xp_logs | Log: Jean-Paul and Callie

Callie is introduced to one of the cooler uses of the Danger Room by Jean-Paul.

Jean-Paul was waiting just inside the Danger Room when Callie arrived wearing jeans and a sleeveless turtleneck. He was light on gear, but that was forgivable, as this wasn't a real climb and the odds of them getting into any real trouble were practically nil. The program on tap was Dolomite simulation he'd used with Nate months ago -- impressive-looking, but not exactly exhausting thanks to the computer toning it down a bit. Good for clearing the head, but not grinding you down.

"Mister Beaubi-Wow." Callie stopped dead in her tracks as she stepped inside the door Jean-Paul had so kindly left open for her. She had to blink a few times to make sure her eyes were playing tricks on her. The rocks looked so very real, real enough anyways to give her goosebumps. She felt as if she was standing at the base of a very large mountain, even though she knew rationally they were indoors. "This is so much cooler than a wall."

"Isn't it? Even with the safety parameters, I didn't trust it at first." Jean-Paul quirked a smile. "I'm glad to see you out of your room."

His voice was hoarse, she noted, no wonder he hadn't want to teach today. Still, he said he felt well enough to climb, Callie would have to trust him. "This is amazing," she gasped in awe as she ventured in. Her eyes were widen in wonder as she glanced up the side. They looked familiar. She had done this climb before. "Wait, are these the Dolomites?" Either that or she was experiencing major déjà vu.

"A reasonable imitation, anyway. I don't imagine they're nearly as challenging." Jean-Paul began going over their equipment; though he knew for a fact that it was in good condition, there was no use forming bad habits. "Something like home, at least?"

Callie gave an excited squeal and quickly covered her mouth, slightly embarrassed at her behavior. While Italy wasn't exactly home, she had fond memories of the mountain, and really this was just too cool. She glanced up, admiring the rock, and did a little jig, which she tried to cover as best she could by checking her harness. "Sorry," she said, regaining her composure. "So what's the plan?"

"Just up to the top of that small crest. See the one? It looks like the ledge above it is a bad nose job? Then we'll see how we feel and perhaps keep going. Does this work for you?"

"Sounds good to me," she said as she surveyed the ledge he was referring to. It wouldn't be too difficult of a climb, she decided as she tightened the straps of her helmet under her chin before checking the rest of her gear. "Right. Ready when you are?"

Jean-Paul offered a mock-salute and started up. "I assume the fact that I'm seeing the whole of your bright and smiling face and not just the half peering over the top of a book means that you've caught up on classwork to your satisfaction?" he teased, finding handholds.

There was a small nod in agreement of his analysis until Callie realized that he would probably not see her. His focus, as her's was, would probably have been on the rock face in front of him. "Yes," she confirmed as her hands found a piece of rock to hold onto. "Well I have some SAT studying I need to catch up on, and I need to write up an independent study plan, but other than that everything is back on track. Yup."

Silence settled in as both teacher and student focused on their ascent, using what holds and ledges nature provided. "I'm really enjoying your class," said Callie after some time had passed. She paused, taking time to get a drink of water. "It's really interesting."

"Ah, thank you." Jean-Paul hadn't expected that. "If you're not bored stupid by all of it, I think I must finally be doing something right." There was a teasing note to his voice...and yet, not quite somehow.

"No it's good!" Granted Callie had only had a little over a week of the class, but so far it was going well. "I'm not really, like, the literature and poetry type you know? I prefer math and science. But it's really fun. I just wished I had been there for the start. But I'm catching up."

"You're doing fine, do not worry about that. I haven't had to prod you yet to contribute to the discussions." Jean-Paul glanced down, but Callie was doing fine and their goal was only another few feet up. "The class in general seems to be taking to the material. I'm thinking of using graphic novels next term."

Callie wrinkled her nose. Graphic novels? "You mean like comic books," she asked, a little unsure of the idea. She had never really read a comic, except the ones in the paper. They were literature? "Aren't those mostly pictures?"

"The art stands out more than the text, certainly, but one falls down without the other." Jean-Paul grunted softly as he pulled himself up onto the ledge. "It's still an idea that I'm kicking around -- I've found myself reading a lot of the recommended 'classics', and I am still not sure if this is a good plan or not. I find that I simply do not like much of what's being offered up. Perhaps I should steer away from classics and to something more relatable."

"Well I'm sure that whatever you decide to teach it'll be engaging and interesting and stuff." She was slower than him, but at last she too reached their destination. The fact that he had decreased the difficulty meant that she felt invigorated and not exhausted, like a more difficult climb would have left her. "Okay this," she said as she looked around. "This is seriously cool. I mentioned that right?"

Jean-Paul laughed. Callie seemed so...happy most of the time. It put him a bit off-balance, but not in an unpleasant way. "I got the general idea. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Climbing does help clear the mind, gives you a single goal to strive for. I need to start making time for it again."

She nodded and took another sip of her water. It was good for her, to get out away from everything that was bothering her. Homework, family pressure, everything, she left it at the base of the climb. For a short period of time it was just her and her thoughts. "Me too. I think I've been spending too much time locked in my room or in classes. It's good to be out. Thank you Mister Beaubier."