2026/A Class Above

From Heroes Assemble MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search
A Class Above
Date of Scene: 09 June 2020
Location: Chikara Dojo
Synopsis: Alexander and Kitty visit Colleen Wing at her dojo for pizza and an unconventional cake
Cast of Characters: Colleen Wing, Kitty Pryde, Alexander Aaron




Colleen Wing has posed:
The last class of the day. It was a beginners class, most of the students having just started, a few of them a month or so into their training. They were mostly younger kids with parents standing in the back of the Dojo, quietly watching. It was not something she had typically allowed or done so before, but since this class, the parents felt the need t want to stay and watch. Money was tight, and exceptions had to be made. The class itself had about ten kids in in, ranging in age from 6-11 it would appear and the Sensei was walking between two rows of five, watching and talking. "Now. One thing we must remember, this is a self-defense class, not a self-go beat up a kid at school class? Is that understood? The kids all responded in unison. "Yes Sensei!"

A nod is given and Colleen continues to walk amongst the children. "First Kata. On my command. Begin." The students begin going through the first kata movements, the Sensei approaching various students and correcting and moves or actions that she deemed incorrect. "Excellent. Second Kata." The same is repeated as the students all look like a finely trained little warrior army. "Partner up. Work on your take-downs. Slow. Motion only." Again, she walks about.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
It might have been easy to miss Kitty arriving. She was quiet and along behind some of the parents. Moving to a chair, sitting up on the chair back with her feet on the seat, but still behind the parents who were mostly standing and watching. Nudging each other to point out their child. How wonderful they were. A budding Bruce Li, surely?

Kitty smiles as she watches Colleen moving amongst the students. She rests her elbows on her knees, fingers laced together in front of her as the Japanese young woman moves along the rows of students, adjusting their form.

One of the parents looks over at her, a man by himself. "No way you're the mother of one of these. Older sister?" he asks Kitty quietly. She gives a little shake of her head back. "Just a friend of the Sensei," she says to him.

Colleen Wing has posed:
It was true, Kitty ahd gone unnoticed and that was rare. Collen usually always noticed the young woman when she came around, but the class and the students seems ot have her entire focus. Colleen moves to graba a large pad, holding it in front of her. "Alright, line up by the window. Rup up to me, and you can choose to punch or kick. Your choice. You will go twice so you can choose to do one of each if you wish. The kids all smile and run towards the window, jostling to line up. A hand is waved to the young girl in front who cannot be more than 7 and she is off, running up to the pad and jumping with a kick. "Excellent Cori. Back in line."

One at a time the students run towards her, kicking or punching the pad until they have both done twice. The pad is then set aside and she calls out. "Positions" The students all dash back to their spots and standing with their hands behind their backs, a well-trained class. "Now remember. You have your yellow belt test this weekend. Practice the first two katas and make sure you are here on time." Her eyes raise to the parents and a smile is given. "10 o clock on Saturday." Many of the parents rush to their phones to put the time and date into them. "I have no doubt in my mind that all of you will leave with a yellow belt around your waist." She bows to them and they all bow in return. "You are dismissed." The students all dash to their parents and a long awaited hug and drink.

It is now that Colleen sees Kitty and a smile is given, padding her way barefoot over to her friend. "Kitty. I did not see you come in. How have you been?" There is a warm welcoming smile on her lips. "So what brings you by the dojo? I mean...I hope it is to see me."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty Pryde had removed her shoes at the door of course. Sandals, so she's barefoot as well. Wearing a pair of sweats and a t-shirt from the Hard Rock Cafe, London. As the kids hurry over to their parents, Kitty rises from the chair she's sitting on in unorthodox fashion.

Colleen might observe she's moving a little gingerly as the brunette moves over to greet the Japanese woman. "Oh, well, I'm looking to hire a bodyguard who I can have come up through the ranks and groom them from a young age to- of COURSE I came to see you," Kitty tells her with a warm laugh.

If allowed she gives Colleen a quick hug. "That was great watching you teach. You really have a way with the kids," Kitty says.

Colleen Wing has posed:
As the students and parents start to file out of the dojo, Collen steps forward to take the hug, embracing her friend and letting the hug linger a moment before releasing it, her hands still upon Kitty's shoulders. "Thank you Kitty. It is a delicate tight rope, holding them to a certain expectation but still remembering they are new students and young children. Everyone of of them has potential. It is my favorite class. So innocent and eager to learn." She slowly removes her hands from Kitty's shoulders, standing before her in a white Chikara Dojo t-shirt and karate pants, raising those same hands to free her hair from the pontail she always keeps it in during classes. The black hair falls wildly over her shoulders and she reaches out then if allows to take the young girl's hand. "That was my last class...so you have perfect timing."

She starts to lead Kitty across the dojo towards her living area. "I just need some water and to sit down for a minute. The big question is...how much time do you have and what are we going to do for dinner?" She turns around and bites her lower lip a half smile given. "I mean I was thinking of leftovers, but I could easily be persuaded to eat something else."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty slips her hand into Colleen's, letting her lead the way over towards the room that is Colleen's living area. "No no, perfect timing was getting to see you teaching," Kitty counters, smiling over at her friend. "Go sit, I'll get the water," Kitty says, moving into the kitchen if Colleen doesn't stop her.

Kitty moves over to get glasses from the cupboard and then adds a few ice cubes and fills them up with water. As she brings them back over to Colleen, there's a little hitch in her step, as if a bit stiffness.

"I've got all evening," Kitty says. "And... um... I'm totally open to ideas. We could make spaghetti. Or I could order us up a couple of sandwiches. Or... there's always pizza. Always," Kitty says with a grin, moving to sit with Colleen.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen was not going to question her friend fetching the water for her. She had been on her feet all day and to sit was all she had been thinking about since...well she had woken up that morning. As Kitty returns with the water, Collen raises a brow and calls her out. "What happened? Don't lie to me. I will find out." There is a bit of jest in her tone, but certainly a tone of concern. "Did you go and get yourself into trouble without me? Or did you overexert your self in a yoga class?"

A spot is easily made for her upon the couch and Colleen streatches her barefeet out, resting them on the table in front of her, seemingly not caring. "Oooh we could totally make something. We could try and make our own pizza? I think I have the stuff to do that? Maybe. Yes, I am pretty sure I do. Worth looking." A sip of the water is taken and she lowers the glass to her lap. "And if you have all evening...then I am booking you. It has been too long since we had some quality time. I won't accept no as an answer. So, settle yourself in." She winks over to her and offers the glass of water to her if she wishes a sip.

"You look good casual...you should do it more often." A little side comment given as Colleen's eyes look her friend over with a tilt-headed glance.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty settled into the couch a little carefully. At the show of concern as to Kitty's condition, the younger girl gives a little rolling shrug of her shoulders and a sigh. "It's nothing really, just got my leg a little bandaged. It was a... you know, stupid thing that is not all that exciting to tell," Kitty says.

Says. Lies. The clone of Scott Summers melting the glass shards that had been circling Vertigo as a protective barrier mostly passed right through Kitty. Except for where her leg was unphased to deliver the kick to the female Marauder to free her friends from her the disorientation she was causing them.

"Just, ah, stupid thing with a hot muffler," Kitty says, shrugging and holding up her hands. "Anyway, pizza sounds fantastic. I'm good at heating up water for the crust. The rest is pretty much on you. Though I can probably throw some cheese at it. Remember, I'm 'cereal girl' when it comes to cooking," Kitty confides with a grin. She leans over to bump against Colleen's shoulder. "Good to see you. Missed you."

Colleen Wing has posed:
The expression Collen gives is one that seems to say: I do not believe your story, but I am not going to push it right now. I will get it out of you later. Here is your free pass. "Hot muffler? I see. I imagine that hurt a lot. You should really stay away from the back end of cars or motorcycles. You will never win that fight." She takes another sip of the water and leans forward to set it on the table in front of her. "Pizza it is then."

The sensei returns the shoulder bump and moves to scramble herself off the couch and to a standing position, offering both hands to Kitty to pull her up off the couch. "Oh you give me to much credit Miss Mewo-Meow. This could end in a complete disaster and take-out ordered or us settling for spaghetti. We are going to stumble thorugh this together and then eat our creation no matter how it turns out. Deal?"

Her hands squeeze Kitty's lightly twice. "I missed you too my dear friend. Let's not allow that to happen again. Okay? I will admit I was away for a bit, it was why the dojo was closed for two weeks. Some family business in Japan. Nothing too important or concerning. I mean much less worrisome than a hot muffler."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty takes the offered hands and the help rising. "Eat it no matter what? You ARE a glutton aren't you?" Kitty asks. "For punishment I mean." Kitty gives Colleen's rump a tiny swat. "The rest of you doesn't look at all gluttonous," Kitty confides as she follows to the kitchen.

"Yeah? Everything go well then? Haven't been to Japan in so long now," Kitty says wistfully. She moves over out of the way to let Colleen get the ingredients out since she knows what she has best.

"So my friends graduated, which was pretty cool to see," Kitty says. "I never got to go through graduation myself, so it was kind of nice. Would have been with them if I hadn't of left early," she says. Kitty takes a sip of her water. "Are you still jet-lagged, or adjusted again already?"

Colleen Wing has posed:
The little rump swat is met with a wide-eyes glance and a flashing grin with the turn of her head. "Hey. People usually have to buy me dinner for that kind of access." She winks and sticks her tongue out to Kitty, moving into the kitchen and exahling softly. "Well, a little out of it. I am not sure if being tired is pushing myself too hard or simple jetlag. I am thinking a bit of both." Hands move to open up some cabinets, grabbing bowls and mixing instruments and ingredients that would be used to make the the dough. "We may have to let it rise a bit I think. Oh this is going to be fun."

She truns to face Kitty, leaning against the counter. "Your friends graduated and you never really had a graduation?" She pauses a moment and lets out a small exhale. "Well...change of plans." She walks over to the table and picks up her phone. Holding it up to Kitty and stating. "We are ordering pizza. And while we wait are going to make you a graduation cake. Which really is just going ot be a cake, but we are going to make it a graduation cake to celebrate your non-graduation."

She dials up the number and puts it on speaker phone. "Yes, I would like to place an order for delivery. I would like." She holds the phone out and smiles to Kitty, whispering. "What do you want? I will eat anything."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
At the talk of having to buy Colleen dinner first, Kitty motions at the kitchen. "I'm making you pizza!?" she protests, though she was planning on leaving most of the work to Colleen. Though that has more to do with making sure it's edible than laziness.

As the plans are suddenly changed, and Kitty hears what the new ones are, she pauses, mouth hanging open a bit. "Oh. Colleen," Kitty says softly. "That's... so sweet. Thank you," she says, looking genuinely touched. Kitty moves over and throws her arms about Colleen to give her a brief, but tight hug, before letting her go.

As the phone call is made, Kitty hrms quickly. "Um, a medium meat lovers. With extra sauce and extra cheese." She looks over to Colleen, holding up her hands to see if that is satisfactory.

Colleen Wing has posed:
The quick hug is received, griping her dear friend tightly, the phone still on speaker. "Hey, you think I am going to let you not have at least a cake for not graduating? I am not a monster. She takes it off speaker phone. "No sir. I am sorry I did not mean you did not graduate. No, I am not questioning how you ended up working at Pizza Pizazz. Oh you wanted to go to clown school? That is a wonderful ambition. You should follow that dream. Yes, I believe in you. Look can I just geta Medium meat-lovers. Extra sauce and extra cheese. Yes, that is all. Chikara Dojo. Use the green door on the right and tell the driver to come right up. Um, you have to ask? Of course I want the free side of breadsticks. 20 Minutes? Awesome. Bye." The phone is hung up and she sighs softly with a laugh. "We may get our pizza.

The phone is tossed on the couch and she returns back to the kitchen, this time smacking her friend on the backside in a payback tap. "So...dinner is taken care of. Now we are going to make you the best cake anybody who has never made a cake before has ever made. And we are going to decorate it with...whatever I have in my cabinets or refigerator and it is going to taste so so good." Her words and smile are pleadingly sarcastic. "So what do you say my lil non-graduate...are you ready to make your graduation cake?"

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty is in stitches, trying to avoid laughing too hard as she hears the exchange going on between Colleen and the pizza guy. Once the phone is hung up, she breaks out in laughter finally. "Oh yes. Yes, this sounds like a plan," Kitty says as they change from pizza, to not-graduation cake instead.

As Kitty moves to help, she does her best to sound like the guy who narrates movie trailers. She doesn't manage the voice very well, but enough one can tell that's what she's doing. "In a world where nothing goes how we hope... one man is destined to make a difference. Forgoing the stressful world of the circus clown, he turns instead to feeding America. One. Pizza. At. A time. Starring Helen Mirren as Catholic Sister Theresa. And Christopher Walken as the town drunk. And two time Academy Award winner Roberto DeNiro as Mikey. Coming to a theater this fall. Big Shoes Pizza Delivery."

Kitty covers up her face. "Ok, that totally was worse than I heard it in my head," she admits.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Collen was proceeding to grab flour, sugar and the ingredients needs now t make a simple cake batter, but as soon as Kitty goes into her narrartion of the Pizza Guy and his life story, she absolutely loses it, laughing herself to the point where she stops grabbing what is needed and simple collapses onto the floor, her back against the counter laughing at her dear friend from below. Her hands go to her stomach and there are actual tears coming from the conrer of her eyes. "Stop...I am gunna pee myself. Her body is visibly shaking with her laughter. She catches her breath just long enogh to offer a small addition in her own man-like narration voice. "Will he make enough dough to buy a bigger car?" She smiles up, "See what I did there? Dough...get it?"

She starts laughing again, and offers a comforting smile to Kitty when she finally is able to catch her breath. "Oh my god...no no...that was incredible." SHe extends her hands to her friend to ask for assistance standing once more, her eyes still watering. "Okay...we need to make this batter. What flavor do you want. Your choice of flavor as long as it is chocolate."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty grins as Colleen reacts to the movie trailer. She helps her up after, giving her a quick, tight hug. Visiting her friend is always good for laughter and smiles until her face seems to hurt from grinning so much. "I do see what you did there," Kitty says with a warm laugh.

Once Colleen is back on her feet, Kitty seems to consider for a moment. "I suppose... I'll go with... ah... no, wait... ah... ok... chocolate!" She grins and looks at the assortment of ingredients. "Wow. So all of these things somehow turns into cake?" Kitty asks. "I thought cakes only came from bakeries. Or maybe out of boxes. IS it legal to make them from..." she picks up a bag and pronounces slowly, "Flooooour..."

Kitty sets it back down. "You should meet my mom. You two would get along. She's a baked good machine."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Collen returns the hug again, even placing the quickest peck on Kitty's cheek before turning back ot the counter. "Yes. Flour, Sugar, baking powder, salt." She slides past the young girl, brushing up against her ever so slightly and moves to the fridge. "We need eggs, butter and...something chocolate to toss in there. Yeah we are so winging this." She crouches down in front of the fridge and grabs the eggs and butter. "Hey Kitty. Don't tell anyone..but go to my nightstand and take the bag of M&M's out of it. We can melt those down and toss it in the batter. Might work."

She stands up and moves back to the counter, tossing a pot on the stove and turning the burner on. "I would love to meet your mother. I am sure she could teach me how to really make a cake. Just remember, no matter how this turns out..I made it with love and caring hands." She smirks and laughs. "I lost my mother when I was 4 or 5. So I learned to do this by watching food network late at night. Now have I actually ever baked a cake. Let's leave that unanswered."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty goes over to retrieve the stash of M&Ms. "So this is it. I knew you had a guilty secret. I was guessing cocaine, but chocolate in a candy coating was running a very close second," Kitty says as she brings the bag back over.

"I used to watch my mom bake. And cook dinner. She'd have me cut the vegetables and things like that, but actually seasoning or making sauces or anything beyond prep work? I'm hopeless," she says.

Kitty watches Colleen starting in on the preparations. "Mom ruled the kitchen but then of course Dad would have the grill and..." Kitty says, trailing off as her ambling tale strays into certain areas before she really realized where it was going. She stops talking and just stands there for a second, eyes flitting about as she controls her emotions.

She clears her throat and says. "The kitchen was always Mom's though."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Yeah I gave up the cocaine for something that would go to my ass more. You know. All about my figure." Again she laughs, softly adding, "Nobody knows about those. Got it? You can help yourself whenever you are over. I keep it stocked."

When Kitty begins her tale about her mother and father and their cooking duties, Colleen stops all her prep work and watches her dear friend, listening to her words intently and with a soft expression her on her face. When she is done speaking, Colleen extends a hand to Kitty and tugs her lightly towards the counter. "And this kitchen is going to be ours. I am not doing this alone. You are going to take some of the blame if it tastes horrible." She moves to pick up a measuring cup. "Now...flour. I need you to put 2 cups of this into the bowl. I am going to put 2 cups of sugar in." She takes the M&M's and pours them into the pot on the stove. "This may go poorly. I am going to add some milk. Milk chocolate right? She dashes to the fridge and adds a dash of the milk into the pot with the candy. "We let this melt down, and then we...well we mix all this stuff together, pour it into a cake pan...which I may have. Set the oven to like 325 or 350 and wait like 25 minutes. Think we can handle that?"

She looks to Kitty and places a hand on her shoulder gently, looking into her eyes. "I would love to meet your mother. Really. No get that flur into the bowl and then crack those eggs in there too."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
It takes a moment or two of Colleen's touch to bring Kitty back fully. When she does though, a smile is given to the Japanese girl. "So you're really just winging this aren't you," she says of the cake, drawing a smile back to her face though it takes a little longer forming than they normally do.

Kitty gets to work mixing things. "So have you had very many problems with kids learning at the dojo and then wanting to go out and get in fights to use it? I heard what you were saying to them. I can imagine how kids are though," Kitty says. "There's always one like that, isn't there."

Colleen Wing has posed:
" I am 100 percent winging this. Well, I do have a bit of a clue. I know somehting is going in the oven and something is coming out and we are gunna eat it." SHe winks and continues to get everything ready, pouring the melted chocolate into the batter and mixing it all up, speaking as she does. "There is always one. But you cannot single them out in front of everyone, so you just tlel the whole class and that one kid gets the hint. I had a parent come up to me before class and tell me that her son got in a fight at school because he said he was otughter than anyone cuz he took karate."

There is a knock at the door and a man calling out can be heard. "Pizza Pizazz. Aint a party without the Pizazz!" Collenen calls over her shoulder. "There is a 20 on the table, can you give him that?" She proceeds to pour the batter into a pan and slips it into the oven. "Now we eat and wait...and pray.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty goes over and gets the twenty dollar bill and heads for the door. She's gone longer than it takes just to make the transaction, but arrives back in the living area soon enough. "I was telling him he should give away a balloon animal with each delivery," Kitty says of the would-be clown turned pizza delivery man.

Kitty sets the pizza down on the table and then pauses to pull her phone as it chimes. She reads it and says, "Oh, my friend Alexander. Ran into him at a nightclub. Think maybe my friend is sweet on him." Kitty gives a small grin. "He's not too far away, mind if I invite him over for some not-graduation cake?" Assuming Kitty gets a positive response, she taps off a text.

> At my friend Colleen's dojo. Come join us! Just got pizza and there is... something meant to be a cake... in the oven. Here's the address....

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Oh Alexander? I know an Alexander. Could be the same one. By all means have him over. Plenty of food and we can maybe have him test the cake first for us so we can make sure it is edible." She tosses the baking dishes in the sink and leaves them there. "I should really do those now...but then I might start to scare myself with my domestic tendancies."

Three plates are grabbed and she walks over setting them on the table beside the pizza. "At least we know this should be good. Oooh, they brought thr breadsticks too." Her steps then take her over to her dresser and she crouches down to pull out a pair of shorts, standing once more and proceeding to change without much care or thought. "I'll shower later, but had to get out of these, been in them all day." Her barefeet pad over to the table and she opens the box, taking a piece and tossing it on the plate. "This looks so good." She bounces over to the couch and plops herself down upon it cross legged."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    After a few moments of considering a second text message to join the first, the blond youth eventually decides against it. With a click Alexander's cellphone is put away, a good six city blocks far off from the dojo that houses Kitty and Colleen. He looks down the street, pondering his route, biting his lower lip as he starts to step back into the ebb and flow of the crowd on the city's streets, the distant haze giving long shadows from the sun setting far off to the West.
    It takes him twenty six minutes, to be fair. A good chunk of which are rushing a bit to get the books he had checked out returned on time, tossed in the ESU library deposit only in passing and then rushing off again. A turn down the street, and a quick stroll sends him onto the street to China Town, passing under the large decorative gateway, under several of the street signs and flair.
    And then, perhaps just before they might be checking the clock while awaiting him there's the thump thump thump on that sliding door downstairs to announce the young man's presence.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
By the time Alexander arrives, Kitty is laying on her back on the floor next to Colleen's couch. "Oh my god that clown makes a killer pizza pie," she says to Colleen. "Barely have room for the cake. So what do you have for decorating it anyway? Is there frosting or are we totally improvising?"

The rat-tat-tat from the door down below causes Kitty to stir. "I'll go get him. Cake ready to come out now?" she asks, glancing towards the kitchen. The brunette more rolls to her feet than rises, moving a bit stiffly and with the slight limp. She's wearing sweats and a t-shirt adorned with the Hardrock Cafe logo, with London emblazoned on it below to show where she got it. She heads down to the door and opens it up. "Hey, you made it," she says. "I thought maybe you got caught in a battle between the Sharks and the Jets," she tells him. Kitty waits for him to enter and then will head back to the living area with him.

Colleen Wing has posed:
When the pair arrives, Colleen is in the kitchen, bent down pulling what appears to be a cake out of the oven. The living area certaunly smells like a cake, and it is not burnt. So far this is deemed a win. The cake is set on top of the oven and the youn gSenseai turns with a smile to the returning pair. She is wearing a whit Chikara dojo t-shirt and a pair of shoerts that look more like men's boxers "It is the Alex I know. I was hoping it was you." Her barefeet pad their way over to the new arrival and if allowed a hug is offered. "Make yourself at home Alex...god knows Kitty has." She tosses the young girl a smile and sticks her tongue out.

"There is pizza on the table, drinks in the fridge and soon there will be cake to celebrate Kitty not graduating." She pauses amoment and realizes how silly that really sounds, but continues. "We are going to frost this with...well. I'll come up with something. I have an idea. You two just eat and converse and I will see what I can do."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I scared them all off with my mad dance fight skeelz." Alexander replies to Kitty as she turns and starts to guide him up to the dojo area and in turn the living area where Colleen so dwells.
    They've both seen the college student before, know his usual penchant for clothes tending towards the casual what with his white sneakers (set aside just before entering the dojo proper), blue jeans, his ever present backpack, and today his t-shirt is a red one with the caption being simple white text that declares prominently, 'I Saved Olympus And All I Got Was This Stupid T-Shirt.'
    Though once he enters the communal area he flashes a grin across the distance and lifts a hand to wave in Colleen's direction. "Hey, sensei Wing." But then she steps in for the hug and he'll return it with a half-smile and pulls her in for the embrace, then steps back to meet her eyes. "It's good to see you again, and thank you."
    That said he turns and wanders over in his white bestockinged feet and takes up a seat close to the pizza where he liberates a slice for himself and smiles. Across to Kitty he grins, "We travel in similar circles it seems. Non graduating celebration?" He asks that last, looking toward Colleen as if for explanation while she putters around in the kitchen, then back to Kitty.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty moves over to settle into the couch, though one can note she's favoring one of her legs as she lowers herself down. "Ah, yes. Well so my high school class just graduated. Though I left school early to start college. So I told Colleen it was nice getting to see them all go through the ceremony since I didn't," Kitty explains.

She motions towards the cake. "So Colleen decided to bake me a congratulatory not-graduating cake," she says, flashing a grin towards the older Japanese girl. "Which, very likely could be the only not-graduating cake baked in the history of history," Kitty says. She waggles a finger towards Alexander. "So you should count yourself lucky. Plus, there's pizza." Meat lovers, with extra sauce and extra cheese. Extra extra.

Kitty nods. "Yes, I wasn't quite expecting you when Clarice invited me out," she says. "It was a pleasant surprise though."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen is busy in the kitchen trying her best to put somethin gtogether for her dear friend. It was a last minute decision to bake the cake for her, and certainly she barely had the stuff in her kitchen to make it. Afterall, the chocolate in it was from melted M&M's. However, in a moment's time Colleen makes her way over to the pair conversing and takes a bit of her pizza, chewing it slowly before speaking. "Alright. I might have something here. Now listen. You know the old saying /it's the thought that counts?/ never in the histroy of that statment being uttered has it been so true. Seriously, like its totally the thought that counts."

She runs a hand over the back of her neck and nods once, making her way back into the kitchen. When she turns back around she is holding what appears to actually be a choclate cake with what looks like some sort of tannish frosting on it. There is one large candle stuck in the middle of it, much like one you would find in the center of a dinner table. Careful steps take her to the table where she sets it down, nibbling her lower lip.

"Happy non-graduating. By working so hard you managed to not graduate. Wow that sounds weird. Anyhow, in recognition of your success in not graduating here is your cake. It's kind of M&M chocolate cake with a peanut butter frosting...so it may be like a Reeces." She smiles and gestures to the candle. "Blow it out and wish for your non-graduating future."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "There's never a bad time for cake," And to be fair, Alexander has always enjoyed a bit of sugar now and again. Such is life. But he gives a nod and smiles, "But that's kind of cool, living vicariously through them and yah, sometimes it's nice to sort of see people enjoying those parts of their lives."
    He takes that slice of pizza and one of the small napkins near to suitably protect against spillage then starts to nibble on the cheese, not super hot but still nice and warm. After a moment he takes a bite. It's while chewing that his head bobs and he murmurs, "I shall duly consider myself super lucky."
    A grin and he swallows then looks across toward Colleen before his attention is drawn back to Kitty. "Oh yeah, it was pretty nice of her." His lip twists a little and he gestures with the palm of one hand toward Kitty, "She doesn't know about my whole... family thing. But she was very heroic. In Bushwick it seemed like things were about to kick off, but she stepped in, cool, in control, and talked people down. I was impressed. Then she walked me home to make sure I got home safe. It was..."
    A moment as Alex's eyes distance, then he grins and shrugs a little. "It was kinda nice having someone sorta care about like saving me. As it were."
    But that is the moment when Colleen returns and he straightens up, "Oh hey that's awesome. We should sing." There's a nod as he looks over at Colleen and something in the youth's smile might be a bit infectious.
    "Haaaapppy, Non-Graduation To You?" As if getting a feel for the lyrics to that old birthday song and hoping that Colleen joins in too.
    "Happy Non-graduating to yeew."
    "You totally geeked out to go to Coll-Ege."
    "Happy non-graduating to you."
    Then for the 'and many more' he instead says, "You gigantic neeeerd."
    Of course at the end there he leeeeans out of the way to avoid reprisals.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty Pryde grins as Colleen brings the cake in. "That is just the most awesomest thing," Kitty says as she eyes the peanut butter frosted chocolate cake. Kitty starts giggling and shaking her head at the very notion. "Oh no, no no no. No singing!" Kitty says, waving at Alexander. "Wave off Ghost Rider, the pattern is full!"

Kitty moves over to the cake and seems to make a wish, then leans over to blow out the candle. "Thank you, this is the best day I haven't graduated in a really long time!" she announces.

Kitty grins towards Alexander then looks back to Colleen. "Think he might be sweet on her," she says in a stage whisper. "Clarice is really great. Such a sweet girl," Kitty says.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Oh Colleen joined in. She totally joined in. It is a good thing the windowes are closed as Kitty got serenaded by the two best non-graduating singers the wird has ever been so blessed to hear. She finishes the song and reaches out for a high-five to Alexander. "This will be a day she will try to forget and I will constantly remind her of." SHe leans over anf gives Kitty another hug and steps back, "SO the question is who is going to be the brace one to try it first?" There is a knife on the table and shepicks it up, cutting a few pieces and setting them on some laid out plates. "I was going to have you both sign a waiver, but we are all friends."

At the mention of Alexander pissibly being sweet on someone, Colleen pounces like a nerd on a playboy. "Oh is that so?" Colleen grabs a piece of the cake and moves to sit cross legged on the floor in front of the pair, peering up at them. "Oh do tell. Please do tell. I am living my non-existent social life through you now Alexander and I think I may have exausted my tolerance for Hallmark specials." She moves to take a bite of the cake, putting it in her mouth and nodding a few times."You know...it isn't thay bad. I don't expect it to come back up..so that's good right?" "

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    There's a resonant slap of a high-five that echoes through that small apartment as Alex leans forward to lay one on Colleen, then he plops back down into his seat grinning crookedly.
    Smiling around the pizza, Alexander takes a few more bites and shrugs a little. But he settles into the seat and dabs at his chin with the napkin before nibbling some more. He tucks one leg under himself and shifts a little to the side to peer toward them both. "Clarice is pretty great, and we get along well. But yeah. Lots about me she doesn't know though, to be fair." He seems willing to leave it at that as he crinkles his nose and looks to the side, then shrugs and looks back with another bite spared for the pizza.
    Then he looks toward the cake and says, "I would volunteer to be first, but I think since it's Kitty's cake she should totally do so." But then Colleen is already munching and he peers at her curiously...
    "Well. You're not changing colors yet, so that's a positive too."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty grins as the cake is cut. "Oh, give me a piece. In for a penny, in for botulism. Or, whatever the old saying is," Kitty teases. "Seriously though, I'm surprised. If I just started tossing ingredients in a bowl it would either turn into soup, or a hockey puck after cooking," Kitty ventures.

She gets a slice of the cake and takes a bite. "It definitely has the Reese's thing going," Kitty says of the chocolate and peanut butter together. "Easily the best not-graduation cake a girl was ever made," she says.

Kitty takes another bite of it and looks to Alexander. "I think she could handle it. Just me. I mean, you know she's used to different sorts of people already."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Just a girl on the floor eating cake. Another bite is taken and the plate is set on the floor as she chews. Different sorts of people? How are the people in front of her so different? Oh Colleen has seen her share of people with special powers. Oh yeah that conversation has been had. Oh look at Danny with his glowing hand. Oh Luke with his super strength and ability to take a bullet. Oh and then there is Matt, thr guy is blind and sees better than she does. La-ti-friggin da. Then there is Colleen, skilled in martial arts but about as non-powered as city wide blackout. She titls her head to the side, a strand of hair falling in front of her eyes. "You are different? I mean I know are skilled in Martial arts and a little quirky at times. Let's be honest here. But, I am pretty sure the whole special train stops at station 1."

She reaches to take another bite of cake and eyes Kitty. "Look at Kitty here. I mean sure she never graduated. She has great taste in pizza and looks good in my clothes, but after that..." The plate is set down again and she leans back on her hands looking at the pair. "It's good to be able to hang out with people like me. I don't get that chance very often."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Accepting a piece, Alexander takes a bite and with all the aplomb of an 18 year old who eats pretty much anything not nailed down he snarfs it down in a few bites and then gives a small shrug toward Colleen accompanied with a smile, "S'pretty good." Since really, sugar. Yay.
    He settles in a bit more in his seat on the corner of the couch, looking toward them both, though he addresses Kitty. "She could probably handle it, sure. But... things still, you know change things. Right?" He uncurls a hand to the side and gives a shrug, "Though I did tell her about my weirdness with fear and all. I don't know if she actually believes me. I figure at some point I'll just be all, 'oh hey, by the way, wanna meet my dad?' And voila."
    But then his attention shifts to Colleen and he bites his lower lip for an instant then shoots a glance toward Kitty. He gives a small shrug as if to say he doesn't mind so much, he's never been hugely protective of his 'identity'. Just usually it's difficult to bring up in a social circumstance. And then people act all weird.
    In reply to Colleen mentioning she likes to hang out with people like her, his lip twists and he says, "I mean, you guys are ok. I mainly just like free food." His eyes widen a little and fully expects some sort of reprisal assuredly for /that/ one at least.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty Pryde's only contribution to Alexander's situation is to comment, "Everyone's got family issues of one kind or another. That's a prerequisite of being a family." She takes another bite of the cake. "I'm so going to have to go running tomorrow to work this off," she says, patting her belly. Which is nice and flat beneath her t-shirt despite the pizza and cake.

Kitty gives a bit of a yawn and finishes off her cake, then buses the empty plate to the kitchen. She returns and plops down on the bed, picking up Colleen's stuffed animal to snuggle with. The bed is right there in arm's reach of the couch practically, so she's still in the conversation.

"So how did you two meet anyway?" Kitty asks Colleen and Alexander as she rests her head on her arm.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Still upon the floor Colleen reaches up to put her plate on the table, leaning back to her hands once more. Her eyes drift to Kitty on the bed holding her stuffed animal which she does not sleep with. Nope, it is merely decoration. Yeah, that's the story. "Well Alexander came by one day to seek some instruction. Apparently he had gotten himself into a little sparring contest with Lady Shiva and was seeking some guidance on how to approach it. Of course I was more than happy to offer what I could to a charming young man such as himself who had gotten himself in way over his head." A smile is given to Alexander. "I must say he is most skilled. I was pleasantly suprised by what he already knew and was capable of knowing. And for the most part her survived his little encounter, so he must have done something right."

"Her eyes slide over to Kitty again, fading slowly. "She usually ends up crashing here if it gets late. I won't let her take the bus home by herself. Call me protective."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Resting his hands upon his shin as he looks across the way toward Colleen, his smile warms at the recollection and he nods along with her agreeing with her summary of events. He gives a small shrug and murmurs, "It was a weird situation. Shiva swooshed in all crazy, and then swooshed back out."
    Then he looks over at sleepy Kitty and smiles to lean over and give her leg a light pat-pat before he tilts his gaze back toward Colleen. "Colleen gave me some insight that actually helped me understand her better. It was very kind of her."
    But then he looks back toward Kitty and adds with a quiet tone so as to perhaps not wake her if she's truly drifting off to sleep. "Yeah, she is a delicate flower." There's a pause... as he awaits some sort of comment since usually Kitty would probably have to say /something/ about that.
    Then his hazel eyes flit back toward Colleen, "It's good to see you again."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"It is good to see you again as well Alexander. Please, do not be a stranger. The dojo door is always open, except when it is closed. In that case, call or text me. I always welcome your company. You know that. Perhaps you can bring by that woman you have a small fancy for. I would love to meet her." Her eyes slide over to Kitty, all snuggled up on the bed with the karate teddy bear and almost asleep. "That bear keeps the bad dreams away. Whenever she crashes here she always steals the bear." There is a small laugh given and she pushes herself up from the floor and makes her way to the bed, pulling the other side blanket up and over her, in a sense tucking her in. She leans over and places a small kiss to the top of her head, "No snoring." Her eyes then go back to Alexander. "So have you been staying out of trouble?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Clarice?" He asks, then tilts his head to the side to give it some thought. "She'd probably like meeting you." Alexander sits up and chuckles a little as he looks toward Kitty, and then with a hint of amusement he murmurs. "Do you have a bowl with some warm water? Maybe some sharpies?"
    Of course he's joking. Right?
    But the way his eyes widen marginally his grin takes on just enough of a manic manner to make it seem like he's really just being silly. He takes a deep breath and crinkles his nose. "Kinda staying out of trouble. Lots of stuff has been going on. I dunno." He looks over toward Colleen and murmurs, "But it's nice this place offers a sort of solitude from the rest of the world."
    The blond youth takes the time to look over the small apartment again and gives a small shrug. "Ah well."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Clarice? That is not a name you hear everyday. Perhaps we can all arrange a dinner sometime. I promise not to cook. Take-out it is. I am sure if you find her delightful, then I will as well." At the mention of drawing on Kitty, Colleen laughs softly, trying to make sure she does not wake her. "Oh my god, she would never forgive us. I ma not sure I want the wrath of that on my conscience." She moves to sit on the edge of the bed gently, stretching her legs out. "It does. It is as if I can close the door and leave the world outside. You know you are welcome to do so anytime you want. I have a couch and plent of mat space out there. If you simply want to get away and need a place to do it, you know my dojo is always an option Alexander. I already seem to take it stray /cats/." She reaches over and gently pats Kitty on the leg. "The offer stands. Simply let me know. If you want the couch tonight, feel free to take it." There are pillows on both ends of the couch and a blanket across the top.