5527/Lakeside Chat

Lakeside Chat
Date of Scene:	10 March 2021
Location:	Breakstone Lake
Synopsis:	A meeting by the lake balloons. Kassandra tells people the reason she fishes like six times, plans are made to meet in Ororo's attic later for lessons, and Warren is declared the unofficial Lyft of Xavier's.
Cast of Characters:	Kassandra Pagonis, Henry McCoy, Ororo Munroe, Warren Worthington, Kitty Pryde

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Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     The weather in Westchester, New York is oftentimes cool. Spring can easily find temperatures hovering a little above freezing well into the Ides of March before the warmth and growth of persephone start to fight against the cold, dark of winter. Today is one of those days - temperatures in the fifties with a little bit of clouds, a little bit of wind, and a lot of sun. One of the days that, were Kassandra still homeless, would be considered decent, because you could find a sunny spot and warm up without too much trouble.

     Dressed in a jacket, jeans, and a comfortable pair of boots, Kassandra has set herself up on the edge of the lake with a fishing rod and a small tackle box scavenged from somewhere on campus. How she managed to get someone to convince her to use their fishing rod is a matter of debate, but she managed it. Sitting on an overturned milk crate, she slowly reels in the line with small jerking motions of the tip of the rod, getting it back in and, with a slow, smooth motion, flinging it out into the water again.

Henry McCoy has posed:
Cold weather never really bothered Henry - his fur was thick enough that the big man kept warm more than not. Still, a warmer day is one to be enjoyed! Henry had made the best of it, running through the nearby wooded area and relishing in the warmth of the sun on his frame. More often than not, he leapt up into the trees, swinging through the limbs with his acrobatic panache before landing and resuming his run.

Catching the subtle motion of a fisher near the shore, his path took him in that direction. A smile is offered over, as he slows to a regular jog - no need to startle anyone, or the fish! "Hey there, Kassandra." He calls over, slowing to a walk then. "How goes the fishing?"

Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     The reel makes a soft whizzing sound as the filament goes out, the brightly colored spinner bait splatting in the water just at the edge of a pool of shadows cast by a tree and a bunch of lily pads. Kassandra pauses, letting the bait sink for a few seconds before she starts reeling it in again that same slow, steady motion happening as she does her best to trick a fish into biting something that's not alive. "The thing about fishing isn't so much the fishing, Henry." After cookies and hugs, she's moved from Dr. McCoy to Henry. It's still respectful, though, and she'll go back to Dr. McCoy if he wants her to, but it's just a little more friendly. "It's the sitting out in nature. Meditation, this is, almost. The sound of the water, the wind, the waves. The repetitive motion of the casting. And, yeah, sometimes you do catch something but that's mainly for bragging rights." She stops reeling, letting the bait sink again before jerking it slightly, reeling again slightly faster.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Dressed for complete comfort in a loose fitting, quite long t-shirt of blue and black leggings, her feet completely bare, Ororo walks along the path enjoying the feel of the earth beneath her feet. She seems lost in her own world as she moves, watching the leaves on the trees shifting in the wind, and how the birds hop from the branches to catch that breeze then fly off. She wasn't particularly expecting to come across anyone, so as she does she has to pause and focus her attention back to the real world and those around her.

She offers a warm smile to both present before saying quietly, "Good morning Hank, Kassandra. Doing a little fishing on this beautiful morning?" Her eyes search over Kassandra for a moment, that smile remaining in place, but as they shift to Henry, the smile alters slightly and her brows knit just the tiniest amount.

Henry McCoy has posed:
Coming to a stop near where Kassandra sits, Henry takes a seat on the bank as well. His legs go criss-cross, the Beast getting comfortable. A grin is offered over to Kassandra. "Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish that they are after." He quotes, his tone deep and sonorous. "So sayeth Henry David Thoreau. Quite an eloquent turn of words, and quite true. The peace and quiet of such an activity, surrounded by nature." A glance around. "And here I am noising up the place."

As the Storm goddess arrives, Henry glances over with a smile. "Good morning, Ororo. How are you today?"

Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     The bait jingles as it comes out of the water, Kassandra waving a hand as if to shoo away the self-depreciating words. "Ah, you're fine. From what I know, fish really don't have much long-term memory and are forgetful besides, but I'm sure Aquaman would have something to say about that. You're just talking. No singing or throwing rocks in the water and, I mean, you're barefoot. How could that scare a fish away unless you put your feet in the water." She's teasing, obviously, flicking the bait out to land in the water again with a muted splash.

     Ororo's appearance causes Kassandra to straighten her back slightly, as if she's on the carpet in front of an authority figure. "Good morning, Miss Munroe." Unlike with Henry, she's not comfortably on a first name basis with the white-haired woman just yet in her view. So she's super polite for reasons. "Fishing implies catching fish. So far my string is empty and all I've got to show for an hour here is a slightly warmer spot on the rock I'm sitting on. But that's not the point of such things." She grins.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Begining her slow walk again, this time toward the pair on the bank, Ororo stops a few feet short of them but in a better position to speak to them, no more craning of necks. Her eyes remain on Henry as she moves, though the smile slips back into its proper place on her face.

"It is a beautiful day, how can I be anything but good?" She replies, gesturing toward the spot next to Hank before asking, "May I join you?"

Casting her glance to Kassandra, her smile brightens. "Please, outside of class, call me Ororo. I rarely stand on formality save for the appropriate occasions. I would not be surprised to learn that the fish in this lake are all asleep, or more likely wise to the dangling bait on a string after so long. Still, it is a wonderful day to sit in the sun and /try/ to catch them."

Henry McCoy has posed:
A chuckle, the Beast nodding. "I am certain that Aquaman or Namor would have far more insight into the fish than I, of course." A grin. "One day, I hope to be invited to their realm, if only to witness the glory and beauty of the undersea." He puts his hands on his hips and twists at the waist to stretch. "I fear it's a bit too chilly for dipping toes in the lake." He teases back to Kassandra.

A nod of agreement to Ororo regarding her description of the day. "Spring is fighting for hold over the winter, these days. It is a good time to enjoy the battle, and the minor victory for warmer climates." A chuckle. "And of course, please do join. I was just doing a run, when I spotted Kassandra here. I thought I'd stop by to see how things were going - she's one of our new students." Of course, Ororo knows!

Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     "Ororo, then." Kassandra says with a nod, shifting on her rock just a little, lifting up on her crossed legs to send the bait flying to land in the pond about halfway across in the general area that she's been aiming for the last hour. "Like I was telling Henry, in my view the goal of fishing isn't so much the catching part, but the journey to the catching, and he seemed to agree while quoting Thoreau to back up his point." She glances to Henry. "That was a good aside, mind you. Keep it up."

     As she's discussed, Kassandra blushes a little bit, ducking her head with a small smile, her free hand coming up to brush her hair back behind her ear with one thumb. "It's different, up here, than it is back in Texas. So much cooler. I mean, down ho....back there," She catches herself. "it'd be in the low 70's with southerly winds and maybe a little rain. Here it's still long sleeves and freezing temperatures past midnight."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Settling in beside Hank, Ororo folds her legs up beneath her and runs her hand over the top of the earth. It doesn't matter that her hand gets dirty, she can always wash them, she merely enjoys the feel.

"Is there a particular reason that you change your words in the middle of what you are saying? Are you concerned with what the previous words mean, or has their meaning changed?" She glances to Hank a moment, but focuses her attention back on Kassandra. "Up here, and down home, is that not what you were going to say?"

Henry McCoy has posed:
"I'd like to think I am well-versed in literary quotes, of course." Henry teases Kassandra. "Something about spending so much time nestled in with a good book, when not playing football in college." He beams a bit at that. "As well as after... books... help you escape elsewhere and be someone else." His toes wiggle in the earth, enjoying the freedom of motion.

His eyes go from Ororo to Kassandra as the question comes up. "Home is... where you feel it is. It can be several places, truth be told." A wry grin.

Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     "Home's not been Texas since I got kicked out, more or less." Kassandra says softly, glancing to Ororo, setting the pole across her knees, the bait out there somewhere floating to be dealt with later. It's not like it's going to go anywhere, after all. "I still feel like I'm Texan, but down there I really don't have anywhere I'd consider home anymore. They kind of made that clear when they burned the barn down with me in it as a message." She rolls one shoulder, lifting the pole to start fishing again, just...thinking. "The dock I lashed my boat to, the lines were cut and, for good measure, the dock got burned down, so I'm setting sail, looking for another place to tie up, if that makes sense." She snorts softly. "Wow, this got heavy quick, didn't it?"

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo Munroe cants her head slightly, her smile brightening, "Hank is right, home is where you choose it to be, but that does not meant you cannot say back home, or down home. The word is just a word after all, and only has the power you give it. Do not change your words, change the feeling behind the words, and always remember that words only have the power you give them."

Shifting her eyes back to the water now, she watches the lure bobbing on the top of the waves. "We are all very much alike in that we have, at one time or another, had no home. That ended however, when we got here."

Warren Worthington has posed:
For a brief moment there is the shadow of a large bird that falls over the ground at the lake's shore. The wingspan large enough to cause a mini-eclipse as they block out the sun totally for the brief second it passes overhead. Another second later, and it passes over once again before the backlit silhouette of a winged man, much like that of an angel descends from the heavens, with what appears to be a young woman held against his body in tow.

"If I knew there was going to be a beach party, I would have worn my shorts," Warren comments as he comes into earshot, "or at the very least brought some hot dogs for a bar-b-que. What's going on guys?"

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty Pryde could be hang gliding for how content she is to just be held against the winged mutant, trusting him to hold her as they glide through the skies. She lacks his eagle-quality eyesight, so it takes her longer to make out the faces by the lake. But Warren is already diving down towards them by then.

"Or wetsuit," Kitty adds once they are on the ground, "Because that water is still going to be pretty cold." She tucks back a few locks of hair that came out of her ponytail during the flight. "Hey Kassandra, having any luck?" she asks, keeping her voice quiet to try to not scare the fish away. Kitty goes over to offer Henry McCoy a side hug, and then a fully normal hug for Ororo.

Henry McCoy has posed:
"The important part, as Ororo said, is you have a home." Henry smiles to Kass, offering a nod. "If you choose to be moored here, then you've found the home you want." A wry smile and a shrug. "My... background is different, but this is my home now." The Beast explains. "We all come from different paths, different seas if you will. Xavier's has become quite the collection of people - all finding harbor here."

He offers a smile over to Ororo as well, nodding. "Indeed. And a fine family we have here, Ororo." His eyes go back to the water... until the shadow of the winged man soars overhead. "Warren, Kitty!" He offers, with a wave. "How are you this morning?"

Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     For a second, Kass considers explaining the whole difference between fishing and catching but, since she's done it already twice, shakes her head. "Nah, no luck just yet. Henry and Ororo just showed up and scared all the fish away. Typical, ain't it?" She's very obviously teasing in this regard, giving the pair a smile, looking up at Warren and Kitty where they stand looking very much like a fresco Michaelangelo would have painted with an angel and a woman, if the woman was wearing a star of david and dressed in comfortable, casual clothes. "No swimming, though. Not until the temperatures at night get above fifty, 'cause that means the daytime temps'll get up to eighty and the water'll be cool, but not cold enough that you immediately leap out shrieking at how cold it is." She's got it all planned out, it seems.

     Lifting her pole, Kassandra starts to slowly reel in her bait, looking to Ororo and Beast, thinking before she speaks. A good thing she's taught herself. "The cynical part of me says that 'any port in a storm is a good port' an' I could really have picked worse places. I mean...hell, you think fishin' is somethin' people could get away with regular-like?" Her Texan accent is really kicking in. She's comfortable. "I jus' got to get more...used to things. In a pattern, I guess, where I ain't thinkin' things'll just get yanked out from under me like a rug on a slippery floor."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Looking to the sky as the shadow falls, Ororo knows almost immediately who it is, though she did not expect him to be carrying Kitty along with him. She watches the decent with interest, blue eyes following the movements until they are on the ground. A smile is offered to the pair as they approach, the comments made left to others to respond to. For the moment, her attention is completely devoted to watching Kitty and Warren.

As Kitty approaches, the hug is returned, "Two visits in one week, and I see you came in style," her eyes glide over to Warren and stay there, even as she continues to speak to Kitty. "What brings you by on this beautiful day?"

She lingers with her eyes on Warren for quite a moment, then they moves to Kassandra. "There is no rug to be pulled from beneath you, no catch or gimmick you need worry about. If you give it time, you will find that this place can be your home, for what you do not yet realize, is that it already is. If there is anything I can do to assist you, to make the transition from wandering at sea to docking here permanently, please let me know Kassandra."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty Pryde lets Ororo go from the hug as she looks over at the lake, shielding her eyes against the sun. "Have caught some real nice fish from out of here over the years. Used to have a small group we'd take a boat out and just float and fish and relax all day," she tells the other girl.

The Jewish girl looks back to Ororo. "Oh, coming up to check on things. Not like with this many students we need a 24/7 guidance counselor most of the time, but I try to spend as much time here as I can."

She smiles over to Warren. "And this new Uber service I found? I really strongly recommend," she says, moving back to the angelic man and slipping her arm about his waist.

Henry McCoy has posed:
Kitty gets a return hug from Henry, the man grinning. "No swimming for me today. Perhaps Bobby would enjoy the frigid water..." He teases. "But not me." His legs unfold, from where he was sitting cross-legged on the shore. Stretching out, his toes wiggle again as he enjoys the sunshine and the conversation. A grin is cast towards Kitty and Warren. "Uber? Wouldn't he better be associated with Lyft?" Dad joke. Pun. Whatever!

After Ororo comments on home, he nods. "Indeed, she's right. It's a matter of you finding your comfort here. We're already happy to have you." He mentions to Kassandra.

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren raises a brow at the continued 'look' from Ororo, but just plasters on that charming smile of his and raises a hand in greeting to the once African goddess before greeting everyone in turn.

"Hey, 'Ro, Henry, Kass. It's only cold if that sort of thing bothers you. I'm sure Bobby would be splashing us with a cannonball if he was around..." around the same time Hank mentions Bobby, and laughs. "Jynx. You owe me a beer."

"So, aside from the lack of biting fish today, how are you settling in Kass? You have everything you need?"

Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     "My goal right now is to be useful." Kassandra throws out her bait again, making sure to get it nowhere near anyone who might get hooked inadvertantly, because it sucks, and she still has the scar from when it happened when she was eight to prove it. "To learn how to use my ability so I'm not just a drain on resources." She's pragmatic, when it comes to such things, it seems, even though it may not be the case that it's a merit-based group she's a part of. "I would like to sit down with you in some official capacity at some point, Ororo, to figure out a...training regimen? Or something?" She shrugs. "I mean, Henry saw what I could do for about thirty seconds before I passed out. Being able to do my dog and pony show without passing out would be a plus, I think. And being able to not do it when I fall asleep unconciously."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
A soft hmmm, escaes Ororo as she listens to Kassandra, for the moment her attention on her and not Warren. "I can attempt to assist you in that regard, it is part of duties to the school, and something I enjoy. However, you should not feel like you need to rush, in fact it is much better if you take your time in developing your abilities. Hurrying leads to mistakes, and some mistakes can be deadly, better that you set yourself to a slow and steady progress. I have not seen your abilities, but that is not a requirement until you are able and we are working together to improve them."

Now she looks to Kitty, "You say that Warren is the best uber? Perhaps I should have him uber me some place."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty Pryde gives a warm grin to Henry. "I didn't even set you up for that intentionally," she tells him after the Lyft comment. She looks to Angel then and says, "Still worth it, raining or not. And not like you need someone to fly you somewhere, Ororo," Kitty counters.

She glances up at the school, but doesn't head that way to check in just yet. "And Ororo, about dinner, we'd be happy to have you by as I mentioned," she says. "Ok I might have added the dinner part, but if you're coming by, might as well stay for awhile."

Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     "I'm settling in pretty well, Warren, thank you. I got a room, got classes starting up after Spring Break, and I've already done two briskets that went over pretty well. And cookies." That last part is added almost as an afterthought but, for those who had them, they were pretty darn good. "We'll sit down sometime, Ororo, and I'll show you what I can do. Bring something interesting that has a memory and I'll see what pops out."

Henry McCoy has posed:
"I thought jinx meant you owed a Coke? Are we upgrading to beer?" Henry teases Warren, chuckling good-naturedly. A wink to Kitty after. "I try to keep my witty repartee sharp, so I can keep up with the quick witted folks here." A smile. Again, he wiggles his toes and stretches. Cat in the sun, after all.

A nod to Kass and Ororo as they discuss. "It really was like being there, Kass." A grin to Ororo. "She pulled memories from the helmet I have from college. I swear, every thing about the vision was as real as could be. I could smell the grass, feel the wind..." He nods.

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren once again give 'Ro a glance that has a quizzical expression attached to it. "Like you would need me to fly you anywhere, 'Ro," he says with a hint of skepticism in his voice as he looks her way. "But Kate is right, you are more than welcome to come on over for dinner anytime, just let us know when so we can have things prepared."

The Angel turns to the rest, "That's good, Kass. Let me know if you need anything else. I don't mind financing a new student that needs the help. It really is the least I can do."

"I think we are too old for Coke these days, Hank. I think beer is a suitable upgrade? And if I find anyone slapping a Lyft sticker on my back, I am going to...do something suitably demeaning right back."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty Pryde grins over towards Henry. "You? Please, Hank. If your wit was any sharper we'd all be as risk of impalement as we are when Logan's around," she says, teasing the older mutant right back.

The young woman gently pats Warren's back below and between the wings. "No stickers," she agrees. "Tattoo? Hrm..." she says as if considering it, and grinning up at the man.

"I should head inside and check if anything's come up. Great to see you're making headway, Kass. Yes, just take your time with it and things will end up feeling right as rain and like home before you know it," she agrees.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
The explanation of Kassandra's power puts a hint of a frown on Ororo's face, not of sadness, but more of deep thoughts that might not wholly agree with her. "I am uncertain if I have anything with that sort of connection, Kassandra. Perhaps I will have to have Hank here explain the details to me, or ask another to stand in. I am not one for worldly possessions, the few things I have were gifts."

Again she looks back to Warren, offering him a lovely, charming smile. "I would very much enjoy dinner with you and Kitty, and though I can of course fly, that does not mean I would not like to experience it from your view point, but it of course no requirement."

Henry McCoy has posed:
The Beast gives a wave to Kitty as she turns to head inside. "Be safe." A smile, looking back to Warren. "And she spared you the Lyft sticker. Perhaps one of the moustaches they put on the front of their cars?" The older man teases. "Just trying to help promote your budding business, Warren."

"I can bring things by, if you like Ororo. As I understand, she can project visions on the history of the item - emotional attachment or not. She explained to to me that she could show the production of a fork, its use during its lifetime and such."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren watches Kitty head towards the house, keeping his eyes on her until she makes her way out of sight before turning back around to face Ororo. "Well, of course, 'Ro," Warren says to the weather goddess with a shrug of his shoulder as he glances back after where Kitty went once again. "If you want to take a flight with me, by all means you are more than welcome to do so. Just let me know whenever you want to do so, and I'll take you up. Be happy to do it."

"Warren turns to Hank and shakes his head, "I don't need any help, Henry. I have all the business I can handle as it is. Between WI and now being an apparent personal Lyft for Ms. Pryde, I don't think I can handle any more business!" He chuckles, "Besides, I would look horrible with a moustache. I'd have to go full goatee and by then people would just think I am an evil doppelganger a la Star Trek."

Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     "Things with emotional connections generally are easier for me to show off." Kassandra explains to Ororo, nodding to Henry. "Or at least easier to find. I mean..." She hefts the rod. "I could probably get something off of this if you gave me enough time. Henry had a football helmet from his days of playing sports ball for that team with the helmets that I could easily find something off of. He seemed to enjoy reminiscing. From what I can tell in my limited understanding, people...living things that are concious...all affect the environment they're in by simply being. I read and transmit those effects to people in about a twenty foot radius.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Shifting slightly and standing to stretch her legs, Ororo nods to Kassandra. "I wish that I had something of that nature, but as I said, I do not collect material things so there is no item for memories to attach themselves to. All energy of life flows through all things, living and non-living, it makes sense that memories would attach themselves to items as well. I am quite certain that are many things around that hold such memories, perhaps even Hank has another item that will suffice, but not today."

Henry McCoy has posed:
There's a deep laugh at the comment regarding looking like a doppelganger from Star Trek. "Indeed, you would. I am not certain if my double would be adorned with such a thing - it would be difficult to spot, I suppose." Henry scratches at his chin, chuckling. A nod to Ororo. "When you have time, of course."

He smiles to Kass. "It was a good day you brought back - it is quite wonderful to have such a vivid memory returned." He explains. "I imagine though, were it a bad memory it'd be a bit shaking."

Warren Worthington has posed:
"I just don't see myself the facial hair type? I don't know, maybe I will try it sometime just to see, but I can't picture myself with it. With my hair coloring it would be hard to see anyway, at least from a distance." Warren says with another shrug, his wings ruffling out behind him as they adjust to flatten against his back. "On you, I don't know...maybe your evil twin is bald and looks like one of those hairless cats. All wrinkly and looking like a...well, a wrinkly sack of skin." Warren shrugs with a laugh.

He glances over at Kass, "So, no luck on catching anything yet? I'm pretty sure that the lake has some fish in it? If not, it should. I'll talk to someone about getting it stocked with trout or something if is isn't. I honestly have no idea if there are fish in there."

Warren casts a glance towards Ororo, looking as if he is about to open his mouth to say something, but then closes it again thinking better of it and just offering over a polite smile instead.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
For a brief moment Ororo considers floating over the water and letting her toes drag across the top, but Kassandra is still fishing so instead she turns around and looks at Warren.

"What were you going to say? Certainly not something about my evil twin and Star Trek, or you would have merely spoken. What is it that you thought, then stopped yourself from uttering?" She cants her head slightly, blue eyes watching him intently as she asks.

Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     At the fourth time of being asked whether or not she caught anything, Kass just giggles and shakes her head in the negative. "Not here to catch fish. Just here enjoying nature and the conversation that came with it." She reels in the line and sets the pole aside, out of the way, turning so she can see everyone else and converse more easily. "I'd love to be able to fly."

Henry McCoy has posed:
Henry rolls his eyes. "A sphinx cat? Yikes." A shake of his head, grinning. "That... would be very disturbing to see, for all sorts of reasons." The man muses. "I think a goatee would look good on you, Warren. Roguish and all. And I believe there are fish here - they may still be sleepy, with the recent cold."

A chuckle at Ororo's comment. "I think he might have thought of indicating your double might have a goatee, too." He teases.

Warren Worthington has posed:
"If I wanted to say it 'Ro, I would have said it," comments Warren with a shrug. "It's of no importance."

He turns his eyes to Henry and chuckles, "Is that what they are called? I just know they are hairless and look all wrinkled, and yes that would be absolutely horrifying to think of you that way. The fact that I can almost envision it in my minds eye is bad enough let me tell you." The man reaches up and rubs at his naked chin, "You think? I don't know. Maybe I'll let it grow out a bit and see what it looks like. What's the worst that happens, right? I just shave it off if it looks horrible."

Warren glances over to Kass and grins, "Ah. Well there goes my plan for a fresh caught dinner!" Warren chuckles, "If you ever want to go for a flight, I am sure that can be arranged. I know it's not the same as doing it on your own, but I can at least share the experience."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
A soft, melodic laugh escapes Ororo over Hank's comment of her evil twin with a goatee, for one brief moment she holds a bit of her hair to her chin to represent on, but quickly drops it back to hang freely with the rest of her hair. "That would be an interesting episode, Hank." She finally comments, then glances for a moment to Warren with nothing more than a brief nod.

"I believe I will return to the house now, if there anything needed you may feel free to seek me out. I will be in the attic."

Kassandra Pagonis has posed:
     "It was nice to talk to you, Ororo. I'll come by later this evening, if you're around." Kassandra says, lifting a hand to wave.