13973/Nightcrawler Checks In

Nightcrawler Checks In
Date of Scene:	21 November 2021
Location:	Wellness Office - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Kurt spends some time with a recovering Shannon
Cast of Characters:	Nightcrawler, Nightingale

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Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt Wagner has been away from the mansion and just recently returned. He's getting into the swing of things once more, so to speak, the nimble German always sociable and friendly with all ages.

Today, he's volunteering to help out in the wellness office, having at least a decent level of first aid training and filling in for the nurse who called in sick today. He wears a pair of scrubs with a hole cut out for his tail, sitting cross-legged atop the stool at the desk.

Nightingale has posed:
     Thankfully, Shannon was in one of the beds, with her right wing bandaged up, in a modest but comfortable long pale blue silk nightgown. Her laptop was put away in its case resting next to her bed, and she has a pair of headphones on hooked up to her phone. Her had is bobbing lightly in time to the music playing, and she seems to be cracking open the books. Glancing up, she chuckles softly, tapping her phone and sliding her headset off of her head, putting it aside for the moment.

     "I'm so used to being the one at the desk these days," she offers by way of greeting. "Guess that's an improvement from years past. How are you, Herr Wagner?"

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt Wagner spins around in the chair a little bit until he's facing the young woman, catching himself with his tail pressed against the desk to cease his momentum.

"I do not know if there is a volunteer position in the mansion with which you haven't busied yourself at one time or another, fraulein," he says cheerfully. "You must leave at least a little work for the rest of us. I am well and content, Shannon, although I am unhappy, of course, that you have been injured, even if it was in pursuit of good cause."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's lips press together in a thin line for a moment, though after the space of a few heartbeats, they curl upwards, however briefly. "I had to train my gifts somehow," she finally says. "Either through proving I was able to work -without- them out in the field, or finding different ways to work -with- them volunteering in here. At least I'm not having to work on my own any more. Dr. McCoy's been helping, and... well, my gifts have been shifting."

     She cracks a little smile and chuckles, nodding. "Mhm. Diana had things well in control on her portion of the beach, and Agent Barnes was doing well enough on his. But someone took a potshot at his -dog-, for pete's sake. An innocent -DOG-. That really pissed me off."

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt Wagner nods, "I am well aware of your drive. It is noted in all of your transcripts. Extraordinary dedication is something of your calling card," he says. "I am not criticizing. I understand all too well the desire to be needed, to make a place for yourself. It is an especially strong feeling when you are different in a visible way. Although your wings and my own appearance may have slightly different aesthetic threshholds, both mark us as something other than human. At least in the eyes of some."

"And yes, the depravity of some of those we fight shocks me even still. To hurt an innocent animal..." he says, clucking his tongue and shaking his head.

Nightingale has posed:
     "To hurt an innocent animal is just as sick as hurting one another. Maybe even more so. Most of the time at least we can fight back." Shaking her head, Shannon makes a light noise of utter disgust, something between a cough and a grumble, rolling her pale azure eyes.

     "It's only recently, too, that I've even begun to connect with other students, people a little closer to my own age, rather than the teachers here. Figures it'd be my senior year, when I'm the one who'll have to be leaving post-graduation." She sighs softly, shaking her head. "Funny, how things work out that way, hmm?"

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt Wagner smiles, "God seems to have a strong sense of irony. Or perhaps it is merely His sense of humor. Our plans and intentions are often set aside for the vagaries of fate and purpose. Sometimes we have to make the best of it. I think you have done so admirably. But I am glad to hear you are making friends."

"Do you have plans beyond graduation, yet? Have you already been given the recruitment speech?"

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's brows arch, and she snorts softly. "What recruitment speech?" Her words are slightly clipped, her voice a bit short, and followed with a little sigh. "No such thing as that. I've my music if all else fails, though I'm starting to look at applying to Columbia University's medical program. I was able to get my EMT certification, both national and state, so there's that as well. But... no. No recruitment speech."

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt Wagner cocks his head, "I did not mean to offend, fraulein. I only meant that you seem a natural choice for someone who could continue to serve and help others here at the school, if you are so inclined. Extraordinary students are often asked to stay in one capacity or another. But it is not my place to presume or to pry. I apologize," he says, holding up his three-fingered hands.

"I do not expect very much of anything you attempt will fail. You are a most capable young woman."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon shakes her head slightly, offering a wry, almost sad smile. "I doubt you could ever offend me, Herr Wagner. It's just... I made a lot of mistakes my first couple years here, trying to prove myself, and work with a very difficult gift. I don't know if they'll ever see past those, if I'll ever have that chance to help out here. God only knows I've tried. But will it ever be enough?"

     Allowing herself a bit of a sigh, she settles back against her pillows, looking up at the ceiling. "At least miss Grey knows I want to try. Had a good talk with her just before summer break about a lot of this. So... maybe there's hope yet, who knows?"

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt Wagner nods, "I understand your fears. But they are just that. Your fears. To you, they linger because you struggled so much and because it felt so personal to you. To others, they see only your striving and your ultimate success. I do not think such matters would be held against you. If you were to need a voice attesting as much, I would be more than happy to provide it."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shaking her head a bit, Shannon goes silent for a few moments, composing her thoughts as best she can. "Hopefully, I won't need that voice," she replies. "But I'm grateful to know it's there. For now... the best I can do is get the idea of the Dream out there. And that, I can do regardless. Heck, I've already started." She smiles a bit now, humming lightly, then singing a capella in a strong, clear alto voice.

"A stray bullet and a mama cries
Her baby won't be coming home tonight
Sirens screaming down the avenue
Just another story on the evening news
Oh
Whoah...

Politics and prejudice
How the hell'd it ever come to this?
When everybody's got to pick a side
It don't matter if you're wrong or right
Oh, and so it goes
But I hold onto hope and I won't let go

'Cause I, I believe you and me are sisters and brothers
And I, I believe we're made to be here for each other
And we'll never fall if we walk hand-in-hand
Put a world that seems broken together again
I, I believe in the end, love wins...."

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt Wagner listens respectfully and smiles, "That is a lovely sound and a lovely sentiment. Truly, you are gifted in many ways. I used to try and play the organ a bit, when I lived in abandoned cathedrals back in Germany. Many, many years ago now," he says.