xp_logs | Ororo and Marie | Early Wednesday

Marie and Ororo both share the habit of rising early to greet the sun, so it's no surprise they meet each other outside by the lake. Ororo is glad to see Marie, and it's a little reassuring to the younger woman that at least some people are glad to see her.

While the rest of the mansion was making their slow, sleepy trek to the kitchen or pushing their tired bodies through that morning’s exercise routine (or for the students and younger residents, still slumbering away as the sun rose), Ororo padded through the dew-tipped grass outside, face turned to the sky. It was going to be a beautiful day out, she could tell, and that made it an even better idea to do her sunrise meditations outdoors that morning. She couldn’t help but smile as she felt the warmth of the sun touch her cheeks and the tickling sensation of the lawn beneath her bare feet. She made her way towards her usual spot, a calm clearing by the lake where she could sit and meditate without interrupting anybody’s morning run. This, more than the coffee she would drink upon returning inside or the hot shower she had taken upon waking, was what began her day.

Marie gently came into awareness of the world around her. Finally, a good night's sleep. Stretching, she looked out the window and smiled as the first of the sun's rays seemed to say good morning. Throwing on her workout gear and gloves, she grabbed her mat and headed towards the gym. Passing by a window, she changed her mind and headed outside. After all, when the weather was this beautiful, how could she resist?

Exiting the building, Marie inhaled deeply, welcoming the sounds and feels of the outdoors. Hoping to hear the peaceful sounds of water lapping against the earth, she headed for the lake.

Ororo had settled down on the grass, legs crossed, hands resting on her knees. Perhaps her meditation wasn’t exactly the same as most people defined it – for her, it was a reconnecting with the earth and the myriad of forces that emanated from it. Closing her eyes, she drew in a deep breath and began to concentrate, first on the feeling of the air against her skin. It was really better to do this naked, but Charles had politely requested she save those session for somewhere more private.

As Marie approached the lake, she spotted a figure with white hair in a meditative pose. It was shorter than she remembered…but no one else would have that shock of white hair on their head…running over, Marie called out hopefully, "'Ro?"

Her concentration interrupted, Ororo nevertheless found it a pleasant disturbance as she opened her eyes and glanced up. “Marie!” she exclaimed, smiling widely as she stood and opened her arms to the girl.

Running to give her hug, Marie wrapped her arms tightly around her friend. "Ah've missed you." How had she let so long go without talking to her friends? It felt so good to be back, felt so good to be seeing everyone again.

“When I heard you were coming back here, I almost could not believe my ears,” Ororo said with a grin. She gazed down at the younger woman, as if she could read her story just like that. “It is so good to see you. How have you been?”

Laughing, Marie answered, "That's the question of the week, isn't it?" A more serious look overcame her face as she looked Ororo in the eyes. "Ah'm doing better than I was. Ah'm not the same mess as when Ah left." She looked across the lake, watching the calm mirrorlike surface. "Ah'm not quite the same person Ah was either. But that's enough about me...tell me what Ah've missed happenin' with you."

“Oh, there has not been much to miss… my life has been the same mixture of drudgery and carefully-controlled chaos as ever,” Ororo replied with a rueful smile. “The school is doing well – I am sure you have heard about the new students who are coming in all the time. And the team… is managing. As well as possible. And I have remained the same boring person who was here when you left.”

Marie laughed. "You? Boring?" Setting up her mat, Marie began going through her asanas. "Scott asked if Ah wanted to rejoin the team...and Ah said yes." She paused, waiting to see how her companion would react.

Ororo had to keep from the dual rush of relief and apprehension from showing too much on her face. Glancing over at Marie she smiled and nodded a bit, her expression calm. “We would be lucky to have you join us,” she said, once again resting her hands on her knees and straightening her back. “If that is your choice. Do not feel obligated, Marie, if you do not wish to. I am sure everybody here will simply be glad you are with us in whatever capacity you choose.”

Ororo and Scott were being so great about this. She was fairly certain that deep down they wanted her to join, but they were making sure it was her decision and not pressure from them that forced her into. Nodding, she said firmly but simply, "It is my choice."

“Then you are of course welcomed with open arms,” Ororo said, nodding. “If you come by my office during office hours I would be happy to take care of anything that needs to be done. I have become quite adept at paperwork,” she added with a smirk. “So it will not take long.”

For some reason, the thought of Ororo doing paperwork brought a funny image to Marie's mind. She couldn't help giggling out loud at the imagined site of Ororo, sitting calmly amidst a tornado of documents, memos and other various office items as paperclips rained down from the ceiling. Covering her mouth, she just shrugged in explanation to Ororo. "Ah'll definitely come by. And Ah could use a run or two in the Danger Room as well."

Not for the first time, Ororo wished she had just a little ability at telepathy, as whatever it was that was making Marie giggle so much had to be amusing. Even if it was at Ororo’s expense. "Very well," she said, arching an eyebrow skeptically. "I am sure that can be arranged at well. I am sure you will be surprised to see all the new additions to the programming. The gelatinous cube is a particular favorite of mine…"

Marie raised an eyebrow. "Sounds messy." Continuing to go through her routine, Marie asked quietly, "How's Scott really doing?" Seeing the scars on his visorless face had been a shock "...and Jean?" ...hearing that Jean was still alive and they had gotten married even more so. And Scott had mentioned that Jean had been having some problems too. Things couldn't be easy for the two of them.

At this Ororo’s expression became unreadable, and she too glanced out over the shimmering lake. "They have both been through a very difficult time," she replied softly. "Scott is doing as well as he can… at the expense of his health, some think. And Jean… she is better, now, I think. But neither of them will be the same for some time. I do not envy them."

Marie thought back on her moment of envy for Scott's ability to now control his powers. How could she deny him that little scrap of good with everything else he was dealing with? "Nor do I," she whispered.

There was a long moment of silence as the two women sat side-by-side, but Ororo couldn’t let the somber mood last forever. "Do not worry, Marie," she said reassuringly, reaching out to place a hand on the girl’s arm. "They will be all right. And having you back will make it that much easier, I know it."

Marie wished she could be as confident as Ororo sounded. She still worried about the potential risk she was to everyone. After all, in the few days since her return, she felt like she had done more harm than good. "Ah hope so." Looking at Ororo, she was struck by how strong she looked, how regal. If only I could be that way, she thought wistfully.

"You can be sure of it. Now, come, while we have been talking the sun was busy rising. We cannot let it get ahead of us like that. I am glad to share this morning with you – the dawn is always brighter when it is seen with a friend. Shall we prepare ourselves for the busy day ahead?"

Nodding, Marie rose and headed back towards the mansion. Walking beside Ororo, she felt more able to handle the day ahead, to face whomever she must. And if she cracked, if she couldn't handle the pressure...well wasn't that the point of coming back? To lean on her friends and in turn to be leaned upon.