I have knowledge...still missing common sense
This entry ICly for Xavier friends only.
Wow...I feel really bad.
If you haven't heard, I had a few conversations at the mansion after my classes. All I really wanted to do was find my chemistry book, honestly! Anyway, it started with a chat with Jean. Found out a few different answers to some 'secrets'--aka rumors--that I had been wondering about. Since this isn't a public entry, I can tell you this: Jean told me about Cerebro, and the Blackbird, and the actual X-Men team. To be honest, I think it is awesome. Don't worry, the secret's safe with me.
Next, I had an interesting run-in with Sophie and Jenny. Not exactly sure what they were up to, but I do know that the whole thing turned into a disasterous and extremely awkward conversation, after my stupid, selfish comment.
Sigh...
The thing that bugs me the worst is that I still don't know what kind of effects healing has on Jenny. If anyone knows, could you please leave a comment? I'd like to know, honestly.
And if you're reading this right now, Jenny, please know that I'm still very sorry for what happened. Honestly.
<> Main Hallway - LvB2
All that stretches before you is white hallway. Sterile, and empty. Little panels of plastic or glass make up the walls, backlit by some unknown source almost eerily, and interrupted at regular intervals by thin metal frames. What few doors there are along the stretch of fluorescent lighting are all polished metal, and automatically sliding. Hardly any students are ever seen down here, as the area is off limits to them, and the area holds none of the charming appeal that the upper floors of the mansion do. The sub-basements are strictly there to serve their varied purposes.
[Exits : [C]erebro, and [H]allway ]
[Players : Jean ]
Quark appears in a *poof* of smoke down in the halls, a small frown on his face. Looking around, he glances into some various rooms from the hallway in search of something. Thinking to himself, he wonders, "Where did I leave my chem book? I only just got it today..."
The hallway stretches empty at the moment, a long expanse of sliding doors crowned by the mysterious circular portal at the far end, the sort of door that looks like it'd be right at home down at Cheyenne Mountain... if NORAD ever had a futuristic sense of style. But what's this? The mysterious door is... opening? Opening indeed, with a hiss of hydraulics, and the sounds of lively muttering coming from inside as a catwalk leading out the the center of a huge sphere is revealed, a familiar redhead trudging down the middle of it with a tool belt full of electrician's and computer repair tools hanging from her hips. "Damn worthless ball of shorted out junk! What's -up- with you?" Jean has, apparently, been having another session with Cerebro. Hair back in a ponytail, and Donna Karan traded for work jeans and a buttondown, the woman for once looks her years, rather than an undefined serenity.
Quark (OOC) says, "sorry, phone...will pose now ;)"
Quark is shocked out of his revery when he nearly walks into Jean at the meeting of the Cerebro and classroom hallways. Stopping short just in time to keep from walking right into that witty redhead, he smiles weakly and apologizes, "Sorry Jean! I was just...looking for my chem book." Frowning, he looks around, wondering where she actually came from. She's not a teleporter, is she? He finally sees those really high-tech doors shutting and locking with an audible *click*, but he doesn't mention anything. "What brings you down here, if I'm allowed to ask?"
"Huh? Oh... hi there, Chris." Jean looks up and smiles distractedly, pulled from her muttered cursing out of Cerebro and reinforcing of mental shields downed while within the psychic clean space of the sphere. "I think it got left in the main teaching lab... and you haven't already heard the gossip?" A laugh as she leans against the metal-plated wall and unhooks her tool belt. "You kids are slipping. I was just trying to repair Cerebro, the machine that lets Professor Xavier, and lately myself, magnify our telepathic abilities so that we can actually do some nifty things with them. Helps us find people in trouble, keep tabs on troublemakers' locations if they're up to something, that sort of thing. When it's working, that is." A glare at the closed door.
Quark sighs in relief at the thought of that. He'd hate to get on Professor McCoy's bad side, especially on the first day. As for the rumors..."No, I don't think anyone's mentioned to me about some revolutionary, high-tech psychic device just sitting in the basement of the school." He cocks his head in thought, echoing "Telepathic abilities? I don't think I remember you telling me you were a psychic. That's really cool!" Then again, you'd think a psychic as powerful as Jean wouldn't be so oblivious as to walk into students randomly walking through the halls, either. ;-) "Speaking of rumors...I heard one of the older students talking the other day about how some of the staff are super cool crime fighters or something. Isn't that great? Bet you haven't heard that one yet...seriously, teachers running out in spandex trying to capture mad, murderous mutant villains?" He laughs to emphasize this, although it sounds -slightly- forced.
"Huh, well I guess those in the know must just assume it's public knowledge." replies Jean with a shrug, and a confirming nod. "And didn't I tell you my powers? Could've sworn I did... but I'm a high order telepath and telekinetic, to reiterate. The Professor's the most powerful mutant brain on the planet, and I was his first student." she offers, apparently deciding to play it low key as she asks "Take a bit of a walk with me?" and guides Quark further down the hallway and away from the elevators. The woman listens to the forced laugh and gives a bit of a strangely sympathetic smile before leaning over to hit a keypad on the wall and slide a door open to reveal the X-Men's uniform room for Quark to see, stepping back and folding her arms as she replies mildly that "Well, they -do- exaggerate a little. We don't wear spandex, and we -do- turn our captures over to the proper authorities. We're not a vigilante army, you know."
Quark nods and smiles, glad for the walk. "You might've told me, but I'm not sure. That's still very cool." Of course, the instant she opens the door to the uniform room, his weak laughter is cut short and his grinning quickly fades to gaping. He stands there for a few moments, dumbfounded, until he finally says, "Are you serious? You mean it wasn't a rumor he told me?!" Another pause, until all he says is, "That's -really- cool. Seriously. You guys--" a cough and grin, "--I mean, you -people- actually go out and use your powers like crime fighters?"
Y'know, you think Trading Spaces or While You Were Out have fun doing their 'reveals'? They ain't got nothing on Super Secrets: Xavier's. Jean just stands calmly, a little smile flickering over her face as she waits for Quark to regain the power of coherent speech, and gives a confirming nod. "Oh yes, perfectly serious. I mean, obviously we don't go around -advertising-, and most of the parents just know that we're a school for mutants, and some just think we're a posh private school, but we don't keep secrets from the student body... not when you all can see the jet taking off when we head out on missions. But yes, we do try and do a little, um, active, good in the world, as well as leading by public example. We were involved in stopping the Liberty Island terrorist attack, among other things." She lets Quark get a good goggle at the uniforms, pointing out that "That's mine over there." before walking them onwards. "Naturally, I'd ask that you keep the details out of -public- entries in your LJ, and don't go blabbing all over, but feel free to ask any questions you might have... although I suspect you've figured out why some of the staff have such strange nicknames now, hmm?"
Quark nods, starting to grin again at the possibilities. "Yes, I understand. That'd be bad to get a bunch of those secrets out and all." He pauses again at the mention of a jet, but mentally shakes it off. And then grins widely when she mentions the Liberty Island event not too long ago. "I remember that! My mom was at the party, and she said it was the weirdest thing she'd ever seen. And she's seen quite a few weird things in her life," he laughs. He glances around the room, whistling in awe. "You know, I wouldn't make a very good crime fighter. I don't have any offensive-based powers, so I can't really fight. Maybe I could take some Martial Arts from Professor Wagner or Professor Logan, my Japanese prof." Turning towards Jean after grinning at her 'costume', he asks, "Is it true he's a real samurai? I heard someone talking about that, but I didn't think that was true either." Then again, that seems quite a bit more plausible compared to the true rumor about a secret staff-based crime-fighting team...
"Come now, Professor Wagner's on the team," Jean points out with a smile. "Codename 'Nightcrawler'. Although that's his old title from when he was with the Munich Circus. We've all got our different handles, but it was actually the kids that came up with the team name." A grin. "The X-Men. I think you've all read far too many comic books." she chides, before taking a seat on a recessed bench and crossing her ankles. "I'd like to talk to your mother about that. We were at Ground Zero, and too busy with other things to really pay attention to the effects. Well, beyond trying to make sure it didn't reach the summit. And Logan's definitely had samurai training in the past." she confirms with yet another nod. "We don't know whether he finished it and went ronin, left before he was formally acknowledged, or what, but he's our martial arts specialist."
Quark whistles again, sitting down next to her. "Nightcrawler, you say? Not bad. I suppose Quark isn't too bad for a code name," he jokes. "At least I know what it means." Leaning back with his head against the wall, he wonders aloud, "Think she still remembers it? I don't know much about it myself...Mom never really told me about it, except that she's glad I wasn't there." Shrugging, he adds, "Of course, that was before she knew I was a mutant. I think someone said it was an attack against all non-mutant kind...wonder what they could've done to really affect -all- mutant-kind?" Another whistle of respect at the mention of Logan actually having samurai training. "Guess that explains why he's so good at Japanese. Seriously, I couldn't tell any of what he was saying when he was introducing the Japanese language to us in class today. Which reminds me...do martial arts count as a class? Or just an extracurricular activity?" He does a half-decent fake display of martial arts punches from the bench, stopping to laugh. "Seriously, though, I would love to take some type of martial art. Although I don't know any -real- moves, I would really like to start."
"Well, actually, the radiation was meant to turn the world leaders into mutants themselves." Jean reveals. "Under the assumption that if the leaders themselves were mutants, they'd stop persecuting them. Of course, what the Brotherhood didn't know was that their test subject died rather horribly in my infirmary after his body rejected the unnatural mutation, and on top of that, they were willing to kidnap and make a human sacrifice of one of our students to power their device. The old argument about the ends versus the means, right there." she sums up, giving a displeased twist of her lips at the thought. "But, anyways, disaster averted, and we kept our pictures out of the paper." is offered as a closing remark, and she leans back against the wall, rolling her ankles gently. "And Quark's a perfectly good code name. I finally just got a cool one recently myself... I'm also known as Phoenix. As for martial arts, it's an extracurricular, but it might count as a Phys Ed credit, if you talked it over with Logan. Don't get freaked out by the gruff impression, he's really a teddybear underneath..." She trails off to grin. "Of course, gossip's probably already told you that I'm biased."
Quark blinks in surprise, acting a little more serious. "Wow...I'm sorry you had to go through that, it must've been really hard for you and a lot of the students. Good thing the...Brotherhood, you said it was called?...didn't manage to turn all of those people into mutants doomed to death." With slightly widened eyes, he adds, "As for the code name Phoenix, that's really cool. I've always seen phoenixes as signs of good luck and life. As a matter of fact, I happen to have this thing about the myth...it's a long story, one I don't really have time for. You could say that phoenixes have been my good luck sign for years." He stands up, coughing. He hopes he's not trying to make this awkward..."Sorry, I suppose that's kind of awkward. I'm not trying to hit on you or anything." Shrugging, he adds on a new subject, "Anyway, I really would like to start up some martial arts. I guess I'll have to go talk to Professor Logan after school some time. I'll keep the phys ed class, though, I really don't mind. And no, I haven't heard the gossip yet...but I'll take your word for it, for now." He grins, looking around the room at the costumes one more time. Wow...to be a member of the X-men team. Now -that- would be sweet.
Sophie is a student and therefore this hallway is out of bounds. But what can you do with a curious 16 year old bound and determined to find out the secret they are keeping? Especially one who is far too used to getting her way all the time. But she does check at the sight of Dr. Grey in the hall. Oops. A teacher. She is poised-- to flee or not to flee? Slap that innocent smile on your face, kiddo, and bravely saunter forth.
Jean chuckles at the brief moment of flustering from Quark, and taps one finger to her temple with a reassuring "Telepath, remember? Don't worry, I know perfectly well you're not trying to hit on me, Chris. I may like Sting, but 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' isn't a personal themesong." she jokes, quite probably losing the younger mutant as she escorts them both back out the door and into the hallway. "Keep up with the Phys Ed class, and meet Logan's safety standards, and you might just get introduced to the room we faculty use for training ourselves. It's sort of like a Holodeck, but cooler." she quips. "Now, I'm just going to toddle on back to my lab."
Sophie puts a bold face on her appearance, noting that she doesn't appear to be bawling out Quark. *Hey Jean, guess what I found the other day?*
Quark nods, grinning more fully with the reassurance. "Umm...ok. Can't say I've heard that song before, but I appreciate your being kind to me. It irritates me sometimes how a lot of people assume that because I'm a science fanatic, I can't be any good at sports. I'll do my best to keep myself in Logan's standards, if it means he'll let me take martial arts. I like to think that I learn fast, so I'll do my best." He grins again, glad for a chance to prove himself. "As for this faculty training room, I have to prove that I'm good enough to use it before I can ever even think of doing such a thing." Turning towards the girl he sees walking further down the hall, he grins as he recognizes her. "Ah, I think that's Sophie!"
"Pfft, you kids, missing out on the goodness that is retro." Jean chides teasingly over her shoulder as she heads away. "Well, you should have a cable link in your room now... go thou on a P2P search, if you're curious. Or I think I've got my mp3s in a shared file on the Schoolnet..." Jean's hip, Jean's with it! "And don't forget to pick up your chem book, hmm?" Sophie is greeted in passing with a nod and a smile. And telepathy. << Hey there, Sophie. Exploring? I'm on my way to get some work done in the medical bay, but if you want to chat, I can talk and work at the same time. >>
Oh sure. Make her go back into the dreaded medbay. What is this, some sort of demented desensitization technique? Sophie tries to look like she's madly desperate to go back to the medbay, even though she is cheered by the fact that Dr. Grey has invited her for a chat. *Sure, that sounds like fun* She consoles herself with brief thoughts of Lucian and the dog-girl, along with a glow of pride that turns her fakey smile into something a little more genuine. She waves at Quark too, having figured out that It's Just Not Done, Dear, to leave people out of your conversation.
Sophie grins up at Quark, writing, as usual, on her notebook until they start giving sign language classes around here. 'Hey Quark.' She is very interested to know why he's down here. 'Did Dr. Grey yell at you?'
Quark blinks at the written question. He writes back in slight confusion, "Are you not taking any science classes this year? There are quite a few actual classrooms down here, so the science equipment is readily available. I was looking for my chem book, I left it here in Professor McCoy's class after school today." Pondering, he adds, "How long have you been here, anyway? Just wondering. And no, Jean didn't yell at me. We had a surprisingly comfortable chat, considering I'm a first-day student and she's a teacher with extra responsibilities. Hey, she says that Logan really did have samurai training, and that I might be able to take some martial arts from him--if I can prove that I'm worthy enough," he laughs slightly out loud as he writes.
Sophie arches her eyebrows disdainfully as she reads the last bit, but grins to the rest. 'I'm taking something called Health Science, which is kind of an intro to biology. That's the only science course I'm taking, because they made me. I got here during midterms, that would be about two or three weeks ago, I guess.' Then she has to chuckle a little. 'Are you in any classes with Logan now? I have him twice a day for Japenese and PE and neither of us are having fun. At least, I'm not.'
Quark blinks in more surprise. "Oh, I must not've seen you! I'm taking both PE -and- Japanese with Logan, and I just started out today. Personally, I don't think he's that bad. I have to say, when he talked today in fluent Japanese...that was amazing. I hope I can learn to speak it that well some day." He doesn't really hear or see someone else entering the hallway, as he's busy writing some stuff down. He adds with a thought, "Why don't you guys get along?"
Sophie shrugs. 'I'm the one he's always yelling at. I can only immagine what he's actually saying.' Then she gives him a droll look. 'I'm sure it was amazing, -hearing- him speak japanese.' There, in a nutshell, is the problem between the two of them. 'He's so intense all the time, always after me to be perfect.' She sighs. 'And yet, he's really nice whenever we meet out of class.'
Quark frowns, suddenly realizing something and writing it down. "Umm...I really don't mean to be rude or anything, but why -are- you taking a foreign language if you can't really hear what he's saying? Or are you just interested in the calligraphy?" Personally, the ability to speak something like Japanese is what interests him the most--but he has to admit, being able to write a language with such intense, unique pictures is amazing.
Jenny appears at the end of the hallway, looking around at the... well, whiteness of it. She's about to turn around when she spots two other people. After a moment, she recognizes the girl and smiles, walking up to the from behind Sophie. She looks at the guy, not recognizing him and gives a small wave before reaching the two.
Sophie is brief, and to the point. 'They made me. They said I had to have one.' She is unhappy about this. And, she knew jenny was there the entire time. Of course she did. She turns around to give Jenny some space and grins. "Hey, Jenny. How have you been?" She gestures to Quark. "This is Chris, he's new. I met him in the park one night."
Quark waves to Jenny, and adds with an extended hand of friendship, "Nice to meet you, Jenny." He turns to Sophie so as not to make her feel left out, and replies to her, "Do you like it though? No need to dislike taking Japanese if you can at least enjoy -half- the class...seriously, calligraphy is very cool!" Unless you have bad handwriting and you hate drawing...Hmm.
Jenny looks down at her hand for a split-second before taking Quark's hand to shake, double checking that she did have gloves on. She was still getting used to having normal clothes on again. She smiles at Sophie and signs to her ~Hi, Sophie. I'm good. How are you? You take Japanese? Interesting class?
Sophie merely waggles her fingers at Quark. 'Can't. At least, not without emptying my appliance every ten minutes.' Then she clarifies. 'Or, wait. Do you know about my abilities?' To Jenny, she signs quickly, "Oh, I hate it. I can't *hear* it, you see. And supposedly it's all tonal. Logan says I might not be the right kind of student for that class."
Quark blinks, definitely confused this time. First Jenny doesn't respond out loud, and then Sophie can't do calligraphy because of her 'appliance'? "Umm...no, I don't think you mentioned those yet. And yes, the whole thing is tonal. Just like Chinese..." Only she can't hear it, he grimaces. Whoops. Turning to Jenny, he asks, "Sorry, but if you don't mind my asking, what are your powers? I can teleport," he explains with a grin, "and I have a cool form of x-ray vision." But he won't got off on a tangent to explain that right now...takes a while to understand.
Jenny had never heard much Japanese or Chinese, so she couldn't say anything about it. ~I'm sorry.~ She signs to Sophie. ~I took Spanish in my old high school, so I don't have to take a foreign language here.~ She then pulls out her own notebook and pencil, noticing that Quark is having to use that to communicate with Sophie. "I can heal."
Sophie has to grin. It's show and tell time, is it? Well, ok. ' I have venom channels that are embedded in my fingers and come out if pressure gets put on. I wear these gloves so that the venom can be contained and emptied safely without hurting anybody. But the collection bit is small, it fits in my palm, so I'm always having to empty it.' Indeed, she doesn't hold the pen like normal, rather, gripping it in such a way that she can write and grip without using her fingertips.
Quark nods, grinning to Sophie and Jenny. Until he realizes what Jenny just told him. He speaks quickly and excitedly, "You can heal? Like, what do you mean by healing? Can you heal anything? I might be able to use your help!" Ah, poor Quark, too hasty to learn other things about his friends before jumping to conclusions--in this situation, at least. "My mother has leukemia, and she's over at Lennox Hill Hospital. Do you think you could heal her?!"
Wesley has arrived.
Jenny looks at Sophie's gloves as she writes. Two people wearing gloves, but for two very different reasons. She hadn't known that. Of course, the main thing she had been interested in with Sophie when they first met was that Sophie knew ASL. Her gaze turns to Quark as he speaks to her excitedly. At the mention of her healing someone, she pales slightly. At the mention of healing leukemia, no matter who's mother it is, she looses all color in her face. She finally shakes her head at him and signs a quick ~I have to leave~ before turning to walk down the way she had come from.
Wesley, however, is just doing a bit of exporing on his own, and happens down the stairs just in time to run into the departing Jenny. "Ouch," he says, hopping on one foot. "Where's the fire?" He asks with a combination grin/wince.
Sophie stares a little at Quark. 'Didn't you have anybody introduce you to Jean Remillard? I told you, that day, he might be able to help. I don't know if he'd help a normal human though.'
Quark grimaces, feeling totally embarrased and rude. "Jenny, wait, please don't go! I'm sorry!" God, why can't he take the time to think about how others might react to his selfish requests? He curses his stupidity under his breath, feeling even more guilty. He turns around and sticks his hands in his pockets. Quietly, he says, "I'm sorry. It's just that...I don't want to lose her..." He fades into silence, leaning against the wall while reflecting and trying to feel less like the idiot he's being. Idly, he wonders what the Japanese word is for 'idiot'.
Jenny looks up at the person she bumped into. Her reddened cheeks make a stark contrast to her still pale face. ~Sorry~ she signs, looking away. She takes the moment to make herself calm down some. ~What are you doing here?~ she asks, looking down towards her shoes.
Wesley pauses for a moment, before saying aloud, "exploring. Sorry, don't know that word yet," he says, with a bit of a question at the end. The sound of other voices catches his attention. "Quark, hey bud. How's it goin'?"
Sophie looks comically confused as she tries desperately to figure out how to sign and write at the same time. Finally she just shakes her head, and uses her abbreviated one handed gestures so she can write and sign at the same time. She peers at the new arrival, and smiles, friendly like. ~Hello,~ Then she grins around at the others students. ~I don't think we're supposed to be down here, even if Quark does have classes down here.~
Quark doesn't turn around, sighing again at the realization Wes is down here, too. Is this the new party area or what? He simply replies, "Right now, I'm feeling like a total jerk." He knows that Jenny can hear him, and hopes that she understands how bad he's feeling right now. Glancing over his shoulder at what Sophie writes, he decides to turn around and adds to her comment, "I really don't think it's a problem. But we could move to a different room or hall if you like." Glancing up to make sure no one else can read it, he adds a note for just Sophie to see...
The note says, in a rather frustrated hand writing, "What am I supposed to do? I didn't mean to hurt Jenny's feelings. What should I tell her to make her feel better?"
Sophie grins up at Quark reassuringly, showing her fangs, while she scribbles something back to him.
Jenny lets a small smile show on her face before showing him how to sign explore. She glances over at the other guy in the room and then back at Wesley. ~You know him?~
Sophie writes in tiny script, 'Don't beat yourself up, just tell her you're going to be more sensitive in the future, and that you didn't know. She knows you're sorry, I think. You've said it enough times!' She grins as she hands it back.
"Not supposed to be down here?" Wesley says with a shruf, not understanding any of the current conversation. "/I/ never heard about that. And yeah, Chris is my new roommate. Met him last night."
<> Hallway - LvB2
Smaller little corridors of white panelling lead off from the main hallway in the same mundane manner, into the various locations about the sub-basment. The air is almost uncomfortably cool down here, and it must not be a very pleasant atmosphere to work in, for long amounts of time.
[Exits : [V]ehicle [S]torage, [M]ain [H]allway, [L]ab and [M]edbay, [M]ap [R]oom, [R]eady [R]oom, and [T]he [E]levator ]
Jean has arrived.
Quark nods and smiles slightly to Sophie, glad for the advice. He coughs and garners the courage to walk over to Jenny, but still keeps his distance so as not to upset her again. After a slight pause, he finally says, "I'm sorry for asking you a selfish favor without understanding what it might mean for you. I don't want to take advantage of you, really. I just...got a little excited. I promise, I won't do it again."
Jenny tenses slightly as Quark approaches, making it so that Wesley is slightly in front of her. She looks down as he speaks to her. ~Please don't~ she signs when he finishes, still looking away from Quark, not feeling very comfortable at the moment.
Sophie beams. That's her advice going on over there, yep. Though she can't hear, she is astute at reading body language, and can figure out the gist. She wonders at Jenny's reaction, though, and swiftly signs, ~Why, what's wrong? Don't you know how bad he feels for being so dumb?~
Wesley does offer some friendly protection, but not being much of a diplomat, and still being completely in the dark, he just glances around, obviously confused. "Um, did I come in at a bad time or something? Someone tell me what's going on?"
"Am I awake? What time is it?" Finally, a song that suits Jean's less than perfect singing voice as the doctor returns from watching Resident Life in the sanctity of her medical bay. What? You didn't think Jean was -all- work and no play, did you? And a little nostalgia is a good thing atimes. Leaning on the open doorway to the medbay as she finds the time to investigate the glut of teenage minds hanging about outside, she wonders a general << "Anything interesting going on out here? >> both aloud and telepathically for Sophie's benefit."
Quark rolls his eyes in slight frustration. Great, all he needs now is a psychic doctor in the room to make him feel even -more- awkward. Noticing Jenny's reaction, he takes a few steps backwards and replies to Wes, "I...asked Jenny to do something for my mom, without knowing how it might affect herself." He turns around and manages a smile, but a noted observer would notice it doesn't reach his eyes. Well, he tried to be apologetic...Guess he better just let the subject go. Another sigh.
Jenny will probably feel bad about how she's treating Quark later, but she's not feeling bad at the moment. ~Then I hope he doesn't ask again. He should know better than to ask something like that from someone he barely knows.~ She looks away just in time for Jean to come out. She looks at Jean, gives a slight shake of the head and then looks away, not wanting to meet anyone's eyes at the moment.
Sophie isn't sure why her peacemongering efforts aren't working, but apparently they aren't. To Jenny, she signs (fast enough so that hopefully nobody else catches on) ~Good for you. Punish him for the rest of his life. That's definately the way to win friends and influence people~ This is signed with an extremely sarcastic bent. She shakes her head, thinking. *Geeze, he was just being stupid, and she's going to hold it over him for a good long time. Hope I don't get on her bad side.* Otherwise, she rolls her eyes and then grins at Westley, writing and signing with one hand doing both. 'Greetings, Dr. Grey.' It's only polite, after all. To Westley, she grins. 'So you're this guys roommate, huh? How's that working out for you?Quark (OOC) has to go to bed soon...
Wesley only catches half of what Sophie is signing to Jenny, a few of the words overextending his vocabulary. He sighs aloud, grateful at Dr. Grey's entrance. Roommate versus Pan-mate. Not a fun situation to be in, and he is more than glad to relinquish any moderation.
Jean lifts an eyebrow at the various accounts all piling in from different sources and in different forms of communication, giving Wesley a crooked smile and a "You've got -me-." before sliding around the door and letting it close, taking up a spot along the wall with her hands in her lab coat pockets. << "You know, Jenny, there's such a thing as being forgiving of mistakes," >> she offers mildly, keeping up the dual forms of speaking as a way of including Sophie in things. << "Just remember that Chris here is probably -not- keeping a list of Ways To Upset Jenny in his back pocket... but I think I don't need to patronize you. >> she decides, the Teachable Moment passed and the doctor now just observing. << "So, what brings you all downstairs? Any broken bones for me to poke at?" >>"
Quark blinks, checking his watch. Wow, look at the time. "Sheesh...Nah, Jean, I'm still here to get my book. Actually, after Sophie joined up, we had a small talk. And then more people just showed up...I haven't even left yet," he grins weakly. "But I do need to get going soon." He sighs, looking back at Jenny. He opens his mouth to say something, but closes it and just sighs again. No need to say anything else. Turning to Sophie, he writes out of curiosity, "Just wondering...what kind of effects -does- her 'healing' have on her?" Might as well find out why she's so agitated.
Sophie snorts. 'I have no idea. You probably should have asked that first.'
Jenny watches as Sophie signs quickly, looking a bit hurt. ~I'm not trying to win friends and I'm not going to punish him for the rest of his life.~ she signs quickly, like Sophie, shortening some signs but still making them understandable to Sophie. She then looks at Jean as she addresses her. Feeling the pressure from both sides, she takes a breath and then faces Chris. "Sorry" she writes and hold it up for him to see.
Quark shakes his head, holding up a hand. "I don't want to force an apology out of you. If you don't feel comfortable accepting my apology without the extra peer pressure, I'd prefer if you do so when, if ever, you feel like it. The thing that makes me feel the worse is that not only did I ask something completely selfish and personal, I did so without even bothering to think of what it might mean for you. Come to think of it, I -still- don't know what kind of effects your powers have on you, but that's not the point. The point is that I made a mistake and I'm deeply sorry, and that I don't want to force you to apologize unless you mean it." He's not being mean or despicable, only factual. Glancing around to see everyone else's faces, he smiles weakly and adds, "Good night everyone, I better get going. Have things I still need to take care of tomorrow, and people to talk to. See you all later." He nods one more time to Jenny before teleporting away, for once wishing he didn't have to reappear somewhere else, wishing that he could just disappear for a while. Ah, the effects of guilt...
In a small burst of light and a mini cloud of smoke, Quark disappears into thin air.
OOC: Yay! Changed my mind, got it up earlier than later ;-) Thanks for the RP, everyone! See you all later.
Wow...I feel really bad.
If you haven't heard, I had a few conversations at the mansion after my classes. All I really wanted to do was find my chemistry book, honestly! Anyway, it started with a chat with Jean. Found out a few different answers to some 'secrets'--aka rumors--that I had been wondering about. Since this isn't a public entry, I can tell you this: Jean told me about Cerebro, and the Blackbird, and the actual X-Men team. To be honest, I think it is awesome. Don't worry, the secret's safe with me.
Next, I had an interesting run-in with Sophie and Jenny. Not exactly sure what they were up to, but I do know that the whole thing turned into a disasterous and extremely awkward conversation, after my stupid, selfish comment.
Sigh...
The thing that bugs me the worst is that I still don't know what kind of effects healing has on Jenny. If anyone knows, could you please leave a comment? I'd like to know, honestly.
And if you're reading this right now, Jenny, please know that I'm still very sorry for what happened. Honestly.
<> Main Hallway - LvB2
All that stretches before you is white hallway. Sterile, and empty. Little panels of plastic or glass make up the walls, backlit by some unknown source almost eerily, and interrupted at regular intervals by thin metal frames. What few doors there are along the stretch of fluorescent lighting are all polished metal, and automatically sliding. Hardly any students are ever seen down here, as the area is off limits to them, and the area holds none of the charming appeal that the upper floors of the mansion do. The sub-basements are strictly there to serve their varied purposes.
[Exits : [C]erebro, and [H]allway ]
[Players : Jean ]
Quark appears in a *poof* of smoke down in the halls, a small frown on his face. Looking around, he glances into some various rooms from the hallway in search of something. Thinking to himself, he wonders, "Where did I leave my chem book? I only just got it today..."
The hallway stretches empty at the moment, a long expanse of sliding doors crowned by the mysterious circular portal at the far end, the sort of door that looks like it'd be right at home down at Cheyenne Mountain... if NORAD ever had a futuristic sense of style. But what's this? The mysterious door is... opening? Opening indeed, with a hiss of hydraulics, and the sounds of lively muttering coming from inside as a catwalk leading out the the center of a huge sphere is revealed, a familiar redhead trudging down the middle of it with a tool belt full of electrician's and computer repair tools hanging from her hips. "Damn worthless ball of shorted out junk! What's -up- with you?" Jean has, apparently, been having another session with Cerebro. Hair back in a ponytail, and Donna Karan traded for work jeans and a buttondown, the woman for once looks her years, rather than an undefined serenity.
Quark (OOC) says, "sorry, phone...will pose now ;)"
Quark is shocked out of his revery when he nearly walks into Jean at the meeting of the Cerebro and classroom hallways. Stopping short just in time to keep from walking right into that witty redhead, he smiles weakly and apologizes, "Sorry Jean! I was just...looking for my chem book." Frowning, he looks around, wondering where she actually came from. She's not a teleporter, is she? He finally sees those really high-tech doors shutting and locking with an audible *click*, but he doesn't mention anything. "What brings you down here, if I'm allowed to ask?"
"Huh? Oh... hi there, Chris." Jean looks up and smiles distractedly, pulled from her muttered cursing out of Cerebro and reinforcing of mental shields downed while within the psychic clean space of the sphere. "I think it got left in the main teaching lab... and you haven't already heard the gossip?" A laugh as she leans against the metal-plated wall and unhooks her tool belt. "You kids are slipping. I was just trying to repair Cerebro, the machine that lets Professor Xavier, and lately myself, magnify our telepathic abilities so that we can actually do some nifty things with them. Helps us find people in trouble, keep tabs on troublemakers' locations if they're up to something, that sort of thing. When it's working, that is." A glare at the closed door.
Quark sighs in relief at the thought of that. He'd hate to get on Professor McCoy's bad side, especially on the first day. As for the rumors..."No, I don't think anyone's mentioned to me about some revolutionary, high-tech psychic device just sitting in the basement of the school." He cocks his head in thought, echoing "Telepathic abilities? I don't think I remember you telling me you were a psychic. That's really cool!" Then again, you'd think a psychic as powerful as Jean wouldn't be so oblivious as to walk into students randomly walking through the halls, either. ;-) "Speaking of rumors...I heard one of the older students talking the other day about how some of the staff are super cool crime fighters or something. Isn't that great? Bet you haven't heard that one yet...seriously, teachers running out in spandex trying to capture mad, murderous mutant villains?" He laughs to emphasize this, although it sounds -slightly- forced.
"Huh, well I guess those in the know must just assume it's public knowledge." replies Jean with a shrug, and a confirming nod. "And didn't I tell you my powers? Could've sworn I did... but I'm a high order telepath and telekinetic, to reiterate. The Professor's the most powerful mutant brain on the planet, and I was his first student." she offers, apparently deciding to play it low key as she asks "Take a bit of a walk with me?" and guides Quark further down the hallway and away from the elevators. The woman listens to the forced laugh and gives a bit of a strangely sympathetic smile before leaning over to hit a keypad on the wall and slide a door open to reveal the X-Men's uniform room for Quark to see, stepping back and folding her arms as she replies mildly that "Well, they -do- exaggerate a little. We don't wear spandex, and we -do- turn our captures over to the proper authorities. We're not a vigilante army, you know."
Quark nods and smiles, glad for the walk. "You might've told me, but I'm not sure. That's still very cool." Of course, the instant she opens the door to the uniform room, his weak laughter is cut short and his grinning quickly fades to gaping. He stands there for a few moments, dumbfounded, until he finally says, "Are you serious? You mean it wasn't a rumor he told me?!" Another pause, until all he says is, "That's -really- cool. Seriously. You guys--" a cough and grin, "--I mean, you -people- actually go out and use your powers like crime fighters?"
Y'know, you think Trading Spaces or While You Were Out have fun doing their 'reveals'? They ain't got nothing on Super Secrets: Xavier's. Jean just stands calmly, a little smile flickering over her face as she waits for Quark to regain the power of coherent speech, and gives a confirming nod. "Oh yes, perfectly serious. I mean, obviously we don't go around -advertising-, and most of the parents just know that we're a school for mutants, and some just think we're a posh private school, but we don't keep secrets from the student body... not when you all can see the jet taking off when we head out on missions. But yes, we do try and do a little, um, active, good in the world, as well as leading by public example. We were involved in stopping the Liberty Island terrorist attack, among other things." She lets Quark get a good goggle at the uniforms, pointing out that "That's mine over there." before walking them onwards. "Naturally, I'd ask that you keep the details out of -public- entries in your LJ, and don't go blabbing all over, but feel free to ask any questions you might have... although I suspect you've figured out why some of the staff have such strange nicknames now, hmm?"
Quark nods, starting to grin again at the possibilities. "Yes, I understand. That'd be bad to get a bunch of those secrets out and all." He pauses again at the mention of a jet, but mentally shakes it off. And then grins widely when she mentions the Liberty Island event not too long ago. "I remember that! My mom was at the party, and she said it was the weirdest thing she'd ever seen. And she's seen quite a few weird things in her life," he laughs. He glances around the room, whistling in awe. "You know, I wouldn't make a very good crime fighter. I don't have any offensive-based powers, so I can't really fight. Maybe I could take some Martial Arts from Professor Wagner or Professor Logan, my Japanese prof." Turning towards Jean after grinning at her 'costume', he asks, "Is it true he's a real samurai? I heard someone talking about that, but I didn't think that was true either." Then again, that seems quite a bit more plausible compared to the true rumor about a secret staff-based crime-fighting team...
"Come now, Professor Wagner's on the team," Jean points out with a smile. "Codename 'Nightcrawler'. Although that's his old title from when he was with the Munich Circus. We've all got our different handles, but it was actually the kids that came up with the team name." A grin. "The X-Men. I think you've all read far too many comic books." she chides, before taking a seat on a recessed bench and crossing her ankles. "I'd like to talk to your mother about that. We were at Ground Zero, and too busy with other things to really pay attention to the effects. Well, beyond trying to make sure it didn't reach the summit. And Logan's definitely had samurai training in the past." she confirms with yet another nod. "We don't know whether he finished it and went ronin, left before he was formally acknowledged, or what, but he's our martial arts specialist."
Quark whistles again, sitting down next to her. "Nightcrawler, you say? Not bad. I suppose Quark isn't too bad for a code name," he jokes. "At least I know what it means." Leaning back with his head against the wall, he wonders aloud, "Think she still remembers it? I don't know much about it myself...Mom never really told me about it, except that she's glad I wasn't there." Shrugging, he adds, "Of course, that was before she knew I was a mutant. I think someone said it was an attack against all non-mutant kind...wonder what they could've done to really affect -all- mutant-kind?" Another whistle of respect at the mention of Logan actually having samurai training. "Guess that explains why he's so good at Japanese. Seriously, I couldn't tell any of what he was saying when he was introducing the Japanese language to us in class today. Which reminds me...do martial arts count as a class? Or just an extracurricular activity?" He does a half-decent fake display of martial arts punches from the bench, stopping to laugh. "Seriously, though, I would love to take some type of martial art. Although I don't know any -real- moves, I would really like to start."
"Well, actually, the radiation was meant to turn the world leaders into mutants themselves." Jean reveals. "Under the assumption that if the leaders themselves were mutants, they'd stop persecuting them. Of course, what the Brotherhood didn't know was that their test subject died rather horribly in my infirmary after his body rejected the unnatural mutation, and on top of that, they were willing to kidnap and make a human sacrifice of one of our students to power their device. The old argument about the ends versus the means, right there." she sums up, giving a displeased twist of her lips at the thought. "But, anyways, disaster averted, and we kept our pictures out of the paper." is offered as a closing remark, and she leans back against the wall, rolling her ankles gently. "And Quark's a perfectly good code name. I finally just got a cool one recently myself... I'm also known as Phoenix. As for martial arts, it's an extracurricular, but it might count as a Phys Ed credit, if you talked it over with Logan. Don't get freaked out by the gruff impression, he's really a teddybear underneath..." She trails off to grin. "Of course, gossip's probably already told you that I'm biased."
Quark blinks in surprise, acting a little more serious. "Wow...I'm sorry you had to go through that, it must've been really hard for you and a lot of the students. Good thing the...Brotherhood, you said it was called?...didn't manage to turn all of those people into mutants doomed to death." With slightly widened eyes, he adds, "As for the code name Phoenix, that's really cool. I've always seen phoenixes as signs of good luck and life. As a matter of fact, I happen to have this thing about the myth...it's a long story, one I don't really have time for. You could say that phoenixes have been my good luck sign for years." He stands up, coughing. He hopes he's not trying to make this awkward..."Sorry, I suppose that's kind of awkward. I'm not trying to hit on you or anything." Shrugging, he adds on a new subject, "Anyway, I really would like to start up some martial arts. I guess I'll have to go talk to Professor Logan after school some time. I'll keep the phys ed class, though, I really don't mind. And no, I haven't heard the gossip yet...but I'll take your word for it, for now." He grins, looking around the room at the costumes one more time. Wow...to be a member of the X-men team. Now -that- would be sweet.
Sophie is a student and therefore this hallway is out of bounds. But what can you do with a curious 16 year old bound and determined to find out the secret they are keeping? Especially one who is far too used to getting her way all the time. But she does check at the sight of Dr. Grey in the hall. Oops. A teacher. She is poised-- to flee or not to flee? Slap that innocent smile on your face, kiddo, and bravely saunter forth.
Jean chuckles at the brief moment of flustering from Quark, and taps one finger to her temple with a reassuring "Telepath, remember? Don't worry, I know perfectly well you're not trying to hit on me, Chris. I may like Sting, but 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' isn't a personal themesong." she jokes, quite probably losing the younger mutant as she escorts them both back out the door and into the hallway. "Keep up with the Phys Ed class, and meet Logan's safety standards, and you might just get introduced to the room we faculty use for training ourselves. It's sort of like a Holodeck, but cooler." she quips. "Now, I'm just going to toddle on back to my lab."
Sophie puts a bold face on her appearance, noting that she doesn't appear to be bawling out Quark. *Hey Jean, guess what I found the other day?*
Quark nods, grinning more fully with the reassurance. "Umm...ok. Can't say I've heard that song before, but I appreciate your being kind to me. It irritates me sometimes how a lot of people assume that because I'm a science fanatic, I can't be any good at sports. I'll do my best to keep myself in Logan's standards, if it means he'll let me take martial arts. I like to think that I learn fast, so I'll do my best." He grins again, glad for a chance to prove himself. "As for this faculty training room, I have to prove that I'm good enough to use it before I can ever even think of doing such a thing." Turning towards the girl he sees walking further down the hall, he grins as he recognizes her. "Ah, I think that's Sophie!"
"Pfft, you kids, missing out on the goodness that is retro." Jean chides teasingly over her shoulder as she heads away. "Well, you should have a cable link in your room now... go thou on a P2P search, if you're curious. Or I think I've got my mp3s in a shared file on the Schoolnet..." Jean's hip, Jean's with it! "And don't forget to pick up your chem book, hmm?" Sophie is greeted in passing with a nod and a smile. And telepathy. << Hey there, Sophie. Exploring? I'm on my way to get some work done in the medical bay, but if you want to chat, I can talk and work at the same time. >>
Oh sure. Make her go back into the dreaded medbay. What is this, some sort of demented desensitization technique? Sophie tries to look like she's madly desperate to go back to the medbay, even though she is cheered by the fact that Dr. Grey has invited her for a chat. *Sure, that sounds like fun* She consoles herself with brief thoughts of Lucian and the dog-girl, along with a glow of pride that turns her fakey smile into something a little more genuine. She waves at Quark too, having figured out that It's Just Not Done, Dear, to leave people out of your conversation.
Sophie grins up at Quark, writing, as usual, on her notebook until they start giving sign language classes around here. 'Hey Quark.' She is very interested to know why he's down here. 'Did Dr. Grey yell at you?'
Quark blinks at the written question. He writes back in slight confusion, "Are you not taking any science classes this year? There are quite a few actual classrooms down here, so the science equipment is readily available. I was looking for my chem book, I left it here in Professor McCoy's class after school today." Pondering, he adds, "How long have you been here, anyway? Just wondering. And no, Jean didn't yell at me. We had a surprisingly comfortable chat, considering I'm a first-day student and she's a teacher with extra responsibilities. Hey, she says that Logan really did have samurai training, and that I might be able to take some martial arts from him--if I can prove that I'm worthy enough," he laughs slightly out loud as he writes.
Sophie arches her eyebrows disdainfully as she reads the last bit, but grins to the rest. 'I'm taking something called Health Science, which is kind of an intro to biology. That's the only science course I'm taking, because they made me. I got here during midterms, that would be about two or three weeks ago, I guess.' Then she has to chuckle a little. 'Are you in any classes with Logan now? I have him twice a day for Japenese and PE and neither of us are having fun. At least, I'm not.'
Quark blinks in more surprise. "Oh, I must not've seen you! I'm taking both PE -and- Japanese with Logan, and I just started out today. Personally, I don't think he's that bad. I have to say, when he talked today in fluent Japanese...that was amazing. I hope I can learn to speak it that well some day." He doesn't really hear or see someone else entering the hallway, as he's busy writing some stuff down. He adds with a thought, "Why don't you guys get along?"
Sophie shrugs. 'I'm the one he's always yelling at. I can only immagine what he's actually saying.' Then she gives him a droll look. 'I'm sure it was amazing, -hearing- him speak japanese.' There, in a nutshell, is the problem between the two of them. 'He's so intense all the time, always after me to be perfect.' She sighs. 'And yet, he's really nice whenever we meet out of class.'
Quark frowns, suddenly realizing something and writing it down. "Umm...I really don't mean to be rude or anything, but why -are- you taking a foreign language if you can't really hear what he's saying? Or are you just interested in the calligraphy?" Personally, the ability to speak something like Japanese is what interests him the most--but he has to admit, being able to write a language with such intense, unique pictures is amazing.
Jenny appears at the end of the hallway, looking around at the... well, whiteness of it. She's about to turn around when she spots two other people. After a moment, she recognizes the girl and smiles, walking up to the from behind Sophie. She looks at the guy, not recognizing him and gives a small wave before reaching the two.
Sophie is brief, and to the point. 'They made me. They said I had to have one.' She is unhappy about this. And, she knew jenny was there the entire time. Of course she did. She turns around to give Jenny some space and grins. "Hey, Jenny. How have you been?" She gestures to Quark. "This is Chris, he's new. I met him in the park one night."
Quark waves to Jenny, and adds with an extended hand of friendship, "Nice to meet you, Jenny." He turns to Sophie so as not to make her feel left out, and replies to her, "Do you like it though? No need to dislike taking Japanese if you can at least enjoy -half- the class...seriously, calligraphy is very cool!" Unless you have bad handwriting and you hate drawing...Hmm.
Jenny looks down at her hand for a split-second before taking Quark's hand to shake, double checking that she did have gloves on. She was still getting used to having normal clothes on again. She smiles at Sophie and signs to her ~Hi, Sophie. I'm good. How are you? You take Japanese? Interesting class?
Sophie merely waggles her fingers at Quark. 'Can't. At least, not without emptying my appliance every ten minutes.' Then she clarifies. 'Or, wait. Do you know about my abilities?' To Jenny, she signs quickly, "Oh, I hate it. I can't *hear* it, you see. And supposedly it's all tonal. Logan says I might not be the right kind of student for that class."
Quark blinks, definitely confused this time. First Jenny doesn't respond out loud, and then Sophie can't do calligraphy because of her 'appliance'? "Umm...no, I don't think you mentioned those yet. And yes, the whole thing is tonal. Just like Chinese..." Only she can't hear it, he grimaces. Whoops. Turning to Jenny, he asks, "Sorry, but if you don't mind my asking, what are your powers? I can teleport," he explains with a grin, "and I have a cool form of x-ray vision." But he won't got off on a tangent to explain that right now...takes a while to understand.
Jenny had never heard much Japanese or Chinese, so she couldn't say anything about it. ~I'm sorry.~ She signs to Sophie. ~I took Spanish in my old high school, so I don't have to take a foreign language here.~ She then pulls out her own notebook and pencil, noticing that Quark is having to use that to communicate with Sophie. "I can heal."
Sophie has to grin. It's show and tell time, is it? Well, ok. ' I have venom channels that are embedded in my fingers and come out if pressure gets put on. I wear these gloves so that the venom can be contained and emptied safely without hurting anybody. But the collection bit is small, it fits in my palm, so I'm always having to empty it.' Indeed, she doesn't hold the pen like normal, rather, gripping it in such a way that she can write and grip without using her fingertips.
Quark nods, grinning to Sophie and Jenny. Until he realizes what Jenny just told him. He speaks quickly and excitedly, "You can heal? Like, what do you mean by healing? Can you heal anything? I might be able to use your help!" Ah, poor Quark, too hasty to learn other things about his friends before jumping to conclusions--in this situation, at least. "My mother has leukemia, and she's over at Lennox Hill Hospital. Do you think you could heal her?!"
Wesley has arrived.
Jenny looks at Sophie's gloves as she writes. Two people wearing gloves, but for two very different reasons. She hadn't known that. Of course, the main thing she had been interested in with Sophie when they first met was that Sophie knew ASL. Her gaze turns to Quark as he speaks to her excitedly. At the mention of her healing someone, she pales slightly. At the mention of healing leukemia, no matter who's mother it is, she looses all color in her face. She finally shakes her head at him and signs a quick ~I have to leave~ before turning to walk down the way she had come from.
Wesley, however, is just doing a bit of exporing on his own, and happens down the stairs just in time to run into the departing Jenny. "Ouch," he says, hopping on one foot. "Where's the fire?" He asks with a combination grin/wince.
Sophie stares a little at Quark. 'Didn't you have anybody introduce you to Jean Remillard? I told you, that day, he might be able to help. I don't know if he'd help a normal human though.'
Quark grimaces, feeling totally embarrased and rude. "Jenny, wait, please don't go! I'm sorry!" God, why can't he take the time to think about how others might react to his selfish requests? He curses his stupidity under his breath, feeling even more guilty. He turns around and sticks his hands in his pockets. Quietly, he says, "I'm sorry. It's just that...I don't want to lose her..." He fades into silence, leaning against the wall while reflecting and trying to feel less like the idiot he's being. Idly, he wonders what the Japanese word is for 'idiot'.
Jenny looks up at the person she bumped into. Her reddened cheeks make a stark contrast to her still pale face. ~Sorry~ she signs, looking away. She takes the moment to make herself calm down some. ~What are you doing here?~ she asks, looking down towards her shoes.
Wesley pauses for a moment, before saying aloud, "exploring. Sorry, don't know that word yet," he says, with a bit of a question at the end. The sound of other voices catches his attention. "Quark, hey bud. How's it goin'?"
Sophie looks comically confused as she tries desperately to figure out how to sign and write at the same time. Finally she just shakes her head, and uses her abbreviated one handed gestures so she can write and sign at the same time. She peers at the new arrival, and smiles, friendly like. ~Hello,~ Then she grins around at the others students. ~I don't think we're supposed to be down here, even if Quark does have classes down here.~
Quark doesn't turn around, sighing again at the realization Wes is down here, too. Is this the new party area or what? He simply replies, "Right now, I'm feeling like a total jerk." He knows that Jenny can hear him, and hopes that she understands how bad he's feeling right now. Glancing over his shoulder at what Sophie writes, he decides to turn around and adds to her comment, "I really don't think it's a problem. But we could move to a different room or hall if you like." Glancing up to make sure no one else can read it, he adds a note for just Sophie to see...
The note says, in a rather frustrated hand writing, "What am I supposed to do? I didn't mean to hurt Jenny's feelings. What should I tell her to make her feel better?"
Sophie grins up at Quark reassuringly, showing her fangs, while she scribbles something back to him.
Jenny lets a small smile show on her face before showing him how to sign explore. She glances over at the other guy in the room and then back at Wesley. ~You know him?~
Sophie writes in tiny script, 'Don't beat yourself up, just tell her you're going to be more sensitive in the future, and that you didn't know. She knows you're sorry, I think. You've said it enough times!' She grins as she hands it back.
"Not supposed to be down here?" Wesley says with a shruf, not understanding any of the current conversation. "/I/ never heard about that. And yeah, Chris is my new roommate. Met him last night."
<> Hallway - LvB2
Smaller little corridors of white panelling lead off from the main hallway in the same mundane manner, into the various locations about the sub-basment. The air is almost uncomfortably cool down here, and it must not be a very pleasant atmosphere to work in, for long amounts of time.
[Exits : [V]ehicle [S]torage, [M]ain [H]allway, [L]ab and [M]edbay, [M]ap [R]oom, [R]eady [R]oom, and [T]he [E]levator ]
Jean has arrived.
Quark nods and smiles slightly to Sophie, glad for the advice. He coughs and garners the courage to walk over to Jenny, but still keeps his distance so as not to upset her again. After a slight pause, he finally says, "I'm sorry for asking you a selfish favor without understanding what it might mean for you. I don't want to take advantage of you, really. I just...got a little excited. I promise, I won't do it again."
Jenny tenses slightly as Quark approaches, making it so that Wesley is slightly in front of her. She looks down as he speaks to her. ~Please don't~ she signs when he finishes, still looking away from Quark, not feeling very comfortable at the moment.
Sophie beams. That's her advice going on over there, yep. Though she can't hear, she is astute at reading body language, and can figure out the gist. She wonders at Jenny's reaction, though, and swiftly signs, ~Why, what's wrong? Don't you know how bad he feels for being so dumb?~
Wesley does offer some friendly protection, but not being much of a diplomat, and still being completely in the dark, he just glances around, obviously confused. "Um, did I come in at a bad time or something? Someone tell me what's going on?"
"Am I awake? What time is it?" Finally, a song that suits Jean's less than perfect singing voice as the doctor returns from watching Resident Life in the sanctity of her medical bay. What? You didn't think Jean was -all- work and no play, did you? And a little nostalgia is a good thing atimes. Leaning on the open doorway to the medbay as she finds the time to investigate the glut of teenage minds hanging about outside, she wonders a general << "Anything interesting going on out here? >> both aloud and telepathically for Sophie's benefit."
Quark rolls his eyes in slight frustration. Great, all he needs now is a psychic doctor in the room to make him feel even -more- awkward. Noticing Jenny's reaction, he takes a few steps backwards and replies to Wes, "I...asked Jenny to do something for my mom, without knowing how it might affect herself." He turns around and manages a smile, but a noted observer would notice it doesn't reach his eyes. Well, he tried to be apologetic...Guess he better just let the subject go. Another sigh.
Jenny will probably feel bad about how she's treating Quark later, but she's not feeling bad at the moment. ~Then I hope he doesn't ask again. He should know better than to ask something like that from someone he barely knows.~ She looks away just in time for Jean to come out. She looks at Jean, gives a slight shake of the head and then looks away, not wanting to meet anyone's eyes at the moment.
Sophie isn't sure why her peacemongering efforts aren't working, but apparently they aren't. To Jenny, she signs (fast enough so that hopefully nobody else catches on) ~Good for you. Punish him for the rest of his life. That's definately the way to win friends and influence people~ This is signed with an extremely sarcastic bent. She shakes her head, thinking. *Geeze, he was just being stupid, and she's going to hold it over him for a good long time. Hope I don't get on her bad side.* Otherwise, she rolls her eyes and then grins at Westley, writing and signing with one hand doing both. 'Greetings, Dr. Grey.' It's only polite, after all. To Westley, she grins. 'So you're this guys roommate, huh? How's that working out for you?Quark (OOC) has to go to bed soon...
Wesley only catches half of what Sophie is signing to Jenny, a few of the words overextending his vocabulary. He sighs aloud, grateful at Dr. Grey's entrance. Roommate versus Pan-mate. Not a fun situation to be in, and he is more than glad to relinquish any moderation.
Jean lifts an eyebrow at the various accounts all piling in from different sources and in different forms of communication, giving Wesley a crooked smile and a "You've got -me-." before sliding around the door and letting it close, taking up a spot along the wall with her hands in her lab coat pockets. << "You know, Jenny, there's such a thing as being forgiving of mistakes," >> she offers mildly, keeping up the dual forms of speaking as a way of including Sophie in things. << "Just remember that Chris here is probably -not- keeping a list of Ways To Upset Jenny in his back pocket... but I think I don't need to patronize you. >> she decides, the Teachable Moment passed and the doctor now just observing. << "So, what brings you all downstairs? Any broken bones for me to poke at?" >>"
Quark blinks, checking his watch. Wow, look at the time. "Sheesh...Nah, Jean, I'm still here to get my book. Actually, after Sophie joined up, we had a small talk. And then more people just showed up...I haven't even left yet," he grins weakly. "But I do need to get going soon." He sighs, looking back at Jenny. He opens his mouth to say something, but closes it and just sighs again. No need to say anything else. Turning to Sophie, he writes out of curiosity, "Just wondering...what kind of effects -does- her 'healing' have on her?" Might as well find out why she's so agitated.
Sophie snorts. 'I have no idea. You probably should have asked that first.'
Jenny watches as Sophie signs quickly, looking a bit hurt. ~I'm not trying to win friends and I'm not going to punish him for the rest of his life.~ she signs quickly, like Sophie, shortening some signs but still making them understandable to Sophie. She then looks at Jean as she addresses her. Feeling the pressure from both sides, she takes a breath and then faces Chris. "Sorry" she writes and hold it up for him to see.
Quark shakes his head, holding up a hand. "I don't want to force an apology out of you. If you don't feel comfortable accepting my apology without the extra peer pressure, I'd prefer if you do so when, if ever, you feel like it. The thing that makes me feel the worse is that not only did I ask something completely selfish and personal, I did so without even bothering to think of what it might mean for you. Come to think of it, I -still- don't know what kind of effects your powers have on you, but that's not the point. The point is that I made a mistake and I'm deeply sorry, and that I don't want to force you to apologize unless you mean it." He's not being mean or despicable, only factual. Glancing around to see everyone else's faces, he smiles weakly and adds, "Good night everyone, I better get going. Have things I still need to take care of tomorrow, and people to talk to. See you all later." He nods one more time to Jenny before teleporting away, for once wishing he didn't have to reappear somewhere else, wishing that he could just disappear for a while. Ah, the effects of guilt...
In a small burst of light and a mini cloud of smoke, Quark disappears into thin air.
OOC: Yay! Changed my mind, got it up earlier than later ;-) Thanks for the RP, everyone! See you all later.