xp_logs | Professor X and Sooraya; a new project

xp_dust posting in

Sooraya starts to make her new project reality.

"Hi Professor." Sooraya gave the door a quick push with her hip so that she could safely hold on to the binder and the papers on top of that. "I'm afraid I couldn't bring cookies this time... but I hope this will pique your interest." She nodded at what she was holding in her hands.

"Then it is just as well that I have a batch that one of our baking types made this morning," replied Charles with a chuckle as he wheeled himself out from behind his desk. "Do you need any help with all that?"

"As long as it stays put... I think I'll manage." Sooraya smiled as she carefully made her way to the desk. "And of course, I should not have said that." She added when the papers on top started to slide, balancing precariously on the edge of the binder.

"Murphy's law has been invoked, it seems." Charles quickly scooped up the escaping papers and put them on the coffee table in the "informal" portion of his office. It comprised of a couple of easy chairs and said coffee table arranged around the fireplace. Of course, no fire was burning there now, but an arrangement of fall leaves in a stoneware jar filled the space with orange, red and yellow. "So what brings you here so laden down?"

Sooraya put her binder down before taking a seat. "Back when X-Corps was still operating, I was starting to work on a new project. Those..." She added a gesture to indicate the binder. "... are the notes I started gathering back then. Only... M-Day and everything that came after it happened and I never really looked at it anymore."

"And what kind of project was that?" Charles asked, glad to see Sooraya getting back into her work.

"I think the best way to describe it is a kind of training manual. I started gathering all kinds of exercises that people can use with various powers to gain at least a basic level of control. My idea back then was that it could be used in various places X-Corps was setting up, as well as for other people who could not get the help the mansion offered..." Sooraya pushed away the papers and opened the binder to show some of the sheets with notes.

"And while X-Corps is no longer active, the need for information on how to learn to control your powers while you can't turn anywhere else is more relevant then ever." She added as she handed Professor Xavier the manual.

"I see..." Charles leafed through the binder, taking in the detail and organisation. "This is very impressive, Sooraya. And it had to have taken you some time to put together."

"It's only a beginning." Sooraya replied modestly. "The first bit have exercises that already sorted in some manner, but the back is just a jumble of various things. And I'd really like to continue to work on it. I have a lot of questions I'd like to ask you, professor, especially on the training for various psi related powers, but I figured that people like Mr. Summers, Mr. Kane and Everett will also have much to offer. Maybe even a trip to Muir."

"Indeed. And I'll certainly provide you with any assistance you need." Charles gave her a shrewd look. "I take it you've been using your free time to work on this project of yours?"

"For the last month or two, yes. When I was not training or working with the Underground, basically." Sooraya could not stop the small smile from appearing on her face.

Charles continued leafing through the binder. "This seems to be too much work for a simple 'labour of love'," he continued casually, before looking up at Sooraya with a smile. "I believe the Institute's budget could certainly employ another researcher, for example."

"Well, most of what I have there is what I did while still at X-Corps. But I was secretly hoping for something within the Institute... because it might get me access at certain places plain old me cannot get in." Sooraya's eyes twinkled. "I'll be combining working on this project with my work with the Underground though... and more and more keeps popping up that needs doing, so I'm not sure I can make a full official workweek easily..."

"The beauty of consulting - you get to make your own hours," Charles replied with a smile. He frowned slightly, then, as something occurred to him. "You will ensure that this manual of yours remains confidential, of course, to the Underground and the mansion only. You can imagine what a suspicious minded mind might take from a document such as this. Mutants training in secret, a hidden army against humans, and so on?"

"I know what you mean, Professor." Sooraya paused for a moment, then thoughtfully continued. "But I also think parts of the info might be needed in other places then the mansion. Kids who just manifested and who are seeking help on the Internet for example... But it might be easier to come that bridge when we come to it. I'll keep the work confidential for now and if or when I feel the information is needed, I'll discuss it with you, Mr. Summers or someone else about the risks etc..."

"You might want to talk to the technically adept among us," suggested Charles. "Doug and Nina and Susan, for example. And hopefully, eventually, we'll be in a situation where we don't need to hide such valuable information for fear of repercussions."

"I hope so too, but you are right." Sooraya pulled over one of the paper sheets full with notes and added a quick note. "But in the meantime Doug and the others might be to edit what we put out there so it cannot be tied back to Xavier's."

"A small but necessary evil," Charles agreed. "I can make arrangements for a consultant contract to be emailed to you - take your time before signing, of course, and if you have any questions, I am more than happy to discuss it." He leaned back, smiling at the Institute's latest employee. "Now, with business largely out of the way, what say you to tea and some shortbread cookies?"

"That sounds great Professor. And thank you." Sooraya replied with a big smile as she gathered up her paperwork.