capeandcowl | † 039.

[it’s at night, the camera angle a little jumpy and the lighting a flashlight held by the same person who has the camera. max is crouched on the ground setting something up, hoodie up. she looks up after a moment and grins.]

Did you just improvise all of this?

Because this bit right here – [she points to something in the shadowy lump she’s been working over] – I love it.

[someone’s yellow-nailpolished hand comes into the frame, adjusting what max had just been pointing to. rikku then leans down a little further, trying to get a closer look; she’s wearing a red beanie hat, and nods with a grin.]

Yeah. It’s kinda what I do with my free time, y’know? It takes a little to get all the bits and pieces and chemicals, but it’s worth it.

It is definitely worth it. I haven't done much work with chemicals, but I'd love to know more. [max stands up, grinning.] Okay, I think we're good to go.

[the video cuts out, and resumes about seven minutes later. it’s still dark outside. rikku has something in her hand—some kind of remote-looking device. she offers it to max after fiddling with it for a moment.]

Wanna do the honors?

It would be my pleasure. [she takes it and presses the button. nothing happens. she gently presses the button again, and then turns to rikku, an eyebrow raised.] It was definitely set up right.

[rikku had been waiting too, but disappointment is evident on her face when nothing happens. she takes the remote, turning it over in her hands for a second. then she gives it a shake, and kind of pounds it with a fist.]

Come on, I knew I did this right! Fung, tysh ed!

[max looks disappointed too.] One of us is going to have to go back in, huh - [KA-BOOM. the abandoned building in frame turns into dust in a storm of bright explosions. rikku is thrown back a few steps, automatically raising her arms to shield her face. once the building is completely collapsed, she kind of looks to max, and then breaks into a grin, pumping a fist into the air and jumping up and down.]

Woo-hoo! That was totally awesome!

[max's grin is threatening to split her face open, and she lets out a whoop of victory before turning and holding her hand up for a high five.] That was amazing!

[rikku immediately grants her that high five, and nods.]

Yeah! We used to do things like that ‘round Home when people wanted to build new things. But it never gets old. We’ll totally have to do this again sometime.

You can always count me in for sure. [so much grinning.] I can't imagine this ever getting old.

Chyeah. Now let me tell you about those bombs—

[and the feed cuts. orange is rikku, purple is max. this is forward-dated to tonight, around 1 a.m.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Must I?

[She knew it was childish of her, but Midii had her reasons.]

I have been going to the Library almost every day, and I have practiced reading many of the written words over the Network. Even my writing has improved!

That's why I said we could talk about the options. I mean, I can try to get a private tutor or - homeschool you somehow, or possibly school over the internet? Those are options, and I'd be willing to try them.

I really think you'd like going to Xavier's though. I'm going to leave it up to you, but I think you should at least give Xavier's a try.

[Okay, options were good. She would be willing to work with options.]

I have heard things about Xavier's. From other kids.

The headmaster turned himself in for crimes not long ago.

What do the other kids say?

As for the headmaster - he turned himself in because he's a good man, and believes that even though he wasn't himself when he did something bad he should still pay for it.

Many things. That is is boring. That some of the teachers do not treat them fairly.

[So, basically, your typical student complaints]

What do you mean 'he wasn't himself'?

I think every school gets students complaining that. You can't really know until you try it out, though.

You know how strange things happen in the City? A while ago, a lot of people were psychically compelled into doing things they would never do otherwise. He was one of them.

Did you like school?

[Reaching, yes, especially since Max had most likely never gone to this school. But if she could hear at least some positive things from somebody she trusted, it might help ease her fears.]

...you mean, like with the Skrulls?

I did, yeah. It was a lot of fun. Which is why I'd like you to try it out, even if just for a little bit. But I'm going to leave it up to you.

It was sort of like what happened with the Skrulls.

[...well, it would be a bit hypocritical of her to blame a good man for something beyond his control. Especially if Max was willing to vouch for him. And she could tell Max wasn't lying about school being fun for her.]

What is school like here?

It has been so long...and I came from such a different time.

I haven't been around Xavier's too much, but I think it's probably at least somewhat like school at home. Which means it will be work, and you'll have to concentrate, but there will also be fun projects and field trips and you'll be able to hang out with other kids your age.

It is not the work that bothers me. I am used to concentrating.

[Though, what is this 'fun projects' you speak of?]

What about the teachers? The rules?

I've got no worries about you being able to pull off behaving in class. [ amused grin. ]

I've met and talked to a few of the teachers over the network. The ones I have seem like good people. As for the rules, they'll mostly just be about staying on good behavior and not causing trouble.

[Midii would be amused right back if she weren't so serious about this]

They are not...cruel? Or apathetic?

I haven't got any impression like that off of them - quite the opposite, really.

And if at any point you found a teacher to be like that, I would take you out of their class immediately.

What classes?

[She tries to think back to the "classes" the Alliance had offered her]

What would I study? Computers? Strategy? Codes?

They have a really wide range of subjects. You'd be taking normal things - English, Math, Science. And probably also some sort of instruction to do with learning how to control your power.

Those do not sound so bad.

[Especially the last one]

They really can be. I enjoyed school a lot.

And you said that, if I do not like it there, I can leave?

Yes. I'm never going to try to make you stay somewhere you genuinely dislike.

Then I will try it. Going to school, I mean.

Okay. Cool. We'll go get you signed up for classes next week, how's that sound?

Sounds good.

Huh. Sounds like we've worked it all out over phone.

I can still come by for lunch if you want, and answer any other questions you've got?

You made your argument. It was a good one.

[See? She can be rational and mature! ~~When she wants to be~~]

That would be nice. You could tell me more about what classes you think I should take.

(no subject)

futurebatwoman - 2012-03-24 07:37 (UTC) - Expand

unetrustworthy - 2012-03-24 17:55 (UTC) - Expand