13897/Protector or Protectee

Protector or Protectee
Date of Scene:	19 January 2023
Location:	Back Yard
Synopsis:	Jimmy and Betsy catch up a bit while he demonstrates his skills with an axe.
Cast of Characters:	Jimmy Hudson, Betsy Braddock

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Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    The sound of the axe echoed off the back of the shed carried across the grounds a good ways. Not loud or intrusive, but just a steady thump-chok thump-chok in a steady rhythm. Though to find the source of it a person would have to be on the porch in the back, or perhaps further into the yard. For the source of that sound is none other than Jimmy Hudson swinging that axe and splitting wood since the stores they keep of it against the back of the shed were looking scarce.
    And he does cut a fine figure while doing it, all told.
    Almost the archetype one might have of the Canadian outdoorsman, or in his case the Canadian-Texan outdoorsman. He's got the work boots. The faded blue jeans. The black t-shirt under the red flannel jacket. The only thing that breaks the image is that he's got on a New Jersey Nets baseball cap and he isn't smoking.
    Yet he does take a moment, grinning to himself as he sets that axe down on the wooden stump, looking up to the sky. His breath steamed from his nose as he exhaled while looking upwards for some reason, then he shook his head and started to gather up the bits of wood he'd just chopped and set an armful of them in the pile.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Though she could move pretty quietly when she chose to, Betsy hadn't been attempting to hide her approach. Nor did she announce it however. It was doubtful he would've missed the sound and since she was not downwind, his senses might have picked up her scent as well. Though she was freshly showered and likely smelled of the floral soap she had used.

What had brought her out to the woodshed? The need for some move wood. As she had approached, she'd heard the sound of the axe being utilized though she didn't know who it might be out there until she rounded the corner of the building.

She was dressed against the chill of the weather. Heavy boots, jeans, a nice sweater with a heavy jacket over that. "Fancy meeting you here," she said, a bright smile on her face.

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    "Elizabeth Anne Braddock the Third." He says in way of greeting, even though he has no idea if that's her middle name nor if she's the third of her name. But his smile is there and she knows his sense of humor. It's often a sense of humor only he truly understands, but she can feel that subtle vibe on the surface of his thoughts, that warmth that shows he's glad to see her.
    He walks over and takes up that sectioned portion of the tree and plants it on top of the stump, giving her a glance. "Surprised to see you here, since there's work to be done and you're so good at ducking out of it." His lips twist as he hefts that axe again, then brings it up and around with both hands on the bottom of the handle, angling that head perfectly and...
    THOK!
    He steps back over to pick up the halves and sets one on the stump again. "How've you been?"

Betsy Braddock has posed:
"Had I known there was work, I certainly would've remained indoors by the fireplace sipping a nice cup of tea while enjoying a biscuit."

Her own humor is obvious in her tone as she continues to smile while watching him work. But she does go about picking up a few stray pieces of wood and adding them to the fire, all while keeping well away from the swing of that axe. No one needed any mishaps.

"Though catching up with you may be enough temptation for me to do a little bit of work." She dusted off her hands and paused to check a nail as though it mattered. The fact she kept them cut short made it rather obvious it was a joke check as it was unlikely she broke anything. Then she regarded him again. "I am well. Yourself?"

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    His smile was a warm thing, and so was the chortle that slips from his lips. He shakes his head and brings the axe back and around again, splitting that half of the section and then he props up the other half. Stepping back he takes a moment to let the axe rest head first on the ground, his hand upon the grip as if he were leaning on it.
    "Passingly good, been keepin' busy. Workin' here and the ranch. Hadn't seen you around for a bit, though I heard some of the kids in the halls talking about the scary purple haired lady running around so I knew you were about." His smile slips crooked, then he turns back and hefts the axe again... then _WHOK!_

Betsy Braddock has posed:
"Scary?"

Betsy seems genuinely surprised at that term. "Me?" Because there is no way she is the scary one considering the residents at this particular school. Be they teachers or students, there were far more frightening than her.

Then she really thought about it and realized that probably wasn't true. She was the stranger that showed up from time to time. Not an actual teacher but considered an alumni. Sort of. Though she never attended the school as a student but that was the easiest explanation for those not in the know.

"I suppose I could be more friendly. But do I really care enough to..." She made a hmmmm noise as she considered it then grinned over at him again. "You heard no such thing. But I don't doubt they noticed my return."

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    "Well, scary was one of the more polite adjectives." Jimmy says as he repositions the log half, then steps back and away from the stump. He takes a moment to wipe a forearm over his brow, pushing his hat up a little then pulling it back down.
    "Maybe you're not aware of the presence you exude." Then there's a pause, "Though could also be the effect a beautiful silent statuesque woman could have upon the teenage mind and scary is more understandable then. Mebbe?"
    At that he gives a small shrug and...
    THOK!
    He casually boots the wood pieces all into one pile next to the stump, then puts the next wood section up on it. "So tell me what's been up."

Betsy Braddock has posed:
"Trust me. I know the words that come to their minds. And the images." Betsy gave a mock shudder to punctuate that. The joys of being a telepath in a building full of hormonal teenagers. There was a reason the telepaths generally tried /not/ to peek into thoughts on a regular basis!

She moved toward the pile of wood, adjusting a few pieces to be better balanced for when they would be adding what he was cutting to it. Then she glanced over as she answered the question.

"I've been doing a little modeling to earn some fun money." Like she needed to earn more. "Otherwise, just enjoying a very active social life." And that sentence had her giving a little Mona Lisa type smile before she continued. "I am looking for a place in the city currently. So, I'll likely split my time between here and there once I find something."

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    "Oh?" He asks with a tilt of his head, his brow furrowing slightly. Jimmy's lips twisted up as he knew very well a veritable fish hook tossed into the water over his head, and naturally he took the bait. "A very active social life? Doing the whole club thing again?"
    Jimmy grabs a half section and sets it back into place, then spits into his hands to get a better grip on the wood. He focuses, eye narrowing and then he takes another swing.
    THOK!
    He boots the pieces of wood over to the side in that pile again. "Or you got somethin' else goin' on?" He then grabs the last half and sets it on the stump, prepping for his next swing.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
"I have been at the club a bit more, yes. I was trying to decide if I want to keep it or simply sell it and use the profits for something else. Just no idea what." She gave a little shrug as she honestly didn't know what she wanted to do there. It was a lot of work, though she had a good manager on staff at the moment who handled everything perfectly while she was away.

"And yes, social life. Been seeing someone new. It's been..." Betsy paused as she considered the proper word choice before she finally settled on. "Eye-Opening. Learning things about myself I was not really aware of so that's always a pleasure."

She moved to that pile and started to pick up some of the logs then carried them over to add to the pile, doing her part to help while they chatted.

"What about you? Making sure you take time for fun between working here and the ranch?"

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    "As I can." Jimmy says and squares up opposite that last section of log. He narrows his eyes at it, then brings the axe around into his hands to prep the swing. He squints a little more, then THOK!
    He nudges those pieces into the pile, then he sets the axe on the stump and scoops up the wood in his arms. He carries them over to stack them up for storage as he looks over his shoulder at her, "To be honest time spent between here and the ranch leaves me with little time for my Antigues Road Show." His lips twist a little, amused for some reason.
    "And don't get to see Sif much with all the craziness she's been dealing with. So I try to keep busy." He gives a nod to her, "But glad you've found someone to keep your attention. For all of the three days you'll keep him." He smirks.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
"It's been over three days, thank you," Betsy said with a mock indidnant sniff as she looked down her nose at him. Which was ruined when she picked up some more logs to add to the pile. Then she moved over toward the axe and the stump, considering them thoughtfully as she continued.

"Though it has been enjoyable and perhaps it won't last long, but as long as it is enjoyable during the time it's happening." Simple as that, after all.

She did give him a sympathetic nod about his situation with his lady. "Have the Asgardians had any luck yet?" In finding Thor, resolving the situation. She didn't know a lot of details, just what little had been leaked out.

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    "Some, but I'm not exactly in the loop." He shakes his head and murmurs, "Though I gave a hand with some of what they were dealing with. I think when it felt all... adventurous and fun Sif was more okay with me lending a hand."
    He frowns and sets the axe down against the stack of wood, then leans back against it. He folds his arms over his chest, "Now, that she's lost Thor. I think she's worried somethin's gonna happen to me. So... I don't get called in or put into harm's way as much."
    The young Canadian mutant rubs the stubble on his jaw and frowns a little. "Not entirely sure how comfortable I am with that. But... I can understand it."

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy tilted her head as she listened, considering. "That actually makes sense. To have lost someone that was a friend for..centuries?" She wasn't positive on the length of time but presumed it was a lot considering Norse mythology from the past here on Earth. That wasn't recent history.

"There might be another angle to it as well. She's Asgardian and believes in Valhalla. The belief that warriors dying in battle will go there, thus not afraid of it. But she may know you are not Asgardian and your beliefs differ. So...if you did fall, would you go to Valhalla? Or something that is more in line with your own beliefs? So on top of losing you here, she might lose you entirely."

She gave him a soft smile. "I'd want to protect you too in that situation."

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    He listens to her, but also on some level she can get the vibe he's having his own internal conversation, likely arguing with himself about this very thing. Then when she makes her point about Valhalla he nods along with that, accepting it and then taking a deep breath. "Makes sense."
    When she says she'd want to protect him he looks at her with a slightly sour look. "I'm a big kid, Bets. I have a healing factor and everything." His lips twist into a smirk as he pushes off of that log pile. He pulls off his cap, pushing a hand through his hair, then pulling it back in and down into place.
    "But just cause I can understand it, doens't mean I gotta like it."

Betsy Braddock has posed:
"True. You're a fighter every bit as much as she is. Even if she's been doing it longer." Betsy grinned a little. "Be sure to explain the concept of a cougar to her sometime. I would like to hear about her reaction," she suddenly adds, unable to stop herself.

But she continues. "You prefer to be the protector, not the protectee. I get it. I understand that feeling with every bit of my being. I spent so long being the weakest link around the X-Men, or that's how I felt at least," she added since others might not agree. "So when I was...altered. And gained all these skills and abilities I didn't have before. I admit, I'm not sure I would want to go back to the way I was. I like being the one taking on the bad guys on the front lines now." She looked at him. "Do we need to go into the Danger Room for a few hours to work off your frustrations? We can program in some Dark Elves to beat up."

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    Shaking his head, Jimmy sort of looks off and away, and she can tell his thoughts are not on the here and now but likely off toward Asgard somewhere. He shakes his head and looks back at her, "Thanks, Bets. I think I'll just... mosey for a bit. I'm not good company for folks these days."
    That said he grabs the axe and starts to walk around the side of the shed, shouldering the door open and slipping inside. "You go on and spread your reign of terror throughout the school. I'm gonna head on out."