furry little study buddy." She, too, gets to her feet, hanging back near Ted and watching the interactions between Lucas and the occupant of the carrier, a light smile playing along the corners of her mouth.

SpyderByte has posed:
Giving a slow blink of his eyes at the sight of the cat carrier, Jeremy tilts his head down to peer inside of it, then offers up a glance upwards to Rogue as he peeks through his thick black hair.

Rogue has posed:
"Yeah. A kitten. Found her out in Hell's Kitchen, poor thing. Think she was abandoned, not sure if by the momma cat or some person..." Rogue offers, and then looks to Lucas as the new kid sidles up to her. He likely doesn't know that, technically, she's staff and while she's not actively observing anyone - she does take actions into account on certain things.

Maybe she should just borrow a room less used and turn it into a therapy room.

"You can take her, sure, but do be careful. She's a bit skittish right now, and I actually brought her here to give her a safe home and a safe friend." In other words, she intended to gift the cat to someone already. A look to Ted then. "I mean, m'sure Scott an' Jean don't want this place to become a right zoo...but...I also don't see why you couldn't have a pet s'long as you're responsible."

She shoots a glance to Jeremy, lastly, offering him a kind smile. She'll reach the man eventually, but she also knows there's hardly any resistance to a cat's presence.

Lucas Farmer has posed:
With great care and slow movements, Lucas opens the carrier, and take the kitten, very gently. Holding it in his large hands and bringing it to eye level, the young man /smiles/ at the cat, chatting with is as if there was no one around.

"Hey you, kitty kitty. Poor you, you were alone, hey? They will find you a nice home and if they don't, stay around. You're so cute!" That said, Lucas reluctantly returns the kitten to the animal carrier, as promised. The smile is gone from his face, but the stress didn't returns yet.

Nodding at Rogue, he then steps back, giving room for anyone wanting to see the kitten. "Thank you, ma'am. I love animals."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon goes all goo-goo eyed almost immediately when she sees the kitten, crouching down to be more on a level with the carrier. "Hello there, little guy. Poor thing... you were all alone, huh? I bet you won't be for long, not if you stay around here!" Smiling softly, she holds out the tip of her finger for the kitten to sniff, laughing softly at the touch of that tiny little pink nose. "Boop! I got your snoot!"

     She looks up at Ted and just smiles, easing back from the carrier so he can have a look if he wants, and so can Jeremy. "That little one's so precious! Does he have a name yet, miss Rogue?"

Ted Gammage has posed:
"Ah, nah, ah've enough trouble without worryin' about accidentally smooshin' mah pet while trying to give it a pet on the head," Ted says, shaking his head slowly. He chuckles at Shannon playing with the kitten, then when done he does yawn lightly, "Eh, Should prolly go finish that math ah've been puttin' off." He waves, "Ah'll be 'round later."

SpyderByte has posed:
<< I can help you with math later if you need it. >>

Jeremy says as he watches the others play with the kitten, blowing some hair away again from his face. He gives the kitten a smile, scuffing his foot on the ground, then reaches out to take it once it's back in the carrier. He holds it up to his eye level to stare into the blue eyes, then curls it in against his chest, brushing his fingers along the soft dark fur.

Rogue has posed:
Rogue smiles and nods at Ted. "Sounds like a load of fun. Take it easy." Then her attention goes to Shannon and she shakes her head. "I ain't the one that needs to name it." As Jeremy takes the kitten, holds it at eye level and then lets it curl against his chest - she grins broadly. "That task belongs to the one who's holding the cat right now." She says, shifting forward to set the carrier down by Jeremy's feet.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon smiles wide, looking at Jeremy as he holds the little black ball of floof. "Oh, that's awesome! Congrats, Jer! Looks like you'll have a furry little buddy, too!" Standing slowly, she takes a step back so as not to disturb the new floofball and his two-legged companion. "I'd be happy to make the little guy a few toys and sew him up a nice, soft cat bed. Just let me know if there's any colors besides black you want me to use, okay?"

SpyderByte has posed:
There is a blink from Jeremy as it appears that the kitten is to be his. He looks at Rogue, then over to Shannon before he tilts his chin down towards the fluffy cat. He tilts his head to one side, then holds it up a bit higher in his hands so that he can stare at it properly. He offers up a smile, then draws the kitten against him again to bury his nose in against his fur.

<< Thank you. I'm going to name him Geronimo. >>

His fingers brush slowly along the top of his spine, giving him a little butt scratching. He looks a bit emotional as his face scrunches up. Aw.

Rogue has posed:
Rogue smiles to Shannon at the offerings she gives, but her main attention is on Jeremy. She steps forward and reaches to set a gloved hand on Jeremy's shoulder. "You're welcome. Geronimo seems like a really cool name. I think she'll help you and you'll help her. You'll both be good for each other. If you need any help with her, please let me know okay?" A smile. "Maybe we'll go get some stuff for her later...okay?"

SpyderByte has posed:
<< I think this is a boy. >>

Jeremy says as he holds the cat up and turns him around a few times to peek.

<< Yes, a boy cat. Thank you, Rogue. I will take good care of him. I hope he gets along with Gray's pet rat. >>

He gives the cat's nose a boop with his before putting him back in the carrier carefully, then picking it up into his arms.