Meeting the New Arrivals

[Iceman]

"So the mansion was rebuilt, maybe like four times since I came here, but it seems like it's constantly being renovated. Still, it's been maintained so it still looks like the original," Bobby said as he gave the new kids a mini tour on their way to see Emma. "I know it looks big, but you guys will probably know you're way around it within a couple of days." He gave them a reassuring smile as he led them down the hallway to Emma's office.

"Well here we are, brace yourselves guys, Emma's not like other Headmistresses you've encountered," Bobby said winking at them before he knocked on the door, knowing that Emma would already know they were there anyways. "Special delivery for Headmistress Emma Frost!" He said loudly with a grin and opened the door, giving the group of new kids their very first glimpse of the elusive Former White Queen clad in less than demure white leather.

Bobby grinned at the look on the kids faces, always loving to see the reaction that people had to Emma when they saw her up close and personal for the first time. "They all were waiting and I brought 'em safe and sound," he said beckoning for the kids to come in and smiled at Emma. He didn't forget that they were due for a talk soon, and frankly he was looking forward to it. "And now kids, I leave you with the Headmistress, you lucky bunch." Bobby grinned and looked over at Emma. "Hey Em, you found out if that other kid is coming today or another day?" he asked casually leaning against the doorway as the kids settled in the office.

[Emma Frost]

Emma was smiling, the slightest of smiles at Dorian as she finished the 'talk' they were having. She had assured him that her psychic blocks would not hurt and that the best thing for him right now was to cut out all of the noise and chatter. How could one concentrate and focus on their schoolwork with such chaos. She had known the distractions herself first hand and had learned how to block the cacophony of thoughts on her own after a friend suggested she might. It was really what had kept her sane, and what she had done for herself.. and again for 'herselves' when the Stepford Cuckoos had needed her to do so for them.

"Yes Bobby, welcome children," she said looking up from the young Paragon into the faces of the newest arrivals. She held a finger up to let them all know she would be with them but turned her attention back to Dorian. "How is that? Much better I would think." She nodded at the relaxed look on his face, a look that told her his power had been constrained for now. He would no longer hear random accountings from the various hodge podge of nicknacks and inanimates, in order to hear them now he would simply have to focus past the passive mental blocks and engage them, much like pushing open a swinging door to the communication. It would certainly be far less disruptive to the young man's state of mind and demeanor, his mental health being a primary concern of Emma's, while still allowing him to access the power he so loved.

"Dorian here" she looked up from the engaged look she had with Hoax to include all of them then "is new as well so it's wonderful that you all will be able to present your questions and concerns to me at once. Let's see you all know one another, but for his sake.. this is Willow, Johnny and Vincent.. Oh and yes Bobby" she looked to the door "they are all together out front of the arcade, a slight flurry of distracting images pulled from the subconscious was all it took to bring them together, I believe they are ready to be collected."

"So it seems there will be one more addition before the night is through and some others are returning as well from the weekend's outing, how exciting I always find a full house." She folded her hand together and sat back regarding all of the children before looking at Wilow. "I know just who to room you with young lady." Her smile was charming. "She needs a considerate room mate with a markedly 'warmer' disposition, and I think you will do nicely, her name is Liv and she is a Paragon."

"Speaking of Paragon's.. Dorian, you and young Vincent here are both on that team and Johnny you are an Acolyte as you well know. The reason for the teams is rather simple, they not only give you a sense of belonging and Esprit de Corps, they serve as a way to manage a vast number of youngsters with extraordinary abilities. As well, the interactions you work through in the combat sessions will help you to better understand your powers and your place in working with others. Co-operative power interaction is something we will be getting into more intensely in the upcoming quarters so you have all arrived at a wonderfully exciting time."

"Questions?" She looked around at them as Iceman waved goodbye from the doorway. With a slight wave she let him depart silently and refocused her attention on the first hand to tentatively raise. "Yes..? Go ahead." She said hopeful for the intelligent question looming on the child's mind, but willing to sooth any concerns presented as often they took some time to warm to the question and answer portion of her welcome.

[Shift]

For Willow, meeting new people and going to new places was always a sort of treat. After all, her parents and herself had rarely visited places, and holidays abroad - actually, holidays at all - were practically non-existent. But Willow always harbored a love of going to a different place and seeing new things. Meeting new people was always a treat, as they always had interesting stories. Of course, it took quite a while for Willow to work up the courage to even talk to said person.

This school, her new home for the time being had set her mind racing. There was so much there, so many things that she wanted to see or ask about, if only the right questions would spring to mind. The place looked occasionally home, and at times more like a proper school, which it was. she tried to take in all that she had been told by Bobby, but every now and then she had zoned out, to look questioningly at a particular thing she had seen that had caught her eye. When her mind was back on track, she thought she had missed out rather a lot of important things, and so as she entered Ms. Frosts office she strived to clear her mind and focus on what she was being told.

Willow gave a small and hesitant, yet very genuine smile to wards both Dorian and Ms. Frost. She was doing her best to become more confident and have that fresh start she wanted. At the mention of her name, she straightened up slightly, and nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Ms. Frost." Being polite never hurt, Willow figured. 'Okay, dorming with ...Liv... from the...Paragons. Right.' Willow made a mental note to remember that. 'I hope she nice, friendly... I might end up spending a lot of time with her.'

She then stayed quiet as she waited for everyone else to hear where they would be and for Ms. Frost to finish speaking. She then racked her brains for a question that would make sense and was at least somewhat intelligent. Slowly, she raised her hand, waiting to be called upon. "We'll also be taking part in, uh, normal everyday school lessons as well as training in our teams, won't we?" She knew that probably wasn't the best structured or smartest question, but she wanted to know a little bit more about the team she was in. Willow liked studying, and she thought she was quite good at it, she had liked school before and the structure and routine of classes, and she hoped they would continue to have lessons like that regularly so as to maintain some resemblance of normalcy.

She glanced at the other students around her hoping they would also ask questions so she wouldn't stand out for asking the 'weird' question. Noting that Bobby was leaving she cast him a quick grin before looking around the office itself, taking in little details. She also quickly looked over Emma as well, trying to get a first impression.

[reMOVE]

Vincent followed Bobby; Willow and the Rest to Ms. Frost’s office. He was not expecting to see such a beauty. Upon seeing her, his nerves flared and he had the quarter out of his pocket and began spinning it on his fingers. He listened to her speaking to Willow about roommates. “Roommates, I seriously hope my room isn’t a slob. I like to keep my room clean and tidy.” He thought as Emma Frost talked. When she asked if the students had questions, the first thing to Vincent’s mind came about particular sections of the school. Before he could ask his question however, Willow had asked her question. The obvious question had snapped his nerves free of their tension; he knew what it was like to be in her shoes.

He would wait for the response to the question before firing in his own question. “Does the library have all the classics like Homer, Stoker, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Shakespeare, Etc? Oh and Bobby mentioned music and computers, are they accessible to new students?” His eyes lit up excitedly as he thought about all this favorite things. Vincent blushed and looked at his feet realizing he was getting way to nerdy asking about books and computers. The computers especially he would need to get to know them.

As he listened to the rest of the conversation, he spun the coin between his fingers faster, and then pocketed it, hoping no one would noticed, that he had copied Willow’s trick. He looked up again and at Emma Frost. She seemed nice and easy to talk too, but he had promised his father that he would be good. But Vincent knew deep down he would be in here more often then not, it was just the way it went, he would be good for a small stint but he would be in the office again in no time.

The words his father said rang in his head “This is your last chance Vincent; if you get expelled here it is Military school. I am sick of having to send you to all these different schools.” Vincent lowered his eyes; his father had often called Vincent’s power a curse. Vincent breathed in and resolved himself and looked up with a look of determination in his eyes, he would master his gift and prove he can be a good son. But that wouldn’t stop him from bending the rules. The glint in his eye came back it wasn’t cute or weak; his eyes scanned the room and the people in it. He would make this school a place to hone his skills both the good and bad.

[Emma Frost]

Emma took her time with them. The new feeling she had agreed to fostering in the school, one of family and love, was not beyond her grasp, yet it hurt her in a way. She had been close to so many of the children she had taught over the years and she could see all of their faces even still, though so many of them were no more. Attacks on Genosha as well as her own twisted intentions had left so many of them dead.

Explaining all that they were expected to do and the workings of the traditional education as well as power education took some time. Her patient demeanor, as understanding with the youngest as with the oldest, was enough to put them all at ease and let them relax into opening up and asking all they wanted to know. From who went to which class through to where the laundry room was and how to work the food emitters in the cafeteria, even though she mentioned many of the kids liked to cook for themselves and that the kitchen was one of the most popular places to gather.

After cautioning them all against becoming targets for some of the more unruly students and to never underestimate anyone's potential she set them off to explore the school. Only as they were all leaving did she ask Johnny to remain a moment. What she had to say to him was of a personal nature, so she saw the rest to the door and waited for them to depart down the hallway before shutting the door and turning to the young adult known as Legacy.

"Johnny, I know it has been some time for you since attending classes in an actual school environment, and with the sensitive topic of your learning disorder.. well, I hope you understand that we are going to do all we can to help you get through this. I am assigning you a tutor. A young woman who will be more than patient with you, completely understanding, and a wonderful guide.. not just through the halls of this institution, but through the twists and turns of your life here.. until you are able to get along on your own." She smiled softly as she looked at him.

"She will be completely discrete I can assure you, as I trust you don't want your business known, and she is more than pleasant enough company. Her name is Heather and she should be returning soon enough. I will make sure she knows to find you, and introduce herself." Emma paused as she placed her hand on the doorknob. "Do you have any objections to that?"

[Legacy]

Johnny had been silent for majority of the time spent listening to Emma answer the questions the others asked, him not really having any of his own at the same time. He was still digesting all the changes that had come to his life and still trying to figure out where to go from here. It all seemed so surreal that he didn't know what to with himself. Now faced with a question about his education, something he honestly thought he was done with, well it threw him for a loop.

Staying silent in thought for several minutes, Johnny took his time before he answered the lovely and kind Headmistress. "Well ma'am, I would prefer that others don't know about it. Not that I'm ashamed, it's just I prefer my matters to be private. Well, it's been awhile since I've been to school and did any type of studying. It might take me a good while to catch up, and I wouldn't want to hold anyone back," he said quietly, trying to wrap his head around the idea of going back to school and struggling with homework again. He was alright with math, but it was English and History that really stumped him. Plus he hated reading anything in length and had trouble pronouncing some words when he read them/

"I have no objections ma'am, I just don't wanna inconvenience anyone." Johnny shrugged and looked back at the beautiful Headmistress that was giving him this fresh start, and tried his best to muster a small smile. "Will I be starting classes first or working with a tutor? I think I'm kind of behind on more things than I care to think about," he said quietly and curiously as to how much time he would have to prepare before he was thrust back in a classroom. He knew he had quite a bit of catching up to do as well.

[Emma Frost]

"Just like the rest of the students, you will be attending those classes that you are required to as well as the elective classes you choose. I think it will do you good to join in with the rest. Keep in mind Johnny these are group classes that everyone attends, individual assignments are based on each student's appropriate education level, but students of all levels attend the lectures together."

She looked him over, wondering how such a nearly grown young man could possibly be wary of joining in. "I understand that you have hesitant feelings about showing your flaws, we all do, but rest assured Heather will not mind helping and she will be at your disposal. You will not be a burden to her, and if she needs help she is to come to me and I will be there for you as well. It will be known only to the three of us, as well as her team leader and your own. In truth the five of us are all who need know, so beyond that there is no one you have to share your secret with."

"Relax" Emma took a delicate moment to let her words sink in as she inhaled a measured breath. "It wont be long before she gets back. In fact that's who Bobby went to pick up in town, along with two of your team mates. One of whom, Klash, you will be rooming with. Now, the two of you will be sharing a bathroom with young Vincent and his new room mate Kris, and you do remember where I told him to go, so you're right next door." She opened the door and nodded her head saying "I think once you meet Heather you will be of a completely different opinion. Trust me, she wont mind helping you in the least.. it's in her nature."

[Legacy]

The tension in his shoulders relaxed slightly at the Headmistress's word that the issue of his trouble with school would remain only known to those who needed to know. It wasn't that he was ashamed and embarrassed over who he was, for his Grandfather taught him that everyone had flaws and people should be accepting and forgiving of others imperfections. A person's imperfections is what made the perfect and special in the eyes of God. However, Johnny learned a long time ago that just because that's what he believed in, doesn't mean that other's shared that same belief. He still had to sort with dealing with the loss of his closest family member and coming to start a completely new life, and the last thing he wanted to deal with was people giving him any sort of grief because he had a hard time with certain aspects of school.

"Thank you, Ms. Frost," Johnny said mustering up a small smile. He shifted his bag over his shoulder and nodded to her politely. "Thank you for everything. My Grandfather was fond of you, said you were a good woman and would steer me in the right direction, and he is a man of his word. Thanks for the chance." The words were quiet and sincere, an air of sadness filling him as he remembered when his grandfather finally told him everything about Emma Frost and the X-Men. It was one of their last conversations together, and he struggled to speak at that point, having to pause between words to gather his strength and talk.

With an absent smile, he turned and walked out of the office, going toward the direction that Ms. Frost instructed earlier. Johnny tried to keep his mind focused on finding his room, and at the same time studying the area around him to try and memorize the layout of the school. It had been a long day, and tomorrow would be the first day of his new life. He figured that he might wake up feeling slightly better about the day and the path that his life was on now.