ArchivedLogs:Armored Doughnuts

Armored Doughnuts
Mmmmmm doughnuts
Dramatis Personae Mallory, Thomas
In Absentia	Saturday, May 23, 2015 Eating doughnuts, talking armor and babies ( Part of the Future Past TP.)
Location <XS> - Library
Xavier's librarian might hope the library is a quiet place to sit and study, but with a school full of teenagers that is not always the case. Nevertheless, it is certainly a treasure trove of knowledge, well-stocked with a wealth of books on its high shelves. Its reference section is vast, though its fiction is as well (much to the delight of many of its students.) The wide octagonal tables and smaller armchairs are often crowded with students, though the whispered conversations that often take place leave some doubt as to how much work is getting done at any given hour. The semester is drawing to a close, tension in the air as final exams fast approach, but this Saturday is decidedly quiet, following the Spring Formal the night previous. Morning grows short, and the almost afternoon sees Mallory making her way in to the library, moving a bit slower than she once did. A large thermos of tea, her usual bright red one with a ‘Got Books’ sticker on it, is clutched in her free hand, while her other hand holds on to first the door frame, then the desk. She wears a dark gray maternity tunic over black tights, the asymmetrical hem hitting at just above her knees in the front, and just below the knees in the back. Her long hair is left largely unbound, falling in shiny, soft waves to her lower back, tucked behind her horns to keep it out of her face. Leaning heavily against the information desk, she takes her seat, exhaling quietly as she tries to get comfortable. There is a tired look to her face, as though sleep has not been exactly frequent or lasting in recent days. Unfortunately, her tea has been left just out of reach, earning an exasperated sigh from the visibly pregnant mutant. Dressed in a charcoal grey button up shirt, slacks and a lab coat made of the odd material he’s been slowly producing over the past few months, Thomas carries a small box in with him to the library. The smell of chocolate wafts out from the box, a mental push of amusement as he walks up to her desk and picking up on her exasperation, he pushes the tea closer as he sets the box down. “One dozen chocolate doughnuts. Well, nine chocolate doughnuts. The other ones mysteriously disappeared on their way here.” Standing there looking her over, Thomas raises a brow and shakes his head. << You’d think I’d get used to seeing you getting bigger in leaps and bounds by now. I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep making the stuff if clothing you’ll find acceptable. Can I just make you a drape to wear till September? >> he thinks with a slight smile and amusement, though there is a tad bit of seriousness to the question. “At least the glycol silica mix has proven to be effective for more materials. Are any of the outfits I prepped for you still even viable to wear?” He glances at the doughnut box, but his mind is very carefully schooled into a wall to be unread, though his glance might tell more than he wishes of his thought. Mallory perks up at approach of her brother, or perhaps more specifically, the box of donuts he carries. “Normally I would protest you bringing donuts into the library,” Mallory chuckles, sitting up on her backless chair to regard Thomas with a mental note of thanks as she reaches for her thermos. << Thanks >> she offers, sipping from her thermos of sadly decaffeinated Earl Gray tea with a displeased grimace and a sigh, << September is so bloody far off. I want caffeine. >> Smirking at the corrected number of donuts, Mallory scoots forward awkwardly to accept the box of donuts, “Of course. I most certainly have no idea where they possibly could have vanished to.” She selects one of the donuts, stomach rumbling at the sight, before turning the box back towards Thomas, offering to share in response to his obviously hungry glance, << Thank you for bringing donuts. Eat some, please, I really shouldn’t polish off the whole box. Even if I’d love to. >> The comment about her size earns a snort, as she rests her hand on her protruding stomach << Gee, thanks, Thomas. Telling me I’m getting fat? >> Mallory grins a bit, rubbing her belly and laughing, “They’re kicking a lot more now. In addition to taking up more room.” The question about attire earns a wave of guilt and winces, “Oh. No... none of it fits now. It did for a bit, but…” Her voice trails off and she runs a hand along one of her horns, “It just pulls on my stomach too much to be comfortable for too long.” Her expression matches the guilt she feels, focusing her attention on the doughnut she is nibbling her way through, “And before you suggest it, I am /not/ wearing a bulletproof mumu through the summer months.” Thomas smiles as her mood improves with the donuts, though he shakes his head at the shared taste of the pitiful excuse for tea. “It can’t be that bad. I mean, tea barely has any. You could at least drink green or white tea if they want you to have less of it. It would certainly taste better at least.“ Shaking his head, he does take one of the donuts though and grins. << You’re eating about as much as I am, I’m glad that the wee ones are growing well either way. >> Rolling his eyes at the fat commentary, Thomas responds mentally with doughnut in his mouth. << Yes, so large you've gotten, what with having two other living beings taken up residence. Should charge them rent soon. >> He smiles and finishes wolfing down the doughnut so as to make it less obvious they are breaking library rules. “The mumu would probably work all around though. And it’s not like I suggested a hijab. That would work too, but I remember the… problems that still remain from… << being all covered up as you used to have to be.>> He lets out a sigh and shakes his head. Mallory washes down the doughnut with a pull from her thermos, shaking her head. “I know. I’d be fine having a little now and then, or even some green or white. I just like the taste of Earl Gray. Even decaffeinated, I suppose,” Mallory chuckles, lifting her thermos in a salute to her twin. There’s a sense of concern, a hint of worry at the oddities of her current situation, a fear of ruining everything eeks through the connection, though it is quietly squashed beneath another doughnut. Delicious, chocolate doughnut. << I am indeed. And they are growing right on target, so Hank says >> she answers, her mouth still full of doughnut, resting her thermos on her stomach. << They're got me at a disadvantage, I’m afraid. I’d ask for rent, they’d kick me in the spleen. Kind things these little ones, >> Mallory thinks with a chuckle, though her eyes narrow at the mention of more covering attire. “No,” Mallory says firmly, fiery, dark eyes fixed on Thomas, “I realize and appreciate that you are concerned for my, our, safety, but it isn’t as though I can travel very far right now.” She takes a deep breath, sipping at her tea and glancing down at her belly, contemplative - despite her initial reaction, there is part of her that considers the offer of a bullet proof covering. << Yeah, it’s kinda hard to evict em. You’ve gotta wait another three or four months before you’re allowed to. >> Thomas is amused by the analogies and leans a bit against the desk. He does let out a resigned sigh and inclines his head at her wishes. “I just don’t want something happening like last year. That psychopath coming along with his band of crazies attacking the school. I know they didn’t have guns, but with the claws and such forth. Well, I just want to keep you safe.” He shakes his head though, realizing he’s not going to win this argument. “So, what are you guys going to do with the new family? Have you been looking at places off campus? I mean I don’t figure you guys will really have an easy time trying to raise the babies on campus.” Thomas thinks a bit, but shrugs. << If you need any help let me know. I should have the patent process done soon, so it should be more than enough to help a bit. >> There is a general feeling of what else would he do with money. << I have a rather decided interest in keeping my tenants for as long as possible >> Mallory chuckles, patting her belly reassuringly with a bemused smile, << Spleen kicks and all. >> She is at least kind enough to keep that sensation to herself, with some concentration. “I realize that, and do truly appreciate it. With all that has gone on this year? I can’t say the thought of keeping safe is /that/ far from my mind,” Mallory admits, shrugging, though her mind contracts protectively, an upwelling of concern and anxiety, focused not on her own well being, but on her unborn children. Worry over just what sort of world she is bringing them into, tinged with hope that things will get better. “We've been looking, yes,” Mallory says, glancing at a pile of papers at the corner of her desk, “Not exactly easy going, admittedly.” Thoughts of houses flutter through her mind - an idyllic scene, a charming little yellow house with a white picket fence and ample yard blooming with flowers, a fruit tree casting shade over a swing set. << One glance at us and our registration cards, and it is all ‘we are very sorry, there has been another offer.’ Or they just don’t call back at all. >> Mallory explains with a note of exasperation, sipping her tea slowly while she mulls over the fact. And another doughnut. Thomas shakes his head looking out over the library and distinctly not looking at pregnant sister. << Yeah I know, gotta make sure that they grow up strong enough to be fine. Hopefully they won’t be too kicky though. >> He shrugs and itches at his horns. “It’s not something our parents exactly discussed with us at least.” Making a face and shaking his head, Thomas seems to be thinking. “Might be able to generate an incorporation and have it purchased second hand through that. Unless you’re trying to find a home in one of those homeowners association things that should be enough to solve the problem. Then you just have to worry about protesters the day you move in.” He smirks slightly at the little trick and shrugs. << Sometimes you need a layer of smoke and mirrors to make it out there. I will need to wear my disguise for years to come after all. >> Mallory scratches at the base of one of her horns, covering her mouth as she yawns << Not so bad, really. Just a bit troublesome when they wake me up while I try to sleep. >> She chuckles at this, shaking her head as she starts to shuffle through some of her paperwork on her desk, sorting things into orderly piles for filing. Sighing softly at the thought of their parents, Mallory shrugs, “I almost wish they had, really. There’s only so much good reading and research will do to explain things. It would be nice to be able to talk to mother, though I know she never would.” Flashes of shared memories, of whispered conversations overheard, discussion of their mother’s inability to bear more children; it had been a common topic of hushed conversation, usually with Mallory to blame, though the thoughts are quickly quieted. Crinkling her nose at the thought of added hassles, Mallory frowns, “Possibly, but just more cost and trouble. Can’t think that the neighbors would be too fond of that sort of deception off the bat.” Running a hand along a horn, Mallory smirks << You've always been far better at that than I, Thomas. I require a bit more than just smoke and mirrors to hide now a days. And Aloke is, well, as much my firefly as ever. >> Her other hand rests on her stomach, perhaps a call back to the earlier conversation. “Never know. Maybe we’ll find the perfect little place in the town near the school, with good neighbors and just the right white picket fence to complete the scene,” Mallory chuckles, a warm, hopeful tone to her laughter. << But enough on me and my situation. How are things with you, brother mine? >> Thomas leans an elbow against the desk relaxing more and nods. << Its not like you’ll get much sleep after they’re born either. Two of em to cry and feed? At least this will train you ahead of time to not get sleep. >> Letting out a sigh in mirror to hers, he nods. “It probably wouldn’t help much anyway. I mean your sonogram shows them alright anyway right? They won’t have the same shape issues to contend with in the birth process at least.” Shrugging with a lack of concern over what their neighbors did or didn’t like Thomas shakes his head. “Yeah well its not like they would have any say if people they didn't like moved in anyway. Thank god that the registration wasn’t like back home anyway. Having to register like a sex offender,” he snorts in disgust at that, a small puff of smoke escaping at his agitation. << I had to hide in public. Sorta leads to different skill sets, though I guess the only way to really hide what you look like anymore would be a weird specialized wheelchair. Unless we get some sort of holographic projector that would be small enough and portable enough. >> Shaking his head again, knowing that is outside his skill set, he smiles as she laughs. << Well enough. Hoping with the patent and licensing of the mixture I may be able to fund the equipment I need for more exotic experimentation. You’d be surprised how costly carbon fiber production is, >> the thought coming along with a solidified smoke image. Sticking her tongue out at her twin, Mallory chuckles << Once they’re born, I won’t be the only one kept awake by their antics. So there. >> Eyeing the last doughnut in the box, Mallory pushes it towards Thomas, obviously offering it to him. “Also, I’ll get caffeine again. Glorious, glorious caffeine,” she says wistfully, sipping at her decaf tea with a sad look. Mallory answers with a glance downward, her voice trailing off, “Developing well, yes. Hank doesn't think there’s anything so severe as my situation, no…”