Summary:Jean drops by to scan Keiko. It doesn't go as expected Log Info:Storyteller: {$storyteller} |
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Jean Grey had promised Illyana Rasputina that she would … see to a certain spirit callers vetting. Or, at least, the start of it. Which is why she's back at Willow Place again, and been shown to the shed out the back.
Piotrs workshop. Piotrs working out here and Keiko has been watching, apparently.
"Miss Grey? You told me your name was Red." Jean might remember that, back at Saint Patricks Day. "You're the one who is going to tell me that I can see my daughter at school?" It's not combative the way Keiko is speaking, but it's very direct. It's not helped by her eyes that are now slitted like a cats. At least they're a dark chocolate brown at the moment.
Keiko's wearing a midriff t-shirt and jeans, nothing special, and Jean can see the brand that spreads from her hips up over Keiko's torso and her tattooes that cover arms and shoulders.
If she remembers the tattooes at all, these seem be more … demonic looking.
The statue that Piotr is working on.. or rather, recently completed, is.. different. It depicts a man that has been split in twain - with a demonic form of a bear and eagle combined together ripping out of him, bounded in what looks like Colossus metal bindings when he's in his other from. The large man is dressed in his work overalls that leave most of his massive chest bare - and the tattoo of the bear wolfhound that runs down his right shoulder and arm completely visible.
His surprise that Scott would send /Jean/ out is obvious as he steps up to lift the small redhead and gives her a quick and friendly squeeze of affection. "Boizhe Moi, if I had known you were coming, I would have prepared. I only have vodka in freezer out here. We can go inside if you want something to drink. But please, come in, sit.." And when Keiko mentions that she's wanting to find out about Elena, he drifts back to stand by the summoner, his hand drifting down to touch hers.
"Well, as I'm sure you're past tired of hearing by now, we take the safety of the school and our identities very seriously," Jean replies to Keiko with a rueful smile. "So if I have to go around and do things when I don't have a disguise, then I tend not to hand out names." Although it doesn't sound like she's the biggest fan of that either.
Then she's up in Pietro's hug, chuckling as she returns it in kind. "It's mostly me or Betsy these days," she admits. "I've been thinking it might be time to talk to the professor about removing some of my blocks, just to make it easier. But that's a whole different conversation. How are you two doing?" she asks, looking between the pair.
[Watch] Illyana Rasputina has connected.
[Watch] Illyana Rasputina has connected.
Oh, right. Hospitality. Keiko isn't really versed in that. Not even before she spent seven years in Limbo. Thankfully Piotrs there.
"I understand that, Miss Grey." Keiko says quietly, turning to get the vodka from the fridge, brushing Piotrs hand with her own as she does.
Jean will see the 'tattoo' on her back. A winged demon that covers from her hips to shoulders and is filled in some form of silver substance.
"I … you have my daughter at your school…" she tries again. "Piotr says I can trust you with her, but I don't know any of you and for five years, she was mine to protect. She is mine. I do not like it."
It's not just that she can't get to the school, she doesn't know the people at all.
"I am surviving and adjusting now that I am back. It is different." There's something strangely 'flat' about the way that the woman emotes.
The brush of the hand is returned - surprisingly brief, and Piotr watches after her for a moment. There's a sigh there, about to form, but he shoves it down. "I am glad you are here, Jean. It will help to ease many questions and worries." Ones that he's tried hard to address, but Keiko's right - she doesn't know any of them, and she can't blindly let Piotr lead on this one. She needs information.
"I have explained that the school is very secured and protective because of the students it handles. And that Illyana and I both were and in my case, still there." At least when he's working there as the art teacher. "I have told her about some of the others." But not much, because of the whole super hero team secret that he's kept under wraps.
"I don't blame you for not liking it," Jean agrees with a shake of her head. "I just about smacked Scott when I heard where things were at right now. I'm sorry it wasn't handled a little more…smoothly." She looks back to Piotr, lips pursing slightly.
"Was there a reason she couldn't stay here? I only met her briefly, I know there was some concern about balancing powers, but…with two powered parents, I don't see why she'd need to be at the school all the time or at least until she actually needs to be at school more?"
"Elena is a … " Keiko looks to Piotr "… day student. She comes home at night. It is the only reason I allowed her there in the first place." Keiko is so hard, there's little soft about her. Vodka retrieved from the fridge, the small tattooed woman pours liberal measures into mugs and hands them over.
Jean did say she wanted one, didn't she?
Piotr might need to explain why that had happened. It's not possible for Keiko to admit that she hadn't been in place to care at the time.
"Let me be clear, Miss Grey. It is not that I can't go to your school - it is that I do not know who's care my daughter is in. Elena, is … different. She was born in Limbo and she will be target for many. Here and from Limbo itself."
Accepting the measure of vodka from Keiko, Piotr's hand brushes across her shoulder. Much like a cat being petted when she passes by. Brief touches, and she moves on. "Elena comes and goes to school with me most of the time. What Keiko wants, Jean, is the ability to see her at the school herself. To make sure she's safe. Yes, she takes my word on it, but at the same time.." he trails off.
There's a grunt as he considers his words. "When Elena was conceived, Jean, I did not have a soul. It was locked away in a blade. Keiko and I were ruling Limbo.. and did what we had to ensure that there.." he glances to Keiko. "..they threatened to kill her." And there are times where Piotr wonders if Keiko would have preferred that, Jean can feel that momentary pang of remorse if she's not careful.
Swirling the vodka in the mug, he closes his eyes. "Elena is loved. And we want the best for her. It is why I put her in the school. It is why we live here. Her mother wants to be able to see her when she wants. Keiko will not give away the school. She will not betray Elena. I know that there are those that say her past is an issue.. but she's not that. She's more. So much more. Even when she cannot see it. She is strong. Willful. And if she trusts you.. then that is well-earned."
Much like a cat.
Jean takes the vodka, though she doesn't drink. Not before having to deal with minds, at least. "We managed to keep Illyana safe. Not that Illyana has ever been much of a damsel," she admits. "Keeping students safe is…literally what the school does." She ruffles a hand through her hair, thinking things over.
"I understand, though. Wanting to see for yourself. Are you wanting to see for yourself once, or were you hoping to be able to visit on a regular basis?" she asks, trying to establish a goal.
It's not that Keiko rejects Piotrs touch, it's as much that she doesn't expect it. If Jean is 'watching' she'll get the momentary flashes of confusion - why is someone touching me type thing. A woman who has not known love or family since she was a very young child.
"Safe her mother too, it seems." Keiko returns. There's no heat in the statement, no anger. It's just flat, which might make it seem worse. It's not, she's just stating the situation as she sees it.
"I… " Keiko lets out breath. "Do not know what it means to a mother. I do not understand … school. I never went. All I want is to know the people she is entrusted to and to know for myself that she is safe." What does that mean? She doesn't know. But if Jeans picking up something from the woman, it's the almost feral emotion to protect what is hers.
"Let's start with, where the school is."
"Trakhni menya." It's a proper toast in Piotr's mind at the moment at Keiko's statement, muttered and then he's swiftly downing the vodka before setting the glass on the counter. "She was kidnapped and raised in a cult." He's going to fill in the blanks. "They raised her to fight other children. To dominate and control her emotions, because they would be needed for what she needed next.." there's a mild gesture towards her tattoos.
"She was made into a weapon. Escaped. And then.." Well, Limbo happened. He stares down into the bottom of the cup. "I had only met her a handful of times before that happened. And it was never a chance for me to ask her.." he looks aside to the woman. He did - and still does find her attractive. It's just strange in his mind. "And as I tell her - I do not know what it means to be a father yet, either. We never will figure it fully out. But that is what being a parent is." he rolls his massive shoulders in a shrug. ".. but yes, I would like her to be able to visit. And dine with us at lunch. Or come to conference when Elena is in trouble. Or see her perform at school."
"What I want her to know most, Jean? Is that our daughter is not going to be treated the same way that Keiko was around the school. If you want, you can share my experience from when I was student. Or your own. You were first student.. second after Scott, no/?"
"Well, within commuting distance," Jean answers Keiko with a wry smile. Not going to be that easy. "I was pretty much the first," she adds to Piotr. "I wasn't a lot older than Elena is. Just ten. My powers…came in a little explosively, thanks to-" She pauses, choosing her words. "My best friend and I were playing when she was hit by a car. I was holding her when she died, and that's when my powers came out. I'm an empath and a telepath," she clarifies. "So my first experience with them was sharing the death of my best friend."
She rubs a hand at her brow a bit, trying to come up with a balance between everything. "There are a few ways we can do this, Keiko. If you want to see the school, we can to that. Illyana can 'port us in and you can visit without knowing where it is. We can drive there and I can just…wipe the whole drive out of your mind. Most people don't particularly care for that option." Which she seems to understand.
"Or we can do the whole process of clearing if you're safe. The thing is, Keiko, there are a lot of students at the school. A lot of mothers who feel the same way you do. And I think we can all fill in the blanks on how you'd react if you found out we brought someone else's dangerous parent to the school and risked bringing something or someone dangerous down on Elena."
Keiko listens as Piotr explains, watching Jean with those eyes so much like a cat. She can be reasonable though, if she works on it. "Are you saying that other parents do not where the school is or are not allowed to visit. If this is this then things are different."
She's trying.
There's a lack of compassion in her expression as Jean explains her story. For a moment, her eyes start to turn yellow but it's a flash and then gone again. She doesn't say I'm sorry
"I live here, with four other mutants. Three of which all go to the school. If you need to clear, then do it … " she's not happy but she isn't when Elena isn't near. "Maybe we should find another option for her."
"I explained that to her before.. but I also explained there's a lot of children there that have parents that wanted nothing to do with them anymore." Piotr goes to refill his mug. If he's drinking, he's drinking alone for the moment.
"There was another option, Keiko. But it turned out that school /was/ making weapons." He knows of the story of Hellfire Academy.
"I know this is frustrating, but lets get into the meat of this, and then we can maybe feel better, solnyshko?"
"That's absolutely your choice," Jean says evenly when Keiko mentions another option, nodding. It's not the first time she's heard it from parents. For all her youth and all that she's been away from the school, her talents are too useful for her not to have been brought along on several recruiting missions. After all, she's not just the telepath, she's an example of how well students can turn out.
"If it helps you to know, I've had this same conversation with dozens of parents over the years. The Professor started bringing me on recruiting trips when I was sixteen. You're having the same sorts of concerns as every other parent. And every student at the school is important to us."
"I want to know the people who are responsible for her when I can't be there to protect her." It says something, really, about the woman they're talking to. Unpowered in relation to all of them, she'll still stand to protect her child. "Vet me if you have to. But let me at least meet some of them… You're a good start, Miss Grey."
Keiko takes in a deep breath.
"Elena speaks of these of these people and I … " She's not to going reveal that vulnerability but Piotr might have just seen a chink in her armour. "… want to be more in her life, than I had. What do you need to do, Miss Grey?"
"If it's a question of meeting people, may I suggest a BBQ?" Jean smiles crookedly, looking around. "The place is a little rough, but I'm reasonably certain at least half of the people involved would show up for food. But no, I completely understand."
She leans against the nearest handy surface, taking a small sip of the vodka. "Here's what I'd propose. Let's do a quick scan. Surface thoughts mostly. Illyana can teleport you to the school so that you can see the classrooms, meet teachers, all the fun stuff that we usually do on parents day. If everything goes well, then we can decide if you're happy with that, or if you want to be able to visit more regularly. And if you want to visit more regularly, then we can do a deeper scan. Sound fair?"
"A BBQ? Here?" Keiko shakes her head. "This house … isn't meant for company and all of us are still recovering from … things. But there is nothing stopping me meeting them outside this school?" She *might* be forgiven for thinking that she wasn't
Of course the question is - were others being protected from her or was it something else?
"If that is the case, I will speak to Piotr when he returns." The big russian had just stepped out to deal with a call. "Do not allow me access because of who am I, Miss Grey. I will wait. If there is a vetting process for all parents, I want to do that."
Piotr and Illyana had said that Keiko wouldn't bring harm to the school. This, at least, should start to prove it.
"You can scan me though. I'm … not sure you will like what you find."
"It won't be the first time," Jean sighs softly to the idea that she won't like what she finds. There are multiple reasons the professor put blocks on Jean's mind when she was a child. The things that exist in other peoples' minds were part of it.
"And sure, I don't see why you couldn't meet some of the teachers and staff. We could have a thing in a park even, if you don't want to have it here. We do encourage parents who are interested and can handle it to meet our staff. We want people to know that their children are getting the very best possible."
She takes a deep breath, rubbing a hand at one temple. "All right. You may want to sit down. It can be a little disorienting sometimes. I'm going to try to keep it light, but you may find that you run into unexpected memories or feelings in the process."
"I would like that. To meet her teachers. I don't do large groups of people." At least not now. Maybe in the future she'll be able to do that. Keiko takes a seat, a little more at ease with Jean than when they started.
When Jean touches her mind, it's not easy to scan. The time in Limbo has left an effect. It probably feels a bit like Illyana's - if Jeans experienced that - and once she gets through, it's a deeply unpleasant experience.
The first thing Jean likely notices is the 'touch' of other minds, nothing tangible and nothing strong - just a hint. Animalistic and something even worse. It's the touch of the spirits she's bound.
Elena is foremost in Keiko's thoughts. The girls safety a priority for her but there's more than that. It's love, even muted and flat as the spirit callers emotions are. Then Piotr and Illyana followed by Koa, Sam and Mikhail. Her family, not that she realises she's done that.
The next … are skinned and flayed demons and clothing made from those hides.
There's something there … the emotions aren't so controlled anymore. Rage and fear seem to bubble and roil.
Jean doesn't dive too deep to start. Her mind creeps up on Keiko's like dawn breaking over a hillside, casting light into dark places. The presence of other minds - of the spirits - is certainly something that draws her attention. She's curious. But more than just curious, she needs to know that those minds aren't going to influence Keiko.
She steps gently around them, feeling for barriers or borders between them. The closest she's felt was when a demon was trying to take over Zatanna. That did not end well for the demon.
Keiko's spirits don't respond to Jeans probing. None of them are trying to influence her, they seem to be dominated by the stubborn womans mind though there's something more to it, they've accepted her and if anything, Jean gets the impression they'd do just about anything to protect her.
Is that problematic for the potent psychic?
As she's looking, she'll sense those roiling emotions in the background - such a contrast to the muted woman she's been speaking with. More interestingly, there's and extremely small part of Keiko's mind that seems to be … atrophying? No, that's not right. It's changing, not clean like the rest of her mind. Corrupting, perhaps?
Jean files the spirits away as not a threat unless directed by Keiko, and therefore in no need of further investigation. Tearing apart Keiko's mindscape would probably be counterproductive to this process. That stranger spot, though. That's of more concern.
Her mind seeps a little deeper, exploring the gap between those emotions and Keiko's reactions, then taking a closer look at that spot of decay. That's…new.
It is new and its miniscule, but the fact that it's there on the edge of Keiko's tattered mind, is concerning. The feeling when Jean draws is just awful, oily and foul. Tainted. It's not doing anything but the thought process that comes from there is nearly alien.
Jeans felt it before.
Part of Jean very much wants to dig at that spot. And burn it out. But the practical part of her knows that it's probably best to do that with some backup. And planning. So instead, she slowly draws back, leaving it alone.
"Keiko," she says quietly. "Aside from the…Limbo-ness of it all…Have you noticed anything unusual lately?"
Keiko blinks at Jean, those darks cateyes observing her, slowly turning yellow as she thinks. "You found something." It's a statement from the woman, who looks over Jeans shoulder to where Piotr went. She kinda wishes he was here right at the moment.
"Unusual? More … unusual than things that I did before? My spirits have all corrupted under Limbos influence." She says slowly. "And the demon I bound when Koa … saved us. The tattoo on my back completed and I took in some of the metal that is only found in Limbo. It gave me different abilities to my other spirits. Did … you want to see them?"
"I'm honestly not sure what I found," Jean admits, frowning slightly. "But I don't think it's…anything that's your doing or your choice. It feels like an outside influence. I want to take a closer look at it, but I don't want to set it off or cause you any harm. So I'm going to step back for a minute. The good news is, there's absolutely no reason you can't meet people. We can pick a comfortable spot, we can limit the number of people."
Keiko just watches Jean, her eyes going full yellow before fading the brown ago. "So I'm a risk you're not willing to take…" It's flat like everything else she's said but there's a hint of resignation to it.
"Your time is appreciated. I'll speak with Piotr and he'll arrange something. You guarantee that Elena is safe at your school?" Even with the news that something is problematic, Keiko hasn't broken. Though one might have to wonder how many more hits she can take.
"Did you want more vodka?"
"No," Jean shakes her head. "I'm not willing to risk you. Especially when we don't have to," she points out. "I just want to make sure that I have backup before I dive into…This is not my strongest skill," she admits. "If you need something heavy lifted, I'm your girl. But I don't want to try to help you only to end up burning your brain to ash, okay?"
She does take another drink of her vodka, bracing. "I will guarantee that there is no safer place on this planet, on this plane, for Elena than the school," she agrees with a nod.
That's probably a good call from Jean.
Can Keiko believe that there's more than the small family she's created that care for her? Not at the moment, though no one could possibly blame her.
"I accept that, then. Will will you be recommending someone else then?" It's probably wise to get someone like Illyana to have a look as well. There's no doubt that Keiko's been to hell and back.
Poor Jean though, Keiko still does not say please or thank you.
"I'm going to get some other opinions, yeah," Jean nods. "But I'm going to try to get it done quickly, okay? Honestly, Keiko, the thing I want the most is for you to be able to safely visit Elena at school," she says, and her sincerity is evident. "If there's a way to make that happen, then I'll find it. I promise. Okay?"
"Alright." The woman says quietly, rising to start pacing. "Let's have another drink before you go."
Maybe she'll be able to see Elena at school. At the least, she'll get to meet her daughters teachers. She's not happy, but this is the best she can get and as she'd to Piotr - this is the best her life has ever been.
Jeans mug is topped up, along with Keiko's. It might be a while before they move.