InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "The worms crawl out"

The Wolverine (who_islogan) wrote in wariscoming,
@ 2012-01-16 20:45:00

Entry tags:

logan/wolverine, svetlana sergievsky

Who: Logan and Svetlana (and possibly the kiddies)
What: Logan trying to settle in
Where: Complex halls
When: Evening of the 16th
Rating: PG range
Status: Complete (I think)

Settling into life in the complex wasn't exactly easy. At least for Logan it wasn't easy. He didn't like sitting around when there was a fight to be had. But apparently this big bad evil didn't care about making them wait, even though he'd been dragged here with numerous others to help in this fight. Still, at least he was trying to settle in. And being the loner he still tended to be, he preferred finding and making money himself and not having people help him. He still didn't trust many people here. Svetlana was probably the only person he would trust but he didn't want to be a burden to her.

Sighing, Logan headed back to the complex after his run of the bars. He wished alcohol had more of an impact on him but given his mutant abilities, he could never really get drunk. Still, it was good in that he rarely lost his senses and wits. He grinned though, wiping some of the excess blood from his face as he walked up the stairs to his room. Some of the seedier bars were good for fights to blow off steam. At least he didn't kill anyone. Or injure anyone too badly. But he was getting bored. He needed to do something. He was a fighter. A survivor. And he had only recently found a place to belong with the X-Men. But now, here in Lawrence, he had next to nothing. He was solidly bored. And that could get dangerous. Thus, he tried to find things to do in town without getting too crazy. But there was only so much he could do on his own.

Walking down the hall, he fumbled to get his keys out of his jacket pocket. Cursing a bit as they fell to the floor, he knelt down and picked them up. He stood back up and pulled out one of his cigars and lit it. Well, life could be worse than it was. At least this world didn't know about mutans or anything so he wasn't judged on that basis. He took a long drag on his cigar and slowly blew out the smoke. Yep, life could definitely be worse than it was at the moment.

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thegirlisme
2012-01-17 02:49 am UTC (link)

One of the good things in regards to the complex was the library. If the book existed in any of the worlds, it could exist here as well through the library. Which meant that finding obscure books from Russia was not as hard as it might be otherwise. And as Fayina's class was working on accepting cultural differences, the eight year old was told to pick a topic from her background to present and Fayina had chosen fairy tales. Oh, she could have chosen the game of chess easily. It was a part of who Anatoly and Svetlana were. It was their story. But eight year olds didn't have the patience for the game for the most part and while Fayina herself was learning the game, that didn't mean her classmates would care to learn about it. So it was Russian fairy tales.

Svetlana and Fayina had spent a good hour in the library looking through different books until they had found one that would work while Anatoly got to entertain Jelena and get her ready for bed. As much as Svetlana hated to admit it, having Anatoly around was definitely helpful when it came to the girls. Who was she kidding, having him around helped in everything. Mostly with the girls, but also with her own well being because Anatoly was the one who could see when she wasn't taking care of herself and could get her to do so. Five years was a long time to be without him, she had adjusted and now she was adjusting to him being around again and it was hard, but she was thankful for it even if she didn't exactly show it as she was guarding herself, just to be safe. After all, the other version of Anatoly had gotten to her more than she wanted to admit despite it having happened four months previous, when she'd been sent back to Russia, forced to see the argument between the Svetlana and Anatoly of that world, him saying she should have said something sooner if she didn't think she could handle the girls on her own.... the words he spoke to her here when she'd needed him. It was getting better but there were still times... not to mention the PTSD she was suffering from.

Exiting the elevator with Fayina, the book in hand, Svetlana blinked when she noticed Logan. With a cigar. Lovely. Sighing as she really didn't understand smoking, let alone cigars as they made her feel ill, the blond just shook her head and held onto her eight year old daughter's hand and started towards her own apartment only to trip on the upturned carpet that had gotten messed up from Logan's getting his keys from the ground.

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who_islogan
2012-01-17 03:06 am UTC (link)

Logan had heard the elevator door motor start to move even before it began groaning open. Well, it probably didn't sound like groaning to a normal person, but with his heightened senses, it sounded like groaning. Then a familiar scent invaded his nose despite the smell of the cigar and he grinned some. It was his favorite Russian. He turned and was about to put the cigar out as the footsteps approached when he saw Svetlana trip.

Moving quickly, he reached out and easily steadied her, barely paying mind to the kid next to Svetlana. Instead he focused on steadying her and keeping her from falling. Once certain that she had her footing, he grinned and took a step back so as to not invade Svetlana's space.

"You all right there darlin?" he asked, grinning some. He took the cigar from his mouth and held it out so it would eventually go out on its own. He didn't want to freak out the pipsqueak next to Svetlana by using his hand to put it out. As much as he didn't like kids, no child deserved to be traumatized like that. And he really hadn't told Svetlana of his mutant abilities. He knew it was probably paranoia making him do it, but he didn't want to take the risk of someone finding out Svetlana knew about him and trying to get her to reveal his secrets. Though Svetlana was tough...maybe she could handle it.

Well, he'd mention his specific powers it if it came up. She already knew he wasn't exactly human. Still, a discussion for another day.

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thegirlisme
2012-01-17 03:16 am UTC (link)

Mental note. Try to sleep more and remember to eat. Anatoly was good about getting her to do both but there were still times when it seemed impossible for the Russian woman to do so, and between Brittany's mentioning of Molokov as well as the random attack the day before, well, Svetlana's paranoia was heightened all over again. As much as she wished to keep the girls from school until this was figured out, she knew she couldn't. But she really did need to remember to eat and sleep more if only to keep from tripping over things like rugs.

Smiling slightly in thanks, Svetlana was about to verbalize it when Fayina shot out and kicked Logan as hard as she could before she stood protectively in front of her mother, the eight year old glaring defiantly at the mutant.

"No one is allowed to touch my mom! And her name is not darlin!" True, Fayina didn't know exactly what it meant, but it wasn't Svetlana's name and she didn't know if he was mocking them for being Russian like the kids at school did. So really. It was a matter of protecting Svetlana because Svetlana would never protect herself as she was too focused on the two girls and Anatoly and anyone she felt a kinship to.

"Fayina!" Sighing in exasperation, Svetlana pinched the bridge of her nose before placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I apologize. She is protective." Turning her attention to her daughter, Svetlana just gave her a look. "He was helping."

The last bit was spoken in Russian and Fayina looked between Logan and Svetlana. Well, her mother didn't seem hurt or upset like she could get... but still. Grumbling, Fayina crossed her arms and looked at Logan.

"I am sorry for kicking you. But smoking is bad. Stop it." Well, there was that as well. She could hear Svetlana sigh in exasperation again but it was true! And Fayina knew her mother disapproved of smoking to begin with. So what was so wrong with telling the scary man with blood on his face that it was bad?

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who_islogan
2012-01-17 03:37 am UTC (link)

Being kicked was a bit of a surprise, but Logan instantly liked the kid. She had guts. "Don't worry about it Svetlana." He grinned a bit more. "No harm done anyways, even if it was one hell of a kick." He glanced at Fayina and shrugged. "Smoking doesn't hurt me. But since you asked nicely, I'll put it out now." Without another thought (and partly wanting to see how tough the kid was) he pressed the still smoldering cigar against his palm, wincing some as it sizzled against his skin.

"So, you're name's Fayina huh? Nice name. And no worries pipsqueak. Your mother's a friend of mine. Probably the only friend I got here. I don't make friends easily." He looked up at Svetlana, pulling the cigar away once it was out and pocketing it. "You sure you're all right?" He brushed the ash off of his healed hand and looked at the Russian woman. She was definitely beautiful and Logan was finding himself rather attracted to her. And so far as he could tell, Svetlana had kids but so far as he could see, there was no man in the picture.

Maybe I have a chance. Might only be a fleeting chance while here but at least she's alive and not taken. It was a comforting thought. One he hoped bore fruit. He didn't have much luck in the women department so hopefully Svetlana wouldn't be too opposed to being with him. He had already decided after first speaking with her to keep an eye out for her, protect her when he could.

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thegirlisme
2012-01-17 03:49 am UTC (link)

Fayina was about to retort that it didn't matter if it didn't hurt him because it was still bad but then he said he would put it out. By pressing it into his palm. Was that supposed to impress her or make her trust him? Really? All Logan got from the eight year old was a quirked brow added to the crossed arms, very reminiscent of her mother's look when she wasn't buying something she was told. The comment on Svetlana being his friend caused Fayina to look between the two but as Svetlana nodded slightly to show it was true, the eight year old relaxed. Slightly.

As for Svetlana, had she known what Logan's thoughts on the matter were, she would have put a stop to it right there. She didn't mind being his friend, especially in a place like this, but she wasn't the type to lead men on if they had no chance. And well, he had no chance. She was married. It was complicated but she and Anatoly were working on their marriage. Besides, she figured it would have been obvious. She lived with Anatoly, wore a wedding ring and had two daughters. Apparently not though. Still, as she wasn't a mind reader, Svetlana had no idea that Logan was attracted to her and thought he had a chance with her.

"I am fine, yes. Thank you. Are you?" And to explain why she asked, Svetlana nodded to his face with the blood on it. She had seen the quick healing so he probably was, but it was still worth asking. Should she be shocked by what she had seen? Perhaps. But in Lawrence, anything was possible so she really didn't pay it much mind. She had already told him she tried to judge people on their actions and not things out of their control.

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who_islogan
2012-01-17 04:01 am UTC (link)

It was official, Logan liked Fayina. He kept the grin on his face and folded his arms over his chest, giving a shrug at Svetlana's question. "I'm fine. Got a bit bored. Went out for a drink to blow off some steam." No need to tell her he had picked a few fights with some of the seedier people in the bars. She didn't need to worry about that.

If only Logan wasn't so dense to realized that a man lived with Svetlana. But really, it could be a friend. As for the wedding ring? It could just be something she wore to deter guys trying to pick her up. Svetlana seemed to be the kind of woman to do that. His eyes shifted down to Fayina and his face softened a little. Very few kids could make him like them. And thus far, Logan liked what he saw in Fayina. She had spirit and wasn't afraid to back down.

"Hell of a kick you got. Know any other self defense moves to keep yourself safe? Or the ones you love?"

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thegirlisme
2012-01-17 04:10 am UTC (link)

And now it was Svetlana's turn to just quirk a brow at Logan, not exactly believing him. After all, she grew up with three brothers. She knew what 'blowing off steam' usually meant. They were all different in temperament but blowing off steam usually entailed getting into fights. And the blood on Logan's face just verified the fight theory.

"I see...."

Would she worry? A bit. After all, Logan could clearly take care of himself, but that didn't change the fact that picking fights for the sake of picking fights ended well for people. Enemies could be made. He might be able to heal ridiculously fast but that didn't mean it made it okay. Of her brothers, Dmitri was the most passive. Erik could be but he'd punched Anatoly on more than one occasion for simple misunderstandings. And Mikhail, well... Mikhail drowned his depression in vodka and picked fights when he wasn't just mocking his siblings and not getting involved.

Of course, Fayina was confused by Logan's question. Very rarely did people ask if she knew more ways to hurt people. She had yet to try biting but it was a thought.

"I like kicking." It was the eight year old's go to method of self defense and protecting her family. Okay, so she also would throw kids down and wrestle with them... but with adults, there was kicking. "I can..." Scrunching up her nose, Fayina tried to find the word she wanted. "tackle classmates."

Yes, she knew her parents didn't approve but it was the only way to keep the kids from making fun of Jelena, the five year old was sensitive and Fayina hated it when she cried.

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who_islogan
2012-01-17 10:30 am UTC (link)

Logan gave a smile and his most innocent look. Which really wasn't that innocent. But Logan tried. He had a feeling Svetlana might not approve of his getting into fights, but one could only beat up a punching bag for so long. They were lucky that he hadn't taken to clawing them to pieces. He missed the Danger Room. There he didn't have to hold back.

I need a bike... Maybe he could find one in a junk yard and start working on getting it fixed up. That could keep him out of trouble...a little.

Hearing Fayina answer him, he looked down at her and nodded a bit. "Well, if your mother approves, I could teach you a few more moves, some better kicks just in case you ever need to use them to defend yourself with." Did he care if Fayina didn't solely use what he hoped to teach her for self defense? Not really. Like he had told Storm, the best defense was a good offense. Besides, treating someone different just because they were born someplace different or didn't look like everyone else was ridiculous.

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thegirlisme
2012-01-17 11:58 pm UTC (link)

The look really wasn't innocent at all. But Svetlana was good at reading people. She knew when they were faking, she knew signs to look for. It came in handy for dealing with most people. After all, while Anatoly had been at his prime, while he'd still been in Russia, well, she had to keep her mouth shut on the truth and say what Molokov wanted her to say when she was asked to speak. Yes, Anatoly tried to keep his family out of the press, refusing to talk about his private life in public, but the press always found her. Or Molokov would shove her in front of cameras and she would be forced to talk, yet she always had to keep what she said 'acceptable'. So being able to read the reporters to gauge just what they were wanting to ask and what was asked allowed her to respond accordingly. Yes, it garnered her the nick name of Ice Queen, but wasn't it true? Svetlana didn't speak openly with people. Oh sure, she was getting better about it here, but she would always be reserved and hold back. Really it was just her family who got beneath that particular exterior.

But with Fayina answering Logan about her methods of self defense and his offer to train her some more, Svetlana just tensed slightly. Fayina was a spitfire. She might have many similar attributes to Svetlana, but the eight year old was also rash and quick to anger and lash out at those she felt a threat. Would it be wise to let her know how to fight more than she already did? But again, she needed to be able to defend herself.... This was a headache waiting to happen. Between her dance lessons with Brittany and her want to take up archery, Svetlana had no idea what to do. But Logan was in the complex, so that helped.

As for the eight year old, she looked up at Svetlana and tugged on her hand.

"Please please please?"

Really, she should discuss this with Anatoly. Just because he hadn't been a father in five years didn't change the fact that he was acting the role now and doing so sincerely and not just as a ruse to get to her.

"I'll discuss it with your father." The words were spoken softly in Russian, but Fayina nodded. But she also had a glint in her eye, meaning she would convince Anatoly that this was definitely a good idea and that he just had to let her do so. But right, Logan didn't speak Russian.

"Let me get back to you about that." Smiling slightly, Svetlana folded her hair behind her ear. Talking in the hallway was weird. She didn't understand the point of it, truthfully. Mostly she felt exposed despite the fact the complex was supposedly secure. She personally knew better. She had the envelope that was left for her following the alternate situation to prove it. She still didn't know who sent it, she didn't know if the person who made the threat was dead or gone, or if it was Molokov. All she knew was that the envelope had gotten to her despite the security of this place, so she would be wary as one could only be when they grew up constantly watched in what was more or less a police state.

"Well, I should get Fayina ready to go to sleep. It was nice speaking with you, Logan."

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who_islogan
2012-01-18 12:12 am UTC (link)

Like Svetlana, Logan was good at reading people. And he had his instincts to back him up. But something told him that Fayina was going to be getting those lessons one way or another. The mutant couldn't help but admire that determination. And while he might not always be a fan of kids, he definitely liked Fayina.

"Of course. Offer's for you too Svetlana. Given all that's happening, it's risky not knowing how to fight back properly." Oh he had a feeling Svetlana could fight. But she was wary, closed off to strangers. He figured it was mostly due to the times she lived in and then ending up in this place, but he didn't know much about her past. Thus, his offer to make sure she knew how to stay safe.

He gave a small nod and looked down at Fayina, a smile on his face. "Sleep well little one." He looked back up at Svetlana. "See you around then." He turned and went to his door. Logan slid the key home, unlocked his apartment and slipped inside before shutting the door and locking it. He didn't want anyone barging in like Rogue had done that one time and stab them with the nightmares that he had. Even after moving on from Stryker and giving up searching for answers to his past, the dreams still haunted him. He looked down at his fist and stared at the knuckles.

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thegirlisme
2012-01-18 12:40 am UTC (link)

Svetlana wasn't much of a fighter. Soon after she had gotten here, she'd been attacked but there had been three against one so it wasn't as if it had been a fair fight. And Anatoly had come to her aide surprisingly enough. Or at least, it had been at the time as she didn't think he would have given all that had happened between them by that point. But she'd been wrong about him because it seemed that he still cared despite all of her doubts and worries about this. Still, for the most part, she could take care of herself. Of course, the second her children were threatened, Svetlana would do whatever was required of her to keep them alive, which made her a weak link in the grand scheme of things. But she had already sacrificed her pride, self dignity and self respect for them, and she would do it again no matter how much she loathed herself following the fact. And knowing how to fight wouldn't protect her children from those who used them to control Svetlana.

Still she gave a slight nod.

"I will keep that in mind, thank you, Logan."

As the goodbyes were said, Fayina waved to Logan and Svetlana gave a small nod before she ushered the eight year old into the apartment, leading her to the room she shared with Jelena. She would discuss with Anatoly the idea of Fayina taking self defense. She knew that children around Fayina's age and younger took martial arts, was this really that different? Well, beyond the fact he picks fights when bored. Silencing the inner voice, Svetlana sighed and went to make tea. She hated how her mind always went back to that alternate place. It wasn't as constant as it had been, but the talk of self defense definitely pushed the memories forward, as if they hadn't been close already with Brittany's question and the attack on Kimberly, the unseen threat. Well, it looked to be another night without sleep. At least she'd gotten used to it.

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