Feather-light dreams and .. blue things *private*

[belladonna]

Bella walked out onto the grounds, liking the fresh air.. Actually she spent most of her free time outside, just enjoying what she failed to during the week. Her creme colored dress swayed about her ankles as she made her way over towards the fountain, taking a seat on a stone bench that sat to the side of it, looking at the figure from the side for a minute.

She let out a small sigh, her eye lashes quivering just a bit as she wound down and relaxed. Sometimes she felt like a caged bird, however her life was her only prison. She had outlived those around her and that was disheartening. Of course very few got to know about her mutation but even when she left and slipped away she heard about their passing. And that alone sprung about a pang of grief because she had not been there. Well, this had become her refuge, and it would stay that way even now. And who knows, perhaps one day she will let her condition, face, and the new name that came along with her be known.

What had scared her so much back then? The fact that there were so few, that you didn't hear about them? The same reason one has to fear being found out now. It wasn't like the majority of the population was mutant-friendly. Still if Charles believed their could be peace and co-existence then she would put her faith in that.

She leaned back a little, looking up at the glowing pale sun, feeling the breeze on her face and smiling. Perhaps it wasn't as bad as she sometimes allowed herself to think.. Well... not now anyway. And most of the time she was a positive person - even if it was mostly for the sake of others.

[nightcrawler]

Kurt had enjoyed the courtyard when he was here before and now was no different. Something about this place calmed him and let him let go of his problems and fears at the moment. He was dressed much more himself now, gone was the long coat and he walked about fully seen without fear of being persecuted for the way the looked. He wore a pair of tannish khaki pants, which were frayed at the ends, with a goldish tan vest with a white dress shirt underneath that. He walked straighter and prouder now that he was back in a more welcoming society, holding his hands behidn his back as his tail bobbed and weaved this way and that, keeping time as he hummed some strange melody.

The sound of the running water in the fountain reached his ears, causing him to smile and look up, but as he saw the fair figure and sight of Belladonna, he lost his smile, his face taking an expression of amazement. Here, the woman was even more beautiful and breathtaking, something which caused Kurt to stop breathing himself. Regaining his composure, Kurt approached Bella, the smile returned to his face and his white teeth showing clearly. As he neared her, he reached his tail out and tapped her on the shoulder, a small form of amusment and one he hoped she didn't take offense at, "Afternoon Fräulein," he said softly, his voice calm and strangly soothing despite the accent of his heritage.

[belladonna]

Bella was off in her own world when she felt a tap on her shoulder, turning her head and squinting her eyes as she tried to focus on her new found company. Perhaps for a minute she had looked mad - after all you try looking at someone after looking directly at the sun. And as that not-yet-familiar blue face came into view she relaxed, letting her eyes widen. Then when she seen his hands behind his back and his tail at his side, surely the appendage he had gotten her attention with, she let a smile slip on her face. "Afternoon, Nightcrawler." She replied back simply at first.

He seemed a bit on the shy side, well not necessarily painfully shy but he seemed well mannered and on the border of. He was definitely quieter than most but that could be where he was still grieving the tragedy of Professor Xaviers.. removal.

She usually wasn't one to draw attention to herself, or at least she didn't try to. She had had many years in the spotlight and at first it was merely habit. However she learned later that it was essential to keep a low profile to push others away and avoid being noticed. She had to go from one extreme to the other so every now and again her behavior patterns were a little erratic. One on one she was alot more open and talkative, perhaps because she felt those moments and conversations were much more personal. Well, right now was different.. She knew that Nightcrawler had to be a little nervous about his return and finding his place there. Of course that was only natural - for anyone.

She sat up straight and slid to the end of the bench. "What are you doing? You want to sit down?" She let her blue eyes glance to the spot beside her before looking back at him.

[nightcrawler]

"Please, its Kurt," he said still smiling, glad to see that Bella was still somewhat relaxed around him. She seemed to be as the others of Charles' group were, open and welcoming to all who seeked that sort of thing. It was hard to find those who would treat you as normal when you were a mutant, but when your physical appearance was different, well....then it became near impossible so a friendly gesture such as sharing a seat spoke volumes. With a nervous nodd, Kurt sat down next to Bella, looking quickly away from her at first, but then after taking a deep breath, he forced his eyes back to hers, the blue of hers differing greatly from the yellow his. Kurt's eyes seemed to hold a life of their own and sometimes if one looked quick enough, they could almost see a glow of sorts.

Kurt's muddled brain fought to sort out the words and questions in his head, tyring to find the right translation so Bella would better understand him. "You vere not here the last time I vas for if you vere then I doubt I vould ever forget such a lovely face," he said smiling again, this time softer so not to show so much of his sharp teeth, after all, his appearance was disturbing enough and he didn't want to frighten Bella anymore than he probably already was.

[belladonna]

He had announced himself as Nightcrawler in the foyer earlier but now he had requested to be called Kurt. "Alright.. Kurt." She replied softly with a nod of her head.

For a moment she wasn't sure if he was going to sit with her or not, pausing slightly in his meek reaction. True he was much different than her, and were aren't just talking the blue tan he had going on. The sharp teeth and tail... his whole physical make up just about it. And he could be very intimidating.. if it wasn't for his gentle nature. He wasn't the type of person one felt forced or suppressed around so that didn't bother her any. Of course she would probably make a fool of herself by mentioning something or comparing something that couldn't/wouldn't pertain to him. Well, it wouldn't be the first time she made a fool of herself in front of him.

She let her hands find their way to her lap where she held them together, watching him as he took the seat next to her, somewhat awkwardly at first, despite his agility. She offered him a smile, one that he finally glanced around to see. His comment, however made her cheeks glow - Bella easy to embarrass when she actually found the compliment flattering. "Thank you.. I wasn't actually. I had alot of temporary homes before here and I traveled alot. I didn't want to be known, what I was," she shook her head quickly in correction, "am." Great now she made mutation sound like a disease and here his was much more obvious than her. Did that make him one of 'those things' that she was and wanted to keep hidden? Her brain was working over time trying to make sure that sounded kosher and trying to clear up the mistakes she had made. "I mean it's not like we are openly accepted and you never know how someone's going to handle that. So I really didn't settle down anywhere for long and when I heard about Charles Xavier and how he spoke out for mutants, I started looking for him. I found him here and I have been here since."

Alright, maybe she didn't smooth that over any more but to keep bringing it up would make the issue seemed .. very pressed. She glanced down at her hands and looked back up at him with a smile on her face, "So when were you here last?" She started, thinking of something to bring up. She was interest in him, "You are a teleporter?" She asked simply, hoping that it didn't seem like she was prying into things she shouldn't be or making him uncomfortable.

[nightcrawler]

Bella didn't seem that much different than Kurt, well...socially she didn't. Sure she "looked" normal and all, very contrasting to Kurt and his whole blue demon thing he had going on, but on the inside, what she was, that wasn't very much different from Kurt. She seemed quiet and collected, a bit insecure in what she was, but something "special" was certainly there. This coupled with her charming and delicate looks all lulled Kurt into a sense of security, allowing him to be himself somewhat with her. The way she seemed to fumble her sentences around him also relaxed him, making him smile and laugh intead of finding fault in them.

"It seems like so long ago, but at the same time, it seems like only yesterday," he said in reply to her first question, looking away now, diverting his yellow eyes up to the sky and smiling at the birds flying about. Her rapid second question saved him from having to remember too much or divulging too much either. Looking back to Bella, he nodded his head, "That's only part of what I can do Fräulein," he said with sly smile and a wink as he scooted back on the edge of the seat he shared, spreading his legs a bit and placing his hands, palm down in the small space. He then leaned forward, putting all his weight onto his arms as he pulled his legs back up straight up, holding himself in a handstand on the edge of the seat, his blue tail swinging casually back and forth in the air. Kurt then fell forward, landing on his feet, turning around quickly and bowing to Bella, the way he used to do back in the circus.

[belladonna]

When Kurt laughed a little she smile, for a second almost blushing but actually relieved at his response. She didn't know what had happened in the time before she arrived here but that was much too personal a question to be asking. So instead she opted to take another approach - turning the topic back to him.

Her smile broadened when he spoke about that being one of the things he could do. As he did the handstand on the end of their seat she smiled, watching him intently and politely giving him applause when he bowed. Of course this was short and she gave him a nod of her head when his yellow eyes met hers again. "Your agility's much better than most." And that made sense with the ... extension of his spine. Surely his balance had to be wonderful. "Quiet impressive, Kurt." She let her hands rest in her lap in front of her. She wondered what it would be like to have a skill such as teleportation, to actually physically be able to experience something.. like that from the 'gift' you had been given. However her skills were far different from his. "It's a shame I wasn't here earlier but it's better late than never." She was finding his company favorable. "How has everything been going since your return?" She was hoping that he found the place welcoming.

[nightcrawler]

Kurt wasn't a creature of pride, but like all, he did enjoy praise when it was given to him. When he was a youth in the circus, he had been one of the star attractions and not of the freak show kind, but a star under the big top. In there his appearance meant nothing and everyone cheered for the amazing Nightcrawler, something he wished he could have carried over into the real world. Of course, things were never perfect, but here at the Institute he found that little piece of solace he had been looking for and now with his return, that solace was slowly coming back.

"I haven't been able to speak to any of my old freunde," he said, stopping there and smiling, "Sorry......I mean my...." he began again, sighing and then looking to the ground as if searching for a word which eluded him, then looking back up with a triumphant grin once he found that particular word, "ah, my friends I believe the vord is," he said giving a nervous chuckle, "Anyvay, my stay so far has been as enjoyable as the last," he said taking his seat beside Bella once again. "If you do not mind my asking fräulein, but what ability are you gifted with?," he asked her, making polite small talk, but worrying if he might be overstepping his boundries.

[belladonna]

She kept a genuine smile on her face as he had trouble trying to think of the right word, friend.. She liked to hear his thick accent and she didn't mind as he stumbled over some sentences. "I'm glad. I haven't seen you much and I was wondering if everything was going alright. Of course you're not really new to the school but I was intimidated the first time I came." She let her voice trail off, that story not really being relevant and it was more of a statement anyway.

He asked her about her abilities and her thoughts kind of swam in her head. Alright, she had an up-side and down-side view of her condition. Concerning the first matter, she did find it to be quiet useful, especially when it came to self defense. And on the later the whole 'I leak out poison through my body.', gave her the image of a toad. Well, no matter it was something she had gotten used to. "My body produces and releases poison.. at will." She stated that simply making sure that he knew she wasn't venomous to the mere touch.. I mean not unless she wished to be. She didn't want him to shy away from her because of that and though it was foolish to assume that it was a sort of natural defense, even if he was tailed and blue. "I am sorry but I don't really have any neat tricks to show you that are really safe." She gave a light shrug and let that slide, trying to be a little humorous on the subject. "My body is effected by that so I do have immunity to poisons and I heal quickly." She didn't think coming out and saying, 'Guess how old I am' was very charming.

She turned her face and body towards him more and shook a black strand of thick hair out of her face. "Are you going to be staying for a while?" And before she thought about it, not wanting to seem to pressing, "I mean, I hope you are." She gave a slight laugh and glanced away as she felt that slight warm feeling threatening to creep upon her cheeks.

[nightcrawler]

Kurt listened intently as Bella explained her ability to him, finding it strange and fascinating all at the same time. Kurt was certainly in no position to judge anyone, not that he would anyway, after all, when you were blue and fuzzy that kinda put a damper on things. He was glad to hear that she could control her mutation, after all, going through life without being able to touch someone would have to be terrible. This thought made him think of Rogue for a brief moment and smile softly before shaking his head and putting his mind back where it belonged, in this conversation.

"Our gifts are vat ve make of them fräulein," he said referring to their mutations as gifts for the second time, "Even the smallest of us are capable of great things," he added reassuringly, smiling genuinly now, regretting his showboating a bit now. Of course, this regret was quickly jerked away from him and replaced by another wave of nervousness. Bella had actually said she "hoped" he was staying, as if she was really enjoying his company. Did she find him this pleasent to be around? "I plan to stay as long as needed," he said with a weak and suprised smile, as if he were still going over Bella's statement in his head.

[belladonna]

Her words seem to have him caught up in thoughts.. somewhere else. And then his comment about their gifts were what they made of them, well that made her feel a bit ashamed that she had felt inclined to cover up her abilities, sometimes nothing more than curses they were.

Well, as long as he was needed.. Couldn't the question be answered more defined than that? Perhaps not but she hoped that he wouldn't disappear just as quickly as he had appeared. "If.. and when you do leave, I expect you to give me fair warning and a proper farewell." She spoke softly but she meant it. Bella had a tendency to get close to people, or if the right answer was, she got attached to people - at least those she found to be pleasant company.

She stood up and smoothed out the end of her dress. "Would you care to walk with me?" She didn't see any reason to keep sitting here, especially when he fidgeted at times. And besides given the kind of person/mutant he was he seemed to feel more comfortable moving. "I mean if you have the time. If you don't, I understand." Since when did Isabella feel like she was asking/imposing on a man.. like she couldn't get what she wanted? Perhaps it was the simple fact that she wouldn't try to use him to get what she wanted. It was relatively easy and something she had caught herself doing way back in her past. Usually she held alot of confidence in herself when interacting with men - though usually none of them really grabbed her attention quiet like Kurt had.

[nightcrawler]

Kurt had answered Bella as best he could, not knowing himself when and if he would leave. So many things had latched onto him at once last time that he had seen no other way to handle those problems than by leaving some behind and focusing on the ones that seemed the most pressing. His life had never been easy and no matter how well those here at the institute may treat him, he knew it would never be easy. However, now that Kurt had found the answers to his questions, or at least to a few of them, he was back for a good while, seeing as how the most pressing and intriguing question was so near and close by. "I vill not leave unless I have properly bid you farevell fräulein," he said with a smile, offering her more reassurance.

"A valk by your side vould be wunderbar," he said, mixing his languages together once again, something the he found made it a bit easier to speak English more fluently. Kurt rose to his feet and true to his reputation of being a gentleman, he offered Bella his arm, having no doubt that she would take it, after all, she didn't seem to mind his appearance, nor had she recoiled from his once since meeting him.

[belladonna]

Bella's smile broadened as he gave her the assurance that he would not simply leave and leave her hanging. "That's good to know." She gave a nod of her head, kind of a silent agreement that she was going to hold him to his word.

As he stood up and answered her she pieced together his response. After all she had spent some time in Germany, not enough to become a fluent speaker and even now almost all words and their meanings escape her. He offered her his arm and she gladly accepted it, stepping up beside of him and taking hold of it, not minding the closeness they had or noticing the fact she slipped up closer to him than she did others. She responded to him politely, wanting to let him know his generous actions were appreciated, "Thank you Kurt. You're a real gentleman and desired company. I am sure that later on once everyone finds out you are back that the time I will be able to see you will be limited." She gave him a smile, letting him know that it seemed he had a reputation and one that she clearly thought he deserved.

[nightcrawler]

Kurt had always had a certain particular set of rules when it came to women and he adheared to them strictly. Women, to Kurt, were to be placed on a pedastal and admired, given the utmost attention and praise. Maybe it was just he ways of the old country within him or perhaps he had heard too many stories about swashbuckling pirates as a child. Either way, Kurt held a special sort of respect for women, regardless of their personality.

He walked slowly, no particular destination in mind, and allowed Bella to set the pace, letting her know she was in charge just as much as he was. Her comment about his free time was all too true, as he found his good nature and his faith a magnet for those with problems and while he did not mind offering his advice when he could, it did take up almost all his free time. "Rest assured fräulein, I vill alvays have time to devote to you if you desire it," he said giving Bella a side glance and a soft smile, "be it day or night," he added letting her know that he was there whenever she needed him, hoping she would take his words to heart, for Kurt never spoke anything without truely meaning it.

[belladonna]

Bella walked slowly at his side, appearing to admire the surroundings when in actuality she was probably just hoping to prolong her time with him. And his words made her blush, especially when he mentioned even being available for her during the night. It was foolish to be flustered by something so casual and innocent but it had been a long time since she had late.. company.

"It would be a pleasure.. Anytime you wanted to see me or had the time to. I just don't want to intrude." And she of course didn't want to bother him or interrupt anything he may be caught up in at the moment. Perhaps he would continue to find her and that would be fine with her. His words had been flattering but she didn't know if he spoke to all ladies this way or if she was an exception. After all everyone else seemed to want to call on him so freely.. "I'm really easy to find. I'll show you which room I stay in that way if you want to you can visit me there too. And time isn't really a factor for me either. I have some nights were I hardly get any sleep at all, so I wont mind if you keep me company."

She wanted to ask him more about.. himself but she didn't know just how far her curiosity was welcomed. Besides she had already laid out a bunch of questions, options, comments for him there. Well maybe not direct questions but comments in which she wanted to review the reactions of.

She looked over at Kurt and smiled at him warmly. He was ... different, but perhaps that's what made him so special. No, well.. actually it was. But it didn't have anything to do with outward appearance, it was his personality.