xp_logs | Nathan and Kurt, Nathan and Rahne, Friday morning

Nathan's making some last-minute preparations for the big day when Kurt happens by. Nathan is a little frazzled. Kurt is amused and very helpful.

"Yes, for six'o'clock. That's right." Nathan's fingers tapped restlessly on the side of the phone as he waited for the overly chirpy young woman to check the list of reservations and tell him that yes, his was there where it should be. "Oh good," he said as she assured him that was the case. "Thank you." He hung up the phone and turned away, his gaze moving restlessly over the living room. What else? He had the reservation confirmed, the driving directions memorized...

Kurt, passing by, heard Nathan moving around the suite through the open door and stuck his head into the room with a friendly smile. "Hello, Nathan."

"Kurt," Nathan said, blinking at him. "Um, hi. Do I look okay?"

It was Kurt's turn to blink now, startled by the question somewhat out of the blue. "Er. Yes. You look fine..."

"Oh, good." Nathan looked around nervously. "I'm forgetting something. Definitely forgetting something..." He patted his pocket, then went wide-eyed. "Crap!" He dove at the bookshelf, pulling aside his history books until he found the little package of dark fabric. "I almost forgot it," he said with a relieved sigh. "That's really sad."

Kurt moved further into the room, looking at the package curiously. "What is it?"

"Ring. It's the ring." Nathan stopped and blinked at Kurt. "Oh, right." Kurt wouldn't know. It wasn't as if they'd ever done much more than say hello at the breakfast table or if they passed each other in the halls. "Um, today. Big day."

Kurt grinned, putting together "ring" and "big day" and coming up with the right answer. "Congratulations will soon be in order, then?"

Nathan grinned suddenly, a little wildly. "Oh, I hope so. I mean, not that I actually think she'll say no, but she might clock me for stringing her along for a week with all those riddles."

Kurt chuckled. "Knowing Moira, I would think she will find it funny. Where are you going to ask?"

"We're taking Anna and Billie to see the gardens at the Rockefeller estate," Nathan said enthusiastically. "So, out there. The weather's supposed to be gorgeous - I didn't even have to go knocking on Ororo's door."

Kurt smiled warmly. "It sounds lovely. Did you ask Ororo anyway, though, just to be sure?"

Nathan's eyes widened. "No, I didn't. Should I, do you think?" He looked hurriedly at his watch. Moira would still be giving Anna and Billie the tour. They had slept late, to catch up from the flight, and she was taking them on a tour of the mansion after her Biology class. He still had time.

Kurt shrugged slightly. "It could not hurt. Just to be on the safe side. I can always 'port you somewhere, if it would make you late."

"I think I've got time," Nathan said, looking at his watch again. "Especially since I think everything else is actually ready." Unless he'd forgotten something else?

Kurt nodded, moving towards the door as Nathan followed him. "Best to cover all the possibilities - at least, Ororo can watch the weather for you and make any clouds go away."

"The temperature is just perfect," Nathan rambled. "Nice, cool fall day... she hates the heat, you know."

Kurt smiled. "Ororo can keep it just the way you want it."

"Great idea. Thanks, Kurt." Nathan got out into the hall and blinked. "Uh... which way is Ororo's room again?" He laughed a little. "I have no idea where my head is today..."

Kurt laughed. "Understandable. This way." And he led Nathan in the right direction.

Shortly afterwards, Nathan runs into Rahne in the kitchen. He shows her the ring and thanks her for being part of the conspiracy. She has some very wise words for him.

Something for the car. That was the ticket, Nathan thought as he headed towards the kitchen. It was a bit of a drive, after all, and although it wasn't all that warm out there today, drinks at least would probably be in order.

Rahne was, for once, not making oatmeal. She was making soup. She looked up as Nathan arrived at a fast walk and with a very intent expression. "Good morning." She couldn't help grinning.

He stopped, then grinned a bit wildly at her. "Morning, kiddo. Isn't the weather nice?" He went straight over to the fridge, rooting through it for handily bottled juice, or some such thing. "Did you meet Anna and Billie?" he asked.

"Aye, briefly. And 'tis a lovely day. Nice timing."

"Ororo promised to keep an eye out for any change in the weather for me," Nathan said, pulling out a couple of bottles of orange juice, then, after a moment's consideration, swapping one for an iced team. What else was there... apple, and something red at the back of the fridge... "All these people helping me conspire. It's really kind of fun." He chose two more bottles and then straightened, blinking at Rahne. "I never showed you the ring, did I?"

"...No, ye didna...." She felt her ears try to perk despite being currently in human form. That was odd.

Nathan pulled the little fabric-wrapped package out of his pocket and came over to where she was making the soup. He unwrapped it carefully and held the ring up for her inspection. "So. What do you think?"

"Ooohh. ...I doona think I ever saw one like that. 'Tis lovely."

"Thank you." Nathan folded it back up, carefully. "And thank you for helping with that first riddle." His grin turned impish. "Piece of driftwood, indeed..."

Rahne blushed. "I hope ye didna mind that. I was thinking of yuir story with the washing up on her shore."

"I thought it was perfect." Nathan laughed suddenly, rubbing at the back of his neck almost sheepishly. "So I guess that story finally gets an ending, doesn't it?"

Rahne tilted her head thoughtfully. "Only the beginning sort of ending."

Nathan blinked, then laughed again, more softly this time. "My very favorite kind." He glanced at his watch, muttering as he noticed the time. "Okay," he said a bit breathlessly. "Time to go find the other three Scots in the house and nudge them in the direction of the car."

Rahne chuckled. "Have fun, all of ye."

"Aren't you going to wish me luck?"

She raised her eyebrows. "Do ye need it?"

Picking up the bottles, Nathan stopped, pondering the question for a moment. "Well," he said with a perfectly straight face, "no, not really, I suppose. Does that make me overconfident?"

"'Twould if ye did need it. Since that's not so, it doesna," Rahne said reasonably if a bit convolutedly. "I'll wait to congratulate ye both until afterward, though."

"Probably a good idea. Counting eggs and all." Nathan grinned at Rahne as he turned towards the door. "Have a good day. Spare me a good thought somewhere around midafternoon."

She waved the spoon-free hand at him. "Always."