Kitchen, Lorna and Manuel

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Manuel and Lorna usually spells bad news. But when he tracks her down in the kitchen with a question, both manage to keep things civil. And the world didn't even have to end for it to happen. Backdated to...earlier this week. I'll correct it when I find the right date.



Manuel had finally tracked Lorna down in, oddly enough, one of her usual haunts. Her new kitchen. "Excuse me, Lorna? I would like to speak to you, if I could." he said politely from the doorway, giving her plenty of warning as to his location and existance. He didn't fancy being riddled with steelware or fried with a lightning bolt or whatever other unpleasantness she could possibly dream up if he startled her.

Lorna jumped at the sound of Manuel's voice anyway and grabbed desperately at the empathy shield Nate was trying to teach her. However it was still beyond her abilities and she had to settle for taking a deep breath and trying to remember her new mantra—'nice is better'. She set down the knife she'd been slicing apples with anyway. "Sure, why don't you have a seat?" She gestured at the table. And stayed where she was, putting the island between them. "What is it you need?"

Manuel slowly took the aforementioned seat, making no sudden moves. "As a part of the training I am doing with Professor Xavier, I am in something of a need for your knowledge. Will you be teaching the Philosophy class next term?" he asked her pleasantly, keeping his hands within easy view after removing his habitual sunglasses and putting them on the counter.

Lorna's eyes went wide but she mastered her expression quickly and shook her head, "No, I'm not. I'm transferring to U of Hawaii with Alex to finish my degree. I haven't yet worked out whom if anyone is taking my classes. Phil wasn't on the class schedule before I picked it up. I was hoping the Professor would teach it but if he's busy I might ask Kurt. I think he'd be good at it." Focusing on the subject was the best way to keep from feeling. Not being able to hide her feelings from him was just as terrifying as the feelings themselves.

"Damn." he said, forgetting his resolve to be non-threatening and balling his hands into fists for a moment. "I really wanted to take that class. Hopefully they'll find someone else to pick up the slack." he said, forcing himself to relax. "I have no doubt that the Xavier knows the material, but does Herr Wagner?" he asked skeptically. "I know you're practically shitting a brick at the thought of having me in one of your classes. But I need this - I need the knowledge, the grounding."

"It's…not that." Strangely the display of aggression was calming. At least she wasn't the only one nervous here. She took a deep breath and tried again, this time going for emotional honesty. "I agree that you need the grounding. Plato, Aquinas, Augustine, Kant, you should be reading them all. But you're right, I don't want you anywhere near one of my classes and I'm relieved that I won't be put in that position. I will do my best to insure that you have a philosophy class to take in the fall. If not Western, Kylun's Eastern class is excellent as well though probably not what the Professor had in mind." She clasped her hands behind her back to stop them from shaking. Samson was going to love this story. "In the meantime, would you like a copy of my syllabus and booklist?"

"I'll be taking Kylun's Eastern Philosophy course as well." he said with a smile. "And yes, I'd like that. Assuming my reading skills hold up, I can always find the time this summer to read them over. Do you also have a copy of your homework assignments from last term?"

"It's all in the syllabus. I'll give you any supplementary materials you'll need but there aren't many. The class structured to be mostly Socratic. Debate takes up a lot of our time." Lorna bit her lip, thinking quickly, "We do use English texts but if the original language is easier on you, you could try that instead. Aquinas wrote in Latin like the good monk he was, I believe."

"I read Latin far better than I do English. My Greek, however, is fairly terrible." he confessed with a grin. "I obviously won't have the benefit of the debate, but at least this is something. You've been quite helpful, thank you." he said with a grin. Then, looking around the kitchen, he grinned at her again. "I like what you've done with the place. It feels good."

She looked away, meeting his smile was somehow worse than his irritation. "Thank you. I didn't really design it to be pretty, just functional. Dani did most of the work to make it warm."

Manuel grinned. "Ah, that would do it. Trust an empath, even one like Danielle, to be aware and sensitive to the nuances." he said with a small laugh. "Well, I'll stop scaring the shit out of you now and take myself elsewhere. Thank you for your aid, I'm looking forward to receiving the materials you mentioned. Should give me something to do this summer in addition to a full term of classwork."

"I'll send them over once I'm done with this. Have a good day, Manuel." She waited until he was gone to unclasp her hands. They ached from the strain. She stared at them for a long time, flexing her fingers slowly. So much for all her so-called progress.

Manuel paused once he was out of eyeshot of Lorna. He sighed and shook his head. A pity he had to take that acid-bath in order to just talk to the woman. His fault, his penance to be paid. ~Hopefully it will be worth it.~ he thought to himself, and then continued on his way.