What's in Store? (Jade & Nightcrawler)

[Gummy]

Kurt had been meaning to get out and stretch his legs a little after finally healing from a very bad fight. He knew he was lucky to be still alive but at the same time he wished.... no, he was good. So, there he walked just admiring the quirky shops that he passed wondering which caught his attention. His long trench coat with folded up collar and hat helped to keep galkers from staring too much and in the breezy weather the scarf and gloves added to the image.

He just hoped that the weather didn't get too bad while he was out. There had been reports of storms heading inland but that wasn't for another few hours. If he found a good bookshop that could take him a while, just looking at the old books and wondering who had handled them before him or what secret notes had been written in the margins. The ones in the school library had lots of good and bad notes written in and he could tell when one of the younger students read the wrong notes and added it to their essays. So easy to mislead.

Then his eyes caught sight of an oddities shop and he knew the couple of hours would soon vanish if he was not careful. What peeked his interest was what was in the window a toy circus ring made of metal which looked like the figures could be moved to enjoy watching them rotated and swing. He remembered with fondness his time in the past, his innocence, his joy of flying through the air. It didn't take long for his feet to guide him into the shop. For a moment he paused to wipe his feet before taking off his hat, like any gentleman and grinning with the wonder of a child at all his eyes could see as he shook the rain off his hat.

[jade]

Jade was standing behind the glass counter that was filled with various artifacts ranging from curious toys to crystals for sale she was doing in venting of a new stock of hand made jewelry from a local artist that had just came in as the bell to her store jingle and a man in a trench coat filled the doorway and made his way to the new display she had put in the window. It was circus display a miniature of Coney Island with a small plaquard that read “Coney Island circa 1972”. What Jade fancied the most about this particular peice of her collection was it mapped out every part of Coney Island down to the freak show. Of course this was not the modern Coney Island, where Jade worked seasonally in the freak show, not this was nostalgic for many and brought Jade great joy whenever someone came in to admire it. She wrote down the number of bracelets she had counted and placed them on a velvet holder on the counter in front of some necklaces that were hanging up. As Jades hands left the light up violet pen on the counter she moved over to the man.

“Welcome to Obscura, home of the odd and unique. My name is Jade I see you have taken interest in our Coneu Island display. Can I offer you any insight to anything you seek or would you prefer to just browse this evening.”

Jades eyes glinted with a celestial reflection as if an entire Universe was held inside her. Her high waisted broom skirt was in a rainbow of colors that flowed down to the black boots she was wearing. Her upper body was adorned in a black shirt with white sugar skulls colorfully painted and complimented by a leather jacket adored with brass gears in a steam pink fashion. Her hair flowed down and had hues of violet through out. Jade was a diamond in the rough a rare beauty that no one could explain.

[Gummy]

Kurt looked at the model from inside and marveled at the detail. There was so much there. So many bits of nostalgia, his eyes were full of wonder, fondness and love of his lost youth as he turned to see Jade who took his breath away.

"Wow!"

He shook his head and looked a little embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. Where are mien manners. I'm Kurt, nice to meet you Jade."

He reached a three fingered hand out to Jade and if she took it he would gently bend and kiss the back of it. Then looked around.

"This place is amazing. I was taking a walk and found here. There is a nasty storm coming, shouldn't you shutter up? I could help?"

He really was drawn to her eye, they were amazing and he felt a privilege to see them. Something reminded him of some of his extended family but he wasn't entirely sure. Many people dyed their hair.

[jade]

Jade was taken back a little bit but the individual who had just walked into her shop. His appearance intrigued Jade, she had met all kinds of walks of life in her time especially since she had a background in the magic and occult, but she also remembered her teachings from Jean and Carol on people like her with X Gene could have a different physical appearance. Jade kept those thoughts in the back of her mind as the man spoke to her and took his hand in hers and gently kissed the back of it as if they were in older times of kings and queens. Jade felt her cheeks warm a little bit and gave a sheepish smile as she used her other hand to tuck a piece of purple hair behind her ear. She certainly wasn’t use to anyone treating her with chivalry like this gentleman who referred to himself as Kurt did.

Jade heard him suddenly talking about an incoming storm that much to her embarrassment she was greatly under prepared for. Prehaps fate had smiled on her today and allowed this gentleman to come into her shop. He was even kind enough to offer to help her shutter up the store for the storm. Jade was perplexed at the fact she didn’t know about the storm, the it occurred to her she was hyper focused on inventorying the latest products from the local artist to get them on the sales shelves. Jade stammered a moment gathering her composure as she spoke to Kurt.

“Oh no, really?! I had been so focused getting the new merchandise counted and in the floor I think I ignored my phone, it almost always gives me alerts of weather…..I know you are a customer and just stepped in to see my items, but I’d appreciate the help closing up if you will help. “

Jade looked around the shop knowing she placed a protection spell on the shop long ago so really she just needed help rolling down the metal gates out front and locking them down and just basically making sure the generator kept on as she really didn’t want to see her shop lose power knowing even with the protection spells an everything else that her shop had some things stored away that would would go bump in the night. If not secured properly,
Luckily for Jade she learned long ago not to store anything in the basement, should flooding occur and the last place she wanted to be was the basement. Jade remembered shadow all too well and didn’t want to be in the place that Shadow tormented her ever again, even if Shadow wasn’t going to bother her again.

“If you wouldn’t mind helping me draw down the metal security gate it’s basically a giant shutter that I can lock down and it will protect the store front from the weather.”

Just as Jade spoke a clap of thunder came through the sky and lightning struck as the sky darkened the wind picked up.

“Ok so yeah I’m going to start getting that gate down I’ll take the side furthest away from the door if you could grab the side near the door then we can pull it down half way and go back into the door way and close it down the rest of the way. It locks on the inside for security purposes so we actually can stay in here, but I also have a studio space up stairs, it’s accessible through the stair well between the two shops. There is a second entrance in the back to the studios from the inside. I can lead you there after we close the gate. At least you’ll be safe until the storm passes. I have some supplies and food and things in the studio too, it’s a gallery space but the back is set up as a make shift lounge area I have been trying to out together.”

Jade went to the back of the store and grabbed a long hooded jacket that was somewhat waterproof, thankful something made her grab this coat today opposed to some of her lighter weight clothes that were less waterproof. She headed to the outside as the rain now started pouring buckets. Jade grabbed a long pole with a hook on it that helped her retrieve the side she need to pull down the metal shutters to protect the store. She headed back towards her shop, but something odd happened as she placed the metal hook back into the hiding spot she kept it in the doorway. A gust of wind blew Jade right into Kurt. She nervously listed as the black hood from her jacket fell down and she regained her balance.

“Oh my goodness I’m so sorry this wind really is something. I-I-I, let’s just finish this up and head into the shop so I can finish securing things before the storm gets any worse.”

Jade finished up with the security gate locking the last sliding lock with pad lock into place as she head for the shop door. She made sure Kurt, should he have chosen to stay was securely inside before locking the door and drawing the shade, not that the shade would offer protection merely just a force of habit.

Jade walked across the store and hung up her coat she grabbed her phone, backpack and a few other items like her inventory logs as she headed for the back stairwell. She turned over her shoulder and looked at the new inventory organized into sections but not put out, such beautiful pieces that would have to wait yet another day. She looked over her shoulders as she heard for the stairs.

“You coming?”

Something in that moment made Jade grab the only flashlight she had on this level of the shop, a black mag light with led light she held it in her hand and head for the stairs to the gallery.

[Gummy]

Kurt nodded and started helping where he could. He left his hat inside as the storm really had come in a lot faster than even he had anticipated. He looked to the heavens and smiled.

"I take the hint. I need to be here."

He pulled his end of the shutter down and was just working on the next section when Jade flew into him and he caught her. He spoke gently.

"It's ok. Got your footing?"

Once he knew she was stable he looked out at the storm.

"I don't wish to impose. I could get home if needed but even in this weather it would take me a while."

He meant that for two reasons. Since his run in with the vampire he really wasn't too keen on being out during dark and his teleports still felt a little tiresome. He grabbed his hat and took off his coat, placing it next to hers before heading upstairs. He was wearing T-shirt and jeans under the coat. The blue fur showing even more let alone a tale.

"Do you happen to know about circuses of the past?"

He said as they headed upstairs.

[jade]

Jade smiled at Kurt as she entered the lounge area of the gallery space. It was a rather medium sized space. It was half of the second floor and spread out a bit. A small reception desk faced the main door and the over head lights had been replaced with modern lights resembling an old fashion warehouse. Jade had made sure the lighting was adjustable for the space that was used just as much to display art as it was to create the art. There was a few easels set up on the left side adjacent to a few windows that over looked the street.

The back area where Kurt and Jade stood opened up to the gallery to the left of the door was a smaller bar and lapping area to the right was a book area with a half that opened up to the gallery. The bar had a few bottles of various liquors and a coffee maker in front of the bottles on the counter top. A few food items remained in the fridge behind the bar and snacks lined the cupboards below. Enough to make a few small meals if need be. In front of the bar there was a few comfortable chairs with oak tables and along the wall was a long section of booths with black leather seats.

Jade gestures to a large winged back group of chairs that sat in front of an oak table and made her way over to them as Kurt asked her about the Circus. She gave a slightly flirtatious smile as she sat down in the chair and spoke to Kurt.

“You could say I know a thing or two about the Circus.”

She looked away sheepishly for a moment trying not to seem too proud.

“I umm well, I grew up a performer and I perform at the Coney Island freak show. So I started learning about the ones of the past. It has always intrigued me the history and all included. How about you, what’s your experience with the circus?”

Jade took in all of Kurt’s appearance and just smiled at Kurt, she had seen a lot of entities and people in her life, so Kurt’s appearance didn’t really phase her like it would have most people. Jade started to feel herself fade slightly as she sat in the chair and decided it was best to get some more caffeine in her body. She made her way over to the bar area and started the coffee maker and pulled out an energy drink. The aroma of notes of coffee filled the room as Jade grabbed the energy drink and combined it with her coffee. She took a sip and looked at Kurt.

“Oh sorry I’m so use to being on my own I almost forgot to ask, would you like something to drink?”

Jade enjoyed her coffee and energy drink combination and took another sip before heading back over to the chair area. The truth was Jade barely ever slept, she basically lived off a diet of Caffeine in efforts to keep away her dark thoughts and nightmares, not to mention being the vigilante she was took a toll after a while of too many late nights and early mornings.

“Also you are welcome to stay here for as long as you need. I like to think of my gallery as a safe place for everyone to come and feel welcome. I do some classes here and hold showings of various artists including some of my own pieces. I don’t have anything planned for today and from the looks of the storm we aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.”

Jade gestures to an out cropped well that sunk back a bit revealing a book shelf with many ancient and modern texts. Including a book exchanged area where people could leave and take books.

“Luckily besides just the art I also
Have books up here oh and a few table top games.”

Jade went back to enjoying her coffee as she awaited Kurt’s next move.

[Gummy]

Kurt had started talking when they got upstairs and he looked around.

"I really don't wish to impose. I can leave if you wish."

Then his attention came to her explaining her curiousity about the circus.

"I grew up in the circus in Europe as a member of the flying trapeeze. I loved doing that. Then I was bought by an American freak show where my life wasn't so kind. They tricked me and my family. They implied that I was going to be famous... they didn't say that I would be kept sedated in a cage."

Kurt sighed.

"The times then were bad. Now it is, I think, a little better. Coffee would be nice please?"

He had taken a seat in the high backed chair and watched her make her own drink.

"Thank you for the invitation. It sounds different but be careful who you do invite, not all are good. Game would be good, take mind off of things. The storm isn't good and I'm surprised that it has come so soon... that or I lost track of time. I needed to get out."

There was a subtle sadness to his talking.

[jade]

Jade listened to Kurt’s story, the words struck a chord with her, remembering as a child being hunted and driven out of her country for being different. Her people didn’t make it out with scars and a serious decrease in numbers. Her family was the only one to make it to America and for a moment she had normalcy, well as much normalcy as someone growing up as a traveler or as some would call it then Gypsy could have. She remembered the good times her parents teaching her how to hone magic, the use of the aerial clothes in performances when she would do circus acts with her family’s she remembered the glory of the stage, learning the ways of her ancestors, even when the blood spell was done passing her swords and keys to her. Then as time progressed she learned about dream walking, mind reading, teleportation through her keys, Krav Maga, even walking between the living and dead lands, how to heal herself and others. The true good to this world.

Then she turned 16, her family vanished. Jade was barely able to finish her course work to get her high school diploma. She was highly intelligent, which helped her, but struggling to survive and living off pan handling didn’t make it easy for Jade. She wanted to continue performing so she did. Some how when she was 18 got an invitation to join the freak show at Venice beach, but if she ever knew what she knows now Jade would have never gone to Venice.

Jade listened to Kurt speak his words she didn’t need to know the sorrow Kurt Felt. Jade connect to him the moment he caught her when she fell into his arms earlier.

"Thank you for the invitation. It sounds different but be careful who you do invite, not all are good. Game would be good, take mind off of things. The storm isn't good and I'm surprised that it has come so soon... that or I lost track of time. I needed to get out."

Jade stood up and started scanning the games and the shelves, the forth was she couldn’t focus much with the storm brewing outside the energy of it was very distracting. Then with Kurt now here in her gallery all Jade wanted to do was provide him with comfort. Everyone who came to the Gallery came for a reason. To Jade Kurt was no different. She pulled down a few random games and deck of cards. As Jade walked over she exhaled softly. The games now sitting on the table before them Jade gently grazed Kurt’s shoulder with her hand, sending him ever so subtle some light energy for healing.

“You are never imposing here, no one ever is as I said before and meant all are welcome here. I like to think of this place as a spot where anyone can go for whatever the reason they need to be here. “

Jade swallowed hard appearing to struggle a bit with what she was showing to say next besides Jean and Carol she didn’t share her past with anyone. She smiled softly starting with the positive part first.

“Must have been amazing to be a flying Trapeze Artist, I too performed in a circus of sorts with my family in Lousianna. I did more Ariel scarves work, body contortision, and well..”

She played with her hair nervously for a moment not sure how Kurt would take to learning she knew magic and had psychic abilities. She threw caution to the wind and exhaled as she spoke. Hernandez
Emerald green eyes glittered like a tiny universe for a moment as she looked at Kurt.

“My family practiced magic too and we were Pychics and mediums. It was truly a fun time those days.”

Jade looked a bit more troubled her eyes changed slightly to have slight hues of a purple Aurora.

“Things took a dark turn for me too, my family disappeared without a trace when I was younger, 16. I barely finished high school.”

Jade was really struggling to talk about her past, not realizing how much harder this would be without fighting a demon inside her and the support of Carol and Jean.

“Once I turned 18 I was offered a job at the Venice California Freak show, only to realize too lately I was not there but instead tricked into going to a psychopaths circus and freak show. He made me do things I couldn’t do and other things I never wanted to do. He used mind control on me and abused me,
My magic, everything. He prided himself on making his performers his puppets.”

Jade reached behind the bar and pulled out a short glass and a bottle of brown alcohol. She didn’t normal drink, but I t his moment needed something to take the edge off of how she felt inside.

“I had a horrific night one night due to an injury and what he inflicted on me. I beg for death to take me, but death sent me back and refused to take me. In that moment an entity called Shadow took over my body and mind. While my captor torched the one person who was trying to help me….that night is a bit of a blur, but I got free.”

Jade took a hard pull from her drink. She exhaled again.

“I did things as Shadow I’m not proud of in the name of justice. I fled Venice in the hope of a new life and ended up here in New York. Then I started working here when the original owners had the shop. I even took on a job at the Coney Island Freak show as performing still brought me great joy and with my magic and everything I just felt like I belonged amongst the circus and the things and in this shop. One the Origjnak owners were ready for retirement they left me the shop. I have been here ever since running the business and my shop. Trying to give a space for those who need it.”

Jade pointed over to a near by wall of Polaroids and other miscellaneous artworks and writings.

“Those are photos some of the patrons have left behind as well as artwork and writings as a way to tell everyone we are all connected. I most definitely understand there can be ugly and bad people in this world, but I like to think of this place as a reminder that there is hope and good people left.”

Jade finished her drink and was half temped to pour herself a new one, but decided against it as she sat down in a hair adjacent to Kurt.

“Oh and you don’t have to worry about the Shadow entity too much, I had some now friends help me to get rid of them….so tell me friend, fellow traveler what made you need to get out and get moving? I sensed something when you entered, but I didn’t want to intrude as I can pick up intuitively on things very quickly without meaning to.”

Jade grabbed a deck of cards and started shuffling them in her hands, more fidgeting with them, then actually preparing for a game.

[Gummy]

Kurt listened, her story was similar to his in some ways but others his deviated or twisted. It was odd sitting there but his ribs were hurting less. Magic, now that made him smile. Memories of his mother... foster mother working in the Menagerie.

"My foster mother was Margali Szardos a fortuneteller in Herr Getmann's Traveling Menagerie. You should try and meet her. Shes one of the good ones."

Was he avoiding the question. Yes, definitely. He paused then bit the bullet. If God had sent him here it was for a reason and he wasn't one to ignore God was he? His heart sunk and more of his battle wounds ached. Most had been healed but he still felt reminders of the recent fight.

"I'm .... I hurt."

He switched to German.

"Ich habe etwas Schreckliches getan und so viel versprochen."

SPOILER: Click to show

Translation"I did a terrible thing and promissed so much."

There was a lump in his throat and he looked at the cards... tarot cards.

[jade]

"My foster mother was Margali Szardos a fortuneteller in Herr Getmann's Traveling Menagerie. You should try and meet her. Shes one of the good ones."

Jade sat back in her chair and listened to Kurt talk her Emerald green eyes glancing to his direction making eye contact every once in a while. There had to be reason he was here. The sorrow in his voice the pained twinged that echoed behind his eyes. He needed this sanctuary and he was guided here by the fates for a reason, how else would someone with such a unique yet so common to Jade’s background have found themselves here?

"I'm .... I hurt."

Jade didn’t need him to verbally tell her what she already knew. She walked over and gently slid a low sitting stool in front of Kurt her eyes reaching his as he now spoke in German. Jade was vaguely familiar with German it was one of the main languages she long ago had been exposed to. She was rusty at translation, but she understood enough to know Kurt had promised something he now greatly regretted.

Jades eyes followed Kurt’s to the box of Tarrot cards, she hadn’t really been paying attention to what she was grabbing, but as if the fates them selves were lining up for them there lied the Tarrot cards, truth was Jade wasn’t a card reader that was more her mother’s job and she hadn’t really found a need for the cards with her magic ability and gift to read people. Jades eyes connected to Kurt’s showing him nothing but kindness and gentleness. Her hand out stretched and connected to Kurt’s. She spoke to him very calmly as her eyes swirled with hues of violet and flints of celestial light.

“You have been led here for a reason, the storm forcing you to stay is what the universe wanted. We all have done things we are not proud of and bared great burdens. Let them go tonight my friend, allow me to provide you with some healing of wounds. Allow your soul to take in some light and reprise. While you are here you may rest and regain your strength. Heal your weary soul and mind. Take solace fellow traveler in the light of the universe.”

With those words as she spoke her light transferred into Kurt’s body. Filling the injured areas and painlessly healing them. Jade now took on some of his wounds and pain as his own healed. She didn’t show in expression the feelings and injuries she took on. Jade had long ago learned how to harness this ability and use it to help others without burdening them with the knowledge that she now carried their wounds. Besides Jade wasn’t too worried about it as she knew she could easily heal herself with her key magic.

“I hope in this evening you can heal from your pain, even if it’s in a moment of rest. Please though if you want to share the promises that you made and relieve your mind of these thoughts I will listen. I do not speak fluent German but I understand a bit and if I understood correctly that is what you spoke of correct?”

Jade moved back slightly in the stool slowly and gradually moving her hands from Kurt’s as her light moved back to full force in her body her eyes returned to normal, Emerald green. She definitely felt the burden of Kurt’s injuries and that most had been healing. Jade pondered just what had happened to have caused him so much physical harm. Her darker side pondered if this was a vengeance or moment of justice that she needed to take steps to rectify. Jade held that thought aside as she turned her attention to the cards on the table.

“Shall we see what these cards have in store for us?”

Jade moved gingerly this time, not showing her injuries but definitely moving with a little more restriction then before. She sat closer to the table on top of the stool and tapped the deck of cards, channeling what her mother had done in the past. She slide the cards out of the box and placed them on the table. Jade whispered an incantation of protection not wanting to summon anything by accident while using the cards. She placed three cards face down the emblems of gold shining against the matte black cards.

“I’m not sure what to say when I flip these over I just know usually the first one is the past, second one is the present and third one the future.”

She flipped over the first card as she exhaled and realized at some point she was going to need her healing magic. The pain was dull annoying pain, but if she was going hunting tonight she would need full strength.

As the card revealed itself Jade felt something but couldn’t put it into words, she had hoped Kurt would know what it meant.

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The second card Jade flipped revealed:
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Although it was a beautiful card she really had very little way to verbalize what it meant.

She then drew the third card and this image gave her a different feeling then the others the spirits seemed to more excited as she drew it.

thisfangirlsperspective.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/picture-1.png

She understood death cards all too well and curious that someone other than herself also got a death card. Jade looked at Kurt with a smile and spoke.

“My mother was the card reader like I said I can tell the energy shifted greatly between each card. Perhaps you could enlighten me with the meaning of these. Although I am curious about the death card as I am the only person I have ever met to get the death card, which I always found ironic.”

Jade smiled at her last statement and awaited Kurt to respond, hoping her light helped to unburden him, even if it was even for one night at least his wounds would be healed.

[Gummy]

Kurt had noticed her eyes changing colour they were doing all different things. He couldn't let go not quite yet but he closed his eyes and leaned his head back when he felt all his aches and pain go from his body. He let out a sigh and felt his body move under the breath. He opened his eyes as she started to speak again.

"I can never say my promise, it is not something for me to say. The terrible things... I did because I had no choice. I didn't do one thing and the consequence was too great. It's all over now. That pain was the last part I had to do."

He nodded to the cards.

"They never held much in me but Gott, I hope, is guiding me now and it is hope I cling to."

He closed his eyes as she flipped the first card and he didn't know why but he instinctively moved it to face sideways before opening his eyes.

A sideways death card and he looked closer at the picture and smiled. It was him, or rather what was him.

"I can't say to you what it means as I think you might know but in my case it is good. Looks a little like my tail on it there."

He pointed it out. When Jade turned the next card upside down star card.

He touched it again and spoke in a sad whisper.

"Jean."

Cleared his throat and nodded with tears forming in his eyes.

"This shows I am broken... I am hopeless, faith in turmoil, disspare, regret, unsteady and self-loathing."

The last card was drawn right side up Wheel of Fortune and he laughed as he saw the picture.

"This makes sense and these cards were put here for me. Someone knew I would be here and would need that. Those creatures are called Bamfs and this card means change is coming. As for why the death card... I died and I chose to fall from heaven."

He looked up at her with his sad eyes they were near tears.

"I can't be any of those at work. They think I am fine. I did what I had to do and I couldn't do any difference. I tried to get help but I was bound by blood. I tried to talk but every time I tried no words came out. Even now... I can't say all. Some were good though..."

He thought of the time he had spent with Mystique. Then he thought of the darker stuff and errand here, a small task there. He tried so hard. He was close to falling fully but it wasn't the person he was doing the jobs for that stopped it from happening but his friends. He put his had to his throat and for a moment he could hear his name being called.

[jade]

Jade heard Kurt’s words the sorrow in his voice as he spoke about being fallen. She was curious about how much they had in common. Jade had been rejected by death and Kurt didn’t seem a stranger to being rejected by higher authority. Jade sighed inwardly the last thing she would have wanted was for someone to understand what she had been through. Jade listened a bit more to Kurt and something curious happened he mentioned the name Jean with such sorrow and weight it was as if she had died in his presence. In that moment Jade had a realization, Jean the one she met as the Phoenix had said she had been reborn, did Kurt know Jean prior to her rebirth? Jade listened more as Kurt talked about possibly having hope and the Bamfs in the photo. She examined them for a moment taking them in and Kurt’s appearance, was he a Bamf? The similarities were impressive. That lead Jade to her next question of curiosity, what exactly was a Bamf. Her mind wandered for a moment as she brought herself back to Kurt. He was so very broken and yet Jade just wanted to offer him sanctuary and port in the storm of life. Jade looked at Kurt as he spoke about facing his friends and trying to be hidden amongst them, pretending he was ok. Again Jade could
Empathize with this all too well. She had spent her life doing this bidding her traumas and being strong for everyone else. It was when she came back from Venice that Jade decided just to be honest with the world and deal with the emotions as they came. An inward sigh was heard as she got up and spoke to Kurt before embracing him in a gentle warm hug.

“I hope this isn’t too intrusive, you just seem like you could use some comfort in this moment.”

Jade released the embrace hoping her light energy was absorbed even for a moment into Kurt providing him even a moment of peace. She sat back down and wrung her hands together as she spoke with a truly empathic tone.

“You and I aren’t so different…I was rejected by death and told I didn’t deserve to die where I was and had other things to accomplish. My soul was brought back just as a shadow entity from another universe took control of me. Under Shadow I did things I don’t think I can be forgiven for. “

Jade paused in her woods her Emerald green eyes locking again with Kurt.

“Our past doesn’t define us though nor do promises made in times of need. It is what we do with the knowledge we have now and how we move forward that defines us….i am curious though you mentioned a Jean…that Jean wouldn’t happen to also have a sister named Carol and go by the name of Phoenix would they?”

Jade remembered Carol and Jean helping her to become whole again and helping her get rid of Shadow. She pondered for a moment, just how many people did Kurt know that Jade was connected to as well? The fates really did put them in the same place and space for a reason.

“I only ask because I met a Jean and a Carol who helped me quite a bit….I digress though this place is a sanctuary you can stay here as long as you like . There is even a small room in the back some have used to help get a reprieve from the world. Just know you are safe here and you can be yourself here. I won’t judge you or treat you any differently.”

Jade put the cards back into the deck the burning question about the Bamfs nagging at her. Jade breathed out again putting away the cards and moving the stool closer to Kurt.

“I couldn’t help but notice the Bamfs are similar to you in appearance are you one of them?”

Jade light grasped her hands over Kurt’s and sighed deeply her voice softened as she saw the tears welling up.

“You’re here for a reason Kurt I can’t make the pain go away but I can offer you reprise from the work and the world.”

Jade released her hands form hair and hair wanted to cure his pain, she could tell
He was a good soul who didn’t deserve what he had been through. Jade never understood that part of the universe to be so cruel to the good people and then smile upon the truly evil souls. Maybe that’s what death meant, maybe that’s why Jade was here now to be the equalizer the balancer and Avenge those who couldn’t Avenge themselves. Jade shook her head slightly shaking the thoughts out of her head as she walked over to the bar. On the right side up against the wall on top of the bar was a shelf full of Apothecary items. Jade was going to at very least offer Kurt some tea to sooth him. This was Jades way to show kindness offer comfort through healing and if she understood anything from Carol food and drink was definitely a way to do this. She took out various jars smelling the aromatics of the herbs as she put them into a tea bag. She made herself something too and grabbed another energy drink from the fridge. The energy drink hung from her pocket loosely as she brought to the table some delicate teacups and saucers and placed them down. She cracked open the energy drink and took a sip as she inhaled and almost twinged slightly as the pain in her body was subsiding but still there, deffinetly a bruised possibly fractured rib was present.

“Please enjoy some tea, I used all natural herbs that are helpful for soothing and comfort like Dandelion, lavender, and arrow root. I know there is a way to make food out back too and some food items. I could make us something if you so desire”

Jade knew the night was starting to come upon them as she felt the dark calling her to vengeance, but tonight vengeance would wait she had something more pressing happening. Jade took another swig of the energy drink feeling her tired fog clear again. They helped her feel more calm and alter seeing that she barely ever slept.

[Gummy]

When she hugged him he stiffened then relaxed into it his eyes closed and the anguish he felt was clear to be seen on his face. He kept his eyes closed but it didn't stop the tears that came from his eyes whatever it was she had just done to him as he felt all the anguish melt away was worth it. He suddenly felt increadibly tired as the hug broke and wiped the tears away.

"I wasn't rejected, I chose to descend. I was needed down here far more than up there. I couldn't rest despite it feeling so warm. I couldn't be up there because it meant others with my blood could also gain access to heaven. That couldn't be allowed. So I took the only option... come back to Earth. I'm sorry you had to endure someone taking over you."

He opened his eyes and breathed in then out again a slight frown occuring.

"Jean... No, she doesn't have a sister. She does have the phoenix. She helped save me from what I could have become. I couldn't see what the deal was making me until that night. Jean Grey and could it possibly be Carol Danvers? Both are Marvels.

He tilted his head and smiled with a little laugh.

"You're sounding like me, when I talk to the kids about God and them trying to accept new choices.

He fell quiet again looking at her and wondering what it was.

"The Bamfs are and arn't like me. I kinda accidently made them when I travelled to different places. They call be Daddy but it is only the blue ones who are truely linked to me.... the red are linked to my father. My blood, he's the complete opposite to me. Different upbringing. You're not just a magic user, you have something else inside you. Your eyes are stunning going all different colours. You are also like some of the kids at the school I work. Cafine that will keep the dead awake."

He smiled at the last bit and took the offered tea and took a sip, his eyes were already starting to close.

"I'm not hungry. Haven't been for a while. Thank you for the tea."

He looked back up to her and shifted in his seat and smiled again.

"You eyes are amazing."

[jade]

Jade listened to what Kurt had said, recalling stories from her past of those who chose to fall to Earth to protect humans.
Jade knew about these beings and had experience with them from a young age, but in the time of her parents disappearing,
Venice beach, Shadow, Jean and Carol to the present moment she hadn’t encountered one of those beings in a long time. Lately her life had been filled with hunting darker souls and making wrongs right and somehow trying to help those who seeked redemption and Sanctuary. Jade was feeling her injuries but also more at ease as Kurt started to relax and seem a bit listless.

Jade listened intently to Kurt as he spoke. Jade could have misinterpreted the sister thing. Jean could have meant “like” a sister meaning they were close and then Kurt said something about Marvels, which peaked Jades curiosity again, just what was a a Marvel? Did he mean other worldly being or a cosmic being, that would actually have made sense knowing what she knew. Jade couldn’t help but smile and snicker softly as Kurt laughed.

"You're sounding like me, when I talk to the kids about God and them trying to accept new choices.”

Jade smiled softly at his comment. Her eyes examined him as Kurt spoke. Just what was it that she found so interesting about him.
His mentioning of kids threw Jade off a little bit, kids? He had children? Or did work with kids? What exactly did that mean? Kids to Jade were the innocent and she protected them with everything she had. As Kurt spoke again this time addressing his “BAMFs”, which surprisingly enough where not the acronym Jade knew BAMF stood for.

"The Bamfs are and aren’t like me. I kinda accidently made them when I travelled to different places. They call me Daddy but it is only the blue ones who are truely linked to me.... the red are linked to my father. My blood, he's the complete opposite to me. Different upbringing. You're not just a magic user, you have something else inside you. Your eyes are stunning going all different colours. You are also like some of the kids at the school I work. Caffeine like that will keep the dead awake."

Jade nodded as he spoke about the BAMFS and thanked her for the tea and politely declined food. Jade realized with the caffeinated comment that maybe she was talking too much. Jade tended to be a bit of a talkative person and everything Kurt had mentioned connected to her in some way and she was so curious to finally find someone who could maybe understand her. Jade hadn’t realized in her excitement she was probably exhausting this weary traveler. Jade was taken back for a Moment as she realized Kurt was looking directly into her eyes his words pulled her out of her own mind and back to reality.

"Your eyes are amazing."

Jade Blinked a few times trying to process what to focus on to say next. She had so many thoughts and questions. The eye comment though…Jade had been so use to being around individuals as unique as herself or just who knew her that she had forgotten entirely her eyes were something that would definitely stand out. She just took it in stride like she did that Kurt was fury, had yellow eyes, and a tail. She decided to start off being a little cheeky.

“Oh the caffeine…well it helps me focus. Also I’m one of those people who goes with the saying “the sky’s awake so I’m awake….”

“Forgive my many questions. I haven’t met anyone who has this much in common with me before. The Jean you knew has to be the one I know and the Carol too, while you were talking I realized I think she meant like a sister not a real sister. Also what do you mean kids? What’s a Marvel?”

Jade paused in her questions as the exhaustion of this weary traveler sunk in for her. She took another sip of her drink and finally acknowledged the line about her eyes.

“As for my eyes, thank you for the compliment, I spend so much time around the circus and my oddities shop I often forget my eyes and uniqueness stand out…”

She paused in her words for a moment remembering her family. They all had unique physical traits. All of them contained the power of the stars in their eyes. Yet Kurt in all of his uniqueness was amazed by her eyes. Jade wasn’t use to compliments or really kindness and this was a nice change of pace, but what was it that drew her to Kurt.

“My eye are well a family trait, I…well I’m not sure how to explain me and my family. My memories were altered for a very long time. Jean and Carol helped me put my memories back together, but I’m still trying to understand who I am.”

Taking the pressure off of herself she looked at Kurt for a moment gazing into his eyes.

“You look pretty unique yourself, I mean that in the kindest way possible. I am use to being around unique individuals. Which is why I didn’t ask about your appearance, but now I understand a bit more at least.”

Jade didn’t dare talk about X-Genes or anything Carol and Jean had explained to her for fear Kurt would reject her. Jade wasn’t still fully aware of what it meant to be a mutant, but she knew there was an undertone in society to keep being a mutant a secret.

Jade sighed inwardly and spoke again.

“You seem to need some rest would you like me to show you the backroom you can rest in?”

[Gummy]

Kurt was relaxing, it was different to hearing all the children screaming. He could however hear the wind, rain and thunder lashing outside.

"There are several like me at Xaviers."

He took his phone out and saw there was no signal but pulled a picture up and showed it to Jade.

"That's Jean. the school I work at helps mutants learn how to use their powers and prepare them for what comes. The kids are the ones I help to look after. I teach languages and religion. A Marvel is someone who has held the title of Miss, ms, mrs, captain Marvel. They are normally powerful and just amazing people."

He put down his phone and turned it off.

"Jean is good at helping people. She helped me feel accepted. You should pop over and see what I mean."

He paused feeling more relaxed and looked over to Jade.

"If you were circus, does that mean your flexible? I don't really want to sleep right now. I do need a distraction for a little. Fancy Twister?"