Returning to her Office

[Emma Frost]

The day was not over. It only seemed to be getting longer and longer. Last night she had returned from New York City with Elixir and HeartString to find the aftermath of the Brotherhood attack. The news of the loss of Wolverine and Nightcrawler had hardly sunk in yet. In fact, the thing of it was she understood that they could -any one of them- die at any time in any number of ways. She had lost so many people lately that it was not a shock to her at all, or maybe it was that she had never gotten past the shock of losing everyone on Genosha. Her students, the people she was responsible for, people she cared about, everyone. Emma shook her head as she walked back in to her office and shut the door behind her.

No, the day was not over as the last rays of the setting sun painted purple and ashen gray-greens across the darkening sky. Earlier today she'd spent time out watching her children and her teachers- her family, as they practiced and trained. She'd looked for Wolverine and Nightcrawler twice since the early light of morning and would most likely go down to check CEREBRA's sensors again before she finally called it a night. 'A nice cup of tea would do wonders first though', she thought as she set her electric tea pot to boil and filled it with bottled water.

Sitting at her desk she spun her chair around to look out the wonderful bay of windows and focus her mind. She wanted to know where everyone who she cared for was, she searched out the school grounds and found each of them, every child and teacher, and she sighed in relief knowing that at least they were all safe. 'Hmmm, a few new arrivals' she thought as she realized Highball and TuneUP had arrived.

[BEAST]

Hank walked along the corridor with the young couple following behind him. He checked on them every so often to make sure they kept in tow. When they arrived at Emma's office he knocked on the door. He knew Emma had enough on her mind and almost regretted bringing the two to her since it was an unnecessary problem that no one should have to deal with at this time.

"Emma? Are you available in your office?" he called through the door and looked behind at the couple as he waited to see if she would answer.

[Riff~Raff]

Riker walked slowly behind Dr. McCoy, his heart heavy with grief. With each step he became more aware the circumstance to which he was in. It was something that would not end well for anyone; possible even preventing him from seeing Shimmer, which would truly break his heart. Shimmer had been the first thing he'd ever actually done for himself. He spent his whole life living with the fact that he was left alone, that he had no family and still kept a smile on his face for his little sister. He spent all his time making sure she was okay and that they could get by every day. He devoted all his energy to helping his sister be happy and yet he still managed to fail at that.

That didn't matter though when he was around Shimmer, it was like everything changed. Like he was just a sixteen year old boy living his life. She made him feel normal. Like he was actually just a boy, not some mutant freak with a tail whose family abandoned him, he was loved, and that she truly cared for him. All he ever needed from her was for her to just stand there next to him and he knew that everything would be alright. It pained him to be pulled apart from her all the time. He just didn't understand why they couldn't be together. He had a feeling after he stepped into that office that he wouldn't have anyone anymore. Lurai would be off on her own and he wouldn't be able to see Shimmer. After all it became apparent that Miss Frost did not want him to take care of her anymore.

It probably was for the better though, after all she was growing up and he would eventually have to let go, but it still pained him to let her go. It felt like Shimmer was all he had left and now that was over. It was his fault though, he shouldn’t have asked her to come in. It was really all his fault. He looked at the door as Dr. McCoy called out to Miss Frost. He let out a sigh. It was like waiting for the execution chamber door to open. His death awaiting just beyond the door.

[Torri]

Shimmer followed behind both Beast and Riker as they made their way slowly toward the headmistresses office. Her arms held tightly to her chest in a tight embrace, out of fear, out of hurt. Not only had she gotten herself in trouble, but she had gotten Riker involved in this with her, and she was feeling awful for it. Her head hung low as she shuffled her feet behind her on what seemed like the never ending road toward the office door. She had never been this way before either, how could she never have been adventuring somewhere where she had lived for weeks. This was going to take alot of nerve not to either hide away from miss frost, or from crying at all.

Only once now had she been properly adressed by the headmistress privatly and that was back when the house was celebrating thanksgiving when she was scared to meet everyone at the table. It seemed not long ago to be honest, like it had happened only hours before. As the fear had returned to her mind thought and taken over all condtradictiong ideas that she was going to be alright. That even with Riker beside her, she wouldnt be able to keep herself smiling throughout.

Looking up a little she saw Rikers expression and sighed, walking up a little faster and just rubbing her arm up against his, tilting her head up to show some sign of comfort. She would talk to miss frost herself if need be. She didn't want him upset. And if it hadn't been for her singing in the halls and wandering off, then they wouldn't be in this sort of trouble.

Although, in Torris defence, she didn't know boys and girls weren't alowed in each others room. Back in scotland, she knew that, even until 11 o clock at night. girls and boys were alowed in each others rooms, so long as nothing sexual happened. Which was why she understood her first warning from Karma, that was understandable. But not the second time. They were just reading! All this just made Shimmer feel even more deflated than before, and it wasn't going to get any better.

[Emma Frost]

Hearing the rapping at her chamber door she was brought back to herself from her remote viewing of the school. Hank McCoy's voice asking her a question. She blinked and let his words register in her mind.

"Yes Dr.McCoy, please enter." Emma sat up in her chair and spun it around to face the door as it opened.

[BEAST]

Hank opened the door and beckoning for the children to come after him. He closed the door after them and looked back at Emma. Knowing him as well as she did and that she was a very skilled and talented telepath, the feelings of exasperation and frustration must have been quite evident. I apologize for this Emma, I realize you do not need these additional and unnecessary troubles he thought in his head clearly enough so she would be able to pick up on it easily.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Emma, I am well aware that you have had a troubling and tiring time the past two days with everything that has taken place the past two days. But it seems that an issue has been brought up again. This young pair of youths," Hank said as he put his large blue furry paws on both Shimmer's and Riff~Raff's shoulders and gently urged them forward. "Seem to have a problem staying out of each other's bedrooms despite being reprimended by both Karma and myself just the previous night, as it was said in the report that was submitted by both Karma and I. Just now I have found Ms. Moore here in Mr. Garnier's bedroom. I believe you requested to speak with them if an incident like the one from the prior night occured again," Hank said to his respected colleague, for the most part glad she was available since she had the maternal instinct to deal with these sort of situations of young love better than himself or Scott.

[Emma Frost]

"Thank you Doctor, I thought the message was clear. However, it seems there is a need to be explicit in delineating the difference between the Girl's Dorm and the Boy's Dorm." Emma said as she motioned for BEAST to seat the children in the chairs that faced her desk.

"I was wondering" Emma said as she rose from her chair and walked around her desk. Motioning for Hank to join her by the door after he sat them down "If I might trouble you for a favor."

[BEAST]

"Of Course Emma. Settle down for a moment you two," Hank said to the two children and urged them gently with his large hands into the chairs in front of Emma's large deak. "Wait patiently for a moment children, Ms. Frost will speak with you in a trifle," Hank said to them before he walked over to the door to join Emma.

"What can I do for you Emma, I am willing to do what I can to ease the burden I know has lied so heavily upon you the last prior days," Hank said to his colleague who he knew was under a great deal of stress.

[Emma Frost]

"Well, I appreciate you wanting to help. And I'm alright for the most part, just slightly concerned for young Puppy~Love." Emma said softly, she knew Riker would be able to hear her even if she whispered, but felt no need to hide her words or use telepathy. "Would you go down to the kitchen and ask the girls there to take some food up to her in her dorm room. The poor thing had quite a trying time and hasn't eaten since yesterday, so make sure they take her plenty to eat, and lots of juice and water too."

[BEAST]

"Not a problem Emma, I will get right on it. I'm sure her teammates will be eager to help her. Please contact me if you need anything else," Hank said as he patted Emma's arm gently with his oversized furry blue hand gently, wishing that her troubles would ease.

Hank looked back at the two and shook his head with a sigh before he opened the door to take his leave. "Farewell Emma. I do hope you will call on me whenever you need me," he said to her with a gentle comforting smile before he left his friend and colleague with the two troublesome and hormonal youths.

[Emma Frost]

"I will, and thank you." Emma said as she watched him leave and shut the door behind him. It clicked loudly and she stood there for a moment gaining her composure, and steadying her patience before turning around to the children.

She walked back in silence to sit behind her desk. Her face did not hold the appearance of compassion, she was far removed from that state of mind at the present. She would hear their words and yet she already had a good idea as to what they would say. This was not her first year as a teacher, she had spent many years as a teacher and mentor in many different schools the words were always the same, but she kept her mind open as every once in a great while children had the ability to surprise her. It was why she had kept at this 'teaching thing' for so many years now.

"So tell me Shimmer, why are you here? Why has Dr. McCoy brought you to my office today?" Emma finally looked in the girls general direction and at the end of her line of questioning she made eye contact, raising an eyebrow and tilting her head a bit.

[Riff~Raff]

Riker walked silently into the headmistress's office. He wanted to take hold of Torri's hand but thought better of the situation and did not. She was trying to comfort him, he could see that, and it made him happy to know she was there. At least they were in this together, odd as it was, it was like the first thing they did as a couple, standing up for each other, facing terrors, truly this would be a test of how strong they would be. Riker knew he'd never give her up, but now he could finally see if Shimmer felt the same way.

As she spoke to Dr.McCoy his mind faded in and out. He was trying to think of the best way to explain the situation. Though she was a telepath and could easily see the truth in both their minds it was still a matter of the fact that they broke the rules and there would be consequences. What did they do as punishments at schools? He wondered, Flynn had told him some basic things about school when they left, but nothing to major as to give him a clue as to the outcome of this situation. At least he knew one thing, it wasn't like he'd have to fight Miss Frost for his honor, a plus side to no longer being in the wild.

His attention got deterred from his train of thought when the name Puppy~Love traveled through his ears. Riker's eyes widened as the words that Miss Frost spoke finally sunk in. 'She's awake!' he thought to himself. He felt like he could cry at the moment. His little sister was finally awake. This didn't help the moment at all as now his thoughts were pulled to his sister and how badly he wanted to go see her. To see if she was okay, how she was feeling. He looked to Shimmer, he wouldn't leave her. This thought shocked him. He wouldn't leave her. Had this been a year ago he'd have disobeyed Miss Frost in a heartbeat and would have sniffed her out in an instant. He would have jumped from his seat at the news and ran as fast as he possibly could to his little sister. Yet here he stayed, standing by the side of someone he truly cared about. He smiled to himself realizing how much he'd already gained coming to this school. Now he had three people in his life that he would give anything for. More so, he could finally give the reins over to someone else. Finally let someone else be the parent and not him.

Right now he should be feeling scared and upset, but he wasn't, in fact this little situation made him happier than ever. The punishment, the trouble he was in, was that of a normal teenager, one whose only responsibility is himself. He chuckled under his breath. Looking to Shimmer and then Miss Frost. Thank you he thought, knowing she'd pick up on it. Thank you for everything.

[Torri]

At being adressed by the headmistress, shimmer felt herself shrink down into the seat she occupied. Bringing her knees up to her lowered chin and leaving her balencing on her toes to make up for the hight of her legs. She wrapped her arms lightly around her knees and looked down to her lap, not wishing to make proper eye contact with miss frost. She knew she wouldn't be believed that she didn't know, so she had to think fast...but what was so wrong with reading with her boyfriend in his room.

Rolling her eyes up a little to sneak a look at the headmistress she let out a small whimper of a cough and spoke in a very reserved, scared voice. "Because i was with Riker?" she still wasn't particularly sure why she was here. It was making her head hurt, and making her slightly dizzy as thoughts zoomed in and out her head so fast they hardly even registered.

Raising her hands to her head she gave out a small sigh and rested her forehead on one of them, leaving the other to flop back down.

[Emma Frost]

"That would be a bit harsh if it was for merely spending some time with someone would it not? Now, honestly girl why do you think it is that you are sitting here before me? Consider what you know about what you were doing and where you were doing whatever it was and take your time." Emma's teapot began to whistle and her attention was drawn off of the subtle interrogation of Shimmer.

She stood up and went over to make herself a cup of tea. With her back to the children she said "Do either of you realize where you are, I mean really, is that hard to grasp that there must be rules at a school?" The clinka-clinka sound of her spoon stirring the sugar through her hot beverage, blending it throughout was placed there to give them a moment to consider her words.

She sat back down and said "Now tell me Torri, tell me Riker, why are you both sitting here in my office?" She sat back in her plush leather chair and blew softly on her tea to cool it.

[Riff~Raff]

Riker let out a sigh looking up to Miss Frost. "The reason we are here is because we broke the rules. Mostly it's my fault Miss Frost. I invited Shimmer into my room. I should have known better, I am older than her and should be more responsible. We broke the rules after breaking the rules the night before. I was in her dorm and now she was in mine. But in truth it was my fault. When rules are broken we should be punished. Though honestly she shouldn't be it wasn't her fault. I invited her in and at such a young age people can be naive, if I was a good example I would have made sure she got to the right place. I wholly apologize for my actions and will take my punishment with grace" he said formally looking up at the woman. It wasn't like he could fight it, after all they were caught, whether they were just reading or not didn't matter, they broke the rules and rules are there for a reason. Knowing that he should voice his thoughts. "Rules are put in place for a reason, and we did not follow them, and so we should be punished. It's not like you put them there to just torture us."