Summary:Laura and Illyana mock Caden in the Gym. Cameo by The Wolverine! Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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The basketball gym is almost always in use during the day, and sometimes well after. Classes take place there, physical education, dances, training, assemblies. It's rare for the place to be completely empty save in the evenings. And right now in the late afternoon after four it's no different.
Inside the wide open space are a handful of students, a dozen perhaps and with two instructors. One of which is the young Caden Pryde, recently drafted into the efforts of the school proper, and the other is Janice Johannsen, the school marm who handles the day to days in her own matronly way.
Today the mats had been dug out and dragged from storage, all set up and laid down. And for the last hour, Janice had been teaching the youngsters various means of handling themselves in bad situations. Caden, for his part, has been silent. Mainly because it's rather hard to talk with all that foam padding on in that suit.
"Now class, say someone grabs you by the hair from behind?" Caden does so though his hands aren't hugely articulate.
"This will come in handy for you girls, and you Maurice until you get a haircut. Here is what you do."
And with that there is a blur of movement, and strikes, and kicks, all ending with Caden hitting the mats in a thump. But relatively unharmed thanks to the suit.
Laura was starting to settle in at the mansion. Getting used to the flow, all the people, the scents that overwhelmed everything. It took a bit to acclimate. She still kept mostly to herself, socializing with the few people she knew from time to time. Danger Room sessions when she wanted and it was available, so that was a bonus.
She avoided the students.
Certainly they had seen her around but she didn't teach or hang out so they just knew her by face.
She heard there was training for self defense happening and that caught her interest. In jeans and an Xavier's t-shirt, her usual sneakers on her feet, she entered the gym and walked over to the bleachers. Her eyes were on the training going on.
What the hell was Caden wearing?!
A stepping disk flares a bit to Laura's side, Illyana coming through with a sheaf of papers in-hand that she's leafing through as she walks. The call of voices that echo through the gym has her head coming up, which has her spotting Laura and giving the woman a nod. Coming to a stop beside her she looks over and then peers. It takes a bit to figure out it's Caden under the padding, and then she echoes Laura's thoughts. "What the Hell is Caden wearing? Is that like one of those suits they wear for attack dogs?" She's totally not getting an Evil Thought. No, not at all.
The blonde puts a hand on her hip and sighs. "I suppose I'll need to wait until he's done." Illyana is not a fan of waiting. Her booted foot taps in annoyance.
The young X-Man was certainly wearing a lot of it, whatever it was. The huge foam suit with the big reinforced cage around the head and the heavy clumsy boots doesn't ever fit anybody well, but on Caden's slender frame it seemed more like a sort of suit he just rode around in. Each step causing him to seem to shift in it more than a person should.
But Janice didn't seem to mind about Caden's discomfort, nor about Laura auditing the class. Though she, assuredly, didn't need any of the training. She just kept on teaching with that lovely smile and explaining to the students about how important it was to make sure your opponent was down by kicking them in the knee or groin and then running away…
When Illyana appears, however, it does draw attention since she appears with some theatrics and special-effects. The likes of which get the young students to wave and grin in her direction before Mrs. Johannsen calls their attention back to the fact of how kicking Caden in the ribs is somehow conducive to their survival. She proceeds to try and get all of the students to come up and do so.
"I looks like he got wrapped up in mats," Laura says in obvious confusion. Having never needed such a class, she has never attended one to understand what the outfit is. "How can you learn if you can't feel? People get slippery when sweaty, the way an arm twists when trying to get away, so many things." She shakes her head then looks directly at Illyana. "This class is stupid."
Verdict made, she looks back to watch the kids taking some sort of glee at kicking the man in the mats. Pads. Whatever.
"That's the difference between a class and life." Illyana finally says, as she watches. "In a class, who gets hurt and how badly is minimized." Pale blue eyes slide over to Laura. "It's not as effective, but they shouldn't end up quite as broken." In more ways than one.
Finally stopping with the foot-tapping because Janice clearly didn't get the message, Illyana gestures over to the bleachers near where the training is going on. "C'mon, let's sit down. It's not stupid, it's just different. They're not being trained to be weapons, and shouldn't be in routine danger for their lives."
It really doesn't take long. Though considering how impatient Illyana is it probably seems like /forrrevveeeeerrrr/ and yet Janice doesn't seemed rushed. She goes over two more techniques and moves the class along, keeping their attention and keeping things going. But before they know it she seems to be wrapping class up.
How can they tell? Well they stop hitting Caden for one. And the other? He's taken off that big bulky reinforced cage helmet and is holding it with one hand. He's smiling, hair a bit sweaty from all the effort and lack of good ventilation. But when he gets a chance he shoots a wave over towards Illy and Laura.
"Very well children, off to dinner with you. Don't go trying out these techniques without due supervision." She chides them and gets them moving, though she does take a moment. "Thank you for your help, Mr. Pryde."
"Sure thing, Mrs. Johannsen." That said he starts to walk. Slowly. Toward Illy and Laura, that suit making him seem rather slow. And clumsy. To be fair.
The explanation from Illyana is accepted but Laura still isn't certain she agrees with this. It just doesn't seem effective but her point of view is most definitely skewed.
She takes the seat next Illyana, keeping her eyes on the action and listening to the instructions by Mrs. Johannsen. The entire time, thinking of other moves that might be more effective. She frowns, mainly at herself.
Once Caden begins moving their way, she tilts her head at his lack of mobility and can't stop herself. She giggles. The walking killing machine with holes in her sneakers is giggling. "He's like the blueberry girl in that movie."
At the sound of Laura giggling, Illyana's head slooooowly turns to look at her and just. Stares. And blinks. And keeps staring. And then, as though it's contagious, she starts snickering herself, leaning forward as she sucks in a breath as her shoulders shake with amusement. "Violet Beauregard!" Illyana has an exceptional memory.
Looking over as Caden trundles his way towards him, she wiggles her fingers at him and the suit he's in… turns blue-purple. Just like a blueberry. Of course, this just cracks Illyana up more, her shoulder butting against Laura's in her snickering.
Hopefully all the students are gone by now, else there will be some awful rumors running around about Mr. Blueberry.
At first Caden doesn't even notice, but he sees the two girls just snickering up a storm as he waddle-walks his way over toward them, like humpty dumpty before his terrible terrible accident. Though when they start to lose it he sort of looks down at himself and then /rolls/ his eyes as he looks across the way at them.
"You guys are jerks!" He says, trying to affect and maintain a stern visage, though he fails with the snort-snicker that's drawn out by their good humor. He shakes his head and sets the big padded helmet on one of the bleachers near them, not daring to ascend upward in this overly cumbersome suit.
Another snort and he shakes his head, feigning being hurt as he turns to the side. "Rude." He says as if it were some great condemnation. Though now he's undoing the big zippers in the arms and the front of the suit.
With the name supplied, the giggles turn into full laughter as Laura can't contain herself. "Violet, you're turning…violet!" She is practically falling over, her shoulder bumping Illyana's repeatedly and her not even aware of it. She probably would be moving away if she did so good the amusement has her distracted.
When she can finally speak again, after a few unladylike snort-laughs, she is still smiling broadly. "Illyana says that this class isn't stupid." Now he's all caught up. Nevermind all the important stuff Illy imparted in her wisdom.
The blonde watches Caden struggling to get out of his padded (now blue) protective suit. And she waits until he's *almost* all the way out of it before asking, "Why didn't you just phase out of it?" No, the thought didn't just occur to her. Yes, she waited. Because watching Caden wriggle free was amusing.
"It's not!" Illyana says, nodding to Laura. "It's just… It's for people that are going to be living lives that are a little more normal." Pale blue eyes are turned on the more feral mutant. "And most of them probably couldn't make it through to the other side of what you did. Their strengths are elsewhere." Despite all the horrible things Illyana's lived through, she never brings that up in a 'my life was worse than yours' sort of way. Everyone has their own demons.
Hers just walk around on their own if she doesn't keep them in line.
"Well I'd hate to think I was spending my free time on something stupid," Caden tells Laura with a smirk even as he takes off the suit with that steady slow movement, undoing the needed clasps and the required zippers, then starts to work on the pants, wiggling out of them in the most unflattering of ways.
"Well, Smarty McSmartbutt." Illyana's new name, "So the next person using the suit doesn't have to take ten minutes to undo everything and get ready." See, he's a good samaritan. Though now he's left with the whole suit lying on the floor even as he's still there a bit sweaty from the exertion and the fact that the thing doesn't have air conditioning.
"But, also looots of layers." His lip twitches a little as he looks away, undoing the clasps that hold the back piece to the bottom piece, "I was half-worried I'd try to phase out and end up mooning all the kiddies."
A fate worse than death assuredly.
Laura's good humor is finally contained, she gives a nod to Illyana. "Normal people fighting. While I understand it," she gives a loose shrug. "I don't understand it. It makes sense to my brain but not my instincts?" Maybe that would explain it a bit more.
She turns to watch Caden as he continues to wiggle out of the padding until he is working on that final piece. "I'd be more worried about the front. The butt would just make them laugh. Or would the front make them laugh too?" Wait. That crossed that line into inappropriate. "Nevermind! Don't answer that!"
"So. Now that you're done…" Illyana reaches over to pick up the sheaf of papers she entered with. "You can help me." Not 'I need your help'. Illyana rarely *asks*. "I've graded these papers and now I'm supposed to put it into the computer." Pale blue eyes stare at Caden. Expectantly.
Nudge, nudge, Caden. That's your cue.
Laura's observation gets a nod from the sorceress. "Just bad form to label it as stupid. Unless you want to piss them off, then by all means." Illyana and Laura are sitting companionably on the bleachers, while Caden stands next to his blue protective suit. The blonde is in her usual black leather metal/goth look.
Caden had been the target dummy for a self-defense class, thus the huge reinforced padded suit nearby, and the mats and all. Also explains his gym shorts, t-shirt, and sneakers. Though right now… he's rising up from his crouch near the suit, _hefting_ it onto one shoulder and doesn't exactly struggle under the weight, but it is bulky and awkward. So he shoulders it decently then gives the others a nod. "I'm…"
Of course then Laura makes her back and front comment and he sort of eyes her curiously as if she was… acting weird. "Uhhh, ok." The ubiquitous sounding phrase that is uttered after a particularly egregious faux pas. He even shoots a look over at Illyana that asks the silent question of, 'what's up with her?' when he looks back at Laura.
In any case, he holds up a hand towards Illy. "Sure, I can get that done. Gimme a sec to put this away. I'll be back in a lil bit. Hold down the fort?" That said he starts to move toward the equipment closet on the other side of the room.
Logan had been away from the Institute for awhile. He does that sometimes, just goes on walkabout, usually returning with a bag full of souvenirs from around the world. And a few more notches under his belt. He'd have scars, too, but his body doesn't really work that way.
Stepping out of his cabin, he headed over to check in with folks and sees the gathering of people at the bleachers, making a slow approach. He's got jeans, boots, a bomber jacket and a Merle Haggard t-shirt, a cowboy hat tilted back on his head. He sees Laura first, the two of them almost hyperaware of each other, meeting her eyes and giving a nod of acknowlegement before taking in the others.
"Sup, kids? Nice rig," he says, gesturing towards the suit.
The nose knows. It's one of those things. Laura is aware of Logan as soon as a door opens in the gym, the air wafting in from the change in pressure between outside and in and thus bringing that scent into the room long before the sound of the door closing behind him can be heard.
She has turned her head that direction as the door thuds closed. When Logan comes into view, she sobers immediately and gives him a terse nod. Not uncomfortable as they have moved beyond that bit. It was still a bit odd. After all, she was him. Sort of. It got a bit headache inducing if she thought about that too much.
"Caden was getting beat up. Safely," she points out, as she points to the blue padding he is carrying away to stow.
Illyana was totally just letting Laura's faux pax drop. While she definitely enjoys needling people and making them squirm, Laura gets some kid gloves on certain things. Especially as they were having a companionable moment. No need to put her on edge.
Though Logan's entrance does that allll on its own. Illyana looks over, giving her own nod to the short man. If he's been gone more than six months or so, the last time he saw Illyana she was likely 18 and no the mid-20s she is now.
The blonde's gaze moves between Laura and Logan with mild interest, and then chuckles at Laura's comment. "He was not however, safe from sweat. If he decides to take a shower though," She looks over at Laura, "This might be a bit of a wait."
Doesn't take too long to toss the overly large suit into storage, though it does take a bit longer to get it situated so it doesn't fall over, or sprawl out messily, or knock over the indoor hockey goals, or smack over all the brooms.
Eventually, Caden gets it squared away though he does close the door in a little bit of a rush. Then waits there a few seconds as if expecting to hear the sounds of gym equipment falling over. But nothing. Silence.
That is until he starts to walk away from the storage closet and after the fifth stride there's a faint clash and crash and clatter that makes him wince… But for now, he ignores it. Primarily when he sees Logan there.
"Hey!" He starts forward a little faster, a sort of half-token jog though stopping as he reaches to group to rejoin. "Who let this old man into the school?" The words might seem harsh, but they're warmly offered as he then extends a hand out toward Logan for a handshake and then a suitable /thump/ on the shoulder if he sees amenable.
"Hey, Logan."
Logan takes the handshake, "My restrainin' order expired, so I can finally come visit again," he says good-naturedly. "Anyway, somebody's gotta be keepin' you mugs sharp so you can keep the world safe while I six-packs and fish."
He regards Illyana with a long look, taking in the changes, but not pushing his nose in. She was into some weird shit, far as he knew. Probably some demon nonsense.
Stepping back and folding his arms over his chest, Caden looks over at Illy and Laura, and there's definitely been a subtle change in the tension of the moment. Perhaps Laura and her relationship to her progenitor, perhaps not. But for his part, the young X-Man is at the least pleased to see the older one.
"You going to be around for a while?" He quirks an eyebrow, "I'm only asking for like purely selfish reasons. They've got me doing all this phys. ed. stuff and I'm…" He lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck thoughtfully, "I'm not going to say I'm doing badly."
His lip twists as he looks over at the others, then back. "But, I think everyone would be pleased to have an older, more seasoned hand at the helm. In that regard."
Logan takes a seat next to his clone, giving her enough personal space not to set off any alarm bells. "I mean, I'm stickin' around fer a bit. Not sure I wanna jump straight into gym teachin'," he admits. "I'm not really much of a teacher. I just tell 'em to play shit and I watch."
"But sure, I can pitch in. I'll see if I can find my whistle up in the cabin. But I ain't teachin' tennis. I hate tennis," he says.
"He's great at playing the victim." Illyana deadpans, sliding her pale gaze over to Caden with a slight smirk.
Logan's long look gets a slight shrug. Yeah, definitely demon nonsense. She doesn't bother to explain if he doesn't ask. Her least favorite topic in a conversation is herself.
"He's just trying to get back to his computers. That he sleeps with." Illyana adds, the smirk saying that yes, she knows what she says is suggestive. "You sure you want to wiggle free of tall those jobs? I was going to ask you to help me practice. I don't have to fight demons near as often these days," Not physically, anyhow. "And I don't have regular practice scheduled. Probably should fix that." So that if she *does* get jumped by a demon, she doesn't embarrass herself.
"The computers are in my room, while I am sleeping, yes." Caden accepts whatever ignominy that brings upon him, particularly from Illyana's quarter. But he then looks over toward Logan and adds, "But I don't think that entirely encompasses what Illy is trying to imply." He does shoot her a glower with one eye-scrunched up all growly.
Though the he presses on, "But yeah, think Mrs. Johannsen," The school's current attendant, "Would be happy to get a few more hands on deck from people. I was just doing it since I was feeling guilty about sorta… you know, living here, eating here, and not doing much for my keep." Beyond occasionally helping people with their IT problems.
Though he nods in Illyana's direction, "Though yeah, some training might be good and…" He motions toward Laura and Logan, "They wouldn't be bad for that."
"Can help," Laura offers in regards to Illy when Caden suggests she's a potential teacher. "Not sure I can teach that way," she adds, motioning out to the mats that will still need to be wiped down then folded up and put away.
It's so foreign to her but perhaps she could learn. She shrugs a bit and climbs to her feet, giving another nod to those present. "Gonna go. Need to get something to eat." And with that, she's headed for the exit that Logan just can in through.
Logan shakes his head at Illyana, "Stereotypin'. Just cause we're untiring fighting machines who can't be seriously hurt. What's the world comin' to?" he says.
"Don't worry too much about pullin' your weight. Charlie's rich enough he can afford to feed more'n a few mouths. I can always teach you how to hunt for your own grub, though, if it really bugs ya," he says.
He watches Laura leave and shakes his head. Still weird. But that's his problem, not hers.
Illyana just flashes Caden one of those predatory grins, all teeth and a hint of danger. While the blonde doesn't look like much, the aura than hangs around her is enough to put most people on edge so she really does tend to look dangerous and not just silly.
The blonde rolls her gaze over as Laura says she's willing to help out, nodding with a chuckle. "That's OK. I don't need that kind of training. My… original trainer liked to have me run all day and then make me fight, and if I got hurt, well, that was incentive to fight harder." Illyana slants her gaze Logan's way. "Not all of us are untiring fighting machines."
Drawing a deep breath and letting it out, Illyana leans forward, gathering her sheaf of papers and steps over to link her arm through Caden's arm as Laura heads off. "C'mon. Kids need grades." 'Kids'. Right. Most of the people in *her* class are around her own age. "See you 'round, Logan."