Some Professor X-Position

The following morning at the X-Mansion, Professor Xavier is briefly concerned that he hasn't seen Ororo today and can't seem to contact her mentally, but he pushes those thoughts aside for now, when two young visitors comes to his office.

"Ah Jean, Scott, thank you for joining me, please sit down," gestured the bald scholar, reorienting his chair as the red-haired mutant and her bespectacled boyfriend walked inside.

"Is everything alright, Professor?" Jean Grey asked, clutching a philosophy textbook to her favorite lavender v-neck.

"Quite," the Professor admonished as Jean and Scott found their seats, "I simply wished to touch base with the two of you. Make sure the X-Mansion is in order, before my departure to my brother's containment cell this afternoon." A fellow, very dangerous mutant, Cain Marko had showed signs of breaching his confinement recently, a problem that warranted his brother Professor Xavier's full attention.

"Of course, Professor. How can we help?" Scott replied, a shadow passing over his red shades as Jean levitated her textbook over his head. The worn volume deposited itself on the professor's book shelf next to a copy of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit.

"How are your interactions with the Brotherhood at Bayville High this year?" Prof. X inquired, folding his hands like a church steeple as he rested his dark beige elbows on the desk. Due to the curious setup of his institution, many of his X-pupils were attending classes with a group of mutants they often found themselves fighting against after school and on the weekends.

"Um, they seem to be okay?" Jean shrugged. "Scott had to give Boom Boom a stern talking to about using her powers in public, but most are following the rules and staying out of trouble."

"Like that will last," Scott shook his head. "Also Kitty has been staying up late making phone calls to Avalanche. Is that what you're referring to?"

"Hmm?" The professor smiled innocently, well aware that a Brotherhood and X-Men romance was currently brewing. "Ah yes, an astute observation. Has young Mr. Lance Alvers shown any signs of switching sides?"

Jean shook her head, already seeing where this line of questioning was headed, "Don't think so. But if anyone can do it, it's our Shadowcat."

"That's at least reassuring to hear. Next item, no issues with our New Mutants settling in at Bayville either?" Prof. X continued, referring to the second class of 9 students the X-Mansion had gained that year.

"They're doing fine, even seem pretty excited for today. We'll just have to see how many pieces they're in when they get back from the woods this weekend," Scott grimaced.

Jean sighed and hunched her young shoulders, "He's referring to their Wolverine Boot Camp today. Professor, are you sure they're ready to start training with Logan?"

"In my experience, Jean, no one ever is," Prof. X said with a twinkle in his eye. "But good, with no issues there, I was hoping to impose a small mission on the two of you today. It appears Cerebro has found a new mutant who is relatively nearby," so saying, he produced a manila dossier he slid across the table to Scott. "I would take it as a personal favor if you were to see about recruiting this mutant today. You'll find his personal address enclosed inside."

"Elliot Boggs," Jean read aloud, looking over Scott's shoulder. "According to these readings, he's some sort of telepath?

"Almost. He possesses just coniunction kinesis," the professor corrected, "and according to Cerebro, he can alter and manipulate the relationship between two people for a short period of time. How long is somewhat variable, but it seems to be dependent on how often those two people are together.

"Interesting," Jean nodded, "so it's self-reinforcing. Like a real relationship, how long his power lasts depends on how much time the two people put into the relationship."

Unprompted, she took a moment to smile at Scott who returned her grin, sheepishly, reaching out to grab her palm. Jean held his hand, squeezing it affectionately.

"Precisely, but be cautious," Professor X held up his index finger, "those under the effects experience the relationship as very real, at least while around the other person. Now I have no reason to suspect he's a danger to himself or others, but Jean as a telepath, you would have the best defense if he tried to use his powers on you or Scott.

"Understood, Professor, hopefully it doesn't come to that," Jean grimaced, mentally tapping her psychic shields.

The professor paused to take a sip from his coffee cup before continuing. "Now, I informed Ororo and Hank of this as well, but between you and me, I think you're the ones who will have the most luck getting through to him. Forgive me, but I believe he'll be more receptive to a pretty young couple arriving at his door as opposed to two older teachers, one of whom is blue."

"You can count on us," Scott affirmed, as Jean nodded along. "Is there anything else, Professor?"

"That will be all. Thank you both," the Professor nodded as he started to wheel his way down to the X-Jet. "Then again, one more thing. Do be careful if he gets angry."

"Sir? How do you mean?" Jean Grey frowned.

"Hard to say, but Cerebro noted that his powers are partially emotion-based," the Professor explained, "I'm not asking you to be his best friend or go above and beyond, but be careful. We wouldn't want his powers to suddenly become unstable were Elliot to get upset."