Sooraya and Yvette - backdated to September 1

[x-penance.livejournal.com]

After her conversation with Angel, Sooraya and Yvette have roomie chat time.



Sooraya nestled herself on the couch, dark hair flowing loosely over her shoulders and tea with a few cookies nearby. With a contented sigh, she pulled over the course catalog of ESU and her notebook. Though she had already registered herself for the classes of the first semester and even had a fair idea of which courses she wanted to do for the second semester, the professor whom she had been communicating with (and her potential academic adviser) had asked her to draw of a potential course of study, combining her two intended majors.  

She worked for a while, only pausing for brief moments to sip from her tea. She did look up though when the door opened and Yvette entered the room. "Hey Yvette." Sooraya greeted her cheerfully.

Yvette responded with an equally cheerful smile and wave. "Hi, Sooraya," she replied. "Well, the deed is being done. I am now the part time student so I can work with X-Corps full time."

"Wow! Congratulations, Yvette." Sooraya replied enthusiastically. "X-Corps is going to be an interesting adventure, I think..." She giggled a little. "I had lunch with Angelo this week... I will officially join you as a coworker. I am coming on board part time though."

"That makes sense, since you are just starting the college," Yvette agreed, coming in and laying her bag on the coffee table. "The change between Xavier's and college is very big, and it helps to be able to concentrate on things."  

"It is gonna be a lot to get used to..." Sooraya agreed. "But I am looking forward to it. I think it will be busy though with college, working and training..." She put down her book and stood up. "Would you like some tea also?"   

"Yes, please." Yvette joined her friend on the couch, on the specially-crafted "Yvette Section" which had a blanket of her self-repairing cloth stitched to the cushions. Being with Sooraya, however, meant that her control over her powers was better and her appearance was very nearly normal - apart from the coloring. "My first year was very busy, but I enjoyed the work. I think you will do fine." She gave Sooraya an affirming nod. "Have you seen Angel since she got back from England?"

"Uh yeah..." Sooraya had to blush a little... "She stopped by pretty soon after she got back... We had a little talk." She quickly fetched Yvette's favorite mug from the cupboards at the kitchenette and poured her a mug of tea. "I.. uh... I kinda bopped her with a paper..." She muttered as she set down the tea.

"You...what?" Yvette's eyes widened, and then she started giggling. "Oh, dear. For not coming to us about her friend in England, I suppose?"

Sooraya's blush deepened and she lowered her eyes just a little. "Exactly. I also kind of reminded her of what we promised each other at the picnic. We talked a little about what happened and I told her to go take a nap." She muttered softy.  

"You did the right thing," Yvette reassured her. "It is one thing to be scolding us for not asking for help, and another to run off to England without letting us know why. We were too busy with the actual X-Men part, or I would have done the same thing."

"Yeah." Sooraya agreed. "Luckily her friend was okay." She paused for a moment. "I really hated being unable to go though. Being unable to help her because I was benched."  

"Perhaps this can be the lesson?" Yvette suggested, not unkindly. "Taking care of ourselves is important, because we need to be in the shape to help our friends? And you are back in training, at least."

"I learned my lesson well... Also about asking help... I might still need a little reminding now and then though." Sooraya hesitated a little before continuing. "How was this mission for you? It was the first one after... well... Genosha..."

Yvette considered the question. "Actually... I did not really think of that," she admitted. "But it was the very simple mission, not so much to be done." She remembered how she had fought the super-strong mutant in the tunnels with Kurt, not even hesitating like she had used to. "I... did not think of anything at all. Except the fight. I cut through someone's hamstrings without even a second thought."

"You are... okay... with that?" Sooraya tilted her head. "Not that it's wrong, but it does not... how do I say this... feel like you have something wrong afterwards?"

"I don't know," Yvette said softly, looking down. "It was the instinct and now... I am not sure what to think. We saved helpless people and we did not kill anyone... but that is as it should be for the X-Men. X-Men do not kill."

Sooraya's eyes darkened a little at that thought."Yes... X-men do not kill..." She repeated softly. "We don't... But sometimes we have no choice but to cause damage." She again spoke softly. "I have come to understand and accept a little that we might have to, but be really okay with..." Suddenly she blinked a few times and shook her head a little. "You and the others saved Chloe and took down dangerous people. I think that is the most important though."  

Yvette's eyes glowed and her skin hardened slightly as she realized who she had said that to. "Oh, Sooraya, I am sorry! And yes, of course, you are right that sometimes it cannot be helped, if it is the only way to stop something terrible. I suppose the difference is, between us and those who kill for pleasure, is that we understand the weight of such a decision. As long as we don't enjoy it, yes?" Yvette subsided, looking into her mug. "I am such the idiot."

"It is alright, Yvette. I was just being a little... morose." She reached out and laid her hand on Yvette's arm. "I have been talking a lot about this while having tea with the professor, so it was on my mind."  

"I should have thought, before I spoke." Yvette sighed. "I am doing that often, lately - acting without thinking. It is very annoying sometimes."

"We all do that at times. Don't worry about it. You have had a lot going on yourself." Sooraya attempted to reassure Yvette again. "Does the acting without thinking worry you a lot?" She ventured gently.

"Sometimes." Yvette shrugged a little. "It is good that I am not planning every little thing, but I do not like to be careless. I cannot be, not with my powers."

"You are careful. Acting without thinking sometimes does not mean you are careless. I have been back for nine months and I cannot remember you accidentally hurting someone during that time. And Genosha or its consequences do not count." 

"You do not see the clothes I am going through," Yvette replied with a hint of a wry smile. "It is not so bad here. At university, it is more difficult. More people who do not know to avoid me, for the start."

"University might be a little different... but here, where we know what your powers are... You should be able not be constantly on your toes here, Yvette. You deserve a place where you can relax..." Sooraya told her fervently before falling silent. "Sorry, I did not know where that came from..."  

"It came from my most awesome room-mate." Her eyes glowed brightly. "Thank you, Sooraya. I always feel better, talking to you."

"We are friends. That is what friends do." Sooraya said simply, putting a gently hand on Yvette's shoulder.