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Post by Wanda Maximoff on Jan 24, 2008 22:03:13 GMT -5
“I dinna think I could handle another bear."
Nodding Wanda's face took on a puzzled expression, though she was aware that bears were one of the many animals that populated the American wilderness, she was not quite sure why bears specifically were a worry. Deciding to ignore that for now, unless Rhane wanted to expand on her fear of bears, she decided to move back through the conversation to talk of her time as a student at the Institute.
“I mean, ya weren’t that bad. Just busy. Teachers here got an interesting time of it. I mean, there’s a lot going on, saving the world an’ all. Most teachers dinna have worry about that stuff.”
At the time Wanda had not replied, but it had given her something to think about while Rhane went on. It was true that the teachers at the Xavier Institute had more to deal with than most, but htat was no excuse for ignoring a student. Yet Wanda was not sure how she could manage to do things differently, other than being more comfortable in her own skin now that she felt accepted at the school.
"About not paying attention to you," she said, knowing that was a somewhat inelegant way to phrase it but not knowing how else to say it, "I apologize again. It is not right that just because we had being X-Men to do we owe our students less than any other school. It is not right that I may have let my own personal situation interfere with my duties as a teacher. Perhaps you should come back, do another year as a student and you can see how I've improved"
Not wanting to overburden the former student with her own life story she left it at that. The previous year had been a hard one for the Scarlet Witch, settling into a new enviroment had been difficult, missing her twin had been hard and on top of that she was still torn between her sense of duty to her family (specifically her father) and her own moral beliefs. Plus she had not exactly been welcomed with open arms by all of the other faculty at first.
"So how college? I have never been to a school, so the Institute is all I know in terms of schools," she said.
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Post by Rahne Sinclair on Jan 25, 2008 4:23:18 GMT -5
Rahne couldn’t tell if Miss Callasantos was simply teasing her, or if she was actually disappointed by the fact that Rahne had failed to join in the slaughter of the bear. She knew that, from a logical point, the woman was probably just teasing, but she was unable to shake the feeling that the teacher was somehow dissatisfied or disappointed with her in same way, that she was failing to live up to some expectation. It made her nervous and awkward, although most things did.
"About not paying attention to you, I apologize again. It is not right that just because we had being X-Men to do we owe our students less than any other school. It is not right that I may have let my own personal situation interfere with my duties as a teacher.”
Miss Maximoffs was a clear example of things that made her nervous and awkward; she just wasn’t sure how to handle a teacher’s apologies. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, as if a new position could some how dispel the feeling.
“Perhaps you should come back, do another year as a student and you can see how I've improved"
That shocked her into stillness, but before she could utter a remark Miss Maximoffs continued:
"So how college? I have never been to a school, so the Institute is all I know in terms of schools,"
“It’s good.” She said tentatively, realizing that her former teacher had probably been teasing with the return to the Institute comment. “It’s not really like the Institute. No mutants. Less structure. Classes are harder. A little more like-”
She almost said ‘a family’, but swallowed her word just in time. It was no secret that Rahne had never been completely happy at the Institute, failing to develop any close friends among the students or relationships among the teachers, or discovering any nitch to belong in. But she felt that it might be rude to rub it in Miss Maximoffs face that she felt more belonging and friendship in her single semester of college then she ever had at the institute.
“-my school in Scotland.” She finished weakly. Struggling to defend her point before her teacher discovered the error and become upset she explained: “My English Lit professor’s from Edinburgh and there are some other Scottish students in the class, studying there for the year. I get to eat food from home, and watch football matches, and speak Gaelic. One of the boys is from Inverness, used to play football against my old school. He still knows some of my old friends and all of the old places. It’s nice.”
The plane was landing by then, a smooth and gentle landing that had Rahne clenching the edge of her seat so lightly she nearly removed the seat fabric from the arms. Then they were safely rolling along the ground, and while they taxied to the small regional airport, Rahne took the time to have a lengthy discussion with God, in which she fully thanked him for the flight, for the individuals who had designed the wonderful airplane that had landed so nicely, the flight instructor who had done a brilliant job of training Scott, and the Greyhound Company, for providing the bus she planned on taking home at the end of the trip.
But the airplane ride was only beginning of Rahne’s transportation problems as (an unspecified amount of time later), she would be faced with the prospect of horses.
The idea of getting on a horse seemed intrinsically wrong to Rahne, and the idea seemed equally objectionable to them. They shied away from her, whining and bucking nervously as they shifted their stance away from her.
This was not going to go well, and she looked around helplessly for some sort of alternative solution. A bicycle maybe, or a wagon. Given the amount of luggage some of the women had brought, there should be some sort of a wagon.
[occ: edited to compliy with the horse first, SUVs second reality. I'll check with Scott's plaer before making any more assumptions about the area. Sorry for the confusion. I still have all the pictures though, I'll check with Scott to see which ones fit in with this reality.]
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Post by Emma Frost on Jan 25, 2008 7:47:01 GMT -5
[/i][/color] Scott's surface thoughts were easier to read than Elizabeth Braddock having an abortion. Surely he was aware that she did not hold the same psychic morals as his precious Charles Xavier and Jean Grey, and clearly he would realize that Emma was more prone to psychic-eavesdropping more than any other person in the mansion. Nevertheless, she liked to play games now and again, and this time might prove interesting considering they would both be in some wooden forest area for the next week. .o(I do every time, dear,)o. Emma replied mentally, a grin placcid against her features. It was odd no matter how one saw it, but Scott surely brought out the worst in her. Maybe that was one reason Emma chose to step up as the headmistress when Ororo Munroe chose to return to her mother land in Africa? She would have lied if she said it was for the power. It would definitely look good on her resume, but when one led a billion dollar corporate facility, resumes surely went out the window. It wasn't for the fame, was it? Yes, running a mutant school would surely impress the media during this time - especially so close to District X's decimation. One could have said Emma did it because it was different, and ultimately, it was what she always wanted to do. Well, one could not say that because only two people in the world truly knew what she wanted to do in life. The second person is dead now. No matter why Emma Grace Frost chose to support the mansion even further, the gathering had finally arrived in South Dakota, the Indian state. Where was Danielle Moonstar when they needed her? Surely off somewhere being a nosey twit, Emma thought. Plus, they really didn't need another crying woman about when the students dropped litter. The image pleased Emma somewhat. When the doors opened to reveal no cars, limos, or vehicles containing any form of air conditioning or alcoholic beverage chilling in ice for the blonde to overtake, a glance went to their beloved leader. "Horses. How undelightfully charming."Grabbing her handbag and exiting the aircraft, palm caressed against thigh, Emma took in the Dakota environment. It was nothing impressive, nothing compared to the vast glory of Paris, France or Rome, Italy. Nevertheless, if this was what the children wanted, so be it. One of the first members Emma noticed when she exited was Maria Callasantos. She was a feral that held demons worse than Hades itself. Before the Decimation era, she was also a woman Emma seemed to always cure of whatever ailed her. The two had spoken very little since her return, but even moreso after Elizabeth Braddock entered the picture. It did not matter to the blonde whom her alliances formed, but as the headmistress and a brutal bitch, it was Emma's job to get under the skin of her employees a bit. Especially at their expense. "Something is on your mind, dear. It's so delectably interesting that I can nearly taste it." Emma said to Maria as she stood nearby. "Care to share?"[/ul]
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Post by Wanda Maximoff on Jan 25, 2008 18:46:02 GMT -5
Wanda sat back in her seat as the jet touched down, the experiance of landing being one she was not exactly fond of. Following the others out she collected her own bag, an aging backpack that she had aquired at an army surplus store and then spent an afternoon dying red, and threw it on her back tightening the straps. It was a short bit and then they arrived where they were to meet the...
"Horses. How undelightfully charming."
Wanda smiled, glancing at Emma Frost and then purposefully ignoring the sarcasm in the other woman's voice"It is. I have not ridden a horse since we had to kill ours for food during the winter." Doru had been a part of the family, but a hard winter required sacrafices. The Maximoffs had taken in the two small children when they really did not have the resources to support them, to give their new children life it had ended up meaning putting down a beloved part of the family.
Speaking softly in Romanian she approached one of the horses, placing her hands on the side of its head and then touching her head to its. Smiling she glanced back at Scott Summers, "This is too much, I might explode from happiness."
The horses were done up like the ones in the American west, with saddles and bridles. Wanda quickly set about taking those accessories off the one she had choosen and setting them off to the side. Doru had only ever been ridden bareback, and it was only when they needed the large pack animal to pull their caravan that they had ever hooked it up to a bridle. Wanda was not sure what to do with all those implements, nor how to use them so taking them off she was helping herself as much as the horse.
A part of her was anxious about how much this must have cost. Trying to set up the Anya Lensherr Center money had been a key thing that she had been thinking about. Between the private jet, the horses and the rest of the expenses this trip must be costing thousands of dollars. Still there were horses, and for now she let herself just enjoy that.
It was awhile since she had ridden Doru, so it took a few attempts before she managed to climb on the horse's back. As the first person on she walked her mare around the airplane, guiding it by applying gentle pressure to its flank and lower neck. Grinning she looked down on the others, "They won't bite."
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Post by Laura Kinney on Jan 25, 2008 23:01:39 GMT -5
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Post by Candra von Hamilton on Jan 26, 2008 15:53:58 GMT -5
The jet landed… finally. She had gone through two fashion magazines already with only five other ones to entertain herself with for the rest of their duration. As the doors opened Candra began to pack up the cosmetics she had used during the stretch of the flight. She grabbed on to her Prada, as she placed on her Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses and began to walk down the stairs. One quick look to the open space in front of her and Candra stumbled, almost falling off the stairs. Everything was green… super green. Not the good green either which Candra could be spending for a different trip (say a vacation to France or Italy), but the kind of green which expelled pungent essences from nature. "What the hell have I gotten myself into?" she asked herself. Instantaneously, her Prada was once again opened to take out her Camel No. 9 100’s. One quick puff and the girl could once again breathe. She reckoned that Emma Frost would be the only other who wouldn’t be having the best time of her life in an insect-infected wood area, but she had Summers. With the company of wild ferals, hick-town girls and odd women with dark hair, Candra thought that it would be too soon when the girl would finally lose her mind. Then, out of the corner of her ridiculously expensive Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses emerged Julian Keller. What a sight for sore eyes. Alas, the feeling of relief would not stay as long as she had hoped as she noticed big eyes looking her on. "Horses. How undelightfully charming."Indeed. Candra was hardly the little girl who wanted to ride on ponies when she was little. In fact, if she remembered correctly she asked her parents for a pink convertible like Barbie had instead of stinky, noisy, drooling beasts. No matter. If worse comes to worst, the bodacious blonde would simply use her telekinetic abilities to fly around instead of mounting one of those untamed beasts that no one seems to be fond of. "It is. I have not ridden a horse since we had to kill ours for food during the winter."Ahem, all but one. The side of Candra’s lip curled at the uneasy thought of Wanda gouging her face with raw horse meat. Her ghastly comment about feasting on horses only supported Candra’s desire of use her telekinesis on the trip. Somehow, she wouldn’t be able to ride one of those horses without the thought of them half masticated in Wanda’s mouth. "This is too much, I might explode from happiness.""Please do,” Candra thought. “Do us all a favor and---""Well we wouldn’t want that happening now, would we?" Candra said with perhaps the most cynical sarcasm one could express. The woman sighed as she unloaded her Louis Vuitton suitcase from the jet. One more puff of her cigarette and Candra could almost feel as if she were back home. All she had to remember was that for the entire trip, Candra only had two packs of her precious Camel No. 9 100’s, and she should save them at only the most desperate and opportune times.
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Post by John Allerdyce on Jan 27, 2008 4:50:53 GMT -5
“Anyone home?”
John Allerdyce grunted, "Sadly yes. I'm hoping to slip into a coma soon though." This was torture. The worst part was seeing her make googley eyes at that idiot Julian. Julian was typical Xavier's, just like Bobby Drake. So confident in his abilities, yet never really using them for anything useful just playing nice like he was told. Always getting the girls, and never having a day of trouble in his stupid perfect life. Pyro wanted to smash the other mutant's face in with a rock, or something else hard. Julian could make a powerful member of the Brotherhood, but instead like all of them he was happy to be neutered and stay in the safety of Xaviers.
"He's not good enough for you," he said to her and then turned to the window. He was jealous, because just like watching Rogue fall for Robert Drake he knew that Julian was the right mix of dangerous and prep school good guy that Melody would be unable to resist. She'd feel like she was helping to keep Hellion on the straight and narrow, whereas Pyro had already accepted the darkness within himself long ago. Maybe one day Julian would too, but until then he was just another idiot too hypnotized by Xavier's ideals to see how the world really worked.
The plane touched down and soon they disembarked. John took one look at the horses and added another reason he was going to burn Scott Summers alive to the list. That the disdain for the idea of riding the stupid animals was shared by Emma Frost and the impractically dressed rich bird, just annoyed him even more. Misery does not always like company, especially when the company was the two most self-involved poor excuses for mutants he had ever met. It made him angry and he wanted to vent, and the first target presented itself fairly early.
"This is too much, I might explode from happiness."
His eyes narrowed. Of the staff present she had been the kindest to him, but kindness was a weakness and if anyone typified weakness it was Wanda Maximoff. The daughter of Magneto had been given everything that he had had to fight for, a place at the great man's side, the love of him as a father and yet she turned it away. He wanted nothing more than what she had given up, and all the kindness in the world from her was not going to change that. That the old man still loved her angered him even more.
"They won't bite."
Cut off from fire he only had his tongue to lash out with, and so he used it, "Just shut up. No wonder your father is ashamed of you, you're an empty headed cow. That's why you get along with these damn animals, your brain is about as big as theirs."
He felt satisfied, and in an odd way he felt as if he had just spoken for the group. Nobody else seemed particularly pleased with the horse idea, and the one expressing such glee about it needed to be cut down to size. They had all been too polite to say anything, but with the exception of the part about Magneto he was pretty sure they had been thinking it. The Magneto bit had been his own wishful thinking, as he had wished Magneto was ashamed of her, that way he'd be allowed to kill her.
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Post by Victor Borkowski on Jan 27, 2008 9:31:09 GMT -5
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Post by Rahne Sinclair on Jan 27, 2008 14:31:20 GMT -5
“Mr. Summers?” Rahne spoke up as she approached her headmaster hesitantly, touching his arm gentle to get his attention. Her face was slightly pink in embarrassment, as it always was when she found herself having to approach someone with a problem. “I cant ride a horse.”
Her words were slightly mumbled as she shifted her small, red gym bag to her other shoulder and shoved both hands into her pockets. She was wearing plain, dark jeans and dark brown hiking boots, over which she wore a black Sarah Lawrence sweatshirt that was a size too big and seemed to drown her. It was hot under the thick black fabric, but she made no move to pull it off to reveal the fitted white tank top underneath.
“I mean, it’s not I don’t know how. I’ve ridden before, but back in Scotland, before, you know, I changed.” Despite having been corrected numerous times by her teachers, Rahne continued to refer to her mutation with werewolf terminology. “Now…”
The much was obvious by the way the horses were keeping a wary, nervous eye on her as she moved, trying to decide what she was and what that meant for them. Rahne pulled one hand out of her pockets and used it to push her thick red curls back from her face and at the movement a few of them bucked nervously and shied backwards.
“I dint want ta cause problems, but maybe it’d be best if I just, ran along side? I can keep up and both me and them would be a lot happier that way. I’d just need someone to take charge a my bag. I can’t change with it…”
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Post by Logan Howlett on Jan 27, 2008 15:52:06 GMT -5
Logan had settled into grim endurance for the flight; between the reek of fear from Rhane, anxiety from others, the head splitting stench of perfume from ... the pink chick in the back and, god help him, Summers flirting with the white bitch ... "Cyke, I want a fucking' medal." He muttered and drained the beer can he'd been nursing. He watched Maria drink, enviously, half tempted to claim a tax on her flask.
Farther back, he was sharply aware of Laura, stiff and motionless, reeking of tension. He hadn't talked to the girl yet, not since - after a bloody afternoon - he'd convinced her to stay at the mansion for a time. That could only last so long, however, sooner or later he'd have to say ... something.
He was along, partly because he'd been going stir crazy and partly because if there was one thing he could do it was manage any emergencies that came up in the middle of nowhere. When the plane landed, he plowed through the crowd to be the first off and strode out range of the fumes, to breathe and clear his head.
The air smelled - beyond the lingering jet fumes - sharp and dry, very different from New York's lushness. The sky was a long, clean, icy blue and the warm, friendly scent of horses unknotted the tension at the back of Logan's neck.
Bag slung over his shoulder, Logan went over to the cluster of horses and their handler. "These for the Summer's group?" He asked gruffly. When the older woman nodded, he jerked a thumb over his shoulder, at Cyke. "He'll pay you."
He looked for, to put it bluntly, the biggest horse there - the adamantium on his bones added a good 140 lbs to his weight. Along the line was big, dun mare, ears cocked back in boredom she barely batted an eye when Logan stopped in front of her. "Hey, sweetheart," he mumbled softly, rubbing her velvety nose. The horse gave him a sour look. Logan grinned. Just his type. He leaned on the hitching post, bag at his feet, while the rest of the crew sorted themselves out and let the horse shove its nose through his hair curiously.
He grinned, narrow-eyed, at pink girl and her expression but when he heard St.John's voice his face darkened with anger. Why in god's name someone thought it was a good idea to bring him along, Logan had no fucking idea. "Shut your face, brat," he said. "If there's any shame to be handing around, you're at the head of the damn line."
Logan's gaze was heavy and without kindness. Not only had Pyro, as the brat liked to call himself, turned on the folks who'd taken him in - hadn't even been able to stay true to the Brotherhood. Logan knew very well how St.John had gotten out of his murder rap; he'd turned informant. Despite the fact that St.John was just a kid, Logan couldn't find any forgiveness in his heart for that sort of wishy-washy treachery.
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Post by Maria Callasantos on Feb 5, 2008 5:03:14 GMT -5
The longer Maria stared at the nags that stood there before them, waiting to take them to God knows where, the more her mouth began to water. To her human side, horse flesh was a big no-no. To her animal side, pretty much anything was on the menu. And ever since she had bonded with her animal side, ignoring its cravings had become a lot harder.
Maria felt herself swallow hard, Maria wrestling with her self control to not walk up to the closest horse and take a bite out of it, sweat beads starting to pepper her brow like rain drops, Maria’s pulse racing. Closing her amber eyes, Maria drank in long breathes through her nose and forced herself to think of other things, after a minute was finally able to open her eyes again, only to find herself looking into the eyes of none other then Emma Frost, Maria feeling herself inwardly sour. Aww crap.
“Something is on your mind, dear. It's so delectably interesting that I can nearly taste it.” Emma said to Maria as she stood nearby, her tone one of someone looking for trouble. “Care to share?”
Maria frowned, immediately realizing that Emma was talking about her glances towards Scott, and how much they bothered Maria. Maria felt herself lick her lips, her amber gaze trailing over to the horses, wanting a distraction, the feral remembering her brush of hunger, Maria shaking her head in order to not start drool once more. She was human goddammit, and humans don’t much on horses! Once more back in control, Maria turned to give Emma a cool stare, reaching up to brush a curly strand of brown hair out of her eyes. “I was thinking about eating one of the horses.” Maria said simply, giving the blond bombshell a look, raising an eyebrow. “But I’m sure you knew that already.” Maria then added gruffly.
Today was turning out to be a bad day for Maria. Less then an hour here and she was already falling victim to her hunger drives. With so many males around, what other drives would she fall victim too? Maria paled at the thought. Yea. That was all she needed.
“This is too much, I might explode from happiness.”
Maira looked over her shoulder at Wanda. Apparently she was happy to see the horses. Well at least one of them was. About to ask which one was hers, a voice cut through the air like wildfire and Maria instantly felt her sour mood darken.
“Just shut up. No wonder your father is ashamed of you, you're an empty headed cow. That's why you get along with these damn animals, your brain is about as big as theirs.”
Maira felt her eyes turn steely and her throat vibrated with a deep, angry growl. Pyro. Always a pain. Why he agreed to come was beyond her. One thing was for sure, she wouldn’t let him get away with speaking like that to Wanda.
“Well then explain what your doing here Zippo-Boy? Aren’t you part of the team?” Maria snapped at him, her amber eyes daggers, her lip curling into a disgusted snarl, her mouth spreading into a malicious smile, fangs agleam. “Oh that’s right. You had to join up or risk jail time, right? Choose from the lesser of two evils? How… cowardly. Typical brotherhood behavior. Saving your own ass. Do us all a favor hun? Shut the fuck up. When we want the opinion from the spineless turncoat, we’ll ask for it.”
And with a grin that just dared Pyro to give her a reason to start something, Maria turned away from the brat and looked back over at the horses, hearing Logan voice a similar comment, Maria suddenly wishing for a drink. This was going to be a long trip. Muttering under her breath in Spanish, Maria moved over towards Logan, Maria noting that he was perfectly at ease with the horses, not seeming to suffer from hunger pangs, Maria wishing she had an ounce of his self-control. Moving to stand next to him, Maria gazed at the horses longingly, shook herself and turned to stare at the male feral next to her, her gaze darting towards Scott and Emma, her face souring.
“Fifty bucks says they end up fucking each other by the end of the trip.” Maria muttered darkly to Logan, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against him, Maria handing him her silver flask, knowing he had been eying it. Maria only made bets on certain things. And that was when she was sure she was going to win.
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Post by Scott Summers on Feb 8, 2008 22:35:16 GMT -5
"Horses. How undelightfully charming."The boyscout was not surprised by the woman in white's comment. He smiled inwardly. This will do her good. That is if it doesn't kill us all first. He turned his nose toward the smell of smoke, he'd half expected to see Logan lighting up. Vanity. That didn't really surprise him either. The way she seemed to be holding the butt end of the Camel 100 as if it could somehow erase the copious amounts of good old fashioned nature behind another puffy cloud of smoke was telling. Not only that but her outfit made him wish, for her sake, that she'd stayed behind back in Westchester. He hoped that she would be able to ride as well as she shopped. "Candra, try to keep open flames out of John's reach for now. The last thing we need is a three state forest fire." He whispered to the beautiful blond as she exhaled once again, leaning in so only she could hear. He stood back, razor straight as he turned to one of the guides. A local he'd known for a few years, having come here with his father and brothers when he was still a child. Those times seemed more than a lifetime ago. He wasn't really at all the same was he? Sometimes it was difficult to even remember life before joining Xavier. The X-Man closed his eyes momentarily as the sun struck them wondering for not the first time what Charles would think of them now. Christ, he missed him. The talks they'd have. No one really knew him anymore. He spoke to the guide quietly and the man went about taking care of what Scott couldn't. They'd agreed on a camp site, one Scott knew fairly well. With a nod, Summers looked over his shoulder and lifted his chin. At least one woman, the red haired Scarlet Witch Wanda Maximoff, seemed to be pleased with the rustic choice of transportation. Fitting that he considered her a friend. "...I have not ridden a horse since we had to kill ours for food during the winter. This is too much, I might explode from happiness.""Feel free to bond, we have enough food to make it through winter should the need arise." Scott offered casually as he reached up and gave the horse next to her a reassuring pat. He was glad that she was looking forward to this, she alone would probably be up at dawn with him, enjoying coffee brewed over a campfire. He turned to find Rahne standing beside him now. He could tell by her expression that this was going to be one of those teacher/student moments where the student tried to back out of an assignment. Only they were thousands of miles too late for him to allow that to happen. “Mr. Summers? I cant ride a horse. I mean, it’s not I don’t know how. I’ve ridden before, but back in Scotland, before, you know, I changed. Now…I dint want ta cause problems, but maybe it’d be best if I just, ran along side? I can keep up and both me and them would be a lot happier that way. I’d just need someone to take charge a my bag. I can’t change with it…”"There are a few reasons why your suggestion doesn't work, Rahne. For one we are on government property, in a highly public place. Its not safe for you to change and run along side us here. Two, if you run, whats to stop Logan and Maria from doing the same, we'll be covering a great deal of terrain this week, the horses will only be used for part of that. You've ridden before, you can do so again." Perhaps she might find his refusal to allow her to avoid riding the horse as too much, but she was here for a reason. The horses were here for a reason. Rahne needed to learn that she could do anything she set her mind to. Even if only by small steps, Summers offered what for him was a reassuring smile, "The same rules apply that have always applied when riding. If you remain calm, the horse will too. I have faith in you. If I didn't think you could handle this I wouldn't ask you to try." As if to lead by example, he choose a horse from the group, a bay mustang with a deep chestnut brown coat possessing the telling black mane, tail and lower legs that signified the gene variation. Climbing onto the back of the animal easily, Summers looked and felt at home. Only then did he address the group, trying to ignore the bickering...most of it coming from the adults, the staff who should be setting an example, "Alright people, we have a few hours before we make camp. I suggest you pick a ride and plant your backsides."He smiled, "If you need assistance...," mounting, "Help will be provided." His eyes had gone from Maria who looked like she was going to shit a brick or eat one to Emma who he was certain would regret her lack of foresight in wearing something to protect her legs, "The shack to the right of the stable has a changing room if anyone needs it. Just make it quick. You are going to notice the change in altitude, today we will be traveling from 3980 to close to 4800 feet. Take it easy, let your body acclimate and drink plenty of water." Scott turned his horse with precision and saddled up next to Logan who seemed to have already found his own ride, "Camp is due west then north along French Creek, the trail narrows where the river leaves the public trail. It should be an easy ride." The staff had already discussed the dangers of having Allerdyce along, even to considering using a suppressor to make sure he didn't take advantage of the campfires they would undoubtedly be near. Scott hadn't wanted to go that far. He felt they had the abilities at hand to stop him if need be. He just didn't want things to come to that. He for one knew that redemption was possible, even in the most unlikely of places. Summers was optimistic, they'd scheduled the trip when the park would be nearly empty, some thanks to the government who was not quite so trusting. ((OOC: Trails and Park Map: MAPWe'll first be in the area at mid to lower right, then travel in a clockwise circle for the most part, at Rushmore in the Keystone area. Instructors feel free to hold "classes" at key points, etc. Camping spots are indicated. Lunch along FRENCH CREEK will consist of fire roasted trout and game, potatoes and seasonal vegis all roasted by the guides and prepacked.))
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Post by Wanda Maximoff on Feb 10, 2008 13:08:21 GMT -5
"Logan, Maria" Wanda said calmly, "be easy on him. He meant nothing by it I am sure. It is probably, what is it called, jet rag."
It had not taken a telepath to realize early on that John Allerdyce would say anything that he felt would get a rise out of others and get him some attention. Wanda had learned that the best way to handle it was to simply smile and ignore it no matter how much it might have hurt her feelings. She wondered if it was true, if the others did think she was too easily amused and that she was coming off as being simple. Emma Frost most likely thought that, but Emma was like John and always looking for something cruel to say about the situation. How she was allowed to run a school was beyond the Scarlet Witch, but it was not Wanda's place to make a comment on that.
As she rode the horse around the private jet as she was settling in and getting to know it she heard the drama unfold between Scott Summers and Rhane Sinclair. Brining her horse to a halt she dismounted, and approached. She had only gotten to know Rhane a little on the plane ride there, despite the fact that the girl had been in her class for two full semesters the year before, but still she felt protective of her.
"If you're having trouble dear you could ride with me," Wanda said with a smile, trying to calm the woman. She understood the issue, horses did not like dogs or wolves or any other members of the canine family and clearly Rhane was worried about that. "I assure you my horse is very progressive on who he allows to ride him. We were just talking and he is very politically enlightened. Mutants, ferals, Transians, he is not picky. I will be with you at all times, if you would like."
Wanda returned to the horse and coaxed it towards Scott and Rhane. For a moment the horse eyed the young feral warily but Wanda kept a hand on its flank and kept whispering to it in her own language. Eventually the horse calmed down, but still kept its eyes glued to Rhane as if the girl could not be trusted. "He would be honored to carry you as well as me," she said, "and I have been on a diet so I am not so fat as to make that impossible."
Awaiting Scott and Rhane's replies to see if that was acceptable she smiled, and continued to stroke the horse's neck.
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Post by Rahne Sinclair on Feb 13, 2008 10:32:18 GMT -5
"There are a few reasons why your suggestion doesn't work, Rahne. For one we are on government property, in a highly public place. Its not safe for you to change and run along side us here.”
Not safe? Rahne wanted to say. They were in a state park where the government actively worked to protect and care for animals. They’d probably treat her better in wolf form then they did in her human form.
"Two, if you run, whats to stop Logan and Maria from doing the same?”
You? Rahne thought. Or just let them? Why do they have to ride a horse if they don’t want too? What if they’re allergic to horses?
“We'll be covering a great deal of terrain this week, the horses will only be used for part of that. You've ridden before, you can do so again.”
The last time she’d ridden a horse she’d been eight years old and HUMAN. No one asked him to take of his glasses and look around just because he’d done it when he was younger.
“The same rules apply that have always applied when riding. If you remain calm, the horse will too. I have faith in you. If I didn't think you could handle this I wouldn't ask you to try."
The fact he thought she was capable of handling this only proved how little her former headmaster actually knew about her or her abilities. How little he knew about her and how much it had taken for her to make the request for an exception.
“Yes sir.” She said, although the tone of her voice and the look on her face were anything but acquiescent. “I’ll figure something out.”
A wave of sadness rushed over her, and she realized how much she missed Professor Xavier. It was a realization that had been coming less and less since she reached university, but now hit with full force. He’d been her favorite professor, her friend. He’s always seem to understand her, taken extra time to listen to her and get to know her. He never dismissed her or ignored her the way the other professors did, never made light of her concerns or worries. He’d made her feel like she really was a part of the Institute family, like she really belonged at school. He never would have made her get on a horse, not if she was worried about her powers. He would have thought it out ahead of time, which students wouldn’t be able to take part and which would, and figured something else out.
She knew Mr. Summers was trying his best. But sometimes he didn’t feel like very hard.
"If you're having trouble dear you could ride with me," Mrs. Maximoffs had joined the conversation, standing their with one hand on her horse and a nice smile on her face. "I assure you my horse is very progressive on who he allows to ride him. We were just talking and he is very politically enlightened. Mutants, ferals, Transians, he is not picky. I will be with you at all times, if you would like."
It was the second time the teacher had spoken to her in the same day, and if Rahne had thought higher of Mr. Summers she might have wondered if he’d directed Mrs. Maximoff to reach out to her. As it was, she assumed there was something more in the women’s motive then pure interest in Rahne as a person (as Rahne freely admitted she was dull, quiet, and not particularly fun to be around).
The horse didn’t seem to be having any of it at first, but Mrs. Maximoff seemed to be talking her into it. Rahne had never seen anyone talk an animal into anything before, but she figured if anyone was capable of it would be the probability-warping European.
"He would be honored to carry you as well as me," she said, "and I have been on a diet so I am not so fat as to make that impossible."
Rahne shrugged. She knew it was a teenage move when she did it, and that as a legal adult and university student she should be far beyond the childish gesture, but she was still only 18 and couldn’t help herself. She did manage to keep the ‘whatever’ from sliding past her lips.
“I guess.” It wasn’t much better then ‘whatever’, but it was a little so. “I mean, odds are good he’s going to throw me. Probably not likely that I’ll make it all the way to camp. So I suppose it’s better to face those odds with you then on my own, I mean… you know…”
Miss Maxwell was good at the whole making unlikely things likely bit. And since the most likely outcome of her getting on that horse was the horse bucking and her breaking her neck, she might as well team up with a women who made the ilkely unlikely.
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Post by Melody Guthrie on Feb 14, 2008 21:56:58 GMT -5
"Sadly yes. I'm hoping to slip into a coma soon though."
John’s dry, sarcastic humor had quite the effect on the young Southern lass. Letting out a throaty laugh, a dimpled smirk overtook her face. “Hey, ya can’t do that. Don’t wanna miss out on all the fun now.” Her emphasis on fun wasn’t missed; the girl was well aware that this trip would only serve to make Pyro even more miserable than usual. Even if he was miserable though, she’d make sure that she at least tried to get him to enjoy himself at some point. Of course, his mood wasn’t helped by the fact that even the instructors were giving him dirty looks and making snide remarks towards him. While she respected her elders, she felt their treatment of John was unnecessary and unfair. It definitely wasn’t the right way to go about righting his attitude about the team. Honestly, if Melody were in John’s position, she wouldn’t have any problem being just as hostile towards the X-Men as he were. The smile from their brief banter reaching her eyes, she shifted her gaze across the aisle and up a few rows, landing squarely upon Julian.
"He's not good enough for you."
Her head snapping back into John’s direction, she opened her mouth to speak before quickly shutting it. Obviously he had seen her eyes move to her handsome boyfriend. This weren’t the first time she had heard someone say such a thing about her relationship with the Psi. Her own sister said it pretty much daily, so this wasn’t new. The tone of Pyro’s voice though, that was certainly something else. He sounded almost…jealous. Her eyes scanned his profile hoping to possibly catch some sign of a deeper meaning, but found none. “So I’ve heard.” She searched for something else to say, but the words simply weren’t coming together.
The rest of the flight was spent in silence. Thankfully for the flier, she had her iPod to prevent her from dieing of complete and total boredom. Her thoughts were racing as the shuffle played song after song. As the second verse of Sugarcult’s “Over” began to play she heard a voice requesting that passengers cease usage of all electronic devices. Turning the iPod off, and wrapping the headphones around its case, she placed it back into her backpack, ready to land.
Once everyone had exited the plane, her eyes landed on countless gorgeous horses. Her eyes lit up; it had been a couple of years since she had ridden, but she couldn’t wait to saddle up. Her hazel eyes jumped to Ms. Maximoff’s at her exclamation. A smile graced her face as the excitement caught up with her.
"Just shut up. No wonder your father is ashamed of you, you're an empty headed cow. That's why you get along with these damn animals, your brain is about as big as theirs."
Eyes widening in shock at his outburst, she laid a hand on John’s arm, looking up at him with disappointment strewn across her flawless face. As both Wolverine and Feral launched verbal assaults on Pyro, Aero’s felt herself soften. Wanda had been the kindest to John out of all of the adults at Xavier’s, but the contempt that he help for them, and the disrespect they showed him overshadowed that. Looking over to the woman she looked up to so much, a look of apology written on her face, she mouthed the words I’m sorry.
Noticing the group was beginning to scatter and claim horses for the journey, she figured now would be the time to lift John’s spirits. “What do ya say we partner up fa this thing?” As she moved over to a gorgeous chocolate-maned steed, she threw Pyro a look over her shoulder. “Mah fabulous company’s gotta be somethin’ ta look forward to.” With a playful wink and sweet smile she began to join the group, turning back to the pyrokinetic. “You comin’ or what?”
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