Tails of Change [Revamping!]

27) Graduation Bash Begins

[Author's Note:

X-Men Characters in this Chapter: Nightcrawler (Kurt), Professor X (Charles Xavier), Spyke (Evan Daniels), Avalanche (Lance Alvers), Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde)

OC Characters in this Chapter: _____(Sorin), Inka Konig, Lizbet Christiansen, Simone Jaskolski, Glaedwynn Obyrne aka Wynn, Leon Robinson, Jun Ellington, Flora Zegers

*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:

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{9.29.2020} Revamped! New material!]

Friday rolled around after days of puttering around the Institute. He was standing in front of the mirror fiddling with the tie around his neck when Jean knocked.

"Hey Kurt, you ready to go?"

"Almost, this tie," he blew out a short puff of air.

"Here, I can get that."

Jean crossed his bedroom and took the tie gently from Kurt's tri-fingered hands. As she deftly tied it properly, she commented in appreciation of his suit. He'd dressed up formally for the graduation ceremony, and he was grateful at least one person was aware of his effort. He switched on the holo-watch and took one last look at himself in the mirror before he pulled on his cap and gown.

"Now, I am ready," he grinned at Jean. She smiled back softly, and then they made their way outside. The Professor had rented a limo to bring everyone to the opera house, where the ceremony was being held. The Professor would be riding with them of course, he had told them all how proud he was of each of them for this accomplishment. The Professor was already in his seat across from the limo's entrance, wheelchair compiled next to him. When Kurt climbed in after Jean, he saw that Scott, Evan, and Kitty had already taken their seats about the cabin. Kurt settled down beside Evan, feeling his motion slightly restricted by his clothes. He dropped his small duffel bag at his feet, and noted Evan and Kitty likewise had brought a bag of essentials. They'd be going straight to the graduation bash afterward so they'd need a change of clothes.

They arrived at the opera house with plenty time to spare, as the ceremony didn't begin until two. The Professor indicated they should go on ahead and he'd see them after the ceremony. Kurt followed the others into the lobby, stood in line to sign in, and then followed directions to find his spot in the line up. After forty-nine minutes of standing on his assigned dot on the floor, and yes Kurt kept checking his watch, the line finally started moving.

When it was his turn to walk across the stage, Kurt was surprised by a surge of nervousness. He usually didn't mind being the center of attention. Actually, he just didn't care that people were looking at him. He smiled and looked at the camera while doing the obligatory handshake when he received his diploma. Ah. The handshake. That's where the nerves had come from. His holo-watch may be able to hide his appearance, but anyone touching him would feel the differences. The Headmistress didn't show any fraction of surprise when she shook his hand. She gave no indication that shaking his tri-fingered hand felt any different from shaking anyone else's hand, and while Kurt was thankful for that, he became instantly suspicious that she already knew. While he sat, listening to the speeches, he turned that thought over in his head. Did the Headmistress know he was Nightcrawler? Had he ever dropped his hologrammed appearance in front of her? Had he done so in front of a school camera? Had she seen him do that over camera before the Professor was able to shut them down, erase them? It was possible. If she did know, she clearly wasn't concerned. She hadn't stirred up any trouble.