xp_logs | Angelo and Ororo | Wednesday afternoon

Ororo stops by Angelo's room to discuss class and team logistics. It's never easy knowing what to say.

It seemed to Ororo that she accomplished as much work out of her office as in it, most days. The thought occurred to her as she made her way to Angelo's suite, which was a less-than-traditional meeting place, but effective all the same. She had emailed the young man earlier to let him know of her plans to come by, and though she was sure he would probably prefer to be left alone, he hadn't told her not to come. And so she had, in hopes that he would be amenable to talking, at least a little bit.

He was expecting her, thanks to the e-mail, and so the suite door was standing a little way open when she came to it. He was in his room, but that door was half-open too. It wasn't as if he wouldn't hear most people come in, sitting at his desk with his backlog of college work.

"Angelo?" Ororo said, stopping outside the door despite its being open and knocking on it lightly. "Are you free for a moment?"

He glanced up, then reached out a foot to nudge his bedroom door open all the way. "Hey. Sure, come in."

"Thank you." Stepping in, Ororo clasped her hands behind her, looking at the large pile of books and papers on Angelo's desk. "I will not stay too long, as I can see you have plenty to do. I only wanted to welcome you back to the mansion, and speak with you about your workload for the time being." No offers of regret, or apologies for what he had been through; doubtless he would know the sentiment even if the words weren't said.

He'd heard it from a lot of people, and though he knew none of them meant it any less for the repeated words, it was getting a little old. He nodded. "Thanks. 's good to be back."

"Obviously while you were gone your part in the self-defense class was covered, and it will continue to be so until you say otherwise." Ororo wasn't quite sure what Angelo would do. On one hand, he had been quite reclusive since returning to the mansion, understandably so, and as such he might prefer to step away from the class for the time being. On the other hand, he was Nate's protégé..."There is no rush at all, Angelo."

"Who's takin' it?" he asked, accepting the continued cover without visible question. "Garrison?"

"Yes," the white-haired woman said with a nod. "And he can continue to do so for as long as necessary."

"Then he can keep it", Angelo said, nodding in return. "For now. I'll talk to Yvette."

"Very well." If Ororo was surprised, she didn't show it - it was difficult to predict how people would respond in times of loss and stress. Some threw themselves into their work, while others shut themselves away from everything. And while it wasn't her place to judge, Ororo hoped that Angelo would only be taking a temporary reprieve from his duties. She liked the young man and wanted him to continue finding his place at the mansion. But there was certainly time for that later. For now, hopefully this was what was best for him.

"I'll... probably take it back sometime", he offered awkwardly, moving back to the desk. "I've just... got all this to catch up on, an' then there's Elpis, an' I'm still gettin' back into stuff..."

"Yes, of course. I am sorry, I did not mean to imply there was a problem," Ororo said, shaking her head. "This is the least of your worries, now. I only want you to know you are free to talk to me at any time, about anything. If you decide you do not want the class back, that is fine. Do not feel obligated, and do not worry about broaching the subject if that is what you feel is necessary."

"I liked... like doin' the class", he answered quietly. "I want t'take it back, sometime, just... not for now. Might even be soon."

"It will be waiting for you." That was about all the assurances she could offer - she couldn't say the world would ever be like it was, or that what he was feeling would go away without a trace. But the self-defense class and life would be waiting there for him when he was ready to resume them; that was one inevitability. "Until then, concentrate on what you need to focus on. Do not let anybody else try to tell you what matters. We will all respect your decisions, Angelo, I promise you that much."

"Thank you", he said sincerely, then glanced down and away at his desk. "I, uh... the team. I don't know..."

"For now you are on reserve - there is no need to rush back to that, either. With Pietro's addition we have a full roster, so we will not be stretched so thin without you."

"That's good", he said with obvious relief. "I know you guys were... but, okay."

Nodding, Ororo reached out to pat the young man on the shoulder, her expression kind. "Take your time, Angelo. And do not be afraid to seek out help, wherever you may find it. No one will begrudge you that."

"Nate's got me seein' Jack Leary", he volunteered. "Had one appointment already, an' another one comin' up soon."

"I am glad. Is there anything I can do for you?" she offered then.

"Nothin' I can think of that you wouldn't already be doin'." It was almost a rote answer, but he really couldn't think of anything that he wouldn't certainly get without asking.

"Very well. If you think of anything..." Ororo gave his shoulder a squeeze before stepping back towards the door.

"I'll let you know", he promised, managing a slight smile as she turned away.