Players:
Summary: James and Jinx discuss what happened at the Cabin and the Future
Date: August 8, 2010.
Log Title: Just Friends
Rating: PG
Xavier Mansion - Communications Tower
This large metal tower has many mysteries and stories surrounding it. Deep in the woods it supplies most of the radio frequencies of the school. Danger and High Voltage signs hang all around the tower, but that doesn't stop the occasional group of students from trying to climb it.
Jinx has been looking for James. She tried the med bay first only to find that the hyena had been sprung, then she tried the cafeteria, thinking maybe he'd gone for a bite. The attic/observatory was next on the list, only to find the spiders without company as well. So, following her nose, Jinx went into the woods looking for some place lonely and quiet and free from the sights and sounds of the Mansion. "James?" she calls, looking around the structure. "You here?"
Not far from the communication tower sits the gnoll in question. Having left the med bay on Monday, James has turned to hiding here and there to avoid detection from his roommate, teammates, and team leader. But, obviously his post-vacation vacation just came to an end. Waving an arm at the searching skunk, he calls her over, "Yeah, over here." Waiting for her to near, he looks up at her over the knees he has pulled to his chest, "What's up?"
Jinx moves over to where he is in a slow and steady pace, her skirt swinging against her legs. "Hey," she smiles down at the big gnoll, hooking her thumbs into her waistband. "How's it going? You heal up okay? I came once while you were laid up… then when I went back, you were gone."
James grimaces toothfully and turns his head so that Jinx can see the pink scar that runs up his neck, over his cheek, and across his muzzle. Unlike the last time she saw him, more than likely, his healing factor has removed most of the scar tissue, allowing his hair to grow back. At this rate, by the end of the weekend it may gone all together. "I'm still pretty. Even more so if you look under my shirt—which I don't suggest if you've eaten lunch in the last…12 hours." He turns his head back to a position that hides the damage and smiles, "Thanks, I appreciate that. I'm still not sure what happened. But I have a feeling I have you to thank for some of it."
"And I have you to thank too," she folds her legs, sitting down in the grass before him. She rests her arms casually on her legs and looks up at his face with a smile. "You remember that thing, right? The Winnebago?" she asks, making sure that his memory is still intact. " If you hadn't blocked his swing, I would be in two pieces right now… and I don't heal." She smells strongly of cloves, having indulged earlier.
James screws up his face and reaches into his pocket, "Yeah….about that. I guess that thing is low-level enough that we lowly students can look up some of his information." He fishes out a folded piece of paper with such a write-up about the creature, complete with a picture, and hands it over, "Judging by what I read we're both lucky." No bravado, just acceptance, "Things could have gone much worse." He looks her in the eyes, as he asks, "You okay? With it all?"
Jinx gaze stays with his a long moment before sliding away. She takes the paper, using it as an excuse to look down and scan the information. "Huh. Leave it to us to find a monster, huh?" she smirks. "I'm okay… I guess. Sorta don't know what it all means yet.." She rolls a shoulder in a shrug. "The future… whatever it was I did to you. I wish I knew more."
The future is still an uncomfortable subject. And bring it up makes James' ears roll to the sides as he averts his eyes. "Yeah…" is about all he can think to sum his feelings up. "Well…we've got 10 years before we have to worry about it, right?" He eventually finds the girl's face with his gaze once more and offer a half-hearted smile, "So…what now?"
Jinx nods her head. Ten years seems like forever and that is plenty long enough for things to be put off. "Yeah. Lots of time," she smiles, breathing a sigh at the possibility. She looks to him and raises her brows. "What? About what? I guess… we go on, kick bad guys and do everything like before… only you and I aren't hating anymore, right?"
James shrugs, giving her a suspicious look, "Depends, you gonna be a spaz?" He offers a sideways smile to show me may not be entirely serious. His demeanor changes a little as his nose raises enough to scent the air. Nothing fresh, for now they're alone. Lowering his head, he gives her a long hard look before offering her his hand, "Come'ere." Given the body language, he is not after much.
Jinx hesitates a moment. "I might be a spaz. Sometimes," she smiles, just being honest. When he offers his hand, he hesitates, but she reaches forward to slip her fingers into his big palm, her fingers tiny against his hand. There is a warm flicker of emotion before it is chased away, the skunk obviously working on shielding under less stressful circumstances. "Yeah?"
Given a lack of resistance, what happens next might surprise the girl. James gently pulls her into his form, his arms wrapping around her smaller body as he gives her a hug. Resting his head on his shoulder, he gives her a gentle nuzzle before he stops moving for a long moment, "Monster or no, I'm glad you went with me over the weekend."
Jinx is surprised, but she tries not to let it reflect in her body tightening. As he moves to hug her, she curls her arms around him as well, lightly folding her hands against his back. She rests her cheek on his shoulder, and lets out a breath she did not know she was holding. "I'm glad too. For everything." And she means it, too.
After a moment, the oversized youth releases his grip, letting Jinx pull away. "I guess this means you're in my clan now," James says with a grin, "It's kinda like family without all the suck. Or parents." So says the leader of Xavier's Lost Boys. "So, we're cool then, I guess?"
Jinx has to laugh. "Oh, well I am all for family without the suck," she grins, small teeth flashing against the black of her muzzle. She sits back on her knees and regards the hyena. "So I guess a clan is a good thing. I figured myself for a loner, but I am finding a few people here and there whom I'd like to keep around," she reaches up to scratch behind one of her ear. "You being one of those people… so yeah. I'd say we're cool!"
James nods, "That's the thing about this place. No matter how hard you try, you're never alone. Some days it's just best to accept, like it or not, someone cares." He pushes himself off the ground and stretches, "Anyways, back to the school. You coming?" He offers a hand to help her up.
Jinx nods her head. "Yeah… you're right," she slips her hand into his, and now there is the flash of gratitude in her touch. Of belonging, and how good that feels. She smiles to him, and slides her fingers away a little reluctantly. "Race you back to the school?" She suggests, taking off running before he gives his answer.
