The sky through the window of the Headmaster's office was turning a dark grey, clear signs of an approaching storm. With the light giving way to the clouds, it was difficult to remember that it was still early morning. Scott Summers sat with his back to the window and his arms folded neatly on the large desk. It was a very clean and organized desk, and the carved insignia for the Xavier Institute for the Gifted was left clear of any debris such as pens and papers. It had been the desk of Charles Xavier once, in what seemed a lifetime ago. Scott wondered if this was how Charles had felt.
"Taji," Scott said warmly, "I'm glad you decided to take our offer to join us here. As both a member of the faculty and as an X-Men. I hope you are settling into everything well."
Scott turned to the side of the desk and lifted a folder. The file within was small, but had a photo clipped to the front of it. He slid it across the desk to his newest X-Man. "I was hoping you, with your past experiences, could help me out with a student. She's been with us for a year now, but I worry for her after... well, you'll see why in the file. I think you'll find that the two of you have a bit in common. So far I have been able to get her to talk about her childhood and I fear that if she doesn't confront it soon, she'll be haunted by it forever."
Taji raised an eyebrow and pulled the thin folder toward her with a gloved claw. So strange... The Professor had offered her the position before she had even been released and had surprised her with his level of trust. After his death she had assumed that the offer would have been pulled off the table, but Scott had made every effort to convince her of his confidence in her. When given such an opportunity such as this, what could one do but accept? She had been concerned, certainly. Chances to start over, build a home, well, they did come often. And were taken away every time. One disappointment after another... But this time felt different. The institute felt comfortable. The grounds and gardens, halls and classrooms, even her room as she unpacked her small bag. Taji had been here barely a day, and she already felt like she had come home. Maybe time makes the difference. Maybe because she was older, more at peace these days. Or maybe she had just evolved. And now, sitting in the sunbeam streaming through the window, she longed to become a cat and stretch out in its warmth, and this, this folder, this demonstration of faith... Taji flipped the folder open, listening to Scott's description of the girl, studying the photo clipped to it. Something about her did seem familiar. Maybe it was that haunted look in her eyes. "Amanda Bishop," she muttered, perusing the information typed out on the sheets. "Not the best of childhoods." She sat back and looked directly at him. "I don't understand, Scott. Surely one of your counsellors or psychometrics would be of better use to her. Why me?" Taji looked back at the photo again and frowned.
Look at your children. See their faces in golden rays. Don't kid yourself they belong to you. They're the start of the coming race.
This was strazy. That's Amanda's word for Starnge and Crazy. It was a real word because she said it was. Amanda was always a good student and never crossed the line. So why was the Headmaster calling her to his office this morning? Strange. And he said she didn't need her books or to worry about class today. Crazy. This was strazy. When she reac hed his door upstairs she waited before going in. She had never been called to see the Headmaster before. Frightened a little she knocked lightly on the large door.
"To be honest, Taji, I can't think of anyone better suited for this girl." Scott was being honest and he hoped Taji could tell. Charles had trusted this mutant enough to offer her a place here before his death. Scott had to trust his judgement if he was going to do any justice to continuing the Dream.
"I think your experiences, and you shared time with the mutants of Genosha, will create a bond between the two of you. Amanda is a good student and she has shown strength through some difficult times." Scott left the rest unsaid. He leaned back in the large chair before finishing, "but she is resistant to talk to any of the X-Men about her time on Genosha. And even if we still had a telepath, it would be intrusive to just probe her mind for the answers."
When the faint knock at the door came, Scott sat up straight. "Come in, Miss Bishop."