Meggan and Korvus, Thursday Afternoon

[x-meggan.livejournal.com]

After class, Korvus asks Meggan to be his date for Homecoming. Then, the level of awkwardness increases monumentally due to a cultural misunderstanding brought about by a raunchy teen comedy.



Korvus stood outside the classroom door after his last class of the day. He had sat close to the door so he could be out first. He didn't want his classmate to disappear before he had a moment to talk with her. Plan perfect so far, he moved into step alongside Meggan as she came out into the hall. "Good afternoon."

Meggan hadn’t expected to see him waiting for her when she exited the room, but it wasn’t a bad surprise. He was nice. “Oh, hi, Korvus! Good afternoon to you, too,” she smiled as he walked beside her. Maybe he needed more book help. Or classwork help. One or the other, or both at the same time. "How are you doing?"

"I am well. I have read on our school's computer network that we, as Seniors, have been invited to attend one of a local university's quintessential American customs, Homecoming." Korvus paused, wanting to see if Meggan would offer her feelings on the topic before proceeding.

“That’s good. I saw that, too. We have been invited along, yes,” Meggan acknowledged with a quizzical smile. He wanted to know Homecoming customs? If so, she couldn’t help him much on that front, since she had only been to the regular school’s dances, and not an actual Homecoming type dance in a completely separate location. “I’m going to it, it sounds like it could be fun.”

"I also plan to attend." Korvus agreed. "I have read that a school dance is an event to which someone brings a date. Have you acquired a date for Homecoming?"

“That’s good. A dance anywhere is a very nice way to mark your first week here, too, you know,” Meggan smiled. At his question, she shook her head. She was okay with going to dances alone, they were still fun. “No. No, I don’t have one. Have you? Acquired one, I mean.” She was trying to decide how to phrase that it wasn’t a terrible thing if he didn’t, because the date rule wasn’t set in stone, without causing a misunderstanding. Or babble.

"I have not. I have watched films about the topic and I understand it is customary for a male to ask a female." Korvus explained. "Under assumption that is the case, I have planned this conversation to ask you if I may be your escort to Homecoming. We have both been invited to attend, are both unattached, and I am interested in learning more about you."

“Oh.” Meggan wasn’t sure what to say for a second. That was sweet, and she didn’t want to leave him waiting. “I’d like that, Korvus. I really would. Yes! I’ll go with you to Homecoming.” She was interested in learning more about him, too. A dance might be a good way to do that. Out of a nagging sense of curiosity, she asked, “What films did you study to know more?” Maybe she should watch them, too. Just to see what movies claimed Homecoming was like, before she actually went to it.

Korvus thought for a moment. "I do not recall the title of the film. It was about High School students in their Senior year. It took place between their Homecoming event and their Prom. I learned many things I did not know about your student culture. For example, the topic of the movie was the custom of Senior Prom as the point in an American's life where they are expected to have, or have already had, sexual intercourse. I was not expecting to be concerned with that matter. Presumably until returning to India from university in England, at which time my parents would have made arrangements for me to meet eligible women of my peer group but more likely while attending university as I have rarely accepted the traditionalist teachings of my parents."

After a moment of pause, Korvus quickly added. "I have not yet dated anyone. Should this arrangement persist until prom, I am afraid to say your timetable for sexual intercourse may be delayed if you attend with me. I do not believe I will accept that custom."

For one long moment, Meggan stared at Korvus in disbelief. Sex type misunderstandings? She hadn’t expected that one when she woke up this morning. She didn’t want to see that movie. Bad movie, for making him believe that! Hysterical laughter was not the right way to go with this, and would just confuse or upset him, so she did her best not to so much as giggle. Carefully, she said, “Right. Sorry. That movie might have been very wrong about some cultural things. There’s…there’s really no timetable for that kind of thing. It’s not everyone’s custom. Just some, mostly people in the movies, I guess.”

Maybe he misunderstood and thought something aimed in one direction was really something else? It could happen, it was obviously not a documentary he’d found. Hopefully, she asked, “Maybe the movie was a comedy? Sometimes the raunchy kind are like that, but I’ve never watched them.” Oh, how she hoped he wouldn’t make the mistake of saying something like this in front of Kurt or Amanda. Or Wade. Or anyone, really. It would be bad. How to put this? “People…they go at their own speeds. If they’re ready. I’m…I'm not, and you say you’re not. So we can both be not ready. It isn't required for proms.”

Korvus listened quietly and nodded, sighing in relief when she told him that the movie was a comedy. "I am sorry. I still miss the essence of some American comedies. Perhaps there is a labeling system I am unfamiliar with that will prevent further confusion?" He asked hopefully.

“That’s okay. You’ll figure it out, I’m sure you will.” Meggan relaxed, glad he understood. “There’s a rating system, so—depending on where you found it, there should be labels. Somewhere. We’ll look,” she promised. That would keep away a fraction of awkward conversations, once he learned which ones shouldn’t be taken seriously under any circumstances.

"I appreciate your assistance. You will tell me when you have decided on a color for your dress? So I may match." That certainly didn't seem like something that would be for comedic effect. He was also sure it wouldn't be embarrassing for Meggan like the rest of the movie's advice likely was.

“You're welcome. And, yes, I will,” Meggan smiled. “I’ll let you know when I find it. Matching is a nice idea.” The thought of a pink dress had drifted through her mind for an instant. Pink was out, then, as that wouldn’t look good on him at all.

"Do you have any further plans for the evening?" Korvus returned Meggan's smile. He had trouble gauging how social interactions were going sometimes but this one felt good.

Meggan shook her head. “No, no plans." Although, she did have an idea. "Do you…maybe want to watch a movie with me? I can explain things if you want.” One that wasn’t a teen comedy didn’t need saying at this point.

Korvus smiled at the offer. "I like that idea. I was going to suggest swimming as we have an indoor pool and I, as a mutant with enhanced musculature, expect I would be aesthetically pleasing in that environment." A slow growing smirk suggested two things, he had put together his mistake last time in not asking her to do something and that he was comfortable enough to make a joke.

“We could do that another day, too, if you want,” Meggan laughed. She understood the reason for that look. “I love the water—indoor or outdoor pool, I’m almost like a fish.” He could figure that out for himself if they ever swam together. “Do you like movies about pirates? I have a copy of Pirates of the Caribbean.” She didn’t think he would be interested in The Princess Bride.

"While the Starjammers did rescue me and I did spend time about their ship, which by some standards could have made me a temporary pirate myself, I do not believe I would enjoy a movie on the subject." Korvus said regretfully, though he certainly did want to spend time with her. "We have other options available to us, correct?"

Meggan could understand not wanting to relive something like that. “Yes, we have many, many other movies around here. We’ll find something you like, once we get you to the nearest television,” she said with some hope. Would Monty Python make it across any cultural barrier he had, and be funny? She hoped it would, but they could find something else as a back-up. The Lumberjack Song might not make sense for him.