Jean and Jeanne-Marie, September 23
Sep. 23rd, 2017 11:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ax_aurora posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
ax_mainJeanne-Marie runs into the new girl. Jean has a nice, normal afternoon girl talking and shopping.
The library offered many things Jeanne-Marie had never had access to regularly--including a computer. Of course, she could find whatever she wanted on her phone, but there was something sort of delicious about having it all laid out before her. Any research she wanted, bold black and white, just before her eyes.
The books were even better, but when she was looking to do research, the internet proved faster. She closed out her current session, then stretched upward, yawning. Movement caught her eye, and she turned to greet whomever it was. But it was a new girl! "Hello!"
Jean jumped a little at the hail. She'd been a little lost, concentrating on keeping the background hum of an entire school's thoughts at bay. Having someone to actually talk to would be a welcome distraction!
"Oh, hi! Sorry, I wasn't thinking of where I was going. My name's Jean Grey. Are you new here too?"
Jeanne-Marie shook her head and stood with her hand out. "Not really--not anymore. I've been here since July, now--me and my brother both. I'm Jeanne-Marie Beaubier."
"Pleased to meet you. You're both mutants, then?"
"Yes," Jeanne-Marie said brightly. She loved talking about her brother. "And we have similar powers that work together. Welcome to Xavier's--have you met many people yet?"
Jean beamed at the question. "A few. My roommate is fantastic - Ororo. You know her, right?"
"I've seen her around, but we haven't had a chance to talk properly." Jeanne-Marie made a mental note to fix that immediately. "She's beautiful, though. I love her hair!"
"She's gorgeous!" Jean agreed. "And so graceful and confident and..." She laughed. "Sorry. I'm a little star-struck. But you and your brother. Is it OK to ask what powers you have?"
It was funny to think of this girl as being star-struck--she was so beautiful herself. Jeanne-Marie felt that familiar sensation of wanting to be another girl, but also just wanting to be her friend so much. "It's fine, yes--I don't think anyone is too touchy about that here. We're all so used to it."
She held up one hand and let light pool around it, almost liquid, a pure white glow. "I make light. And I have superspeed, but my brother is better at that."
Jean let out a happy gasp as a sudden epiphany hit. "You're twins, aren't you?"
Jeanne-Marie nodded and grinned. "We are! And we discovered our powers just about the time we discovered each other--luckily. We didn't grow up together, but we're very close now."
"I'm sorry. I mean, it's great that you're close now, but not growing up together... that sounds so sad."
"It was," Jeanne-Marie agreed with a slight smile. Unlike her brother, she had no qualms discussing... certain aspects of her past. Anything she didn't mind thinking of, she didn't mind talking about. "But we're here now, and it's so nice to live in the same house!
"What about you? Do you have siblings? Where are you from?"
"Sara. She's my older sister. She's been great." Jean considered her words. "I mean, the whole mutant thing does weird her out, but she tries not to show it, you know?"
Jeanne-Marie nodded solemnly. "It's good of her to try. That means so much, even when they don't quite make it right away."
"My whole family has been supportive," Jean agreed. "Sara, mom, dad... I'd be shut up in some institution right now if they hadn't decided to give me every chance. So yeah, I definitely get where you're coming from with family. I don't know how some of the kids here manage."
"My brother and I are all we have--well, no, his guardian too--and I'm sure we wouldn't have made it this far either, without. I wish all the kids here could feel that," Jeanne-Marie agreed. "But what's your power? If you'd be locked up..." her eyes filled with concern. She'd been threatened with the same, once or twice.
"It wan't my power. I mean, it wasn't directly." Jean glanced away. "I had a really painful manifestation. Telepathy. I was catatonic for over a year. The professor helped me. And then my telekenesis showed up..."
"Oh, my god." She came forward on instinct and reached out for one of Jean's hands. "When did you wake?"
Her concern washed up against Jean's shields like a storm surge, seeping through chinks she hadn't realized were there. She tensed a little, but managed not to draw back as she shored up her defenses.
"A couple of years ago. It's been a slow process getting used to the world again." She managed a smile. "But here I am."
Jeanne-Marie nodded, noting the sudden discomfort. "But are you all right? Did I say anything wrong? Should I change the subject?"
"You didn't do anything wrong," Jean said quickly. "I just try not to eavesdrop on people's thoughts. Strong emotions have a way of getting past my defenses. I just had to take a moment to steady things."
"Of course," Jeanne-Marie said. She couldn't understand entirely, but she could just imagine what it would be like. She tried to still her thoughts a little. She'd have to practice that. "Is the Professor still helping with that? There are more students every day, so it must be noisy for you."
"It is," Jean admitted. "But we're working on it. And I really want to be here! I'd like to get my life back, you know? More than anything else." A twinge of guilt surfaced at the words. More than anything else, she wanted Annie's life back. But that wasn't an option.
Jeanne-Marie nodded. "And we'll be here to help you. Everyone is so nice here. And they all understand."
"Thank you." Jean brushed her hair back behind one ear. Maybe it was time to change the subject. "The Professor told me about the facilitates here. Is there anything to do in town?"
"Well, there is some small shopping and some a very good coffee shop, at least. It's not Montreal, but I'm enjoying getting to know it." Jeanne-Marie grinned, struck with an idea. "Are you comfortable going out?"
"That depends on where. So long as it's not too crowded and people aren't excited, it should be all right." She half-smiled. "So no rock concerts, and no amusement parks."
"Certainly not! I've never been to a rock concert," Jeanne-Marie admitted, still smiling. "But I went to Six Flags recently and there was definitely a lot of excitement. And so many people!"
"Right out," Jean said. "But what did you have in mind?"
"Just into town. I need to do some shopping--I didn't have much when I came, and I've only got one or two new things since for a party we had. That way you could see what's in town and I could help my wardrobe?" Jeanne-Marie looked hopeful.
Jean beamed at her. "That sounds fantastic! Nothing like retail therapy, right?"
The few times Jeanne-Marie had a go at it, yes! "Exactly. Give me just a moment to get ready? I just need some mascara and my bag." These days, she liked always wearing mascara and lip gloss, at least!
"OK." Jean hesitated. "Where do we meet up after?"
"The front step?" Jeanne-Marie suggested. "We can walk to the gate, then call an Uber." She was very proud of herself for learning that from Simon.
"All right! See you there!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jean knew that she was probably a lot more excited than a simple shopping trip warranted, but she didn't care. It had been years since she'd done anything similar, and she was looking forward not just to the trip itself, but testing herself out among people again. But first, they had to figure out their first stop.
"There's a thrift store," Jeanne-Marie said, "and a little boutique I haven't been in. Not much for things like jeans and sweaters, but cute accessories and some tops? What do you think?"
"I think it sounds great." Jean glanced up and down the street, trying to look more casual than she felt. It wasn't as if she'd been a complete shut in. The last few months, anyway.
"Let's do it then. I need some cute jewelry." Jeanne-Marie took Jean's arm and started walking. Uber was so convenient--it just paid for itself! Well, it didn't, but still. Very easy. The car took off behind them. "And just let me know if you need a break, yes? We can find somewhere quiet--I think there's a park, too."
"So far, so good. I guess we're lucky it's a weekday afternoon."
"You can work your way up." Jeanne-Marie squeezed Jean's arm. "And we can buy totally unnecessary pretty things."
"I like this plan," Jean agreed. Distraction was a good idea. It kept her from obsessing. "How long have you and your brother been at the school?"
"Jean-Paul came when it opened," Jeanne-Marie said. "It was early summer. I think he wanted to make sure it was decent and not some kind of scam. Though I'm sure part of him still thinks it must be." She smiled fondly, as if this might be one of her brother's most endearing qualities. "But then I came and loved it, so he agreed to stay. Mostly I think because we could live together here.
"His guardian wanted to adopt me but the system I was in wouldn't let him--it's a very long story, but we're both here now." Jeanne-Marie didn't mind talking about it, as mostly she just felt contentment with an edge of relief when she thought of the current situation, but she'd found it was best to get it out of the way so the rest of her stories made sense.
"Oh, wow." Jean was practically hanging from on every word. "So you two are living a fairy tale, aren't you?"
Jeanne-Marie grinned. "That's exactly what I think! I know that made him wonder when it would all go wrong--but it's just kept getting better. So, see, the cynics don't always win!"
"I don't think your brother's ready to admit defeat just yet," Jean pointed out. "He's got a reputation."
"I'm delighted that you know of it--and I'm sure he would be too, even if he wouldn't admit it." Jeanne-Marie squeezed Jean's arm as they approached the boutique. "That's why I hope he'll compete this season. I tell him it's totally up to him and I will support him--of course I will! But I don't want to see him walk away. It's not in his nature."
"Do you think he would to keep you safe?"
"I have no doubt," Jeanne-Marie replied immediately, chin high. "Nothing can stop us, if we're together--or hurt us. If anything, he'd be too careful for my sake."
"Better than not caring at all, I guess. But yeah, a happy medium would definitely be better."
"Mediums are not his strong point," she said with a laugh. "But perhaps they're too much mine. I let too many things slide. I like to feel free."
Envy tugged at Jean's heart. As much as Sara tried to be a good older sister, it would have been nice if she could have really understood everything Jean was going through. Even better if her powers had been something freeing, not fearful.
But there was time to deal with all of that, she reminded herself. They reached the boutique, and Jean followed Jeanne-Marie inside. Today was a day for feeling normal, not brooding.
The library offered many things Jeanne-Marie had never had access to regularly--including a computer. Of course, she could find whatever she wanted on her phone, but there was something sort of delicious about having it all laid out before her. Any research she wanted, bold black and white, just before her eyes.
The books were even better, but when she was looking to do research, the internet proved faster. She closed out her current session, then stretched upward, yawning. Movement caught her eye, and she turned to greet whomever it was. But it was a new girl! "Hello!"
Jean jumped a little at the hail. She'd been a little lost, concentrating on keeping the background hum of an entire school's thoughts at bay. Having someone to actually talk to would be a welcome distraction!
"Oh, hi! Sorry, I wasn't thinking of where I was going. My name's Jean Grey. Are you new here too?"
Jeanne-Marie shook her head and stood with her hand out. "Not really--not anymore. I've been here since July, now--me and my brother both. I'm Jeanne-Marie Beaubier."
"Pleased to meet you. You're both mutants, then?"
"Yes," Jeanne-Marie said brightly. She loved talking about her brother. "And we have similar powers that work together. Welcome to Xavier's--have you met many people yet?"
Jean beamed at the question. "A few. My roommate is fantastic - Ororo. You know her, right?"
"I've seen her around, but we haven't had a chance to talk properly." Jeanne-Marie made a mental note to fix that immediately. "She's beautiful, though. I love her hair!"
"She's gorgeous!" Jean agreed. "And so graceful and confident and..." She laughed. "Sorry. I'm a little star-struck. But you and your brother. Is it OK to ask what powers you have?"
It was funny to think of this girl as being star-struck--she was so beautiful herself. Jeanne-Marie felt that familiar sensation of wanting to be another girl, but also just wanting to be her friend so much. "It's fine, yes--I don't think anyone is too touchy about that here. We're all so used to it."
She held up one hand and let light pool around it, almost liquid, a pure white glow. "I make light. And I have superspeed, but my brother is better at that."
Jean let out a happy gasp as a sudden epiphany hit. "You're twins, aren't you?"
Jeanne-Marie nodded and grinned. "We are! And we discovered our powers just about the time we discovered each other--luckily. We didn't grow up together, but we're very close now."
"I'm sorry. I mean, it's great that you're close now, but not growing up together... that sounds so sad."
"It was," Jeanne-Marie agreed with a slight smile. Unlike her brother, she had no qualms discussing... certain aspects of her past. Anything she didn't mind thinking of, she didn't mind talking about. "But we're here now, and it's so nice to live in the same house!
"What about you? Do you have siblings? Where are you from?"
"Sara. She's my older sister. She's been great." Jean considered her words. "I mean, the whole mutant thing does weird her out, but she tries not to show it, you know?"
Jeanne-Marie nodded solemnly. "It's good of her to try. That means so much, even when they don't quite make it right away."
"My whole family has been supportive," Jean agreed. "Sara, mom, dad... I'd be shut up in some institution right now if they hadn't decided to give me every chance. So yeah, I definitely get where you're coming from with family. I don't know how some of the kids here manage."
"My brother and I are all we have--well, no, his guardian too--and I'm sure we wouldn't have made it this far either, without. I wish all the kids here could feel that," Jeanne-Marie agreed. "But what's your power? If you'd be locked up..." her eyes filled with concern. She'd been threatened with the same, once or twice.
"It wan't my power. I mean, it wasn't directly." Jean glanced away. "I had a really painful manifestation. Telepathy. I was catatonic for over a year. The professor helped me. And then my telekenesis showed up..."
"Oh, my god." She came forward on instinct and reached out for one of Jean's hands. "When did you wake?"
Her concern washed up against Jean's shields like a storm surge, seeping through chinks she hadn't realized were there. She tensed a little, but managed not to draw back as she shored up her defenses.
"A couple of years ago. It's been a slow process getting used to the world again." She managed a smile. "But here I am."
Jeanne-Marie nodded, noting the sudden discomfort. "But are you all right? Did I say anything wrong? Should I change the subject?"
"You didn't do anything wrong," Jean said quickly. "I just try not to eavesdrop on people's thoughts. Strong emotions have a way of getting past my defenses. I just had to take a moment to steady things."
"Of course," Jeanne-Marie said. She couldn't understand entirely, but she could just imagine what it would be like. She tried to still her thoughts a little. She'd have to practice that. "Is the Professor still helping with that? There are more students every day, so it must be noisy for you."
"It is," Jean admitted. "But we're working on it. And I really want to be here! I'd like to get my life back, you know? More than anything else." A twinge of guilt surfaced at the words. More than anything else, she wanted Annie's life back. But that wasn't an option.
Jeanne-Marie nodded. "And we'll be here to help you. Everyone is so nice here. And they all understand."
"Thank you." Jean brushed her hair back behind one ear. Maybe it was time to change the subject. "The Professor told me about the facilitates here. Is there anything to do in town?"
"Well, there is some small shopping and some a very good coffee shop, at least. It's not Montreal, but I'm enjoying getting to know it." Jeanne-Marie grinned, struck with an idea. "Are you comfortable going out?"
"That depends on where. So long as it's not too crowded and people aren't excited, it should be all right." She half-smiled. "So no rock concerts, and no amusement parks."
"Certainly not! I've never been to a rock concert," Jeanne-Marie admitted, still smiling. "But I went to Six Flags recently and there was definitely a lot of excitement. And so many people!"
"Right out," Jean said. "But what did you have in mind?"
"Just into town. I need to do some shopping--I didn't have much when I came, and I've only got one or two new things since for a party we had. That way you could see what's in town and I could help my wardrobe?" Jeanne-Marie looked hopeful.
Jean beamed at her. "That sounds fantastic! Nothing like retail therapy, right?"
The few times Jeanne-Marie had a go at it, yes! "Exactly. Give me just a moment to get ready? I just need some mascara and my bag." These days, she liked always wearing mascara and lip gloss, at least!
"OK." Jean hesitated. "Where do we meet up after?"
"The front step?" Jeanne-Marie suggested. "We can walk to the gate, then call an Uber." She was very proud of herself for learning that from Simon.
"All right! See you there!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jean knew that she was probably a lot more excited than a simple shopping trip warranted, but she didn't care. It had been years since she'd done anything similar, and she was looking forward not just to the trip itself, but testing herself out among people again. But first, they had to figure out their first stop.
"There's a thrift store," Jeanne-Marie said, "and a little boutique I haven't been in. Not much for things like jeans and sweaters, but cute accessories and some tops? What do you think?"
"I think it sounds great." Jean glanced up and down the street, trying to look more casual than she felt. It wasn't as if she'd been a complete shut in. The last few months, anyway.
"Let's do it then. I need some cute jewelry." Jeanne-Marie took Jean's arm and started walking. Uber was so convenient--it just paid for itself! Well, it didn't, but still. Very easy. The car took off behind them. "And just let me know if you need a break, yes? We can find somewhere quiet--I think there's a park, too."
"So far, so good. I guess we're lucky it's a weekday afternoon."
"You can work your way up." Jeanne-Marie squeezed Jean's arm. "And we can buy totally unnecessary pretty things."
"I like this plan," Jean agreed. Distraction was a good idea. It kept her from obsessing. "How long have you and your brother been at the school?"
"Jean-Paul came when it opened," Jeanne-Marie said. "It was early summer. I think he wanted to make sure it was decent and not some kind of scam. Though I'm sure part of him still thinks it must be." She smiled fondly, as if this might be one of her brother's most endearing qualities. "But then I came and loved it, so he agreed to stay. Mostly I think because we could live together here.
"His guardian wanted to adopt me but the system I was in wouldn't let him--it's a very long story, but we're both here now." Jeanne-Marie didn't mind talking about it, as mostly she just felt contentment with an edge of relief when she thought of the current situation, but she'd found it was best to get it out of the way so the rest of her stories made sense.
"Oh, wow." Jean was practically hanging from on every word. "So you two are living a fairy tale, aren't you?"
Jeanne-Marie grinned. "That's exactly what I think! I know that made him wonder when it would all go wrong--but it's just kept getting better. So, see, the cynics don't always win!"
"I don't think your brother's ready to admit defeat just yet," Jean pointed out. "He's got a reputation."
"I'm delighted that you know of it--and I'm sure he would be too, even if he wouldn't admit it." Jeanne-Marie squeezed Jean's arm as they approached the boutique. "That's why I hope he'll compete this season. I tell him it's totally up to him and I will support him--of course I will! But I don't want to see him walk away. It's not in his nature."
"Do you think he would to keep you safe?"
"I have no doubt," Jeanne-Marie replied immediately, chin high. "Nothing can stop us, if we're together--or hurt us. If anything, he'd be too careful for my sake."
"Better than not caring at all, I guess. But yeah, a happy medium would definitely be better."
"Mediums are not his strong point," she said with a laugh. "But perhaps they're too much mine. I let too many things slide. I like to feel free."
Envy tugged at Jean's heart. As much as Sara tried to be a good older sister, it would have been nice if she could have really understood everything Jean was going through. Even better if her powers had been something freeing, not fearful.
But there was time to deal with all of that, she reminded herself. They reached the boutique, and Jean followed Jeanne-Marie inside. Today was a day for feeling normal, not brooding.
