Jeans Office (Friday March 16): Finding the Piece that fits
Of all mornings, it had to be the one morning in which Riley had his English Class on first period. The substitute teacher was handling it, but few people knew as many languages and different forms of communicating as Riley did, what if one of his students needed help and the new helper wasn’t able to understand or explain things? These thoughts soon fled however as Riley arrived to Jean’s office and when he knocked she asked him to wait outside her office, Riley wasn’t aware of the look he gave but Jean felt the urge to assure him she was waiting for another student teacher, Lexi, before talking with him.
It didn’t entirely ease Riley’s nerves, which were on their ends after Beast discovered Riley’s sordid past, at least an important fact or two and some scares it left behind. The doctor had insisted that Riley would not be turned away from the school for having been originally sent here as a spy on the mutant community. In all honesty it was Riley’s word that people had to rely on regarding whether he revealed any sensitive information or not and Riley wasn’t sure if that would sit well with everyone.
Every morning Riley had to take his medication but his body could tell it wasn’t getting the proper dose. Hank was waning Riley off the drug the Initiative placed its agents on and the lack of sufficient supply added a slight edginess unaccustomed to the Iowa born student when he got uneasy. There had been a moment Riley’s temper almost gave way when one of the other students started prying into why Riley had fainted during the game, some people couldn’t take the hint to leave others alone. It was an odd mixture for Riley, increased anxiety which unsettled him in itself and also his temper seemed a little too easily jump started. Nothing too serious, but still, the difference to his usual handling of situations was still enough for Riley to be aware that changes were occurring. It wasn’t so bad this time around though, the previous year when Riley went off the drug from the Initiative he stopped right off, going cold turkey and with the added heartache of Catherine running away and his memory in disarray it was no wonder the former agent remained locked away in the solitude of his own room (and occasionally down at the stables) for the last six months of the year.
At least Riley didn’t feel completely dazed by this mornings injection, still he knew it was effecting him nevertheless because Riley knew he’d have at least tried to arrange the meeting between the class breaks instead of just changing directions and making his way down here.
Being a student as well as a teacher offered an insight into the faculty that would be near impossible for the others to notice, things such as teachers not being in the proper places they usually were, schedules slightly altered by more then one teacher with no real need or reason… It was something that hinted to behind the scenes activities, that they were up to something, more plans or meetings that the school as a whole wasn’t really meant to be aware of for one reason or another. With Riley’s old lifestyle recently exposed it shouldn’t be too hard to understand Riley’s paranoia towards any clandestine activities.
The hallways of teachers offices was intimidating in itself, the chairs and sofas lining the wall opposite their doors was a fine way of raising levels of anxiety as the ones waiting were forced to stare patiently at the closed doors. When shuffling of footsteps and movement became more clear Riley stopped fidgeting with his books, his criminal science text book was the thickest, a navy blue pencil case stored his writing tools and beneath all those was a writing book. Before Riley had headed down to Med bay he had taken his English books all down to his class, saved walking around with the load of work he had for his students. Usually Riley carried things in a backpack if he had more then he could handle but this morning was one of his lighter loads so he didn’t bother.
"Sorry Riley, I didn’t think you would arrive so quickly." Jean apologized once again as she opened the door, allowing another student out who gave off the impression of being someone who just got a telling off for some wrong doings that had been going on. Riley shrugged a little, his hands tugging the books closer towards his stomach.
"You called, I came." Riley’s eyes watched her for a moment, as if trying to derive the secrets of what she was up to bringing him here, but his eyes couldn’t hold her gaze and they lowered to the books uncomfortably.
Re: Jeans Office (Friday March 16): Finding the Piece that f
Alexandra Moore had always been a good student, one of those who achieves top grades and who enjoys coming to class each and everyday. In fact teachers had thanked the stars at finding the easygoing and ready to learn redhead in their class, glad to balance out the number of troublemakers with those enviously dubbed 'teacher's pet's by their classmates. Neither her elementary school experiences nor her time here at Xavier's Institute half a decade ago had landed her in the office of the Principal or in trouble with a teacher. It was lack of experience with a situation like this, which made Lexi nervous this Friday morning as she made her way down the hall. Having never been in trouble she made only rare visits to the teachers' offices, which consisted of some direction on her coursework or receiving some advice on a troubling student. Lexi hadn't been told exactly why she was being sent to see Jean Gray and it was fear of the unknown that scared people most, or so they said. The student teacher felt like she was treading water in an unfamiliar sea and the anxious shiver that ran down her spine at this thought was far from desirable.
Patience, luckily, was one thing Lexi did have. Dealing with kids both as a fellow student and as a helpful teaching assistant meant helping kids work through problems with the coursework and the young woman had given explanations on how to write an essay three times over, simplifying it with each successive time. It was because of this patience that Lexi managed to appear calm even if she didn't inwardly feel that way making the long trek down the hall.
Did they make the hallways so long on purpose? The redhead wondered to herself. If they were going for intimidation and a cold professionalism the designers deserved a pat on the back for their achievements. Recognising vaguely the part of the hall she was at Lexi realised the office of the telekinetic mutant was just a few offices down. She wasn't aware of how like a young lost student she appeared for a mutant as she fixed the ankle-length khaki skirt she had been about to wear as she prepared notes for the class she was to teach later that day. Nor was Lex conscious of the way she ran one hand through her hair, absentmindedly fixing it and patting the stray hairs down. At last deciding she was ready, and not wanting to be late for her meeting with the infamous X-man who had taught her a few courses in her youth Lexi took a few steps forward.
Hastily a student slipped by her, their head down as if they had just been chastised and the sensitive mutant was torn between sympathy for the student who was obviously embarrassed about having been told off for their wrongdoing and satisfaction. The satisfaction, she realised, was not just a teacher thing either. It had always been with Lexi, a part of what had made her the dreaded goodie two shoes girl to some of her classmates.
Reaching the door Lexi found it closed, surely the plain white door had been shut after the told off student had been aloud to leave. She raised a pale-skinned hand to the door to knock, feeling uncomfortable just entering the room despite having been called there specifically by Jean. Somehow it felt strange still for the fellow redhead to think of the teacher as just Jean. Perhaps once someone taught you never fully stopped thinking of him or her as Miss or Mister rather than their given name. It occurred to Lex that she hoped the students she would have as a regular teacher wouldn't feel that way about her and would feel comfortable approaching her. The casual student teacher wasn't sure she would feel right being thought of as Miss Moore by those only a decade younger than herself.
After a brief hesitation the sound of her knock rang out with a polite but firm rhythm that surely would be heard even if Jean was absorbed in her work and surely there was enough on her mind at the moment. Lexi's right hand clasped her left wrist in front of her and she waited with disguised anxiety for the door to open.
Re: Jeans Office (Friday March 16): Finding the Piece that f
Waiting inside proved worse then waiting outside, Jean spoke little since Riley wasn’t in any mood for chit chat and she could hardly talk with him about the team situation until she talked with Lexi. There was a chance Riley wouldn’t be placed on Green, if Lexi felt she couldn’t handle the added addition, and if that were so Jean would have to find someone else, surely Riley would feel worse off knowing it was hard to find a placement for him and even more so if a team actually rejected him – for whatever reason.
Instead she sat at her desk, which was basically in a separate room from where Riley was considering the distance, the entranceway into her office did seem like an adjoining room, in a way, but the lack of doors separating it didn’t offer much privacy. Riley could see her going through a few papers, she asked how he was and wanted to know if he was feeling any better, Riley replied mostly with ‘ok’ and a half shrug. Jean had wanted to speak with Riley about his emotional state for a while now, and until recent months he hadn’t been an easy person to get in contact with, shutting them all out so tightly that people barely saw him. At least Riley was getting involved again, the last six months of the previous year must have been hard on him but Jean just wished he had come to them for help of some kind, even if it were just him talking and them listening.
A knock at the door was hear moments after Jean had started a phone conversation, it was amazing how ten minutes felt like almost an hour of waiting but Riley was glade, if not all the more anxious, when she placed a hand over the phone and called Lexi into her office. Riley’s posture straightened and his eyes focused rather firmly on the young woman as she entered the room. Alexandra Moore, mutant able to effect the senses of herself or others. The ability to increase her own hearing had been something Riley took into account every time he had spoken in her vicinity. Always such a private man, Riley didn’t like people who had the ability to invade on his personal thoughts or discussions, luckily the first wasn’t possible, as much a burden as the implant in his head was, it was also offering Riley the privacy he needed.
Slowly Riley put his books aside, standing up and looking between the two woman and wondering more now what was going on. Alexandra, commenly known as Lexi, had been a superb student, and she was a young teacher herself. Did that mean this had to do with classes? Maybe Jean intended on removing him from active duty as a teacher as well as the Beast having removed him from leadership of his team. Anxiety struck all the more harder as Riley looked towards Jean, his hands clasped together nervously an a thick air of confusion and discomfort radiating from the usually all too calm individual.
"Riley, may you wait outside for a moment, I’ll call you in shortly, I just need a word with Lexi first." The comment didn’t ease Riley, who glanced at Lexi with an inquisitive stare, they couldn’t be replacing him as the teacher of his class, she didn’t have a language degree like Riley, she didn’t know the languages Riley knew, not many people did. The past two years had been spent devoted to building up his strengths on the common day languages, he knew there were other people who were more qualified then Lexi to replace Riley… still it didn’t ease the former Agent’s nerves.
"..ahm.. sure." One finally look was given between the two woman before Riley reluctantly grabbed his pencil case, leaving the books on the small table however as he made his way outside the office. Jean motioned for Lexi to sit at one of the two chairs in front of her desk, offering a smile in an attempt to sooth any nerves the younger teacher may have.
"Thanks for coming Lexi, I’ve been busy so I can understand if these seems short notice, first and foremost however, I’d like to personally congragulat you on your teams performance last weekend. How is everything, I understand it’s been a hard week for your group?" What with Michael in med bay after offering to help Paige and his sickly downfall which had Hank worrying for a short while over the decision. Not to mention Scott’s recovery, and Jean wouldn’t be surprised if May was still remaining withdrawn – the fact she was even participating with the group happily surprised Jean.
Re: Jeans Office (Friday March 16): Finding the Piece that f
Lexi entered the office as a nervous teen going for an important job interview or coming for an interview with an Ivy League school might. The first thing she noticed was that Riley Finn was in the room. That, she had to admit, was a surrpise since the redhead hadn't expected to find another student there. Although Lexi had imagined all sorts of situations in her head and thought through possible reasons why she could be here she hadn't thought of the possibility that a fellow student teacher who she barely knew would also be present.
She watched Riley put aside his books and observant but unenhanced eyes caught the glances between herself and Jean Grey that Riley threw. He didn't know I would be here either, Lexi realised and that peaked her curiousity even more. She didn't know much of Riley aside from the few things of his personal life that she had heard from friends of friends and that he was a teacher here like herself. Surely this had something to do with their classes. Maybe they were going to be asked to work together on something or to stand strong against a more rebellious student. In all her imaginings Lexi never once considered the possibility that Riley's prescence had anything to do with Green Strike Force.
She drew a small measure of comfort from the fact that Riley looked every bit as nervous as she felt but Jean's next words removed the small amount of comfort she had. "Riley, may you wait outside for a moment, I’ll call you in shortly, I just need a word with Lexi first." From the way her request was stated Lex could guess that Jean was going to speak with her first and then with both of them about something and that whatever it was important but she couldn't guess anymore than that. The student teacher returned Riley's inquisitive stare, no more aware than he of what was going on.
"..ahm.. sure." Despite his agreement it took another moment before Riley reluctantly left the two women to themselves and Jean motionned for the other redhead to take a seat. Although the smile the acting headmistress offered was likely meant to calm her nerves it had a minimal effect on Lexi who was more nervous now than she had been waiting outside the office door. She sunk into the seat offered without the usual grace she possessed from a few dance lessons as a child and waited for Jean to tell her why she was here and for that matter why Riley Finn was also present.
"Thanks for coming Lexi, I’ve been busy so I can understand if these seems short notice, first and foremost however, I’d like to personally congragulat you on your teams performance last weekend. How is everything, I understand it’s been a hard week for your group?"
Lexi wasn't the world's most patient person although she tried her best and a large part of her wished Jean would come out and say whatever it was that had been important enough to summon her. Still she shook shoulder-length locks in a slight negative as Jean apologised for the short notice. Somehow it didn't seem so to Lexi. Sure she hadn't been told a few weeks in advance but she didn't really have a problem with being told things closer to the date and if it was this important than surely short notice shouldn't matter, something had to be said.
"Thanks," the new leader replied softly but clearly in response to Jean's congradulations. It had been quite a victory for the new team but Lexi wasn't willing to take the credit, knowing that her team had forged on ahead even after she had been taken down by another team. In her modest view she was just lucky to have been able to tag along with such a fine group. There were certainly worse options and Lexi was so proud of the team she had and of the way they meshed. What they lacked in experience they made up for in heart and fighting spirit.
"Yes it's been tough," Alexandra replied honestly, remembering how she had spent a few hours in the medical bay over the past few days checking up on her team. In particular Scott she had been worried about but he was recovering and Lex was well aware of the fact that a certain blonde half-faerie had spent a fair amount of time there with him as he got better. "Nothing Dr. McCoy can't heal though," she added, natural positive attitude showing through as she smiled slightly thinking that their blue furry doctor could heal just about anything. Luckily Lexi hadn't had much cause to find herself in Hank's hands but she knew they were capable ones and was glad that he had been able to help the members of her team who had been injured.
The polite good girl manner of Lexi prevented her from interrupting Jean or asking if she could just get to the point but the thought had occurred to the wealthy young woman. Although she knew Jean meant well and did actually care about the responses she got to her questions, unlike dentists and/or doctors in her experience, Lexi was nervous, still wondering why Jean had summoned her in the first place and what Riley had to do with it. Surely she hadn't been summoned just for a few easily answered questions about the Team missions...had she?
Re: Jeans Office (Friday March 16): Finding the Piece that f
"Thanks," Since Jean knew that the reason for the summons here wasn’t so serious it didn’t seem like a pressing matter to dive into, but as Lexi struggled to control her case of anxiety towards the unknown issue, Jean realized Lexi was worried over why she was here. Riley also seemed concerned… why was everyone always on the negative when entering her office, unless they knew the reason before hand they stepped in here expecting the worst. "Yes it's been tough," Harder still with Michael’s effort to help Paige which had gotten him severely sick and Hank desperately worried. "Nothing Dr. McCoy can't heal though," That was true, from the sounds of it Hank had cured the danger but the recovery was strained by the peculiar physiology and sever effects even a minor spider bite could cause Scott.
"First of all Lexi, I called you to talk about two different things, Scott was the serious part, I have a request for you after, I just need to explain that you will have to be extra careful with spiders around Scott, his severe allergies could be a cause of concern. There were spider webs covering his doorway to his room and I talked with him about it and it seems he was going in and out of his window the past month. You’re going to have to tell him that when he has a problem he can’t avoid it like that, he’ll need to talk with you." It seemed like an obvious thing when saying it out load, but Scott managed to find himself in trouble and yet he had a hard time asking for help if it only effected him and he could find a way around it. Being a problem was something Scott feared, and Jean had a feeling it was because Scott wasn’t keen on over welcoming his stay and being asked to return to where he came from. "I’m sure you’ve read his file, Scott arrived mid last year, and since then he has only talked with a small handful of people, which could be said about most of your team members in one way or another. The spirit you’ve all shown together right from the get go is praiseworthy and I can only hope you all continue to flourish." Jean smiled as she placed down her pen and sat back a little, taking a moment to breath and collect her thoughts before her hands clasped together before her on the table and she leaned slightly forward once again.
"Lexi, the favor I wish to ask actually concerns a new member on your team. I would have just placed him there but I know certain facts would make this stressful so I need to know if it’s alright with you." Another deep breath was given by Jean as she set herself to keep on going, not wanting to leave any pauses in which Lexi could blurt out or be left to guess what was coming next. "I’m going to be straight forward with you and say we’re hoping to place Riley onto your team," A hand was motioned towards the door he had recently exited from as she spoke to signal she meant this one, and slowly her hand shifting to make a gesture for Lexi to let her finish speaking in case the younger woman was going to interrupt her. "I understand that he may not be the most.." Words seemed to escape the headmistress as she tried to find a word to use, being an experienced leader aside there were also other factors which could make or break the new placement. "..suitable of new recruits for you." Jean’s hand lifted, stroking some loose red hair behind her ear and then respectfully resting back onto her desk. "But would you be willing to listen, to take it into thought? I can say anything and it wouldn’t work if you really are against this, but the stability of your group could be what he needs during this transition of his." First Jean didn’t want to seem as if she was forcing Riley onto Lexi, but at the same time, of all the teams, Green seemed the most fitting. The personalities meshed, the environment Riley was walking into was stable, which was what he needed, they were all strong personalities in their own way, they wouldn’t take things laying down and Riley had to know that in a crunch he wasn’t going to have to be the back bone like he always seemed to feel on other teams. Playing diplomat like he used to do must have caused a great amount of stress and running around in circles trying to find his team mates or stressing over their lack of working together had been a chaos Riley wasn’t used to… Part of Jean wondered if some part of Riley would find relief in this demotion, despite his front of indignation towards it.
Re: Jeans Office (Friday March 16): Finding the Piece that f
It seemed that Lexi's anxiousness must have come through in their polite but clipped responses for Jean cut straight to the chase after hearing the younger redhead's replies. "First of all Lexi, I called you to talk about two different things, Scott was the serious part." Scott, Lexi had to admit she hadn't seen that coming in all her senarios. The thought of it having something to do with her team might have come up but something to do with Scott being serious was something the new leader hadn't expected.
"I have a request for you after, I just need to explain that you will have to be extra careful with spiders around Scott, his severe allergies could be a cause of concern." It was as though blurry binoculars had come into focus for suddenly everything made sense and while Lexi was respectfully silent and let Jean finish her request she nodded slightly along, seeing the seriousness of the situation as it was pointed out to her. "There were spider webs covering his doorway to his room and I talked with him about it and it seems he was going in and out of his window the past month. You’re going to have to tell him that when he has a problem he can’t avoid it like that, he’ll need to talk with you." Lexi's anxious expression became solumn as she nodded again in understanding. She had had no idea that this was happening and wondered briefly if that made her a poor leader but she couldn't beat herself up about something, particularly when she wasn't near the dorms where Scott slept.
"I’m sure you’ve read his file, Scott arrived mid last year, and since then he has only talked with a small handful of people, which could be said about most of your team members in one way or another." Lexi had read his file as she had all her team members despite it seeming strange at the time. For some reason the thought of going through people's lives had at first seemed like an invasion of privacy to the mutant who knew that her sense powers, while handy for somethings, were seen by a wary few as invading privacy. She lived in fear of crossing a line and it had taken her an inward pep talk and some logic before she had done her student teacher task and read the files of those on her team. Lexi wondered if talking with only a few people was really such a problem. She knew that she hadn't really talked with that many people here on a truly friendly basis. Sure she spoke to the other teachers and made polite conversation with others but how many of them did she really consider friends or know a thing about? The number could be counted on her ten fingers with a few to spare.
"The spirit you’ve all shown together right from the get go is praiseworthy and I can only hope you all continue to flourish." The praise turned Lex's thoughtful expression back to a slightly more normal look for the easygoing young woman and she smiled in return, glad that Jean saw the team's progress as praiseworthy. The fact that the headmistress was putting down her pen and collecting her thoughts was probably not a good sign though and the observant mutant thought that perhaps the praise had been to make the fall easier to bear. The question was just what was this impending fall or negativity which Lexi was sure was coming. Her question was answered as Jean leaned foward again, seeming ready to speak once more.
"Lexi, the favor I wish to ask actually concerns a new member on your team. I would have just placed him there but I know certain facts would make this stressful so I need to know if it’s alright with you." A new member? The surprise was evident on Lexi's expressive face since she had been under the impression that the Green team she led had been near fullness in terms of members and had been working together that it would remain relatively unchanged. Adding to the strangeness was the fact that Jean was actually asking her about adding a new person to the team, a new him to the team she mentally added remembering Jean's comment.
Then all of sudden the pieces of the puzzle began to come together. She was getting a vague notion as she remembered that Riley was outside the door and a male who might cause her some anxiety when it came to team positions. This notion was only beginning to form in her head though, the implications not yet setting in as Jean confirmed it. "I’m going to be straight forward with you and say we’re hoping to place Riley onto your team." The comment came with a semi-dramatic gesture as Jean's hand motionned towards the door. There seemed to be a signal for her to hold her peace but there was no worry that Alexandra Moore might interupt for she had not yet found any words to express the surprise written on her face at Jean's request.
"I understand that he may not be the most.." there was a momentary pause as the telekinetic mutant struggled for words before continuing, "..suitable of new recruits for you. But would you be willing to listen, to take it into thought? I can say anything and it wouldn’t work if you really are against this, but the stability of your group could be what he needs during this transition of his." Stability? Them? Maybe it was because she wasn't close to any of the other teams and hadn't seen how they worked but given the fact that a few of her teammates had recently ended up in the medical bay stable wasn't the word that Lexi would have used in describing them. Perhaps though it was a strange sort of compliment so Lexi left it, not speaking up to question the description.
She tried to sort out what she felt and failed. Even still there was the thought deep inside Lexi that said she wasn't entirely opposed to the idea and that she was willing to give it a shot although Lex was far from smiling about the situation. "Um," she tried starting but found her throat dry and the words not forming. "I'm not entirely opposed," Lex said quietly, her second attempt to put forth some statement of her feelings far more effective than her first. "It's just a big change I guess," she said slowly with an almost apologetic sound to her voice. Lexi couldn't bring herself to say what she really wanted to, to wonder if she wasn't good enough and Riley was to be brought in in a more effective leadership position. Although the logical part of her knew that Jean and the teachers wouldn't do that to her in such an underhanded move the more emotional part of her feared it and wondered no matter how she tried to convince it that the shift in team members would be fine.
Finally curiousity and the neccessity to know prompted the sense mutant to ask a more tactful question if what was on her mind. "What sort of role would Riley be playing on the team?" she asked, a sort of innocent curiosity making the question sound far less suspicious and more genuine than it truly was. Immiediately Lex felt bad though. This wasn't Riley's fault and maybe the team needed a better leader or at least another adult around. It wasn't right of her to feel selfishly threatened like this. Even still she wondered what Jean's answer to her question would be and hoped her fears would be allayed and she could hesitantly accept Jean's request with a clear conscience.
Re: Jeans Office (Friday March 16): Finding the Piece that f
"Um," It wasn’t unsuspected that Lexi would find herself hesitant, and Jean knew that without proper insight as to the reasons why this choice was being made, she may find it hard to understand their point of view on the matter. And it hadn’t passed Ororo and Jean that Lexi may feel threatened by the replacement… but for Riley’s sake it was ideal. When Jean spoke of stability she had meant towards their emotional bond, already developing friendships amongst each other and genuinely caring for the others despite the short term of knowing each other. From experience, Jean knew that placing Riley on a team like the Exiles would cause him not only to become frustrated, but to lose interest and slack in his efforts to partake in team work. Placing him on a team with a fully fledged X-men like Bishop or Logan, it would fit with Riley’s personality, at least what they knew of him, but right now Jean had the feeling it might be best not to throw Riley right back into an environment with people who could easily dominate him. And not only personality wise, but powerwise as well, Jean wasn’t the only one to see how unsettled Riley was when placed aside someone who could effortlessly handle something he struggled so hard with. Jean knew this from earlier on not too long after Riley joined, he seemed taken back by overly powerful mutants, and the telepath had a feeling Riley was used to having more control and power compared to others around him. Only recently Jean was beginning to realize why that was.
"I'm not entirely opposed," A faint smile emerged despite the clutter of thoughts which delayed it a few moments. "It's just a big change I guess," For them all really, Riley too, or really to be honest; Riley most of all. Sometimes changes had to happen, there was no way Riley could go on the way he has the last few years, he was so young, at least compared to the rest of the faculty, Lexi and Riley were still youngsters to the X-men’s eyes… But while Lexi was heading out to start her battles, it seemed Riley already suffered at the hands of endless battles that were fought in ways Jean wasn’t sure she was ready to speculate.
"What sort of role would Riley be playing on the team?" A brow was raised slightly, not out of surprise, since Jean worried what it may appear like to add a more experienced member onto her team that, not only was an experienced member but a former team leader as well, but the Headmistress found herself caught on a reply. How could she effectively reply to that when in truth Riley was as much a mystery to her as most of the other people who knew him, what with the things McCoy had explained to her it sounded as if Riley was going to be going through a whole lot more changes then just an activating x-gene… Which in itself was a massive burden to fret about, Jean could only imagine what worries may be swamping his thoughts. After all, until a power emerged there was no telling what it could be like, and Jean had seem enough cases to know that it wasn’t always something one could easily take in their stride… from the touch of death to various forms of agony and suffering. Look at Rogue, her simple wish seems to always be the chance to become intimate with someone she cares about, to touch skin on skin, to hold in her arms as they lay tangled in the folds of their bed. Spike allowed Rogue a glimpse of such things, but the troubled relationship soomed cursed with one misshape after another… Sometimes Jean felt she just ought to give up trying to figure people out, in the end, they often have a way of surprising you, for better or for worse.
"I have no intentions of diverting control away from you Lexi," The sweet voice of the woman calmly assured the other, not because Jean was reading her mind, but simply because soft whispers of Lexi’s turmoil lightly touched Jean’s mind, the telepath more overhearing it then prying into the thoughts of the younger student. "Besides, if I try such a coy manoeuvrer I fear your loyal team may stage a coo in your honour." A soft chuckle escaped with a light-hearted smile of sympathy towards Lexi’s insecure plight. "Right now we need to offer Riley a stable environment, the fewer the arguments the better, same goes with all forms of stress.." A more serious concern echoed in her voice now as Jean spoke, hinting that there was something wrong which they were taking seriously, often people didn’t need to explain the urgency or seriousness of matters… They just had a habit of being self-evident in the way people spoke or acted.
"Sometimes I feel I understand what makes Riley tick, then he just turns around and surprises me at just about every corner. Riley tends to feel that he has to take on all the responsibility by himself, I don’t think he finds it easy coming to people and asking for help, Hank is currently trying to reprogram that trail of thought, and right now Riley’s going through a lot of things, I can’t say how he’ll act with any honest certainty.. But there is one thing I know for sure, Riley has never disobeyed an order given to him by his leaders, and he trained under Connor for a while when Connor first lead X-treme." It seemed like a whole lot of information to spill out, how much of it Lexi actually found of use Jean couldn’t know for sure but hopefully the Headmistress could relay the fact that Riley has never tried to overthrow any chain of command, at least not to their knowledge… Jean couldn’t help but wonder what acts Riley had done under their nose, be it in the school grounds or out where every he originally came from. "I can assure you in any case, if Riley does appear to be taking on more then he should in the team then it is going against our wishes and his best interest. If he won’t take things easy then I’m afraid we’ll be forced to remove him from teams altogether… I would have suggested Riley do just that while he recovers only.. he seemed rather hurt by the suggestion. It is imperative that Riley be kept on a leash, he isn’t to overwork himself in any way, that includes emotionally." Jean offered a crooked smile, sort of half sympathetic towards Riley and then also feeling the same way for Lexi. God knows what it must be like to suddenly feel your in charge of someone with experience beyond your own…in a way Jean felt a similar overwhelming sense when Xavier died and she was in charge of the school, what with all the others mostly busy with their own problems Jean was more alone in her Headmistress chores then ever before.
"You’ll be permitted a trial period, see how he mixes in with the others, how he settles into the group and what’s more how you think you’re coping with it all. If you’re willing we could give it a two week time period and take it a day at a time. If it works out he’ll be assigned there until Dr. McCoy gives the all clear for Riley to resume taking part in more strenuous roles in the school. How does that sound?" Hopefully a time in which Lexi could get a feel for the situations and after that decide if she could cope with the new member or not would help ease Lexi’s mind a little more, Jean didn’t want her getting stuck with something she couldn’t handle and feel like she had to stick with it when she really didn’t feel like it. If Riley didn’t like being removed from leading his team, he certainly wouldn’t like another team kicking him out, it seemed to hurt him, Beast mentioned a retort of uselessness being spat out by the exhausted young man when he was told he had to be removed from leadership due to his health. The fact Riley felt these medical drawbacks were making the faculty think he was useless to them was enough to make Jean’s blood boil, because she had a feeling that’s the sort of thing he had become familiar with from his last affiliation. Once Riley started talking about whoever these people were, Jean had half a mind to storm down there and teach them the devastating repercussions that could happen when hurting a student of this school, or any school for that matter. No one had a right to do what Hank’s reports said had been done with Riley… Jean would be lying if she said the fact Scott was on Green didn’t help lift the team in her favour for placing Riley there. But also the strong wills that burned in the members, the friendliness on top of it, they wanted to be great but they wanted to be great together, each member for each other, instead of the often seen scenarios where the students are often divided or distant with other team members. None of the other teams had what Green had… when looking for harmony and unison, Green just stuck out like a rainbow flower in a grey field.
Re: Jeans Office (Friday March 16): Finding the Piece that f
While Lexi awaited a response to her question she found herself gauging the Headmistress' response with carefully observant eyes, hoping some indication of the answer to follow would be given through non verbal means. Aside from a raised brow however there were no outward signs of what Jean Grey was thinking at that moment and the younger mutant resigned herself to waiting.
"I have no intentions of diverting control away from you Lexi." Curses! Foiled again! Lexi thought, the popular quote now coming to mind as a sheepish expression crossed her face and pale cheeks flushed rose. She hadn't exactly stated her full concerns to Jean Grey, hoping to 'play it cool' and act merely curious rather than threatened but now the Green Strike Force leader realised how stupid she had been to conceal anything, even without ill will, from the telepathic teacher.
"Besides, if I try such a coy manoeuvrer I fear your loyal team may stage a coo in your honour." This brought a different emotion from the new leader who was certain Jean was exaggerating yet still found the statement flattering. The pinkened state of Lexi's cheeks was now beginning to fade although the redhead still flushed easily when embaressed or sheepish and was just as likely to return to the rosy colour if another comment was made which embaressed her. A slight smile of gratitute for the statement and a wry smile crossed Alexandra Moore's face now and although it didn't show opennly she was more than a little relieved that the team would still be hers to lead, even if the task was a challenging one at times. The academic girl had always welcomed a challenge and a broadening of thoughts or ideas and the new responsibility of leadership was proving to be just the sort of challenge she needed. What Jean had not yet addressed however was the actual question Lexi had worded. What exactly would Riley's role on the team be and how would he fit in amongst the group of people who had bonded so well during the island training missions?
"Right now we need to offer Riley a stable environment, the fewer the arguments the better, same goes with all forms of stress.." Stability Lexi understood and she nodded her head in agreement and acceptance although the serious tone of Jean's voice indicated that she had more to say and that what was to come was important. She had to admit when she thought about it that despite the faults each human being, or non-human as the case was for some members of her team, Green Strike Force fit the bill as a team which was fairly stress free. Their were the physical things to deal with such as Michael's condition among other things but those were non elements when compared to the troubles other teams had dealt with. As usual Exiles were the first team that came to mind when dysfunction and stress was mentionned but they had progressed during the team missions even if they didn't have the relaxed relationship around each other that her team shared. Lexi felt a slight pride which may have been partially selfish as she thought of how the new team had proven itself without her and all. She was not normally the vain type and perhaps not the most confident person around but she did take pride in her achievements and in her friends and felt little shame when gloating to herself over her team's achievements. Of course nothing came without a cost. Theirs had been team members who were now being looked after by Hank McCoy but they had made it through and that was the important part right?
"Sometimes I feel I understand what makes Riley tick, then he just turns around and surprises me at just about every corner." The redhead was surprised herself by Jean's admission but kept silent, figuring that if Jean was telling her this than there was surely a reason or importance for it. "Riley tends to feel that he has to take on all the responsibility by himself, I don’t think he finds it easy coming to people and asking for help." Did anyone really? Lexi wondered. She had always been of the stubborn type who had not asked for help unless absolutely neccessary and understood similar urges in others to do things their own way. On the otherhand this stubbornness had gotten better as she had matured and she was now far more comfortable with taking the advice of others and as such was a democratic type of leader who didn't want any of her team to be upset with her or the way they were doing things and to stay silent.
"Riley’s going through a lot of things," Jean was continuing. "I can’t say how he’ll act with any honest certainty.. But there is one thing I know for sure, Riley has never disobeyed an order given to him by his leaders, and he trained under Connor for a while when Connor first lead X-treme." Lexi didn't realize that the information being given to her by Jean was that which the headmistress wasn't even sure was important or she most likely would have vocally disagreed. It was a great deal to take in but Lexi was glad to hear it nonetheless and she did feel relief at hearing that Riley hadn't had a problem with being led by the younger mutant, even if it was likely that Wolverine's son had more leadership experience than herself because of his roots.
"I can assure you in any case, if Riley does appear to be taking on more then he should in the team then it is going against our wishes and his best interest. If he won’t take things easy then I’m afraid we’ll be forced to remove him from teams altogether…" Lexi hadn't meant to imply that she thought Riley might overthrow her and she hoped she hadn't given that impression as Jean launched into a sort of assurance that if Riley were to try anything he would be removed from the team. "It is imperative that Riley be kept on a leash, he isn’t to overwork himself in any way, that includes emotionally." A crooked smile accompanied the end of Jean's speech for the time being and it seemed to Lexi's keen eyes that she was partially sympathetic and understanding what a big change this was for herself and likely for Riley as well.
"You’ll be permitted a trial period, see how he mixes in with the others, how he settles into the group and what’s more how you think you’re coping with it all. If you’re willing we could give it a two week time period and take it a day at a time." A trial period, that made her breath a sigh of relief although she tried her best to contain her reaction. It was a wise idea, one that made sure no one felt strangely about the move and it gave them all a chance to try things out without feeling stuck.
"If it works out he’ll be assigned there until Dr. McCoy gives the all clear for Riley to resume taking part in more strenuous roles in the school. How does that sound?" It sounded great and beyond that somehow it felt right to the mutant whose sense powers had given her a slight measure of good intuition about many things.
"It sounds really good, really fair," Lexi said and the honest conviction in her voice was so genuine that it wasn't even neccessary for her true feelings on the matter to be read by a telepath, not that the redhead thought Jean would neccessarily. She knew that the school headmistress would respect her privacy unless she felt it neccessary to deliberately feel around. So now what? she wondered to herself. Does Jean break the news to Riley or is there anything else? Curiousity once again was overtaking Lexi as it so often did but how could anyone not wonder just how this situation would be played out?
Re: Jeans Office (Friday March 16): Finding the Piece that f
"It sounds really good, really fair," A small smile of appreciation appeared, showing that Jean was glade for the positive comment, Jean just hoped Riley would be as placid as Beast had briefly suggested the young man may become during his early treatments. None of them knew that Riley was also prone to outbursts of aggression in certain situations, but if they were lucky none of them would be privy to that side effect. Taking in a small breath to brace herself for the summoning of Riley, Jean used her mind to open the door of her office.
"Come in Riley." The headmistress called out, her eyes watching the doorway as Finn seemed to hover beyond their line of sight for a moment longer, finally entering with his things still clasped into his hands and soon making his way to the seat beside Lexi. "I’ll get right down to business," The red head started with a slight smile, Riley just waited patiently with a neutral expression still on his features. "While you’re on the road to a full recovery Riley, Hank has made it clear that you’re to take things easy," As Jean spoke without a pause, not wanting to allow a moments chance to have Riley jump in until she was done. Riley himself didn’t appear as if he was about to open his mouth any time soon, his eyes drifting slowly off the headmistress and staring at an invisible spot on her shoulder or the corner of her desk. He didn’t like people talking about his weaknesses, and being sick was a weakness as far as Walsh raised them to believe. There was also a slight feel of shame that followed the disbanding of his team, not that he’d been doing well with them, Catherine never showed up, and the other girls weren’t the soldiers Riley could work with. Sean was the only one he found himself able to really count on, and he only now realizes it as everything falls apart. Typical.
"I know you aren’t pleased with losing both your leadership and team, but I’ve talked with Hank and he has agreed to allow you to enlist into another group for the time being." First of all, who would be happy losing something they had been entrusted with, they probably disbanded the group only because they didn’t want a former double agent in their ranks. But that wasn’t entirely true, the X-men weren’t all angels, they had no right to treat him poorly because two years previously he had been sent to spy on them, he never hurt them, so he’s done nothing wrong to warrant any mistreating. This was his home, and they didn’t have a right to threaten him about people possibly having issues with his past. Riley had a few issues with a few of these people, issues he didn’t understand the reasons behind so he tried not to judge, it seems that good will doesn’t go both ways if they are so easily willing to rip away everything he had earned. The mention of a temporary team barely phased him, Riley’s eyes only drifting half heartedly to Lexi’s knees, not having enough strength to look her in the eyes.
"Green?" It wasn’t exactly the most positive tone, but his mood didn’t allow anything but the quiet voice he used, feeling exposed in front of someone he didn’t even know, at least in person. Jean went on to confirm his question with a yes, but Riley didn’t really lean towards being glade or being angry, he seemed to just keep a quiet façade to hide the feeling, it was as if someone was pouring salt water on an open wound.
"She’ll be responsible for keeping an eye on you and making sure you don’t exert yourself physically or emotionally. I’ll also be asking for her to keep an eye on your behavior resulting from your medication." The school books got tugged close to his stomach as Riley frowned and stared at Jean, showing more response to her last statement then he had since arriving here. "I’m sure you can understand Riley, but as your leader she will need to be aware of your limitations just as much as she needs to know of your strengths." But there were so many limitations, what happens if in the end they just think he has more then what meets their expectation? What if they find him unreliable or more hassle then necessary? Keeping quiet has kept him here all these years, he was already in rough water, he didn’t want to stir up more trouble for himself. At her last comment he just looked away, his fingers playing with the pages of his thick books, letting their edges brush past his finger tips as he lifted them a little and then let them flick closed again.
"In any case, I hope you use this to your advantage Riley, the past year has been hard on you and I know you’re going through a lot right now, more then any one deserves." There was an ache of sympathy in her voice, Riley easily able to realize she was referring to the loss of his child, and upon that reminder her just shifted in his seat uncomfortable. "I think this will help, Green has good people on it, they get on well and I’m sure they’ll all welcome you as best they can, if you let them." Riley’s eyed stared down at his books again, a side glance half thrown at Lexi but hurriedly pulled away again as he looked ahead at the desk where Jean’s hands were now resting.
"If there’s any questions either of you have, feel free to ask, otherwise you’re dismissed." Riley thought for a moment, but looked away again not really keen on dragging this on any longer. Green was a decent group, but it was also one with little information on most of the crew, Michael had gaps in recent times, May… well no one knew anything about her, Scott and Tessa weren’t even human but he felt more comfortable with them as companions, even though he didn’t know Tess, he knew about fairies and a lot of their different cultures. It meant he could talk freely about anything out of this world and people would have to believe him if Scott was nodding his head along in agreement. Ben and Lexi seemed normal enough, at least as far as mutants go, but their normality only made Riley uncomfortable.
"I’m missing my class." Was all Riley mumbled as he stood up, leaving the room looking tired and detached, forcing Jean to release a sigh as he disappeared, obviously upset by something, and there was a lot of be down about.
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