archivedbluefuzzball

[archivedbluefuzzball]

With Azalea safely in for the night and that particular worry off his mind, Kurt waited for the payment to be processed and quickly scribbled down his number on the first piece of available paper. "In case you or her need to get in touch - especially if those men are hanging about again" he explained quietly, "and thank you so much for your generosity - I'm sure she'll be incredibly grateful for the bed."

With one more nod of gratitude the young man ducked back out into the streets and began walking, grimacing at the slight drizzle that worked through his fur and clothing. Joy of joys, it was looking to be one of those nights. Still, he was happy enough from the evening's work not to find too much complaint with the chill and, turning his collar up against the strengthening wind, he disappeared with a soft bamf.

It was late morning by the time the X-Man reappeared in the hotel's run-down lobby. Having waited for the nearest stores to open in order to pick up a change of clothes for the woman (of course he'd had to rely on guesswork with sizing but he liked to think he had a decent enough memory) he'd opted to give her as long a lie-in as possible. With a stretch and yawn - for he still hadn't found time to sleep yet - the mutant opted to loiter as casually as possible in the hopes she would turn up.

[Bluefuzzball] "How long has it been since you last slept?"

"Uh…I don’t- I don’t know." She answered with a sigh. It was true, she really didn’t remember. "Do ya count like a half-hour here and there?" She asked sheepishly.

[archivedbluefuzzball]

Making a mental note to stop off and get her a change of clothes before visiting again, Kurt had to admit to being taken aback by the sudden hug. It wasn't so much that he didn't like them (on the contrary: the German was a very affectionate man) so much that he wanted to be as considerate as possible considering whatever unpleasant memories the thugs outside might have brought up for Azalea. 

Fortunately the X-Man didn't need to worry long before she had stepped back and started talking again; he continued to smile, voice low and soft. "I shouldn't have thought so, miss - they'd not risk coming inside. On the rare offchance something does happen though, I'll leave my number with the desk and you can call me any time, ja?"

[Bluefuzzball] "How long has it been since you last slept?"

"Uh…I don’t- I don’t know." She answered with a sigh. It was true, she really didn’t remember. "Do ya count like a half-hour here and there?" She asked sheepishly.

[archivedbluefuzzball]

Relief once again evident on the young man's face at the assertion of her safety, the mutant hardly needed to consider the generous offer before he was nodding enthusiastically, prehensile tail waving in a feline manner. "Not a word" he affirmed, drawing a finger across his lips before Azalea appeared nearby.

"Everything's just fine" he explained casually, "I just wanted to ask this gentleman about a couple of things regarding where I'm meant to be heading to next and he was kind enough to give me a few pointers." 

Well alright it was a white lie he supposed, but already Kurt had come to understand his new friend was unused to companionship or help of any kind and so didn't want to pressure her with feeling like she needed to thank him for anything. Glowing eyes drifted briefly about the room before settling on her again and his grin softened. "So, you have everything you need? If you're missing anything I can drop it off with you in the morning...?"

[Bluefuzzball] "How long has it been since you last slept?"

"Uh…I don’t- I don’t know." She answered with a sigh. It was true, she really didn’t remember. "Do ya count like a half-hour here and there?" She asked sheepishly.

[archivedbluefuzzball]

A small smile and tilt of the head served as confirmation enough that Kurt would be happy enough to visit again in the morning, not that it would be long now all considered: it was getting late. Once the young woman had disappeared to check her room, the blue-furred mutant allowed a sigh of relief he'd been dying to utter all night and set glowing eyes upon the other man. His own smile didn't fade in spite of the others' severity. This was a good man and to the best of his knowledge everything was as good as settled.

"No, there should be no trouble" he explained, keeping the card between his fingers as he spoke, "you had a few less than polite young men hanging around the front who it seems she knows but with luck they won't be coming around here again. If it helps at all I can give you a contact number in case of trouble, because I was actually wondering if I could...extend her stay a little." It wasn't usually done, but as far from New York as he was there was no chance he could offer to let her crash at the mansion until their missions were over and even then she could hardly appreciate the idea of being uprooted to another city. "I don't really know how long would be a good idea. A week perhaps? just so she has somewhere to go until I can help her with a better solution." Kurt slid the card across the desk again, conscious now of Azalea returning at any moment.

[Bluefuzzball] "How long has it been since you last slept?"

"Uh…I don’t- I don’t know." She answered with a sigh. It was true, she really didn’t remember. "Do ya count like a half-hour here and there?" She asked sheepishly.

[archivedbluefuzzball]

It came as no surprise to find that the man behind the desk was none too welcoming; considering the heated tensions between mutants and men it was probably a risk to be seen as too accommodating to someone so obviously different.

"Ja, ja - I'll be out of your hair anyway, the room's not for me" Kurt murmured distractedly as he hunted through jacket pockets for his wallet. He glanced briefly to Azalea and shot her a comforting grin before approaching to the desk, handing over one of the Institute's credit cards. He gave the man a long look throughout the casual exchange, hopeful he would pick up on the signal enough to wait for further instructions later. "My friend here will be no trouble I'm sure, you've got nothing to worry about."

Turning to Azalea once more, he considered several possible options for words to say, but decided that, all being as it was, he should be considerate enough to forgo humor. "If that's all, I'll probably get back to work and let you settle in. I don't want to get in your way, but if you like I can always drop back and see you in the morning?" 

[Bluefuzzball] "How long has it been since you last slept?"

"Uh…I don’t- I don’t know." She answered with a sigh. It was true, she really didn’t remember. "Do ya count like a half-hour here and there?" She asked sheepishly.

[archivedbluefuzzball]

"A wise decision - even if you’re missing out on some of my best material” the blue mutant chuckled. His tail pulled one of the chairs in the room nearer and the young man settled back, expression turning thoughtful. “I suppose it’s just been a busy time” he mused, “what with everything being as it is around here, we don’t always get a lot of downtime…How have you been keeping, anyway?”

[Bluefuzzball] "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?"

“Kurt…..Ah’m sorry, but yah ain’t bein’ funny.”

[archivedbluefuzzball]

It was a refreshing change to face a stranger who actually listened to his advice, let alone an off-worlder. Pleasantly surprised to find his previously dubious company shaping up into something much more civilised, the blue-furred mutant bared his fangs in a wider grin and nodded enthusiastically.  "Tea can be arranged easily enough. I dare say other drinks wouldn't be a problem either, but perhaps not this early in the day, ja? I'd prefer if we could have at least some sober discourse. Now then, let's get you out the front. Fortunately I know a faster way. Hold on-"

Giving XI another good-natured look, the teleporter offered little chance for the Time Lord to object before he caught the stranger's wrist. With a dull bamf and implosion of smoke, the pair disappeared from the room only to turn up by the steps to the mansion itself.

Trespasser

[archivedbluefuzzball]

It was becoming increasingly obvious that this was a tactical stalemate neither mutant was willing to back down from, and Kurt had to hand it to the trespasser that his tactical thinking was along similar lines. Neither man appeared willing to budge yet both were keen to needle their opponent into making that first move: it strengthened the young man's resolve not to break first though he was keenly aware that too many empty threats hurled Victor's way could lead to a sense of boredom. He couldn't take the chance.

With this in mind Kurt allowed himself to appear agitated by the comments - words cast his way too many times prior to deal any real damage - and offered a sneer, fur bristling by instinct. He moved no more than a foot down the wall, however; enough, he hoped, to keep interest. "I'd not go questioning things you know nothing about - the only monster here is you. Now, do I need to show you the door or do you think you're clever enough to find your way back home from all the way out here?"

It wasn't as though he was oblivious to his shortcomings in the event of an actual fight, either. Even if his only function tonight would be to stall Sabertooth long enough to render all murderous intentions too risky or for someone far more proficient in dealing with this kind of situation to arrive, he wasn't going to let the much larger mutant simply breeze past without giving him a run for his money.

The mutant’s passage from moored poise to dynamic readiness bore the halmarks of one influenced by his silver tongue. His crippling vowel annunciation aside, his knack for hint dropping and slipping in the right, reaction prompting word at the best possible occasion was a skill honed over the course of decades spent manipulating those around him. It enabled him to achieve his goals through exploiting the weaknesses of his various opponents. Victor had yet to find the teleporter’s one vunerability. But he hadn’t given up yet.

Absorbing the snappy threat hurled his way, Creed took the remark about being dropped in the forest and joined it with mocking commentary targeting his host’s piety, “Look at ya, elf. Supposed man of god an’ here you are threatenin’ to drop me from a height.” Curling his fingers, he laid then against his chest, feiging noncompliance. Contriving whispers once again dropping from a crooning mouth, the savage continued to antagonise Kurt. ”Certainly don’t sound like th’ actions of any devotee I know!”

Employing his usual brand of belittling phrases he reserved for the uncanny team of heroes, he intended to tempt a good man to take up arms. To really rile him up, without making the first, physical move himself. Because, an enlivened foe quick to attack, especially one that could cover vast distances with ease, was a target easily dealt with. “You ain’t nuthin’ but a brimstone devil, boy! A monster, jus’ like me!”

[archivedbluefuzzball]

It had worked at the very least, much to Kurt's chagrin. The intimidation tactics undermined what he worked so often to try and disprove but watching the men run now only affirmed in the mutant that some kinds of man responded only to violence and threat. It was just a shame he had to rely on it, looking as he did.

The young man calmed quickly in the silence that came swiftly on the heels of the retreating gang, and tensed muscles relaxed to allow Kurt to drop the act altogether and switch his focus to Azalea. The poor girl had been scared enough simply thinking about going near the men; he could only imagine what the confrontation might do to her but was thankful it had been swift at least. If they were any kind of smart, the thugs wouldn't be back again.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, only to find her already muttering and pleading to get indoors. "Of course: the sidewalk isn't much fun anyway"

With an offered hand and gentle direction, the German mutant led his newest companion inside the building and eyed it critically. It was no Ritz of course, but could be far worse; it was ultimately superior to a night on the streets and clean at least. "Right, I'll get this all sorted and you can have a nice evening at least. Goodness knows you deserve it."

[Bluefuzzball] "How long has it been since you last slept?"

"Uh…I don’t- I don’t know." She answered with a sigh. It was true, she really didn’t remember. "Do ya count like a half-hour here and there?" She asked sheepishly.

[archivedbluefuzzball]

"Well, perhaps I can see fit to be merciful just this once, fraulein...on the condition you still let me cheer you up, of course. Come on - it's been a while since I've been able to just spend a bit of time with you!"

[Bluefuzzball] "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?"

“Kurt…..Ah’m sorry, but yah ain’t bein’ funny.”

[archivedbluefuzzball]

"Do you think that's possible?"

The mutant hadn't actually come to consider that an option; keeping up the college-kid facade was difficult when he had so many pressing questions to ask the young man he'd been sent to see. He pursed his lips in thought but said nothing else for a few moments, his own thoughts taking over. This could well be worse than he'd thought if they weren't only spreading misinformation, but hate as well. "I guess we can only hope whoever it is has more interest in the facts" Kurt mused quietly, "I'd hate to be stuck in...well, any hate lecture, really. I'm here for the science."

The new guys

[archivedbluefuzzball]

Let us get the ball rolling, shall we? Reblog if you happen to be a Marvel or X-Men Rp blog

It’s as simple as that.

[archivedbluefuzzball]

"Well, it seems age has done little for your manners-"

"- but it's your funeral..."

[Bluefuzzball] “Clearly we need to set a few rules. Rule number one: You will not touch anything.”

“ Don’t patronize me—boy! I’ve been around for nearly two millennium! I can touch what I damned well please! ”

[archivedbluefuzzball]

"Oh come on, nothing? tell me what a man has to do to get a laugh nowadays!

Careful or I'll bring out the big puns"

[Bluefuzzball] "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?"

“Kurt…..Ah’m sorry, but yah ain’t bein’ funny.”

[archivedbluefuzzball]

As Creed talked, Kurt was quick to take what time he was given to start applying what he'd been taught in the Institute: assessing the situation and finding his advantage. Sabretooth was big, ruthless and certainly more than capable of snapping him in half; the only things on his side were the speed advantage and the hope that if things got nasty he could force the man into making mistakes. Trying anything alone would be risky, but it was hardly as though he had a choice.

Well Logan, you'll be disappointed you missed out on this one.

The palpable threat didn't go unchecked by Nightcrawler, whose hackles rose instantly to think that the fellow was so bold as to believe he could simply wander in on a whim and attack the students. It he thought it was such a simple task it was certainly worrying to consider what this might mean in a broader context but right now he needed to keep focused and get the man as far from the Institute as possible. The mutant returned Sabretooth's feral grin with one of his own, shifting his weight imperceptibly in case of a need to jump. 

"Well, I'm just glad I got your attention" he replied with forced calm, refusing as yet to make any sort of aggressive move unless provoked, "anyway I don't get many nights free at all which is why it's such an inconvenience, meine herren." Oh how he enjoyed stressing the words. "Don't worry though: I can make a special exception just for you. Unless you fancy a fun trip into the woods from several stories up, however, I'd recommend you reschedule and try again next week."

Creed ignored the mutant teleporter’s witticism and simply held up his large arms in mock surrender, the unsubtle ripple of coiled power entrenched within demonstrating in no small terms that he was more than capable of scaling the wall and plucking the elf from his perch. Sardonically, he mused; “Thought you X-Men weren’t accustomed t’ nights off. Must not be doin’ enough killin’ if ya can talk in so free terms. Frankly, I’m a bit insulted.” Lips curling back to show off dagger-like canines, it was the blond savage’s turn to acquire a wry smile, and in that same action, his intentions this night became abundantly clear; Creed had come to kill one of the X-Men.

[archivedbluefuzzball]

"Well that puts my soul at rest" Kurt snorted, lips quirking into a wry smirk as he continued to observe the other mutant from his vantage point. Though he didn't particularly want to risk getting in the larger man's way, there was no chance he was going to just ignore this activity. Still, never miss a chance for banter even if it was with a man with a shorter fuse than he, "Please tell me you're just collecting the laundry or something: I was promised a night off for once."

"Could be I have an agenda t’ keep. Or, put in more accurate terms, got a task what needs doin’. “

[archivedbluefuzzball]

It wasn't often Kurt's patience was stretched to its limits, but he had somebody to protect and a promise to keep: these men seemed unwilling to back down at a simple show of skill and if he continued stalling there was going to be trouble.

The threat was given little heed but to take better note of everyone's locations - most importantly Azalea's - and he wasted no time. Tucking his tail in tightly to avoid the knife causing unwanted damage, Nightcrawler narrowed his eyes in warning at the man beneath him before-

bamf

- he was stood between the young woman and her aggressor, swinging a solid right hook at the stranger's scarred jaw. It wasn't often he employed intimidation tactics to get rid of people because often they only confirmed what he worked so hard to disprove, but some kinds of men simply needed force. "Go now, all of you!"

[Bluefuzzball] "How long has it been since you last slept?"

"Uh…I don’t- I don’t know." She answered with a sigh. It was true, she really didn’t remember. "Do ya count like a half-hour here and there?" She asked sheepishly.