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Jeanne-Marie and Tessa at the party
Tessa gives Jeanne-Marie a good excuse to gossip. Party crashing is discussed.
Studying the party that had been arranged by Warren and Jeanne-Marie had provided Tessa with an abundance of data, data which she had recorded one her clipboard even as she had made note of which students preferred which particular beverage or snack food. It was all useful information. Perhaps not immediately so, but in time, the pieces she gathered here could be assembled into a better understanding of her fellow students.
When a familiar brunette, though one with whom she had not been formally acquainted, appeared beside the refreshment table, the cyberpath tucked her clipboard under her arm. Turning toward the other girl, she said, "You are Jean-Paul's sister, yes? I am Tessa. I hope that our acquaintance will be as amiable."
On her first drink--the ginger one Terry liked, which was delicious even if it burned a little--Jeanne-Marie jumped a little at being addressed. Tessa was always so quiet, it was easy to not realize she was near, which was saying quite a lot for someone so pretty. Jeanne-Marie held out her free hand and smiled. "Yes! He actually liked you immediately, which is impressive. I'm so glad he's getting to know you."
The cyberpath accepted the proffered hand and pumped it twice in a precise but not impolite acknowledgement of the usual social niceties. Her lips curved upward slightly in reserved amusement. "To suggest that our mutual amity was immediate is, I think, something of an exaggeration of fact; as with the majority of human relationships, it require time to foster. Time well-spent, in my estimation." Tessa inclined her head. "But thank you, nevertheless. I am likewise pleased to continue the deepening of our friendship. And you, Jeanne-Marie? Have you found the environment of the school satisfactory, to this point?"
"Very," Jeanne-Marie agreed with a bright grin. She could see now what Jean-Paul meant about Tessa. She was certainly an original, and her forthrightness appealed. "Probably my brother hasn't told you much, but my old school--and home--set a low bar, so to speak. Still, I think this place would exceed anyone's dreams. And this party!"
"Jean-Paul is extremely selective in which details he chooses to share," Tessa acknowledged, though not without a hint of fondness. "But I had inferred as much. I believe that, scholastically speaking, you will find the Institute a far more fulfilling environment in which to pursue your education." Her dark eyes drifted toward the mass of students--dancing, eating, or simply chatting in loose knots here and there. "And yes. The social aspects have also proved an enjoyable diversion, from time to time."
"Yes, I couldn't agree more." And Jeanne-Marie quite liked the way Tessa talked. It took her a moment to sort out, compared to the other students, but was much more direct in its way. "Moving around and being in such places, I never had he chance to make lasting friendships. What about you? Did you leave anyone behind?"
"No," she replied directly. "I left no one behind. I have been alone for most of my life. The experience makes forming new bonds challenging, but nonetheless a useful expenditure of time. I prefer amicable company to the security of solitude."
"Oh me too, by far," Jeanne-Marie said quickly, reaching for Tessa's elbow out of sheer habit and a sudden feeling of closeness. "It's hard to trust, but I'd so much rather not be alone. It's much worse."
Tessa glanced down at the hand at her shoulder curiously, then turned her face back to Jeanne-Marie's. "It is safer to be alone," she said. Then added, "But safety need not always be one's predominant objective."
Jeanne-Marie made herself comfortable against Tessa's side. "Mmm, true. It's difficult to do much else without safety, though. Or at least something near enough to it. I feel like I have that here--now."
Allowing the other girl to settle closer without comment, Tessa replied, "Safety is always a relative condition, and is never perfect--at least, not in my experience. And you are certainly safer here, with Jean-Paul, myself, and the others for whom your well-being is an active concern." She smiled, though, as ever, the expression was so minimal it could be easily overlooked by those who did not know her. "We present a very formidable obstacle to potential adversity, I think."
"I think so too," Jeanne-Marie admitted, having another sip. She was still relaxed and comfortable, but some steely resolved slipped through in her eyes and voice. "And I'm learning to be more formidable myself. We've been doing drills in the danger room to help with my reactions."
"'We'," Tessa echoed. There were few things that escaped her attention, when it came to the other students, and virtually none at all when it came to powers training. Yet it seemed this detail had. "You mean you and Jean-Paul?"
"Mmm." Jeanne-Marie nodded. Then frowned as she saw Illyana and Pyro. "I hope I won't have to use any of my new techniques on him. What is she thinking, bringing him here? You know about what happened, yes?"
"I am aware," she affirmed, following Jeanne-Marie's gaze. Her expression tightened, though not exactly in disapproval. More like anticipation. No one had provided her a detailed report of the events of the expedition from which she had been excluded, but she had picked up sufficient details here and there to piece the scenario together. "And ... perhaps she is thinking he is another mutant. I do not approve of their methods, entirely, but I would hesitate to view them with hostility just yet. It is possible for two groups to work toward a common objective and find themselves at cross-purposes."
"She said he didn't even know there was a school full of us before she told him--but he said he has no interest in coming here." Jeanne-Marie took another drink and tried not to be too judgy... and failed. "But the fact remains, any information Tommy might've gotten from that place was taken or destroyed by them. That's reason to be suspect, no?"
"Prudent caution is advisable when dealing with anyone--human or mutant--who lacks direct ties to the school," Tessa said with a nod. "However, I would not go so far as to suggest that his actions, and those of his comrades, make him deserving of particular suspicion. They destroyed the information, yes, perhaps after copying it. And that is inconvenient, and an impediment to our own investigations. However, under comparable circumstances, I would have likely taken the same action."
"Hmm." Jeanne-Marie narrowed her eyes at Pyro nonetheless. "I don't think I would've... but then, I wasn't there. Maybe I'm missing pieces." If she sounded unconvinced, well, she was. "Either way, I don't think someone should be invited onto our grounds unless they're interested in attending. It puts all of us at greater risk."
"The group with which he is affiliated is working toward similar purposes," Tessa explained, "but utilize different methodologies. Their objective is to ensure that the possibility we, or some other organization, might interfere with their operations, perhaps mid-mission, is minimized. It is not an unsound strategy." Inconvenient, as she had previously noted, but far from unsound.
Her dark eyes studied Illyana's guest coolly. "In most circumstances, I would agree," she said. "However, our guest and his associates have committed demonstrably criminal acts in pursuit of their goals far more grave than mere breaking and entering. The chances he will betray us to the authorities is not significantly greater than if one of our own students were caught in a similar situation. And the possibility he will betray us to his confederates is similarly remote, as to do so might as easily turn their ire on him as us. Nevertheless," Tessa added, "I will keep him under close observation, if it will make you feel more at ease."
"It will," Jeanne-Marie said immediately. The rest, she needed to mull over. "It's not the authorities that worry me," she admitted, thinking out loud. "It's more the decisions their little... group might make and how it reflects on us... or what they might do to keep us from interfering, as you say.
"Still." She shook it off and took another drink. "No point ruining our evening over it. He's here now."
"That is a legitimate concern," Tessa conceded. "However, our principle concern must be our own actions; we can little afford to fight among ourselves at such an early stage in our emergence, even if the actions these others have undertaken seem to us ill-advised. Perhaps the best approach is to attempt to embody an example for them as much as we do for the benefit of baseline humanity." Though, of course, it went without saying that the cyberpath would only be pressed so far, and certainly would permit no action--or inaction--which would lead to harm to the school or its students.
"In any event, you are correct. And besides, better he be here where we can keep an eye on him than secreted away in parts unknown, potentially creating just the sort of sub-optimal scenario which was the subject of our previous speculation."
"Very true." Well, if Tessa wasn't especially worried, Jeanne-Marie was happy to take that as a good sign. She sipped at her drink, still pensive but lightening a little. "I think it's rude to Tommy, too, to be honest. They robbed him of some closure. But then, maybe he knew Pyro was coming. He looks happy enough tonight."
"He does, indeed," the cyberpath nodded. It was an anomaly that would bear looking into, but later. "As should we all. This function was undertaken for the benefit of our collective morale, and I would not be so inconsiderate as to to spend this time dwelling on extraneous concerns."
It took Jeanne-Marie a moment to disentangle the meaning there, but when she did she nodded. "Anyhow, I shouldn't gossip. I've slipped from concern into talking about everyone. That's never a good sign."
"If you prefer," Tessa offered, "you may think of it instead as the sharing of intelligence. It is, after all, to our mutual benefit to remain as informed as possible of the potentially-questionable decisions made by our fellow students. And all a part of keeping us safe."
Jeanne-Marie laughed, and it felt like she was letting go of some tension in her shoulders. It was lovely. Tessa was the last person she'd expected to give her an excuse to be a gossip--and yet it made so much sense. "I think I will, thank you. That'll serve me well in the future, I'm sure."
"I'm sure," the psion echoed. "And I will be available, should you require a sympathetic audience."
It was, after all, the least she could do.
Studying the party that had been arranged by Warren and Jeanne-Marie had provided Tessa with an abundance of data, data which she had recorded one her clipboard even as she had made note of which students preferred which particular beverage or snack food. It was all useful information. Perhaps not immediately so, but in time, the pieces she gathered here could be assembled into a better understanding of her fellow students.
When a familiar brunette, though one with whom she had not been formally acquainted, appeared beside the refreshment table, the cyberpath tucked her clipboard under her arm. Turning toward the other girl, she said, "You are Jean-Paul's sister, yes? I am Tessa. I hope that our acquaintance will be as amiable."
On her first drink--the ginger one Terry liked, which was delicious even if it burned a little--Jeanne-Marie jumped a little at being addressed. Tessa was always so quiet, it was easy to not realize she was near, which was saying quite a lot for someone so pretty. Jeanne-Marie held out her free hand and smiled. "Yes! He actually liked you immediately, which is impressive. I'm so glad he's getting to know you."
The cyberpath accepted the proffered hand and pumped it twice in a precise but not impolite acknowledgement of the usual social niceties. Her lips curved upward slightly in reserved amusement. "To suggest that our mutual amity was immediate is, I think, something of an exaggeration of fact; as with the majority of human relationships, it require time to foster. Time well-spent, in my estimation." Tessa inclined her head. "But thank you, nevertheless. I am likewise pleased to continue the deepening of our friendship. And you, Jeanne-Marie? Have you found the environment of the school satisfactory, to this point?"
"Very," Jeanne-Marie agreed with a bright grin. She could see now what Jean-Paul meant about Tessa. She was certainly an original, and her forthrightness appealed. "Probably my brother hasn't told you much, but my old school--and home--set a low bar, so to speak. Still, I think this place would exceed anyone's dreams. And this party!"
"Jean-Paul is extremely selective in which details he chooses to share," Tessa acknowledged, though not without a hint of fondness. "But I had inferred as much. I believe that, scholastically speaking, you will find the Institute a far more fulfilling environment in which to pursue your education." Her dark eyes drifted toward the mass of students--dancing, eating, or simply chatting in loose knots here and there. "And yes. The social aspects have also proved an enjoyable diversion, from time to time."
"Yes, I couldn't agree more." And Jeanne-Marie quite liked the way Tessa talked. It took her a moment to sort out, compared to the other students, but was much more direct in its way. "Moving around and being in such places, I never had he chance to make lasting friendships. What about you? Did you leave anyone behind?"
"No," she replied directly. "I left no one behind. I have been alone for most of my life. The experience makes forming new bonds challenging, but nonetheless a useful expenditure of time. I prefer amicable company to the security of solitude."
"Oh me too, by far," Jeanne-Marie said quickly, reaching for Tessa's elbow out of sheer habit and a sudden feeling of closeness. "It's hard to trust, but I'd so much rather not be alone. It's much worse."
Tessa glanced down at the hand at her shoulder curiously, then turned her face back to Jeanne-Marie's. "It is safer to be alone," she said. Then added, "But safety need not always be one's predominant objective."
Jeanne-Marie made herself comfortable against Tessa's side. "Mmm, true. It's difficult to do much else without safety, though. Or at least something near enough to it. I feel like I have that here--now."
Allowing the other girl to settle closer without comment, Tessa replied, "Safety is always a relative condition, and is never perfect--at least, not in my experience. And you are certainly safer here, with Jean-Paul, myself, and the others for whom your well-being is an active concern." She smiled, though, as ever, the expression was so minimal it could be easily overlooked by those who did not know her. "We present a very formidable obstacle to potential adversity, I think."
"I think so too," Jeanne-Marie admitted, having another sip. She was still relaxed and comfortable, but some steely resolved slipped through in her eyes and voice. "And I'm learning to be more formidable myself. We've been doing drills in the danger room to help with my reactions."
"'We'," Tessa echoed. There were few things that escaped her attention, when it came to the other students, and virtually none at all when it came to powers training. Yet it seemed this detail had. "You mean you and Jean-Paul?"
"Mmm." Jeanne-Marie nodded. Then frowned as she saw Illyana and Pyro. "I hope I won't have to use any of my new techniques on him. What is she thinking, bringing him here? You know about what happened, yes?"
"I am aware," she affirmed, following Jeanne-Marie's gaze. Her expression tightened, though not exactly in disapproval. More like anticipation. No one had provided her a detailed report of the events of the expedition from which she had been excluded, but she had picked up sufficient details here and there to piece the scenario together. "And ... perhaps she is thinking he is another mutant. I do not approve of their methods, entirely, but I would hesitate to view them with hostility just yet. It is possible for two groups to work toward a common objective and find themselves at cross-purposes."
"She said he didn't even know there was a school full of us before she told him--but he said he has no interest in coming here." Jeanne-Marie took another drink and tried not to be too judgy... and failed. "But the fact remains, any information Tommy might've gotten from that place was taken or destroyed by them. That's reason to be suspect, no?"
"Prudent caution is advisable when dealing with anyone--human or mutant--who lacks direct ties to the school," Tessa said with a nod. "However, I would not go so far as to suggest that his actions, and those of his comrades, make him deserving of particular suspicion. They destroyed the information, yes, perhaps after copying it. And that is inconvenient, and an impediment to our own investigations. However, under comparable circumstances, I would have likely taken the same action."
"Hmm." Jeanne-Marie narrowed her eyes at Pyro nonetheless. "I don't think I would've... but then, I wasn't there. Maybe I'm missing pieces." If she sounded unconvinced, well, she was. "Either way, I don't think someone should be invited onto our grounds unless they're interested in attending. It puts all of us at greater risk."
"The group with which he is affiliated is working toward similar purposes," Tessa explained, "but utilize different methodologies. Their objective is to ensure that the possibility we, or some other organization, might interfere with their operations, perhaps mid-mission, is minimized. It is not an unsound strategy." Inconvenient, as she had previously noted, but far from unsound.
Her dark eyes studied Illyana's guest coolly. "In most circumstances, I would agree," she said. "However, our guest and his associates have committed demonstrably criminal acts in pursuit of their goals far more grave than mere breaking and entering. The chances he will betray us to the authorities is not significantly greater than if one of our own students were caught in a similar situation. And the possibility he will betray us to his confederates is similarly remote, as to do so might as easily turn their ire on him as us. Nevertheless," Tessa added, "I will keep him under close observation, if it will make you feel more at ease."
"It will," Jeanne-Marie said immediately. The rest, she needed to mull over. "It's not the authorities that worry me," she admitted, thinking out loud. "It's more the decisions their little... group might make and how it reflects on us... or what they might do to keep us from interfering, as you say.
"Still." She shook it off and took another drink. "No point ruining our evening over it. He's here now."
"That is a legitimate concern," Tessa conceded. "However, our principle concern must be our own actions; we can little afford to fight among ourselves at such an early stage in our emergence, even if the actions these others have undertaken seem to us ill-advised. Perhaps the best approach is to attempt to embody an example for them as much as we do for the benefit of baseline humanity." Though, of course, it went without saying that the cyberpath would only be pressed so far, and certainly would permit no action--or inaction--which would lead to harm to the school or its students.
"In any event, you are correct. And besides, better he be here where we can keep an eye on him than secreted away in parts unknown, potentially creating just the sort of sub-optimal scenario which was the subject of our previous speculation."
"Very true." Well, if Tessa wasn't especially worried, Jeanne-Marie was happy to take that as a good sign. She sipped at her drink, still pensive but lightening a little. "I think it's rude to Tommy, too, to be honest. They robbed him of some closure. But then, maybe he knew Pyro was coming. He looks happy enough tonight."
"He does, indeed," the cyberpath nodded. It was an anomaly that would bear looking into, but later. "As should we all. This function was undertaken for the benefit of our collective morale, and I would not be so inconsiderate as to to spend this time dwelling on extraneous concerns."
It took Jeanne-Marie a moment to disentangle the meaning there, but when she did she nodded. "Anyhow, I shouldn't gossip. I've slipped from concern into talking about everyone. That's never a good sign."
"If you prefer," Tessa offered, "you may think of it instead as the sharing of intelligence. It is, after all, to our mutual benefit to remain as informed as possible of the potentially-questionable decisions made by our fellow students. And all a part of keeping us safe."
Jeanne-Marie laughed, and it felt like she was letting go of some tension in her shoulders. It was lovely. Tessa was the last person she'd expected to give her an excuse to be a gossip--and yet it made so much sense. "I think I will, thank you. That'll serve me well in the future, I'm sure."
"I'm sure," the psion echoed. "And I will be available, should you require a sympathetic audience."
It was, after all, the least she could do.
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