7332/Arizona Trip

Arizona Trip
Date of Scene:	11 August 2021
Location:	The Zitkala Farm: Arizona
Synopsis:	Clarice's trip to visit Dyani is cut shut by her overwhelming need to nap.
Cast of Characters:	Clarice Ferguson, Raven Darkholme, Dyani Zitkala

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Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    The last many hours have been eventful for Clarice - between fighting off alien invaders, and teleporting Jean's family up to the Asteroid for medical treatment - the school she simply didn't trust as a safe place in the current circumstances. She returns to the school, to see if they need anymore help, and to assist with sending any remaining students to safe locations, before finally visiting the gardens. The bees were in a bit of a commotion, after all the excitement, so she decides not to risk approaching any of the hives. Instead, she uses her javelins in blink them one at a time into the area surrounding Dyani's parents' new home.
    Only when that is accomplished, does she disappear in a flash of purple energy herself, to appear just out front - approaching the door tiredly. There are a few cuts and scrapes - and even some mild burns on her legs and arms, but she's paid them no mind up until now.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The new Zitkala farm is much smaller, a good piece of land for farming only what they need, as well a large pasture for the horses. The distance from the old location is nearly a hundred miles, and the family had used multiple ways of ensuring they weren't followed.

The house itself is a rather fancy looking double-wide mobile home, set on a permanent foundation, with a large front porch. The lights are on in the house, despite the hour, and voices can be heard from inside.

The purple flash is all Dyani needs. The door opens and she zips out, perhaps too quickly. From inside her father says, "Slow down girl!" but it's too late.

"Clarice!"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Dyani," she greets the girl - wrapping her up into a hug and resting her head against her with a tired sigh. "Sorry if I worried you," she murmurs, lingering in the embrace before finally straightening up. "I could use some coffee - or some tea. Should we go in?" She's more than happy to be guided by the younger girl, as she tries to keep the worst of her exhaustion from peeking through.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Although Dyani was moving quickly, she slowed down to the impact wasn't bad and hugged Clarice so hard, which isn't really that hard because she's not that strong. Once Clarice steps back and Dyani starts looking her, taking her hand to lead her inside.

"You are hurt? Papa makes the best coffee, we can get you some and you can rest. Mama will tend to your burns."

Even as she is talking she is leading Clarice inside. The living room is small, but comfortable. Tuari and Mitena are hovering by the front door as Clarice is brought inside, and hearing their daughter, Mitena heads to get the first aid kit while Tauri moves to the kitchen.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I'd like that - yes," Clarice agrees - letting out a quiet sigh. "You might have to stay here with your family for a few days - until things quiet down at the school again. But I think that everyone's alright..." Except, perhaps, for Jean who'd disappeared in front of her.
    She makes no comment on that, though. She'd reported what she'd seen to the X-Men back at the school. What else could she do?
    "There was some damage, though, so they're going to have to get some repair men in to vide things up."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Dyani leads Clarice right to the big chair. It's huge, fluffy, and extremely comfortable, and more than large enough for at least two people or her very large father.

"Are you alright? That's all we care about," she says, perching on the arm of the chair.
Mitena comes back in from the back of the house, carrying a large first aid kit. She offers Clarice a nod and smile. "Burn cream and bandages," she offers, kneeling down by the chair to start tending the wounds.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I'm fine. Nothing that won't heal up in a day or two, Dyani, I promise you," Clarice says sincerely. All in all - she'd been fortunate, given everything that had happened. "And I'm sorry I couldn't get away sooner - or send your hives. I had to take care of the other students first."
    Her gaze goes to Mitena as she adds, "Thank you. I'm sorry I didn't give you more warning or explination. Everything happened so quickly..."
    She'd known, though. She should have sent Dyani away when Lilandra first arrived - she should have insisted on all the students being sent away.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Dyani finds a place on Clarice's arm that doesn't look hurt and starts petting it, "It's alright, we can wait. We worry about the hives, but they know how to take care of themselves." She looks to her mother for a moment and smiles.

Mitena looks up to Clarice, "You never have to give warning Clarice," she says, but it is Tauri that continues speaking as he comes back into the room.

"You're always welcome here, and if you need to bring Dyani here, you don't need to worry about the timing. We trust you. You said you managed to get the other students out?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I got many of them out - there was another teleporter there I'm unfamiliar with who got some more of them out. When I-" returned to the school, "By the time I went to the garden for the hives, it seemed that all the students were accounted for. That's what matters the most. They were still sorting out which of the adult residents had been out, but hopefully... everyone's alright." Clarice lets out a sigh as she adds by way of explination, "There was someone at the school that these aliens on the news have been looking for. That's what it's all about. I think it's probably best if I don't say too much more about it at the moment, though."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Dyani moves in closer to Clarice, "Who were they after? You can tell us, we won't repeat it." She looks at her parents then back to Clarice. "Who would we tell?"

Mitena continues to treat the burns, clean the cuts, and tend to the wounds on Clarice while Tauri goes back to the kitchen, "Cream or sugar, Clarice?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Jean, the head mistress," Clarice relents quietly, with a sigh. "We'll have to see how things resolve before I say more, though. Alright? But I promise you'll get the whole story one of these days."
    She leans her head in against Dyani's shoulder as the girl continues to perch on the chair and pet at her arm, her gaze going to Tauri's retreating form. "Sugar, please! Thank you, Tauri."
    Towards Dyani she adds, "Before you ask - I saw Hank and he's fine. Alright?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Dyani leans in against Clarice then hugs her again, sort of, a head hug really. "We are /so/ glad to hear Dr. Hank is alright, we were worried about you and him," she admits.

Tauri comes back in with a large cup of coffee, having added sugar, and offers it to Clarice. "We're just glad you got Dyani out. We know some day she'll be able to help in situations like that, but not yet."

Mitena moves to Clarice's other leg now. Clean, tend cuts, smear burn cream, band aids or gauze depending on the wound. "Was anyone..." she stops, chewing at her lip. "I hope everyone is alright and that Ms. Grey is safe."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "As far as we know - everyone from the school is alright," Clarice answers Mitena.
    She doesn't believe for a second that whatever happened to Jean killed her. No - she was //taken//. She simply needs to be taken back.
    "But it might take a little while longer to really confirm that. They were sending out text messages to residents they couldn't account for - some of them were simply off campus and have replied already." She smiles up towards Dyani as she adds, "And I know how strong and capable Dyani can be. But there's no need to put her in any sort of danger." Not yet.
    She accepts the cup of coffee with a grateful, tired smile, taking a cautious sip. This is //exactly// what she needs right now.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Tauri remains near the chair, but not necessarily hovering. "You're welcome to stay the night Clarice, or just rest for a bit. The extra room had a comfortable bed and it's on AC unit."

Mitena nods, "Oh yes, you're more than welcome to stay."

Dyani chirps, almost literally, "We think you should stay and rest, at least for a few hours. We know you are very busy and have many things do to, but you need rest too. Promise you will rest a few hours? PLease?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Honestly, I think that might be the best idea," Clarice agrees. "I appreciate the hospitality." After all - she'd already sent Lydia back up, and a phone call would reassure Mystique that all was well. "Too many portals can take a lot out of a girl," she admits.
    "Has Jeepers been settling in alright?" she asks, looking to Dyani's parents to make sure they didn't mind the unexpected canine house guest. "Would he be welcome for a few days as well?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Dyani giggles profusely, "He ate our fuzzy bee slippers, he fits in perfectly! He chases the rabbits and squirrels, and papa took him out when he went riding and he warned about a snake."

Tauri chuckles quietly, "He's a good dog, and more than welcome for as long as needed. Mitena and I had been talking about getting a dog, so we're calling this a test run and so far..."

Mitena cuts him off with, "Oh we're getting a dog, but yes, Jeepers is welcome for as long as needed. If anyone else from the school or any pets need a place, you can always bring them here Clarice."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice nods her head in confirmation. "I'll keep that in mind. We'll have to move some of the kids soon - I have quite a few of them all crowded together in one cabin in Montana - theyll be sleeping all over the floor tonight. But there's food enough for all of them, and a roof over their head..." And no alien invaders, so that's good enough for one night. She takes another sip of her coffee before adding, "It'll be up to the staff other parents how and where everyone gets housed for the repairs, though. But I'll let them know you're willing."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Dyani looks like she's about to say something when there is a knock at the front door. Tauri straightens and moves to the door, checking through the spy hole before opening the door, "William, what brings you by this late?"

The man there is older, his hair having gone white long ago, but still worn in two long braids that hang down his chest. "Naokii called, said they spotted the purple flash, wanted to make sure all was good?"

Mitena stands, having finished her first aid, and moves to the door, "Blink returned to tell us what was happening." She moves Tauri aside so that William can step into the house.

Immediately William looks to Clarice and offers her a large smile. "So this is our hero," he offers. "I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you before this. I'm Elder William Hatahle of the Navajo nation."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice seems uncertain at the sound of the new arrival, her gaze going to Dyani, and then her parents, as she tries to guage any tension in their forms for signs of potential danger. Not all neighbors are welcoming of mutants in their vacinity, after all - but they seem calm and relaxed, so Clarice doesn't move from her seat, and instead takes a sip of her coffee.
    As the man enters and addresses her, she sets the cup aside and rises to her feet, offering her right hand towards him. "I was only happy to be able to help, sir. It's a pleasure."

Dyani Zitkala has posed:
Dyani pets Clarice's arm as she says, "Uncle Bill has always accepted us. He calls us the spirit of nature."

William chuckles and winks at Dyani before looking back to Clarice, "I didn't mean to intrude, but we've all become a little more vigilant as of late. We have no intentions of letting anyone take our Wild Spirit again." Now he glances to Tauri and Mitena. "If you need anything, please call. I won't keep you."

If Clarice looks past him and Dyani's parents, she will see a few trucks with their lights on down the driveway, apparently the man wasn't joking about taking things more seriously and being more vigilant. "I'll take the troops and head home."

Dyani hugs Clarice again, no idea why but she does, perhaps it's that Uncle Bill got to meet her or perhaps to comfort her in the confussion.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Nor do I," Clarice insists staunchily. "I will always have Dyani's back. Yes?" she asks - smiling at younger girl for a moment, before looking b ack to Bill once more.
    She returns the girl's hug, leaning some of her weight in against her for a few moments before returning to her chair. There's a chance she'll pass out right there, in Tauri's chair - but she picks up her coffee again for another sip, to try to stave that off. She can hear the sounds of the trucks peeling off and bumping away from the house before she adds wryly, "You have quite an army of protectors here. I'm glad to know that."

Dyani Zitkala has posed:
Tarui and Mitena walk out with William, closing the door behind them. Dyani moves to perch on the chair again, reaching over to grab a blanket off the couch and wrap it around Clarice's legs.

"Our grandfather was an Elder in the tribe," she explains. "Many of the elders were embarrassed that their fears had allowed us to be taken by Hydra. They are trying to ensure it never happens again, even if some really do not like being near us. We are Navajo, we are of the People, even if we look different."

Once the blanket is good and tucked, Dyani reaches down and flips the recliner foot rest up. "Ama across the rode must have called Uncle Bill, and they came to ensure no one was trying to take us or hurt our parents."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "How we look doesn't matter. I looked quite different from my own family - but they loved me, anyways." Little by little, that truth was sitting easier with Clarice - and was less painful to acknowledge, even if it did still dredge up some feelings of grief and remorse. She smiles at Dyani as the girl gets her tucked into place, the expression fond, and a touch amused. After another sip of the coffee, she offers one arm over to the girl, trying to invite her to join her. After all, they're both quite slender, and the chair was huge for either of them. It should fit both - right?
    "It doesn't matter how we look," she repeats. "Family is family, and I will never let anyone take you again."

Dyani Zitkala has posed:
Dyani slips into the chair beside Clarice, snuggling up to her, wrapping a wing around her. "You are hive," she says plainly. "You are family, we have told the Elders, they have accepted. You are always welcome here."

Laying her head on Clarice's shoulder she adds, "We feel safest when you or Dr Hank are around, but you can feel safe here."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    The Elders have accepted. What does that even mean? "I don't know anything about the Elders," Clarice admits. "Or about the Navajo. Not really. All I know is you're the closest thing to a sister I'll ever have." She sets the cup of coffee aside - because even she can tell that, despite the added sugar, the coffee is losing the battle against her exhaustion. It could be the addition of the blanket and the reclined position of the chair, as well.

Dyani Zitkala has posed:
Now Dyani pushes the back of the chair out so it reclines back, making almost a bed out of it... the little lady has a plan and it's working.

"You do not have to know about the Navajo to be accepted," she explains quietly, then settled back into the snuggle position. "You are family, you are sister, and when you have slept and there is more time, we will explain if you wish. For now, you should rest."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice seems to have no protest to this notion - she's already on the verge of dozing off. She abruptly forces herself awake, however, reaching over to tap the switch that reactivates her comm.
    "Boss? Yeah. No, I'm fine - just tired. Resting at Dyani's for a little while. Yeah. Okay, will do." A second tap turns it off.
    But with the comm piece still tucked in her ear, she's ready to be roused if any intel comes in hinting to more trouble. For the moment, though, the only further comment she makes is a loud yawn before she gives into sleep.