xp_logs | Kurt and Ororo, Monday afternoon

Kurt gets a visit, a gift and a suggestion. It's one he's ready to take on board.

Yosemite wasn't really the type of place you brought back souvenirs from - aching muscles and bruises, yes, but not so much mouse ears or keychains. Still, she had found a gift shop before their departure from the park and managed to find little odds and ends for just about everybody at the mansion, and slowly she was making the rounds, checking in on her friends and delivering the gifts.

Kurt had been in another reclusive phase, to a point - leaving the suite to teach classes and for his usual gymnastic practice, but not for much else. Thus, he was in when Ororo knocked, opening the door to her with a smile.

"Good afternoon, Kurt," she said, smiling back at him and holding up the small gift bag in her hand. "I wanted to come by to see how you were... and to drop this off. If you have a moment?"

"Of course", he answered readily, standing aside to let her in. "How was your holiday? And thank you for the present."

"My vacation was quite nice, thank you," Ororo said, stepping inside the suite. "Although I must warn you that no matter how much you may think he is joking, Nathan is deadly serious about forcing people to climb mountains for their own relaxation. Luckily for him, it works."

"I will remember that", Kurt said wryly as he closed the door behind her. "It does not sound completely unenjoyable, at least. And it does seem to have done you good."

"Yes, I think it has. Though I do not advocate running away from your problems, it can certainly help to get a bit of perspective if you step away and look at them from a different angle," she agreed. "And the scenery out there is unparalleled. It is definitely a place I wish to visit again."

"Perhaps if you do, I will go with you", he said, voice turning thoughtful. "It would certainly be a new challenge."

"I would welcome the company," Ororo said warmly, settling on the couch. "And I cannot say I do not think you deserve a vacation, too. Now that school is over for the summer do you have any plans for relaxation?"

"I suppose I should", he allowed. "Barring my usual practice, which I will not let slip. And the lessons I have promised Yvette and others, but those are only in languages. Not strenuous."

"Good, good... though I think the students would understand if you wanted a week or two for yourself, as well."

Kurt shrugged. "If I am here, I may as well be doing something with my time. And I have no plans to go away." He knew he was welcome with Wanda and Pietro's clan, but he didn't want to go without a more specific invitation or preferably one of the twins with him.

With a nod, Ororo pushed the bag into Kurt's lap, smiling eagerly. She had gotten him a jar of elderberry jam, knowing that with his frequent tea-drinking he might need something to go on his pastries. "Then we will strive to have a peaceful and relaxing summer here, then, so that it will be a vacation in and of itself."

He picked it up and opened the bag, then offered her a grin of thanks. "This will go very well. Thank you, Ororo. And yes, I think we may all strive for that."

"Good, good..." It was only now, after pleasantries had been exchanged and her gift had been handed over that Ororo got a 'headmistressy' look on her face, folding her hands in her lap. "Kurt, there is something I have been meaning to talk to you about... your talk of doing something with your time this summer reminded me."

That got a blink, then a slightly wary look, and he set the jam down in his lap and gave her his full attention. "Oh yes?"

"It is not anything... serious. Merely something you may want to think about. During Parent's Weekend, I had the... pleasure of speaking with Kyle's mother." The tight set of Ororo's lips told Kurt that the experience had been less-than-enjoyable. "She mentioned that she had spoken to you. In the gym, I believe?"

"Outside the mansion", he corrected. "But yes, she did, until Kyle appeared to... show her another part of the grounds. What did she have to talk about?" He could guess, but better to ask.

"She had quite a bit to say on the subject of qualifications. Apparently there are several things the school could... improve upon." Before Kurt could say anything she held up her hand, giving a tiny shake of her head. "You are not in any trouble, of course. You know we feel very fortunate to have you teaching here."

"I know, and thank you for it." He looked at her seriously. "I am not in trouble... but you felt the need to come and speak to me anyway."

"Most people here are always looking for ways to learn and do more. You are no exception. I have seen you train particularly hard to reach a goal, and you have never backed down from a challenge. So I thought that I would ask you if you had ever given any thought to pursuing a teaching qualification, or some other type of formal education. It is not exactly the 'relaxing' summer I spoke of earlier, but if you wished to have something to fill your time... I believe it would be a worthy pursuit."

"I had given a little thought to it after the... conversation with Kyle's mother", he admitted. "And now that you come to talk about it... perhaps I should. I do not think I would know what to do with a completely relaxing summer by most standards."

This earned a knowing chuckle from the headmistress. "Nor would we all. But if you are truly interested in exploring your options, I would be happy to help. I have quite a collection of educational brochures and course books ready for your perusal."

Kurt laughed. "You have come prepared, I see. I will come to collect them or look at them very soon." That was a promise.

"Excellent. I can promise you that we will be able to find something that fits into your schedule. If there is one thing education has improved in over the years, it is flexibility of scheduling. Which is fortunate for those of us with less-than-forgiving commitments."

"And I do not have so busy a schedule as some others here. My classes do not take more than a little preparation, and there is practice, but... I can spare some time from that."

"Wonderful. I am proud of you, Kurt, for viewing this opportunity so positively," Ororo said with a smile. "And anything I can do to help, I will. Just say the word."