WELCOME TO NEXUS.

[//Professor X]

[CF: New York, The Boroughs: "An artists return"]

Xavier had slipped into his hoverchair shortly after they'd arrived at the mansion and the limo had rolled off back to its company. Not that he didn't trust Piotr to continue performing admirably, but there was no need to make the man feel obligated to keep the Professor company for that reason. Besides, he enjoyed a measure of autonomy himself; especially with how easily situations developed that required his immediate attention.

"...as I mentioned previously," Xavier looked down the length of the hallway before them at the small crowd slowly flowing out of the living area lead by Jean herself, "given recent events, for the students' safety, we have transferred all students and faculty from the Massachusetts Academy to the Mansion. I believe Jean still has several vacancies in the course schedule if you are interested in participating. We all have skills or characteristics that would benefit the younger mutants in the charging world." A carry over from what the Professor had explained in the limo on their ride back to the mansion.

He'd stopped there to watch the tour slip away, not wanting to interrupt the flow Jean had managed to put together, and now turned his attention to the Russian nearby. "There is something you could help me with, PIotr. Cerebro is currently in the middle of an upgrade," the Professor began to explain before he smiled at an unspoken thought. "Both Beast and Forge are currently engaged elsewhere, so it is coming along slowly. I would appreciate if you could make sure no one wanders in there needlessly? It is a very delicate piece of machinery and it can also be quite dangerous to those that are not careful of its power. You do not need to stand guard by the door, of course; the room is currently locked, but if you could listen for anyone thinking about using it and warning them it would be appreciated." Too simple for redemption? Perhaps, but then Xavier wasn't trying to balance the scales between favors and perceived slights. Piotr's task was one between himself and those residing in the mansion; the Professor, himself, was always willing to overlook the past if someone was genuinely interested in charging themselves for the better going forward.

The mirth subdued a bit as Xavier turned his head forward; he reached up and touched his temple lightly as he focused on what was happening below. "It appears our months of peace have ended. Scott is tending to matters," he breathed. Unfortunate things couldn't remain peaceful longer. It'd given them breathing room for a short time; much needed after what had happened. "What about you, Piotr?" His fingers had fallen from his temple, the Professor turned back to the Russian, "Is there someone you are interested in meeting first? I believe Kitty was here not long ago." Charles could detect the residual trace of the woman in the area, and she would hopefully be the most friendly face the man could hope to see now.

[Tessa Niles]

[CF: Originality]

So far the experience that Sage had returning to the mansion was perhaps sketchy as best. She heeded not the idle threats of either Logan or Scott as such was not necessary. Some of the people here suffered greatly from lack of perspective and insight on the greater scheme of things focusing on the more trivial questions such as "Should i kick her out?" not questions such as "What could we possibly benefit from having her here?" . Charles was her mentor, teacher, professor, tutor long before any of them were ever labeled with whatever codename was given to them. However, that very well meant that those who were here in the beginning, like Scott, were also suffering from many things, including no real ideals or goals; fore, they were following Charles, as she did for so long, and not their own. Such revelations would being up the question in regards to what were her own goals; fore, they surely did not all fall in line with Charles'. Her goal was simple, and that was to show all of those who are inflicted with the illusion of grandeur and a severe case of superiority complexes that all was not as they perceived it to be, she was not as they perceived her to be. Rome was not built in a day, nor were the many people in here going to accept her for who she was, let alone bother to ask in just a day. Thus, was also the reason she had quite an extensive amount of patience as time was always of an essence, even when one has plenty of it as they did not.

Her mind was inaccessible to any and all telepaths in this mansion, including Charles, because of the simple logic behind moving freely amongst those who consider her to be their enemy. Fore, regardless of how inaccurate such was it did not eliminate her following her own defensive protocols, something she did nowadays out of sheer habit. She moved quietly down the hall and would have walked right into the visual path of Charles Xavier, the one man she had been looking for all of this time. He had not changed much since she had last seen him, and despite all that had happened with the Hellfire Club she did the best she could, and not even the professor could say otherwise. He asked her to be his eyes and ears; therefore, she was just that and nothing more or less than that. It was not her place to save Jean or Betsy, but she went out of her way to try anyway and only managed to truly save one of them, even when it was not her job to do so; fore, saving Jean would have been the job of the X-Men, and not hers. Perhaps those in the mansion who did not have the mind to evaluate things and assess properly would eventually come to their senses. However, not all was lost as she dismissed a lot of the easier negativity that she could have dwelled on. She wanted to be apart of something, the something that Charles denied her to be, which was to be an ever long dream to belong to this team.

"It is such a wonderful thing to see you again Charles." Tessa said upon approach with the smile that she was not renowned for displaying. She, being a woman of tact and courtesy, then shifted her eyes to Colossus with the same smile gracing her face. He was, indeed, a tall one and she could only guess what his abilities were deciding not to read them. Such would have been a waste of her talents that she deemed necessary of using only when it was truly needed more so than not. It was with an outstretched hand that she introduced herself "Hello, I am Tessa. You can also call me Sage if such is more suitable for you." she told him. There was a lot going on within the mansion and she did not want to linger around without any purpose or motivation to achieve any particular goal. It was why she, after introductions, went straight to the point in regards to her making such a sudden return and she knew that there were many who would object to her being here. However, as she had so clearly stated earlier was that she was here for Charles, and no one else. "It has been a long time since we last spoke, and I've been lingering around this world long enough without any true purpose. In any case, such is why I have come here to assist you and all here in any way I can. I find it hardly a case of my returning being a coincident. This is where I first started." she said.

This post has been edited by Tessa Niles on Jul 24 2012, 12:47 AM

[CT_Colossus]

***CMF: An Artists return***

Here he was sitting next to the man who had helped inspire him in the decision to leave home so that he could help him achieve his vision. He listened very attentively interested in hearing what may have happened at the mansion. It was interesting some of the things he said, and Piotr felt a little more daunted because of the mention of students. The trip from the city to the mansion wasn’t very long but it felt as if there was a good deal to pick up, considering the last time he had been at the mansion in a friendly regard was his sisters funeral. That wasn’t something that he was about to let himself think of and he listened in silence. When they got back to the mansion Piotr accompanied the professor into the main living area after watching the limo leave and the gates close. He really was on the other side of the gates for the first time in such a very long time. The size of the mansion was always daunting when he had been away compared to what he was used to, but it still was a wonderful sight.

Following the other man in he nodded as he waited for him to finish his line of conversation while also trying to formulate a reply that would be worthy of the situation. Xavier was doing more towards peace than any talks that the government had made towards mutants in the past five years at least. He nodded and said, ”If I’m able to offer assistance in any way than I will, I know first-hand how much we can learn from others given how much I have learned directly or indirectly since leaving the homeland.” That was true, and he knew fully well that even with what he had learned it hadn’t been enough to save his parents, hadn’t been enough to save his sister. So like his brother before them they had left him alone in regards to true family. He spoke more quietly, ”The people within the mansion that I’ve had the honor of working with in the past are the only family I have left.”

True he hadn’t seen his brothers body but he had been absent for so long he had long since believed dead, and Illyana… poor Illyana, she had fallen to the cursed sickness that had afflicted many mutants. Katya was definitely one of the closest people to him and he wasn’t sure how she would react to his return. As he went on with asking him a favor Piotr nodded as he thought about the question and he knew fully well he could do a good job. Being able to physically stand up to most any of the X-men he had worked with would make him a good and imposing force to help act as a guard over the danger room. Thought that wasn’t the case as the professor spoke about the months of peace ending, and though he didn’t hear anything he didn’t like the sound of that yet he wasn’t surprised. Though the moments of peace were wonderful he couldn’t help but feel as though they never lasted long enough. Upon mention of Kitty he nodded and said, ”There are many people I would like to see if they would be willing to see me, I have some bridges to fix.” It was then that he saw a woman of somewhat more average height approaching, and he instantly was drawn to specific features having the look of an artist. He was naturally drawn to the features that would stand out most in a work of art as she first addressed the professor. She then nodded and greeted Piotr and he couldn’t help but wonder if the smile was natural, he had seen a wide variety and drawn even more smiles over the years but he wasn’t going to say anything, he responded briefly, ”It is nice to meet you Tessa, I am open to calling you whatever you would prefer.”

It was then that their conversation was cut short for a moment as a message came from the professors chair loud and clear in the voice of Scott Summers: ~X-Men. We have a situation. Meet at the hanger in five minutes if you can. I’ll explain more en route, but one of our own has been taken.“

Piotr didn’t think of much else as he looked at the professor who simply nodded and he said, ”Thank you professor. I will offer whatever assistance I can but I feel I must at least offer my assistance in rescuing a comrade. Miss Tessa, Professor, I shall see the two of you again, and I am sorry for my abrupt departure.” With that he bowed and started to leave the room. Maybe he wasn’t quite an X-man again, but he couldn’t refuse a request for assistance and he knew the way to the hangar all to well. He would have to eventually get a uniform, eventually he would get a communicator possibly, but right now that was far from the most important thing on his mind so he grabbed something that he knew would fit him on the way to the hangar since luckily they had prepped for such a thing in the past. He didn’t know how he would be received, but he had to act, and if he wasn’t able to offer his strength to saving a comrade whether they were new or old, he didn’t know that he belonged here. Muttering to himself, ”Katya… I will see you another time. I pray that you aren’t the one needing assistance. No matter who it is though I will fight to help free them.”

***Exit Piotr. TBC: New York -> Times Sq. -> what’s Small and smells … Canadian***

****Mention of sound from chair was approved by Mystic Frost before posting****

This post has been edited by CT_Colossus on Jul 26 2012, 10:22 PM

[//Professor X]

Xavier turned to face the woman that so boldly stepped forward; not quite out of the shadows for her part. It was quite unexpected to see her here, but the Professor wasn't one to leap to conclusions; not that certain possibilities hadn't popped into his mind at the sight of Tessa. She didn't look particularly rushed, so whatever brought her here wasn't time sensitive. She didn't look upset, but then Tessa knew how to conceal her true emotions from a visual or auditory inspection. The fact she hadn't used her HellFire codename wasn't unusual either; she wasn't a member of that group here and even if she was she wouldn't admit it and blow their cover--the elite Club that didn't officially exist as anything more than a socialite gathering place.

Then the other shoe dropped. Kind of Tessa not to make the Professor ask the obvious question. Not entirely kind she'd take this action without any forewarning or discussion. That not it couldn't be spun properly if the need arose. Sage could be infiltrating the X-Men. Xavier saved the thought for reference later.

Scott's voice interrupted them briefly, stirring the Russian at his side to motion. Fortunate, seeing how Tessa seemed interested in discussing her lack of "true purpose." "Of course, Piotr." No need to tie the man up with a long verbal acknowledgement. Time was of the essence; which was why the Professor mentioned broadcast messages like the one Scott just sent out (even if it was to a select list of people). He preferred to stay informed, and Scott probably didn't know the Professor had returned from his trip.

And so it was just the two of them, again, at last. Charles gazing up at the bold woman that'd helped save him so long ago. The woman he'd trained to infiltrate a secret organization run by mutants wishing to shape the world in their best interests. The woman, it seemed, no longer content to remain in that role. "Tessa," he put on a polite smile, "would you like to talk in my office?" Or would she like to have their long overdue talk out in the hallway? Not very comfortable, and certainly not very private. "Perhaps we can talk over tea." No need to be rude, even if he found this sudden development troubling. Tessa had acted alone, or the HellFire Club was quite bold; and unfortunately he couldn't count on Emma Frost to forewarn him of their plans seeing how she was on the opposite 'Court.'

[Tessa Niles]

It was apparent that her resurfacing here was not expected, even from someone such as Charles. A long time had gone by without them talking and it was to no detriment really, but she had a mission to do, such being the same mission he started. However, the fact that communication was shot between them was more of his own fault than anyone else's. That much he had no one to blame other than himself. Colossus seemed polite enough which was something that was a sight for sore eyes considering the hostility that many here held with a sheer amount of ignorance. It was pathetic of the majority, really, but she understood it as Charles was always one to do more babying than real training. Perhaps there was a smidge of resentment there as she always did want to be an X-Man. It was his decision that denied her to be apart of the only team that would have made her feel like she mattered. That was something that never came around in the hellfire club as she was nothing more than an assistant there, depressing it was majority of the time. However, she was taught that it was all for a grander purpose, thus the woman known as Sage, or Lady Tessa, spent many years down in the cesspit of hell raised devils doing nothing more than watching, listening, little talking, no harming, and only asserted herself if she must, which in her case was never as there was no reason to.

She heard the call for X-Men from Charles' chair, but really she felt it was impractical for her to go at the moment as they were not liking her for one, but also that they were more than likely unprepared for such a leap of "faith" because of their level of ignorance and immaturity, even more reason for her to not risk her life with a group of misfits who had yet to even establish within themselves what this teams sole purpose was. They lacked focus, vision, and unity on all fronts which she felt was going to be nothing more than a hindrance to them. They would learn, however; fore, it was inevitable and she would be there when they did. She was going to make sure that she was given that she was not someone who could be ran away by threats that lack any kind of capability to provoke change. The latter word was always relative as it was a word that was in reliance on other things that gave it the meaning it had, or made it worth anything to begin with. Tessa's own reasons for being here were relative as well because she was going to need the help of all who worked her to truly make some kind of change happen.

"Sure. That would prove to be rather convenient, but I am afraid I will have to decline on the tea; however, just a glass of water would suffice." Sage stated in response to Charles. It was then that she intentionally moved out of the way of his hover chair and simply gestured with her hand giving him the needed room to move past her as she would follow him to where ever he wanted to discuss things. There were many things to be talked about and equally as many things to be shown, but she would figure something out.

This post has been edited by Tessa Niles on Jul 31 2012, 06:26 AM

[//Professor X]

[TBC: Xavier's Mansion, Upper Level Xavier's Office: "Formalities"]