A Night on the Grounds

[x-psylocke.livejournal.com]

Wednesday evening, 9pm


Elisabeth: wipes brow, "So, what did you want to ask me?"

Alison: *leans back, looking down the path of the mansion
leading to the front gates with a slight frown* I was wondering if
you'd mind giving me some extra tutoring. To complement Emma's
self-defense course?

Elisabeth: *stops walking and turns to face Alison, a
grimace playing on her face* Why would you want extra lessons, I mean, you did well for your first class.

Alison: *shrugs, shaking her head but dredging up a wry grin for Betsy* I'm... *she trails off, not sure how to put into words that Emma intimidates her at times - and how uncomfortable it makes her to know Emma can essentially root through her mind if she wants to* It's not reasonable. It's just - I'd like to learn as much as I can on this.

Elisabeth: *Unfortunately, Alison's thoughts come through, against Betsy's block.* I'll be happy to help...*Part of Betsy wants to push through the thin veil between the two women, but she resists* It's alright, but I have to warn you, it's not easy and I won't make it easy on you. It'll be the best way you'll learn.

Elisabeth: and I learned that from Emma and the Professor.

Alison: *grins wryly and nods* I can deal with that. I've been through more than a bit of learning that way. *she sighs in relief, breathing a bit easier* Thanks. It means a lot to me. I appreciate this.

Elisabeth: *nudges Alison's shoulder with hers* How could you
doubt me not helping you. I'd receive some cosmic form of retribution for being mean to the "nice one." *wry grin*

Alison: *laughs out sharply, both in amusement and a bit of
consternation* Oh, you'll find out there's more to me than that soon
enough, I'd say. *she shakes her head, flicking the rollerblades so
that one wheel spins* I've got a hell of a temper when I let loose.
*she slides a sidelong look to Betsy* Sides, if there's anyone more
even tempered here that I know of so far, it'd be you.

Elisabeth: *Another sliver of thought from Alison voices itself in Betsy's mind* You're not kidding. *pauses and smiles* You did have fun as the rocker, yes, I definitely see the green room as a good place to be. *Betsy tilts her head as she focuses on a closer thought* And that sound guy.......nice.

Alison: *her thoughts waver and skitter ever so briefly, before settling again - central among those is the oddly solid knowledge that Betsy won't pry beyond surface thoughts ? though she knows even those can say far more than she might want* Yes. He was. I miss my road crew. But - I'm liking it here too. *Alison frowns slightly, but pushed any thought of that away before Betsy can read them, tucking them deeper away as was mentioned in the class that morning*

Eliabeth : *A door slams shut between the two and it throws
Betsy off-balance and she tips forward, disoriented.*

Elisabeth : *Betsy grabs at the side of her head* Well, if you wanted to keep that image to yourself, you could've said something. You may not know this, but that hurts.

Alison: *Alison winces, reaching out to help steady Betsy* Damn. Sorry. It's - I can't even go there myself. *she sighs at saying that much, then laughs at herself quietly* I didn't mean to do that quite so harshly. See what I meant about the extra practice?

Elisabeth :*No anger from the other woman as she shakes her head in amusement* But then again, I can see why you want to keep nice image to yourself. *Betsy stops and the smile falls from her face, as she feels Alie's uneasiness. She lets out a frustrated sigh* I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that.

Alison : *she shrugs, a self-deprecating half smile edging on
her lips, knowing what tends to muddy her thoughts most of the time
these days and seeing no use in being upset with Betsy ? having
essentially invited her in already, after all* It had to happen sooner or later. I'd rather it be you than Emma or the Professor. Though for all I know he's know all along anyway. Gah. Can you believe I used to swear I'd never act in a soap opera. Imagine the irony.

Elisabeth : *leans against the statue of a lion, in front of the school steps.* Funny, how life does that. Giving you the things you don't think you want, and yet it becomes exactly what you need. *she pushes up from the statue and they walk up the steps. *Yet, in the end, it manages all to figure itself out.

Alison: *an unpleasant sensation coils in her chest, and her
breath hitches slightly as they walk* It better figure itself out. I
don't think I'm going to do too well at dealing with this if it goes on or gets even more complicated. Not that there wasn't any melodrama aplenty when I was touring - but at least then I either managed to stay out of it. That or I'd yell it down. *she winces at last, but amusement is present as well*

Elisabeth: How does this make you feel, with Sam and all?

Alison: *the first response is automatic, and Alison isn't sure whether to be surprised or not at it* Angry. I - wow. *she moves to sit down on the school steps, shrugging a bit helplessly* I hate it when I get mopey. Honestly sincerely do. I try to avoid being like that as much as I can. Sometimes it catches up sure, but I just cry or talk to someone and that's that. But this - I'm not doing so good with this. *she pauses, looking ahead absently* I think I've got a whole lot more of sorting out to do before I can manage anything on this one. And I usually do a lot better at figuring out how I'm feeling than I am with this. So yeah. Feeling trapped. Not knowing where to go or what to do. Angry. *she shrugs, not sure she can talk any more about it right now,
starting to feel the familiar sensation of constriction around her
chest*

Elisabeth: *Betsy hand reaches out for Alison and places a firm grasp on her shoulder.* I think that on the road, you had the
opportunity to isolate yourself. Here, you can't do that and mostly,
the others won't let you. Part of being the adult is accepting the
truth, and the truth is, both of them have no idea what they want.
Cliché as it maybe, give them time.

Elisabeth *pauses* Alison, did Piotr ever tell you who he was interested in? This other guy?

Alison: *the grumbling returned* No.

Elisabeth: *Betsy suppresses a knowing look and nods briefly*

Alison: *deciding a shift of topic will be understood, howeverunsubtle it is, Alison shifts on the step slightly and then grins* That was something else with Emma. *She chuckles at Kitty calling the event, "The Cat Fight."*

Eliszabeth : *purses her lips* Indeed. We are both very opinionated.

Alison: I didn't think anyone could hold their own
against her. *she rolls her eyes, hating to admit that thought.*

Elisabeth : Glad I didn't have to find that out.

Alison: *snorts quietly, raising an eyebrow at her* I'd whimper in the corner before I'd take her on.

Elisabeth: *Betsy laughs outright at Alison.* I don't think you know how to whimper. Besides, it's not the image I'd like to have whenever Emma's nearby.

Alison: chuckles and makes clawing gestures* Grrr. Argh. How
about that one? It's all Kitty's fault, I swear.

Elisabeth: *wears a blank face* It's very rude to make gestures to someone who can't see.

Alison: I forget you can't, actually. *winces and clasps her
hands behind her back - then blinks and slides Betsy a suspicious look* You're messing with my head, aren't you? *she reaches back and thumps Betsy lightly on the arm, and starts to laugh* Wicked woman!

Elisabeth: I couldn't help it. I can't be serious for too long, I'll get a wrinkle. *she stops laughing and adds* And then I'd have to hurt you.

Alison: *laughs at Betsy's solemn expression* If there's ever a poker game here, I want you on my team. That or I'm just not playing against you. *she grins cheerfully, then raises an eyebrow* You know...we should start a team poker game here... you and me on one team, of course. *she grins at the idea as she opens the door to the Mansion for the both of them*

Elisabeth: *grins* Maybe someday, I'd love to play. Come on, I'd like to start your first lesson tonight and it's later than I'd plan. Clean up and I'll meet you in the library, in let's
say, an hour?

Alison: Deal! *nods firmly and then heads for the stairs*