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Post by Marvel Woman on Jan 22, 2014 17:20:34 GMT -5
It was a Sunday afternoon. Most normal people, humans and mutants alike, were probably enjoying the day off or disposing of their free time as they pleased. Some probably read, played video-games or were training or catching up on homework due the next day, but Jean was sitting on a stool against the kitchen's central island, a pencil on her hand and a big notepad in front of her. All around, dried food like bags of noodles, rice, cereal bars and a real collection of jumbo sized cans flew in and out of the pantries, as Jean's green eyes took notice of the existences. A second pencil wrote for her while she added the number s herself next to each kind of food.
Making an inventory wasn't the most entertaining thing to do on a weekend, but someone had to if an online order was to be placed the following day with all they'd need that month. Keeping such a large household stocked with a wide variety of healthy foods and snacks wasn't an easy task, but it was a must. Most of the students were at an age where the right diet could make a difference. It made her happy to think that she was giving them the best nutrition possible by planning their meals ahead, even if she didn't cook herself all the time. A good nutrition could mean a better performance both in school and training and, for many a life of good eating habits instead of junk food.
Coming up with the weekly meal plan was much more difficult, of course, as she tried to reconcile a balanced diet with everyone's favorite dishes at least once a month. That part was kind of fun though, like a puzzle, only the results did matter and she didn't want anyone to lose. It was her personal challenge and Jean enjoyed those. They were harmless. Also, that monthly routine made her feel... not in charge, but in control. Sort of on top of things when it came to her self-appointed responsibility to take good care of everyone as if they were her children. After all, the people at the mansion would always be her family, even if they weren't related and her real parents had always backed her up, she felt that way.
Thinking about the wonderful job the Professor and staff had done with the School made her heart swell with a love for everything alive. Being possessed by the Phoenix had her realize the real meaning and importance of things, enhancing that very feeling that had always been a part of her, but that now was overwhelming by comparison. She had lost everything she loved several times and that's why she loved and cherished all those simple things more than ever. Especially now that there was a slim chance she might keep it.
For a moment, cans and bags stopped midair and the pencils weren't writing anymore, as she relished in the idea that she was for once Jean Grey... just Jean Grey. Not the Phoenix, not half-herself, and certainly, not a time-bomb waiting to explode. The possibility of a quiet life, as quiet as it can get for someone living in the mansion, still kept hitting her like that as some part of her refused to believe it. It was too good to be true.
As the Phoenix, she had done terrible things and Jean felt she didn't deserve to be the lucky girl who got a second chance at life as a free person. A warm smile curved her lips and she shook her head, finding amusing the way the idea was still not sinking, to the point of hitting her with renewed surprise and joy every time. Then, she resumed her inventory.
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Post by Sarah on Jan 22, 2014 18:00:01 GMT -5
Taji was in her room trying to go over homework, but she just found herself staring at it. She was to proud and stubborn to admit she could not understand anything higher then Fifth grade levels.. As when she was only Ten she was kidmapped by Sinister and he was not one to put his subjects through school.. Tears formed in Taji's eyes as she then swiped the papers off her desk knocking them to the ground. She then stood up headed for the door leaving her room. She as behind in many of her classes but she wanted no sympathy.. She just wanted to try to have a normal life.. Well as normal as she could make it.. Sinister took everything from her.. She was able to find her sister though she had not seen her for a while.. Taji walked down the hall ways of the school she had mastered getting around now without having to ask for help. She then started to feel hungry so started to make her way to the kitchen. When she got to the doors she opened them, just to see one of the teachers doing something. It looked like it was Ms. Grey, Taji had a class with her but she always sat in the back of the class room and stayed silent so not to have to answer any questions. " Um Hi..." The young Teen said as she entered and started to look for a snack. She found some chips and a few other things, she then made her way to the other side of the room sitting next to a window. She then stared outside as she ate trying to think of way to some how do better in her classes..
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Post by Marvel Woman on Jan 22, 2014 18:29:10 GMT -5
After a while, Jean got most of the inventory finished, except for the emergency supplies down in the basement. She'd have to go down there later and check on the expiration dates of everything to make sure they'd be all right in case something happened and they had to hide underground. It had been a while since she had last done that and it was better to prevent than to deal with any nasty surprises if things got bad. It was a relatively peaceful time to live in, after all, but having seen all she had, Jean feared it was just the calm before the storm, so to speak.
When she was about to be done, her mind sensed a presence approaching. Jean made sure all the blunt objects like the 10lbs cans of green peas were out of the path right in front of the door and continued with her work mechanically. It was hard to catch a telepath by surprise, but she had tried hard all her life to be as normal as possible and weirding people out by expecting them when they just walked into a room randomly had never helped in that regard.
"Hi," Jean returned the greeting and turned her head to look at Taji with a warm smile. It was one of her students —one of the quiet ones at the back— she told herself. As a teacher, she had always done her best to make everyone comfortable and welcome, but there were cases when it was beyond her abilities. "Were you looking for a snack? Just take whatever you want," the red head offered making a gesture with her hand that included most of the kitchen, where some dried noodle bags still floated where she had stopped their trajectory.
As her student found a spot in the opposite side of the room, Jean resumed her task and the inventory was ready a couple of minutes later. She hadn't tried to force herself on the girl who always seemed to try her best at making herself invisible. Then, when she had started to write the monthly food plan, an idea crossed her mind and she turned around to face Taji.
"Hmm... Miss Ozawa... Taji, is it?" Jean asked in the friendliest tone she could find. "Do you have a minute?" The teacher had remained on her seat as not to appear more intimidating.
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Post by Sarah on Jan 22, 2014 18:53:30 GMT -5
Taji sat there eating her snacks as she would sometimes looked over at Ms. Grey. She is a nice teacher from what she could tell though Taji never tried to get to know her.. As that would mean she would have to talk about her past and so far only a few people knew.. And Taji was not yet ready to really open up about it.. Just thinking about it was painful.. Though she wanted to talk to Lance.. As he is the leader of their team so he had a right to know.. She just had not found the time to talk to him.. Though soon Taji was brought out of her thoughts when Ms. Grey spoke to her again, Taji looked over at the teacher and was unsure what she wanted.. Though having nothing better to do Taji stood up nodding, " Umm sure.." Taji said as she then walked over to Ms. Grey, wondering what she wanted. "Is there anything wrong?" Taji asked in a timid voice and stopped when she was standing next to Jean. Though she had a feeling nothing was wrong and that Ms. Grey just wanted to talk or something..
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Post by Marvel Woman on Jan 22, 2014 19:02:47 GMT -5
Jean's smile widened when she got a positive response from the girl. A mass of red curls tied up in a pony tail shook as the woman's head did. "No. As a matter of fact I was hoping you could help me," she explained. A small deliberated pause was left there so the idea could sink.
"You see, I'm making an inventory and planning this week's menu, so we can order the groceries online..." There seemed to be the faintest shimmer of complicity in Jean's green eyes while she talked. "...and I always try to include everyone's favorite at least once a month, but I don't know what your favorite food is." Sitting there and talking like that, Jean hoped to look more approachable than the mask she had to wear during her classes to get everyone to listen and obey. If her students just knew how soft core she really was, they'd walk all over her and learn nothing except for how to manipulate people.
A small little accomplice smile danced in her lips as she waited for an answer. To her, there was no better way to let someone know you cared about them than cooking their favorite food. At least, Jean had found that to be true with most teenagers and men.
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Post by Sarah on Jan 22, 2014 22:40:55 GMT -5
Taji blinked when Ms. Grey said she wanted her help, now she would not help but wonder what she needed help with.. When she asked Taji blinked in shock, Ms. Grey wanted to know what her what her favorite food is. Sadly Taji's mind went blank as she just looked down at the paper Ms. Grey was working on. Taji never really thought of her favorite food was in a long time.. Taji then rubbed the back of her head as she thought about it, before coming up with something. " Well, I like fruit, some veggies.. Taji said knowing that would not be very helpful. A she was not picky what she got to eat now really. For when she was trapped with Sinister sometimes he could make her go weeks without giving her food.. Just water till she did something right that pleased him.. Now after coming to the school she was able to eat every day and whenever she wanted.. "I like anything the school gives really.. I don't have any favorites.." Taji said softly.
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Post by Marvel Woman on Jan 22, 2014 23:06:35 GMT -5
The telepath had guessed getting any kind of information out of that specific, shy girl without getting inside her head would be difficult and she didn't even had to use her gift for that. She had enough experience handling young students even thought she looked rather young herself. One of the perks of coming back to life every so often was that she always seemed to come back at the same age. She had been around thirty for the last... what? Fifteen years? That reminded her of Logan's really slow aging process. Now she really understood a part of his pain.
However little the information given to her was, Jean just kept her casual smile on and thought harder. "Hmm... Veggies and mushroom saute? Roasted chicken and baby turnips? Caesar salad?" She offered a few specific options with a natural grace that could easily give off the impression that there was no way a woman like her would ever feel uncomfortable during a conversation... which, of course, was a totally wrong misconception.
"Then, how am I supposed to plan a specific dish just for you?" Jean asked softly, with a hint of childish protest that would have been almost cute had she been younger. "You see, everyone in the mansion, student and staff alike get their favorite dish made at least once a month." The redhead explained. "How can I spoil you specifically if you don't have a favorite food? No. We're gonna have to come up with something," she said in a friendly, almost conspiratorial tone. The idea was not to sound demanding but rather teasing, like a friend would, perhaps, or an older sibling.
As the Psychology "teacher" she also felt the responsibility to get to know her students and help those who seemed to have trouble adapting to the school for whatever reason and she could easily tell this girl struggled. That was exactly why she didn't just ignore it and continue with her weekly planning. She could sense the echo of fear and loneliness in that student and wanted to help, not only because she was one of the teachers, or even the most suited one for that, but also because it was in her sensitive nature to try to help whomever she could.
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Post by Sarah on Jan 23, 2014 10:08:26 GMT -5
Ugh she wanted something specific?? Or was it something more? As she noticed all the teachers where trying to get het out of her shell but so far the only teacher she has warmed up to was Lance. The leader of her team as for the others she just stayed silent and hoped they would not notice her.. But it seemed like Ms. Grey was on a mission and was not going to let her slide easily.. Taji looked down at the floor rubbing the back of her head again as she tried to think.. After 6 years being a prisoner of Sinister for long she had all but forgotten everything she loved to eat.. But it was the thoughts of her family that had kept her going during those hard times. Taji then tried and tried to remember the dishes she had with her family but nothing was coming.. Tears of frustration started to form in her eyes, " I... I don't remember ok??" Taji said frustrated. She then started to walk away as she was done with this.
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Post by Marvel Woman on Jan 23, 2014 12:20:11 GMT -5
Reading Taji's body language, Jean could quickly see where that was heading, but she didn't lose her calm or her optimism. She remembered what it was like to have similar struggles. For different reasons, she too had found herself with entire years of her life missing, except she wasn't older... or there in the first place. But being dead to the world only to reappear later and have to relearn how the world worked, the ways it had changed, both historically and technologically was hard on its own particular way. Especially if you also had to catch up with what all your friends have been up to. That's why, in a way, she could relate with the girl besides the obvious.
"That's quite all right." Jean said as she stood with a graceful movement. "Would you like to find out?" She added softly but audibly, trying to tempt her to stay. "It would only take a moment and won't stir anything unpleasant," she promised. The woman was still standing in front of the island, not making any move to pursue her student, leaving it up to her if she wanted to take that chance or just let it go.
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Post by Sarah on Jan 24, 2014 2:08:49 GMT -5
Taji had put her hand on the door handle when Jean offered to help her remember. This stopped the young girl in her tracks. Getting into her mind to help her remember? More then anything in the world she would want to remember everything about her life before she was taken.. It was mostly fuzzy now due to ageing and things that had happened, she barely remembered what her parents looked like.. She had forgotten their voices.. It was things she tried to hang on to as tightly as possible but they just slipped through her fingers.. If she could remember what meals they ate together it would be a step to get those memories back.. Memories stolen by Sinister.. Taji then slowly turned to look back at Jean, and stared at her for a little while. "Y-you...You could help me remember?" Taji asked as this was starting to feel to good to be true but she just.. She just had to try.
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Post by Marvel Woman on Jan 24, 2014 10:28:26 GMT -5
A warm smile spread over Jean's face as her words had the desired effect. Maybe it was a little insignificant thing, but she had learned those were the most important. A gesture like having someone cook specially for you, perhaps, a memory of a good time with friends or family, someone willing to help. "I could help you remember much more than just your favorite food. That's the perk of having a psychic around," Jean said lightly, as if joking. "But only if you want to." The redhead wanted to make sure that was Taji's decision and got more serious at that point, just not overly so that she would become intimidating. It was easy for shy kids to feel pushed or pressed to do things they didn't want to just because a teacher or a popular school mate was asking.
Jean had helped many people recover their lost memories over the years, either alone or with the help of the Professor, but she had never forced it on anyone. In fact, some times her offers had been declined, only to have the same person make the request years later. To her, it was always up to the person, a 'to each his brain' sorta thing.
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Post by Sarah on Jan 25, 2014 12:29:25 GMT -5
Taji was till having a hard time believing this was true, a way to get her memories back.. It would be the greatest thing ever. For all she had of her family was memories and she was scared to death she would lose them forever. And now she had a chance to get them back. Taji then nodded, yes she was going to do this. No she had to do this. " O-oh ok... What do I have to do?" Taji asked for she was unsure how her teacher was going to help her remember. She then walked back over to Jean and sat down in a chair next to her. And waited for Ms. Grey to tell her what to do, Though her heart was racing. half due to fear the other half to pure joy that she would get something that was dear to her back.
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Post by Marvel Woman on Jan 25, 2014 23:47:33 GMT -5
Jean could feel part of the strong emotions Taji was projecting, even without trying to. She remained calm and with her usual friendly attitude, the one she took everywhere but the classroom. "Just take a sear and relax," she had said casually. A warm smile spread across her face as Taji returned to her and sat by her side. Then, she too sat again at the place she had occupied before.
Once the girl was settled, Jean took an appraising look at Taji before offering the girl both her hands, palms up. That wasn't necessary, of course, but she wanted to make the girl feel like part of the family and that little gesture would feel more personal and hopefully reassure her student. "Close your eyes and relax. This won't hurt," Jean promised with a smile before she closed her own eyes.
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