xp_logs | Crystal and Forge - Going Places (Reply)

Crystal takes notice of Forge's planned departure. Although she's as curious as ever, her concerns are focused on those who might want advance warning of Forge's sabbatical. Forge doesn't want to have to field off questions, but agrees to let his friends know of his plans.

Crystal paused in the doorway of the office, eyes widening slightly as she took in the uncluttered setting. She'd heard whispers of a strange nature, that Forge was in the process of packing and even organizing, but it was one thing to hear of a maybe and another to witness the unnatural events with her own eyes.

"Did you lose something or are you leaving?"

"Taking a bit of a sabbatical," Forge answered quietly, half-distracted by the daily reports on his screen. He sent one final email, then closed his laptop, looking across his desk at Crystal. "I'll be leaving for a few weeks for Edinburgh, studying under Dr. Henry McCoy and assisting with some projects at Muir. Kind of a little sudden, I know, but I think I've put everything into order if people need to find something in my absence." He paused, tapping one finger against the desk as if searching his mind for something he'd forgotten. "Ah yes, mail. If you want to continue your volunteer duties, you're responsible enough to do so without any direction or supervision." He smiled to add emphasis to the compliment.

Of course she was. The thought that she might not be responsible enough had never even crossed her mind. Still, Crystal accepted the compliment politely. "Thank you, Forge. Does Jennie know that you are leaving on this sabbatical?"

Arching an eyebrow, Forge remained silent for a moment, then looked away briefly. "I haven't mentioned it, no. I didn't think... well, I probably should say something, yes. So my friends don't think I've just bolted on them. Sorry if I seem a little disjointed here, I've just been trying to put a lot of things in order recently and have obviously missed some important steps. I'll let her know, right."

"Given the fact that Marius left only a note when he left the school this summer, and the fact that no one knew where Jennie was for well over a month, I would say yes, it would probably be in the best interest of all involved parties if you actually announce your departure rather than vanishing into the night." He hadn't even thought of what it would seem like if he just left without notice, what it might do to other people, how it would make them feel?

"I let the headmasters and the Professor know..." Forge offered apologetically, then shook his head. "You're right. I'll do that. It's not that I'm sneaking out in the middle of the night, but... I kind of want to avoid people asking about my reasons, you understand? It's one of those things where I know my friends care and are concerned, but on the other hand there's some things I have to do for myself and..." He stopped, catching his breath before looking over at Crystal. "Sorry if I'm being all vague and cryptic. The incident this weekend was kind of the straw that broke the camel's back, in a lot of ways."

"Oh?" Crystal looked at him curiously, then caught herself. "Sorry. You do not want to have to answer any questions about the motivations for your extended time away from the school, and I assume that the events of this past weekend fall into that category. Just... please... if you decide to stay away for a longer period of time, do more than just leave a message on the school's answering machine, ok?"

"Thank you," Forge said earnestly. "For not prying and... for being concerned." He'd almost said 'caring' before realizing that Crystal might take umbrage at the assertion of undue familiarity. And after all, the issue of undue familiarity with students was part of the motivation for his sudden exodus... but best to put that out of mind, he insisted to himself.

"I will have some method of communication on me at all times, and I plan to stay well away from anything that could be considered more risky than a Scrabble game with Doctor MacTaggart."

"Yes, I think that you are safe with the Scrabble game." The best laid plans... Neither Marius nor Jennie had planned on their summer misadventures, yet they had taken place. No one had planned to have nearly a dozen mansion residents in a comatose state for a day and a half, but it had happened. "I hope you find whatever it is that you are looking for."

Forge nodded and gave Crystal a smile. "As do I, Crystal. Now if you'll excuse me, I should figure out how to best inform my friends."