Logs:What's the Buzz

What's the Buzz
Dramatis Personae Wasp, Kate
In Absentia	2020-11-26 I always wanted to say I was the leader of the X-Men!
Location <XAV> Across The Riftt - Gardens - Xs Grounds
The protective greenhouse in the back remain empty, save for some bags of soil that are piled up, long ago prepared for the next crop of students. The outdoor gardens are full of weeds with only some evidence that it was once well cared for. Still, there are some wildflowers who have taken over some sections of the garden, bringing some amount of colour, however disorganized. The bees that were kept here in the past have swarmed away, but they've been replaced by newer residents that produce about the same amount of buzzing, and a different sort of honey, thicker and sweeter with a reddish tinge. Without any protective gear, as the darkness starts to set in, one figure is presently taking care of the insects who reside there. He is a young man with spiked black hair, crooked teeth, and a distinctive crawling look to his skin. He has on a part of goggles, surely to cover up his black segmented eyes from any scrutiny he would earn from those who looked past the uncomfortable movement. His voice is cheery as ever, though, as he encourages the insects, "You're all gonna be all nice and warm through the winter! You've still got a little sunshine left coming for you. Still plenty of sunshine if you know where to look." “Wasp?” Kate stands near the greenhouse, but is rapidly closing the distance through the garden. Her black tactical pants, already pretty covered in dirt, catch on some of the weeds, tug through easily enough. “Thought that was you.” There is a look of relief on her face when she pulls up beside him. “Hadn’t heard anything from you in a bit, I thought-" she shakes her head. "Glad you- all of you -” a glance at the insects swarming around them both - "glad you're still free." Wasp turns around and a grin breaks over his face. He is wearing a long jacket, open over his old X-Men outfit, with a buttoned window around his midsection. "Kate! I'm glad I'm still free too! I figured you would be, I think you're pretty good at the whole freedom thing. I've been meaning to keep in touch." He puts his hand on the white box, "You keep up with anyone else? I'm surprised you still come out to this place, sorta feels a little haunted. I know why I'm here." He taps the box again, which provokes some extra buzzing from it for a moment. "It's free real estate!" The grin is immediately reflected back. The last couple steps Kate speeds up, stopping just short of Wasp with arms open enough to be taken as an invitation for a hug. “It’s hard to keep up with people under these conditions. I don’t blame you - just glad you’re okay.” The smile falters. “Haven’t heard from most of the old team. Safer that way. I think DJ is down south somewhere? Joshua’s around still. Jax’s youngest too.” Kate’s smile goes up a little at the tap on the box, but it’s a little more forced. “You heard from anyone else lately?” Her eyes are wide, hopeful. Wasp is quick to accept the hug, wrapping his arms around Kate happily. When he breaks away, he shakes his head, he listens to Kate. "Yeah, it's safer without too much contact... I'm in contact still with the Morlocks. The Morlocks who are still about..." His smile fades a little as well. "But the rest of the team? Not really... not really. I've seen some around, though, I've got eyes out everywhere." Pause. "But in a not creepy way! I just have so so many actual eyes!" Kate holds the hug a little long, giving another tight squeeze before letting Wasp pull away. “Oh, good. I had heard that everyone got picked up - I’m glad some of you are still out.” There is a little guilt tinging her voice here, quickly displaced by a short laugh. “I remember, you and your eyes, yes.” The smile fades a little more. “You planning on wintering here? Alone?” "Everyone? You heard that, huh? Things aren't looking great out there for anyone drawing too much attention to themselves, but taking risks is what X-Manning is about, right?" says Wasp, a crease in his forehead. "Yeah, I'm gonna stick around here for the winter, I think. Not yet, though! Still some more to be done, but I'm all well stocked, and by the time springtime hits, I'll be tougher than ever! But..." He looks back towards the mansion, "I was hoping maybe I could convince Chuck to fire up the old Cerebro. Give me one last hurrah to focus on before it gets too cold." “Haven’t thought of myself as an X-man in a while.” Kate glances down at the black and yellow uniform Wasp still wears. “But- yeah. Mission is a little different these days, that’s all.” She follows his gaze back to the mansion. “He’s so sad these days. It could be good for him.” Her face turns back to Wasp after a moment, eyebrows raised. “You could come with us. We’ve mostly been ferrying people out of the city, out of New England to Canada. Taking out detention centers when we can. Could use some more company. Could use a real team.” "Well, I always did wear these colours better than you, Kate! I think they are bee-utiful," says Wasp, glancing down as well when Kate does. "Between you and me, I was in it for the free clothes anyways! As a Morlock, you learn to take advantage of the kindness of billionaires wherever you can get it." He puts his hands on his hips and fully turns back towards the mansion. "Yeah, I get down too sometimes. Over..." He gestures widely to the grounds. "But I know best it's important to just keep buzzy!" His eyebrows raise and he grins big. "I'd like to come with you, especially if I can't get a lead out of Charles. But you know once winter hits, I'm only real useful once you get far enough south." Kate laughs again, loud and bright. “Well, they suited you, and on Charles’ dime! Double win.” She shifts, a slight breeze blowing her curls behind her. “Climate change is good for something, maybe. When it’s too cold we can bring you back here. I don’t have much in the way of connections down south, but there is a place in Georgia that could use you, maybe. Spencer would know.” A grimace. “I try not to know.” Wasp keeps grinning and says, "It's good to hear you laugh. Haven't been hearing a lotta laughter lately, but sometimes that's just what's needed." He nods and takes off his goggles as the sky begins to darken more, but not enough that the iridescence in his eyes is not visible. "Georgia, huh? If Spencer was willing to help me move my whole body, then relocating might not be too bad. Most folks don't like putting up a guy who is a million stinging insects for long, but these days, beggars can't be choosers with their company." “Haven’t been laughing much, honestly. Something about neverending persecution tends to make people tetchy.” Kate’s hands dip into the pockets of her leather jacket, gives a little shrug of the shoulders. “Lucky for me, Jews are predisposed to gallows humour.” She listens to the hum of the insects for a moment. “He’s a good kid. I’m sure he would try. Just gotta - intersect with him. Somewhere.” Kate looks at Wasp’s eyes, focusing on a center section. “Even if Charles finds something specific- you shouldn’t go out alone. Good way to get caught.” "Well, sometimes you gotta take the humour where you can get it. And I dunno, if I get caught, I'm sure they treat an undocumented mutant okay. That's what the government is known for, right? Besides, you know I'm never alone! I work in a big team." This last is said cheerily. Wasp points his thumb again at the mansion. "Maybe I will be able to persuade your people to come with me on a little field trip if I get a good lead. I always wanted to say I was the leader of the X-Men! Or... say it and not be lying, anyways." Dryly: “I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews of government detention. Five star stays only.” Kate’s grin comes back, smaller now. “My people is just me and a buddy of mine - won’t take much persuading. Wouldn’t mind taking a backseat, either. Leading is - well. I don’t envy Scott anymore.” Low, conspiratorially, Wasp says, "I heard the reviews been slipping. A rash of bad Yelp scores. Pence is gonna have to pay to get them taken down." He laughs, and the buzzing that comes from his body increases a few moments. "Well, you and your buddy, I'll take the help! Just be sure to tell everyone that you're both X-Men, and also that I am your leader! The Queen X-Man!" Kate covers her mouth in mock surprise. “Well, that has to be review bombers. I can’t believe anyone would say such nasty things about -“ her demeanour collapses, first in a twitch in the corner of her eyes and then into giggles, cutting into every other word - “the Pence Luxury Estates.” She throws an arm around Wasp’s shoulders. “Queen X-Man, or X-Queen? Whatever you prefer. I’ll drill James until he gets it right.” A thoughtful pause. “Do you know if there are any spare uniforms left downstairs? We should be matching.” Wasp giggles as well, leaning forward under the weight of Kate's arms and his own laughter. "Queen X-Man, of course! To say I am a man, but since most of my biomass is female, I'm not scared to be in touch with my regal feminine side!" He starts to lead towards the mansion. "Is this James more of a Wasp size, or more of a Beast size? Either way, lets check in with Chuck and get these uniforms sorted. X-Men, assemble!"