xp_logs | Mutants and Molotovs: The View from the Hotel

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The field trip having been firmly derailed, Jean checks in on some of the kids and she and Jubilee talk for a bit.

Jubilee stood a little back from the window, watching the glow of the small fires that had broken out due to the rioting. She couldn't understand what people thought they'd accomplish with so much needless destruction. Did they really think people would be more willing to listen to their point of view if they scared them enough?

She sighed and took another bite of the chocolate bar she was holding. She'd need the boost, considering they didn't know how long these people were going to be running about out there.

She turned her head and looked at the other's in the room. Some had laptops open, obviously feeling the need to get their feelings out on the journal system. Some were standing at other windows, looking out as she was.

Most everyone had gathered together in one of the bigger rooms. Jean understood the impulse behind it, and approved, both because it was good for them to know that they weren't alone, and because it made checking in on them so much easier. Slipping inside she scanned the room, both with her eyes and her powers. Catching Jubilee's gaze, she smiled. #Hey, sweetie. How are you doing?# she sent silently.

It was always a little strange, hearing a voice that was definitely _not_ you in your head. But Jubilee had lived with telepaths for so long that it seemed normal, even if she knew it wasn't something that other people, people outside the mansion might consider so.

#Not so good. Or, well, not frightened or upset but worried...Yeah, that's the word. I'm worried. People are totally insane out there, and I don't think everyone's gotten out like we did. # Jubilee thought, knowing that while she wasn't a 'path, Jean would still be able to pick the thought out of her head.

Giving reassuring shoulder squeezes and small hugs as she made her way across the room, Jean nodded faintly. #I understand,# she sent. #I'm glad you're not frightened, but I understand the worry.# Finally coming to stand beside Jubilee, she gazed out the window for a few seconds. "Fear and anger," she finally said. "That's what this sort of thing is really about. You're probably right, there are people who won't have been able to get out of the way. Right now... Well, I wish there was more we could do, but there isn't. Yet."

"Yeah. But later... It's what I've been thinkin' about, makes it easier not to go spare when all we can do is watch from here. Still, takin' care of the others here helps too." Jubilee replied, noting a car driving fast down the street their hotel was on. "Wonder where they're goin'?"

Jean's eyes tracked the car. "Hopefully, off the streets. Home, maybe." She even managed a smile for the sake of one of the younger kids who'd drawn close to listen to them, although the briefest touch to the mind behind the wheel had told her it wasn't true. But already they were racing around a corner and out of sight. "Thank you for helping with the kids, by the way. And later. Thank you in advance."

"You don't have to. Thank me, that is." Jubilee replied, pulling the curtain closed on the window. They didn't need to see any more of what was out there. "But thanks anyway. How you holding up? Bein' a telepath in all this can't be a walk in the park."

Oddly touched by Jubilee's desire to take care of her as well as the children, Jean raised a hand to tuck a few lose strands of hair behind the girl's ear. "I'm all right," she said. "And I may not have to, but I would like to anyway. You've grown into a wonderful young woman, Jubilee."

Jubilee blushed, pushing her hair back over her shoulder to hide the sudden shyness she felt. She tried hard to do the right thing, to make them proud of her. But she wasn't used to hearing that she'd actually succeeded. "Thanks, Jean. Although you totally got me all blushy now. Wouldn't be who I am now if you guys hadn't cared enough to keep me on the right track, ya know? Even when I was bein' a total brat about it."

"The brattiness, and your willingness to apologize for it, is part of your charm," Jean said, smiling. "Don't knock it." Her eyes unfocused slightly, and she sighed. Blinking again she said, "And I need to go. I'm needed..."

"Okay." Jubilee replied, leaning back against the wall. "Just take care of yourself, hey?"

"I will," Jean promised. "And you, too, sweetie. Don't worry yourself too much." She gave Jubilee a little half hug. "I'll see you later."