Hope and Kurt

[xp_trance]

 Hope and Kurt discuss Hope's new plans as XF consultant and some doubts she has been having.

 

Hope let out a slow sigh as she eyed the dreaded book on Corporate Finance and Global Finance and then glanced at the coffee machine which was producing her fiercely desired cappuccino far too slow. Finally it was done and she took the cup over to the table and opened up her book, settling in to review the first chapter. 

 

Kurt stepped through the door and over to turn the kettle back on.  With a glance over his shoulder and a sympathetic if slightly amused smile, "That looks like heavy going." 

 

"I generally enjoy my classes, but this Finance class has been the bane of my existence since September. I mean, I have taken one or two classes on finance before, but I don't know what it is with this one. The professor is near impossible to understand and the book isn't much better." Hope gladly shut the book again.  

 

"Perhaps you should ask Emma for a little help", he suggested.  "If anyone knows all about finance here, it would be her." 

 

"The thought is tempting, but I think Ms. Frost has more than enough to do. I will figure it out. I just need to sit down and really start doing the work." Hope shot the book a baleful glare. 

 

"Is that book the one you have been told you must read?  Or perhaps there might be one written more clearly?" 

 

"It's the book the whole course is built upon. But enough on that dreaded class." Hope sipped from her cappuccino. "How have you been, Mr. Seft... Kurt? Anything interesting happening recently?"  

 

"If Mr Sefton is more comfortable for you", he said with a grin, "I will not object.  No, nothing terribly interesting.  And yourself?" 

 

"Classes, XFI, more classes and I have done two small events recently. The events were fun to do though and Ms. Cassidy's causes were a good use of my time." Hope explained.  

 

"What kind of events were those?" Kurt asked curiously.  "Both for Ms Cassidy?" 

 

Hope gave nod to confirm. "One was a luncheon this summer with two interesting speakers, the other a small art auction. Those are always a little more challenging though. Especially when you have to structure the auction process." She explained.  

 

"You must have learned a little something about the workings of business from that, I would think?" 

 

"Very true. And with other courses, like in my business minor, I haven't had any issues. It's just the combination of this book and this professor."  

 

"That is a pity.  Especially as the class is so important, and in the right hands should be very interesting." 

 

"Luckily not too important. It's only for half credit." Hope gave the book another disdainful glance before rising and heading over the cupboard where they kept various snacks. "I am having some nuts. Would you like any?" 

 

"I will, thank you."  He poured the hot water into his cup and came to sit down, leaning back in the chair.  "I hear you may have been expanding your interests, also." 

 

Hope returned to the table with two small dishes of mixed nuts, raising an eyebrow at question. "That is something I always try to do. Anything in particular you are referencing?"  

 

"Well, you know the way word travels here..."  He smiled slightly.  "The latest word is you met with Marie-Ange recently." 

 

"Oh yes. I have been posing for her somewhat regularly. I have always enjoyed art and this something small to contribute." Hope explained innocently, though she guessed immediately what he was referring too.   

 

"For her cards?"  He allowed her to divert the subject for a moment.  "Do you know which one she puts you on?" 

 

"I know the Moon is one she associates with me particularly. From what I remember it has something to do with intuition, illusion and hidden thing, but I am not totally sure." Hope explained after a moment of thought.   

 

Kurt nodded thoughtfully.  "I can see how she would come to that association.  There is more to you than meets the eye, and of course you have more ways than most to find hidden things." 

 

"I found it quite fitting as well." Hope agreed. "I especially like the illusion bit."  

 

"Do you think it might, perhaps, be relevant in your future career paths?"

 

 "That is one question I do not have to ask. It's something I already use regularly and I can only see that growing in the future." Hope once more agreed easily, then studied Kurt for a moment. "I take it you have heard then?" She asked, just to confirm.   

 

"Not in any great detail.  Nobody was listening at the door while you talked", he added with a quick smile.  "But there has been speculation." 

 

"Sometimes this place..." Hope shook her head. "I am not planning on anything big. Just helping out as a consultant basically if there is something they can use my particular skills or knowledge for."  

 

Kurt nodded.  "That is often the way of it.  The boundaries between teams are not set in stone, if someone would be of particular use for a mission."

 

Hope's eyebrow rose once more. "You have done something similar? Worked with XF I mean?" 

 

"From time to time, and in limited ways", he confirmed.  "I might help them get to the other side of a door, for example, without leaving any sign of tampering with the lock.  Or other similar tasks."

 

 "I can certainly see the value in that." Hope agreed. "If I may ask, do you always assist when you are asked or do you take the context of the mission under consideration?" 

 

"Usually I assist.  I trust that XF do nothing that is not necessary for the greater good, and I know beyond doubt that they would not ask anything of me that would cause me qualms." 

 

"That is a fair point." Hope allowed. "It comes down to trusting those who ask."  

 

"And as one of them is my sister", he said with a small smile, "I do, without question.  Do you?" 

 

"A few of them. Both Doug and Marie-Ange have been important mentors and a few others have taught me as you know." Hope explained. "But there are some that I do not know so well."  

 

"Then perhaps, if you are - consulting, as you say, it might be best to take your assignments only from those you do know and trust.  At least at first." 

 

"Another fair point." Hope hesitated for a moment, before asking: "May I ask you something slightly more personal?"

 

"Of course.  I do not promise to answer, depending on how personal, but you can always ask." 

 

"From how I have come to know you, you are a man of faith and principles. Even with the trust you implicitly give, have you drawn limits for yourself in how you are willing to render assistance?"  

 

Kurt considered the question.  "You mean to say, what I will do myself, or what I will help them do by my actions?" 

 

"Correct." Hope confirmed with a nod.  

 

"What I will do myself, most certainly.  For the things I may make it possible for X-Force to do, that may be more flexible, depending on the circumstances and their reasons for doing it." 

 

"That is indeed potential valuable distinction to make. Thank you. You have given me some food for thought on this." Hope replied after a long moment of being quiet.  

 

"It is an important thing to think about", he said with a nod.  "But remember, no decision has to be forever.  Particularly if you are not wholly committed to a group or cause." 

 

"True, but it is a little bit too early for that. I have not even started walking this road and I suspect I can only truly find answers by doing that." Hope countered. "Though I do admit it is somewhat of a comforting thought." 

 

"True enough, but it is something to keep in mind as you do walk it.  From what I know, they will not <I>let</i> you fully commit until they and you are sure you know what you are getting into." 

 

"That is one of the reasons for the consultancy arrangement." Hope confirmed. "But again, thank you for your counsel. I has given me something to reflect upon."  

 

"Then I am glad it was useful."  He grinned.  "And distracted you from Finance for a time." 

 

Throwing another baleful glare at the book Hope pulled it over, along with the remains of her coffee and nuts. "Back to work, I guess."