BBP: Meeting the Professor

[x-wolfcub.livejournal.com]

Nick takes his sister to go meet with Professor Xavier to help decide the next course of action for his sister.



Nicholas Gleason took in a deep breath as he stood in front of the familiar double doors of the school's headmaster. He always had positive interactions with the man, but still, it was always stressful when you're about to meet with the most powerful individuals in the world. With a final glance at his sister, the boy rapped several times on the door, letting out an explosion of air from his lungs.

"Come in, Nicholas," came the calm, measured voice of Professor Xavier. Aloud, rather than telepathically - it was easy to sense the Natalie's unease even without probing. It dominated her surface thoughts and he reined in his powers slightly more; that much anxiety was distracting.


Nick poked his head around the door, a goofy smile on his face as he did so. Holding the door open behind him, he gestured towards the meek form just behind him. "I'm sure you already know, but this is my sister, Natalie."

Behind the boy, Natalie Gleason stared directly at the ground, her face red and kicking her heel out to the side nervously. In one hand she clutched her necklace tightly, while the other shook slightly, hanging down by her side. She did not dare make eye contact with the professor, her entire face locked onto the ground.

"Indeed." Charles kept his voice quiet, seeing her obvious discomfort and not wanting her to bolt. "Welcome to my home, Natalie. Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable." He wheeled himself out from behind his desk and indicated the chairs arranged by the unused fireplace. "There are some things we will need to discuss, obviously, about where to go from here."

The girl took a quick reassuring glance at her brother before taking a few quick steps forward, shuffling her feet against the hardwood floor, and never picking her feet completely off of the ground. Even as she fell down into the chair, she kept her body controlled, avoiding the gaze of the professor. "I'm sorry if my being here is an inconvenience to you. I just didn't know where else to go." Her voice was meek, barely loud enough to cross the room.

"No inconvenience at all," Charles reassured her. "This is something of a haven, for mutants but also for non-mutants, if they find themselves needing our help. You're welcome to stay here as long as you like."

"No!" The girl nearly jumped out of her seat with the exclamation. As she settled back down, her face showed her embarrassment as she gave a quick glance back at her brother and the Professor before resuming her vigilance towards the ground. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude. But with where I came from, and everything that I did a heard.... I don't know if I'd feel completely comfortable around..."

Nicholas took several steps forward, moving his hand out between his sister and Xavier. "I'm sorry for my sister, Professor. It's just.... I think she's had a very long day. And that monster that she was placed with. Who knows what kind of things he put into her head!"

Charles held up his hand to calm the situation. "It's fine, Nick. Natalie's had a very difficult time and she's justified in feeling uncomfortable among those she was taught for a long time to fear. It might be easier for her, in the long term, if she was to stay elsewhere, somewhere close enough that you can still see each other." He turned to Natalie. "I believe we can find a foster family in Salem Center willing to accomodate you - Dr. Samson, one of the staff here, is also a counsellor for the region and has many connections. Would that be something you'd be happier with?"


The girl finally gave a warm smile as she continued to rub her necklace. "That would be great..." She seemed to relax just a bit as she scooted back in her chair.

Her brother however did not seem to share the same relief as he scooted into the chair next to her, his eyes darting up towards the Professor's. "But what about Risman? Is there some way that we can block him from just stealing her back?" Nervously the boy reached towards his sister's hand. He had just gotten her back from that religious nut ball, he wasn't going to lose her that easily.

"Legally he is her guardian, however, given the situation and her fear of him, we should be able to obtain a court order preventing him from approaching her. I have already contacted child services in the area, to let them know what has happened and that Natalie is safe. Given the school has acted as guardian for many young people in trouble in the past, they have agreed that she does not have to go back."

Nick squeezed onto his sisters hand again before casting a gaze over at her. "How does that sound Nat?"

But her eyes weren't even looking at him, but locked directly onto the Professor once again. "I greatly appreciate this. I just hope that there's someway for me to repay you in the future."

Charles smiled and nodded: "No need to repay me, Natalie. Helping people is what Xaiver's is all about."


As Nick got up, helping his sister to his feet, he turned one last glance towards the Professor. "But we're all still thankful, even though my sister is a bit too nervous to show her real emotions."

"You're welcome, Nick. And Natalie's anxiety is understandable - she's been through a lot and this isn't exactly a comfortable situation for her. The sooner we get her settled, the better it will be." Charles wheeled himself to the centre of his office. "And please, if there's anything further I can do, please don't hesitate to come talk to me."