What Light Through Yonder Window Breaks?

[Sunfire]

[Continued from Here Comes the Sun]

Shiro peered appreciatively into each class-room that they passed; the school really was very well appointed, probably much more so than most of the state schools scattered around New York. Sometimes, just sometimes it paid to be a mutant.

"I have read a lot about the X-Men in the papers, but I find that much of the writing exaggerates events to suit the writers needs. Where one journalist demonises them, another heaps praise upon their work."

Shiro stood aside to let a red-haired girl pass in the corridor.

"I do know that they have saved a great many lives, and that that is enough. There is no higher calling."

"I must say that it surprises me to find that they are teachers, though I expect they have great wisdom to pass on."

[candice]

For once, the subject of the X-Men didn't rub her the wrong way. Although she still found the idea of them at the school frustrating, she was finally starting to believe in their purpose.

She wasn't much for vigilantism, but after seeing Baltimore, she knew there was a lot the human government couldn't handle.

"Yes, some of them, this is true. I'm sure the X-Men would be very happy to hear from you, if you're interested in what they do. In fact, I can call Logan up as soon as we're done here."

Thinking back on his powers, she could only imagine that Logan would leap at the chance of having the guy in their ranks.

"As for them teaching... well, not all of them do. In fact, few do, they're often too busy these days."

Finishing the circle of the first floor, she took him up the stairs.

"Are you interested in teaching discipline here? Maybe teaching Karate?"

[Sunfire]

"It would be an honour to teach the martial arts here Miss Taylor, if you feel that I am sufficiently qualified." He stepped up onto the landing and looked around. The ranks of evenly spaced doors gave the impression of a dormitory. Some of the doors even sported stickers and name tags that had no doubt been placed there by the occupants.

"As for joining the X Men," he looked thoughtful for a moment, "I would speak with them first before committing myself to anything, though I would very much like to talk to Mr. Logan if he is their sensei, from what I have seen he deserves much praise for the work his students do."

A window at the end of the hall looked out over the grounds and Shiro could see a small, hedged commemorative garden with three memorial stones set upon the lawn.

He stopped and bowed his head in respect.

"Sonzoku arigatai ittou," he said softly.

[candice]

"Of course," She replied, in response to his statement about the X-Men. "I'd expect that would be an awfully big commitment to just jump right into.”

Following his eyes out into the back yard, she nodded somberly. “Professor Xavier, Scott Summers, and Jean Grey. The founding head of the school and two of his first students. I'd be lying if I said stepping into this world of ours didn't come with it's own dangers. Particularly if you have an interest in the X-Men.”

She straightened her suit jacket and looked at him levelly. “This is largely why they're discussing leaving the school, to draw their enemies from it. I'll continue the tour, then we can talk about work. I'm sure we can figure out a place for you here... it seems as if you have a lot to offer.”

Particularly that fantastic feeling of contentment she got from standing near him. His calm rolling onto to her... it was a remarkable sensation.