13448/Control switch

Control switch
Date of Scene:	06 June 2021
Location:	Teacher's Lounge, Second Floor, Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Storm Jean and Hank catch up, after Hank explains the latest drug crisis that hit Lucy McCallister (Lucy in the sky with diamonds) and Jean spooks the other two a bit.
Cast of Characters:	Beast, Cyclops, Phoenix, Storm

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Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy is sitting on one of the couches in here, sipping coffee at the moment. His shirt is open the first few buttons and he looks as if he's been here a while; a plate with some crumbs nearby suggests a sandwich died a death in the last while and his spectacles are /right/ on the end of his nose. Must be serious bizznizz, if he's that focused on the paper he's holding in his other hand. Slurrrrrrrp. It looks to be a print-out, rather than data on a tablet, which is perhaps significant.

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers has been piddling about the mansion, making sure Jean was still okay while she works on things in her office. Perhaps taking some time to work on a vehicle in the garage. Now, he's back up and entering the teacher's lounge, perhaps to take a break and see who else he might be able to run into. Earlier it was Remy, and now he spies Hank, sitting at a table sipping coffee and reading...printed paper? "Hey Hank." He offers while moving towards the counter and grabs a mug to fix himself a cup of coffee. If needed, he'll also put on a fresh pot. "Reading anything interesting?"

Beast has posed:
"Hmmmnuuuh?" ALmost an Aroo? that, Hank looks up all slit-pupilled and ears twitching the once. "Oh, ah, hello Scott. Um. Kind of. I think I've worn out my brain trying to figure this thing out." He waves the paper, helpfully by way of explanation and sips again at his coffee, only to find it's empty. A fresh pot might be required by the plaintive gesturing of the cup in the direction of the carafe. "Mass spec on the blood sample from our current med-lab guest. It's to say the least... a corker."

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers nods and shifts forward to actually take the cup from Henry to fill with freshly brewed caffeine goodness. "You need any cream or sugar?" Though he figures Hank drinks the stuff black, he figured he'd ask anyway. "I assume this is in regards to the lady Jean brought in last night? If I hear it right, one of our alumni was diamondizing things and people?" Whatever the answer is about the coffee, he'll bring all necessary components back to the table and sits across from his friend and fellow X-Man. "Not able to find out if something is initially...for lack of better phrasing...wrong?"

Beast has posed:
"No cream, two sugars," Strong and sweet, yep, that's the kicker for that brain of his at least today. Hank rolls his tongue over his bottom lip, combing it with his teeth as Scott settles, giving a vague grunt then a slow shake of his head. "No, definitely wrong," he takes out a highlighter from the jacket over the back of his seat and highlights a few key bits of data on the mass spec, gesturing to the rest with the end of the pen. "This is normal blood chemistry results. All the things you'd expect to find. This --" the highlighted area "-- is indicative of an extremely low dopamine uptake. You usually find this kind of chemistry in people with parkinson's disease."

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers stares at the sheet of paper Hank shows him as if he knows precisely what he's looking at and what it means. When Hank explains what the numbers mean, he tilts his head and an eyebrow raises. "So she's sick? Or she's showing signs of being sick but isn't actually sick?" Asking this much for the moment before lifting his coffee to take a slow drink from the mug. Sitting at one of the tables in the teacher's lounge with Hank, going over things that make no sense to the X-Men Leader.

Phoenix has posed:
It's about time for Jean to take another break. They're always on the shorter end of things. Sometimes she eats. Sometimes she doesn't. The last one, she hadn't. So this one, she probably will. She walks into the lounge and nods to those present. Hank and Scott, in this case. "Any news?"

She looks pretty okay as she walks toward the fridge and starts to make herself a simple sandwich with turkey and cheese, mayo and a tomato. She listens, expression trending toward the thoughtful end of things. "When I touched her mind, it was sluggish and... subdued. But almost like something outside was subduing her thoughts. And her willpower."

Beast has posed:
"I -think- it's caused by something and I wasn't entirely sure if it was a disease process, or something else, so I did a full physiological examination. Other than exhaustion response, there's signs of septum damage and damage to the membranes of her nose. So I swabbed. What I got from -that- area, was this:" Hank produces a second printed sheet, tapping something that's also a bunch of chemicals in various levels. "She was drugged. Direct through the nasal membranes, as far as I see, which means a very small particle and a very short-lived drug, at least. Small compounds like that tend to degrade quite quickly."

Looking up at Jean, Hank helpfully waves his highlighter in the air and at the mass spec printouts. "Sluggish and subdued would go quite well with a dopamine crash, Jean. When you don't have enough dopamine, you also end up with depression. Hand in hand side effect of parkinson's disease, too. Horrible disease that is."

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers settles back in his chair some as he listens to Hank carry on a bit on what more tests he ran. The idea that someone drugged her, through the nose, was worrisome at the least. "Is there any way to tell what drug might have been used? Or like a compiled list of possible drugs?" He asks, but he's figuring the answer will be no, or perhaps even a compiled list would be too massive to try and pin down what was used.

As Jean walks in, he looks in her direction, watching as she fixes herself something to eat and smiles. "Hey Jean." It's offered, and then he listens to what she describes after having delved into the mind and Scott just sort of goes contemplative. "We haven't heard of any other mutants suddenly going haywire with their powers lately have we?" A pause. "Maybe something to keep an eye and ear out for..."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey finishes fixing her sandwich and pours herself a glass of fruit juice. "Hey Scott. How's the car coming along?" She pads over to sit down opposite Hank and to one side of Scott. She sips the juice, then sets it on the table beside her and lifts the sandwich. She is quiet as she takes a bite and chews it, as much as she's chewing over what Hank is saying. "Hmm," is murmured as she swallows.

"So.. let me see if I understand. Not only does whatever she was on cause loss of control, over powers at the very least, but when you start crashing from it, you also get depressed? How bad are we talking, Hank?" She nods about Parkinson's. It really is a horrible disease. "Next question. Were there any signs she was forced? Any trauma?"

Jean shakes her head at Scott. "This is the first I've heard of this. If there are others, they haven't come to my attention yet. And... as sluggish and subdued as her mind was, if Alex hadn't called me, I would never have known anything was going on. Scott..." Her green eyes turn serious and a little worried. "I'm worried about him. He was planning on something last night. Something I'm certain wasn't safe. He's your brother..."

Beast has posed:
"Well, actually, there was. Your brother, Scott. The drug that got used on him caused a negative feedback cascade - basically, his ability was amping up to dangerous levels and he couldn't vent it. He would have exploded like a tac-nuke if we hadn't managed to cobble a mostly-workable antidote and if Jean hadn't blocked certain pathways in his brain -- by the by, that's still weird, having to do the shared-mind thing, but it's -way- quicker than having to try and explain what I need folks to do when it's super precise..." Hank takes off his glasses a moment, cleans them on his shirt and puts them back on the end of his nose, taking up his coffee for a deep, dark slurp. The sigh afterwards is of temporary satisfaction, as he smacks lips and delves right back in. "THe drug that got used on Alex though, wasn't so simple as this one. That one was designer, genegineered to Summers biology. This one?"

He indicates the spikes and troughs on the mass spec, then down the bottom to the values of the compound, its chemical composition. "This is beautifully simple and super small. Levo-dopa, the drug that is used in the treatment of parkinson's disease, is a funky one. It has two stages to itself, one that is altered by the liver on digestion, the second that splits itself when close to the blood-brain barrier that keeps foreign chemicals out of the tiny grey cells. It's actually quite -hard- to effect neurotransmitters; nature designed itself on purpose there, sheathing it all in impermeable layers that even the blood can't get directly at... when it does, you have brain bleeds and it kills the grey cells. And all of that delicate system's encased in solid bone, from brain down the spinal column, on purpose. It looks like this drug takes the chemical 'carrier' from a similar structure to Levo-dopa and instead of promoting dopamine action by blocking the dopamine receptors and getting it to stay in the neural pathway for longer, it does the opposite... increasing decomposition and absorption."

He continues: "In physiological terms, this targets dopamine receptors, most of which are located in the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum. Emotional feel-good region and the fine motor control. When your cerebellum is screwed up, you get the tremors, the lack of fine coordination, the general power equivalent of a parkinsonian tremor, where you can't stop what you're doing because you have no control. Whoever designed this..." and here's where he looks disturbed again, hyper focused as he had when Scott first came in to the lounge. "...well, it's a weapon. That... I'm trying to convince myself isn't the case, but the more I look, the more I think that this is the case, as it doesn't look as if she was forced in any way. I fear poor Lucy was a guineapig for 'how to create chaos with a mutant delivery system' very quickly. And potentially very widely. Poof, blow in the face, person inhales, your job is done and chaos abounds."

Cyclops has posed:
"Alex hasn't been in a good mood since the day they tried to take him..." Scott offers to Jean and then like magic, his cell phone begins to go off and that distracts him for a moment. "Speaking of the devil..." He mutters, shooting off a text and then setting his phone down. A response comes back quick, which Scott replies to again, and then silence from his phone again. He frowns.

Then he's looking over at Jean and he shakes his head. "I don't know what he's planning, but I think he wants to talk, he's just not saying he wants to. Cryptic bastard that he is." A hand lifts to rub his own forehead before his attention is then taken by Hank. It's official, after several moments, that Scott's brain is essentially then broken by Science. Cause Science is Hank's forte, not Scott's.

"So they're using an enhanced version of an on-market drug to try and affect mutants to collapse in their mental state and go crazy?" Asking this, but it's likely not the short version that's in any way true. His phone goes off again. "...I should go find Alex..."

Phoenix has posed:
"Weird to you, normal to me," says Jean, with a faint little smile. She bites another bit of sandwich and chews as Hank continues. She nods about the drug Alex had been exposed to having been genegineered. Her brow furrows at what is explained about what this drug does. She shivers, all too easily imagining the chaos that could ensue if the wrong mutant were so affected.

She nods to Scott, shoving the thoughts of how badly this thing could go with the wrong person away. "He feels like he doesn't belong." She reaches over and rests her hand on Scott's knee. It's the closest bit of him she can reach. "Go. Take care of your brother. Maybe whatever he had planned is done and he wants to share the results."

Beast has posed:
"Erm... kind of. Doctored version of an on-market drug. But way to nutshell it, my friend." Beast nods, rubbing at his face a few times and dislodging his glasses to a wonky angle that he then has to correct. "The trouble with this is, if you overdose, you'll essentially go into a kind of uncontrollable spasm and it could kill you, not to mention other people." Pause "...and because of how this thing appears to be delivered and what it directly effects, trying to produce an antidote to it is going to be reaaaaaaaaaaaaaly diiiiiiiiiifficult." His voice trails up the octave on the exaggeration of those sounds and he doesn't actually sound like he's relishing that challenge.

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers frowns at Beast and then gives a nod of his head. "Well, if you need my help with anything let me know." Still, he's standing, and then pushing his chair in while grabbing his phone and putting it in his pocket. He actually leans over and gives a kiss to Jean's cheek. "I'll let you know if anything goes wonky...and if nothing else..I'll see you at home later." He offers her. "Talk soon, Hank." Before he's actually turning and heading out the door.

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey blows out a breath. "If anyone can do it, you can do it Hank," she says. She finishes her sandwich as she nods to Scott. There's a smile as he kisses her cheek. "Shout if you need anything. See you there. Don't get into too much trouble," she tells him. She watches him go out and turns her eyes back to Hank. "How have you been, Hank? I haven't checked in for a few days."

Beast has posed:
"I'm not so sure I can. Even Levo-dopa is extremely inefficient and because of how this is being used for this drug delivery, I'd have to design something similar and get it to work on the uptake catalyst, specifically..." And then he just stares. STARES at the page. There is a very loud facepalm that knocks his glasses clean off. "I'm a bloody numpty, I swear. Of /course/. If the one does the reverse of the other, just give the bloody OTHER you idiot." He actively laughs at himself, picking up his spectacles. "Levo-dopa, counteragent to Levo-nopa." He sags back now, taking up his coffee again and giving a hefty gulp. Given that he's having it black and sweet, he might have been at this a while. "Better now that I've had a moment of smack-to-the-face clarity. I went on a bit of a yoga retreat into the woods last week and it's helped center me a little."

Phoenix has posed:
Now finished with her sandwich as she is, Jean reaches for her juice instead. From the color, it's a blend. Probaby strawberry and orange or something such. She takes her time drinking while watching Hank. Her lips twitch at the face-slap moment he has, with that revelation. "English please, Hank. I have no idea what you're talking about."

Jean gathers her plate up off her lap and rises to her feet, walking to the sink with it. She has a drink of the juice and then sets it aside on the counter top. With her mind on Hank, and her ears, she busies herself washing and drying the plate and putting it away. Once done, she turns to lean back against the counter, crossing one leg in front of the other at the ankle. She looks pretty comfortable. "A yoga retreat sounds like fun."

Beast has posed:
"Just give the parkinson's treatment drug to someone that's tripping on this nasty and it will slow and help reverse the effects. You can't re-uptake what's been blocked from re-uptake. THey'll cancel each other out." Hank says, in english. He finishes his coffee in one pull and stretches rather like a cat and given how flexible he is despite his size, it's a good visual of one, too. "Mostly zen and the art of getting in tune with my inner growl. I can do a fantastic downward dog and lion, dontchaknow."

Running his hands through his hair, he exhales long and slow. "Every so often, I just have to let it all out, out there. It lets me be me, in here."

Storm has posed:
It's been a little while since Storm last paid a visit to the teacher's lounge. It would seem that there's been a recent shower had, and Ororo has her long white hair braided in neat rows along the sides and top of her head. The braids are secured with white elastics, and her hair is left loose to fall at the back of her head and down her back. She lifts a hand to open the door, and then she quietly steps ito the room.

She's bare footed, wearing a pair of black jeans and a blue t-shirt with a rainbow that has a cloud at either end of it. Her blue gaze lightly passes over both Jean and then Henry, and she inclies her head slightly towards them before she steps over towards the counter in order to check the kettle and get it turned on. "We can all only be ourselves," Ororo says, looking over her shoulder briefly towards them, a hint of a smile touching her lips.

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey nods, the motion slow, the expression full of thoughts and such like. "That... is a good idea," says Jean, now that she understands what Hank had been going on about. She smiles at his description of zen and yoga in the woods. "You should do more often. It looks good on you, Hank."

Jean's eyes leave Hank and go to the door several seconds before Ororo comes through it. And a ready smile finds her face, lips curling up with it. "'Ro," she says. "Are you back from sabbatical?"

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy's eyes dart to the door as it opens and he actually looks mildly surprised for a moment at the sight of the African queen. "I can't. I mean, I could, but that would sometimes become embarassing. So I aaaaah... take holidays from myself and retreats. It lets me manage the rest of me when there's loud noises, bangs, smells, bright lights, flashes, aggressive behaviour, territorial challenges... can you imagine me having a day when everything just goes sideways and I end up pissing on a first year? I would never live it down." Said with a slow, meaningful and exaggerated shake of the head, deadpan. His blue eyes dart to Jean though, he winks and lets the ladies do the talking for a bit.

Storm has posed:
Once the kettle has been refilled and turned on, Ororo lifts a hand to open a cupboard door and retrieve a mug. She flips it upright as she places it on the counter, then fishes out a rooibos teabag to drop into the mug. And while she waits for the water to boil, she turns to lean her back against the counter behind her. Her blue gaze settles on Jean, and a smile easily comes to her features as she gives a nod. "I am back, yes," she affirms, a warm note to her voice. "I feel better," she adds, a thoughtful note to her voice.

Her gaze turns to Henry, and there's a smile that tugs at the corners of her lips. "I have a hard time imagining that you would do such a thing," she says, her eyes reflecting a touch of amusement. "Weekends are for letting one's hair down, or so I seem to recall being told a time or three," she comments.

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey can't help but let out a quiet laugh at the images that come with Hank's words. Then the smile fades and her eyes go distant. Her head tilts a bit to the side. Classic mental conversation look. Her lips curl up a little bit. "Sounds like Scott and Alex are good."

She lifts the glass and drinks a little more of the fruit juice. She's taking her time drinking the juice, perhaps simply enjoying the company for the moment. "Good," she says to Ororo. "I'm glad." She looks down and into her glass at the mention of weekends. When was the last time Jean had truly taken a weekend off? Or a full day? Or more than a one day in a row? Or even in a week?

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy nods to Ororo. "I've heard that myself, a time or two, but then I'm an ecclectic sort and a rebel without a cause! Or is it a care? Either way, I sometimes take days off in the middle of the week. Tuesday? Yes! But it's not even half way through the week, do I care? No!"

Then he looks at Jean and lightly pokes her in the arm with a retracted claw-digit. "You should go have a yoga retreat on top of the empire state, just for a laugh. On a Thursday. Nobody will expect it."

Storm has posed:
One of her eyebrows quirks up a touch as she watches Jean in that look that implies a mental coversation. She doesn't ask, though, and does instead wait. "I had hopes that Scott and Alex would be good," she says, giving a small nod. "I am also glad for it. Thank you for the patience that you have with me, Jean. It is very much appreciated," she says softly, a warm tone to her voice. She turns and reaches out to the kettle, picking it up and pouring her tea. She sets the kettle back down, and then she plucks up the mug from the counter.

"You should take a weekend, go somewhere nice, even if it is not far. We should make a girls weekend of it," Ororo says, a smile coming easily to her features. "We all need a break from things. From tending to our daily things," she comments. She leans her back against the counter, holding her tea in both hands. And there's a smile that she gives to Henry, and a nod. "That would be rather amusing. And I will go with you, if you do."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey blinks those green eyes at Hank, something of innocence within them. "Moi? Take a yoga retreat? Hmm. On top of the empire state building does sound like it would be amusing," she agrees. Of course, that would presume Jean would actually /take/ a day off to do so. There's a slim chance she could be convinced. And a very large chance that she could not be convinced.

"Ro, I will always have patience with you. You're my friend." Jean sticks her tongue out at Ororo. "You know I don't have time," she says.

Beast has posed:
"See, there's a logical fallacy there," Henry replies to Jean, waggling his finger at her in a circle, as if winding invisible string from the jobsworth cloud and making a yarn ball out of it. "This is a school for mutants who all have varied powers and who could some of them blow up themselves or a building in short order, taught by other mutants who also have powers, some of which could tie said kids into the shapes of pretzels. What could possibly go wrong with the scenario where the head mistress takes a day off to go do some yoga, because days off: Real thing... and all hell breaks loose because she wasn't there to stop us from TOTALLY destroying all that hard work we've all put into this?" He batters his eyelashes at this, smiles afterwards. "You do have the time. You just don't have the motivation, because if you did take a day off, you'd think about all the things you're not doing /here/. And this is the exact reason you and Scott got a place of your own out in Breakstone. Have a day off. Buy a cake and eat it all! It's ok."

Storm has posed:
"Yes, you, take a yoga retreat. We should go this weekend for one," Ororo says with a smile. She shifts her weight, stepping away from the counter and heading over to Jean to place a hand on her shoulder briefly. "You can make the time. It would just be for a couple of days, and it would do you good. The paperwork can wait until Monday or someone else can take over filling it and filing it," she says. Then she grins. "I would hope that you would. You are my friend, too," she adds, then sticks her tongue out at Jean in turn. So there!

"Even just one day? Saturday? It has been ages since we have done anything like that. And it would be fun. We could get lunch somewhere on the way back, anywhere you like," she offers, lifting her tea to take a sip of it.

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey goes still, her eyes going somewhat distant. "That isn't why I don't have time," she says. "It's not because I worry that someone will blow the school up." She shakes her head, silent for a fair few minutes. "I can't," she says softly. "Yes. That's why we got a place out in Breakstone. Scott thought it would be good for me." And yet, she still hasn't taken any extended time off. Nope. The hand on her shoulder earns a wan little smile for Ororo. And yet...

Still, the redhead shakes her head. "I can try a couple of hours. Half a day. No more. Cake is doable, though." She breathes. Reaches a hand up to flip the bits of her hair that had slid forward over her shoulder so that all her hair hangs down her back. "Maybe. We'll see how I feel about it when it's Saturday." That's not a yes... but it's also not a no.

Beast has posed:
"Sometimes, all you can do is try it out, for a change," Beast notes with a shrug and a spread hand. "Test the waters, indeed, for half a day. And if we do not blow up, you can justify a whole day. And if you do not blow up from stress and worry? An entire weekend might be in order." He smiles, it's a gentle thing.

"When your job is to take care of others, it can be an obsession. But nobody can take care of another if they do not take care of themselves. And this can be as simple as having a set hour when nobody is bothering you whilst you go for a walk, on pain of detention, or it can be a much needed moment to recenter who you are, what you're doing, why you're doing it. Mental health is as important as physical. You know that Jean, better than most."

Storm has posed:
Ororo's hand lingers on Jean's shoulder, and she gives it a gentle squeeze before lowering her hand. Then she lifts her mug of tea, taking another sip of it. "Breakstone will be good for you, I think it just needs a bit of time," she says, giving a small nod. "Maybe a barbeque for Sunday evening, or something?" she offers, a smile coming easily to her features. Her head tilts to one side, looking towards her redheaded friend. "So... if it is not that you are worried over the school or the students or anything else, what is the reason you will not take the time beyond a couple of hours? I can feel the tension in you, Jean," she says softly, a touch worried.

"Saturday morning, then, you are mine," Ororo says seriously, then quirks a grin. "We can go to a yoga class, get lunch and then cake. And then we can come back," she adds, sounding pleased with the idea. "We will see, come Saturday, how you feel. I will make the arrangements, in the meanwhile," she comments. She looks over to Henry at his words and gives a nod to agree with him. "Mental health is very important. And we are here to give you what support you need, Jean," she says in a gentle tone. "And if Saturday works, then perhaps it can become a somewhat regular sort of thing."

Phoenix has posed:
Sometimes, it's the trying it out part that's the hard thing. Jean takes a visible breath and closes her eyes. And does her best to blank her mind. In as much as that's possible for her. "I will try," she says softly. But she doesn't sound optimistic. She opens her eyes again. "But I really don't have much time. It's finals." At least prom is already done, so she doesn't have to worry about that. Just test scores and grades and making sure everything runs smoothly for graduation...

"My mental health is what I'm protecting, Hank. I'm fine. I don't really need time off. And I'm alone in my office without anyone bothering me for a good portion of the day." Which is just how Jean likes it. Of course, she hides in that office far more than is probably healthy for her, but there it is. It's Jean. It's just how she is. Workaholic. She has been as long as the other two had known her for.

"Yes," she admits to Ororo. She can feel the tension in herself, too. She looks mostly relaxed, but there's a definite tension across the line of her shoulders. She doesn't answer the question, curiously. "Saturday morning. If I feel up for it." Her normally bright green eyes are a touch darker with the worry she feels at how well she'll be able to handle, or not, a yoga class.

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy tchuhs, making a moue of his mouth, but it seems as if Ororo is handling it, girl-time style. As opposed to Gangnam style, which would be strange. However, as he stands to put away his empty coffee mug, he pauses, lifts his head a little and sniffs the air very slightly, looking puzzled. He approaches the two women, sniffs oh-so-lightly again and his jaw clicks shut. Blinkblink. Blinkblink. "Jean, why are you afraid?" oh-so-softly asked.

Storm has posed:
Trying new or different things is always hard. Ororo adjusts her mug of tea slightly, then shifts to be facing Jean a bit more fully. And she gives a nod that's paired to a smile. "Thank you, Jean. I am glad that you will try, and I will help you where and however I can," she says, a warm tone to her voice. "We all try to make the best out of the time that we do have. I will even help you with grading papers and entering the scores into the database," she says, quirking a bit of a grin. Just to have a morning out with Jean? She'll do it, and gladly!

"Being alone is not always the best answer to have. I think I will have to take up dropping into your office randomly with tea. Maybe with chocolate, as well," Ororo comments, a bit of amusement in the statement. She plucks up her mug then and takes a drink of her tea, savouring the flavour of it. Then her blue gaze turns to Jean, studying her for a long moment. "The tension cannot remain within, Jean. It must come out of you," she says softly. "If a yoga class is too much, then we can go for a walk to anywhere, or feed ducks, or anything else that strikes our fancy. There is a bakery that sells day old bread in cubes, and the ducks and geese like it," she says, in a confidential sort of tone, as though it's a secret that only she knows. She looks over to Henry, and his words cause one of her eyebrows to quirk up. And she blinks at his question, which is unexpected, and then her attention shifts back to Jean, watching her. "You can talk to us about anything, you know," she says rather softly, a gentle tone coming to her voice.

Phoenix has posed:
But but! Gangnam style is fun! It would be strange, though. Strange, but fun. Jean seems to be relaxing. On the surface, at least. And the fear scent eases off until there's no scent but those that should be here. The tension in her muscles starts to ease off as she forces them to relax. "The Phoenix, Hank," she says softly. That... may or may not answer the question. May or may not raise /more/ questions.

She huffs out a breath at Ororo, and it's followed swiftly after by a quiet chuckle. "I won't say no to tea or chocolate," she says. Jean gives herself a little shake and looks, to all appearances, back to her normal self. "I know I can talk to you about anything. Both of you. And Scott too. But this... I don't really want to talk about it." As though talking about it will bring it to pass. Jean shakes her head. She straightens from her lean and walks toward Beast, patting him once on the shoulder, then past Ororo to do the same, before heading toward the door. "I love you both, but I gotta go. Papers to look over and enter, you know." She grins sunnily at them, but it doesn't really seem to touch her eyes much. Then she's moving for the door, unless one of them stops her.

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy's lips part again, a frown forming on his face. Shapes form on his lips, without ever actually becoming words and he looks from Jean to Ororo and back. He lets out a speechless guff of sound and slaps himself lightly on the cheek, ending up propping his face with the limb, the frown remaining. He does not attempt to stop her, in any way.

Storm has posed:
The Phoenix makes Jean afraid. That is a very significant sort of thing. Especially seeing as how the Phoenix is -inside- of Jean. Ororo makes the distinct choice not to ask any of the questions that might be burbling around in her head in the wake of that answer, though. She also makes a point not to think on any of them either too long or too much. Instead, she gives Jean a bright smile and a nod. "Then we have a randomly timed date for tea and chocolate. With the possibility of chocolate being supplemented by other treats of my choice. Which starts today," she declares.

"I understand, not wanting to talk about it. I will not push you on it, Jean. I will just say that if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me and that I will always listen to everything that you say," she says softly, giving a small nod. "You are my best friend, Jean, and I love you, too. Go bury your nose in papers, then, and I will pull you out of them later," she comments, giving a nod to her. Much like Henry, she does nothing to stop Jean. She does, however, look over to Henry as Jean is leaving, and one of her eyebrows quirks just a touch.

Phoenix has posed:
As she is not stopped, Jean keeps walking. "Looking forward to it, Ro," she says. "And from you as well if you want, Hank." There. That's tacit approval for both of them to visit her in her office anytime they wish. That much she can do for them. The thoughts and emotional overtones are as clear to her as day. And yet, she says not a word about them. Their thoughts are their own, and it's not her right to call them on it. And then, she is gone, the door closing quietly behind her.

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy doesn't say a single word until Jean is at least at the end of the corridor. She could hear him with her mind if she wanted to and may be doing so inadvertantly. "It really, really bothers me when she does that," he says after a while. His cup is placed into the sink and rinsed, washed, wiped and put upon the shelf with a purposeful care. "I know that she knows we're here to help, but it's inevitable that time and again, she gives off the vibe that she doesn't think a single one of us actually can. And that scares me a bit."

Storm has posed:
The mug of tea is lifted and drunk from, and then Ororo looks down into it for a long moment. Long enough for Jean to leave and walk down the hallway. She lifts her free hand to catch a lock of hair between her fingers and pull it forward over her shoulder, toying idly with it. Then she looks over to Henry before giving a nod of agreement. "It bothers me when she does it as well, and I worry for her. But pushing Jean to any particular thing is not something that I would choose to do. Nudging, poking, prodding... yes," Ororo says, a smile tugging her lips.

Lightly, she swirls her tea in her mug, and then she lifts it to finish the tea off. "She seems reluctant to lean on us. She fears what is within her, and to some degree, that is a normal enough thing. Yet for what is within her... perhaps a certain greater amount of wariness is warranted. All we can do is wait for her to choose to share the details with us," she says softly, a thoughtful note to her voice. "The power within her is great," she adds. And none of them would be able to stand up against that power if it were turned against them.

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy nods to that, albeit rather slow. "Nnnnn," a noncomittal kind of sound, he takes his glasses off and cleans them lightly, returning them solemnly to his nose. "It's a sentient creature though and it came to her on purpose. I worry that chaining it down, is not going to be good in the long run." He smiles faintly, then nods to her. "Best be off. I've got to go and check on our guest and make sure we have plenty of Levo-dopa on hand, just in case we have a drug crisis."

THat said, he lifts a hand, taking himself and his tablet out.