xp_logs | Bleeding | Ororo and Kurt

After the post on the X-Staff forum, Kurt comes to Ororo with a question.

It was with a determined stride that Kurt made his way to Ororo's office, set on getting his way on this particular issue. It did have some importance to him, after all.

A dark shadow crossed the threshold of the door, and Ororo looked up from her last-minute organizing to see Kurt standing in front of her desk. Not entirely surprised, Ororo fixed him with a curious expression, tilting her head to one side. "Hello, Kurt. Please, take a seat."

He seemed to hesitate for a moment or two, as if he was about to stay standing, then nodded and sat down, tail swinging in agitation. "I think you know what I have come to ask of you."

"Yes, I have a feeling I do. What I must reiterate, however, is that this is in no way your fault, Kurt. I understand that you may feel responsible, but there is no reason for you to do so."

"And yet I do", he said quietly but firmly. "And I would go with the team to bring them home."

"Kurt," Ororo said, knowing that she had a decision to make, and not much time to make it in. "I am not against your involvement here. But I need for you to promise me one thing."

"You have only to name it, and if I can, you have my promise."

"I do not know how this will all turn out. We are going into this with a minimum of information, and though I hope for the best outcome possible, we cannot assume anything. And if you come, you must promise me you will be able to separate your guilt from what I ask you to do... as difficult as that may be."

Yellow eyes turned blank as stone, and he nodded slowly. "You think that... drastic measures may be necessary, then?"

"I do not know," Ororo hastened to say. "Of course I am hoping that things will go smoothly. But you know this school, Kurt, and you know these students. Making things go smoothly may be the last thing on their minds at the moment."

"I do know both", Kurt acknowledged quietly. "And the best I can promise is that I will try to make things go smoothly... but I will do what must be done, if it should come to that." He'd already begun silently preparing himself for the worst outcome.

"Thank you." Ororo gave him a warm smile, trying to project more confidence than she felt. "I was thinking perhaps Marie could come along as well. She knows all three, and that may well help when we find them. What do you think?"

"I think Marie would be a very good choice", he said with a faint smile, hiding anything he might be feeling. "She is a strong addition to the team. And perhaps someone with medical training? Just in case."

"Mm, yes, that is an excellent idea. Paige, perhaps, or Rahne... I will contact them both."

"Rahne is always reliable... when you speak to Paige, you may want to check how she feels about Manuel. I do not remember how much they interacted when he was here, or in what way."

Nodding, Ororo leaned forward to make a note on the pad of paper next to her keyboard, pursing her lips as she remembered several more things to jot down. "Thank you, Kurt. I will let you know when we are leaving as soon as I know it myself."

"Thank you", he said quietly. "For agreeing to let me go on this mission." He knew she had misgivings still... but he would have followed the lead with or without her permission, when it came down to it.

Glancing up, Ororo smiled again, this time with genuine warmth. "You are welcome, Kurt. I trust you, you know that. And I am glad you are coming. I only hope Marius and Jennie feel the same about our involvement."

"As do I." This time there was a flash of worry in his eyes, visible through the careful screen. "As do I."