Tails of Change [Revamping!]

13) Loud Silence

[Author Note:

X-men Characters in this Chapter: Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner), Cyclops (Scott Summers), Jean Grey, Professor X (Charles Xavier), and brief mentions of Spyke (Evan Daniels), Rogue (), Storm (Ororo Munroe), Angel (Warren Worthington III), and Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde)

OC Characters in this Chapter: Mention of _____ (Sorin)

*Italicized words are either German words or English words with a more Germanic spelling. Any words that are dissimilar to the English version (or a bit out of context) will have a translation appearing here:

Fein [fine] == Fine

{10.6.2019} Revamped! New material!]

If the Professor hadn't wanted to see Kurt upon their return to the Institute, he would have gone after Sorin right away. Something was up. Or off. English was weird. But something was definitely going on in Sorin's head. Kurt had recognized that guarded look that suddenly came over Sorin's face, and he thought if he could get Sorin to talk about it that he might be able to help. He's a good listener, willing to offer advice on anything even if he hadn't personally been through something. Kurt knew what it was like to have negative thoughts rattling around in your head with nowhere for them to go. Having someone to talk to had helped. For Kurt, it had been the Professor first. Then Rogue. He's even told Evan pieces, though he'd mostly shoved the past firmly in the past by the time he'd met him.

"You vanted to see me, Professor?"

"I do. Come in; close the door."

When Kurt was situated in a chair opposite the Professor, Professor Xavier explained there was a mission that required Kurt's teleportation ability. Acquisition of a piece of tech that would help modify Cerebro. Normally, Professor would obtain such material through proper channels, however, the tech had been illegally monopolized by an operative of the Brotherhood and would not be attainable otherwise.

"I don't like doing it this way, but I've evaluated the risk of doing this and the benefits to our team and those we help if we succeed and I think this is worthwhile. If you're up for it, there's an opportunity Tuesday night where we might be able to acquire the technology that I need to perform the upgrade. Now, I know that's a school night so I'm prepared to excuse you to the school Wednesday if you need me to."

"If you need me, I am there."

"Okay," the Professor sighed, clearly pleased.

"Logan is setting up a danger room activity for practice. It should be ready after dinner tonight so please attend with the others. Storm and Warren will fly surveillance and be there for back up. You will go in with Rogue and Scott. They will help get you where your need to be should you run into any interference; then you will bypass the last bit of security and obtain the technology. The idea is to not be discovered."

Finished discussing the upcoming mission with the Professor, Kurt made his way towards the wing where he and Sorin had their rooms. He thought he'd go check in on Sorin before dinner. He found Jean and Scott sitting on the staircase leading up to that floor. She was rubbing her head.

"Come on, Jean, let's go somewhere else."

"I just need a minute."

"Are you okay?" Kurt asked.

Scott looks up at him. Jean gives a small wave.

"Oh hey Kurt," Scott nodded. "She's just caught a loud mind. She'll be okay when I get her farther from it."

"Here?" Kurt realized it was probably someone in this wing. The only person Kurt knew present in the wing right now, was Sorin. At least, he was pretty sure that Sorin was still in his room.

"Yeah, she won't tell me who. Just that it's loud. As usual."

"Everyone is entitled to their own private thoughts."

"Und ve all appreciate you for that mindset." Truly. Anyone who'd had their mind accidentally read by Jean appreciated her position on the matter and her stubbornness in keeping to it.

Kurt put a hand on Scott's shoulder as he passed them by. Scott would take care of Jean. He always did. And if it turned out to be Sorin that Jean was hearing, then maybe Kurt could help too.

"Kurt, wait." Jean caught him by the arm before he made it all the way up the stairs.

"Jean?"

"Don't. Okay?"

"Vhat?"

"Let him tell you when he's ready. Right now, he needs space." That confirmed it. It was Sorin that Jean was hearing. Kurt was even more concerned about Sorin's earlier behavior.

They held there until Jean grimaced from the psychic noise. She let go of his arm.

"Please, Kurt. I promise he's fine, but I have to insist you leave him alone until he's ready."

Not interfering? Jean didn't want him interfering. She was saying Kurt offering an ear or a shoulder or advice would be unwelcome, that he shouldn't go reach out to Sorin. Leave Sorin alone with the thoughts in his head loud enough to cause Jean pain? Kurt sighed. He didn't like the thought of it but he supposed he would have to. If Jean was telling him not to get involved, that meant Sorin didn't want him involved She was hearing his mind after all.

"Fein."

"Thank you, Kurt." She patted his shoulder. Jean turned and made her way down the staircase where Scott was patiently waiting for her. Kurt watched until they disappeared from sight.

Now what? How long was he supposed to give Sorin space? Until Sorin approached him? How long would that be?

Kurt made his way up the stairs anyway. He had bought a few things for himself he needed to put away. At the door to his room, he looked at Sorin's door. Closed. And for privacy purposes, when doors were closed, the rooms at the Institute became sound proof. Out of curiosity, Kurt cautiously turned the handle to Sorin's room. Locked. Sorin clearly wanted to be left alone. Kurt considered for a moment using his teleportation to bypass the locked door in front of him. He'd be checking on a fellow mutant, a new friend. It wasn't as if he didn't have reason to. There was something. Kurt just didn't know what. Asking would be the logical way to find out, to help. But a locked door was a locked door, and he should, and usually did, treat them the way Jean treated the private thoughts she became privy to. It was not meant for him to forego simply because he had the ability to. Doing so felt invasive.Opening the door to his own room, he put to rest the temptation.