(Flashback) The Legacy of Philip (Nightcrawler)

[Gummy]

Kurt smiled as he tasted it.

"Needs a little more salt but apart from that good."

He wasn't being sarcastic just was enjoying someone taking it the next step. Everyone had their own tastebuds though.

"In church we use something different, I brought some along with a few other bits."

He picked up two boxes one which looked to contain hot food.

"Different cultures use food in different ways."

He opened them and the smell was strong. He explained each piece as he placed them on the plate, explaining the meaning and use. He laid a piece of Communion disc on the plate first, pancake from UK for shrove Tuesday, simmel cake, modak, baklava, charoset, kagami mochi, mooncake and dumplings with noodles.

"These are just a few, there are so many different places in the world that have celebration with food. It is a way of bringing us together despite our differences. When you feel ready, you should attend a service at a few different places just so you understand what it really is like. Books can tell you so much but participating can tell you so much more. I can attend with you if I wear my disguise but there are some places which welcome me without question. Even when visiting the same type of church the services can vary so much."

[John Kilroy]

Laura smiled when Nightcrawler complimented her work and gave her constructive criticism. She listened intently as he talked about what she could learn by observing and participating in an actual service. However her look soured when he mentioned needing to where a disguise in certain places. "I don't want to go to any place that will not accept you just because of how you look on the outside. Both the Old and New Testament say that God does not judge based on looks but on thought and deeds. If God does not judge the Outside what right do others have?"

She took a deep breath. How anyone could rediclue a Man like Kurt was beyond her. "But, yes next time you are called anywhere to visit please take me with you. I want to learn more." She respectfully took a bite of the communion disk after giving a silent prayer.

[Gummy]

About a week later Kurt came back to her room and knocked.

"I'm going away for the weekend to a retreat. There will be other Catholics there and some other faiths. Think of it as time to reflect. All you will need is a bible and yourself if you are willing?"

It was the one place which he had been to on many a time, just so he could have a little quietness and stillness. It wasn't like heaven but it was the closes thing he knew of. He hoped she would take it up as there were other reasons why he wanted to take her. This weekend would be a good way for her to experience what life could be like if everyone in the world chose love. He planned to take her to Portsmouth Abbey Monastery. Which was having a christian get together, a way to share stories and inspire each other.

[John Kilroy]

Laura nodded and packed her things. She brought along 4 books. A New American Bible, Revised Edition, A Latin Vulgate, a book on how to read Hebrew, and a book of her own which she would not reveal the contents of if asked.

"I hope you don't mind if I pack more than one. I'm working on a project. but it's going to be a while. I'm sort of learning as I go. Portsmouth Abbey Monastery, that's in England? How do plan on getting there?"

She admittedly had a hard time holding in her excitement. Seemed like the more she learned, the more she wanted to learn and she was going to take every opportunity given to her. still old habits died out and she felt the need to be briefed she went from excited to cold in seconds flat.

"Are there any customs or rules I need to be aware of?"

[Gummy]

Kurt smiled with his sparkling eyes at Laura.

"Not in England but Rhode Island. I plan on taking a car. It is comfier and won't take long. As for rules. There are no phones or devices allowed out of your room and every day there is an reflection hour where you are not allowed to talk. The monks also attend the chapel frequently for prayers and song. Oh it is just amazing to listen to them sing. There is somewhere to eat and drink and feel free to explore where you like apart from anybody's room. As you are a female, you will be in a different block to me but I won't be far and there will be others who will be there for you."

He swung a set of keys around one finger.

"If you're ready lets go."

He led the way to the garage and pressed a button on the key before heading to a simple car. His small bag was already in the boot. One of the Bamfs were sat on the roof and looked expectantly at Kurt who laughed.

"Not this time."

The Bamf sighed and nodded before vanishing in a puff of sulphar.

[John Kilroy]

Laura nodded. So she would be going black. That was fine, nothing that she had not dealt with before. She placed all communication devices in a nightstand in her room. When Nightcrawler led her to the car she noticed the little blue miniature nightcrawler looking thing. She jumped and almost immediately her claws went out. In the back of her mind, she KNEW nothing in the mansion would hurt her intentionally but still old habits die hard.

Kurt laughed and dismissed it much to the creature's disappointment.

"What is that...thing?" she asked unsure what to make of it exactly.

She went inside the car and took a deep breath. This felt weird to her. She was going on a mission, but it was not going to be a mission of violence, but a mission of peace, a mission of learning. She had no frame of reference for this kind of thing. She was excited, but also...kind of frightened as thoughts went into her head. What would the people at the monastery think of her. Would they see her as a monster?

[Gummy]

Kurt looked at Laura with a huge smile.

"That thing is called a Bamf. I kinda made them or found them. I'm not sure which but they come in blue and red. Blues are flirting little mischief makers. The red are more evil. They behave for the most part and you'll only find the blue ones here. If you see a red one then something is wrong in one of the hells. Don't worry."

Kurt got into the car and waited for Laura to join them. Then started the car and headed out of the garage. The road was long and Kurt turned the radio on to help pass the time.

"If you want to stop anywhere let me know. Just try to relax and remember to breath. We can stop as many times as you like. Just enjoy the journey. You can chose the channel. Just nothing with too much heavy metal on please?"

[John Kilroy]

It was weird for Laura to be sitting in a normal car. All her missions either involved her sitting in the back of a truck or getting airdropped. She was a fish out of water, and in a way it made her feel uncomfortable Part of her wanted to ask if maybe should could sit in the back of the trunk. It would feel more normal for her, but she knew it would be absurd for her to be in the trunk only to come out like some shadowy spec-op soldier when they made it to the monastery. The last thing she wanted to do was cause a misunderstanding. As it was she was kind of surprised that Kurt didn't rebuke her for letting her claws out wehen she saw the BAMF.

When Kurt told her to go ahead and pick a station with the only restriction being no Uber heavy metal she simple went. "No heavy metal. Got it."

She turned on a station and as the song played her blood went cold. It was a Song called "Heathens" by 21-pilots. She felt anxiety slowly creep up as the song played. Somehow the lyrics felt like they were boaring into her soul, telling her story revealing her inner mind in ways she could not express in some verses, Her story, her fears, her inner paranoia while other verses felt as if they were talking to her directly. Part of her wanted to change the channel but she willed herself to listen. She'd also gently try to stop Kurt if he tried to change it for her.

"All my friends are heathens, take it slow

Wait for them to ask you who you know

Please don't make any sudden moves

You don't know the half of the abuse

All my friends are heathens, take it slow

Wait for them to ask you who you know

Please don't make any sudden moves

You don't know the half of the abuse

Welcome to the room of people

Who have rooms of people that they loved one day

Locked away

Just because we check the guns at the door

Doesn't mean our brains will change from hand grenades

You'll never know the psychopath sitting next to you

You'll never know the murderer sitting next to you

You'll think, "How'd I get here, sitting next to you?"

But after all I've said, please don't forget

All my friends are heathens, take it slow

Wait for them to ask you who you know

Please don't make any sudden moves

You don't know the half of the abuse

We don't deal with outsiders very well

They say newcomers have a certain smell

You have trust issues, not to mention

They say they can smell your intentions

You'll never know the freakshow sitting next to you

You'll have some weird people sitting next to you

You'll think "How did I get here, sitting next to you?"

But after all I've said, please don't forget

All my friends are heathens, take it slow

Wait for them to ask you who you know

Please don't make any sudden moves

You don't know the half of the abuse

All my friends are heathens, take it slow

Wait for them to ask you who you know

Please all my friends are heathens, take it slow

Wait for them to ask you who you know

Why'd you come? You knew you should have stayed

I tried to warn you just to stay away

And now they're outside ready to bust

It looks like you might be one of us"

After the song was over Laura looked up and took a deep exhale, small tears formed but she held them back.

[Gummy]

Kurt listened to the lyrics.

"That isn't true. You're with us. Yes, we fight for those who can't fight for themselves but we are also lovers and law abiding.... for the most part."

The most part was Logan! He could very well be NOT law abiding.

"I'm thinking of Logan when I say that... his temper is bad but he is getting better. We all have our demons... Even me."

He thought of his time in the circus and the treatment he received and the fascard he made before he was saved by his family.

"We don't care, it's what we do from now. You have read the passages, you know Gott forgives and welcomes with open arms. What is in the past is in the past."

Kurt smiled when it finished.

"Look out and see the beauty."

He then fell quiet as the radio started talking about the troubles teens face with the fear of the future.

[John Kilroy]

Laura was silent for a moment, she didn't know how to react she just hoped that he was right. She stayed quiet for the rest of the trip until finally, they made it to the monastery in question. Laura looked in awe as she saw the various holy men around the courtyard. Something about the monastery had a peaceful aura to it. It no doubt helped that it was far away from the rest of the hustle and bustle of New York. Laura undid her seatbelt and got out of the car. One of the holy men a rather rotund individual with a jolly-looking demeanor named William Luther, looked over and walked over toward them.

"Brother Wagner." The man said giving Kurt a warm welcoming embrace. Here at the monastery, no one seemed to care about Kurt's physical piety, in fact the man's piety made him a man of much respect amongst his peers.

"It's good to see you my friend. May God be with you." the man then looked over and saw Laura.

"Ah I see you have brought over a guest. Hello little one what is your name?"

"Laura sir." She said quietly.

[Gummy]

Kurt parked the car, removed his seatbelt and got out of the car. He smiled warmly to the father who welcomed him taking the embrace and moving to a shake in the hand.

"Brother, it is good to see you. Glad to be here for the conference, I'm looking forward to speaking and peace be with you."

He let go of the embrace to allow him to meet Laura.

"Laura's here for some reflection. I hope you don't mind."

"More than welcome" said the man moving to show Laura to follow him.

Kurt fell behind slightly as he moved to follow behind. They were shown the gardens one where they grew their own produce and a second that was more of a contemplation area where others were gently strolling around. Some of them looked like families enjoying the grounds. Then they were shown into the church and Laura was given a leaflet of times for prayer, services, quiet time and meal times. Then they were shown to the cantine, meeting room and finally the dorms. Laura was taken to a smaller area where women were housed and he looked over to Kurt and smiled.

"Your room is your normal one."

Kurt inclined his head. Finally, Laura was given a booklet which told about the conference. A meeting of various beliefs with various speakers talking about different topics at different times. Kurt's talk was about hope. Kurt spoke again.

"You don't have to attend any of them. You are free to do what you like when you like."

[John Kilroy]

Laura stood quietly as she listen into the two clegy men talking to each other. She followed them as they showed her around the facility. She was surprised to see there were otherpeople beyound just catholics here. She also saw Jewish Rabbi's a couple of baptist preachers, a very famous Faith healer.

One man in particular saw them and he gave the most joyful smile.

"Kurt? Kurt  Wagner?!?"

He ran up to the mutant priest and gave him a brotherly embrace. "Good to see you again old friend!" The man was none other than William Conover. A while back His home had ben invaded by an alien Species known as the Brood during the invasion his wife Hannah had been converted into a brood. With the help of the X-men she had managed to overpower and neutralize her base instincts and rebled against the board empress who in turned sent broodlings to kill her. Hannah was put in stasis making her assasins believe she was dead where she was later placed in the X-Mansion with the hopes of reverting her brood DNA and studying the Brood. (See X-Men vs. the Brood Vol 1 2).

During Bastain first attack on the mansion (see Operation: Zero Tolerance) Hannah's Stasis chamber had been broken and she used the opportunity to escape back to her husband. Though she was not cured of her brood form she did seem to have lost her connection to the brood Empress, or at least with no brood encounters having occurred since her return that was Williams hope. Perhaps he could reveal the news to Kurt here in confidence, and maybe ask him not to reveal it to the X-Men, it's not that he didn't trust the X-men he tursted them with his life. But in truth. He just wanted to be able to enjoy life with his Brood Queen wife in peace and quiet if only for a season before they inevitable once again got in the thick of a conflict with the Greater Brood Race or some other superhero related situation. For now, he was just happy to see Kurt. 

 "How are you doing?" he looked down and saw Laura. "Oh and who is this? Hey there. You know. You kind of look Like Wolverine." 

(Author's Note: Hannah's story was last left in stasis in the mansion and her story was never expanded upon nor was she ever mentioned in future comics. Even after events such as End to Operation: Zero Tolerance. This is me giving expanding on her fate post Zero Tolerance as well as opening the door for a possible Brood Event in the future should myself or anyone else decide to do so_)

[Gummy]

Kurt smiled at William and accepted the embrace. He knew of some of what happened but he wasn't always there. The others understood when he needed to 'take a break'. Logan went off in a strop, he just went for a peace. He was getting better at advocating for the mutants and with him welcomed at events like this it was really a change.

"Guten Tag, William. I hope you're keeping well?"

He then laughed at the looking like Logan and inclined his head.

"She is a relative of Logan indeed. She has recently come to the school. Are you here for the talks or just for rest? It's a lovely place. Not my normal retreat but a good break."

His normal one was a monastery closer to New York City. This was just one he was able to go to when he had the chance. Further away meant a little more of a break.

[John Kilroy]

William smiled. "I'm doing well. O'm actually one of the topic speakers. "Fighting against our nature. after everything I've been through, especially with my wife, I know a thing or two about the subject. Thought it was a good excuse to visit New York and Long Island while meeting other fellow borthers and sisters in Christ." William chuckled. "I'll have to admit The culture here is VERY different from Texas."

Laura observed the man and she could not help but notice that somthing was off about him. His smile showed subtile hints of being forced. His facial expressions seemed to indocate a feeling of nervousness. All signs seemed to point to one conclusion.

"You're hiding something." Laura told William in a mater of fact, even cold manner. William chculked and rubbed the back of his head. Well shucks, thought I was doing a better job at being stoic. Either you're really astute or I'm a really bad actor." his face was a bit more Solemn and he looked to Kurt.

"Brother, mind if we find someplace for the three of us to talk alone?"

[Gummy]

Kurt knew very well that something was up but didn't wish to say and he suspected he knew what it was.

"Laura is very astute at people. She is here to relax and not worry about what might or might not be on people's minds."

He thought that was a little to chastising.

"William, we can talk later. I'm up as guest speaker on hope within faiths. What I'm going to say I hope will be well received as people need hope in order to thrive. Shall we meet in half hour? Just before lunch? I have to get a few things ready then I'll meet you in the main meeting room. We can use one of the spare ones on the side."

Kurt hoped that both Laura and William were ok with that idea. He really needed to go an do what he needed to do. Plus, he needed to make sure someone else was there. The priest from the normal Catholic Church he attended as frequently as he could.