(no subject)

[cutting_edgex23]

X slips downstairs after her shift in the nightclub, laptop in hand.

It's possible she is working on reports. It's equally possible that she is working on something like homework. The Institute is still a school, after all. Sometimes there are assignments.

And X has never been very good at analyzing literature. At least she's begun picking up on metaphors? A little?

[ooc: open until it falls off the page, or she gets a new EP, whichever comes first.]

[tag that time forgot: Billy Kaplan]

Comments

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

"Never figured you for a computer geek," Barbara says as X walks by.

[cutting_edgex23]

X pauses, turning just enough to see Barbara.

"It is for work. Here."

Beat.

"And school."

And, you know, independent research. But that is not relevant right now.

"It is important?"

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

Barbara blinks. "Are you asking me or telling me."

X has the oddest speech patterns.

[cutting_edgex23]

X frowns.

"Asking."

Beat.

"It is okay."

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

"You," Barbara decides, "Are almost as odd as Cass."

[cutting_edgex23]

X does not look particularly enlightened.

"I do not understand."

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

"I don't suppose you would," Babs admits.

She considers X for a moment, "Did I interrupt you on the way to something important, or do you have some time to talk?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X tilts her head a little, watching Barbara carefully for a moment.

Then--

"I am not busy."

Beat.

"There are no incident reports today."

She takes a few careful steps toward Babs, hesitating just a little.

Social niceties are still a little beyond her. Maybe more than a little.

[twiceahero.livejournal.com]

Babs has lived with Cass long enough to recognize some of the hesitance. She grins, "Just do what feels natural. It won't bother me. I've lived with Cassandra for too long for that."

She waves at a seat across from her.

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

Wiccan's walking through the bar and he leans over when he spots the labtop. It's something modern, and familiar, which is almost unfamiliar in Milliways. He's in full costume -- one X-23 might recognize -- and looking pretty beat up with a black eye and a bandage down his cheek.

"Hi," he offers. "Just checking out your computer."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Oh," X says, studying him carefully. Her shoulders are just a little tense.

She's scenting the air, as well. Just to be sure.

"You are not okay."

[ooc: No problem! Just let me know if I goof up. And--does Billy have a scent that X would recognize? I do not think he hangs out with people she knows--unless he would smell like Kate via team proximity.]

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you know. Another day, another weirdo with two heads. That sort of thing happens to me a lot.%Pr

[cutting_edgex23]

"Oh."

Beat.

"You are a mutant."

It's only a little bit of a question. He smells--familiar.

[ooc: Sorry for the delay, I had to run out for a meeting.]

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"Yeah? I think so." It's not like there was ever any kind of genetic testing; he did fit the profile, though. He scowls at her. "That's not gonna be a problem, is it?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"No."

X's eyes go a little wide. Call it startlement, if you want.

"I am a mutant, too."

Beat.

"You have met the X-men?"

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

Billy brightens up considerably (it's a little difficult to tell, with the swelling). "I've met Wolverine, but I've only seen the rest on TV. Are you...?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am X-23."

Beat.

"You can call me Laura."

She tilts her head, watching him carefully.

"You have met Wolverine here?"

[bloody-awful.livejournal.com]

John walks by, sees X, looks at what she's reading. The eyebrow goes up. "On top of everything else, they make you do schoolwork as well?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X was already looking up, watching John approach. Scent carries.

She nods a little.

"The Institute is a school, too."

Beat.

"When people are not trying to kill us."

[bloody-awful.livejournal.com]

John rolls his eyes. "And in your copious free time they make you learn to play the clarinet, I bet. Christ, Joe, when do you have time for fun?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X frowns.

"I do not play any instruments."

Beat.

"I like training."

[ooc: Sorry for the delay. I had a surprise meeting.]

[bloody-awful.livejournal.com]

"I swear, someone's got to take you to a fun fair." John sits down next to her. "Fun, little girl, is something you do for no purpose other than enjoyment. Ever heard of it?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"A fun fair?"

X tilts her head, watching John for a moment.

Then--

"Zoe took me to an arcade. There was--"

She pauses, fumbling for the word.

"--skee ball. She said it was fun."

Okay, so X treated it like an exercise in tactics and adaptation to a new circumstance. Still.

[bloody-awful.livejournal.com]

"Fun fair, yeah. Dodgy rides, rigged games, dubious food. Balloons and candy floss." He cocks his head at her. "Tell me, kiddo. When was the last time you laughed?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Oh. A carnival."

She's gone a little tense. Milliways had one, once. It was kind of . . . evil.

Beat.

"I laugh on missions. When it is appropriate."

Sadly, this is true.