xp_logs | Modern Nature: Xavier and Callie

After returning to the mansion, Callie seeks out the Professor and discusses with him both the events of that day as well as opportunities that have been presented to her.

There wasn't any reason to be nervous, Callie knew. Since her arrival at the school, Charles Xavier had been nothing but helpful and welcoming. But there was a difference between seeing him in the hallways and saying hello and having a meeting with him to "discuss things." It was a little intimidating. The only consolation in her mind as she knocked on the doors to the headmaster's office was that she had no reason to be in trouble.

~Please enter Ms. Betto.~ He smiled at Callie as she entered his office, gesturing to the chairs across from him. The professor's voice was warm, but firm as he continued. "Have a seat." A cup of rooibus tea sat steaming on his desk within reach of either chair.

With one last sigh, Callie gripped the small plant in her arms closer to her chest. "Hello professor," she said, trying her best to not appear anxious at the situation as she slowly sat where he gestured. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me?"

"My door is always open for students, whenever they need it to be," Xavier replied, his eyes lowering briefly to the plant in Callie's arm. "Feeling protective?" he asked, briefly lifting an eyebrow.

She nodded slightly, tentatively reaching out for the mug before jerking it back and resting it on the plant. "Well," her eyes flicked between the teal bloom and the headmaster. "There are only two of these in the world. We took a clipping at the botanical gardens, which I was able to grow into this one so I could do some research on it. So it's pretty important. Sorry."

"I know any attempts to reassure you of your plant's safety will be futile if you cannot feel it's security for yourself; therefore, I recommend we skip to the reason you asked to meet." Leaning back slightly in his chair, the intensity of his gaze contrasted somewhat with his relaxed posture. "As I am sure you are aware, I received a call from the botanical gardens earlier today." He paused, waiting for the young girl to begin her story.

There was a slight pause as Callie shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Well Crystal took us there for a field trip today to the botanical gardens obviously, and well I guess long story short is that the plant attacked Nick and I was able to turn off its poison and Klara got it to stop attacking and then we were able to reduce its size to something small," she explained, her confidence growing as she remembered the incident. She was petting the flower like one would pet a small animal. "So I was able to dig it up and the botanists came and took me away so I could talk to them, about what happened? And they have this really great research facility there but it's too far for me to go during the week. But they would like to give me an opportunity to assist them with the plant, you know because of my powers I can help them do certain things quicker or tell them things, so I'll be going in on the weekends to the lab there. And they let me take a clipping so I can study it here. But I didn't know if you would be willing to get a poisonous plant in the mansion? Even though, you know, I can control it, and when it's small it doesn't seem to have the same potency."

Only his years of working with students allowed the professor not only understand Callie, but to also extract the relevant information from her nervous chatter. "It sounds like you have a unique learning experience available that would likely aid you in furthering both your academic and powers study. However, I am glad you are aware of the dangers despite the size of your plant. I can think of at least one other tiny being in the mansion that is more dangerous than it appears." He paused, considering the situation further. "How would you feel having a small lab here to utilize during the week? With some degree of supervision of course."

She sat there speechless for a few moments. The only indication that the student heard the professor's words was Callie's rapid blinking. "I'm sorry Professor but..." her voice trailed off. Callie glanced between the plant and the telepath before her. "Forgive me being rude, but what? You'll let me keep the plant? And... give me a space?"

Xavier smiled across the table. "What were you expecting, Ms. Betto? For me to rip the plant from your hands and say you aren't to be trusted and we must destroy it?"

Honestly? She didn't know what to expect. The day had been full of surprises and unexpected twists and turns. Callie was running on adrenaline still, and her normally rational and calm brain was overwhelmed with neurons firing. "Yes," she finally said in reply. "Wait, I mean no. I mean...," she took a deep breath, "I mean thank you sir. That is incredible generous of you."

Xavier turned his chair slightly, his gaze drifting out the window, his mind traveling back to the day he had founded the school with Erik. After a brief silence, he began to speak, his voice pitched slightly lower than normal. "The intent of this school was to provide such opportunities for individuals like you. To allow you a safe place to explore your powers, whether they be telekinisis, super strength or" the professor paused, his eyes returning to meet Callie's "cholorokinesis. A place where you would not be judged or restricted, but encouraged to flourish."

The turning of the wheels inside Callie's brain was evidenced from the look on her face. She transitioned from anxious, to pensive, to bliss, as finally a wide smile appeared once more on the previously solemn countenance. "Thank you sir," she gushed in full sincerity. "Thank you so much. I really mean it. That would be amazing. A space. And for everything else. Really."

"You are quite welcome. I will call Dr. McCoy and have him arrange a medlab room you can use until we are able to make more suitable accommodations," Xavier replied, pausing to wait for Callie to excuse herself from the room, now that the matter had resolved. "Is there something else?" he asked when the young student didn't seem to be jumping at the opportunity to leave his office.

"Actually yes," she wasn't sure how to bring this up, so she had been staring at the plant before her, trailing her fingers along the leaves at its base. "There is. It sort of applies to the mission of the school," she frowned a little, unsure of how he would take what she was about to say.

"It's about the New Mutants program."

Xavier nodded, encouraging Callie to continue speaking. Her uneasiness with the program was something he was quite aware of and he waited to see what she had to say.

"It's a good program," she began, taking precaution not to say anything that would paint her experience in a bad light. Because overall she had some pretty good times with it. And this was more of a personal decision than one based on the program itself. "I just...," she looked up and sighed heavily. "I'm taking four AP classes, one distance education college course, doing two internships in the city, and applying to colleges. And on top of that I have New Mutants training and other things to participate in. I keep going over the numbers in my head, and if I devote as much time to everything that I should, I barely have time to sleep. In fact I wouldn't have time to sleep. I guess I've been stressed enough before today, but now adding on this additional internship?"

She shrugged. "I'm not Superwoman. I know my limits. And... I think with all that's going on my time would probably be better spent engaging in activities that would continue to benefit me into the future. I mean, the program has helped with team work and trust and power application, but I think it's time for me to quit and develop myself in other areas."

"If Mr. Dayspring were still here full time, I would have you go and repeat that verbatim to him," Xavier replied, a slight smile playing at the edges of his lips. "Well, the part about knowing your limits at least. It can often be difficult to acknowledge that they exist. You are taking on quite a few additional responsibilities to a normal course load and I would imagine that this latest internship you've obtained will be eating up a significant amount of your time. I do want your assurance that even without New Mutants, you feel you can handle all of these and those pesky everyday events, such as sleeping, eating, and spending time with your friends."

"Yes." Her voice was strong and unwavering with that one word as she met his gaze. But in the next moment, she faltered some. "I mean very probably. Overall. I mean I can't promise that sometimes an urgent and pressing deadline will arise that will cut into some of those things. For the most part though, I believe that I can handle all this. I am good at time management. It's a lot, but I don't believe it's more than I can handle."

He nodded slightly. "As the New Mutants is strictly voluntary after the first year, I see no problems with you spending your time in other pursuits." Another thought came to him and he added, "Perhaps we could meet again in one month, to check on your progress and see if any adjustments need to be made to your schedule. I know you have a good head on your shoulders, but I have seen far too many individuals burnout due to youth and enthusiasm. Simply checking in with them may have prevented that."

Callie nodded in agreement with what was being said. "I can definitely do that. I don't want to burn out before I finish high school, that would be bad."

"Excellent. I look forward to hearing how your work with the botanists proceeds when we meet next." He paused, waiting to see if this time the girl would take advantage of the opportunity to leave. As the door closed behind her after the normal farewell courtesies, he smiled, turning his chair to face out the window. Some days his job was easier than others and while the difficulties were a necessary component, it was days like this that would later serve to keep his hope for the future strong during the harder days and decisions.