Log: Rachel & Sooraya (backdateD)

[x-eidolon.livejournal.com]

Sooraya runs into the mansion's newest guest, and both girls have to try not to let their emotions get the better of them.



Sooraya was kinda lost in thought when she moved through the hallways of the basement that were reserved for the X-men. Though she was still benched at the moment, she had been looking for Mr. Summers and word of mouth said he was downstairs on com duty. She startled a little though when a slender red haired girl crossed the hallway in front of her. "Maddie?" Sooraya spoke before she could think. "What are you doing down here?"

Pausing mid-step, Rachel glanced over her shoulder and half-turned to face the unfamiliar girl. Eyes darted down in a covert once over before they flicked back to Sooraya’s face. “I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

"I am sorry..." Sooraya's voice slowly died away as she realized whom the girl before her probably was. "You are... Rachel...?" She ventured shyly

“Yeah,” the girl nodded as she turned fully to face the other mutant. Frankly, Rachel was cranky. It had been a ridiculously long and unproductive week and there was only so much meditation one could do to keep frustration and general unhappiness at bay. Yet the only indications of her less than stellar mood were the faint crease between her forehead and the distantly cool tone of her voice. “Can I help you?”

"No... uh... I was just looking for someone." Sooraya stumbled a little over her words, but finally found her voice again. She tried not to stare, but she could not help shooting glances at the girl face to see if she could find traces of Nathan and Moira or of the little girl she had known, in her face.

Rachel blinked and glanced away and down the hall, fighting down the irritation at being so obviously studied that way. She had been taught better than to lose her temper over nothing, something that she found herself needing to be reminded lately. Glancing back at Sooraya, the redhead studied her conflicted expression before sighing and gentling both her expression and tone. “I’m not her. I’m sorry, but m’not her.”

Their Rachel would have been loved and coddled in this world. Would have parents and dozens of fond uncles and aunts that looked after her and showered her with affection. She would not have had to learn how to fight and kill to survive, even if her parents would have taught her how to defend herself and keep others safe from her powers. Maybe she would have had long hair and painted nails, or worn make up and terrorised the adults with her rebelliousness and mischievous streak. Above all she would probably have been happy. So, no... She was definitely not their Rachel.

Sooraya quickly lowered her eyes to stare at her hands. "I am sorry, Rachel. That was not... fair of me. I was... just wishing for things that could have been... I suppose..." With a deep breath she raised her eyes again. "I don't know if you... knew me... I am Sooraya Qadir."

“I’ve heard of… you,” Rachel said with a slight incline of her head. “The Sooraya of my world was a strong woman who left to fight her battles outside of the Americas. Never fought with her, and she didn’t report to me, but yeah, I’ve heard of her. But then, you’re not her either.”

Offering her hand to the other woman, Rachel quirked her lips into something resembling a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Sooraya took Rachel's hand and shook it. "Likewise. Again, I am sorry for my reaction. Angelo told me a little about you and your... background, but seeing you is... a little different." Okay, that might have been a little blunt, but still... somehow she got the idea that this Rachel appreciated honesty.

Shrugging, Rachel waved off the apology. “Perfectly understandable,” she said. “I’m just ‘bout getting used to it.” The reactions, the double-takes the stunned faces and the awkward conversations that followed. At least it made it easier for her to differentiate those that were aware of her situation from those that were not.

"The wound is still fresh for everyone. I am sure things will improve when you are here longer... Though you must hope to return as soon as possible?"

“Yeah, of course.”


She had to think for a few moments before venturing the next question cautiously. "Can I ask what kind of help you hope to find here? Because... despite the fact you're not... I'd still like to help if I can..."

Inhaling deeply, the redhead frowned, cocking her head to the side as she considered the question. “Are you part of the X-Men?” Which, in afterthought, was probable a stupid question considering their current location.

"It's true I am only a trainee, but I'd still like to help." Sooraya shrugged a little.

Rachel responded with the casual raise and drop of her own shoulders, having never really heard of the practice of being a trainee X-Men before. Either you were cleared to fight. Or you were not. “S’not really ‘bout whether or not you’d like to help or not, Miss. It’s ‘bout whether or not you have sufficient clearance. I’d really prefer not to step on anyone’s toes here if need be.”

"You don't have to call me Miss, Rachel. It's just Sooraya..." She frowned a little. "And when the time comes, we will see how things go and if I can help. In the meantime, if there is anything I can do to make you feel more at ease here... I am also happy to help with that." From a different dimension or not, this was still Nathan's daughter, Angelo's sister and she would do what she could to make things easier.

“Thank you,” and Rachel did try to sound as sincere as possible in the face of Sooraya’s earnest offer. “I really do appreciate it.” But feeling at ease was the least of her current concerns. “Whether or not you’ll end up being able to help with the mission, you still have my thanks.”

The Sooraya in her world had not stuck around very long once Apocalypse had gained a foothold in America. She had, if memory served her well, responded to the calling to go back to her homeland in aid. But that hardly stopped Rachel’s father from recounting the success he had had with teaching the Afghan girl English during her first stay at the mansion. So the redhead shot the other girl a smile and reached out to squeeze her shoulder in tactile reassurance. “Please don’t worry ‘bout it.”

"It is what I do, Rachel. And look at this this way... if you are as well as possibly, both mentally and physically, the more effective you will be able to be when you do return." Sooraya replied after casting around for a moment for a way to put it that might make more sense to this... young warrior...

“Fair enough,” the girl shrugged, knowing Sooraya was theoretically pretty much spot on. However, the practical implementation of it was pretty much impossible at this juncture. “I’ll let you know if I need anything you can help with.”

"Alright..." Sooraya gave her another small smile. "I need to find someone... Please, don't hesitate to seek me out if necessary."

“Of course.” Rachel agreed easily and raised her hand in farewell before both women turned and disappeared down their respective corridors.