AX: Simon and Jeanne-Marie, September 2
Sep. 2nd, 2017 11:05 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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ax_mainJeanne-Marie gets to know her brother's roommate--or his hometown, anyhow. Simon isn't sure what's going on here, but he doesn't hate it?
Jeanne-Marie didn't venture into the boys' dorm that often--she didn't really need to, except to find her bother occasionally. It would've been easier to simply fly to his window and knock, but since he had a roommate, she preferred to be respectful of their privacy. So she flashed into the boys' hall and to Jean-Paul's door. For some reason--she never understood quite why--she didn't think he was in there. But she knocked anyhow.
Simon was just changing from his workout down at the pool when he heard the knock and glanced up, frowning slightly. Very few people ever knocked at their door - whether due to Jean-Paul's standoffishness or his own. His hair still tousled and t-shirt damp, Simon took a step toward the door, then hesitated. He never let himself be anything but impeccably presentable. Quickly, he pulled on a pair of smartly tailored slacks, and started to button a shirt over the t-shirt before reaching out to open the door. It was presentable enough. "Yes?"
Jeanne-Marie had been about to leave in spite the rustling in the room. She was convinced, now, that Jean-Paul was out--she'd simply text him. But then the door opened, and Jean-Paul's (extremely cute) roommate appeared. "I'm so sorry, you're busy?" She'd seen him around and so assumed he knew who she was, even though two words hadn't passed between them. "I was just looking for my brother."
Simon's eyebrows lifted. "You're Jeanne-Marie," he realized. And, of course, he should have. She had such a similar look. "You, ah-" he opened the door wider and stepped back. "He's not here but, you, you're of course welcome to ah, wait."
She smiled hugely and breezed past him, heading directly for her brother's bed as if she belonged there. "Simon Tam, yes? You work on--genetics?"
He buttoned the shirt up the rest of the way and tucked it in. "The X-gene in specific, yes. I suppose you've heard of me."
"You are my brother's roommate." She said as she bounced down onto Jean-Paul's perfectly made bed. "Of course I have. Have you heard of me?"
"He mentions you quite a bit," Simon agreed, pulling a waistcoat from his closet. "That is, I mean, when he's talking to me."
Jeanne-Marie laughed. "Yes, that sounds like him. You two haven't fought, have you? It's just his usual... slow warming-up?"
"Is that usual?" Simon asked curiously - finally nice and tidy and dressed, despite his damp hair. "Honestly, I just thought it was me. Most of the students don't really care for me here anyway."
"Jean-Paul is careful about who he... makes friends which." Jeanne-Marie selected her words with equal care, there. Jean-Paul wouldn't like his roommate to have too many suspicious, especially if they were accurate. "But if you're good and honest, he will see it.
"What have you been doing that the other students don't like you, though?" Might as well pretend she hadn't already heard that he was a bit of a stuck-up genius type. There must be more to him, after all, and he'd been nice enough to her.
She was very nice, Simon thought. Warm. Bubbly. Not at all like her brother in that regard. "Maybe I - maybe it's because of who I am. Or because of the fact that I don't make friends well. I - I never have. It's. It's easier in my own world. Maybe it's because I'm not - not like the rest of you. Or because of the research I'm doing."
Jeanne-Marie cocked her head, intrigued. "What's your own world? Is it really so different? I think you seem very sweet, but I suppose I'm from a different world too."
"It's. I mean. When I say that I mean - I mean that I am often distracted by my work," Simon slowly explained to her, moving to sit on the edge of the small sectional beneath his loft.
"Your work in genetics?" Jeanne-Marie tucked her legs up beneath her lotus-style. "That's what you mean, yes? It's too distracting to... allow time for friends?"
Simon stared at her. "Forgive me but I'm really not even sure what having a friend is like."
That made Jeanne-Marie both sad and... wickedly amused in that it explained a great deal. She stood, then walked to the sectional... and sat right next to him. "Well. Perhaps we should try it. You could take some time off from genetics to do something friendly with me. I think I could sway you." And then she smiled brightly. "Are you busy today?"
Eyes widening slightly, Simon made room for her on the small couch, suddenly very confused. "I. Ah. I suppose... no?"
She settled more comfortably beside him. "What should we do? Go get coffee somewhere? Do you like coffee? I love it!"
Why were the Beaubier twins constantly trying to get him out for food or drinks? Was it a Quebecois thing? Also, she was very exuberant. Honestly, it reminded him a little of River when she was at her most mischievous. "I...yes. I like coffee. But why-"
But Jeanne-Marie was already back on her feet and reaching for his hands. "Because it's a thing friends do! They go get coffee. And talk."
Simon was decidedly awkward when she pulled him to his feet, almost rethinking his decision to say 'yes'. "Talk...about what?"
"What are you interested in--that isn't work?" There must be something, after all. She cocked her head curiously. "You like fencing, yes? And what else?"
"Ah. Biology. Physiology. I suppose that counts as work, though," Simon frowned. "I do enjoy discussing history."
"Perfect! I like history too, it's my favorite subject apart from languages. There now, do you drive, or should we walk into town?" She flipped her hair over her shoulder, clearly ready to go.
"I'm capable of driving," Simon explained. "But I won't be legally authorized until November. Are you sure you want to walk all that way?"
"Of course, I love a good walk," she said easily. "Unless you want to illegally drive. That would be all right too. An adventure."
Simon sighed. Of course, he was committed to this now. "We'll walk part of the way. Then I can call us an Uber."
"Oh! I've never called an uber! That'll be fun." She smiled sweetly, maybe a little too sweetly. "Also, when you're going out with friends, it's generally better not to sigh as if they're a huge imposition. That's a good thing to remember."
He instantly flushed red, wincing a bit at being called out on his bad behavior. "My apologies, Jeanne-Marie. This is just all very new to me."
At that, her smile became utterly earnest and pleased. "In a way, it is to me too, so we can learn from each other. I'll run and grab my bag--meet me in the foyer?"
Simon nodded. "I will meet you there."
Moments later, Jeanne-Marie flashed into being in the foyer and adjusted her simple, small black purse. It had some of her allowance in it--enough for a treat and maybe to buy something nice if it caught her eye. She desperately needed to go shopping, but knew enough about boys to realize springing a spree on Simon might cause him to finally balk. She adjusted her long hair and waited for him, smiling. When he appeared, she said, "Its the perfect day for a walk."
Simon had to actually glance up at the sky to notice, but finally nodded, swinging the door open for her with a slow, inhaled breath. "Yes. I suppose so."
She waited for him to follow her out, then took his arm and started walking. "What sort of history are you interested in? American?"
"American, yes," Simon agreed. "I grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia, which played a large part in the Revolutionary War. But I've always been fascinated with the Chinese dynasties as well. The Egyptian culture has always been quite intriguing as well."
"Tell me about Williamsburg," she suggested. "I don't know much about the American revolution--but it's very interesting. I like a good revolution."
He gave her an odd look at the comment, but kept walking. "It was founded in 1632 as a fortified settlement between the James and York rivers. It was originally a sort of backup fortification for Jamestown, during the times when it was attacked or burned."
"Jamestown was the... first white settlement?" She cocked her head curiously.
Thus began an hour long lecture on early colonial history - from the walk down the road to the UberBlack ride into town. Simon knew where the coffee shop was from his earlier outing with Jean-Paul, so by the time he'd explained The College of William and Mary, they were stepping through the sleek glass doors and into the aroma of freshly steeped beans.
"It's so interesting, this idea of forensic archaeology," Jeanne-Marie said thoughtfully, though her gaze strayed to the promise of chocolate in the bakery case. "I'd like to see the museums sometime."
"In Virginia? I thought you just visited the Met?" Simon asked carefully. Because, oh, he knew it was a sore subject.
She glanced at him quickly, then showed a renewed and more vigorous interest in the chocolate croissants. "That's an art museum. I was thinking history, like the ones there, yes."
Simon smiled slightly. "You would like it. They have a whole historical town there, with people in costume. Sometime holidays, they shoot off the guns."
He had her full attention again. "The big ones? The canons?"
He smiled, nodding to her as he gave his order to the cashier. "The cannons, yes."
"Ooooh!" She gave her order, then, and started digging in her purse. "Well now I have to visit someday. It'll be like going back in time."
Simon actually found himself laughing softly. "It can be, yes."
"Fun!" Well, if you were white and rich. But for pretend purposes, it didn't matter. "Oh, and can I also have a croissant? The chocolate one. I forgot."
The barista smiled and flirted, and Jeanne-Marie giggled.
Simon raised a brow, but said nothing, taking his coffee and pretending to examine the pastries while they bantered.
Once the order was paid for and the barista handed over her pastry, Jeanne-Marie returned to Simon to wait for their coffees. "People in town are so nice. They're not Xavier's people but it's good to see a smile when we come outside."
"It helps that you're attractive and enjoy smiling," Simon pointed out wryly.
With her free arm, she took his, hooking around the elbow. "Why, Simon, you almost sound as if those aren't two of my greatest strengths." She grinned.
"I noticed," he told her, but paused as he realized how that sounded. "The smiling. I noticed the smiling. I would never think that you were attractive. I mean, of course it is a fact, but my thoughts would not have lingered-"
Though she kept her hold on him, Jeanne-Marie's look went cold as she let him dangle for just a moment. There was a small thrill in it, but she pushed it aside, remembering this was meant to be an exercise in friendship. And she was supposed to have compassion. "I believe what you meant to say is that I'm a pretty girl and I have a charming smile, which makes it easier for people to talk to me, yes?"
"Didn't I..." Simon started, then choked it back. "Right. That's what I meant."
"Mmm," she agreed, still holding onto him. He wasn't leaving her side until she'd made her point! "And you were certainly not judging me, only commenting on my sunny and friendly qualities, as well as giving a friendly compliment. Of course, I understand." She gave his arm a squeeze and then released him at last just as the cute barista said his drink was ready.
Simon looked a little lost, slowly coming to the realization that Jeanne-Marie was not just the giggly naive girl she seemed to be. In fact, she reminded him a little bit like River just then. Except River would have just called him a moron and would have kept moving. Instead, Jeanne-Marie wanted him to understand exactly where he'd gone wrong.
Stepping to the side, he said nothing as Jeanne-Marie's drink was called. If he got it for her, she might not like that either - especially since she seemed to like the compliments from their their barista. Instead, he found them a warm, sunny table that he thought she might like.
Jeanne-Marie accepted her mocha--and a few more flirty comments--then returned to Simon and sat across from him. As if their conversation had never been interrupted, she said, "Since getting away from my foster parents, I've been doing some interesting historical reading about the church--both in Quebec and around the world. It's really quite appalling."
"I wouldn't know much about that," Simon admitted. "My family gives to a protestant church for charity, so my parents can pretend that they care, but we don't actually observe."
"I have been in a catholic system my whole life," Jeanne-Marie confided. "And I do believe, but there are so many strange faults in the system that people have overlooked for millennia. At least this pope seems in earnest, but I think it would take twenty popes in succession to clean up the mess. Of course no one told us this in Catholic school.
"But it is interesting, historically."
Simon raised a brow. "What sort of mess would that be?"
After a long chat about several renaissance popes, Borgias and Medicis mainly, Simon and Jeanne-Marie had finished their coffees and were heading for the door. Jeanne-Marie couldn't help but say, "See. You did very well during this friendly engagement."
He eyed her sideways. "Was this a teaching experience?"
Jeanne-Marie laughed. "I would hardly be the person to teach, if it was! It was an attempt at friendly activity, and though you claim you're not used to it, I think you're quite fun."
"I wouldn't go that far," Simon smirked softly.
She smirked right back. "What about me? How am I adjusting to normal teenage life, do you think?"
"Oh, you are a pro," he insisted. "And...you're a good person for doing this."
"No, I'm having fun," she said, slipping an arm through his once more. "With a friend."
Jeanne-Marie didn't venture into the boys' dorm that often--she didn't really need to, except to find her bother occasionally. It would've been easier to simply fly to his window and knock, but since he had a roommate, she preferred to be respectful of their privacy. So she flashed into the boys' hall and to Jean-Paul's door. For some reason--she never understood quite why--she didn't think he was in there. But she knocked anyhow.
Simon was just changing from his workout down at the pool when he heard the knock and glanced up, frowning slightly. Very few people ever knocked at their door - whether due to Jean-Paul's standoffishness or his own. His hair still tousled and t-shirt damp, Simon took a step toward the door, then hesitated. He never let himself be anything but impeccably presentable. Quickly, he pulled on a pair of smartly tailored slacks, and started to button a shirt over the t-shirt before reaching out to open the door. It was presentable enough. "Yes?"
Jeanne-Marie had been about to leave in spite the rustling in the room. She was convinced, now, that Jean-Paul was out--she'd simply text him. But then the door opened, and Jean-Paul's (extremely cute) roommate appeared. "I'm so sorry, you're busy?" She'd seen him around and so assumed he knew who she was, even though two words hadn't passed between them. "I was just looking for my brother."
Simon's eyebrows lifted. "You're Jeanne-Marie," he realized. And, of course, he should have. She had such a similar look. "You, ah-" he opened the door wider and stepped back. "He's not here but, you, you're of course welcome to ah, wait."
She smiled hugely and breezed past him, heading directly for her brother's bed as if she belonged there. "Simon Tam, yes? You work on--genetics?"
He buttoned the shirt up the rest of the way and tucked it in. "The X-gene in specific, yes. I suppose you've heard of me."
"You are my brother's roommate." She said as she bounced down onto Jean-Paul's perfectly made bed. "Of course I have. Have you heard of me?"
"He mentions you quite a bit," Simon agreed, pulling a waistcoat from his closet. "That is, I mean, when he's talking to me."
Jeanne-Marie laughed. "Yes, that sounds like him. You two haven't fought, have you? It's just his usual... slow warming-up?"
"Is that usual?" Simon asked curiously - finally nice and tidy and dressed, despite his damp hair. "Honestly, I just thought it was me. Most of the students don't really care for me here anyway."
"Jean-Paul is careful about who he... makes friends which." Jeanne-Marie selected her words with equal care, there. Jean-Paul wouldn't like his roommate to have too many suspicious, especially if they were accurate. "But if you're good and honest, he will see it.
"What have you been doing that the other students don't like you, though?" Might as well pretend she hadn't already heard that he was a bit of a stuck-up genius type. There must be more to him, after all, and he'd been nice enough to her.
She was very nice, Simon thought. Warm. Bubbly. Not at all like her brother in that regard. "Maybe I - maybe it's because of who I am. Or because of the fact that I don't make friends well. I - I never have. It's. It's easier in my own world. Maybe it's because I'm not - not like the rest of you. Or because of the research I'm doing."
Jeanne-Marie cocked her head, intrigued. "What's your own world? Is it really so different? I think you seem very sweet, but I suppose I'm from a different world too."
"It's. I mean. When I say that I mean - I mean that I am often distracted by my work," Simon slowly explained to her, moving to sit on the edge of the small sectional beneath his loft.
"Your work in genetics?" Jeanne-Marie tucked her legs up beneath her lotus-style. "That's what you mean, yes? It's too distracting to... allow time for friends?"
Simon stared at her. "Forgive me but I'm really not even sure what having a friend is like."
That made Jeanne-Marie both sad and... wickedly amused in that it explained a great deal. She stood, then walked to the sectional... and sat right next to him. "Well. Perhaps we should try it. You could take some time off from genetics to do something friendly with me. I think I could sway you." And then she smiled brightly. "Are you busy today?"
Eyes widening slightly, Simon made room for her on the small couch, suddenly very confused. "I. Ah. I suppose... no?"
She settled more comfortably beside him. "What should we do? Go get coffee somewhere? Do you like coffee? I love it!"
Why were the Beaubier twins constantly trying to get him out for food or drinks? Was it a Quebecois thing? Also, she was very exuberant. Honestly, it reminded him a little of River when she was at her most mischievous. "I...yes. I like coffee. But why-"
But Jeanne-Marie was already back on her feet and reaching for his hands. "Because it's a thing friends do! They go get coffee. And talk."
Simon was decidedly awkward when she pulled him to his feet, almost rethinking his decision to say 'yes'. "Talk...about what?"
"What are you interested in--that isn't work?" There must be something, after all. She cocked her head curiously. "You like fencing, yes? And what else?"
"Ah. Biology. Physiology. I suppose that counts as work, though," Simon frowned. "I do enjoy discussing history."
"Perfect! I like history too, it's my favorite subject apart from languages. There now, do you drive, or should we walk into town?" She flipped her hair over her shoulder, clearly ready to go.
"I'm capable of driving," Simon explained. "But I won't be legally authorized until November. Are you sure you want to walk all that way?"
"Of course, I love a good walk," she said easily. "Unless you want to illegally drive. That would be all right too. An adventure."
Simon sighed. Of course, he was committed to this now. "We'll walk part of the way. Then I can call us an Uber."
"Oh! I've never called an uber! That'll be fun." She smiled sweetly, maybe a little too sweetly. "Also, when you're going out with friends, it's generally better not to sigh as if they're a huge imposition. That's a good thing to remember."
He instantly flushed red, wincing a bit at being called out on his bad behavior. "My apologies, Jeanne-Marie. This is just all very new to me."
At that, her smile became utterly earnest and pleased. "In a way, it is to me too, so we can learn from each other. I'll run and grab my bag--meet me in the foyer?"
Simon nodded. "I will meet you there."
Moments later, Jeanne-Marie flashed into being in the foyer and adjusted her simple, small black purse. It had some of her allowance in it--enough for a treat and maybe to buy something nice if it caught her eye. She desperately needed to go shopping, but knew enough about boys to realize springing a spree on Simon might cause him to finally balk. She adjusted her long hair and waited for him, smiling. When he appeared, she said, "Its the perfect day for a walk."
Simon had to actually glance up at the sky to notice, but finally nodded, swinging the door open for her with a slow, inhaled breath. "Yes. I suppose so."
She waited for him to follow her out, then took his arm and started walking. "What sort of history are you interested in? American?"
"American, yes," Simon agreed. "I grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia, which played a large part in the Revolutionary War. But I've always been fascinated with the Chinese dynasties as well. The Egyptian culture has always been quite intriguing as well."
"Tell me about Williamsburg," she suggested. "I don't know much about the American revolution--but it's very interesting. I like a good revolution."
He gave her an odd look at the comment, but kept walking. "It was founded in 1632 as a fortified settlement between the James and York rivers. It was originally a sort of backup fortification for Jamestown, during the times when it was attacked or burned."
"Jamestown was the... first white settlement?" She cocked her head curiously.
Thus began an hour long lecture on early colonial history - from the walk down the road to the UberBlack ride into town. Simon knew where the coffee shop was from his earlier outing with Jean-Paul, so by the time he'd explained The College of William and Mary, they were stepping through the sleek glass doors and into the aroma of freshly steeped beans.
"It's so interesting, this idea of forensic archaeology," Jeanne-Marie said thoughtfully, though her gaze strayed to the promise of chocolate in the bakery case. "I'd like to see the museums sometime."
"In Virginia? I thought you just visited the Met?" Simon asked carefully. Because, oh, he knew it was a sore subject.
She glanced at him quickly, then showed a renewed and more vigorous interest in the chocolate croissants. "That's an art museum. I was thinking history, like the ones there, yes."
Simon smiled slightly. "You would like it. They have a whole historical town there, with people in costume. Sometime holidays, they shoot off the guns."
He had her full attention again. "The big ones? The canons?"
He smiled, nodding to her as he gave his order to the cashier. "The cannons, yes."
"Ooooh!" She gave her order, then, and started digging in her purse. "Well now I have to visit someday. It'll be like going back in time."
Simon actually found himself laughing softly. "It can be, yes."
"Fun!" Well, if you were white and rich. But for pretend purposes, it didn't matter. "Oh, and can I also have a croissant? The chocolate one. I forgot."
The barista smiled and flirted, and Jeanne-Marie giggled.
Simon raised a brow, but said nothing, taking his coffee and pretending to examine the pastries while they bantered.
Once the order was paid for and the barista handed over her pastry, Jeanne-Marie returned to Simon to wait for their coffees. "People in town are so nice. They're not Xavier's people but it's good to see a smile when we come outside."
"It helps that you're attractive and enjoy smiling," Simon pointed out wryly.
With her free arm, she took his, hooking around the elbow. "Why, Simon, you almost sound as if those aren't two of my greatest strengths." She grinned.
"I noticed," he told her, but paused as he realized how that sounded. "The smiling. I noticed the smiling. I would never think that you were attractive. I mean, of course it is a fact, but my thoughts would not have lingered-"
Though she kept her hold on him, Jeanne-Marie's look went cold as she let him dangle for just a moment. There was a small thrill in it, but she pushed it aside, remembering this was meant to be an exercise in friendship. And she was supposed to have compassion. "I believe what you meant to say is that I'm a pretty girl and I have a charming smile, which makes it easier for people to talk to me, yes?"
"Didn't I..." Simon started, then choked it back. "Right. That's what I meant."
"Mmm," she agreed, still holding onto him. He wasn't leaving her side until she'd made her point! "And you were certainly not judging me, only commenting on my sunny and friendly qualities, as well as giving a friendly compliment. Of course, I understand." She gave his arm a squeeze and then released him at last just as the cute barista said his drink was ready.
Simon looked a little lost, slowly coming to the realization that Jeanne-Marie was not just the giggly naive girl she seemed to be. In fact, she reminded him a little bit like River just then. Except River would have just called him a moron and would have kept moving. Instead, Jeanne-Marie wanted him to understand exactly where he'd gone wrong.
Stepping to the side, he said nothing as Jeanne-Marie's drink was called. If he got it for her, she might not like that either - especially since she seemed to like the compliments from their their barista. Instead, he found them a warm, sunny table that he thought she might like.
Jeanne-Marie accepted her mocha--and a few more flirty comments--then returned to Simon and sat across from him. As if their conversation had never been interrupted, she said, "Since getting away from my foster parents, I've been doing some interesting historical reading about the church--both in Quebec and around the world. It's really quite appalling."
"I wouldn't know much about that," Simon admitted. "My family gives to a protestant church for charity, so my parents can pretend that they care, but we don't actually observe."
"I have been in a catholic system my whole life," Jeanne-Marie confided. "And I do believe, but there are so many strange faults in the system that people have overlooked for millennia. At least this pope seems in earnest, but I think it would take twenty popes in succession to clean up the mess. Of course no one told us this in Catholic school.
"But it is interesting, historically."
Simon raised a brow. "What sort of mess would that be?"
After a long chat about several renaissance popes, Borgias and Medicis mainly, Simon and Jeanne-Marie had finished their coffees and were heading for the door. Jeanne-Marie couldn't help but say, "See. You did very well during this friendly engagement."
He eyed her sideways. "Was this a teaching experience?"
Jeanne-Marie laughed. "I would hardly be the person to teach, if it was! It was an attempt at friendly activity, and though you claim you're not used to it, I think you're quite fun."
"I wouldn't go that far," Simon smirked softly.
She smirked right back. "What about me? How am I adjusting to normal teenage life, do you think?"
"Oh, you are a pro," he insisted. "And...you're a good person for doing this."
"No, I'm having fun," she said, slipping an arm through his once more. "With a friend."
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