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Post by Polaris on Sept 29, 2005 6:29:24 GMT -5
Jean and Scott’s administrative offices are part of one large room, but each have their own office separated by a full partitioning wall which has an adjoining door so they can travel between one another’s offices without entering the hallway. They each have their own office door leading from the hallway, and on them their names are etched in black across the front. On Scott’s it says, "Co-Headmaster" with "Mr. Scott Summers" beneath. On Jean’s it says the equivalent, "Co-Headmistress" with "Mrs. Jean Grey-Summers" underneath. Both office doors have two chairs seated on the side for students waiting to see them.
Jean’s Administrative Office
Though the office itself has an intimidating look, upon entering, visitors will be overcome by a homely sense. Jean’s office is very inviting, designed to be welcoming to whoever stops by. She is more of the student counselor than Scott when it comes to dealing with personal issues with their students and the staff. Always ready to listen and offer any advice, Jean designed her office to convey that feeling.
The whole room has a touch of a Victorian feel to it, donning a matching variety of colors ranging from soft orchid to forest green to reds. The walls are made of rich wooden paneling. The carpet plush, the kind that sinks lightly when stepped on. It’s a soft light peru brown, which matches the décor and is easy to clean, not showing spills or dirt. There is a mid-sized round wooden table to the right that sits six people accompanied by comfortable matching wooden chairs with cushions fastened on each one. Jean often meets with students at this table. Behind the table are two bookshelves as tall as the walls lined with books. Beyond that are two tall file cabinets Jean has heavily secured.
The partitioning wall is to the right as you walk in, on the side with two recliner chairs, a few shades lighter than the carpet, which sit near a comfortable firebrick red couch. An end table sits next to the couch with a Tiffany-style table lamp on it along with a small plant. Another ceiling-tall bookcase filled with books and a few picture frames line the wall behind the couch as well.
After passing the table and the recliner chairs and couch, visitors come to Jean’s desk at the end of the room. It sits in front of a large bay window so Jean can look own down on the mansion grounds and see well beyond it. Jean’s desk is one of the only intimidating pieces in the room. A combination of wood and synthetic materials, the large desk takes up half the span of the room. It comes complete with a large desktop computer as well as a laptop with various office supplies neatly squared away with a printer off to the side.
A few picture frames of her and Scott on their wedding day, her and Betsy, Sean and Betsy, as well as the new class of students grace the edge of her desk. A nameplate stating, "Mrs. Jean Grey-Summers" sits at the edge as well. Her phone/intercom sits off to the left and beyond that a small safe sits off to the side next to the file cabinets, though nothing of real importance is kept in that safe. Two Victorian-esque chairs sit in front of her desk. Jean has a large comfortable black executive chair to sit on behind her desk. Large maroon drapes hang over her windows and gold rope-like fasteners with tassels hold them back.
The partitioning wall is to the left as you walk in, on the side with the couch and recliner chairs. The ceiling tall bookcase is first, and then the adjoining door leading to Scott’s office. Usually Jean likes to keep it open unless she or Scott is meeting with someone alone. After the door is a large ornately framed photo of the four original X-Men and their mentor, taken days before heading to Washington but a different one than the one in their bedroom. Hidden behind the picture by voice-recognition is a state-of-the-art security system complete with controls and miniature televisions so Jean can see all that is going on in the massive mansion.
After the picture comes a small water cooler so anyone visiting can have something to drink. There is a small refrigerator next to it with a cupboard of utensils and light kitchen supplies above that. Next to the mini-fridge is another tall bookcase which houses mostly books, as well as a small stereo and a few other key items. It is in this bookcase that there is the *actual* safe resides. A few books are fashioned to appear as books but not so. When finding the latch the spines are actually binded together and slide to the side out to reveal a rectangular door leading to the safe, which is combination-protected. No one besides the four authorized X-Men know of this safe or how to use it. Scott has the same mechanism on his side of the partitioning wall, so when he and Jean open the safe at the same time on both sides, they are able clearly to see into one another’s office.
Scott’s Administrative Office
Ever the minimalist, Scott let Jean decorate their offices. Taking his taste and tendencies into account when it came to his room, Jean added a bit of a 'woman’s touch' in his office, but not as much as hers. Scott deals with a lot of the business aspect of the Institute, being geared towards such. His office reflects his business-like mannerisms, and while it isn’t exactly uninviting it is more practical in a sense.
Everything in the design of this room is the exact same as Jean’s, but flipped. He doesn’t have as much color in his office, but mainly focuses on greys, blues, and some warm colors. Scott’s office has the same peru brown-colored carpeting but it’s not padded like the one in Jean’s office, making it smooth and hard on the floor. Deciding he needed some extra flavor to his room, Jean placed a large oriental rug over the carpet that covers the first half of the room. The same rich wooden paneling covers the walls. When walking into the office, a tall bookcase sits on the right against the wall partition filled with books. After that is the door that joins with Jean’s room and next to that a simply-framed large picture of the mansion before the war.
Behind the picture, which slides back, is the same state-of-the-art security system complete with controls and miniature televisions so Scott can see all that is going on in the massive mansion. It is activated by voice-recognition as well and only available accessible by authorized personnel. Next to the picture is a tall bookcase that matches the one in Jean’s office in stature. It’s a different design but holds the same secret compartment to the *actual* safe. A few books are fashioned to appear as books but not so. When finding the latch the spines are actually binded together and slide to the side out to reveal a rectangular door leading to the safe, which is combination-protected. No one besides the four authorized X-Men know of this safe or how to use it. Again, when opening the sides at the same time, Scott can see into Jean’s office and vice versa.
To the left when entering the room is a large conference table which, along with the chairs takes up two-thirds of the first part of the room. If any parents need to have a conference with him or the X-men are called to his office, this is where it is at. It’s a large metal rectangular table capable of seating at least ten people, with matching black cushioned chairs seated all around it. A painting sits on the wall to the left and a small end table sits in the corner with a plant on it. Jean placed it there so she has more of a reason to come in and water it for him (as well as give his office a little of a homey appearance) and visit more than anything, knowing Scott had a lot more pressing matters than to remember to water his plant.
Past that is a small sink where Scott can get water or wash his hands, which Jean uses to get water for the plants. Above the sink is a cupboard with any utensils or cups necessary, and next to that a small counter with a coffeemaker capable of making tea or coffee for invited guests. The mini-fridge in Jean’s office serves as the fridge for the both of them and stores any perishables they might need or want, and Scott has a purpose or excuse to enter her office as well.
Past the counter, next to Scott’s desk, are two tall, large filing cabinets under heavy security, Scott deciding who knows the intricacies of getting inside them. Beside that is a small safe, but nothing of real importance is kept there. It’s more for show.
Beyond the large conference table in the first half of the room is Scott’s desk, a larger version of Jean’s. It’s more intimidating than Jean’s, spanning two-thirds of the room. It sits in front of a large bay window so Scott can look own down on the mansion grounds and see well beyond it. Large matching drapes like the ones in Jean’s office, but his in navy, hang over the windows and gold rope-like fasteners with tassels hold the drapes back. A desktop computer as well as a laptop computer sit at his desk with the required office supplies. A printer/fax machine sits off to the side. At least two pictures graces his desk of he and Jean on their wedding day, as well as one with the Professor. A nameplate stating, "Mr. Scott Summers" sits at the edge of his desk. To the right sits his phone, complete with intercom system, which is in better view for his eye. In front of his desk sit two slate-colored armchairs for visitors. Behind his desk Scott has a large comfortable black executive chair to sit on behind his desk.
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Post by Cyclops on Oct 25, 2005 21:04:42 GMT -5
Scott sat at his desk, an empty plate pushed to one side, sipping on a cup of coffee as he browsed through the electronic analysis from his Targeting class. Both his classes that morning had gone well. This latest group of students were bright and talented. A few of the younger ones couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if it were five feet in front of them, but with time, they would improve.
He had changed out of his training uniform into the shirt, slacks and tie Jean had picked out for him between classes. It wasn't that his combat clothes weren't comfortable and easy to move around in, he was just certain the students were distracted by them. And calculus was difficult enough without distractions, as the test scores of some of his students showed. Not the Cuckoos, of course. His girls; and even as much as they creeped him out at times, he still considered them more his and Jean's daughters than anything; always scored well on tests. As awkward as he could be around them, Scott was very proud of them. But like with everyone else but his wife, he kept his feelings to himself. It was his way, and he had a feeling the Cuckoos knew that.
Leaning back in his chair, Cyclops closed his eyes and carefully removed his sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses that tightly covered his eyes all the time made them sore and itchy, and sometimes he couldn't take it anymore and had to carefully rub them. Especially his damaged eye. It ached in the mornings, especially in the winter. A constant reminder of what had been lost that day, and why he could not rest, even if the world was at peace.
Letting out a long breath, Scott replaced his sunglasses and went back to the statistics on the screen before him. Busy, yet restless, like the rest of the X-Men. The problem with assembling a secret revolution, everything had to be kept under wraps at all times. Made everyone tense. He rubbed the back of his neck, noting the taut muscles. Maybe he should have joined in the early morning Danger Room session with the others, or taken Jean up on her offer.
Too late now though, for either. Hopefully, he'd get a chance at one or the other, or both later.
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Post by Phoenix on Oct 27, 2005 1:12:04 GMT -5
After spending some time assisting a few students after her Telekinesis and Kinetic Energy Class, Jean headed back towards her and Scott’s offices. For a while when she was teaching, she’d been distracted, thinking about the girls this morning. While Esme usually meant well (or so Jean hoped), she didn’t always say it in a way that displayed it. Or maybe she just said exactly what she wanted, because of how it might hurt someone. Jean hoped it wasn’t exactly that. With all the time she spent with the girls, Esme was one she always tried to reach, and on some levels, could understand her perfectly.
Feeling the wear and tear of the day begin to weigh down on her, Jean tried to clear her thoughts and focus on the tactical reports from the class she just taught, sifting through who would be partnered up with who for the next class. As always, some students preferred to be placed with their friends, but not big on segregating anyone, Jean would sporadically mix the pairs. It helped the students become familiar with someone not necessarily on their usual squad.
Unlocking the door to her office, Jean stepped in and closed the door, folder and empty coffee mug in hand. She could sense Scott in the other room, probably going over bills or some other matter than needed his attention. Walking to her desk she sat down and booted up her laptop, wanting to enter the students’ scores before taking a break.
As she began working, a sense of unsettling came over her. Barely there, and feather light, but it was there. Jean knew what it was. Just waiting. And watching. And existing. It was there ever since that life-altering battle between humans and mutants. It was that thing. What she’d agreed to harbor to save who she could of her family and friends. And it’s not like she was even able to save everyone, so part of her didn’t know what good it was to make the deal in the first place. But without it, the ones that were left might not be there today.
Closing her eyes, Jean sat completely still for a moment, willing the tempting urge to explore it down to the pit of her psyche. Once she felt sure again, felt safe, her eyes opened to stare at the blinking cursor on her monitor. No need to explore it anymore for now.
A soft ache of tiredness wafted through her mind, and it wasn’t hers, though Jean had begun to feel a bit of the same. Glancing up as if to see through the partition of their offices, Jean could just envision Scott pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to relax. Standing Jean used her teke to open the partitioning door between their offices and leaned against the doorway, watching him rub his neck for a moment before she entered.
"I was working on inputting the students’ grades from my T/K Class this morning and thought I’d take a break," Never mind the fact she’d only entered a handful of grades before deciding to take the break. The whole unsettling feeling of what rested deep inside her mind had irked her a little, not that she’d bring it up. It was over, and she could concentrate on more important things. She remembered her conversation with the girls in the kitchen, remembering to mention it after finding out about his day so far.
"How were your classes?" Jean had walked over and stood beside his desk, glancing over the paperwork laid out in front of him. < Neck sore? > Jean reverted back to their mental rapport, not out of necessity but more out of feeling comforted to feel him there. While it had been a huge risk to let him in and vice versa, she was ultimately glad they shared it with one another.
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Post by Catseye on Oct 28, 2005 20:40:26 GMT -5
She slipped into the room, intent on finding the bright yellow mouse that she'd hidden somewhere. It couldn't hide forever. Oh, no. And as soon as she found it, she was gonna... well, she was gonna just hide it again. That would teach it.
Darting toward the nearest bookcase, she slouched in the shadows. That mouse wasn't going to know what hit it. When she got her mouth on that mouse, she was going to... ooh, it looked like someone had missed the wastebasket! Leaping from her hiding place, the mouse completely forgotten, she attacked the little ball of paper, batting it across the room and chasing after it in a flash of purple. But wait, what was that?
She turned sharply. Was that mouse back? Leaping to the nearest chair, she walked along the top of it, trying to get a better view of the area. There was no way the mouse would escape. How were your classes? Her tail poofed up and she lost her footing, landing on the floor with a less than graceful thud. That was odd. She looked up and realized for the first time that there were people in the room. And they probably saw that. Not that there was a problem with that. She started to clean herself. No, she'd planned the whole thing. The whole leap from the chair. And no one could say otherwise.
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Post by Cyclops on Oct 31, 2005 15:18:23 GMT -5
"I was working on inputting the students’ grades from my T/K Class this morning and thought I’d take a break," Jean's voice from the doorway didn't really startle Scott. He'd felt her presence in the next room. She'd seemed troubled about something, but was calmer now.
Scott turned to look at her, and smile slightly, nodding. "A break sounds good," he agreed. "I'm almost finished with entering the scores from today's class anyway."
Jean was tense as well, he could feel it through their link. He wondered if it was from something that happened that day, or if she was just feeling his stress and it was rebounding. The mental link allowed them to feel each other's feeling and hear deliberate thoughts. It didn't tell them why the other felt that way.
She crossed over to him, standing next to his desk. "How were your classes?" she asked conversationally, then added through their link < Neck sore? >
Scott look up at her, now fully beginning to believe the tension he was feeling through the link was actually his wife being worried and stressed about something. He rolled his chair back a bit and titled it back some, studying her face intently. She was so beautiful, even perpetually tinted red. It bothered him that something was troubling her. He was supposed to be the one who worried about everything.
"Fine, the students' aims are improving. Most of then actually hit the target this time. And no one fell asleep in my calculus class. Can't really ask for more than that." Scott smile wryly at his own rather silly joke there. It wasn't his forte. And he truly wasn't in a joking mood anyway.
He took his wife's hand for a moment, looking into her eyes with his good one. < My neck is usually sore, > he told her, then pulled Jean gently in to his lap, reaching to run his fingers through her soft red hair. < Is something wrong, honey? > he asked directly. As horrible as he was at talking out his own feelings, he knew it was important to Jean. < Or I am so tense that it's starting to effect you? >
It was definitely a possibility. He couldn't imagine anyone being in his head for seven years couldn't avoid having some of his perpetual stress and tension get to them. How Jean dealt with all of it, he had no idea. She not only felt her own emotions, but she was linked into his all the time and could feel tinges of everyone else's. It must be overwhelming at times.
A loud thud caught his attention. His eye darted to the sound and he saw Betsy's stupid cat sitting on the floor, bathing herself. How did that dumb animal get in his office anyway? He let out a groan and grabbed the yellow smiley face stress ball off the desk. Scott would never hurt the damn feline, but he hated it in his office. Creepy animals, cats. Always staring at you like they know something you don't. Plus they were useless and untrainable. Why Sean had bought her for Betsy, he'd never know.
With precision most people with both eyes would envy, especially since he only had one and had a lapful of gorgeous red head in the way, Scott flung the soft, gel filled ball at Sharon, aiming so that it should go whizzing just over the top of her furry head. "Get out of here," he ordered sternly. "Scat!"
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Ash
Full Member
I'm stronger than you think
Posts: 170
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Post by Ash on Oct 31, 2005 16:52:01 GMT -5
Ash walked down the hall to Scott and Jean's offices, she was hoping that she would catch one of them before their classes started. She was in a much better mood that she had been that morning. The coffee had definantly done it's job, but she hdn't doubted that it would. She carried with her a folder that opened and began to look through the pages as she walked. She wanted to make sure she had everything before she got there. She hated wasting someones time, especially her own, and when it came to her students, nothing bothered her more than wasting time one them when it needn't happen.
She had finished grading the quizes that had detered her from practicing with her fellow teammates (stupid quizes) and had input the grades into her computer. Of course when she did that, a few of her students grades caught her eye. They weren't pretty, in fact they were so bad it called for administrative notification. She did hate taking up Scott and Jean's time and it seemed like such a trivial thing when compared to what the two had on their plates, but rules were rules after all.
Ash closed the folder. She had everything. Her eyebrows were drawn together in a slight frown. Perhaps it was her own fault that the students were failing. Perhaps she should force them to study with her. She quickly forced a wry smile off her face. Study with her? Please! The students would rather sell their souls to the devil. It wasn't that she was a bad teacher, but she wasn't the most friendly one either. Still, she did her duty and she even tutored some students when they needed it. These particular students... well, they weren't her favorites and neither was she theirs. It was partially her fault that she hadn't noticed the decline in their grades till now, but she would not go as far as to take all the blame. The kids were old enough to know when they needed help, and they should have come to her when she didn't go to them.
Ash knocked on Scotts door and then tucked a stray peice of hair behind her ear. "Scott, Jean? It's Ash, are you there?" She knew that if Jean was there she would sense Ash and probably come to the door, but she added anyway her anyway.
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Post by Catseye on Nov 1, 2005 1:16:25 GMT -5
She looked up as something whizzed past her head. It was yellow. And possibly mouse-like. Glancing around, she heard it make a bouncing noise in the hallway. As fast as she could, she spun and bolted out of the room, speeding in-between Ash's legs without once looking at her. After skidding to a stop in the hallway, she spotted her prey, a yellow stress ball. And it was smiling. Oh, the nerve. What right did that ball have, gloating like that?
And so she pounced. After a brief struggle, the ball was cornered. It was slippery, but it hadn't taken into account her claws. Or teeth. Soon, she had it in her mouth. She trotted back into the offices happily, jumping onto Scott's desk and presenting him with her captured prey. Puffing herself up, she looked at him proudly. She'd caught it. She was the best.
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 2, 2005 0:23:18 GMT -5
"A break sounds good," Scott glanced up and smiled a little, "I'm almost finished with entering the scores from today's class anyway." Jean could see the reports from where she stood before she’d walked over. It usually never took him too long, even with the loss of an eye. His right eye took over most functions of the missing left, except for the whole peripheral vision thing.
Jean watched as he paused to study her when she asked about classes and his neck. There were no thoughts flying around in his head, and no strong emotions emanating from their bond, so she couldn’t pick up on what he was thinking. Finally he spoke after a moment, "Fine, the students' aims are improving. Most of then actually hit the target this time. And no one fell asleep in my calculus class. Can't really ask for more than that." Chuckling a bit Jean nodded, agreeing. It was a miracle some of the students didn’t pass out from staying up too late, or out of sheer boredom, which seems to run rampant around the school whenever homework comes up.
Surprisingly Scott took her hand and found her gaze, locking onto it. < My neck is usually sore, > Jean was about to reply when he pulled her into his lap. Usually when he was working Scott concentrated solely on his work, so she wasn’t expecting it. Some of the tension eased out of her shoulders as his hands ran through her hair. This was indeed a nice break. < Is something wrong, honey? Or I am so tense that it's starting to effect you? >
Jean gave him a soft smile, placing her hand over his on her lap. It was really sweet of him to ask, seeing as expressing emotional issues weren’t exactly his forté. Thinking back to how she’d been feeling in her office, her smile faded and she glanced away. < It’s not you. I think I’m just tired.. > Not exactly a lie, since she was feeling tired, but she didn’t want to worry him when there were so many other important things to tend to. This was something Jean did to herself, and she could handle it. Or so she convinced herself. She hoped the doubt she felt wasn’t too evident. That bond of theirs had both pros and cons, not letting her hide what she was feeling, but she knew that when they made it. And she knew he would pick up on how she was feeling.
A soft thud on the ground stopped Scott from replying and caused Jean to glance over, seeing Betsy’s cat, Sharon, on the floor. Smiling a little, Jean wondered just how she’d gotten into the office. She must have entered when Scott did, since Jean didn’t let her in and usually their offices were locked and alarmed when they weren’t in. Jean was just about to try to call Sharon over when Scott picked up that smilie stress ball he had on his desk and threw it at her, right over her head. "Get out of here. "Scat!"
“Scott!” Jean exclaimed, mock-stern but a hint of laughter behind her eyes. He wasn’t particularly fond of cats. Probably because they couldn’t be trained to obey your every command and follow orders. Sharon took off after the ball though, not seeming to mind the projectile. In fact, she seemed to enjoy it. “Looks like she’s having fun going after it,” Jean teased slightly. She had a feeling Scott was going to bring up the tension and worry from before, but Jean turned slightly towards the door, feeling a familiar mental signature approaching. Ash was coming to speak with them, and from the emotions she was emitting she wasn’t exactly happy.
Seconds later Ash knocked on Scott’s door, "Scott, Jean? It's Ash, are you there?" Of course their few minutes of a needed break would end all too soon. Their offices were usually pretty busy, so Jean should’ve expected it. “Back to work again,” Releasing a sigh, Jean leaned in and gave Scott a gentle kiss before she smiled slightly and stood up again, knowing how Scott didn’t like to show too much PDA. Standing beside him at his desk, Jean called out, “Yes, Ash. We’re both here. Come on in.”
Just as she finished, Sharon came to a near skidding halt on Scott’s desk, returning with the yellow stress ball, sitting extremely tall and proud of herself. Laughing, Jean reached over to pet Sharon while turning to Scott, “Now that you played with her, she’s going to keep coming back, you know,” Scott had succeeded in getting Sharon to leave, but if he kept throwing things that she could retrieve, she would indeed be back. Chuckling, Jean pet Sharon on her head and down her back, and then gave her a congratulatory rub underneath her chin that cats like so much. After a few moments she retracted her hand and redirected her attention back to their latest visitor.
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Cuckoos
New Member
Five Minds One Purpose
Posts: 39
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Post by Cuckoos on Nov 2, 2005 2:08:42 GMT -5
Esme was heading toward the Mrs. Jean’s and Mr. Scott’s office. She liked to be tough and to act like she did not care. But the fact that she had let Mrs. Grey down had bothered her through out all her classes. Also the rest of collective was busy being angry...but what the hell was new about that.
She turned the corner and saw that at the door stood Ms. Ash, "Scott, Jean? It's Ash, are you there?"
“Yes, Ash. We’re both here. Come on in.” Mrs. Grey’s voice sounded from inside.
Esme had finally reached the door and stood next to her teacher, she smiled , “You can go in now.” she said as she opened the door and walked in.
In the office Mr. Summers was seated, behind him standing was Mrs. Grey. Esme had been to their office plenty of times. After all they were almost the Cuckoos’ real parents, but there was a sight that shocked her, on the Mr. Summers’ desk stood Psycloke’s cat, all proud. Mr. Summers was not know for his love of the cuddling animals.
“Ms. Grey I would like to talk to you but if you are busy I can come back later.” Esme said, she knew Mrs. Grey would know what it was all about.
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Ash
Full Member
I'm stronger than you think
Posts: 170
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Post by Ash on Nov 2, 2005 9:22:18 GMT -5
Ash when something breezed between her legs. She cast her gaze around the hall till it landed on a purple cat... She raised an eyebrow and glared at the cat. She thought she had made it clear the cat wasn't supposed to surprise her like that, of course why she thought a cat would understand anything... Her glare turned into a smile that she tried to wipe of her face, though didn't quite succed, as the cat grab a yellow ball and shot through the door once more. It was hard not to laugh at the cat when she was playing, even those who hated cats. They were jus so... Dizty.
A Stepford girl appeared around one corner and smiled up at Ash. Ash wasn't sure which Stepford it was, but was actually thankful to the purple cat, because now she was already smiling and wouldn't have to put one up on her face. She hated the fact that it was so hard for her to be comfortable around students, but they just made her edgy... of course if pressed she'd have to admit that the Stepfords were bearable... besides, they'd been around forever. If she wasn't at least a little comfortable around them, she'd have to be hopless.
Jean's voice floated through the slightly open door and Ash straightened her shoulders, making sure once more she had her folder, and the Stepford opened the door, remarking that she could go in now. Ash balked as the Stepford disapeard into the office. She couldn't decide wether to be mad or laugh. No student had ever told her what she could do or not. They'd be too scared. She realized as she wiped her face of emotion that she had decided to laugh since the grin that had been on her face was the award winning grin of the day.
When she finally entered the room she had to avert her gaze from the student as a small smile formed on her lips again. She really didn't want to make the girl feel bad, but really, it was funny. She cleared her throat, "If Miss Stepford needs you Jean, then I can talk with Scott, I really only need one of you." Her voice still held a bit of merriment, but not too much. Her gaze landed on the cat and little yellow ball at it's feet, "Scott... I thought you didn't like cats, did I miss a newsflash?"
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Post by Cyclops on Nov 2, 2005 21:30:19 GMT -5
Jean laid her hand on his, and he could almost feel her stifling her worry to keep it from him. < It’s not you. I think I’m just tired.. > He knew he should probably push her to tell him, but he felt a bit better when she relaxed against him. Perhaps she was just tired. They all were.
Sharon went careening out of his office after the stress ball, cheering Jean considerably and making Scott feel as if he'd scored a minor victory against the feline intruder.
Only to be interrupted by Ash. "Scott, Jean? It's Ash, are you there?"
Cyclops let out a long breath as Jean extracted herself from his lap. “Back to work again,” she murmured to him, giving his a soft kiss before calling out to the young teacher. “Yes, Ash. We’re both here. Come on in.” Scott reluctantly let her go, immediately putting on his usual calm, stoic expression. There was always work to be done. The few moments they stole for themselves were only putting it off for a little while.
To make matters worse, Scott's plan to rid himself of the furry purple menace backfired. Completely. Sharon came trotting back into the room, the yellow stress ball in her mouth and hopped up on his desk, dropping in and looking incredibly pleased with herself.
Yes, some tactical genius he was. Outsmarted by an animal.
Jean seemed even more amused by this then when she'd gone chasing after the ball. "Now that you played with her, she’s going to keep coming back, you know,” she teased, traitorously rewarding the purple furball with petting and a good scritch.
Evil creature, it was trying to steal his wife now. He glowed at Sharon from behind his ruby-quartz sunglasses.
To Scott's surprise, it was not Ash who entered, but Esme. It had taken a few years for him to tell the girls apart, but he had learned. She looked at Jean. “Ms. Grey I would like to talk to you but if you are busy I can come back later.”
Ash came in a few seconds after Esme, actually smiling. Maybe she didn't have bad news then. He could hope. Jean was about the only member of the staff who ever came into his office unless they had something dire to talk about. Well, two, if you count the cat, who was just bad news herself.
"If Miss Stepford needs you Jean, then I can talk with Scott, I really only need one of you." Her voice still held a bit of merriment, but not too much. Her gaze landed on the cat and little yellow ball at it's feet, "Scott... I thought you didn't like cats, did I miss a newsflash?"
Scott rolled his eye behind his sunglasses and rose from his desk. < Go ahead, honey, > he told Jean, letting a bit of his concern for what might be troubling Esme show through the link. < I'll deal with whatever is bothering Ash. >
"No, some cat missed the memo," he countered wryly, trying to grab Sharon by her scruff. If he caught her, she was going out into the hallway, where she could go pester someone else. "What can I do for you Ash?"
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Post by Catseye on Nov 2, 2005 23:45:11 GMT -5
She purred as Jean scratched her, tilting her head up as she rubbed under her chin. Her eyes started to close, and for some reason the talking in the room, which was usually nothing but murmur, came into focus. “Ms. Grey I would like to talk to you but if you are busy I can come back later.” She looked over at the girl, cocking her head to the side. Ms. Grey... who was that? Was that a person?Looking over at the woman scratching her, she connected the dots. Red lady was Ms. Grey.
"Scott... I thought you didn't like cats, did I miss a newsflash?" Her head whipped around again as another voice said something. Cats. That was her. Didn't like... Scott. Glasses man didn't like cats? Then why did he throw the ball for her? She frowned at him. Well, it was as close as a frown as she could get. "No, some cat missed the memo," And then he grabbed for her. Backing up, her ears laid back and she growled at him. Why was he being mean?
She turned, ready to make an exit. No way was she going to stay around Glasses man if he didn't like her. She'd thought they were friends. But no. Now they weren't. Throwing her chin in the air, she gracefully turned to jump off the desk, almost running into one of the two girls. Flinching, she backed up toward Glasses man, then remembered that he didn't like her and instead leapt off the desk, hissing once at him before trotting out of the room.
((Catseye goes... somewhere))
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Post by Phoenix on Nov 3, 2005 23:22:15 GMT -5
Another presence approached their offices, and Jean picked up on the distinct signature of one of her girls. Esme, to be precise. Jean had been wanting to speak with Esme about this morning, and she had a feeling that’s what Esme wanted to discuss as well.
“Ms. Grey I would like to talk to you but if you are busy I can come back later.” Esme was the first to enter and Ash followed after, a small smile on her face. Jean guessed something had transpired out in the hallway, but it didn’t seem to be anything too important.
"If Miss Stepford needs you Jean, then I can talk with Scott, I really only need one of you." Her voice still held a bit of merriment, but not too much. Her gaze landed on the cat and little yellow ball at it's feet, "Scott... I thought you didn't like cats, did I miss a newsflash?"
Though she wasn’t looking at him, Jean knew Scott rolled his eyes. He was never a cat person. Dog person, maybe, but never cats. < Go ahead, honey, > Jean felt his concern for Esme and gave him a small reassuring smile as he stood, < I'll deal with whatever is bothering Ash. > At least they were off the subject of her uneasiness. She knew Scott wouldn’t be put off so easily, but for now it could wait.
"No, some cat missed the memo," he countered wryly, trying to grab Sharon by her scruff. If he caught her, she was going out into the hallway, where she could go pester someone else. "What can I do for you Ash?” Jean glanced in surprise as Scott tried to grab Sharon, but the friendly cat had other ideas. She growled before hissing, and finally leapt off the desk, strutting outside as if she owned the place. Cats usually do though, and so it wasn’t too big of a surprise.
< Looks like you lost a friend, Sweetie. > Jean’s eyes were light as she glanced at Scott. Returning to the task at hand she added, < If you need me, just call. > Jean knew he’d understand. They could have in-depth conversations while doing something else completely different. It came in handy during those required mundane meetings, or when they had to listen to multiple sittings of the latest teenage tragedies amongst the students, and sometimes the other teachers.
Nodding to Ash, Jean smiled, "We’ll be in my office then," Turning her attention to Esme, Jean gave her a reassuring look before she waited for her to exit through the partitioning door which led to Jean’s office. Following after her, she closed the door to give them some privacy.
Jean’s office had a much more homely feel than Scott’s, but that was typical of the couple. Scott was more of a minimalist, where Jean liked to add little touches here and there, not minding a little clutter from a few knickknacks. Students have fallen asleep on her couch before, or come down to visit for someplace quite to study if Jean wasn’t too busy with work. They often left things in her office, only to have to pick them up sometime later whenever they remembered. Which wasn’t too often. Jean had somehow acquired an array of items that included different colored pens, a bike helmet, a spatula (?), some sort of goo in a can that she couldn’t quite identify, and leg warmers. She should probably start auctioning them off at some point. Maybe pick up some extra money on the side. Jean shook her head slightly and smiled at the thought before returning her attention to Esme.
Taking a seat on the left side of the couch, Jean motioned for Esme to join her, "Have a seat wherever you like," She left the couch open if Esme wanted to sit near her. Her features approachable, she looked at one of her ‘daughters’ expectantly, but letting her know she was open to talk about whatever she wished. Jean knew it had to do with this morning, and was glad Esme came to speak with her.
"I’m glad you came to see me, Esme. You know how much I care about you girls. All of you," Jean gave her most rebellious girl a reassuring smile, giving the young girl a starting off point. "What would you like to—" A soft pull, one she hadn’t felt in years tugged at the back of her mind. She’d blocked that signature so long ago, and hadn’t been able to fully reopen it. Sure, she’d graced by it in her mind every now and again, but that was so she wouldn’t forget. Somehow, she knew she never would. A mother never forgets the touch and feel of her child.
"—discuss?" Jean finished softly, her mind distracted for a moment as her heart thudded heavily against her chest. Unable to block her emotions from her bond with her husband, she tried to calm herself. It couldn’t be. He was—he was gone. It had to be that thing inside her, playing with her emotions. A flash of anger crossed Jean’s features for the briefest of seconds. How dare that thing try to play with her.
..But it had felt so real. A memory of the past come to haunt her. Hesitating, Jean tried to concentrate solely on Esme, listening to the girl speak. Part of her couldn’t help but reach out mentally, ever so slowly drawn to the mental signature.
< Scott-- I think there's something--or someone-- It has to do with-- > An image of their baby flashed through her mind over their link. She couldn't bare to say his name just yet. Unable to speak too coherently because of the flood of senses, Jean's sentences were slightly broken.
Only Sean, Betsy, and Scott knew of what had happened, and Jean knew none of them would do something so cruel. Betsy was the only other one who could sense mental signatures, and even she might not remember what Nathan's was. Not in the way that Jean knew him. If this was some kind of sick, twisted joke, after she got some answers, Jean was going to make this person hurt in ways never thought possible. Trying to stay as calm as possible, she skimmed the surface of the newcomer's mind, as light as possible without invading, trying to make sense of what was going on outside.
< May we help you? > Deciding the resemblence to their child's mental signature was too much, Jean's apprehension and need for answers took over, asking the new visitor via telepathy, trying to be as civil as possible. She barely registered Warren's presence. So help this newcomer if he was screwing with them. Trying her hardest to not search through his mind to get some answers, Jean held her breath while waiting his reply.
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Cuckoos
New Member
Five Minds One Purpose
Posts: 39
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Post by Cuckoos on Nov 4, 2005 3:41:26 GMT -5
"If Miss Stepford needs you Jean, then I can talk with Scott, I really only need one of you." Ms. Ash said, her voice still held a bit of merriment, but not too much. Her gaze landed on the cat and little yellow ball at it's feet, "Scott... I thought you didn't like cats, did I miss a newsflash?" Esme rolled her eyes at the last comment.
"No, some cat missed the memo," Mr. Summers said as he tried to grab the cat, she hissed at him before jumping away. Then she raised her head high and walked away. Cats were Esme‘s kind of pet, no one could tell them what to do, "What can I do for you Ash?”
Mrs. Grey then said, "We’ll be in my office then," as she motioned to the door connecting to her private office. Esme went in first with Jean following close behind her. Esme smiled when they entered the office, her and the Cuckoos sometimes used this place as their personal get-a-way, it was not necessary all of them together. Some other students visited Mrs. Grey as well. She was one of the easiest teachers to feel relaxed with.
"Have a seat wherever you like," Mrs. Grey said as she sat down on the couch, and Esme decided to take the place right next to her.
She smiled at Esme and said, "I’m glad you came to see me, Esme. You know how much I care about you girls. All of you," Esme looked down at her hands, and said, “I know.” "What would you like to—" then Mrs. Grey seemed to stop, the next word came out softly, "—discuss?"
But Esme had notice the change of tone and the look that had come over her mother’s face, “What’s wrong?” she asked. Mrs. Grey was incredibly powerful and talented, if she wanted to she could shield everything away. But she had also been training the girls in her footsteps. These five girls that were also part super-sentinel. And when something distressing happens emotions tend to bleed out no matter what shielding there is. Esme could sense great anguish, “Are you ok? Should I get Mr. Summers?”
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Post by Psylocke on Nov 4, 2005 14:56:48 GMT -5
((Cross posted from War Room))
Shutting down the connection, she mentally reached out for one of her oldest and dearest friends, and said, <Scott, sorry for the interruption but there's a teenager at the front door and Warren's edgy. As our wonderful administrators, do you think you or Jean can go intervene? The boy seems to have some metallic parts but I didn't sense anything hostile about him.> She kept the channel open while she waited for his reply.
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