ArchivedLogs:Farewells

Farewells
Dramatis Personae Ross, Peter
In Absentia	2013-08-01 '
Location <XS> Front Gate
Situated along the long sweep of Greymalkin Lane, offset from the quiet hamlet of Salem Center, the Xavier Institute is a prestigious boarding school for young minds. Set on more than forty acres of carefully cultivated land, the mansion is not visible from the road. What can be seen are the rolling hills, forested grounds, and the sparkling blue of the large clear lake. The drive is gated, a small brick enclosure housing the security guard on duty to ID and vet visitors to the school. Peter is outside, today! Waiting, apparently, near the gate; covered in his scarlet hoodie -- with a blue patch on the upper left breast! -- loose blue sweatpants and two-toed socks. The weather's kind of BLEGH today; grey and misty and with a hint of rain -- leaving Peter with the hoodie pulled up over his head, his hands thrust /deep/ into his pockets. He lingers a moment, lips twisted into a tight little frown. Wheeling can be heard, approaching the gate. Ross is wheeling a suitcase, carrying Pedro in her other arm. She is also wearing a hooded jacket, and her gloves are fingered this time. She's wearing long blue jeans, and a pair of laceless shoes. As she wheels up, she spots Peter. "Hey, Peter. You..you didn't have to come here. I mean, if that's why you're here.". She looks up, giving a glum smile. "I'll hopefully be back someday. Hopefully. As long as I don't get hit by a car or anything, I guess.". "--um. Hi, Ross. Don't get hit by a car," Peter says, perhaps not quite /helpfully/ as he would like. "It's okay I just thought I mean -- I'd see you... off. I hope, uh -- everything. Goes okay for you? And, yeah," he adds, glancing at Pedro, eyebrows crumpling together. "I mean it's cool they found a place that won't try and hurt you. Ross nods, stretching at the gate. "Yeah, I guess. I'll just..I'll just miss it here? I kind of like it here, so, it's hard.". She looks at the gate, and then her wrist, which still doesn't have a watch. "I just..don't know when the transport will get here. I'm getting anxious.". As she says this, she begins tapping her foot. "I'm totally going to get hit by a car, aren't I?". "Cars don't go by the gate very fast. I think if you got hit, it would be like, just kind of a bump," Peter informs Ross, his tone level and quiet. He soon adds: "And besides, it's not like I'd /let/ anybody get hit by a car um. Don't get hit by a car anyway, though. Anyway, yeah -- just. Be careful." Peter shifts in spot, propping his back up against one of the columns that rim the fence that surrounds Xavier's. Still tapping her foot, Ross looks at her wrist again. "Do you think. They'll experiment on me there? Turn me into a zombie or a dragon, like Kai? I..I'm slightly scared. What if I come back as a robot and nuke the school?". She's slightly kidding, but only slightly. "This world is crazy. I don't want to die or become a robot or anything.". "--I don't think," Peter tells her, his voice becoming a bit more firm, "that Professor Xavier would send you any place where they'd do something terrible to you, Ross. I think it will be safe. You don't have to be scared. I'm sure they'll keep track of you, too. Your progress. And if something seems wrong... we can -- do something. Stop them. From doing anything bad. You /aren't/ going to be turned into a robot." Ross smiles a bit. "But if I /did/ turn into a robot, I'd want to be as cool as Pedro.". Smiling, she looks out into the distance. "I see a vehicle. A truck or a car or a van or something. It'll be here shortly.". She smiles again as she looks at Peter. "Thanks for being a great friend. Make sure Shane doesn't eat everyone, okay?". She laughs slightly. "I mean, if you gave him a chance, he /totally/ would.". "He wouldn't," Peter tells her, mouth twisted up somewhere between a frown and a smile. "--he doesn't -- he's not. Like that. It's okay. You'll be fine. And if you're not fine -- we'll figure something out." He shifts up against the wall, rolling forward! And veeeery slowly approaches Ross, to give her a very /tentative/ hug. Noticing Peter's hesitation, as the van gets closer, she laughs. "Peter, I won't use my power on you. I don't want them to taze me and sedate me and tie me up in the back of the van. Hug me, damn it.". She goes to accept the tentative hug. "I don't bite. I promise. You get enough of that, anyways.". Peter hugs! Firmly, for a moment, then a little stronger, then a little stronger -- until he's almost lifting Ross off the ground! And then he releases, stepping back; his head is cant off toward the direction of the gate, hands shoved into his pockets. "--be safe," is all he says, his voice quiet. Ross waves, as the van pulls up. She approaches it slowly. "Be safe, Peter. Don't get killed or eaten by sharks or drown in the lake. Or blow up in a lab explosion. OR ANYTHING.". She laughs a bit, as she gets into the vehicle. "See you around, tiger. Or spider. Or uh..sharkbait. Whatever.". She waves again. "But seriously, don't let Shane eat you.". "I won't." Peter steps back, head /finally/ swinging around to watch Ross as she steps into the van; he yanks a hand out of his pocket and gives her a tiny wave! And a small, meek smile. "--good luck." He will wait for the van to drive off! Before, with a slight scuff of his foot, Peter turns and heads back to the school. Hands once again shoved deep into his pockets.