xp_logs | Mel & Clea

xp_clea posting in

Mel and Clea meet for the first time over tasting of the harvest of strawberries.

It was harvest time. Since getting the greenhouse in working order, it has been producing a lot of fruits and vegetables.Checking on the herbs Clea was growing and adding them to her basket first before walking over to see how the strawberries were going. "Hello." She plucked one and took a bite. "Perfect". Clea started to hunt for the ones that were ready, leaving the others that still had some growing left. Cata was nearby enjoying the sunspot she had found.

As summer days faded into autumn, Mel found herself spending as much time outside as possible. There was always something to do on the grounds. She poked her head in the greenhouse, and to Clea she said, “Hello! Nice day out isn’t it?”

Her eyes lit up when she spotted Cata. “Is she friendly?”

" It is a lovely day." Clea looked up at the newest arrival. This must have been Mel, one of the Guthries that Clea hadn't met yet. "She is friendly, but only to the people at the mansion. Want some freshly picked strawberries?"

“Ooo, yes please.” Mel plodded inside near to where Clea was working, still eyeing Cata, whom she really wanted to pet. “I’m Mel, it’s nice t’ meet ya.”

"Pleasure. I'm Clea. And that is Queen Cata of Catiland, Lady of the Yarnball, Duchess of all Large Cats. Cata for short." She walked over to Mel and held up the basket of a a little more than a dozen strawberries. "What brings you the greenhouse? Interested in growing something?"

“Not really, jus’ heard y’all were fixin’ it up and thought I’d come take a look.” She reached over and snagged a strawberry, popping it in her mouth. “Mm, delicious. It’s lookin’ real nice in here, y’all’ve done a good job.”

"Then you came at the right time. A few short months ago, you wouldn't recognize this place." The red-head looked around, "Many people helped, such as Rictor and your brother Sam."

Mel nodded. “I saw on the journals.” She paused. “So… yer British? How long you been over here for?”

"Yes. I was just about to be 16 when I came here. So about 8 years, the original plan was to leave after high school, but I got involved with a team so I stayed. Plus this place is like a second home."

“Huh, fair enough. What team are ya a part of?” She wasn’t familiar with all of them yet, but didn’t think she’d seen Clea at XFI, so she ruled that out in her head.

"X-Force. Though I will offer my magical services to any team that needs it. You are part of the Generation X team, correct? That was the first team I was on when I came here. Good bloody times. There is also X-Men, X-Force Invesitgation, X-corps and eXcalibur. Maybe one day you'll end up on one of them, but only if you want too."

“Yeah, I’ve been told ‘bout most of ‘em. I think I’d like to, eventually. What do y’all do at X-Force?”

"We are the ones you call if you want something done covertly. I guess some people call us Spies." Clea popped a strawberry into her mouth. "To me, it is the best team. But I am bias."

“Cool,” Mel said. Her interest was peaked. Spies….. maybe she could be useful there… “D’you find it rewardin’?”

"I do. Stopping horrible people from doing horrible things to people like us, that is very rewarding." Clea said looking at Mel. "Are you interested?"

Mel shrugged. “Dunno, maybe. I’d hafta think on it.”

Clea handed out more of the strawberries, offering more to Mel, "No pressure. Of any of these teams. It is just another layer to the many wonders of the Mansion."

“Yeah, they definitely are.” Mel took a bite of the strawberry. “You need any help in here?” It would be rude of her not to offer.

"Yes, of course. There are other things that are ready for harvest." Clea looked around, "And I don't mind the extra company."