Lil and Johnny

[x-ricochet.livejournal.com]

When Johnny goes to Jean-Paul's room to see if the speedster has returned, he happens upon a Canadian of a different variety.


With his spirits finally in recovery, it had occurred to Johnny that it was well beyond time that he thanked Jean-Paul for his help the other day. Assuming the older man had returned by now. The white-haired teen frowned very faintly at the thought and hurried his pace, putting out of mind the uncertain circumstances and abruptness of the Canadian's departure and concentrating on finding the correct door. Once he did, he put on his best attempt at ease and knocked. No answer. His sneaker-encased feet shuffled thoughtlessly and he knocked again, waiting.

"He ain't back yet," came a voice from a little ways down the hall. Lil was on her way to the gym when she spied the boy in front of Jean-Paul's door. "Dunno when he will be either," she told him, swinging her workout bag over her shoulder as she sauntered closer, looking every inch of her 6'4" inch height in her exercise clothes. "You need something?"

Johnny turned toward the unfamiliar voice, having to crane his neck back almost immediately as she approached. The blond literally had a full foot on him and the fact could hardly go unnoticed. He considered the question briefly, looking between the giantess and the sealed door, before shaking his head, "I guess not...He's been gone a long time." The concern that lingered at the edges of his tone, masked poorly by curiosity, was equally hard to miss.

Lil continued to smile, soft and casual, down at the white-haired boy. Obviously new, she thought she remembered some mention of him around the journals. "Sure he won't be away much longer. Classes'll be starting up again soon and he's probably got a bunch of students' reports to go through." Yet another reason she never wanted to become a teacher - homework for the teens meant homework for the teachers. "I'm Lil," the blonde said, extending a hand.

Johnny did his best to take the notion to heart. Lil certainly didn't seemed worried and it was entirely possible that whatever duty had called Jean-Paul away from the school had been settled and that his trip had since turned into an extended vacation, wasn't it? He smiled a little himself, "Lucky him." He lifted his hand to hers, "Johnny."

She laughed at that as she shook his hand, careful not to squeeze his fingers too hard. "Dunno if luck has anything to do with it," Lil told him with a shake of her head that had her ponytail swinging. "Jean-Paul'll be back before you know it. But if you need to get a message or anything to him, I can try and hurry it along?" the Amazon offered. She knew the Quebecois had some close relationships with his students and if the matter was important, she'd gladly pass along what she could.

Lil's easy confidence on this matter was contagious, it seemed, the condition continuing to gradually overcoming Johnny's own lack of certainty. It was a welcome change. "Thanks, but it can wait a few more days, I think. I'll tell him when he gets back."

"Long as you're sure." The giantess continued to smile as she looked the teen over. Far cry from Fred, that was for sure. "So, how you liking the mansion so far?" she asked casually, folding her arms over her chest, appearing neither cold nor embarrassed to be standing in the hall while dressed in little more than a pair of skin tight shorts and sports bra that showed off the muscles she'd spend long hours defining once again.

Of course, that exposed midriff and fitted sports bra were just about eye-level for the teen, who was doing his best not to be aware of the fact. Especially as she folded her arms. He cleared his throat softly and focused on the question.

Johnny's experiences since his arrival had been a pointed mix of highs and lows, but there was little purpose in going into the lows. The school could hardly be held accountable for a callous father and what had happened at Leo's clinic. "Still adjusting," he concluded at last with a smile, "But I like it. I think it's probably a better fit."

"Hate to break it to you but I've been here since December and I'm still adjusting," she laughed, keeping her voice easy so as not to concern him. "I'll let you in on a secret, though: I like it, too. Pool's great; so's the gym. Nice grounds with the lake and all though, have you hit Boiler Beach yet? You should," Lil recommended before continuing, "and the people aren't bad either. For the most part." The last part was added with an impish smirk.

Lil certainly seemed eager to give her two cents on the subject. The teen couldn't help but crack a grin; he didn't mind and the animated giantess was proving to be entertaining and informative company. Johnny's own features took on a faintly mischievous hint and he replied playfully, tucking his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, "Well, now I'm worried. Will it be obvious or should I be prepared for somebody to go all Jekyll and Hyde on me?"

"You ask anyone else in the place that question, they'll likely tell you me," she replied, keeping the gentle humor in her voice. "Ain't nothing to be worried about, though. Not unless you have a habit of pissing off Amazons. And if you do?" One shoulder rose and fell. "I can usually be bought back around with food. Chocolate's best." Lil's nose wrinkled slightly when her grin spread. "Anyone else? They're decent for the most part. You'll learn which ones to avoid - if any - pretty quickly. 'Specially if you got Speedy at you back," she said, pointing her thumb at Jean-Paul's door.

Johnny laughed briefly at this, nodding along as she spoke. Somehow, he doubted either one of them could get away with calling Jean-Paul 'speedy' to his face. Not without receiving an eye roll or a minor swat for it. "Be nice to the Amazon, Hershey's if I botch it up, common sense otherwise. Got it. Chapter one of the institute survival guide."

"Not being a permanent fixture in this place, I don't think I've gotten into any of the official books yet," she chuckled, reaching out to ruffle his hair affectionately. "Might not be the Canadian you're looking for but you run into trouble and monsieur isn't around, my door's that direction," Lil told him, motioning down the hall. "Unless, of course, your trouble's with him and then you're on your own. I don't bite the hand that feeds me."

"Something to aspire to, then," the boy replied, grinning and ducking his head as she tousled his already unkempt white hair. He looked up at the older mutant and blew a few colorless wisps out of his eyes. "Literally and figuratively if you're anything like me." He looked momentarily sheepish, then nodded, "...Thanks, Lil."

Lil's smile spread and mirrored the puff of breath to blow back the tuff of golden hair that had worked its way out of her ponytail and over her eyes. "No problem, kid. I'll be in the gym if you need me." A quick wink and the giantess started off down the hall, ignoring the voice in her head that sounded a lot like an amused Logan laughing at her.