E-mail to Scott.

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [Summers, Scott]
From: [Munroe, Ororo]
Subject: New student

Well. We have returned safely from South America and have brought with us a new student. We rescued her from a newly-formed volcano - she is handling the shock suprisingly well. I think she will fit in well with our other new arrivals. I know it is late but I thought I ought to get some of the paperwork done now, as I do not know when I will wake up once I collapse into bed. I will forward you the information as well as the mission report once I have it, so that you can read it at a decent hour.

I am always suprised at how quiet the mansion is at night... during the day it seems it will never quiet down. But at night, when everyone (or almost everyone) is asleep, it is very peaceful. I do not know if you have noticed that, but sitting here right now I cannot help but appreciate it. I suppose I ought to stop appreciating it and get back to work... the sooner to sleep.

-O.

Comments

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

To: [Ororo]
From: [Scott]
Subject: you should just go to bed now, you know...

The paperwork can wait; trust me, I'm not waiting for bated breath for the mission report. Check my account on the database. I haven't logged in for days.

But I'm glad the girl's all right, although her manifestation sounds like it was dramatic. I suppose it would have to be, with a power like that. We're about due for a new male student, aren't we? They're coming out of order now...

I haven't really been thinking much about appreciating the mansion at night. Been seeing a little too much of it.

-S

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [Summers, Scott]
From: [Munroe, Ororo]
Subject: Why aren't you in bed?

I did not think you were still awake... the email was meant for you in the morning. And I could not sleep now, I had several cups of coffee before sitting down at my desk, so I think I am slated to be awake for a while longer.

I do not know whether to be glad we are getting so many new students or not. Considering the circumstances under which they join us, perhaps I am not necessarily glad, but... they are here now. That much is good.

I am sorry to hear that you are still not sleeping well. There are some herbal teas in my suite I could bring you if you wish to try them... they always help me.

-O.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

To: [caffeine at this hour?]
From: [turning nocturnal]
Subject: I should take away your coffee

Or at least get Amelia to set you up a caffeine IV - it's probably more efficient.

Maybe I will break my self-imposed database vacation and read the mission report when it's done. Something's clearly bothering you about this one. You were down with Charles after the plane arrived back - yes, I did leave my room today. Des got out and I had to go chase her.

I'm not sure the herbal teas would help. I do have sleeping pills, but you know how much I hate them.

-S.

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [as long as you do not start sucking blood]
From: [it helps me focus]
Subject: Over my dead body.

And I happen to like my caffeine delivered orally, thank you very much.

...

I... need to speak to you about the mission, actually. Not now, but perhaps tomorrow, once I have gotten the report written and I do not smell like charred ash and burnt leather.

The teas are actually quite soothing and gentle... and they will not give you headaches or leftover drowsiness like a pill. But it is fine if you do not wish to try them, I understand completely.

-O.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

To: [I know this tone]
From: [the opposite of a vampire and that's the problem]
Subject: I'd ask you what you did...

Because I know that tone, even in text... but that can wait until tomorrow. And if you came home with the girl and everyone else intact, and no authorities in pursuit (please tell me there are no authorities in pursuit) I don't particularly care what you did, anyway. (That's meant to be reassuring.)

Are they painkilling teas?

-S.

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [a eripmav?]
From: [I know, that isn't funny]
Subject: Tone? What tone?

Everyone is safe and uninjured, the 'Bird is in one piece, and the town was fine when we left. Amara is settled into a room while I work on finding her a more permanent suite. There are no authorities in pursuit. Well... no, no authorities. Everything is fine. (That is meant to be reassuring.)

I believe some of them may have pain-relieving qualities, yes.

-O.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

To: [funny woman]
From: [now I know what's going on]
Subject: you did something creative again...

You already got the foil-wrapped chocolate medal for unconventional thinking, 'Ro. It's all right, you don't need to continually try and outdo yourself.

I might take you up on them tomorrow night, then. Amelia's cut off my good painkillers, and if I take too much of the special Scott-blend 'aspirin' Hank whipped up for my headaches years ago, she'll notice the next time she runs a blood test and then I'll be in for it.

-S.

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [flattery gets you nowhere]
From: [no idea what you are talking about]
Subject: Define 'creative'

I am not trying to outdo myself in any sense. I was merely... oh, nevermind. I will explain it to you later, and it will all become clear. Until then, you must trust me that everything is fine. You can do that, right?

Tea tomorrow, then.

-O.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

To: [playing innocent]
From: [being chewed on by a cat]
Subject: you know what I mean...

And of course I trust you. That goes without saying.

I hate this rock and a hard place crap. Can't take the sleeping pills because I'll dream, can't sleep without them because I hurt too much...

-S.

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [cats are evil]
From: [not just playing]
Subject: I will have to get out my dictionary for that one.

Thank you.

Staying up writing emails is perhaps not the best way to fall asleep? If you wish to go do something else, I will be able to entertain myself. Not that I do not welcome the 'company', as it is, but you should rest. And if it is a decision between no sleep and dreams, I think perhaps you ought to risk the dreams. At least then you may get a little rest.

-O.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

To: [I've heard that one before]
From: [cats are not evil]
Subject: uh-huh...

Des does like you. She's just very possessive.

The sleeping pills mean I don't wake up from the dreams, that's the problem. That and I just wish the muscle aches at night would stop. Amelia says there's no reason for them. All in my head.

I've got my lights on. Des is chasing a bug.

-S.

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [you have known me too long]
From: [are too]
Subject: So glad you agree.

Des does not like me. She has made that perfectly clear, several times. And I am not going to risk my skin trying to test that again. Fool me twice...

The problem with things in your head is that they are so much harder to treat than other things. I am glad your lights are on, and that she is keeping you company. Perhaps tomorrow when the sun comes up you will be able to nap. I can ask Cain to hang a hammock by the lake if you like....

-O.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

To: [don't tempt me]
From: [Des's pet human]
Subject: of course I agree...

You just need to work harder to win her over. She's really sweet, you know.

And hah. Too, too tempting. I suppose I'm just a little depressed or something. I talked to Angelica yesterday, about powers training... it went very well, felt very natural. I actually enjoyed doing it. But the sun went down, and bang, back to being miserable. Then I spent too much time indoors today, I guess.

I don't think I can take the see-saw crap.


-S.

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [does that mean you do tricks?]
From: [would pay to see that]
Subject: I never had any doubts.

Sweet? Sweet? I think you are the one in need of a dictionary, my friend. That kitten is not sweet, she is only deceiving you until she reveals her true nature. Just wait. And I will say I told you so.

At least the see-saw is better than being miserable all the time? Unless it makes feeling miserable worse because of the comparison... I am sorry, that is not helping. What did you talk about with Angelica, specifically? Will you be overseeing her training when school begins?

-O.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

To: [temptress]
From: [not tempted]
Subject: we're both too punchy tonight.

Des has caught the bug. I think she ate it. Poor bug.

We talked about... a lot of things, actually. She's got a good attitude at this point. I just hope the course of her training doesn't kill all that wonderful positive optimism. (Is that redundant? Positive optimism...)

I like Angelica. She's a nice kid, so I'm not sure I'd inflict my sole teaching presence on her, power-wise. We need to find out what all she can do, and we've got Shiro, at least, who may be fairly close to her type of mutation. I guess we won't know for sure until Moira's done testing her.

-S.

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [so tempted]
From: [just that good]
Subject: I think it is allowed.

See? Evil and with questionable culinary taste.

I do not see why training should quash her optimism... it is a great thing to be in control of one's mutation, especially one such as her. I would imagine it would only make her happier, not the other way around. (And yes, that is redundant. I would mark you down five points if you were my student.)

I suppose we will have to wait, then, and put together a teaching roster later. Not too much later, though. Dear goddess, how does time move so quickly? It is almost time for another school year.

-O.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

To: [evil]
From: [tired]
Subject: forgetting how to snark properly, here...

You're right, it shouldn't quash her optimism. Now I'm being pessimistic.

We will put together the Best Teaching Roster Ever. Tomorrow. Maybe. After the confession or the hammock or something.

Do you realize I'll be twenty-nine in another two weeks?

-S.

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [should be sleeping]
From: [needs more coffee]
Subject: I will just pretend it was snarky, then.

Tomorrow will be the hammock, then the confession, then the roster, if you feel like it. In that order and no other.

Twenty-nine is almost old. We will have to celebrate, though I hesitate to put Lorna the party-planner in charge of the festivities. It may end up being a little larger than you would like, in that instance. Perhaps we can go for a drive or have a small dinner with the staff and students. I really am no good at planning things of this nature...

-O.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

To: [should be sleeping too]
From: [will be pretending to sleep momentarily]
Subject: you're too kind...

Des has curled up on the pillows and gone to sleep. I think that's a sign.

We should do something strange and spontaneous. No plans. Sound like a plan?

... oh, God, I need to sleep. You head bedward at some point soon, too, or I'll tell Patrick on you.

-S.

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

To: [Trustworthy]
From: [Generous]
Subject: To a fault.

A plan indeed.

Sleep well, Scott.

-O.