Living on the Outskirts, Friday, Period 2

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"Once upon a time," Jono said, speaking without preamble as he walked into the classroom looking fairly well-rested, even if he smelled a little like Mr. Clean, "there was this bloke who didn't stand a chance in hell of fitting in, back home. He was, on top of being a little antisocial to start with, a mutant, hated and feared by humanity because

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Discuss!

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Come on, guys. You know you want to tell the class about how you're loved and accepted for who you are, here. Don't you?

Re: Discuss!

[ultron_junior]

Victor shifted hesitantly in his seat before answering. He'd never experienced rejection on the scale Jono was describing, and Fandom had been correspondingly less of a change.

But there were a couple things he could mention, anyhow.

"I don't know if I have really good stories like yours, but my ... the easiest way to explain it is to say my grandfather," he began hesitantly, "came out for parents' weekend. My so-called 'father' is seriously evil, and I wasn't expecting much of anything from his creator."

"I'd kind of been avoiding the whole thing, because I thought it'd just be awkward. But Dr. Pym was -- actually sort of awesome to me, and I dunno if I would have even talked to him yet, let alone on good terms, if I had stayed in L.A. And, uh, also I'm dating this fantastic but totally normal girl. I hadn't thought about it a lot, but I ... pretty much assumed that would just never happen. So. Thank you, Fandom."

Re: Discuss!

[apocalipped]

Jono offered Victor a slight smile at that. He'd met Dr. Pym in his office that weekend, and he could tell that, for all that the man was notoriously the science-minded Avenger (or, at least, one of many of them), he also seemed genuinely concerned for Victor's well-being.

"Thank you, Fandom," he echoed, nodding. "This isn't really a contest to see who has the best story, Victor. It sounds to me as though you've found family you never would have otherwise, and you're happy with your girlfriend. I'd consider that a win, mate."

Re: Discuss!

[ultron_junior]

"Oh, yeah, it's completely a win," Victor told him, visibly relaxing. "Even if I might doubt it when I practically freeze to death every time I step outside."

He didn't point out Olive wasn't technically his girlfriend, both because he doubted Jono cared that deeply about his students' love lives and because he thought of her that way even if he wasn't ready to say it.

Re: Discuss!

[pulseof_life]

Yeul had the vague idea that this… wasn’t really a topic she could answer. Still, she would give it a go.

"I have told only one person the so-called thing that marks me as different," she said calmly. "It went well enough though it has led, on their part to worrying, which I am sorry for."

Jono.

"However, in terms of general acceptance and caring the people of Fandom have been very friendly and accepting of the fact that there are many things I have questions about and I have had no trouble when it comes to getting answers. I have only to ask and people are willing to help." Yeul considered that. "I appreciate that forbearance."

… She had lots of questions.

Re: Discuss!

[leavingthenest]

Rapunzel didn't have anything to say, really, but she did have a gigantic, encouraging smile to aim at Yeul.

Also, maybe a little wave wouldn't be out of place? Rapunzel hoped not...

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[pulseof_life]

With a smile like that aimed at her, how could Yeul do anything but smile back? The wave was appreciated and returned.

Yeul doubted it was out of place. Surely Professor Starsmore would not care about that sort of thing.

Re: Discuss!

[leavingthenest]

Rapunzel grinned wider. Then she held up her hands at about the level of her head and made a scary face. Well, okay, let's be honest: she made a "scary" face. And mouthed the word "boo".

Re: Discuss!

[pulseof_life]

It was therefore totally and entirely Rapunzel’s fault that Yeul, who was generally a very good student in that she paid attention to her lessons and remained focused, broke down giggling quietly.

All Rapunzel’s fault!

But see how little she minded?

Re: Discuss!

[leavingthenest]

Well, since Yeul's little giggling fit triggered one in Rapunzel, that made them even, didn't it?

That's totally how that worked!

Re: Discuss!

[pulseof_life]

Yeul, perhaps appropriately as her gigglefit had started first, was the first to calm down enough to lean over towards Rapunzel.

“You are going to get us in trouble,” she murmured.

Her eyes, however, were still brightly amused.

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[leavingthenest]

For just a moment, Rapunzel's eyes widened in worry, but then her lips curled upward again.

"No we won't," she murmured back, her voice still burbling with suppressed giggles. "We're practicing being social."

Totally class-related!

Re: Discuss!

[pulseof_life]

“Do you think that is really class related?” Yeul mused. “I believe he prefers that as an overall aim, though the professor has also stressed he does not wish to change anyone which is very considerate of him.”

Re: Discuss!

[leavingthenest]

"Well," Rapunzel said, pursing her lips thoughtfully. "Even if it's not, I doubt he'd say anything. He's so nice!"

Re: Discuss!

[pulseof_life]

Yeul looked pleased. "I think he is too," she said agreeably. "It is he who I've given my confidences to and his only reaction is to worry about me."

"Though I wish that he would not. It is not good for him."

Re: Discuss!

[leavingthenest]

Rapunzel smiled slightly, and a bit awkwardly. "I think he knows my secret, too, actually."

He'd given her some good advice, in that other world.

"As for worrying, well... it just means he cares, right?" Though Rapunzel agreed, she preferred people not to worry about her, too.