xp_logs | Julio and Jean-Paul

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Jean-Paul meets with Julio to discuss important matters and skulls.

The camping trip had definitely helped Jean-Paul's state of mind; he could look at his calender and not become irritated with his own progress in school, in his therapy sessions, and life in general. It also meant that he was in a state of mind to notice details other than his lesson plan, such as upcoming birthdays. This was how he happened to wind up knocking on Julio Richter's door that afternoon with a half-dozen excuses in mind in case Noriko should be present.

Happily for Jean-Paul, Noriko was not present in the suite. The door opened to reveal a still-damp-from-the-shower Julio. He looked a little taken aback by his visitor. "Bueno?" he said by way of greeting.

"Bonjour." The quick-eyed man glanced over Julio's shoulder, into the suite beyond. "Is Nori in? And if she is, can you come out here for a moment? I noticed that her birthday is coming up in a week and wanted to touch base."

"Come in," Julio waved the older man into the suite. "She's out, she is off studying, I think. You are not in danger of her overhearing anything." The suite Julio waved Jean-Paul into looked very much like two bachelors lived there. The living area's furnishings, for instance, seemed to have functionality more in mind than any sort of decorative aspects. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Water would be good, thank you." Jean-Paul's eyes roved the interior. Not Spartan, but certainly not put together with an eye toward the most pleasing aesthetics. "Lex is living here too, is he not?"

"Yes," Julio said, turning to the kitchen where he retrieved a bottle of water from the refrigerator. He looked to offer a glass with it, and then winced because all of the glasses were dirty. "I think he's learned by now not to expect any English out of me in the mornings." He handed the bottle to Jean-Paul and looked apologetic. "Sorry, no glasses, I was just going to do the dishes before you showed up." He was such a liar.

"I will live. Merci." Jean-Paul unscrewed the cap and took a sip. "Mostly, I am concerned about stepping on toes, that is all. Most of the students here do not have a very busy schedule when it comes to birthdays, but you and Nori are a couple. I felt I should check to see if you had plans already." A pause. "And perhaps pick your brain for gift suggestions. I am not used to shopping for young women."

Julio smiled and leaned against the back of the couch. "I made dinner reservations about a month ago, and I've been putting aside a little money. We didn't really do anything for her 17th, so I'm going to make it up to her this year. So not to worry, unless we are invaded by Martians or something," here Julio knocked on the wooden couch frame, "I'll see to it she has a good birthday. --As for what to get her," Julio shrugged expressively. "She likes skulls."

Jean-Paul blinked. He could not have heard that correctly. "Skulls?"

"Yes, not like, skulls of her enemies. But, the ...como se design, yes? Like jewelry or something."

"Ah." That was much easier to envision, though he suspected that finding the proper jewelry would still take some research on his part. "Anything that I should avoid for sameness in gifts? If you are taking her out, then a sushi lunch at home would be fun for us." He and Julio were certainly not in competition for Nori's affection and it would be exceedingly bad manners on his part to make it seem as if he were trying to overshadow the young man's plans. Besides, he enjoyed sharing his kitchen with Nori.

Julio made a face, "I'm taking her to her favorite restaurant, but I'm sure she'll be okay with food repeats. As for her gift, it hasn't been shipped yet, but when it gets here I can show it to you, or the website I got it off. Honestly I am leaving the day half-planned, since it is her day and I am only facilitating her in what she wants."

"I would appreciate that, thank you." A slight grin tugged at the speedster's lips; he liked Julio more than he had expected to. That he was putting Noriko's happiness first probably had a lot to do with that. "Or I could go for the easy route," he teased, "and clean the kitchen for when next she visits."

Julio pffted and waved a hand. "Not that I do not trust you with my dishes, but I know where everything goes. One misplaced plate and it spells disaster. Broken glass, blood, and then there is an even bigger mess that I have to clean up."

"A fair point," Jean-Paul conceded with a nod. "I should be on my way at any rate, but I do appreciate the pointers. Nori is a favorite of mine; I always enjoy our time spent training."

"Yes, well, she likes you. And that says something," Julio stuck out his hand as the older man made to depart. "Nori can take care of herself, but never hurts to have people looking out, either."

"Especially not when it seems like the whole world is waiting to pounce some days, non?" Jean-Paul shook Julio's hand firmly. "We will speak again soon, I think."