I want to help

Posted on Tue Jul 18th, 2023 @ 10:03 by Claire Cavendish & Kaylee Ashton BSc

Chapter: All Hallow's Eve
Location: Multiple
Timeline: Monday 25th of October 1992
2403 words - 4.8 OF Standard Post Measure

On:

Walking through the castle, Kaylee was determined to find Claire and speak with her. After hearing what had happened at the train station from both the students and staff that were there, and hearing Claire’s press release, Kaylee had decided to step up and offer her assistance. She wasn’t certain, but she had a feeling that these knights that had been summoned were members of the faculty and if that turned out to be true, then that could point her towards possible training partners.

Claire's stomach grumbled loudly, it was already well into the afternoon but with all the concerned people vying for her attention she hadn't had the time to sit down and have proper lunch. She could hardly remember what breakfast she had, then started to wonder if there had been any breakfast at all. It was in this rumination that she turned the corner out of the corridor that led to her office and immediately bumped into someone. Staggering back to keep her balance she immediately launched into apologies, "I'm sorry, so sorry. I wasn't paying any attention. Daydreaming." Her mind caught up and she realised that it was one of the faculty that she had encountered. "Miss Ashton, how are you?"

Steadying herself, Kaylee quickly turned to make sure Claire was alright before responding, “I’m fine thanks. Um, actually, there’s something I want to talk to you about” she said before taking a quick look around to see who was nearby. Taking a step closer to Claire, Kaylee lent in so she could whisper to her if needed, “I want to help the next time a giant robot attacks. I don’t know who these knights of yours are, but I feel it that I could be of more help out there then in here” she said quietly, hoping she hadn’t just made a huge mistake.

Kaylee had seen Claire’s press conference she’d done in response to some accusations that had been leveled against the school and between that and what she’d overheard from some of the other staff members, mainly Cam, Kaylee wanted to do more to help protect this little sanctuary Claire had worked so hard for.

"Knights?" Claire her reflexive response was to deny. She was rarely seen in action due to the fact that this was exactly what she was good for in the field, getting in and out unseen. But with the larger group that wasn't a luxury they had anymore. "Join me for lunch?" With that the head mistress started in the direction of the kitchen, she was sure there was still some leftovers from lunch, or perhaps an early peak into dinner. As long as they were able to navigate around Valjean. He was a good cook and cafeteria manager, but he wasn't really used to how things were conducted in the institute.

Following Claire towards the kitchen, Kaylee started to get a little hesitant after her last encounter with the French Chef, “um, are you sure the kitchen is the best option? Valjean seems rather overprotective of his kitchen. Like I put some cheese into his fridge because there wasn’t room in the staff room fridge and he got rather annoyed by my actions”

"I think we're good." Claire looked over her shoulder with a bit of a smile, "cheese, huh, was it the fact that it wasn't the right brand or age? Or did he just object to you taking up space in his pantry?" She knew that the staff room fridge was getting slightly too small for the needs of the expanding staff. She'd have to look into finding some room in the budget for an extra one, or an extra large one.

"He objected to me taking up space in his fridge" Kaylee replied as she hesitantly followed Claire into the kitchen.

The two of them stepped into the kitchen and saw Valjean still dealing with the fallout of lunch, all five of him. There was one with a chef's hat that turned at the sound of someone entering the kitchen. His face seemed all ready to launch into a tirade to the person intruding into his professional space but when he spotted the head mistress it immediately softened. "Mon coeur, 'ave you forgotten to eat again?" Then a puzzled frown as he looked at the woman that was by her side. "Your cheese is still safe, miss Ashton."

"Thank you Valjean, I promise I'll take it out as soon as I can" Kaylee said as she took a small step towards Claire so that she was between the two of them. She wouldn't admit it, but this French chef did intimidate her a little.

Claire looked askance and couldn't help but pull one corner of her mouth inward, self conscious of the fact that she had to take much better care of herself. "Do you still have something set aside?"

"Dinner for one?" Valjean looked at Kaylee to determine whether or not she was expecting some sort of food to be served for her as well.

Seeing Valjean indirectly address her, Kaylee gave a nervous shrug, “if you have anything left over that’s still good I’ll be happy to take it off your hands, but only if you have something already made. Please don’t go to any trouble on my account”

Valjean's eyes narrowed a bit at that, there were several comments he held back in the presence of Claire. The narrowed dour look turned into a bit of a smile, which didn't seem to fit with the man's features or reputation. "I'm a chef, how much trouble could preparing a meal be?"

Claire was well aware of the fact that she was getting preferential treatment from the French chef on account of their history and she just stepped forward to pad his shoulder, "Just keep it simple. We'll share." A gentle caress before moving away towards the door that led from the kitchen to the dining hall. "I'll be at my table." It wasn't something that was set aside or reserved for her, but in times like these she always had a preference for a particular table and it had occurred enough that Valjean knew exactly where that would be.

The two women sat down at the table and after a short moment Valjean, sans chef's hat, came out to offer them water and taking their drink orders. The place was nothing like a restaurant but the chef seemed insistent on giving that service to the head mistress. After a long drink of the water Claire focused back on Kaylee, "So. What exactly did you want to discuss?"

Taking a deep breath, Kaylee clenched her fists under the table to try and keep her nerve before starting, “I want to help defend the institute. From what I heard, that last time when the school went into lockdown was because of a giant robot attacking the station. I’m not certain, but I believe these ‘knights’ you called to gather in response are fellow faculty members. I’m not telling you this to try and curry some kind of favour or anything, I just want to help if I can”

"When we first met one of the reasons you stated for wanting to be here was to gain control over your powers." Claire didn't like sidelining people, especially when they were this motivated because it usually mean they would feel disenfranchised and be more easily persuaded by the likes of Robin Hood and his Sherwood Rangers. "I don't want to risk our friends' safety in a situation where we have to rely on each other to be able to manifest their powers at the exact right time." She picked up her glass of water again and then narrowed in on her actual question. "So, what's changed?"

“When I got here, this place was a sanctuary from all the problems out there for people like us. Then that robot attacked and threatened everything you’ve built here. Although he didn’t tell me anything, Cam’s change in attitude immediately after the attack told me that it was far more serious than just some random event. I know I haven’t been here all that long, and I’m probably sounding like a crazed conspiracy theorist, but if my suspicions are correct I want to do more then shepard children” Kaylee explained

"I know our situation has changed." Claire didn't want to insist on grilling her about her personal abilities and struggles with controlling them, and before she could Valjean came walking out with two plates of food and a second Valjean soon followed with glasses as a pitcher of water. "Merci."

"De rien." the two Valjeans mumbled in unison.

When the two of them turned to leave Claire focused back on Kaylee, "but what has changed in your personal situation that makes you think you wouldn't be a liability in a high stress, maybe even combat, environment?"

"well even a glass cannon is useful at least once. Perhaps I could receive some training from someone here to prove what i'm capable of. I'm sure I won't be a burden if I can only get a chance"

Claire wasn't keen on fighting, and teaching people how to fight was never on her priority list for the institute. So it was difficult for her to admit that they might need it. That they might need any and all willing faculty to step up and be able to defend themselves and the students if push came to shove. "I'm sure you will try your best, but a glass canon can also create a lot of shrapnel that's indiscriminate in its target." She pushed a bit more to make sure the woman on the other end of the table knew exactly what she was getting herself into, and where the head mistress' hesitation was coming from. "When you came here I promised you we'd work with you to develop your control over your abilities, that promise still stands." She skewered one of the fried potatoes onto her fork. "If that shows promise I'm sure we could use someone of your particular skill set on the team."

Taking a deep breath in, Kaylee nodded, "alright, where do we start? Early morning runs? weight training? Dodging wrenches?" she asked, starting to understand where Claire was coming from.

Regretting your decisions now aren't you Snowflake? If you had simply embraced who you were rather then rejecting yourself, the Headmisstress would accepted you onto her secret team without hesitation Kaylee's other half said to her mockingly.

The suggestions thrown out by Kaylee caught Claire a bit off guard, while it was good to be in good shape not all abilities were dependant on that. As for the wrench dodging, that came out of nowhere. "I'm sure we can find something less likely to permanently injure you." She continued to eat, sat up straight and properly taking modest bites that allowed her to continue to talk in between bites. "We'll have to tap into what exactly drives your powers, the control of them comes from within." The head mistress seemed to contemplate that for a moment. "Though, I'm sure someone like Phoebe is much better equipped to train that particular aspect."

Giving a sigh of relief, Kaylee nodded, “alright, that sounds like a promising start. Thank you for giving me this chance. I promise I won’t let you down”

Look at you little miss pacifist, getting all trained up for war. It almost brings a tear to my eye Kaylee’s other half taunted. If Kaylee hadn’t have known better, it would’ve sounded almost like her other half was proud of her.

“So, when do you want me to start? Oh and I have a few ideas for an outfit”

"Phoebe is handling the gear, you may want to talk to her about that." Claire had been hesitant to give the green light for 'uniforms'. It made the whole thing a bit more real, sanctioned even. It took away some of the plausible deniability they might have, but then again they had come out and announced themselves to the public already. "She might already be calling in favours, so you might want to be quick about it as well. As for training." Another potato stabbed onto her fork, "All day, every day." A wink to indicate that wasn't completely true.

Kaylee gave a half smile, “yea that sounds good, 8 hours of teaching followed by two hours of training, plus extra long sessions on weekends. Well, it sounds like I need to play catch up anyway so why not train every day”

Claire smiled a bit at that, she didn't quite mean it so literally. "The teaching is also a great way to learn. Look at how all these people around here manage their abilities. How they realise it's a good thing, a force of creation and healing." She took a careful sip of her drink and leaned forward a bit as if to share a secret, "besides, I think come winter the kids would love a place to ice skate."

Giving a content sigh, Kaylee’s smile widened a little. She could tell that Claire was trying her best to make her feel better, and she was definitely succeeding. “Well then, should I just wait for you to contact me about when our training sessions starts?”

"We'll make plans, get in touch with Phoebe about a proper uniform. We need to be sure that we're all well protected after all." Claire finished her drink and continued her meal. "Did you ever read any works on zen Buddhism?"

Kaylee shook her head, “no I can’t say that I have. Theology and Mythology aren’t exactly my area of expertise. Like, I know some of the basics from European religions, Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, and The Abrahamic faiths, but I’m not as familiar with the eastern religions”

"It's more a philosophical tradition than religion. There are some parts that might help us gain control over some aspects of our powers." Having finished the meal Claire sat back and looked at the woman across from her. "One step at a time, we'll get there. Don't feel like you need to run a marathon your second week here."