[For Parker, Parker (Not a Typo), and Illyana] Bothering Ms. Rasputin

[st_opsummoningme]

It wasn't precisely that Illyana could not or would not provide mentorship. She'd been instructed by enough of the X-men that she had seen it done. She had willingly collaborated, and on occasion, even encouraged. She knew what it felt like to bond with a team or an individual, and the greater accomplishments to be had as a result. (Things were progressing Acceptably with Corbie.)

But there was a certain rather enthusiastic type of student that generally required more patience than she was inclined to practice. Piotr found them inspiring. Kitty found them amusing. Illyana did not find them, generally speaking. They found her.

Such was the case with Peter's unscheduled delivery, after which she placed a succinct call to inform Parker that he ought to meet with her in the library at once if he intended to discuss the book he needed to return. She would also be available to instruct him on the correct donation procedure.

The other Parker, as it happened, was an entirely coincidental arrival.

Comments

[st_opsummoningme]

Piotr would feel less lonely if he wasn't such an idiot, Illyana allowed herself the thought. But she did not say as much aloud.

Nor did she point out that the odds were decidedly set against Parker ever attending Harvard.

She just eased herself back upright, into the correct posture that had become natural to her, and rested a hand at her hip. "Make your own reasons your motivation," Illyana advised. "I don't especially care what they are, so long as you prove a good student. And I'll be teaching you Moscow Russian. Don't pick up the touch of backwater Siberia in Piotr's dialect."

It was her native dialect, too. But that was beside the point, and Illyana wouldn't be sloppy about her instruction.

[st_hotflashes]

The stubbornness in Liz mounted and she nodded. She was now going to work hard to impress her because she wanted to show how capable she was.

"I'll do whatever lessons you ask of me. I work hard and if you don't think I'm doing a good job then I'll stop being your student and I won't bring it up again."

[st_opsummoningme]

"Don't tell me," Illyana prompted curtly. "Show me. Prove yourself. Based on your rudimentary knowledge, how do you think you should thank your Russian teacher?"

She lifted her chin and gave the girl a demanding look. Parker would know how to answer if she'd bothered to pay attention earlier.

[st_hotflashes]

Liz paused and had to think for a minute. It was probably obvious she was making some connections in her head.

"...пожалуйста" she worked hard to enouciate it even better. She almost had it down this time, but her accent was still hindering it a bit.

[st_opsummoningme]

Illyana inclined her head in acknowledgment. It wasn't right. But the girl looked as if she recognized that herself.

"I'll put together a basic lesson plan and produce some study materials." Which would likely amount to her and Kitty sitting down with a bottle of wine and trading stories about the Parkers. "We can fix your atrocious accent. But there is no cure for stupid."

[st_hotflashes]

Liz nodded. "Okay, thank you. Thank you very much."

She paused, hovering there for only a split second longer. "Have a good day."

And then she made a b line for the door before Illyana could change her mind.