xp_logs | Log: Alison, Jamie, about 3 PM Monday

x-crowdofone.livejournal.com posting in

x_crowdofone: *Jamie sits alone in his room at the computer, hunched toward the screen, frowning; his back's to the door, which is cracked open, but he's staring at the screen as if he's trying to brand it on the back of his skull.*

x_dazzler: *someone raps at the door three times*

x_crowdofone: *dully* It's open. Nobody here but me, though.

x_dazzler: *opens the door quietly, and peeks inside, noting the unusually somber look on the boy's face* Hey... mind if I come in? Nothing embarassing for me to trip on?

x_crowdofone: *starts slightly, turns around* Oh, Ms. Blaire. Um, no, I keep the room pretty neat, come on in, I'm just studying. *turns back to the screen; it's one of the sociology links he posted to his journal*

x_dazzler: *she walks in and stops nearby, noting the content of the screen in passing but not making a show of peeking over his shoulder* How are you doing?

x_crowdofone: All right, I guess. I just--this isn't really what I'm looking for, it's talking about the wrong things. Ms. Munroe said I could borrow some textbooks from her, but I . . . *eyes her sidelong, nervous* How much trouble am I in?

x_dazzler: Well... *Alison smiles wryly, and leans on the edge of his desk* Why don't you tell me what being in a little or a lot of trouble means to you, and I'll try to help you figure it out from there? But I can tell you this right off - you're not being kicked out, Jamie.

x_crowdofone: I just--well, that's good . . . it's just--why don't they say anything? Ms. Munroe was . . . really mad, and she said I might have to talk to her again with Mr. Summers and the Professor, and then she didn't do anything, and let me go to the park and everything, and Mr. Summers was friendly, there, and . . . *runs out of breath, looks up pleadingly* I don't know what I need to do to make it right, Ms. Blaire, I really don't, and I'm trying, but I don't want to mess up again, and what if they're saving up for something really awful?

x_dazzler: I think you had a good start with that apology, Jamie. *she reaches out and lays a reassuring hand on his shoulder* Did you understand why Ororo was so upset with the prank?

x_crowdofone: *points to screen* I'm starting to, I think. And that was the big thing, because I didn't think first, and I should have. *swallows* And then I made it worse the next day, didn't I? Because I didn't think again, I just assumed Kitty'd gotten in trouble already, and went around trying to get them to blame me." *frowns again* But if I did something like that at home . . . well, Mom and Dad would still expect me to figure out what I did wrong but I'd have to do extra chores, or, or something. I'd know what was going on. That's the worst part, waiting for them to decide how I'm going to be punished.

x_dazzler: *she nods, smiling at him calmly* You're still young Jamie. But you're taking steps to figure out the whys of all this on your own, and it says a lot that you're doing so.
x_dazzler: *she lets her hand drop from his shoulder, crossing her arms* If it helps any, they've just been too busy with things to take the time to think of your punishment. *she looks out the window briefly, then back at him* A lot of things have been happening here lately, as you have some idea of. It's taken a lot of their attention.

x_crowdofone: I did figure out it was something else bothering Kitty, but I--well, I started thinking again, I guess, and decided it wasn't my business and I'd just be there to help, and not ask. But I couldn't figure out what to do about all the teachers being mad at me. I'm so glad you're not.

x_dazzler: Well, I was a bit busy being upset with me over it. *she admits this easily* I did have a part of this, and I knew you were up to something after. I had a talk with Ororo over it as well, you know. It wasn't just you and Kitty.

x_crowdofone: But it was mostly me. *smiles slightly* I was a real idiot., there's no getting around that. I just . . . What Mr. Summers said. About talking to somebody? I always could at home, even when Mom and Dad were mad, but here . . . *ticks off on his fingers* Ms. Munroe was really mad, and I thought she'd talked to Mr. Summers and the Professor, and Mr. Logan is . . . well, Mr. Logan, and Ms. Frost and Ms. Braddock make me kind of nervous, and I just . . . felt like I had to measure up, all by myself, and I didn't know to what. *pauses* Kurt helped, though, he said some things in one of my posts that helped me think. But other than that . . . I'm glad you came and found me.

x_dazzler: *she nods pensively at his words* It's hard to know how to measure up if you're not surewhat the standard is. *she tilts her head, thinking over his words* I can understand what you mean about some of the staff. It's a pretty abrupt transition for you, from living on the farm with only your parents, to suddently being surrounded by this many adults and other kids, isnt' it?

x_crowdofone: It's been great. I haven't really had friends since I left my old school--I mean, I pretty much disappeared for six months and couldn't tell them why, you know? But it's harder, too. More complicated. I didn't see that, at first.

x_dazzler: More things to figure out, about interacting with a larger group of very different individuals, mmm?

x_crowdofone: Yeah. And a lot easier to mess up. I haven't been new anywhere in a really long time.
x_crowdofone: *hastily* But that's not an excuse. I'm not trying to make excuses.

x_dazzler: *nods quietly* Tring to understand a situation without making excuses is ok, Jamie. *smiles* Are you going to borrow those books from Ororo?

x_crowdofone: I . . . think she's probably going to want to talk to me some more if I do. And I'm kind of scared about that. But I do want to understand what I did, so I don't do it again by accident. And I'm not doing any more pranks until I know everybody well enough.
x_crowdofone: Do you think I should?

x_dazzler: *she nods firmly* Yes. Talk to Ororo. Show her you're willing to learn. She offered to lend you those books for a reason, after all. *she smiles reassuringly* And waiting until you're sure you know everyone well enough before indulging in more pranking is a sound notion.

x_crowdofone: Well. *smiles* I'm only an idiot part-time, I hope, and I'm doing my best to get fired from that. So I guess I'd better. It's actually pretty interesting on its own, even the stuff that doesn't really apply. *pauses, looks up curiously* D'you suppose she's got a copy of the school rules, too? I mean, dumb question, she probably does, but do you think it'd be okay if I asked for that too? About the only reason I'm not in more trouble is I don't know what the rules are, she said, but I bet I've used up all my newbie credit.

x_dazzler: *she shakes her head gently* No school rule book, Jamie.

x_crowdofone: Well, all right, then. That would've been too easy, I guess. *long pause* Can I ask you stuff, then? If I get confused? I mean--I know you haven't been here that long either, I'm pretty sure I could guess about how long, even--but you're easy to talk to. I don't want to be a pest, though.
x_crowdofone: Well. Any more of one, anyway.

x_dazzler: *blinks in mild surprise, then smiles and nods* Yes, ask me. If I don't have the answers, I'll try to find them for you. It'll help me too, really, when you think about it.

x_crowdofone: *grins* Good. Thanks. You're one of my favorite teachers even if you're not one, yet, really, and even if I probably won't end up in your class. And if I'm gonna get confused as much as I probably will, I'd rather ask somebody I already like.

x_dazzler: *she raises an eyebrow* Not end up in my class? And why not, pray tell? *she chuckles at the look on his face* It's an elective. You want to take it, you take it. That simple, I'll have you know.

x_crowdofone: Well, yeah, but I can't sing, and Mom won't let me near the piano anymore, and I'd rather not get on your bad side too. *grin* I'm just a very good listener.

x_dazzler: *raises eyebrow* What happened to the piano?

x_crowdofone: I made noises on it not meant for the ears of man.
x_crowdofone: It was supposed to be Mary Had a Little Lamb.

x_dazzler: *she starts laughing, remembering her own experience first time she played a piano*
x_dazzler: How old were you then?

x_crowdofone: This was last year.

x_dazzler: *she makes a show of thinking it over, then nods to herself* Well, if you want to give it a shot, we can start you in the class, and try several instruments, to see if there's one you take to. What do you say?

x_crowdofone: *dubiously* If you're sure. I don't wanna get in trouble for murdering any sheet music, I bet they hang you by your toes for that. *muffled grin*

x_dazzler: *she chuckles* The music room will be sound proofed for far more than anything you could manage, I promise you that. *she thinks of Terry, and the first class outside this morning, which went well* I'm sure we can find something that suits you, if you're willing to put up with me throwing every instrument in creation at you.

x_crowdofone: It's the people inside the soundproof room I'm worried about. Trapped in there with me and a helpless ballad, or whatever. But I guess I'm game if you are.

x_dazzler: *she winks at him and taps her ear lightly* I can't go deaf, Jamie. Perk of my power.

x_crowdofone: Yeah, but then you have to keep hearing me. Bad at any volume. But I guess if anybody can fix that, it's you.

x_dazzler: I used to break guitar strings when I started out. With distrubing frequency. We'll find something good for you. Besidse - it may mean breaking the shopkeepers, since we'll be trying out most of the intruments at the stores. *she looks smug*

x_crowdofone: Well, that I can handle. Traumatize and run. *winces* Okay, poor choice of words.

x_dazzler: Things will quiet down, Jamie. Give it time and try your best. You've got a good start there. *she gestures at the screen*

x_crowdofone: I'll try to keep it going. Thanks, Ms. Blaire. I really appreciate all of this.

x_dazzler: You're quite welcome, Jamie. *she nods to him and starts to walk for the door* Let me know if you need to talk again. *she smiles at him one last time, before leaving the room*

x_crowdofone: *smiles after her, then turns back to the computer screen, a lot more relaxed*

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

x-tarot.livejournal.com

(as a former drummer) (Aw, man, I am so with the OOC comments today)

that Jamie may be better on a non-melody intstrument. And the drums require the same kind of multitasking he's already good at naturally.

But, I am biased as all heck.