790/Manners in the Manse

Manners in the Manse
Date of Scene:	04 June 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	87, Jacky Diamond, Nightcrawler

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Vorpal (87) has posed:
One fateful night, Vorpal had run into Jacky- and, miracle of miracles it was over a burrito instead of a monster or a criminal. They had time to talk, and one thing lead to another. The Cheshire cat mentioned that he was transfering to 'that' school for gifted youngsters, where they might help him... well, make sense of all the mess.

And wouldn't you know it? Jacky had graduated from there, too!

So, just as the Summer period is about to begin, a certain Cheshire cat Rabbit Holes just outside of the path leading to the school with one of his newest friends, and they make the way to the mansion. Vorpal isn't bringing much- because he's keeping the apartment as a second base. Being able to Rabbt Hole just about anywhere has his benefits, after all, and it's good to have a place where no-one can bother you (the school), but also to have another place where you can entertain guests of your own... on your own.

"This is... quite a little house, isn't it?" he quips to Jacky as he goes to the front door and calls. He could have Rabbit Holed in, but that is not polite.

Jacky Diamond has posed:
It's been several years since John Joseph Winters was actually on this campus. Things look different enough that Jacky's a bit bemused. Who knew trees would grow quite that fast? Or that they might disappear. Well, except that here, there are the occasional "incidents" that are more dramatic to the landscape than the usual spring replanting.

"I actually didn't come here that often," Jacky replies. "At the time, they had an idea of separating people who were part of the major teams from those of us who weren't planning to be especially public with our powers. Turns out it wasn't that useful, but," he shrugs, "it kept me and one Mr. Summers apart, which was probably for the best."

Nightcrawler has posed:
*bamf*

*bamf*

Short trips brings a fuzzy blue elf (or demon, you decide!) to the front door, on the inside, leaving behind a trail of brimstone stench. It doesn't take long, of course, for the door to open, and there, standing in the entry is Herr Kurt Wagner, a smile on his face (showing sharpened teeth), and a German lilt to his words, "Ja? Might I help-" He pauses a moment and cocks his head to see Jacky; familiar? Maybe. Still, to see Vorpal on the doorstep, Kurt opens the door a little wider, allowing entrance while continuing, "Welkommen. Come in.. please."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"You'll have to tell me more about this Summers guys. He sounds like a d-" And the door opens.

After encountering Beast, Vorpal is ready to find others who are as unusual-looking as he is. He doesn't show much of a reaction to Kurt's outrageous appearance- because he gets to look at *himself* in the mirror every day. He's actually fascinated by Kurt and doesn't immediately respond. Are blue-furred mutations -that- common? Or did he happen to meet the two blue furry mutants one after the other by pure luck?

"Hallo!" he gives Kurt a wide Cheshire grin, "I'm Thomas Hunter, I just transfered in from Metro U..." he steps in after Kurt opens the door to let them through.

Jacky Diamond has posed:
"Mr. Wagner," Jacky says, following the cat-person inside. "I had much longer hair when you saw me last, and it was dyed purple."

Jacky was That Kid, after all. He also had a guitar most of the time, when he was here. He grins at Tommy's cut-off sentence though.

"He acted like he had a broomstick permanently implanted, yes," he says as an aside to the new student. "But he's probably one of your teachers so don't take my word for it. He might've mellowed."

Nightcrawler has posed:
As Kurt steps back, his tail is lowered, wrapped near his left ankle, and once the pair are inside, he closes the door again. Dark brows rise, and yellow pupilless eyes peer at the pair, Vorpal then Jacky before, "Metro University? Welkommen again, und I'll find Herr Professor? I wasn't aware we were bringing in new this day, but it doesn't matter. I'll be sure to find you a room und then help you find your classes, if you have registered for summer?" It's a polite question, but it follows with a glance back to Jacky.

The smile hasn't faded, and his voice lowers, "You mustn't speak ill of Herr Summers." Of //course// Kurt knows who Jacky is talking about! Kurt reaches out with a three-fingered hand to muss at Jacky's hair, now cut shorter. "I liked the purple. It looked good. Now, are you back to help? I could put you to work in the kitchen..."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Oh, I wouldn't want to cause extra trouble, Mr. Wagner... you're a teacher here, too?" He looks over at Jacky and smirks. Sounds like someone was a troublemaker? Maybe the torch is being passed. "I'm not bringing much with me, I'm keeping my apartment in the city for the weekends. Distance isn't really an issue for me."

His nose twitches. He had thought of mentioning the lingering scent, but then realized that that might be a rude remark, so he focuses on Jacky. "... you can cook? I mean, aside from grilled cheese sandwiches?"

Jacky Diamond has posed:
"Kitchen duty!" Jacky says, laughing. "Nah, now I'm back I still live with my Uncle, only I'm a veterinarian, so I work at the clinic instead of volunteering at the zoo. And yes, I can cook. Mostly on special occasions, though. It was that, fast food or starving, and even a mutant metabolism won't protect you from the fast food fifty forever."

Alliteration badge unlocked, Jacky looks around, getting a feel for the current 'vibes' in the place. As espers go, Jacky's always been fairly obvious to those who know what to look for, and yet also one of the least intrusive, because everything tends to be very general.

"Miss O'Neal not around today?" he asks.

Nightcrawler has posed:
"For the weekends?" Kurt cants his head but nods his acknowledgment and acceptance. "Well, you will have a room for the week, then, while attending your studies. Here, it is much more than classroom. It is a daily life lesson on using your particular gifts, und how to," he looks at Jacky now, those yellow eyes on the other man as he continues, "play well with others." Just the tip of his tail twitches to show his amusement, but the rest of it is quite deadpanned. And it's back to Vorpal, "I am Kurt Wagner, sometimes called 'Nightcrawler'. I teach theatre here, und out there, acrobatics, gymnastics, und I have an invention that I call 'mutant ball'. On good days, we have picnics und we play."

Kurt's attention comes back around to Jacky and looks theatrically disappointed. "We need more in the kitchen. Our supply of waffles disappear quickly these days." He won't blame anyone.. yet. As for the 'vibes' of the place? At least the fuzzy elf is comfortable; unconcerned, at least in the moment. "She is not; though we do expect her return."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Vorpal blinks at Jacky's question. "Miss O'Neil?" Coincidence, totally. Unless. "Wait. April was the one who told me about this school. Was she punking me and she is also actually a mutant?"

He turns back to Kurt and grins, "Oh, excellent. I'd love more training in acrobatics and gymnastics. I took some in highschool but after my transformation, I've gotten much, much better at it. But it's all instinct, I need technique."

He feels the need to clarify, "Well, for the weekends when I want to see my friends without having them trek all the way over here. I imagine there's all sorts of things for visitors to sign." He takes the bag off his shoulder to rest for a little. "And daily life lessons is exactly what I need." Consiering the mess he has made of things recently.

"This is quite a building... I feel like I'm in.. " we all know what he was going to say, even he does, but he manages to catch it just in time "... just somewhere incredibly fancy."

Jacky Diamond has posed:
"Tatum O'Neal, spelled with an 'A' - she's a music teacher here. We met in a mall where I was checking out some guitar strings," Jacky says. He's seen April O'Neil's report blurts of course, but he has no idea if she's a mutant. She's not close enough for him to use ESP to find out, either.

"Yeah, I would've loved the chance to take gymnastics from this guy," Jacky says, without commenting on what Vorpal was going to say. Probably something about Wonderland, but there's also a good sense he was going to say Buckingham Palace, or ... Narnia? How many trains of thought are running through that cat's station anyway?

Jacky is a lot more 'built' than he was when he was a 17 year old student. He also has lots of "brick tricks" because of the 'diamond' thing, but he's not as agile as he'd like to be, frankly. He frowns for a moment.

"OK, I can tell you need more real waffles pre-made. I'll stop by sometime and make up a batch for the freezer, along with some actual blueberry pancakes made the right way. Thrown, not mixed."

Nightcrawler has posed:
"... like Flynn. Herr Errol Flynn is one of my idols," Kurt offers easily, though now he takes a step aside to gesture towards the inner chambers of the building. "There is processing, a couple of papers just to say that you have arrived und will abide by the rules of the school." His tones drop, and he looks at the Cheshire, "Here, we learn to get along not only with each other, but with those who have no abilities. We strive for equality, not dominance here. I am just as likely to aid one who cannot help himself against one of 'us', if he is innocent, as I am to aid one of our own in the same circumstance."

Kurt is ready to show the way, watching the pair easily. "In the back gardens. I will be sure to send a message to you if you are not about." Though now, with the promise of pancakes and waffles? The fuzzy elf is more than pleased, "We will set up a time und we'll have a kitchen party for it. You can teach the others how to do it, ja?"

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Oh, Mister Wagner, you don't need to worry about any of that nonsense. Until six months ago, I -was- one of those people without abilities. Believe me, my attitude hasn't changed at all. Except maybe I now carry lint rollers to pick up after myself when I sit down somewhere." He smirks, "... I actually have been doing the whole 'masked vigilante' thing at night. Except no mask, because I'm a fu-" CORRECTION "fricking cat and there's no way I can hide the face, so why bother, right?" Do not swear in front of a teacher. That was an averted cat-astrophe.

He picks up his bag and follows, "Right, abide by the rules. I can do that. I can also cook. If Jacky does his waffle thing, I can always show everybody how to make my mom's Tiramisu. People have revelations when eating it. I have, occasionally, used it as currency."

Jacky Diamond has posed:
Jacky nods at the concept of using tiramisu as currency. Because, yes, it could be used that way. Which, for some reason, reminds him...

"Incidentally, I came across a mutant kid from Germany a few weeks back," Jacky says. "Severe physical mutation, not humanlike. His parents had brought him here to try to find the correct school to place him in because he wasn't fitting in back in Germany... he'd been in touch with the Professor, and with another school. I get the feeling he went with the other school. I can't tell yet if it was the right choice, but hopefully he did make it himself."

There's a sensation, or ratyher, a lack of sensation ... There's not too many students around today. Movie day? Or have they got power screens that actually work now?

"I'd love to learn what this 'mutant ball' game is about."

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt leads the pair into the administration area now, his tail wrapping about near his knees just to keep out of the way. "I do not shed. There are some who believe I do, but they are mistaken." Thus, no lint rollers to be had by him! Nope! He looks back to Vorpal, however, his welcoming smile turning grander once again, "I will remember that und will encourage you to greater heights. Baking is a gift. Eating such without leaving crumbs on the fur? Almost impossible."

The elf really is holding himself in check; if Kurt were alone taking these halls, he'd be on the walls, the ceilings, jumping from side to side and teleporting. But, he does have a duty! To hear of another from Germany, however, Kurt stops in the corridor and gives Jacky a searching look with those glowy yellow eyes. "Who is it? I wish I had been told. I would have gone to speak with him myself. Physical mutation. German. He needs to be somewhere he feels safe." How could that place be anywhere BUT here?

"Und 'mutant ball'. That is a game of ball where all abilities are in play. Two teams, und the ball has to get into the other side's goal. It must be done with teamwork, however. Teleporters cannot just teleport it into the goal."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Incredible how he missed it at first, but the movement of it wrapping around Kurt's knee draws his eyes. "You have a tail!" And then he quickly looks up, because it's inappropriate to stare at a teacher's backside, even if it's just because he was surprised by the tail. "That... is awesome! Finally-" he says to Jacky, "Someone who knows of the nightmare of sitting down without sweeping behind you."
5rTo Kurt, he adds, "Right after I changed, I spent two weeks sitting down on my tail in class. Then I'd spring up and yelll. I disguise myself with magic over at Metro U because secret identity... so people saw this human kid doing that. My classmates probably thought I had nuclear hemorrhoids."

The description of Mutant ball draws a grin from Tommy, and he bounces on his feet a little, "... that sounds fun! When's the next match? I'm in! I'm in so much!"

Jacky Diamond has posed:
"I'm sure he did end up going to the other school. His name was Boris, but I didn't get a family name." Lying. Jacky did get a family name, but he just used it to double-check that the kid's pre-application for the Xavier School had actually been made. The other school, the 'academy' place, has far fewer non-humanoids, but more funding, and the utter bitch that was Boris' mother would have pitched yet another fit if the accursed and hated spawn of her loins were to be among other less human-looking persons, where he might feel less like a monster. When he met her, Jacky very nearly did one of those things that telepaths aren't supposed to do, to "adjust" her thinking.

The revelation of the tail makes Jacky laugh out loud. Cat memes do that, though.

"If I'm not in office hours, let me know as well, I might be able to pop over."

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt actually barks a laugh at the discovery of his tail, and the grin that has come and gone returns yet again, showing off those sharpened teeth. "And closing doors behind me," is added. "My problem is, my tail has a mind of its own, which can get me into trouble." With the ladies. The tail comes around to the right, and Kurt takes hold of it, "What am I to do mitt it?" He reaches out to put an arm on Vorpal's shoulder, "We must stick together, we who have tails. The others know nothing of our difficulties."

Though, mention of the match bring's Kurt's movement forward again towards admin. "I have to hang a sign on the board for the next match. But I will be sure you are there to play. It is a good day, und we have the picnic, with the pool opening."

Hearing the name, then, Kurt nods in acknowledgment, "Boris. I will look for him. He shouldn't be too difficult to find, ja?" Shame, shame! Lying to Kurt?! A man so close to being a priest that even priests mistake him? "I have friends in ... different places." But now?

"Let us get the paperwork, und you can help your friend find his room und help him move in."

Jacky Diamond has posed:
Jacky nods to Kurt. Normally he wouldn't have mentioned this, but he didn't trust that mother. As for what he can do with his tail, well. That was occasionally a topic for rude speculation, which (once again) Jacky locks down in his head so it won't leak out. He follows along for the paperwork.

For some reason he feels slightly ... deprived? ... for not having a tail. Caudal envy. How strange.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Tommy grins right back, showing the cheshire grin with fangs and all. "Brothers of the Coda, unite. Maybe we can start a club. And a petition for chails with holes in the back. These people have no idea what it's like to go clothes shopping. Alterations for a tail-hole are ridiculously expensive... Oooh, there's a pool?"

He pauses. "I hope it has really good filters. I tend to ... clog up drains."

He's actually excited to fill out paperwork. "This is too cool, really." He also may have found a favorite teacher, or at least the first of many, he hopes. "I can't wait to meet the other students... this is going to be the first time I won't feel like the odd one out."

Then he reflects on something Marinette said to him. "... nevermind, I'm always the odd one, in or out."

And he gets back to the paperwork.