Summary: Nick and Cale talk about their lives before ending up at Xavier's. Hugs are recieved.
Date: May 3, 2012
Log Title: Big City Blues; Small Town Problems
Rating: PG
Xavier Mansion - Recreation Room
What was once the Parlor has been turned into a Recreation Room for the students. A nice plush carpet meets the light blue walls giving it a homey feel. A pool table at one end, a foos ball table at the other, and entertainment center with video game systems, movies, and of course, cable TV. Big comfy chairs and couches surround a coffee table for comfortable loafing. Long glass windows with a pair of French doors line one side of the room bringing in plenty of light during the day. The main rule in here is to clean up after yourself.
Finally getting a chance to watch the final DVD of Firefly, Nick is finally watching the last episode. He's curled on the couch watching the screen intently as the bounty hunter and Simon seem to be talking. The can of soda sits in his hands in his lap as he's to interested in the episode to remember to drink the rest of it. As soon as River's voice starts to speak stating she went away and became the ship, his face shows a look of confusion.
Meanwhile, Cale figured that he would sneak into the Rec Room to watch those DVDs that Shane probably left out for him - and indeed, there they are… however, he does find the place already occupied. Instead of saying anything, however, he quietly creeps in and takes up a spot on the other end of the couch. As stealthily as possible so as not to bother Nick. He's good at being quiet!
Nicholas gives Cale a small wave but his eyes don't leave the screen. He's quiet for about ten minutes until the end of the show where he just turns and looks at Cale. "That's it, there's no more? Why is there no more?" He seems like he's in disbelief over the lack of more episodes. "That show…it was really good. Is all of Josh Wheaton's stuff like that?"
"Er, there's. See," Cale begins, "The show got cancelled, so they made a movie later that finishes everything up. It's called Serenity," he explains patiently, also overlooking Nick's mispronunciation of 'Joss Whedon' for the millionth time. Oh, what geeks have to go through… "The movie explains everything and ties it all up so you're not left wondering."
"Oh so that's the movie Shane was talking about." Nick says as it now makes more sense. "So Shane was okay to you after I left? She's cool but she's had some problems in the past so she's not the most social person. She's been a good listener to me in the past when I can't sleep. Which is most nights, me not sleeping much."
"She was, I don't know…" Cale looks down at the floor, "I'm not sure she likes me very much. I mean we talked about anime 'n stuff, but she didn't like. Wanna talk. I mean like Taylor or you," he bites his lip. "I mean we /talked/ 'n all but it was just like polite chit chat, I didn't feel like I talked to her at all. Like I'm weird and she's keeping me at arm's length." He thinks about what Nick actually said though, "Maybe that's about right…"
Nicholas shakes his head. "She's like that with everyone, she talked to you about…that stuff so that's a good thing. Shane didn't call you f-bomb bacon so you're good." He says before getting up to take out the DVD and put it away and turns on the television, grabbing the remote. "Taylor's hard to talk to sometimes, she takes everything so personally and as a slight against her." He says flipping through the channels before he stops on Swamp People. "I love this show."
Cale glances at the show, making a sort of 'gag me' face and propping his chin up in one hand as he sort of melts over the arm of the couch. "I don't know. Taylor's been pretty awesome. We even went shopping 'n stuff. I've never had a friend I could do that with before," he taps his finger idly on his cheek, wondering if the show is popular BECAUSE it's so stupid or if people are just geniunely interested in the content. Maybe they can relate in some way? He sure can't. "Anyway, yeah, she didn't yell at me or anything. She loaned me some show to watch, actually."
"My Dad and I used to watch this together." Nick says quietly in response to Cale's facial expression. "What do you mean? It's just shopping you have friends back home who just weren't going to the store or anything?" He asks. "Then again going shopping meant a day trip back home, most of our shopping was done online as it just made it easier than driving an hour or two."
"I didn't have any friends back home," Cale frowns, glancing at the screen. "I didn't know that. I mean, it's fine, I guess. It's just not my thing. But I don't want you to turn it off or anything." In fact, he might get mad if Nick DID that right now. "Just my sister, maybe, and my other friend, but, you know…" he trails off. Nick doesn't know! "I guess it's really not that big a deal…"
"Well it's a big deal if it's a big deal to you." Nicholas says before leaning forward on the couch, resting his arms on his legs. "I had a bunch of friends back home, well a bunch for a small town, not like there was a ton of us there but…we got along or so I thought. My best friend and gir..ex-girlfriend seemed to take the chance to spout lies about me after the purifiers came along with a few others I thought….would never…" He takes a deep breath and shakes his head. "I never had any brothers or sisters, I was an only child. Sorry to hear you had it hard back home."
"It wasn't… that bad. I dunno. I managed. It's good to have siblings," Cale looks over at Nick with a raised eyebrow, perking up a little seemingly at the conversation. "What're… Purifiers? I'm not even sure I wanna know…" he curls up feet up onto the couch and beneath him, and leans on the arm of the couch somewhat facing the other teen. "It sounds nasty. I don't think we really had that kinda thing out in Denver, it was just like, bullying. That's all. You know. Jocks, 'n such."
Nicholas shakes his head. "You probably don't want to know. They're mutant haters, killers." He takes a deep breath and shrugs. "Who knows, we didn't have much bullying back home. I don't think people realize how much of a small town I'm from, I liked it. There was ten kids in my grade, not for the town but for the county. I'm from small town North Dakota. I didn't really do any sports back home, too busy with the horses and stuff." He pauses for a bit before chiming in. "Bodie, he was the closest thing I had to a sibling. Sorry you had to go through that, I hope it's better for you here."
"Ten, really?" Cale blinks, "There were like… five hundred kids in my grade. I think my high school had a couple thousand or so people going to it," he chews on his lip. "I can't even imagine that few people in a grade. Before everything got so messed up ten people were just like the kids on the block…" Cale's mind is obviously blown by this. "I guess that musta been nice, though. I bet people had to be nice to each other, 'cause there's nobody else around."
"I don't even think McClusky County had more than thirteen hundred people." Nicholas says letting out a sigh. "People were nice until…I just don't get why they would stay that stuff about me, I still don't." He says more talking to himself. "When I first went all Jedi Knight, everyone seemed really cool and supportive of it then…the Purifiers came and just…I miss them so much Cale. My Mom and Dad, Bodie and everyone back home."
"Well… I don't even know what to say. I'm pretty sure that there's nothing that I CAN say. But if it helps to talk about it, I can listen," Cale looks up at Nick, eyeing him thoughtfully. He scoots over on the couch, giving Nick a friendly hug around the shoulders before retracting said arm. "I know, nothing can replace them. But you do have friends here. I mean, I'm here. Taylor's here. You know."
Nicholas nods and accepts the hug without complaint or returning it.. "Yeah I know. I just wish Jill was back but…she's probably…" He shakes his head. "Anyway Firefly was a cool show. Maybe I'll get a brown coat and dress as Mal for Halloween or something." Yup it's a change of subject. "My roommate liked the show too, he's another cat person like Taylor is."
Cale raises an eyebrow, "Really? I guess animal mutants are pretty common then…" the boy trails off, somewhat wondering if he qualifies. Maybe you have to have fur to qualify for that. "Taylor 'n me went down to a place in the city that specialized in clothes for mutants with tails and stuff like that. It was pretty neat. Anyway." Another cat mutant. Cale has to meet this one too! Collect them all!
"I haven't been to the city yet, too big and I'll probably get lost." Nicholas says. "Salem Center is big enough for me." He then stands up and stretches. "I gotta head upstairs now, some homework to do. Thanks Cale." He says clasping the other mutant on the shoulder. "Maybe I'll let Ahmed know about that store, might be cool for him. Have a great night dude."
Cale smiles up at Cale, "No problem," he replies, blushing slightly. "You too," he throws back as the other mutant gets ready to head out; already eyeing that stack of DVDs that Shane left out for him. Looks like the chameleon boy knows what he's going to do tonight!
