Players:
Summary: A new student meets her classmates, Pallaton gives a gift, and the Parker-Mayfair boys are the same as always.
Date: July 12, 2009
Log Title: Big Meetings
Rating: PG-13
Xavier Mansion - Quad
// There is a square side walk of pavement with a nice grassy area in the middle with a few stone benches and trees along the corners. The pavement leads to the paths to the grounds of the school, the Dining Hall in Xavier's and the Ramsey Dormitories. It's not particularly large but it's a nice place for students and teachers to relax and enjoy the outdoors.//
Clad in the blue and white New Mutants uniform of his, Eddie Parker-Mayfair makes his way out of the dormatories and into the Sunday afternoon light. It's warm out but that doesn't seem to phase the goggle-wearing teenager. He comes to a stop by a bench and shifts the backpack he's got on to his other shoulder. "Now do I wanna head to the gym or see if I can get some extra Danger Room time in…" he mutters to himself.
Gia is meanwhile trying not to feel unduly out of place here… Even if there are others who may indeed be far more strange. No, the out of place feeling comes from her own uniform. She keeps tugging at it, as if expecting it to fall off at any moment, but at least enjoys that it's something that FITS. At any rate, new as she is, she's a bit lost, herself. So, seeing Eddie across the quad, she lowers her voice and calls out (even then, it's still a little loud),"Hey… you know which way the gym is? I'm still new here."
Eddie seems to be staring off into space until called to. Jumping and letting out a squeak, the short teen looks around quickly. When he spots Gia, Eddie blinks a few times before taking a deep breath. He looks like he's about to yell something but he pauses. Jogging over, he offers a smile as he stops to catch his breath. "H-hi," he offers. "Gym's the other way," another pause. "I'm Eddie Parker-Mayfair," same last name as two of the teachers. "Welcome to Xaviers."
Gia rarely knows how to act around short people. And Eddie is pretty short! Still, she crouches slightly in a frog-like manner so she can look at the boy at lose to eye-level, and offers her hand to shake (huge as it is),"Oh… okay… I'm still getting turned around a little, from time to time. Gia Choi. And thanks. It's a very nice place."
Eddie blinks then blushes at the crouching but shakes the offered hand. "Don't worry about it. I got all lost and turned around when I got here first too," he says with a laugh. "And yeah…this place is great."
Gia nods slowly at that, but doesn't rise yet (people could get neck strain looking up at her). "Yeah… You'd think I'd be able to navigate easier from way up there, but… lost is lost. Think they have anything in the gym that could try my strength? I want a good workout, see?"
Eddie chuckles again, shrugging. "Like I said. Don't worry about it. We all get lost," he says. A small smirk comes to his face. "Well. Just how strong are you?" he inquires.
Gia lifts a shoulder slightly,"Well… I think when I was tested, I maxed out about twenty thousand pounds or so… I can just do cardio if they don't have anything lift-worthy, but it'd be a nice to get a good strain going, you know?"
Eddie grins. "The gym's got equipment to test people who can lift in
the several tons range. I'm sure you'll find something. And then there's always the Danger Room. You're on the Corsairs, right? That's Mr. Summers' team. He's really awesome," the power-booster rambles a bit. "And plenty of cardio equipment and stuff too. Weight room's down in the basement of the school."
Gia finally rises to her feet, then offers,"Sounds like a good time. Mind showing me around? Danger room, weight room… whichever makes for a good workout, you can count me in. And yeah… I'm told I'm going to like it a lot. I ALMOST can't wait until summer is over. Almost."
Eddie chuckles. "I don't mind summer. Mostly 'cause I'm still in a class and I'm getting some tutoring in," he says. There's a slight pause where he seems to be considering something. "Sure, I can give a tour. Where'd you like to see first?"
Gia nods softly,"Aaaah. I see. Well, I'm mostly working on controlling my strength. When I got my medication in, my powers went kinda 'splodey." She rolls her eys a bit at that. After offering a shrug, she offers,"Mostly, just wanna see somewhere I can get a workout, since I'm all dressed for it."
Eddie blinks. "Medication?" he asks. "But uhh…sure. Lets head down to the weight room. YOu can get a work out there," he says, starting to head for the school.
Gia taps her head slightly,"My mutation pumps a little too much adrenaline into my system. It just helps even it out." She offers a little shrug, but makes to follow… which means that at her size, just to keep from over-taking, she has to take mincing steps,"So… what
classes are you taking this summer?
Eddie nods. "Oh. That makes sense," he says, making a mental note to be very careful if ever mimicking Gia. "My Dad's cooking class and I'm getting tutored on the math and science I need to get caught up on," he explains.
Gia nods slowly at Eddie,"Yeah. Too much adrenaline makes me a little… Ever heard the term 'roid rage'? It's kind of like that." She rolls her shoulders, setting up a loud crackling,"Let me know if you need any help? I'm actually not bad at it."
Eddie smiles and nods. "Hulk Smash!" he chimes cheerfully. "Thanks, Gia. My friend Daisuke is tutoring me though," he says. "I just missed two years of school cause I was living on the streets. Just making it all up."
Gia nods at Eddie,"Kay! To tell the truth, I'm pretty good at them, but I like athletics a bit more… So what was thatlike, living on the street? Didn't your parents… I dunno… Miss you?"
Eddie scowls at the mention of his parents. "Those …people…" he tenses, hands clenching into fists. "They beat me within an inch of my life and tossed me out on the street to die. They're nothing more than genetic doners to me right now," he says, closing his eyes and taking a few deep breaths. "And living on the streets…were the two worst years of my life," a sigh. "But things are good now. I got two new dads that adopted me, two half brothers, friends, a boyfriend, and I'm even getting to be a superhero and meet others. Things are great!"
Gia wrinkles her nose a little at that,"Ooooh… Did they toss you out from being gay?" She has very loving parents, actually, so the idea that being a mutant would piss off ones' parents hasn't really crosed her mind. "Is your boyfriend cute? I bet he's cute! And big, too! 'Cause you're kinda tiny. But in a good way."
Eddie nods slowly, dressed in his New Mutants uniform with a backpack on as he leads Gia towards the school. "Yeah…the homophobic assholes," he says. Touchy subject. He blushes as the subject of his boyfriend comes up. "Ricky's not that much taller than me but he's a lot better built. I'm a scrawny little thing."
Gia shrugs at Eddie, dressed in her own Corsair uniform,"You should send them a letter that's all, like: Bitches! Look where I live now! You would totally impress them." She idly tugs on her own braid, offering,"Yeah, maybe, but I bet he digs that sort of thing. Also, to be fair… most things look scrawny from up here."
"Eddie!" comes a shout from behind the duo. From behind, Pallaton seems to catch up to the pair, waving. He sort of slows a bit as he notices the really, really tall person next to him, looking curious. "Huh… I thought you were July… Who's your friend, Eddie?" He keeps his eyes on Gia, surprised that someone can be so tall.
Jared is dressed today in his normal clothes, jeans and a grey shirt. At the moment he is hardly paying attention to where he is going as he comes out of the school headed for the dorms with a handful of papers in his hands. With eyes glued to what appears to a a lot of math homework he hardly looks at the others as he steps tot he side almost as if he knew they were there without looking saying, "Hi Eddie, hi…" The healer stops and looks up at Gia, then up higher, "Wow, new girl. Hi, names Jared."
Eddie shakes his head. "No. They know where I live and it doesn't change anything. If I never have to see them or that scum that is my biological brother again…" he leaves it at that. "What sort of thing?" he asks, confused. He jumps when his name is called, looking over his shoulder as Pallaton approaches. "Hey, Pallaton," he greets with a smile. "Oh yeah. Gia, this is Pallaton. Pallaton, meet Gia. She's a new student here," he says. "And here's my half-brother Jared," he adds with a chuckle.
Gia taps her chin a little bit as she walks, getting a thoughtful, faraway look for a moment,"Hmmm… Well anyway, maybe, I mean, he just likes small. I'd imagine it makes cuddling easier!" Then she looks between the other people, Jared and Pallaton, then decide,"You know… you're kind of tall too… I bet we could get where we're going faster if we piggyback the shorter ones." Because sometimes it gets frustrating having to walk slow! Still, she does offer a hand to shake in turn (though she crouches when she offers her hand to Jared so as not to tower,"Gia Choi. Nice to meet both."
Pallaton nods his head, shaking Gia's hand, mindful of where his claws are. "Pallaton. I think you came at the right time. No school, for one, and nobody's trying to blow us up, kidnap us, steal our powers or whatever. Oh!" He then digs into his pocket, fishing for something which he hands to Eddie. "Sorry I didn't get this to you sooner, Eddie. I thought you'd like this." What is it? Well, only a signed photograph of She-Hulk, and made out to Eddie, too.
Jared shrugs a little and takes Gia's hand, his touch against her skin of course will leave a slightly odd tingly sensation. "Don't worry about me slowing you down. I tend to move faster than people with longer legs than me anyway…not that I usualy find that many of them other than Pallaton there, Dad, and now you it seems. And whats with the half brother there Eddie, we share a pair of Dads so jsut leave it at brother. Much less confusing for people not used to an other than normal fmily trees."
Eddie looks away with a slightly guilty look when Pallaton mentions kidnapping but his attnetion quickly snaps back at the turn over of a gift. The booster's eyes go wide and he slowly takes the picture. After a few moments of staring, he's quickly hugging Pallaton 'round his fuzzy middle. "ThanksyousomuchPallaton!Thisisawesome!Itotallyoweyaone!" he says quickly. He flashes a smile Jared's way and shrugs. "Sure thing, bro."
Gia watches the whole thing after a moment to glance at her hand after shaking with Jared (she practically engulfs the boy's hand). "I'm afraid I have an old-fashioned nuclear family myself. Pretty static and all that. Anyway, it's normal for you guys, right?" Still, when she sees the she-hulk picture, she grins,"See… it's things like that that show big women CAN be beautiful. Good on you.
Jared shrugs, "Nope, still not normal for me but getting there. I was raised by Mom in Cali, jsut me and her. It wasn't till after…well it was not till earlier this year I knew Dad even existed, beyond the obvious fact that he had to have existed, and he did not know about me till I showed up on his door step. NOw I have two Dads, a brother, and more than just the one friend I had in Cali…who happens to be a student here too." Jared grins as he spots the pic and says, "That is an awsome gift."
Pallaton blinks as Eddie ends up charging at him. Even big guys can be startled. Pallaton just didn't expect this much fanboyism. "Oof! N-no worries. You don't owe me anything, really, it was nothing. We just happened to beat down the same badguy and I thought you'd like it." He looks over to Gia with a chuckle. "You'll learn Eddie is a huge fanboy rather quickly, and not just of She-Hulk."
Jared shrugs, "Nope, still not normal for me but getting there. I was raised by Mom in Cali, jsut me and her. It wasn't till after…well it was not till earlier this year I knew Dad even existed, beyond the obvious fact that he had to have existed, and he did not know about me till I showed up on his door step. NOw I have two Dads, a brother, and more than just the one friend I had in Cali…who happens to be a student here too." Jared grins as he spots the pic and says, "That is an awsome gift."
Eddie blushes as he steps back, slinging his backpack off to put the picture into a protective folder. "Which bad guy was it?" he asks curiously. "Man…I haven't fought a bad guy in too long…"
Gia wrinkles her nose,"So does this… kidnapping and power stealing and the like happen a whole lot, or are those mostly isolated incidents? I'm not sure my frame could support its own weight without my abilities, truth be told." She is kinda big, and the idea clearly worries her. She shakes it off a moment later, then notes to Pallaton,"You're kind of furry."
Pallaton blinks, thinking on it. "Umm… Slippery guy… I was in the Bugle with She-Hulk, but they thought I was Man Wolf… Slip? Slyde! Yeah, that's it, Slyde." He then looks over to Gia again, nodding. "Yeah, this is my… well, wouldn't call it a 'power' as such, but basically this is me. You could almost say I'm the team pet." He chuckles. "A big, fuzzy, clawed pet, mind you. Other than this, I know a little bit of magic. That's my powers in a nutshell."
Jared shrugs again, "Not sure, although there has been one invasion by people form another reality, compleat with kidnapping, a green thing stealing peoples powers, and now a series of odd mutant kidnappings in the last 5 or so months since I got here. Admitedly I missed the power stealing thing because I was part of the group of us that tripped over the time stream and did a whole Quantum Leap thing fighting a Super Villian from the future. Ok, yeah, the strang stuff probably does happen a whole lot around here. Probably a side effect of putting so many mutants in one place. Pallaton your not a pet, your way to human to be a pet, all looks aside."
Eddie frowns a moment. "Pallaton. Later…can we talk in private? There was something I wanted to ask you…" he trails off. That guilty look comes back and he shakes it off. "Weirdness is par for the course, Gia. Trust me. You'll get used to it," he offers a smile. "We all did."
Gia wrinkles her nose a little,"I'd look weird getting kidnapped anyway, you know?" This she has decided! "Anyway, we have a werewolf, and a man with a tingly hand here… I'm not so sure what qualifies as weirdness around here."
Pallaton looks to Jared, scratching his neck. "W-Well, yeah, but it was more a joke… Nevermind." He then looks to Eddie. "Huh? Oh, okay…" He looks a bit confused, then looks to Gia. "To be honest, weird is normal, here. I saw the green guy, but managed to get away in time… I'm gonna have to listen to your story about the time thing, Eddie. Sounds interesting."
Jared shakes his head and laughs a little. "More thant he tingly hand…that is a kind of side effect of my powers, one that apparently makes for really good massauges though. No, I am a healer, just stand next to me long enough and cuts and bruises heal up. Apparently, I can also effect scars if I am close enough long enough."
Eddie nods to Pallaton and smiles. "Sure thing. And thanks," he says. There's a slight pause and he gets a mischievious look Jared might recognize. Taking a deep breath, Eddie boosts Pallaton to three times his usual levels. And with a flash of light…a white furred werewolf in a blue version of what Pallaton'[s wearing is standing where Eddie was. "Hey, Gia."
Gia wrinkles her nose a little bit, then rubs at her face as she eyeballs Eddie,"Wolfmen gots pants." Riiiiight. "That was my nickname on the basketball team back home. The Not-so-Jolly Not-So-Green Giant. It was a very cumbersome nickname as you can imagine. So… Eddie shapeshifts, then? And you do what, exactly, Jared?"
Pallaton chuckles as Eddie gets fuzzy again. "Not quite, Eddie can boost and copy powers." He then looks to Jared, letting him explain his powers.
Jared shakes his head and hooks a finger in Eddie's direction. "And this is not even scratching the surface of what can happen on a borning sunday afternoon. I have not seen any, but I have heard a few stories about games of Mutant Ball in the quad that get…interesitng." Jared raises an eyebrow at Gai, "LIke I said, I heal people. Works stronger when I touch people. I can sense life too, that and apparently my powers boost my strength, stamina, and agility to pretty close to top human levels."
Eddie chuckles before returning to his normal self. Wobbling a moment from the height change, he smiles. "Yeah. I'm a faith-based power booster and empathic mimic," he chimes. "And compared to some others…our powers are normal.
Gia wrinkles her nose and points out to Eddie,"I'm just sayin'… wolfmen gots pants." As if that were somehow… significant. "You'll be handy to have around until I get a handle on my strength, Jar."
Pallaton blinks, tilting his head at that comment. "Huh? Uuuh… I don't get it. Of course we have pants." He looks to Eddie and Jared, as if seeing if they got it.
Jared nods at Gia, "Yeah I have my own shift in the med bay when one of the Doctors is in, learning to assist and helping with my powers." At the repeat of the line that reminds him of an old movie Jared just grins, "Just don't kick wolfman in the nards. We arn't the monster squad, and it isn't nice."
Eddie looks just as lost as Pallaton, tilting his head to the side. "I've got a shift in the med bay too but I'm just learning more about first aid and emergency field medicine," he says. "Since I'm not exactly the best fighter physically or power wise…I figured I'd work on other skills," he goes on. Then Jared speaks up and Eddie frowns. "Hey…that's definitely not nice. Don't kick Pallaton there…or us either…"
Gia strokes a thumbe along her chin as she speaks up once more,"I do believe we were heading to the gym… Were you two going to be joining us in a vigorous workout?" As to Eddie,"You're not the best fighter.. But doesn't mean you couldn't be good some day. Right?"
Pallaton looks to Gia, a bit of sudden unease. "U-umm… s-sure, why not…" He digs his hands in his pockets, keeping an eye on Gia. "…Please don't kick me."
Jared shakes his head and puts a arm around Eddie. "And it has nothing to do with your being accident prone either bro." At the reaction from Eddie Jared has to resist the urge to face palm. "Its a line from a movie. Right, so going to have to do another movie marathon night. Hmm, 'Monster Squad', 'Goonies', and 'Stand By Me' sound like a good line up?" Jared grins at Gia, "I was planning to work on the math stuff I need to catchup on…but I am always good for some time in the gym. Eddie is just being, well Eddie. He is actually really good in a fight, and the best tactician amongst the students."
Eddie blinks. "I saw Stand By Me. I didn't like it…" he trails off. "Well. I was just showing the way down to the gym. I was gonna try and get some Danger Room time in tonight," he admits. "Guess I could go to the gym instead. He then blushes horribly as Jared speaks. "Broooo…" he trails off, shifting from foot to foot.
Gia pokes at Eddie,"You didn't tell me that! Why didn't you tell me that. Hmm. Maybe if there's all these people… we should all go to the danger room, get some group training in? Eddie… if you're a good tactician, you could totally take the comm, right?" She sounds pleased with the idea of getting some… group exercise done.
Pallaton calms a bit, thinking. "Danger Room… I don't know, don't we need teacher supervision for that? Or am I over-thinking things?"
Jared says, "Don't you Brooooo me Eddie. Its the truth, your a great tactician and know more aobut powers and creative ways to use them than anyone I know. Danger room is always fun, even when its not, but …well like Pallaton said don;t we need a teacher or at least an adult for it?" Jared gives Gia a small grin as she pokes Eddie, and makes sure that it does not topple his accident prone brother. "Of course he did not say, he is too shy and would never talk about what he is good at…other than maybe talking about how much he knows about super heroes."
Eddie squeaks when poked, blushing. "We'd need a teacher," he says. "One's usually down there…" he shrugs as he trails off. "And I'm not that good a tactician…I just give it my best and study what Captain America and Cyclops and other really good leaders would do…" he trails off. Never thinks much of himself. As Jared goes on, Eddie just blushes more.
Gia laces her fingers behind her head as she watches,"Well… Then give me the rundown on some superheroes you know. Maybe one day, we'll all be one, right?" She starts to twist left and right, loosening up a bit,"Why don't we go see if we can find a teacher, okay?"
Pallaton nods, letting the others talk it out. "Well, if you get a teacher, I'm game. Could use a work-out…"
Jared moves his arm that is around Eddie's shoulders to where he can cut him off if the boy actually starts to list the heroes he knows about. "Your better off asking about the heroes he does not know. The list is kinda like the one in the book 'The Last Cintinent' of the animals there that are not dangerous. I think there might be a couple of minor Australian heroes that might stump him but even there it is long odds."
Eddie gets that little spark in his eyes and takes a breath to say something but is cut off by Jared. Letting out a squeak, Eddie flails a bit. Listening to Jared brings a pout to the teen's face and he crosses his arms.
Gia purses her lips as Jared cuts off Eddie, then crouches and says to him,"You know what would help even more? Finding us a teacher… You can do that, right? You seem like a pretty capable kind of guy."
Pallaton stays quiet, letting the others talk for now, cracking his knuckles.
Jared eyes Eddie's pout. "Sorry to cut you off there bro, but as much as Jordan and I are in the same boat as you when it comes to capes just listing them could take hours. Hmm, not sure about finding teachers, other than the Dads I tend to just stick to the background and avoid them, and I know the Dads both are off grounds."
Eddie pouts a bit more. "I know more than Jordan," he grumbles. "Bet he isn't friends with the Young Avengers," he says. When Gia crouches down, Eddie blinks. "Umm. I dunno. I usually just…stumble into them. Or they find me. I was gonna go see if any were down there already and then just kinda…lurk around till one showed."
Gia raises an eyebrow,"You know… if that's the strategy, then… You know… we might be better off just finding something else to do, right? Until we know whether one will be there or not."
Pallaton nods, but then notices the time. "Oh! Sorry, I'm going to have to drop out. I've got a meeting to attend. Trying to figure out just where to go from here, now that I graduated and all…" He scratches his neck, looking to the trio. "Sorry, maybe next time, yeah?"
Jared nods at Pallaton as he says he has to leave. "Sure, next time man. Yes Eddie, you know way more than Jordan and I combined, thats why it would have taken so long and I was not sure that Gia would want to hear it all. Hmm, yeah not sure about waiting around and lurking. Although we could always just hang out as a group near there and talk more get to know each other and all till we can kidnap a passing teacher."
Eddie nods and gives Pallaton a quick hug. "Alright. See ya later, Pallaton. And thanks again for that picture," he says. Gia then gets a little frown. "Hey…I said I wasn't the best strategist…" he trails off. "It's a big school. I mean…I guess I could try something but I'm not sure if it'd work…" he trails off thoughtfully.
Pallaton nods, waving to the trio. "No problem, Eddie. Catch you all later! And it was great meeting you, Gia!" With that, he's off into the school. Yay future career planning!
Gia waves at Pallaton as he departs,"Take care!" And then she's turning to the other two,"Well, either way, why don't I give you a lift so we can get wherever we go faster? I get antsy staying in one place, you know? Too much energy to stay still for long."
Jared grins and laughs a little. "Oh do I know that feeling Gia. Thanks to my powers I can't even lay still for more than a few hours of sleep at night. Don't worry aobut me keeping up, even with your logn legs I would put even odds on my winning a race with you as long as it is not a sprint."
Eddie takes a deep breath before boosting Jared up to three times his normal levels. There's another flash of light before Eddie's uniform turns into a blue and white version of what Jared's wearing. "And now I can keep up too."
Gia grins and turns to take off towards the previously indicated building,Well then, looks like we're all moving good. I really do need to get some exercise in, you know?"
Jared grins and shivers a little at the sudden boost. "Then off to the gyms right?" Before anyone can respond Jared takes off in a sprint headed for the school gym. The boy can't help but think this is gonna be fun, treating the jog to the gym as a race, especially if there happen to be any people between them and where they are going because
he has a better chance than anyone of dodging around obsticals.
Eddie lets out another squeak as Jared and Gia head off. "H-hey! Wait up," he says, following after. It's already pretty certain he'll be the last one there but he doesn't want it to be a huge gap.
