xp_logs | A small plan (backdated)

As soon as she has the chance, Hope moves...

She had never thought she would be grateful to her mother.... At least in the sense of the thoroughness of her education as how to pass as the perfect Stepford wife meant that ways to 'give yourself a touch more dignity' were well covered.

Never thought she would be using it this way. Hope carefully pushed the small plate of scones to the side and put the down the tea pot. Now she just had to hope she had remembered her calculations correctly...

Shielda and Shieldo were sitting back to back in the living area of their suite in meditative poses, eyes closed as they concentrated on maintaining the shield that protected them all. As per policy, the door to their suite was left open so people could stop by, but visitors to the twins' suite were very rare. Catching a whiff of the tea and scones, Shielda opened one eye to stare at Hope. "Are you lost?"

"I hope I did not disturb you?" She hesitantly raised tray a little. "His Grace asked me to oversee a small event... I was hoping you would be willing to assist me with a small matter." She kept her eyes lowered, her voice humble.

Shieldo opened an eye to look at Hope, slightly surprised that anyone would ask the twins for assistance. "Small matter?"

Hope let the small blush rise on cheeks. Lying still was not her strongest suit. "I was told you enjoyed tea... And since the event has to do with that, I was hoping you would not mind giving me your opinion on a brew or two?"

Shielda frowned slightly. *We do enjoy tea,* she pointed out to her twin via their psychic link. "Alright," she told Hope. "I will try your tea and give you my honest opinion."

*Thank you, sister, for reminding me.* Shieldo nodded at Hope. "Very well. Let us try your tea."

"It's a special blend I selected..." Hope put down the tray, quickly setting out the tea, scones and various accoutrements. Now it was just hoping the rich flavor of the tea she has selected hid the drugs well enough. Doses she knew, but how to exactly hide things... she did not... "Do you use lemon, sugar or milk in your tea? Though I know... it's more English style..."

"Nothing in mine," Shielda replied in her usual clipped tone. "What is this special blend?"

"I will take mine the same. I still do not understand why the English dilute their tea. It takes away from the full flavor."

"Perhaps because they never really had the truly excellent tea's that are available nowadays?" Hope put the condiments to the side and carefully lifted the pot. "It is a type of balck tea, I believe. I am afraid I am not quite capable of reading Chinese." She explained as she poured the tea, still hoping really hard the tea would hide the slightly bitter flavor of the drug she had added.

"Perhaps." Shieldo continued to watch the young girl as she poured the tea.

"Do you have the packaging? A label?" Shielda asked, confused as to why Hope would pick a tea to serve them without being able to read what it was.

"Not at hand, I am afraid. I tried a number of them the assistance of the kitchen staff and quite liked it, but language issues once more hampered the way in getting the details." She explained as she poured the tea, not lying one word of it. Even if only to find a tea with a flavor strong enough to use.

"You should learn more languages," Shielda responded with a frown, taking the teacup from Hope once she'd poured it and sipping at it tentatively. "Not entirely terrible," she said of it, which was as close to praise as she was likely to get. She took another, longer sip.

Shieldo took the tea cup in both hands and nodded towards Hope. "Thank you." He lifted the tea cup to his lips and took a sip. "Indeed." He took another longer sip like this sister.

"I do plan to learn the local language as soon as I can. The Eastern languages seem quite complicated, both in writing systems and sound." Hope tried to take up the topic as small talk, as her hands busied themselves with tidying the tray.

"There is someone here that may hel..." Shieldo stopped talking as his vision blurred slightly, his tea cup falling from his hands. "Something is wrong." He barely got the words out as he leaned over to support himself.
"Shieldo? What's wrong?" Concerned, Shielda reached for his hand, but her vision had blurred as well and she only caught air. "What...?" She wobbled and dropped her own teacup. "You..." she accused, blinking hard to try and focus on Hope's face. "What did you do? What did you do to us?"

"I am sorry... I wish I didn't have to do this..." Hope spoke softly as she eased the woman back in her chair. "I just... I cannot stay here."
"You'll... payyy for thisss," Shielda cursed, words beginning to slur. She struggled to get a psionic message to someone, anyone, who could help. "You... bitch..."

Shieldo felt the shields going down as he looked over at Hope. "You..." He collapsed over on his side without another word, slipping into a dreamless sleep.

***

A wince stole over Hope's face as her astral form took shape on the plane. It had definitely been a while since she had done this and the 'strings' connecting her to her body felt like a sore muscle being stretched.

But now... how to find the professor... or some other way to get help?

~Hope?~ The "voice" was faint, barely a whisper on the wind, and on the 'horizon' there was a recurring glimmer, like the beam of a lighthouse in the distance. ~Can you hear me?~

~Hello?~ Hope turned around, but she was the only human being on the landscape she could see around her. ~Is someone there? Professor?~ Still... the strange voice must be someone...

~Hope?~ The light on the horizon brightened, as if the lighthouse was focusing its beam on her. ~Is that you, child? Come towards me, if it's you.~

There... mistaking that light was not possible. ~Professor? It's me!~ Hope started walking in the direction of the light, but soon her pace quickened as she was nearly running towards the light. She had no idea how long the dome would be down and or if Scanner had any astral plane abilities...

A shape appeared on the horizon, a man, holding his arms out to her. The Professor's voice came to her, increasing in strength. ~Hope! Thank goodness, child. We have been so worried about you.~ His astral form radiated calm, strength, and concern. ~Are you all right? And Laurie? Is she with you?~

~Professor!~ Relief rang through her voice, though she hesitated a bit before stepping closer. ~I am basically alright, but they have not let me see Laurie for some time! I worry about her.~

~We'll come for you, Hope. Both of you. Stay strong.~ The Professor's mental presence was unmistakeable now. ~Tell me where you are. Something is blocking Cerebro and our other means of finding you.~

~We are in Ksavia, in a private mansion belonging to the Archduke. He is Holocaust!~ Hope spoke hurriedly. ~Psis cannot find us because of Shieldo and Shielda... they make a kind of dome that creates white noise... It's why I could not come to the astral plane earlier.~

~I have it. Ksavia. The Archduke. The X-Men will come for you soon. Stay strong, child. It will not be much longer...~ The Professor's form blurred, his "voice" becoming fainter, before returning again. ~Do not let them know you have contacted me, Hope. Go now, before they find you! They are coming...~

~I will, Professor. I hope to see them soon...~ She let the roar of the waves rise up in the back of her mind as she was drawn back to her body. ~I want to come home...~