xp_logs | Ororo and Angelo, Wednesday morning

Angelo finally goes along to Storm's office for a chat about his possibly joining the team.

He'd said he'd do this, even if he still didn't know how the conversation had reached that point. So, a few days after the talk with Nathan in the gym and some flailing later, Angelo made his way to Storm's office.

Thanks to Nathan's email, Ororo wasn't entirely surprised when Angelo peeked his head in her office, though it was still unexpected that he had decided to follow through with it. She wouldn't have faulted the young man for deciding against it - he was already busy enough as it was. "Angelo," she said with a smile when she saw him, motioning for him to come in. "How are you?"

He hadn't made up his mind either way, yet. That was why he was there, after all, this time. He grinned as he walked into the office. "Pretty good, thanks. How're you?"

"I am quite well, thank you. I admit, I was wondering when you would come to see me. Please, take a seat," she invited him.

Angelo nodded as he sat down. "Yeah, I... had a couple of people I wanted to talk to first. Time to get my head clear, an' all."

"Of course, that is understandable. You must have questions... is there anything I can help answer?" Ororo smiled, resting her elbows on the desk and tilting her head at Angelo. She could only imagine what must be going through his head.

"I just... okay, first thing. How much time would this take away from the other stuff I do? I mean, Elpis is important, an' that's not gonna change."

"At first, there will be training," Ororo began, "and that really will not take too much time. As much as a workout session normally, and it can easily be tailored to whenever you prefer... morning, evening, anytime. There will also be some other activities that you can complete on your own time... reviewing missions, that sort of thing. There is no set schedule for this, it can be as flexible as you need it to be. And there is no reason that it will have to interfere with your other responsibilities."

Angelo nodded slowly, liking what he was hearing so far. "Okay, that's... good. 'Cause Elpis is my main job, an' then there'll be college startin' soon." His eyes were still serious, though, as he looked directly at her and carried on. "Second question. Nathan keeps comin' back from stuff hurt when he goes out with the teams. An' I know what you do's dangerous, I've known that almost since I moved in here, but... how dangerous? My mom already had to think I was dead for however many months it was. I won't put her through that again if I can help it, not an' have it be real."

Ah, yes. Not such a surprising question either. "It is dangerous... and no promises can be made. Some things we do are more dangerous than others... but it is not necessary to prepare a will quite yet. First of all, Scott and I would never ask you to go on a mission you were not comfortable with. And no one will think less of you for wishing to stay safe."

Another nod, and he swallowed slightly. "The thing is... Nathan goes on those missions. An' I can't make him stop, even though he knows I don't like it. So the next best thing I can do is... be out there with him. If joinin' the team's the way to be allowed to do that... then I'll just have to deal."

"Angelo," Ororo said gently. "I understand that you are concerned for him. And it is an admirable sentiment, to want him to be safe. But it is his own choice to do those things, and there is no need to put yourself in a situation you are not comfortable with just to ensure he is safe."

"I never thought I would", he said quietly. "But when we were talkin'... what if he's right? What if my powers could make the difference? Bring him home safe, or one of the others, when they wouldn't have otherwise?"

"It is certainly something to think about. We all have our own reasons for being on the team. I am not saying your desire is wrong, only that you must not feel as if this is all you can do. Your work with Elpis is just as important, just as influential, as what we do in leathers. And if you wish to add to that, then you would be a welcome addition to the team, I know that much." Ororo smiled across the desk at him. "And I know the others would say the same."

"I wouldn't be droppin' Elpis", he said firmly. "Not ever. An' that's gonna still be my priority. But... Nathan manages both. So."

"Well. Perhaps we should draw up a schedule for you to ease into training, as well as begin some of the other requirements, and we will see how it goes? If at any time you do not think it is working, or you wish to put it on hold, that is fine."

"That... sounds like it could be good", he agreed, smiling hesitantly. "To start with, anyway."

"It will not happen all at once," Ororo said, knowing that he probably wanted to be out on the front lines with Nathan right away. "But when it does, you will be well-prepared. I promise."

"How long does the trainin' usually last?"

"It depends." One of the first things Ororo had learned was not to put a time limit on such things. "It is different for everybody."

"Is there an average, though?"

Ororo raised her eyebrows, trying not to smile too widely. "An average? Some people come to the team practically prepared, others take months just to train themselves into shape. I do not think it shall take so long for you, though."

"Okay then." He smiled again, accepting that as the best he was going to get. "Guess we'll just see what happens, then."

"You are welcome to speak with me any time if things are not progressing as you hoped... and remember, regardless of what you choose to do, Nathan will be very proud of you. He has every right to be."

The smile grew wider, he couldn't help it, and he ducked his head. "Thanks."

Ororo stood and offered him her hand, smiling all the while. "I will put together a schedule and send it to you for persual. Hopefully we can work out something that fits in your busy day."

He shook her hand as he followed suit to stand. "Should be able to. If nothin' else, it can just go where my usual gym time used to."

"Very well. I look forward to working with you, Angelo. Congratulations."