Ororo/Amara: Thursday afternoon

[x-molten.livejournal.com]

Ororo and Amara head to the gardening store for supplies.

"I am excited for you to meet Clint," Ororo said as she navigated the Jeep out of the garage and down the main drive towards the road. She turned to smile briefly at Amara, who was accompanying her to the nursery in town in hopes of finding the supplies she needed for her garden. "He is always so happy to meet another gardening enthusiast, I am sure he will be glad to help you find the things you need." The day was slightly overcast, though whether that was natural or a product of the headmistress' low mood was debatable.

Amara had noticed Ororo's grey mood and hoped that a trip would cheer her up. "I am looking forward to meeting him as well. I would like to get in a garden for spring harvest before the ground gets too cold." She mapped out the garden in her head, arranging bulbs, perennials and shrubs, root crops and leaf crops. "How do the students feel about Brussels sprouts?"

"They may not object to them in theory, but in practice it is quite another story. Though I am sure Lorna can find a way to prepare them so that even the pickiest eater would not find reason to object." Turning smoothly onto the road, Ororo adjusted her rear-view mirror, as it seemed someone much taller than her had last driven the vehicle. Nathan, maybe, or Scott or Sam. "If you wish to grow them, I say go right ahead and do so."

"I know several ways to make Brussels sprouts appealing. Well, appealing enough for the children back home." As they turned onto the main road and accelerated, Amara bounced once in her seat. The thrill of car rides had not yet faded entirely, although the Jeep was nothing like Forge's sports car. "Do you intend to plant anything this fall Ms. Monroe?"

"Oh, I do not know... I am not sure I have the time." This was said with a rueful smile and a shake of her head. "I would hate to neglect anything anymore than I have; perhaps I will concentrate on the plants I have now. They are certain to be glad of the extra attention."

"I can help out in the greenhouse if you feel you are being stretched too thin," Amara immediately offered. "Why did you decide to start a yearbook and literary magazine club if you are afraid you do not have enough time?" She had gone to the first meeting and decided to help with writing and editing. She didn't feel up to photography; she would leave that to Angel.

Ororo hesitated before answering. It was obvious Amara was a bright, astute girl, and Ororo didn't want to say anything that would lead her to worry or worse, not trust in the school and the teacher's abilities. "I started the club because there are many talented students who deserve a chance to participate in an extra-curricular activity like the yearbook," she said after a moment. "Because as a teacher, it is my duty to do all I can to help the students and facilitate their learning. Adding to my garden would be a personal indulgence, and as such, it is not necessary. And I have many other plants that make me very happy - I do not need more to enjoy the time I spend with them."

Amara digested what Ororo had said. It made sense, putting duty before personal pleasure, but often one needs personal pleasure to do one's duty to their fullest capability. That was where the logic broke down for her. Balance. It was all about balance. "As long as you are not neglecting your own sanity or happiness. It is too easy to make yourself crazy by doing everything for everyone and leaving nothing for your own person." Amara decided then and there to surreptitiously add lovely flowers to Ororo's garden. She hoped they would make her smile.

"Those are very wise words, and many people in the mansion would probably benefit from hearing that," Ororo told Amara. She didn't say anything about whether she would be one of those people. Changing the subject, she added, "I am so glad you wanted to be involved in the club - I think with all the talented people who have chosen to work on them, the yearbook and magazine will have no choice but to be stellar this year."

"There is something for each person to do, according to talent and preference. I do not think I am that talented, but I will certainly try." Amara slipped into silence to watch the world go by, calmed by the feeling of security she found around Ororo. "You are right that many people in the mansion would benefit from a little balance. That is why I am determined to bother Forge at least once a week so that he will get a break from work and school."

This drew a chuckle from Ororo, who had vowed to do that several years ago with Scott, much to his chagrin. "An excellent decision, and one I am sure he will be glad of, even if he does not admit it. Even if he goes so far as to protest it." Driving into town, she turned once more down the side street where the nursery was situated, glancing around for a parking spot. "You are a very generous young woman, Amara. I am glad you have joined us at the school."

Amara blushed at the kind words. "I want my mother to be proud of me," she said simply. "I am glad the school agreed to take me in. Being a mutant in Nova Roma, especially one who almost destroyed the town, would be difficult." She could talk about the incident now without shuddering or bursting into tears. It was progress.

"It is difficult to be a mutant in many places, unfortunately. It is good to have a place like the school where you can learn to be comfortable with who you are. I count myself lucky to have been able to benefit from that as well... otherwise, I do not know what would have happened to me."

"Where were you before the mansion?" Amara asked, turning away from the window. "If you do not mind me asking. I do not want to be too bold."

"Well," Ororo said, pausing to wait patiently as an older woman slowly pulled her Oldsmobile out of the parking spot in front of them. "Like many of the other students, both former and current, my situation before I came to the school was less than conventional. I was orphaned at a young age, and spent several years living as a thief on the streets of Cairo. When I was thirteen or so I left Egypt to live in Kenya, where I... acted as a sort of patron for several local tribes there." Patron, goddess... it was a fine line.

"Professor Xavier sought me out eventually and convinced me to come with him to the school, and I am glad that he did. There was much I still had to learn."

It was probably better that Ororo made herself sound like a leadership figure, and not an object of worship. Amara had had quite enough of goddesses for her lifetime, thank you. "It sounds...exciting," she finished lamely, shaking her head. "That is not what I meant. I meant that it sounds difficult and rewarding and constantly moving. And I've always wanted to go to Egypt. Do you ever miss your old life?"

"Sometimes," Ororo replied with a small nod. "No matter how long I am here, a part of me will always belong there. But that does not mean I regret coming here. If I had not, I never would have met the people I now know, or learned the things that make me who I am today. So I am glad to be where I am.

"I feel the same way about my own home. A part of me will always be there, just like I think a part of me will always be here, when I finally leave the mansion." Parking completed, Amara climbed out of the Jeep and stood on the sidewalk. "Your Kenya and Egypt, Angelo's Los Angeles, I would like to see them some day. I feel there are whole worlds I have been missing."

"Luckily, you are still young enough that you will have many opportunities to do so," Ororo said, smiling as she got out of the Jeep. "And in the meantime, you are lucky to be in a place with so many people from so many worlds. I am sure they would be glad to share their memories of their homes with you."

"I do not want to be nosy, though." Amara followed Ororo to the gardening store and all thought of other worlds disappeared. The place was enormous and bright, skylights and gentle fluorescent lamps providing most of the light, sunlamps providing the rest. Rows of neat seed packets, soils, and clay pots. The more finicky seedlings grew inside, while the hardier plants were out back. Everything Amara needed and more was spread before her.

"Where do we start?"