9867/Just us freaks

Just us freaks
Date of Scene:	01 November 2019
Location:	Roof Tower - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Mason and Kurt talk about friendship, and then Vi is told she can get power fuel!
Cast of Characters:	Nightcrawler, Mason Steele, Vi

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Nightcrawler has posed:
Called to a meeting, but away from where nosey types could peek in - the Tower was off of the faculty and X-Men hall, and being the path to Ororo's rooms made it even less desirable as a 'sneak off' location. Due to the weather there are panels in place and a pot-belly stove has been brought in with a flue pipe running out through one of the weather panels.

Kurt is there, waiting for Mason, sitting on an ottoman in his customary crouch, one of the comfortable patio chairs set nearby, complete with a tray of nibbles and a few types of drink ranging from tea to soda. The fuzzy blue elf presently in quiet conversation with a BAMF eating a cookie.

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason was apprehensive at best. There have been enough tabloid tags, interview questions, and other things that have asked about his relationship with Andrea. He always dodged them, saying something indirect and inspecific. Why? Because it's none of their business, that's why.

    So when he comes up the steps to the tower, he isn't sure what to make of what's about to happen. Fortunately, he's distracted by the sight of the little...what is that anyway? He pauses, hands in his khaki pockets, a red sweater on his top. He glances at the stove, the plants. He does like the smell up here. It smells like soil. So he hangs back, not sure how to approach with a little...demon looking thing present.

Nightcrawler has posed:
Both look up when Mason appears, the little creature waiving a hand and growling out something intelligible before it disappears in a tiny cloud and accompanying small BAMF! to announce its' exit. Kurt remains though, dressed down and motioning for Mason to take a seat, talking in a friendly tone even as he does so.

"The spotlight is a difficult place for those like us - especially for people like you - and Alison or Andrea, ja?" hands resting between his feet, like a fuzzy blue gargoyle hovering as he is, spaded tail waving slowly back and forth while he observes the young man.

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason knits his brow, and gives a non-committal shurg, walking casually and indistinctly into the area. "What...what was that?" he asks, pointing to where the little BAMF had been. He glances at a seat nearby, but hesitates to sit down. Clearly, he's not quite certain about the course of this conversation.

Nightcrawler has posed:
Motioning for Mason to sit, Kurt looks to the little cloud drifting away, "It's called a Bamf, they're from the same dimension my father is from." offering a polite smile - mouth closed to conceal his pointed teeth while he scratches at his beard along the jawline.

"Please have a seat, Mason, have something to eat or drink if you like as well, ja?" lifting up a tea-cup, a fairly outsized one with a purposely overlarge handle to make up for his hands.

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason sits, as if he might be about to sit on nails, gently and carefully. His hands stay in his pockets. He shrugs, "Okay, he assents. Who doesn't like cookies? He pulls his left hand out of his pocket, and reaches forward to pick up one of the cookies off the tray, and holds it, not biting into it yet. "So um, what'd you want to talk to me about?" he asks.

Nightcrawler has posed:
"You know it's reasonable to be afraid of someone's mutation - especially when it's unexpected." watching the young man over the rim of his cup, "Mrs. Pride, and Rahne Sinclair both hated and reviled me when they first met me..." Kurt's cup is down just as casually, "I understand I have an appearance that inspires certain stereotypes, ja?"

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason shrugs again, seeming to prefer that nonverbal communication. "I mean, if you are at a rave, it'd be pretty sick," he offers, as if it's some sort of encouragement. "I kinda got used to seeing people that look a bit different when I first got here. It doesn't bother me any. I mean, Andrea turns into a giant wolf, Josh has golden skin, Shannon has wings, it's all cool." He takes a bite out of the cookie.

Nightcrawler has posed:
"And Andrea turns into an eight foot tall werewolf that I understand now causes you to avoid her?" Kurt's brow raises and he goes still, watching the young man. The lack of motion causing other aspects of his gifts to manifest - namely the light begins draining out of where he sits and thin shadows begin deepening, wrapping around him.

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason pauses, face frozen as if he's trying to process the question. "Um, no? Who told you that?" He looks genuinely confused by the assessment.

Nightcrawler has posed:
"Who told me is not relevant right now. They are allowed their anonymity to reduce chance of retaliation. You're here because it's understandable to be frightened of such things -if you were- I am not substantiating reactions others perceived, only stating what was perceived and lookingfor how to help, ja?" Kurt smiles again, tail flicking, the shadows dispelled again.

Mason Steele has posed:
    "I'm not interested in being some shrink project," Mason states directly. "I'm not afraid of what people look like. I get concerned about what they do. I'm not some expert on ethics or anything, but sometimes, it seems a little loose on what people consider 'okay' and what they don't. You know there's several people in this school who have actually murdered people?" he asks. "That should probably be a bigger concern than what people look like. I don't think most mutant haters are worried about what mutants look like. They are worried about what they can do, and what some /have/ done."

Nightcrawler has posed:
"I'm not a shrink. Nor are you a shrink project. I am trying to understand the issue had... I'm very aware that there are mutants whom have killed, and have killed to defend others. I don't condone it, I don't condone killing - it's against everything." Kurt continues to sit, sipping at his tea, "So what is it about Andrea that suddenly encourages such a response?"

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason frowns, "Andrea and I haven't been together in like, forever." Okay, so a few months. "She just... isn't the same person. She used to be a good Christian girl, and I kinda liked that about her. She just seems to have been eaten by the machine. She's just not the same person she used to be. And I'm part of her problem, it's not like she's just changed because of everyone else." He cocks an eyebrow. "I'm kind of an asshole. She just doesn't get it, too-" he waves his hands indistinctly, as if not having words. "She's got too much of a blind spot for me. Doesn't know any better, or doesn't /want/ to know any better." He takes a bite, speaking around the cookie. "I'm not the same either." He doesn't go into detail on that one.

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt Wagner bows his head slightly, "Und why is she no longer a 'good Christian girl' anymore, Mason? I've spent time with her, instructing her and working with her mutation. She seems like a fine upstanding young woman to me, ja?" eyes turning to focus, tail flicking.

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason frowns, "Well, she didn't seem to feel it was wrong that she totally murdered a few people. I mean, even if it was self-defense. That would screw me up, okay? That's not normal. She loves the spotlight, the attention. She likes having troves of people follow her around. There's the fact that she doesn't call herself a Christian any more, and I mean, that's not my problem, my business, I dunno where I stand on that stuff, just...it was nice that she knew where she stood on it. Double standard, I know, so sue me. Mr. Wagner, I'm like, not an okay person, all right? You seen my file? I've been in counseling for years, had a suicide attempt, and I live in a world where I am treated as a commodity. You can't really wrap your head around that if you haven't been there. I'm a traded good. Andrea gets that, but she likes it. It makes me feel like a used tissue." His voice has raised as he's spoken, but doesn't seem to notice. "That by itself is like an abusive relationship. I like people liking my stuff, but people are dicks, the whole lot of them. You ever read comments sections on YouTube? Ever wonder how you'd feel if they were about you?"

Nightcrawler has posed:
"I understand being a commodity a lot better than you might think, Mason - including the spotlight, and 'user comments' after a fashion." Kurt doesn't elaborate but he does go on, "She cares very deeply about the people killed while she was out of control you know. Worries that Gott will condemn her to hell because of actions taken that she is repentant of." his tea is refreshed and Kurt continues slowly.

"Sometimes it's a matter of talking to something as well. Even if you still do not wish to be friends, some closure could help." smiling then, the Blue elf reaches out to try and pat Mason's arm, "Everyone like us, stage performer or no, lives under a great deal of pressure as well - which is why we have chats like this. I'm not a shrink, like I said, but I'm fine to listen to someone vent, be angry, hysterical, however they feel. I'm not here to judge you, just to try and get an understanding to be able to try and help."

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason shakes his head. He doesn't know Kurt's background, but he looks doubtful of the claim. "I didn't say I didn't wanna be friends," he says. "I just am not the right guy for her, and I don't think she's right for me either." He lets out a frustrated sigh. "Is that all this was about? Andrea is upset because we aren't dating anymore?" he asks, standing to his feet. "I heard this one enough. I don't need to justify myself to anybody on it. I can make my own decisions."

Nightcrawler has posed:
"I don't care about dating, or any of that, I care about a young woman who feels like a monster because of her mutation, who thinks other people feel she's a monster. I want to make sure if you do, or do not, and if you do try to help get perspective, ja?" He'd noticed the look and decides to give a comparative example,

"When I was little I performed in the circus, acrobat, trapeze, tightrope - those sorts of things. The Amazing Nightcrawler - I lived in a cage when I wasn't performing, or being called horrible things when on display in the freakshow. What few friends I had were precious. But I also understand the wish to hide away. It had nothing to do with 'dating' or anything."

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason sighs. "I don't think her mutation makes her a monster," he answers. "I just don't want to deal with all the drama. I wish I could just make my music, let people enjoy it, be able to just live my own life, and not have people make things harder." You know, like a fairy tale. "I got enough of my own stuff going on to be trying to babysit her or anyone else's emotional state." He finishes the last bite of the cookie. "Is that such a terrible thing? Does that make me a horrible shallow jerk?" Maybe it does.

Nightcrawler has posed:
Kurt nods his head to Mason, smiling still, "That's perfectly fine to want, but perhaps you may wish to explain to her that she's not a monster to you, ja? It's not babysitting other's emotions to let them know how you feel. But it can help when they know you don't think them monstrous, ja?" head tipping to one side as he studies the young man. "That's all. Sometimes living one's own life involves being involved in others so we can get our space."

Vi has posed:
The brisk November air doesn't seem to bother Vi as she soars through the air, her dark hair flying in the breeze of her passing. She's taken to wearing slightly warmer clothing, a jacket added overtop the sweatshirt with the SHIELD logo on it. Though even with the whipping wind that wants to chill exposed skin, she seems comfortable.

The school comes into sight, Vi traveling as high as she dares. A metal washer she sent shooting down to land on the lawn is pulled back to her hand once she has finished pushing against it. That last push giving her enough momentum to get her to the school. She's learned where some of the metal parts of the school's support structure are, pulling at first to help steer herself to the school, and then a series of little pushes to slow herself.

Pewter strengthens her legs though her landing on the roof is gentle enough she didn't need the enhancement. Vi turns to look back out towards the school's landscaping that she's just finishing flying above. Her senses sharpen as she takes in the view, and that's when she hears voices from the Tower. Vi hesitates and then walks closer. She's wearing the boots Lara Croft bought her, rather than going barefoot as she still does in the school's hallways sometimes. The footfalls might be caught as she moves nearer to the Tower's doorway.

Mason Steele has posed:
    "Whatever," Mason says with a huff. "She just has to get over it. I'll tell her if it gets you off my back about it," he consents. "Anyway, I-" he glances to catch sight of Vi outside the window, and glances at her approach. "Looks like you got another appointment or somethin'," he assumes, giving a nod in her direction.

Nightcrawler has posed:
"Don't tell her a thing unless you mean it, Mason. A lie is worse than scorn." An admonishing look given to Mason. "Closing yourself off is a dangerous thing. Setting self over all moreso." turning to the sounds of approach, "Nein, I had no other appointments, but I feel ours is done. Got wit Gott, Mason - if you choose to leave." waiting for the door to open or be passed by before he reacts, tail flicking in his curiosity.

Vi has posed:
Vi mentally kicks herself as her enhanced hearing catches the notice of her from inside the room. If the lifelong street thief had been heard so easily back where she was from, she'd not have made it to the age she did. She glances down at the boots. So much noisier than her bare feet. She would have to make adjustments for them. Maybe she could muffle the soles somehow.

Knowing that she was heard, Vi moves over to the door to knock softly upon it rather than just walk in. And rather than let them think she was going to stand out there and eavesdrop. Which she was. She just doesn't want to let them think she was.

Mason Steele has posed:
    "Okay," the young musician answers. He tilts his head to the side, and looks like he feels a little more comfortable now that the 'talk' is over. "I'm gonna grab some of this cider. There supposed to be a party up here or something?" he asks, grabbing one of the cups. He lets Kurt handle any door answering.

Nightcrawler has posed:
"No, I just want there to be something to eat." he looks up to the door, "Herzlich willkommen!" setting his cup down to take up a biscuit, chewing at it while waiting to see who comes in. He looks briefly back to Mason, to comment, "You may need to talk to the professor about some of the issues you've had, that caused that attempt." keeping it vague with extra ears around, "Charles could likely help with some of the... trauma."

Vi has posed:
Vi doesn't respond at first to the spoken German. She pauses outside the door, considering. Pretty sure the lifted voice meant it was for her, but not knowing what it meant. Finally she opens the door hesitantly, ready to close it if she gets yelled at.

Assuming that doesn't happen, the petite older teen takes a partial step into the doorway. "I didn't know if I'd be intruding," she says quietly. "I'm still learning my way around. I didn't know what the area was up here," she says of the room inside the tower. She's been on the roof a lot, but not been into the Tower yet, nor into Ororo's attic. "I can go if I'm interrupting," she says quickly.

Nightcrawler has posed:
"No, not interrupting at all, Vi. Please come in. There are cookies and biscuits, some tea or cider, or soda. Please help yourself ja?" Kurt's tail moves to grab one of the patio seats and pull it over with little difficulty.

"Mason and I were simply having a chat, but it was winding down so no worries about interruption." beaming a smile to the young woman.

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason raises the cup in his hand as he finishes pouring the cider. "No, just in time for snacks," he offers. His demeanor seems to be like a switch, as people might be able to do when answering the phone after an argument, he is capable of it in person. A pearly smile and confident demeanor replacing what Kurt saw only moments ago. "Want a cookie?"

Vi has posed:
Vi steps further in as Kurt invites her inside. "Thank you," she says a little demurely. She peeks over at Mason and at Kurt with little glances rather than leaving her eyes up to meet theirs for very long. "I was outside... well I was outside. Enjoying the day," she tells them. Her hair is usually a bit tousled, but more so given what she was up to.

At the offer of a cookie, Vi moves over to the plate. "Thank you," she says, picking one up. "The cake... it was good. But you shouldn't eat too much of it," Vi says towards Kurt. "It makes your stomach hurt if you eat a lot of it,' she shares in a self-conscious tone.

Vi looks towards Mason, lifting her eyes to look at him for a few moments longer than she has so far. "I'm Vi," she offers. Starting to hold out her hand, then seeming not sure, and finally just settling to give him a little finger wave instead.

Nightcrawler has posed:
"Ja, too much sugar will do that, miss." Kurt grins and shrugs as he continues to enjoy his nibbles. "But there are many things you're unused to, so better to let you experience and learn. It's a good thing, for most things at least." The Fuzzy Blue Elf leans back where he crouches on the ottoman, relaxed again, though studying Mason for the moment.

"Have you had time to examine your gifts as well, Vi? The grounds are a great place to do so."

Mason Steele has posed:
    Mason offers a return of the finger wave, as if it were the standard greeting someone gives rather than an awkward uncertainty. "Mason," he says, "Mason Steele. Good to meet you Vi," he gives a casual snap of a wink, and then picks up a second cookie. "Sugar is good for you," he contests, as if it was a well known fact.

Vi has posed:
Vi smiles softly as she gets the greeting from Mason. She looks back to Kurt to say, "Just on my own. I've been...um... flying. Kind of," she tells him. "Not like... I don't know his name. The boy with the red hair," she says. That would be Ernie. The boy won't keep his feet on the ground, likes to fly to class and pretty much take any moment to be in the air that he can.

Vi's eyes glance about for a moment. "I was wondering if there was someone I could talk to about getting some more of what fuels my powers? I've been doing chores to earn money, but I don't know where to go to get more of it," she says uncertainly.

Nightcrawler has posed:
"Vi, we won't make you -buy- what you need, Vi... Just talk to Dr. McCoy and he can get you set up with what you need to fuel your powers, ja? He may ask for some demonstrations, so that he can get a better idea of what you can do, and how he can help - but it's just for that eh? Help." Kurt beams at her, tea up and being sipped once more.