xp_logs | Wanda and Haroun

Wanda stumbles across Haroun in the kitchen, not literally though, to both of their pleasures. They meet, they talk, they flirt and discuss flight and machines.

Haroun sat in the Kitchen and nursed a bottle of water. He seemed lost in thought, and had his bare feet propped up on another of the chairs. In front of him sat a bowl of soup, mostly neglected and growing cold as he stared off into space.

The kitchen was one of the rooms that Wanda knew by heart. If she wanted to go somewhere, she would stop by and get her bearings. It would not take long before she knew the layout but better to be safe than sorry. She stopped in the doorway and raised an eyebrow just slightly. "Hello," she said, cheerfully, making her way to the fridge for something to drink. "I don't think we've met--Wanda Maximoff." Oh, he was pretty.

Haroun snapped out of his thoughtful funk and looked over at the newcomer. Oh, _hello_. he thought. "Haroun al-Rashid." he said in a pleasant North African accent. "I don't recall seeing you here before - you must be our non-draconic newcomer." he said with a dazzling smile.

She glanced over her shoulder. "Well, since I do not see a tail--" she responded, grinning at him. "Yes, I was brought in a few days ago, rather unconscious to my extreme irritation." Wanda fished a pear out of the fridge, for starters and then gestured to the chair opposite him. "Do you mind if I join you?"

Haroun dropped his feet to the ground. "Be my guest." he said, gesturing to a nearby chair. "I'm just sitting here woolgathering anyway. So what brings you to Xavier's? Some family trouble, I'm given to understand?"

She rolled her eyes, good natured, as she settled into the chair. "You could say that, yes. I left because I thought my father's men would come after me. I didn't think people trying to flush him out would get a hold of me." She shrugged lightly. "It all worked out, though, so I'm trying not to dwell to much on it. Too many other things to enjoy." Wanda grinned at him. "What about you?"

Haroun grinned at Wanda, clearly pouring on the charm. "Oh, just a little trouble with the government of Morocco about what constitutes effective means of social change." he said with a wave of his hand. "So now I teach here, and am a member of the X-Men."

"Sounds like an enjoyable life. I would say maybe not as exciting as doing something that would get you into trouble with the folks in Morocco...but they have a dragon here, so there is that." She tilted her head at him. "May I ask...I know there are two humans here, so would I be right to guess that you are a mutant, as well?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes. I am a mutant who is also augmented by cybernetics. To correct an old injury." he explained. "It's a little complicated."

"I understand complicated. Besides the cybernetics, what is your mutation? And you can tell me if I'm being too curious."

"Chemokinetic flight." he said with a grin. "Somewhat maladaptive, but still very useful."

"Flight?" Wanda sighed slightly and grinned. "I love my power, don't get me wrong, but the power to fly...now that is something. There is only so much freedom you find on the ground--I can only imagine what the skies would lend you."

Haroun smiled. "I love flying. The absolute freedom of it - it's like coming close to God, in a way." he said with a reverential smile. "My power does tend to leave a bit of a stink, though."

"What's smell compared to _that_ kind of freedom?" she declared, waving the pear at him with a grin. "I'm Rom, we treasure freedom in any form."

"A very small price to pay?" he offered, and then laughed. "I have heard of your kind, although I had never met one before now. Too many howling desert fanatics in Morocco for your kind to really be comfortable, I'm guessing."

Wanda nodded. "A little too turbulent, yes," she admitted. "I've been meaning to go, though. I travel a lot without my group, for my work, and I've been to places that I never thought I would have gone to. I have a list of places that I still need to travel to. And Morocco is pretty high to the top of the list."

Haroun smirked. "Maybe, when things calm down, you can get that visit. It's a beautiful place." he said as he got lost in memory for a second.

"So I've heard. So many places, so little time." She laughed and leaned back. "How are you enjoying Xavier’s? I am trying to get a feel on the mansion."

"I like it here." he admitted. "Even with all the craziness - it's the right place for me to be."

"I've been hearing that a lot. Insane but a nice place to live." Wanda thought for a second. "Your power is flight and you obviously like it...you have cyberwear...would you be the one in charge of taking care of the plane they brought me over in?"

Haroun smiled broadly. "The Blackbird." he said with pride. "My job here is to keep her in top shape - in addition to teaching some of the students how to speak a little Arabic without mangling it."

"Unfortunately, I do not remember much about her--except that whatever surface I was laid on was very comfortable," she said, laughing again. Laughter always came easy for Wanda, it would seem. "I don't know how to fly but I enjoy a smooth ride and a good plane."

"It doesn't get much smoother or much better than the Blackbird. I've got some very special modifications planned for her myself. When I get done with her, she's going to be the fastest, smoothest, and sleekest thing with wings around. Just you wait." he said with a grin.

"You will have to show me her soon," Wanda said. "I tinker but nowhere _near_ that level. My power is sometimes...usual for that sort of thing. Being able to see lines of entropy will do that when you're working with things that can break down. What are you planning on doing to her, by the way?"

"I'm really not-happy with the fuel intakes." Haroun said with a frown. "Too rough. I can get that much smoother than it is. And the control surfaces need some work in a major way."

"Seems like you have your work cut out for you. Though it sounds like she's already in top condition, which will help. It is fun taking a junker and putting it back together but there's nothing like a smooth running machine to work with."

"Fixing up a junker has its appeal, but there's a sublime joy in taking a functional piece of kit and just making it _sing_." he said with a sloppy grin. "Maybe next time I get some downtime we can take a look at her together - you can tell me what you see with that power of yours."

Wanda beamed. This day was coming along nicely. Anthropology work and now this. "My pleasure." Grinning, she stood up and stretched. "Machines and attractive men--how could I go wrong?" she asked smoothly as she walked to the door, grinning over her shoulder at him. "I will catch you later?"

"Absolutely." he said with a very pleased grin. "I'll _definitely_ be seeing you again." he leered gently.

She gave him an answering smile and then trotted off down the hall, whistling to herself softly.