The Jean Grey School- Thursday

[throughaphase]

The day had started out normal enough. Kitty had started off teaching her classes, listened to her students read their reports, and then towards the end of her last of the day, she was called to the infirmary.

Logan had been meeting with Captain America on the premesis, but he came down as soon as he was able. He didn't ask for an explanation, but Kitty knew better and gestured to Quentin Quire and Rachel in infirmary beds in front of them.

[Preplayed in comments with the lovely so_hawkward! Taken from Wolverine and the X-Men #9, and this is gonna be way easier than actual canon and all it's 70something issues.]

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[throughaphase]

"They suffered some kind of telepathic seizure apparently at exactly the same time," Kitty informed him. "They're both still groggy and can't tell us much about what happened. Right before they collapsed, they both said, 'it's coming.'"

Super comforting in this business.

"Considering Quentin and Rachel both have connections to the Phoenix Force, you can imagine how the rumor mill is churning. It doesn't help that we all saw Captain America drop by for a chat. Logan, if you have any idea what's going on, I'd sure like to hear it."

[beerandclaws]

Logan didn't quite answer that. There'd be time for that later, and he didn't want to waste time.

"Get everybody together," he said, already turning to go. "The entire staff."

[throughaphase]

Kitty's head snapped towards him. "Oh my god. It is the Phoenix, isn't it?" she realized. "What did Cap want? What are we gonna do?"

But he was already out the door, and didn't stop even when she called down the hall after him.

[throughaphase]

Twenty minutes later, every adult with any modicum of authority was gathering around the long table in the teachers' lounge. Kitty was the first one here, watching people trickle in. There wasn't a lot of talking either, just the occasional murmur between a couple people, along with a few pointed looks at her as if asking what was going on.

[so_hawkward]

Clint definitely wanted to know what was going on, but he didn't want to ask Kitty questions she might not be able to answer. So, he just wrapped his arm around her back and tried to look supportive. "How are you doing?"

[throughaphase]

"Okay right now, have a feeling it won't stay that way past this meeting," she admitted in a low voice.

[so_hawkward]

"I have the same bad feeling. But I'm glad I'm here," Clint said, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Whatever's going on, I've got your back."

[beerandclaws]

The murmurs all died down when Wolverine walked in, suited up, with Beast following behind him. And of course, he didn't waste any time.

"The Phoenix is coming. I shouldn't have to tell any of you what that means," he said. "Henry has agreed to join a tea of Avengers, heading into space to try and stop it. Captain America has put together another team to head to Utopia, to take Hope into protective custody. I'll be on that team. My responsibility is to protect this school, no matter what. And that's what I'm going to do. I'm asking all of you to stay here and look after the kids. I don't want to cause a panic, but I don't wanna lie to them either.

"As always, we've got the best minds on the planet working on this problem. But given what we're facing, this won't be an easy fight. And I think you know... I'm not just referring to the big firebird."

And then, he turned to walk back out, leaving everybody in the room in silence before they could ask him any dumb questions.

[throughaphase]

"And here we go," Kitty sighed almost under her breath.

[so_hawkward]

It was times like this that Clint wished he was telepathic, partly so he could ask Logan a dozen dumb questions, and partly so he didn’t have to lower his voice so much to ask Kitty, “Should I know what The Phoenix is?”

[throughaphase]

"It's a cosmic entity in the form of a... well, phoenix," Kitty explained, watching people filter out of the room. "When it takes a human host, things can get... dicey. It's killed planets."

[so_hawkward]

"And now it's headed to Earth? Of course it is," Clint said, sighing and peering off in the direction Logan had gone. "What else is there to deal with besides the potential firebird?"

[throughaphase]

"The host is most likely Hope, who is Scott's... well... Cable's his kid who grew up in the future, and Hope is like his adopted daughter, so there's family issues there. Hope's at Utopia, where Scott's team is, and they're not going to get along with Logan."

So, fighty bad times.

[so_hawkward]

"I'm gonna be polite and not say all the bad words going through my head," Clint said, grumbling instead. "Okay, let's focus on one thing at a time. Logan wants people to stay here and watch the school. Are you okay with that, or do you want to go with him? I know the Avengers are going but I'm with you here."

[throughaphase]

"The kids come first," Kitty said immediately. "If Logan goes, then I'm in charge. I'm fine with that."

[so_hawkward]

Clint couldn't help but smile. "Yes ma'am, you're in charge. Is there anything I can do to help you? Try to come up with ways to keep the kids occupied?"

[throughaphase]

"Yes. Please," she said, gratefully. "The rumor mill's already started, they're all going to be crazed by dinnertime. The mission is to keep them occupied, and distracted."

Super easy with teenagers!

[so_hawkward]

"Sounds like it's time for drills in the Danger Room? Or helping poor clueless Clint find something in this great big mansion," he said with a grin. "With our teams--well, your guys and your version of my guys--I'm sure things will be okay."