13845/A Trip To The Embassy

A Trip To The Embassy
Date of Scene:	01 October 2021
Location:	Themysciran Embassy - Manhattan
Synopsis:	A school trip to the Themysciran Embassy ends with one of the kids being kidnapped for a playdate with an ancient water sprite.
Cast of Characters:	Nightingale, Phoenix, Wonder Woman, Kit Killovarras, Cyclops

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Nightingale has posed:
     Another autumn arrived, bringing with it the cheery, flaming profusion of colors splashed across everything arboreal in sight. The change in season also heralded the beginning of the school year for many a hallowed hall of learning, including Xavier's. Oftentimes, this would mean a class trip, before the shift to the harsh winds of winter made travel much more problematic.

     Such was the case for a small group from the aforementioned school, a gaggle of students following in the wake of its titian-haired headmistress like a flock of ducklings behind its mother--and just about as noisy, too. The ages seemed to range from the early teens of one's freshman year, right up to late teens, possibly in one's senior year. It was all perfectly normal, right? Right!

     But since when did a school trip -ever- go according to plan?

Phoenix has posed:
Well, there's one thing for being a redhead. Jean is a natural fall color. Her hair quite matches the fiery colors of the trees in the city. Jean pauses before she leads the students into the embassy. "Calm down, everyone. Ms Prince is expecting us, but you'll need to be on your best behaior," she says. This seems to be directed more toward the younger students than the older.

Jean is dressed about normal for her. A nice leather jacket in a rich shade of brown. A pair of black dressy pants. Heels that match the coat. And a blouse of green that matches her eyes. Eyes that sparkle with amusement at the antics of the students, especially the youngsters that haven't ever been to a place such as this one.

Once she's sure the kids have calmed down, at least to a certain degree, Jean turns to lead the way inside. She pushes open the double doors and steps into the lobby.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Autumn is a lovely time of year. The leaves of the deciduous trees have started to turn colour, showing off bright yellows and burnt oranges and brilliant reds in addition to the vibrant greens they still wear. Diana had spent a period of time early this morning talking a walk about the Embassy grounds to enjoy that very thing. After the walk, she had settled into her office for her daily duties, complete with a pot of silver needle tea.

As the time of the class trip happened to approach, Diana finished her cup of tea before setting the cup aside and stepping over to the open door of her office. She wears a pair of black heels, black slacks, and a dark red long-sleeved blouse. School trips are often uneventful things. Though there are times when things go slightly askew. She watches for a moment, her gaze lightly wandering over not only the headmistress but also the gaggle of scholarly 'ducklings' that come along behind her. Her curiosity is piqued somewhat by the appearances, though she's met all different sorts of people before.

Her gaze turns towards the headmistress as the woman speaks, even though they're not yet inside, and a smile tugs at the corners of her lips. Her hearing is such that she can hear what's said, and flawlessly so. She steps out from the framework of the doorway, approaching Jean across the lobby, a hint of amusement to her blue eyes. She stops near and offers her right hand. "It is a pleasure to have you and your students here, Ms Grey," she says in greeting, a smile easily coming to her features.

Nightingale has posed:
     Bringing up the rear of said gaggle of ducklings is Shannon, who's dressed very simply, and with taste in deference to both the season and the location. She's in a pair of dark blue jeans lined for warmth, her favorite calf-length caramel suede boots, and a cream-colored traditional cable-knit sweater, with a lightweight cream turtleneck beneath to prevent itching. While she does take a moment to look around the embassy, it is with the air of one who has seen the place before--and perhaps might be keeping an eye out for anything that could spell trouble for the younger students. Relaxed, but alert, her head constantly on a swivel.

     Something about her was missing, though. For some reason, her wings seem to have gone MIA. For some, this would be normal routine, seeing her like this. For others? Well... perhaps less so.

     As Diana approached the group and spoke, she simply lofted one brow, inclining her head in a respectful, but silent nod. A hint of color drained from her cheeks. There was going to be some explaining to do later.

Phoenix has posed:
"Thanks for having us," replies Jean, an easy smile coming to grace her face. "Most of the kids at Xavier's have never been to an embassy before, so this is a very new experience for them." Even those that had been to museums and the like had never been to embassies. And if Jean knows a certain senior had been here before... well, she's not letting on!

However, as that certain senior's cheeks get paler, Jean turns her eyes to study her for a moment. Explaining later? Perhaps not. Not with Jean's attention focused as it is! She doesn't speak aloud. But mentally? Oh yes. **Shannon? You alright?**

Wonder Woman has posed:
There's a moment in which her gaze lightly passes over the students once more, and this time her attention happens to light upon a familiar face. There is, alas, no hope of her forgetting, given her memory. A smile turns her lips and she offers a nod of greeting to the young woman, a flicker of curiosity to touch her blue eyes at the lack of wings. There is naught within the Embassy that would seem amiss to one who had been here before. Yet there has, since that time, been repairs made to the assorted bullet holes and other such physical damage that had been done to the space. No sign of it remains, for all has been put back to order.

Her attention returns easily to Jean, and she gives a nod. "Of course, Ms Grey," she says in a warm tone of voice. "It is an honour to have you and your students here. Embassy's are not oft the destination chosen for school trips, though I would wish for it to be different. I hope that the students will find it of interest, and if all of them remain on their best behaviour then perhaps there can be arranged a demonstration of my Sister's skills," Diana says, a smile turning at the corners of her lips. And her own, not that she says as much. She raises an eyebrow slightly as Jean's attention turns to Shannon, her gaze following a moment afterwards and lingering briefly before she looks back to Jean. "Is there something amiss?" she asks, a gentle note to her voice. There is no sign of awareness to the mental aspect of the conversation.

Nightingale has posed:
     <<Oh, booger.>>

     That was perhaps about the most polite turn of phrase running through Shannon's mind right now. Any hopes she'd had for hiding at the back of the group were dashed. Somehow, she manages to keep a light smile on her features, though outwardly is quite content to let Miss Grey take the lead here.

     Internally, however, was another matter entirely.

     <<Let's just say the last time I was here, not only did she see me with the wings, but had zero idea about the school, and I said nothing about it. I'm hoping and praying I haven't just landed us all in hot water.>> Gulp. <<Especially considering that incident here I told you about before we came on this trip.>>

     Outwardly, though? She simply gave a slight shake of her head, and a brief gesture of a finger across her own lips. Mention of the possibility of a demonstration caused something of a stir among the younger students, which broke the seriousness of the moment. Shannon actually grins, chuckling lightly. "I might have mentioned a thing or two about the exhibition that was held over the summer to some of them, Ms. Prince. Good luck getting them to settle down now."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey smiles at the Princess of Themyscira. "A demonstration would be very enjoyable. And not just for the students," she says with a soft laugh. Her attention turns from Diana to Shannon and back again. She shakes her head. "I'm not so certain 'amiss' is the word I'd be using here.."

Jean considers. "Interesting, perhaps. But not amiss." She waves a hand, dismissing the subject. Shannon doesn't get another look, though that doesn't mean Jean isn't thinking at her! <<Ah. Well. Ms Prince is not aware of the school to my knowledge, but she is in the know as far as mutant-kind is concerned. No harm, no foul.>> And Jean seems to be content to leave things at that!

She chuckles at Shannon's words about settling the kids down. "Well, that's easy," she comments. "Settle or no exhibition." She winks, clearly teasing. But her words, never the less, have at least some of an effect. On the older students.

One of the younger students has wandered a bit, looking at some of the closer artifacts. A very blonde child with green eyes, and curiously, skin almost do dark it's all but ebon. One who's new, and who's talents are known to lend toward the water end of the spectrum. She can't be more than six or seven years old. She leans toward a pretty azure blue vase with silver lines painted in a pattern of rippling water upon it. One finger reaches out, as though to touch the vase!

"Mara," says Jean, her voice calm and gentle. "Don't touch without asking first." But the words come just a hair too late. The girl's fingertip brushes against the vase before Mara jerks her hand back. She ducks her chin and looks bashfully toward Jean. "S..s.... sorry, M...m... miss Grey," her voice barely above a shy whisper.

Wonder Woman has posed:
The blue gaze of Themyscira's Princess turns towards Shannon once more, studying her for a moment. A smile turns at the corners of her lips and she gives a small nod to Shannon. She's seen a great many different kinds of technology, and she's not about to pry into just why those white wings aren't visible right now. She studies the young woman for a lingering moment, and one of her eyebrows quirks up lightly before she laughs softly. "Ah, telling tales, have you been?" she suggests, amusement to her voice. "'Tis all right, I do not fault you for it at all," she adds, giving a nod, her blue eyes showing a sparkle to them.

Her attention returns to the headmistress, and she gives a nod of agreement. "I was hoping that you might find it to be so. And of course it would be open to all to watch," she comments. She tilts her head slightly to one side, and then she inclines her head towards Jean. She looks across the array of students, young through older, her attention settling back to the headmistress. "Youthful spirits can be challenging to settle. Perhaps there will be a secondary part of the exhibition which would give them the freedom to battle my Sisters and I in a mock free for all. Perhaps even a lesson in archery," she muses, a thoughtful note to her voice. She likely has some awareness of the child, though she has nary a clue of the abilities that each one is possessed of. Her attention turns towards the girl and the vase with Jean's words, gentle but scolding.

The vase remains intact on its shelf, sitting with nary a wobble for having been touched. There is a bit of a shimmer, silvery and blue, that flickers briefly over it. It might be difficult to hear over the noise of all of the students, but there's a soft burbling sound somewhere in the background of things. Quiet rather than overwhelming and loud.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon just breathes a light sigh of relief, nodding briefly towards Miss Grey. <<Well, now she has the pieces to complete the puzzle. But I leave it to you, Mr. Summers, and the Professor, as to how best to handle it.>> Her smile is decidedly more relaxed, a more normal coloration returning to her face. Perhaps the prospect of an exhibition was something she wasn't immune to--especially if audience participation proved a possibility!

     One glance at Diana brought out a wry, almost impish grin on the younger woman's face, and she laughs softly. "Guilty as charged, ma'am. Witnessing incredible skill and heart like that isn't something one easily forgets, and certainly deserves to have tales told... wha...?" Okay, perhaps there was almost a child-like glee at the prospect of actually participating in the exhibition that she herself was not entirely immune to!

     It was a mild distraction, but unfortunately enough of one where she nearly missed Mara's attempt to touch the vase. Whirling about, she swoops in to gently herd the young girl away from the priceless object, shaking her head. "Ask first, kiddo. Can't blame you, though. The things here are really pretty, huh?" Smiling some, she ruffles the young girl's hair--but what damage had already been done?

Phoenix has posed:
"I appreciate that, Ms Prince," replies Jean, about the demonstration being open to all to watch. "I'm certain we'll all enjoy it, and perhaps get a good experience as well." She chuckles, a grin forming in its wake. "A mock free for all could be enjoyable for them." And give them valuable experience!

Jean's hearing isn't any better than anyone else's, and that soft burble sound that running water sometimes makes isn't enough to catch her attention. It doesn't sound much different than someone having turned on a faucet somewhere.

But that vase! If anybody is watching it, it looks like there's water inside of it now! And that water is rippling gently upon the surface, much like a cold spring with a source below it would do. Soon, it becomes obvious that not only does the vase have water within it, but that water seems to be rising!

<<If nobody else shows their powers, there's no reason for Ms Prince to notice. It'll be fine.>> Famous last words. Nothing is /ever/ fine when someone says that it'll be fine! Jean really should know that.

What damage indeed?

Kit Killovarras has posed:
There is a student among the group somewhere that doesn't seem too enthusiastic, in fact? they don't seem entirely conscious! About the time that their figure suddenly wobbles and they nearly fall, an individual in a black hoodie and jeans suddenly pulls off a backpack, takes out a tall can and pops it open with a... claw? With another slight jerk, they swing it back over their shoulder with a fairly well practiced jerk and contemplates their newly revealed energy drink can for a moment before pulling it up into the shadow of their hood. It doesn't get tipped up anywhere near enough for the hooded figure to have taken a drink and yet, glug, glug, shlrrp.

Someone apparently isn't a morning person.

Wonder Woman has posed:
It's likely that the pieces of said puzzle will fall into their right places, though Diana isn't the sort to spill anyone else's beans, as it might be said. She's not unfamiliar with people who have special abilities, supernatural and otherwise, regardless of where they might originate from.

One of her eyebrows quirks up, and then she gives a soft laugh. "'Tis quite all right, Shannon. I do not mind that such tales are shared rather than hiding them away," she suggests, her blue eyes showing a sparkle to them. "You showed skill and heart the likes of which is seldom seen, so such ought be spoken of," she adds, giving a nod. Then she winks at the usually winged woman. "There -may- be a free for all, indeed. Practice weapons and such ilk," she says with a smile. She glances towards the young girl then back to Shanon before giving a small nod. "There are a great many pretty things which have stood the test of time. Curiosity can be a mighty powerful thing to try to resist, especially when something calls to one's attention," she says softly, a note of understanding to her voice.

Her attention turns back to Jean, and she gives a nod. "That is the hope, Ms Grey. A memorable and valuable experience, and one that I hope would draw you and your students back in the future years," she says with a smile. Diana's hearing does happen to be better than the average person's. She doesn't happen to be watching the vase, but she does take a moment to scan the room briefly at the burbling sound lurking in the background. Her attention is distracted by the sound of the can being opened, her gaze turning towards the student in question, watching the hooded figure for a moment before her gaze slips over the others.

There's a glance towards Jean, and a smile, and her attention goes back to the students. "Does anyone know where the isle of Themyscira is located?" she asks with a smile easily returning to her features.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's face goes from the deathly pale of fright from earlier, to a veritable garden's worth of rosy hues. She ducks her head, coughing lightly to clear her throat, as she scratches the back of her head. "Only did what had to be done in the moment, ma'am. I've still got a long way to go to earn the right to use the term, 'skill'. That shield throw was pure luck, and wasn't the tale I told the young'uns." It seems Diana wasn't the only one to play her cards close to the vest, as it were! Still, her smile is there, however shy it might have turned--perhaps a side of the young woman that Diana might not have seen!

     That sound of a burbling brook, however, -is- close enough for Shannon to hear. And, as the question about Themyscira's location is put to the rest of the group, she, too, is searching for the source of the noise. Her brows loft as her gaze alights upon the vase, which had so intrigued little Mara.

     Uh-oh.

     "Ummm... Houston, we have a problem...."

Phoenix has posed:
That one student isn't the only one who isn't a morning person, but the hooded figure does seem to be the sleepiest amongst them! Jean nods her agreement about pretty things. "I have to agree there."

The child, Mara, nods enthusiastically. "Is pretty. Was callin' me!" Those blue eyes, so innocent and young, can't help but cast looks at the vase every few moments.

Jean smiles at Mara. "Things do that. Sometimes, it's not a good thing when they do. It's okay, Mara, we just need to be careful from now on." Nope. Hasn't noticed anything as of yet!

It's at this point that the water reaches the top of the vase and rolls, ever so slowly, over the top and starts pouring down the sides.

Just as Shannon alerts them to the fact that they might have a problem, the water reaches the floor and Kit's toes. Jean follows the thought in Shannon's mind to look at the vase. Her expression goes blank for a moment. "Oh no. Ms Prince? Vase overflowing..." And Jean has no idea how to stop it. What she does have, however, is the power of telekinesis, but water... well. It's a slippery beast, but Jean doesn't hesitate to concentrate on the water. A pretty pink tranlucent /something/ gathers around the water and lifts it to keep it from getting anything wet. But the water isn't stopping. "This thing needs to be somewhere else, right now," she states. "I'm not sure how long I can hold this." At least, not without other issues best left unsaid rearing their ugly heads!

Kit Killovarras has posed:
"That's a loaded question," comes the groggy voice of a young man from somewhere underneath the hoodie, "Since the Isle of Paradise is apparently capable of moving where it's located, or at least that's the conclusion several members of my lineage have come to in the search for it over the last millennia."

Then there is a sudden wetness of paws and a sudden jerk and the once 5'9" student in a hoodie is now a 6'6" student in a hoodie with glowing, purple eyes fairly wide open somewhere beneath the shadows of his hood. "Damn..." he murmurs, then looks to the vase as it begins to overflow, making his way over to it to study it a bit closer. After a moment, he reaches up and pulls off his hood, muttering something to the tune of, "Need to see better..." before giving it a closer look and then?

With a delicate touch and soft words spoken in some long dead dialect that doesn't even fully sound... human, Kit stops the flow of water as suddenly as it began. "Clever..." he says with a little smile, still looking rather groggy. "We had something like this in the compound, this ones smaller and much older, but it runs off of roughly the same principal apparently."

The hyena then walks back over to where he had been, patting Mara ever so gently on the head in passing with a simple explanation of, "You woke it up, I'm impressed."

Wonder Woman has posed:
There's a soft chuckle that comes from Diana at the shift in Shannon's expression, and she gives a small nod. "I believe that you may be coming close to selling yourself short, as the saying goes," Diana says, a smile turning at the corners of her lips. "To do what must be done in the moment that it must be done in takes some skill," she adds, giving a small nod. "Be true to the part that you played in it." It is perhaps a bit of odd advice, but sometimes one needs to own one's wins.

She looks over to the hooded fellow, and she listens to the answer that he offers before she gives a samll nod. "It is slightly one, yes. The isle has moved in the past, to a few different locations. It was previously shielded to keep it from being discovered," Diana explains.

One of her eyebrows curves upwards at Shannon's odd turn of phrase, the young woman earning a puzzled look. She takes a moment to listen, her gaze flicking away from Shannon and turning instead to Jean and the girl, Mara. The latter is where her gaze lingers, at the girl's words. "Like calls to like," she says quietly, a thoughtful note to her voice. And a look going to the water that's now upon the floor. Her gaze follows the water back to the vase there where it sits upon its shelf, water spilling out of it. "I do not think that taking it to somewhere else will make it stop spilling forth water from it, though I do agree that it would be best to be somewhere else. If you must, Ms Grey, let the water go," she says. Though the lore of the various artifacts is something that she knows rather well, magic is something else entirely. "This is the first time it has ever done such a thing," she adds. It's an oddity, to be sure.

Her attention shifts back to Kit, and the vase, and she does naught to stop him from touching it. She curiously watches what he does, then tilts her head a bit to one side. "Thank you, for that. Hopefully it will remain off," she says, lifting a hand to gesture towards the vase. "If I might ask... what principal is that?" she asks. Her gaze turns towards the young girl, and she lowers to one of her knees. "You mentioned that it called to you. What did it say?" she asks.

Nightingale has posed:
     There is a brief moment where a hint of pride straightens Shannon's shoulders and spine, and puts something of a gleam in her pale azure eyes. She looks as if she might reply to Diana, but finds herself with her head once more on a swivel, making certain that the incident with the vase is drawing as little attention as possible. It seems that whatever Gods exist were smiling kindly upon the gaggle of 'goslings' and their guardians, for the spillage of water seemed to only draw momentary notice at best.

     For now.

     Only for now.

     A sigh of relief has the young woman's shoulder's slumping briefly, and she runs her fingers through her hair with a smile at Kit. "Thanks. That was a near thing." A reassuring smile is offered to little Mara, with a wink. "It's okay. Ms. Prince is really very kind, and good to talk to."

Phoenix has posed:
In reality, what question /isn't/ loaded in the right circumstances?? Jean doesn't look away from the vase and the water, she already knows what a fully unfurled Kit looks like. She does look relieved, however, when the water ceases and desists. She lets her powers go back to the off position, and the pink fades away. She takes a breath and nods toward Kit. "Thank you, Kit," she says to him. She smiles to Mara, who had shrunk behind Shannon at everyone's reactions to the water. She peeks out, now that it's all gone.

Jean smiles to Shannon and then glances to Diana. "Selling herself short is something we continue to work on." She sounds amused and not at all reproachful.

When Diana speaks to Mara, she shrinks further behind Shannon, bashful and shy and all kinds of worried that she might be in trouble. She lifts her hand and sucks on one of the knuckles of her curled in fingers. Clearly, she doesn't want to say. Jean looks at her. She steps to Shannon's side, facing Mara, and crouches down beside her. She reaches out a hand to rest it on her shoulder. "It's okay, Mara. Ms Prince isn't mad at you. You can tell her."

Mara looks from Diana to Jean, where those blue, blue eyes stay for a long moment. She retracts her knuckle from her mouth and shoves her hands into her pockets. Then she looks back to Diana. "It said it was bored. That it wanted to play," she says quietly.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Kit looks to Diana for a moment, then shrugs and offers a kind smile as he explains, "It's a simple blessing of divinity from the looks of it. The basin back in my families compound was designed with a blessing to Tefnut which allows someone with the knowledge or a connection to her nature to activate it, leading to a near endless supply of water being manifested."

He actually seems to be perking up, though being able to talk about this particular subject might also be helping that matter. "In this case, the vase looks old and it's not a blessing I could recognize, so I took a bit of a shot in the dark and invoked the names of two divines, those being Isis and Tefnut as medium for a simple rite of the enlightened soul.." He pauses for a moment, then adds, "It's a ritual that allows someone without proper rite of the divine to request their words be heard. I wound up having to use the name Tphenis though, since it's the only divine who I know with a name recognized within both the Egyptian and Greek pantheons." He scratches behind his ear for a little bit, giving a sheepish grin - and revealing his fangs for just a moment - before he finishes with, "In a nut-shell, I asked someone to shut it off using ancient rituals. If you know the right channels, it's a fairly simple form of magic to use, even humans were able to do it back a few centuries ago, before a majority of people stopped believing..."

... NERD! This is why you don't get Kit talking about magic...

Wonder Woman has posed:
There's a smile that turns at the corners of Diana's lips at Shannon's reaction to her words, and then she gives a small nod. Her gaze then passes lightly over the other students who are part of the group, perhaps simply to ensure that all of them are well and unharmed. She looks to Jean, and one of her eyebrows quirks up at the comment where Shannon is concerned, and she gives a soft chuckle. "It can take time to have confidence in one's self," she says in a warm tone.

Her blue gaze turns then to Mara, and a gentle smile comes to her features. "You are not in any trouble, little one. I promise you that," she says softly. She falls quiet as the girl speaks, and she tilts her head a touch to one side before glancing briefly to the vase and then back to her. "It wanted to play? Did it say anything else?" she asks softly.

Her attention lifts to Kit, watching him for a moment, and she gives a nod. "I understood what you said. Sumerian, unless I miss my guess," she says, a smile turning her lips. She's not really guessing, but it's perhaps more polite to word it thus. "The vase is quite old, yes. It is a vase to honour Poseidon," Diana explains, giving a small nod. "If you know the right channels and how to ask in the right way," she adds, inclining her head slightly towards him. "Magic has never managed to be a thing that I can work with in such ways. Thank you, again," she says, a grateful tone to her voice.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon coughs lightly at the mention of Poseidon, glancing briefly at the vase. There's actually a light roll of her eyes, and an upwards quirk of her lips as if she is trying to suppress a smile. "Would that vase happen to have anything to do with the naming of Athens, and the contest between Poseidon and Athena to decide who the patron of the city would be?" Oh, yes, her hand is held delicately across her lips and chin now, hiding a smile that is most assuredly making her eyes dance and twinkle.

     Leaning down to give little Mara a hug, she offers, "I'm not surprised the vase said it wanted to play. The gods can get just as lonely as anyone else sometimes. You've just got a big enough heart to listen, that's all." There is a definite degree of familiarity to her surface thoughts, for those so inclined to wonder at.

Phoenix has posed:
Definitely a nerd alert. Despite this, Jean looks as though she does mostly understand what Kit is talking about. But, only the theory he's speaking of. In practice, magic is not something she's good at in the slightest bit. Diana's words about confidence bring a nod from Jean. She might still have some of those issues herself from time to time!

With the reassurance that she's not in trouble, the very dark skinned, blue eyed, blonde 6 or so year old Mara relaxes. "Okay," she says, believing both Jean and Diana that easily. She nods enthusiastically. "Just that it was bored and wanted to play. I'm sorry, Miss Prince, it's not saying anything now."

Jean stays near Mara and offers a nod of thanks to Kit. "Yes, thanks, Kit. Holding water is tricky enough, but it just wasn't stopping." She glances curiously at Shannon, but, for the moment, decides not to ask.

Mara leans into Shannon's hug and beams a smile up at her. She looks back to the vase. "I think it still wanted to play. But it's hiding now."

Cyclops has posed:
While the group seems to converse, Scott Summers is keeping an eye on some of the other kids on this field trip to make sure they don't piss off the Amazons and ensure they remain on best behavior.

"Lucas, Jack, stop roughhousing. if you break any of these artifacts I'm going to put you in detention for a week." Scott threatens and puts on his best scowl. Then his pant-leg is being rigged on by one of the youngest members of the trip, a small girl who felt a little intimidated by one of the Amazon guards. "Don't be intimidated. She's friendly, I promise." And encourages the asking of questions and looking around, but he eventually manages to get to the group.

"I hope everyone is having a good time?"

Scott places his hand briefly on Jean's shoulder if she allows, though he looks to Diana, Kit, and Shannon. A small smile touching his face as he stands. "Thankyou for this, ambassador." Scott tells Diana. "We sincerely appreciate the hospitality of the Embassy."

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Kit gives a little smile and bows his head ever so slightly. "Not many people can." he says to Diana with a little chuckle, then reaches back to pull his hood back up as he adds, "And your welcome. I just hope it was the right ritual to keep it dormant."

Jean gets a glance and a little nod, but before he can say much more than a simple, "Your welcome." he hears Mara make the statement of 'It's hiding' and his ears suddenly twitch under his hood. He's not going to vocalize just what comes to mind with that statement, but there is certainly going to be some sudden internal scream mentally behind the cheerful face of a yeen.

Wonder Woman has posed:
There's a brief glance towards the vase, and then her gaze turns to Shannon. "It was not always named Athens," she comments, a smile tugging her lips. She shifts her weight then and smoothly rises to her feet, the movement graceful. "It was originally named Cecropia. Yet Poseidon and Athena each wished to have the city named after them, instead," she says, a thoughtful note to her voice and a touch of amusement as well. She sounds as though she is familiar with the tale of it.

She tilts her head a touch to one side at the words Shannon has for Mara, and then she gives a small nod. "It can be a lonely sort of life, to live forever and to see the people that you care about die," she says softly. Her gaze turns to Mara, and she offers a smile to the girl. "It is all right, Mara. You did nothing wrong, I promise you," she says in a warm and gentle tone. One of her eyebrows quirks and she tilts her head slightly to one side. "It is hiding?" she asks, studying the girl for a moment. Her attention turns towards the vase. Hiding, meaning that it's not truly dormant or off. Could it be faking it somehow? She steps over towards the vase, watching it for signs of the water.

There's a brief glance that's cast towards Scott, and a hint of a smile touches her lips. And a wink goes to the Amazon guard. "She is only looking so fierce because she feels protective of you all. It is her duty," Diana says softly, her gaze turned to the little girl. She crouches down, watching the girl. "She has a pair of slippers that are fuzzy rabbits," she says in a soft tone that's half conspiratorial in nature. The Amazon guard arches a brow and looks to Diana before breaking from her role to quickly stick out her tongue at the Princess. Diana gives a light laugh as she rises to her feet, and then turns her attention back to the vase before reaching out her right hand to softly brush a fingertip along the rim of it. She looks to Scott, and then she gives a nod to him. "The Embassy, and I, appreciate that you wished to come. You are most welcome," she says with a smile.

Her attention turns to Kit, and she gives a nod. "Indeed, not many have such a gift. I welcome you to use your talents to examine the vase further, if you please," she requests, lifting a hand to gesture slightly towards the vase.

Nightingale has posed:
     "Cecropia? Huh." Shannon gives a little flick of her brows, and a light smile, filing that bit of information away for later reference and research. Somehow, too, she manages to stifle a laugh, and spare the dignity of the Amazon guard who, it was noted by Diana, was in possession of fuzzy bunny slippers. Yet, when she looked back at Diana, that twinkle in her eyes had faded, and her voice quavered slightly. "One need not be immortal to feel the sting of loss in many forms." And that, as they say, was that, with no more being spoken on the matter.

     A brief glance is given to Scott, with her brows quirking upwards once again. This was a side she'd never seen of the normally stoic field leader of the X-men. Who would have thought he had a way with the smallest members of the group like that?

     Ruffling Mara's hair briefly, she hugs her once more and then releases her, smiling a bit for her sake. "Well, there's a time for play and there's a time for other things, hmm? Come on, let's keep up with the rest."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey smiles a gentle smile at Scott when he touches her shoulder. "We do really appreciate it, Ms Prince." She lifts her hand and rests it over top of Scott's. The touch is brief before she lowers her hand and looks between Diana and Shannon. "I take it Athena won," she says. For the Amazon with the bunny slippers... Jean's lips twitch, but she doesn't allow the amusement to go further than that. Then, she looks curiously at Kit. "What's wrong, Kit?"

Mara nods firmly to his question. She apparently is having a good time! As Diana touches the rim of the vase, there's a crystal clear note that sounds. Mara looks at the vase and bounces on her toes. "Ooh. It says it's playtime again!" She looks quite excited! That soft blurble of sound comes again, that of the babbling of a small brook. And the water starts to flow over the edge again. That which was there hadn't disappeared with it being shut off by Kit, or perhaps by itself, just a few moments ago.

Reluctantly, Mara turns away from the vase to go with Shannon. The vase might be displeased by this turn of events. It suddenly gushes twice as much water as before! Talk about a temper tantrum.

Cyclops has posed:
Scott gives a soft nod to Diana in clear approval of her decision to speak to the little girl, who seems to be significantly happier and comfortable in her decisions after Diana takes the time to talk to her. Scott's attention remains though, and he nods ever so softly. "It is helpful to understand - or try to understand - people groups who have stood the test of time longer than most. The honor is ours." He nods his head once.

The hand that was on Jean's shoulder seems to apply some minor pressure in the form of an affectionate squeeze, especially when he feels Jean's gentle touch on his hand, a simple and professional showing. Then his hand returns to his side as he takes hers.

His eyes briefly turn to Mara, but he says nothing.

Instead, his eyes drift to rest upon Shannon a moment. "Wise wods." On the sting of loss. To Kit, Scott looks at them a moment, but says nothing.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
"It might not be like the basin..." is all the Aardwolf says in response to Jean's question before he bolts to stop Mara and Shannon from catching up to the rest of the group, "One moment, might need her help." he says to Shannon, actually looking mildly panicked.

Then he crouches down to bring himself to eye level with Mara, practically sitting with his hands on the floor and his legs folded down to their lowest point and asks, "You can hear it talking, right?" he says with a tilt of his head, then gives a glance back over to the gushing vase before turning his attention back to Mara. "Can you ask it if it has a name...?"

Wonder Woman has posed:
The Princess of Themyscira looks to Shannon, and she gives a small nod. "Indeed. It was, at that time, named after Cecrops, a creature that was half man and half snake," Diana says in a thoughtful tone. She doesn't share the rest of the story, though, interestingly enough. She studies the young woman for a lingering moment, and she gives a small nod. "If only it were so. You are too correct, that it is not a thing that is reserved only for those who are immortal. Sadly, many end up feeling loss in the course of their lives," she says in a gentle tone. If there were something she could do about it, it's likely that she would.

Her attention turns to Jean, and she gives a nod to the redheaded woman. "It was up to the citizens to make the decision. They chose Athena, and what she did to earn the victory was to plant a seed. The seed grew to be an olive tree, which gave the citizens food and oil and firewood," she says, giving at least some explanation for the tale.

Diana looks to Scott, and she gives a small nod to his words. "That is true. There are many groups that have lived upon the Earth over the course of time. One of the important things to remember is that regardless of the colour of our skin or the language that we speak, we are all people and we all share the same Earth," she says softly, a smile touching her lips. "As much as it is your honour to be here, you honour us by being here and it is our honour to have you and the students here," she adds with a smile.

Mara's pronouncement causes her to turn her attention swiftly back to the vase, one of her eyebrows quirking up. "Of course it would say that," she says quietly, more to herself than to anyone else present. "Ischyros Poseidonas, i diki sou einai i pigi tis zois, to nero kai to alati, oi dikoi sou einai oi thisavroi kato apo ta kymata," she says softly, the Greek words flowing fluently from her. 'Mighty Poseidon, yours is the source of life, the water and the salt, yours are the treasures beneath the waves', for those who happen to also know Greek as she does. "Tha miliso mazi sas gia afto, palios mou filos," she adds, inclining her head faintly towards the vase. 'I will speak with you on this anon, my old friend', in Greek once more -- not that it's Poseidon's fault, but the vase is one to honour him and so perhaps he can remove the magic from it once and for all. She takes a step back from the vase as the water spills over the top of it, a little bit at first and then even more. There's a quick glance around the lobby, her brow furrowing slightly as she realizes just how much could be impacted by such a flow of water.

Her attention turns to Kit, studying him for a moment as she listens to what he says to Mara. She may be well versed in such artifacts, but even she doesn't know all there is to know about each of the pieces that are here. And this vase had secrets, it seems.

Nightingale has posed:
     Well, things certainly seemed to be going swimmingly! Shannon first peers oddly over at Mr. Summers, her brows shooting upwards. Who was this, and did he actually... compliment something she said?! Briefly, the thought flits across her mind that perhaps someone switched Mr. Summers for a previously unknown identical twin.

     The vase, however, decides it's time to play whether the group likes it or not. She facepalms, groaning lightly and shaking her head. This was turning out to be quite an eventful trip! She proceeded to round up some of the younger students who had gone wandering off, along with some of the older ones, keeping the group together in case they had to make a hasty exit. At least everyone seemed to be accounted for....

Phoenix has posed:
The little girl watches Kit with big blue eyes. She nods at Kit's question. "Yes." She turns and walks back toward the vase, reaching out to touch the body of it. "What's your name?" Another of those crystal clear sounds comes, louder this time, the sound all but bouncing off the walls. To the ears, it's not the slightest bit painful. It's rather soothing. It sounds a lot like those Tibetan singing bowls used for meditation and calming of the mind.

But with that sound, Jean lifts her hands and claps them to her ears. Not that it helps. The painful part of the sound isn't auditory, but in her mind. Whatever Diana's words are, Jean doesn't respond to them. She's a bit distracted at the moment!

Diana's words to the vase seem to anger it all the more! It shakes there where it's sat, almost wobbling back and forth, and the water gushes forth faster yet. Clearly, it did /not/ appreciate Diana's words to Poseidon!

Cyclops has posed:
Scott nods ever so softly as Diana speaks with him, though he does not reply further. Instead, he seems to ask about this creature. "Cecrops? Ironic." taking note of the gramatical similarity to his codename, 'Cyclops', but does not continue further with the thought. Though he does smile. "They are rather excited and eager to be here. I hope they are not bothering the other Amazons too much." He chuckles, though talk of Mighty Poseidon is missed from Scott.

He doesn't speak Greek.

Though he is not unaware as to the magic. The water spills over the top of the vace and he seems to narrow his eyes a little bit, prepared to lift his sunglasses to fire an optic blast if he should feel the need. But...more curiously, he notices Jean suddenly lift her hands to her head and clasp them to her ears. "Jean!" Scott moves to her side, his hands coming to her shoulders as if to provide a bulwark should she need it.

"What is it? What happened?" His voice is urgent, though he does notice the timing. It seemed to have happened in coinciding with Diana's words about Poseidon.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
The moment the sound begins, Kit's eyes sort of glass over, then a moment later, his ears snap back and pin to his head as he makes this agonized face for a moment, one paw coming up to grip at the side of his head for a moment before he stands up and shakes his head sharply.

It takes him a minute to regain himself as he looks to Diana and explains, "It's not a blessing! It's a spirit!" his voice a little raised, but more than likely just trying to speak over what - to him - is probably an almost deafening sound. "And calling to the divine was a huge mistake!" Again, he shakes his head suddenly, then clears his throat and continues, "For one, it can be frightening and for two, it's disrespectful." Well, at least he's not yelling anymore.

Jean get's a glance and there's a little frown for a moment before the aardwolf sighs and looks back to the vase, watching Mara for a moment before he decides to address the vase directly himself.

"My name is Kit Killovarras, son of Ahmed and Akila, child of the bloodline of Kirahli," Everything he's saying comes with a strange formality. Removing his hood, keeping his eyes locked on what or who he is speaking to, even the change in his tone. "And I would like to apologize for my assumptions." Yup, he's apologizing, to a vase. He's not going to ask for it's name again, that's already been asked by someone else and it's rude to badger.

Wonder Woman has posed:
There's a smile that's given to Scott, and she gives a small shake of her head. "I assure you, they are not bothering any of my Sisters at all. They do not mind their presence at all. Children are still somewhat of a new experience," she says softly. That might seem a bit of an odd statement, unless one happens to be familiar with Themyscira. There's a look that's given over the group of students, taking a swift count of them as though to ensure that all of them are staying together in a group. The rest of the Embassy's denizens, she's less worried about. Diana turns her attention swiftly back towards Mara and Kit there near to the vase. The sound that comes from the vase is one that makes her curious despite the soothing tone of it, though Jean's reaction to it pulls her attention to the redhead. "What is wrong?" she asks, a touch of worry wrinkling her brow. She looks to Scott for a moment as he comes to her side, and she gives a small nod to him.

The shaking of the vase there on its stand causes her to look back to it, and she tilts her head faintly to one side. "It may have been said to be a vase to honour Poseidon, but it seems to me that it likes him not at all," Diana says softly, a thoughtful note to her voice. Sometimes, things are not entirely what they seem. "Do not cause it any physical damage," she adds, by way of warning. She has a feeling that any damage to it would be a bad sort of thing, though where that impression comes from she couldn't and doesn't say.

Diana's attention turns swiftly to Kit, and she tilts her head a touch to one side at his particular choice of words, considering them for a long moment. Then she gives a small nod. "I understand how a spirit might find it to be so, however one does not expect to find a spirit within an item that is supposedly to honour one of the divine," she says. For her, speaking to the God that the vase is to honour is something that seems entirely ordinary, but she has different beliefs than most others do. And she also knows that the Gods that she worships happen to be real. She offers nothing more on the matter of the divine, going quiet as Kit speaks to the vase -- or more specifically, to the spirit that happens to be within the vase.

Nightingale has posed:
     Uh-oh. If this vase did not like Poseidon, then Shannon was going to keep her distance! She busies herself keeping the rest of the students in the same general area, giving Kit, Mara, Jean, Scott, and Diana the space they need to do what needs to be done. Once more, her head is on a swivel, her gaze flitting from exit to exit, gauging the most expedient route out of the embassy if it becomes necessary.

     What she -does- see in the process, however, has her facepalming and groaning. Two students--Petunia and Hambone--were tiptoeing away from the rest of the class in the midst of the chaos, their fingers interlaced with one another. "Of all the..." So much for dignity! "Petunia! Hambone! Get your kiesters back here!!"

     Busted!

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey doesn't respond to Scott, but she likely senses his presence and leans into the support he gives. She is, at least, still on her feet, and more or less steady. Slowly, she lowers her hands. "Hurts... it's shouting, but I don't understand it.." Which is really odd coming from Jean.

Mara smiles and pats the vase. "It's okay. I'm sure Ms Prince didn't mean anything by it." She looks over her shoulder to the adults. "He says his name is Dimos." She looks back to the vase again. "If I play with you, will you calm down?" The vase wobbles again, in a slightly different fashion, and the water slacks off. "Okay then. I'll come play with you!" The water ceases abruptly, and Mara..? Seems to turn to water and get sucked inside of it.

The sound ceases as quickly as the water had, and all is quiet once more. Of Mara, there is no sign. Thankfully, most of the children, sans Kit and Shannon, have wandered to look at things and Amazons and so don't see what had happened. Still in a group, just not watching the events with the vase.

The expression of pain eases somewhat from Jean's face. She stares at the vase, mouth hanging open. "What...? What just happened?" The situation with Hambone and Petunia? Not noticed at all in this situation!

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Kit watches the scene unfold, still watching the vase, even as it takes Mara and he gives a simple, "Dimos," after learning the name. Then he frowns and shakes his head ever so slightly as he glances to Diana and gives the simplest explanation he can. "It's because this wasn't originally meant to honor Posiden..."

Then he turns his attention back to the vase and tilts his head slightly. "Ancient spirit, Dimos. I ask so that I may understand: The relic you are bound to, who was it meant for? Truly?"