Backdated Log: Puck Arrives
Nov. 1st, 2025 12:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xp_liono posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
xp_logsPuck arrives. Liam goes into poofy cat mode. Thankfully, Garrison is welcoming.
Changing weather meant that the trees were dropping leaves like flies and while Xavier's was fine letting them accumulate to an extent, the driveways and pathways needed to be clear, if only for safety. So Liam was out early Saturday morning, sunglasses on, half hungover from being out nearly all night and music blasting from his cell phone as he used a blower to clear the main drive. Hopefully, someone would have made breakfast when he went unsure and he could steal some instead of having to forage for himself. There was never a lack of food, but he really, really didn't want to have to make anything.
Greymalkin Lane is definitely not the longest road in the world, probably not even close to longest even in New York State. But the walk from Salem Center to 1407 Greymalkin Lane can take quite a while particularly when the person walking it is only 3'6". Luckily for the man who most often goes by Puck he doesn't tire easily, he just keeps putting one foot in front of the other. The cooling temperature wouldn't bother him either even if he weren't bundled up in track pants, weathered old wool coat and a tattered toque on his head making him look like a stereotypical long shore-man. Slung over his shoulder like a bandolier hanging from his back is a 30 year old athletic bag emblazoned with the logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Looking up from the road in front of him he notices that the gate is now only 20 feet ahead of him. Reaching his goal gives him a little more spring in his step and he begins to cartwheel towards the gate. His hand grasps the cold metal of the gate as he reaches it. He could climb it or hop over it easily but he didn't know what kind of security would come to bear on him and it would probably not give the best first impression. He starts to look around for some kind of intercom system as he gently shakes the gate to see if it is locked and calls out to nobody in particular looking through the gate to see what he can see from the road.
"Hello, eh? Anybody home?"
One ear swiveled at the noise and Liam shut off the blower, then turned, following the sound. "Uh, hi," he called, pulling a beanie out of his back pocket and tugging it on before coming closer. It was kinda silly to hide his ears when he had a large fluffy orange tail behind him, but whatever, it was habit. He didn't know who this guy was or what he wanted and it was too early for deliveries or what have you. "Can I help you?"
If the orange tail wasn't enough indication that this was the right place the face as he approached would have driven the point home. The furry orange visage even reminds him of a Department H trainee back in the day though back then it was a young llady, not a boy.
"Yeah, I guess this is Xavier's after all, eh? I heard all about this place from Logan and Garrison but I've never made the trip before. I'm Puck." The dwarfish man extends his hand through the gate up towards the catman. His hands and arms are large for his size. The back of his hand is extremely hairy and his skin feels thick and rough like he is 90 percent callus. "I was supposed to be here for Thanksgiving but time got away from me. Then I remembered American Thanksgiving is later so I guess I'm early." Not really explaining the situation at all.
Liam probably should have verified with someone, anyone, that this guy was legit. But he smelled okay. Bad people never smelled okay. It was a weird combination of vibes and smell and probably a cat thing, but it hadn't steered him wrong yet. Instead, he just blinked and went to open the door to the side of the gate since they didn't need to open the entire gate. "Yeah.... okay," he agreed slowly, not letting him through just yet, "that explains nothing."
"Oh right. I'm a mutant too." Puck does an effortless back flip away from the younger mutant as if that would explain everything. Realizing that lots of people can do backflips he then leaps 15 feet onto the branch of the nearest tree and without missing a beat bounces from it to another tree. From there in one smooth movement he bounces to the top of the gate and then drops back down to the ground in front of the catman. Noticing the slight flaring of his cat-like nostrils he wishes he had had a shower after his flight. He probably smells like old spice, rubber and LaGuardia airport.
"I'm old friends with a few of your X-Men and I'm supposed to be here to help out for a little bit. I'm on leave from Department H up in Canada." He extends his hand again to the much taller man and doesn't try to get past him yet. "What's your name sport?"
Hissing, Liam backed up, ears flattened under his beanie and tail at attention. "No," he stated, claws unsheathing on his free hand. He probably should drop the leaf blower or use his phone to alert people, something, anything, but he couldn't move. "You stay away!" He didn't know much about his birth mother, but he knew she was Canadian and that Department H was involved and that someone had come after him in Maine. They weren't getting him here.
As soon as the hiss began to leave Liam's throat Puck became extra alert for danger. There's always the chance that someone is chose that moment to attack them both. But with the emergence of claws and the statement of 'No' it was clear to the dwarf that he was the focus of the feline's ire.
"Woah, woah friend. I don't mean you any harm. I swear, I'm just a visitor." Puck has dealt with many animalistic mutations before, from aquatic to arboreal. Instinctively he leaped backward ten feet keeping his eyes on the now aggressive mutant in front of him. He held both his hands out in front of him to show that was is unarmed and not a threat.
Liam wasn't aggressive, he was defensive. Maybe that looked the same, but he'd never attack unprovoked. He was a lover, not a fighter, even if he took the fighting classes and recognized that they were necessary. He'd even needed to use them. Glaring and still distrustful, but glad Puck was giving distance, he went to message whomever was on comm duty. Because he was not equipped for this.
"Listen, this is all just some kind of misunderstanding, eh?" Puck tried to remain as non threatening as possible. All of his training for de-escalation flashed through his mind: do not approach, seem friendly but not too friendly, don't reach into your bag or pockets. He couldn't help but wonder what set the kid off, it was something about Department H. The kid did remind him of Greer but bringing her up wouldn't be the best idea either, not while he's got his hackles up.
Would they come after him here at Xavier's? And so brazenly? Sending one guy? Minutely, Liam's shoulders softened and his tail shifted. He stayed on the balls of his feet, but. "Who are you looking for again?"
"Nobody, though the X-Men are expecting me. Garrison Kane or Logan both know me, eh?" The dwarf said while keeping his hands out in front of him palms up to show that he is still no threat. Keeping his face concerned and non-threatening to keep the younger mutant at ease.
"Right...." he sent a message to whomever was on comms duty, trying to keep one eye on the phone and one on Puck with little success. His phone buzzed a moment later, "They said they'll meet you at the front door. It's down that way..." he pointed to the post he'd been clearing leaves from, though fresh ones were already starting to litter it again. After a moment, he decided he'd walk him. Just in case. "C'mon."
Puck readjusted the duffel bag on his back as the young feline man called for confirmation. "Front door. Right." Looking at the grounds it's quite a big place but Puck has found his way all around the world he could find his way here. But then the kid offered to lead him. "Lead on."
He was only a few feet from the door, Liam following him warily when the door burst open and he was swept up in a bear hug by a figure moving fast enough to blur a bit.
"Eugene Judd, you son of a bitch!" Kane said, thumping him on the back multiple times before putting him back down on his feet. "What the hell are you doing here?" He said, as God stalked off after him, snuffling at the familiar scent and giving Liam that look that always seemed to imply 'I'm a wolf and you're a cat'.
Looking back to Garrison a huge grin crossed Puck's face. "Well after my eleventy-first birthday I decided to take a Bilbo Baggins year and seek out some adventure and maybe help out a little. This is my last stop. Do you have a couch I can crash on?" In one fluid movement the dwarf pulled the Toronto Maple Leafs duffel bag from his back and tossed it into Garrison's arms.
Eyes narrowing at the greeting, Liam offered a lazy salute to Garrison, then headed back to finish blowing leaves. At least this new guy was actually supposed to be here and not just some random weirdo. Or worse.
"I can do better than that. Come with me." Kane slung the duffel easily as he walked Eugene through the mansion lobby. "Are you planning to stick around for a while? The X-Men could use an expert trainer on hand, especially with the opportunities the Danger Room opens up." He said, heading up the stairs and off for the East Wing of suites.
Once he was no longer burdened by the duffel bag Puck cartwheeled to keep up with the much taller man's stride. These are the kind of antics people have to put up with when walking alongside the dwarf. "Your Danger Room is one reason for my visit, I'd be happy to help out wherever you need. I'm also handy with a snow shovel or lawnmower." Giving Garrison a wink as they reached the stairs. Instead of hopping up the stairs he hopped up onto the railing and strode up that way. "Also just checking in on you. How's it going with that Doctor Grey, eh?"
"Good. Really good." Kane said, wholeheartedly. "She's opening a clinic in the city for the underprivileged. So I'm dating the super hot Florence Nightingale." He opened a door and tossed the duffel on a bed. "Spare room, Linens and towels are in the closet. I already pinged Scott for a keycard for you. Let's hit Harry's. Proper Moosehead and everything."
Changing weather meant that the trees were dropping leaves like flies and while Xavier's was fine letting them accumulate to an extent, the driveways and pathways needed to be clear, if only for safety. So Liam was out early Saturday morning, sunglasses on, half hungover from being out nearly all night and music blasting from his cell phone as he used a blower to clear the main drive. Hopefully, someone would have made breakfast when he went unsure and he could steal some instead of having to forage for himself. There was never a lack of food, but he really, really didn't want to have to make anything.
Greymalkin Lane is definitely not the longest road in the world, probably not even close to longest even in New York State. But the walk from Salem Center to 1407 Greymalkin Lane can take quite a while particularly when the person walking it is only 3'6". Luckily for the man who most often goes by Puck he doesn't tire easily, he just keeps putting one foot in front of the other. The cooling temperature wouldn't bother him either even if he weren't bundled up in track pants, weathered old wool coat and a tattered toque on his head making him look like a stereotypical long shore-man. Slung over his shoulder like a bandolier hanging from his back is a 30 year old athletic bag emblazoned with the logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Looking up from the road in front of him he notices that the gate is now only 20 feet ahead of him. Reaching his goal gives him a little more spring in his step and he begins to cartwheel towards the gate. His hand grasps the cold metal of the gate as he reaches it. He could climb it or hop over it easily but he didn't know what kind of security would come to bear on him and it would probably not give the best first impression. He starts to look around for some kind of intercom system as he gently shakes the gate to see if it is locked and calls out to nobody in particular looking through the gate to see what he can see from the road.
"Hello, eh? Anybody home?"
One ear swiveled at the noise and Liam shut off the blower, then turned, following the sound. "Uh, hi," he called, pulling a beanie out of his back pocket and tugging it on before coming closer. It was kinda silly to hide his ears when he had a large fluffy orange tail behind him, but whatever, it was habit. He didn't know who this guy was or what he wanted and it was too early for deliveries or what have you. "Can I help you?"
If the orange tail wasn't enough indication that this was the right place the face as he approached would have driven the point home. The furry orange visage even reminds him of a Department H trainee back in the day though back then it was a young llady, not a boy.
"Yeah, I guess this is Xavier's after all, eh? I heard all about this place from Logan and Garrison but I've never made the trip before. I'm Puck." The dwarfish man extends his hand through the gate up towards the catman. His hands and arms are large for his size. The back of his hand is extremely hairy and his skin feels thick and rough like he is 90 percent callus. "I was supposed to be here for Thanksgiving but time got away from me. Then I remembered American Thanksgiving is later so I guess I'm early." Not really explaining the situation at all.
Liam probably should have verified with someone, anyone, that this guy was legit. But he smelled okay. Bad people never smelled okay. It was a weird combination of vibes and smell and probably a cat thing, but it hadn't steered him wrong yet. Instead, he just blinked and went to open the door to the side of the gate since they didn't need to open the entire gate. "Yeah.... okay," he agreed slowly, not letting him through just yet, "that explains nothing."
"Oh right. I'm a mutant too." Puck does an effortless back flip away from the younger mutant as if that would explain everything. Realizing that lots of people can do backflips he then leaps 15 feet onto the branch of the nearest tree and without missing a beat bounces from it to another tree. From there in one smooth movement he bounces to the top of the gate and then drops back down to the ground in front of the catman. Noticing the slight flaring of his cat-like nostrils he wishes he had had a shower after his flight. He probably smells like old spice, rubber and LaGuardia airport.
"I'm old friends with a few of your X-Men and I'm supposed to be here to help out for a little bit. I'm on leave from Department H up in Canada." He extends his hand again to the much taller man and doesn't try to get past him yet. "What's your name sport?"
Hissing, Liam backed up, ears flattened under his beanie and tail at attention. "No," he stated, claws unsheathing on his free hand. He probably should drop the leaf blower or use his phone to alert people, something, anything, but he couldn't move. "You stay away!" He didn't know much about his birth mother, but he knew she was Canadian and that Department H was involved and that someone had come after him in Maine. They weren't getting him here.
As soon as the hiss began to leave Liam's throat Puck became extra alert for danger. There's always the chance that someone is chose that moment to attack them both. But with the emergence of claws and the statement of 'No' it was clear to the dwarf that he was the focus of the feline's ire.
"Woah, woah friend. I don't mean you any harm. I swear, I'm just a visitor." Puck has dealt with many animalistic mutations before, from aquatic to arboreal. Instinctively he leaped backward ten feet keeping his eyes on the now aggressive mutant in front of him. He held both his hands out in front of him to show that was is unarmed and not a threat.
Liam wasn't aggressive, he was defensive. Maybe that looked the same, but he'd never attack unprovoked. He was a lover, not a fighter, even if he took the fighting classes and recognized that they were necessary. He'd even needed to use them. Glaring and still distrustful, but glad Puck was giving distance, he went to message whomever was on comm duty. Because he was not equipped for this.
"Listen, this is all just some kind of misunderstanding, eh?" Puck tried to remain as non threatening as possible. All of his training for de-escalation flashed through his mind: do not approach, seem friendly but not too friendly, don't reach into your bag or pockets. He couldn't help but wonder what set the kid off, it was something about Department H. The kid did remind him of Greer but bringing her up wouldn't be the best idea either, not while he's got his hackles up.
Would they come after him here at Xavier's? And so brazenly? Sending one guy? Minutely, Liam's shoulders softened and his tail shifted. He stayed on the balls of his feet, but. "Who are you looking for again?"
"Nobody, though the X-Men are expecting me. Garrison Kane or Logan both know me, eh?" The dwarf said while keeping his hands out in front of him palms up to show that he is still no threat. Keeping his face concerned and non-threatening to keep the younger mutant at ease.
"Right...." he sent a message to whomever was on comms duty, trying to keep one eye on the phone and one on Puck with little success. His phone buzzed a moment later, "They said they'll meet you at the front door. It's down that way..." he pointed to the post he'd been clearing leaves from, though fresh ones were already starting to litter it again. After a moment, he decided he'd walk him. Just in case. "C'mon."
Puck readjusted the duffel bag on his back as the young feline man called for confirmation. "Front door. Right." Looking at the grounds it's quite a big place but Puck has found his way all around the world he could find his way here. But then the kid offered to lead him. "Lead on."
He was only a few feet from the door, Liam following him warily when the door burst open and he was swept up in a bear hug by a figure moving fast enough to blur a bit.
"Eugene Judd, you son of a bitch!" Kane said, thumping him on the back multiple times before putting him back down on his feet. "What the hell are you doing here?" He said, as God stalked off after him, snuffling at the familiar scent and giving Liam that look that always seemed to imply 'I'm a wolf and you're a cat'.
Looking back to Garrison a huge grin crossed Puck's face. "Well after my eleventy-first birthday I decided to take a Bilbo Baggins year and seek out some adventure and maybe help out a little. This is my last stop. Do you have a couch I can crash on?" In one fluid movement the dwarf pulled the Toronto Maple Leafs duffel bag from his back and tossed it into Garrison's arms.
Eyes narrowing at the greeting, Liam offered a lazy salute to Garrison, then headed back to finish blowing leaves. At least this new guy was actually supposed to be here and not just some random weirdo. Or worse.
"I can do better than that. Come with me." Kane slung the duffel easily as he walked Eugene through the mansion lobby. "Are you planning to stick around for a while? The X-Men could use an expert trainer on hand, especially with the opportunities the Danger Room opens up." He said, heading up the stairs and off for the East Wing of suites.
Once he was no longer burdened by the duffel bag Puck cartwheeled to keep up with the much taller man's stride. These are the kind of antics people have to put up with when walking alongside the dwarf. "Your Danger Room is one reason for my visit, I'd be happy to help out wherever you need. I'm also handy with a snow shovel or lawnmower." Giving Garrison a wink as they reached the stairs. Instead of hopping up the stairs he hopped up onto the railing and strode up that way. "Also just checking in on you. How's it going with that Doctor Grey, eh?"
"Good. Really good." Kane said, wholeheartedly. "She's opening a clinic in the city for the underprivileged. So I'm dating the super hot Florence Nightingale." He opened a door and tossed the duffel on a bed. "Spare room, Linens and towels are in the closet. I already pinged Scott for a keycard for you. Let's hit Harry's. Proper Moosehead and everything."
no subject
Date: 2025-12-03 07:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-12-03 08:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-12-05 04:49 pm (UTC)Eventually you'll meet ONE that's not connected to Department H.
"I'm taking a Bilbo Baggins year" is an excuse few people can get away with.
"Super Hot Florence Nightengale" sounds like the alternate codename Garrison proposed right before Jean dumped him in the lake.