14154/College: Not Just for Class

College: Not Just for Class
Date of Scene:	16 February 2023
Location:	Empire State University
Synopsis:	Jennifer and Marie meet and get acquainted, becoming friends.
Cast of Characters:	Marie-Ange Colbert, Jennifer Kale

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Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
It's evening-time on the outskirts of ESU's campus. There's a few people milling about, but they tend to be fewer and farther between at this time of night, with the majority of classes done for the day. One of the non-students in the area is none other than one Marie-Ange Colbert, though. She'd been in the area to visit some friends that she had made before dropping out of the school in favor of a gap year, and later Xavier's... they were much father ahead of her in school than she was, though, thanks to said gap year.

Visits were done, though, and she was making her way away from the dorm buildings. Maybe to a bus stop, or to meet a ride somewhere... something along those lines. She's dressed a little on the warm side, even as New York's started to head up as Winter gives way to Spring. A black, knee-length coat worn closed, black leggings leading down into cute little flats. A red purse hangs down from her shoulder, and her hair's tied back into a loose ponytail with a white ribbon. Her attention, however, is focused entirely on a phone in her hands, fingers tapping away at the tiny keyboard.

That's probably why she doesn't notice the man who sneaks up behind her, hand in his coat pocket, who suddenly shoves that hand against her back. "Alright, sweetheart. Here's the deal. All your money, and you don't get hurt."

Marie freezes. Admittedly, she's trained for occasions just like this. It's rare-r than the training she gets for fighting super-powered foes, but it still happens! "Okay, Monsieur." she replies, voice heavily accented with that French accent. "Just... please, do not hurt me, oui?" she asks, moving one hand slowly to the zipper of her purse. Pulling it open. Digging her fingers inside.

Without any warning, there's a third figure on the scene, summoned forth from the ether. Dwarfing both the mugger and the slightly shorter Marie, the image of Death itself stands a towering twenty-five feet and wielding a wicked-looking scythe.

"I... believe you might wish to accept the same deal from the one behind you, though." Marie calmly adds, continuing the process of reaching for her wallet -- though her pinky is sitting inside a little velvet pouch in the bag. Keeping contact with her tarot deck.

"What're you trying to pull, red? Ain't nobody--" This is about the moment he looks behind himself. And /screams/ a high-pitched scream. "I ain't ready! I ain't even seen Cats on Broadway!" he cries out, taking off running. Neither Death, nor the seer who called it forward move for a moment beyond the redhead turning her head to watch the man's retreat. Counting in her head. After about ten seconds, she releases the deck and closes her purse back up, the summoned spectre fading away in a matter of moments, as if it had never been there to begin with.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale had a meeting with one of her professors, which kept her later than usual. The Florida teen usually gets into attendance issues by this time in the semester, most of which truly aren't her fault. Being a sorceress and a trouble-magnet makes it quite difficult to keep up with studies, which is a big contributor to her perpetual-Freshman status.

She senses it before actually seeing the twenty-five foot apparition of Death. "Oh, you have GOT to be shittin' me..." she mutters. Jen has learned to run in the low-rise bell bottom jeans and boots, and she is soon in a full jog... heading towards it.

Then the screams, the would-be mugger fleeing as Death just suddenly disappears.

"... the Hell...?"

And that leaves a confused-looking blonde in a waist-length jacket searching the area for a possible explanation. Until her gaze fixes on Marie-Ange. "Did you just see something really unusual?" she asks

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie's getting ready to resume her stride now that the threat of danger has fled from her... at least until there's a blonde who's looking at her and asking her questions. There's a moment of silence as Marie tries to decide just how to answer that. She's got an idea what the other woman's really talking about, afterall...

Widened green eyes blink slowly as she turns her attention towards Jennifer. "Oui." she admits. "A man tried to steal from me, then ran off screaming... normally they would stay until they took my money, non?"

Well, technically to her it's a true statement. Her summoned creations aren't all that odd to /her,/ almost getting mugged, however, that's a little strange!

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale slows to a walk, approaching Marie more closely. Blue eyes brighten at the explanation and she reaches up to run fingers through her blonde curls. "So that was it? He just... ran away?" she asks, slowly grinning. "Um, yeah. Sorry, honey, but I gotta call bullshit on that."

Jen makes a gesture with her right hand, a pinkish glow starting at her palm. "You sure you didn't see something like.... this?" Swinging her arm like she would throw a ball, a rather good recreation of the Death image appears between them. Good, but somehow not complete.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie tenses visibly -- she's never been the type to be good about hiding her emotions -- fingers tapping off a quick message before the cellphone's shoved back into her pocket.

"...oui." she repeats. "It was... unlike anything..." Lying is not her strong suit. Fortunately(?) she's saved from having to try and make up a further story by Jen's own demonstration.

"Oh." The sound of someone who's been caught red-handed. There's a look around, briefly. Looking for someone? Looking to see if there's a bunch of witnesses? It's hard to say immediately. Regardless, she reaches for her purse again. Out comes a little velvet pouch, fingers dip into it... and withdraw a single tarot card. The image depicted? A perfect replica of Death as it was seen moments ago. "...you mean like this, then?"

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale holds the image, although as she steps closer to take a look at the card her own Death image shifts a little. Colors and details sharpen, until it looks MUCH more like the card.

"Well in my defense, I saw it from across the Quad." she offers. Giving an absent wave of her hand, the illusory image disappears as if blown in the wind. "So the card is your focus...." she begins, then shifts gears a little. "I'm Jennifer Kale. Sorceress and Portal Guardian."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie's eyes are fixed on the image. Watching as it changes in front of her. Almost studying it... and nodding to herself once the changes are complete. The images on her cards are something that she could recreate frmo memory if she had the artistic talent required. Well. The talent in drawing. Her artistic talents lie elsewhere.

The redhead's looking towards Jennifer with a bit of bewilderment. "I... yes. I cannot..." There's words for this, really. She's having trouble figuring out just how to put those words into the order that they'll make sense. Of course, then she doesn't entirely have to when Jennifer introduces herself properly.

"...Marie-Ange Colbert." A pause. "Sorceress... like magic?" she asks, raising both hands and wiggling her fingers. The universal sign for magic, clearly.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale looks amused at the finger-wiggling gang sign, but she mimics it right back. Must be a French thing. "Yeah, sorceress like magic." she replies. "It's a long story, but the short version is that it runs in the family." She points to the deck in Marie's purse, then. "Lemme see.... Nope, the magic isn't -actually- in the cards. You've got some sort of affinity or channeling thing going on, would be my guess."

Jen gives Marie a peculiar smile, then adds. "But I that doesn't surprise you, I'd expect." She looks around again, then offers. "You wanna get a cup of coffee or something? This really isn't a conversation we should be having with just -anyone- around."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
'It runs in the family'. Just like her own gift. Well. Part of her gift, anyways. Magic gets her attention, to be sure. She'd been told stories of magic. Of people that could use it. She'd been told that it's the reason that she could see the future as clearly as she could, when others who would use the cards were not as fortunate.

A shake of her head. "Non. These are pieces of paper." Or cardboard. Or.... who knows what else. She hasn't analyzed it that much.

"Not entirely, no... but I admit, there is much that I do not believe I know." she answers, and then nods. "Coffee, oui, Do you know an... appropriate place to have this and speak freely, Mademoiselle Kale?"

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale's smile softens a bit. "Jen or Jennifer will do just fine, thanks. And yeah, there's a coffee shop just a couple streets over. Depending on how deep you want to get into it, we can grab a couple coffees and talk back at my place."

Jen leans in a little closer, then adds in a stage-whisper. "We don't want to scare the 'normals' or anything." She starts off in the appropriate direction, then. "So what's a French girl doing in New York? Or are you French-Canadian? I can never tell."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie's a prime example of having grown up in a world that hates and fears her, but not just for being a mutant... and this was an opportunity to get into the things that she can't really talk with about anyone else, that she knows of. Of course, little does she know that she has more connections to magic than she even realizes...

"I think that would be a wise idea, oui." Marie replies, falling into line a couple steps behind the other woman. "Address, c'est vous plait? My friends have told me to never visit a stranger's home without one of them knowing where I went." She's already got her phone out to send a text, too. It sounds more... dutiful, than untrusting. She was told to do it, so she does it. "I came to America to study. France," so not Canadian, "was not... prepared for my needs. What of yourself, Mademoiselle Jen? Your words do not sound, how you say, 'New Yorker'?"

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale slows a little, so that Marie can walk more directly beside her. And she'll keep slowing and slowing until (hopefully!) Marie gets the idea. A blonde brow lifts, upper lip twitching into an amused smile at the request for her address. Jen give it without hesitation, then adds her phone number as well. "And honey, while that's a safe idea it's not like I'm gonna abduct you." Jen continues walking, working consciously to keep Marie more directly in line.

"Me? Oh I'm a Florida gal, gators and swamps, through and through!" The blonde flashes a more genuine smile, then. "If New York wasn't so damn cold I'd probably be barefoot, too. I just go to school here right now. It's close enough that I can make it home with a couple of quick teleport hops if I'm needed."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
It almost takes completely stopping before Marie realizes what Jennifer's looking for, but she moves to walk a single step beside-and-to-the-side of the blonde eventually. Jennifer knows where they're going. Marie does not. It's easier for her to follow that way! "Who said anything of abduction?" she asks, "If you wished to do so, I suspect you might have already." Illusions. Teleportation. Marie doesn't know what else, but suspects the blonde has more tricks up her sleeve than she does.

"Florida... where the World of Disney is, oui?" Pretty natural for someone who's never been to immediately make that particular connection. "...and yes. It gets colder here than where I am from." Pause. "Warmer, too, but that is more enjoyable. Still... it is never short of exciting, n'est-ce pas?" A bright smile to that. "So what do you study?"

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale chuckles at the Disney reference. "Make sure you use the little trademark thingie when you say the D-word or it'll be their lawyers who make you disappear." she quips back. "And if you want warmer, visit Florida in, say, July. Just bring an umbrella, because it rains every afternoon." Jen turns right at the next intersection. "What do I study? Right now I'm really enjoying psychology classes. But my magical duties sometimes (often) make it tough not to miss exams and stuff." She looks over at Marie, then. "So what about you? I know there aren't any magic classes and I doubt there are any on tarot reading."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie giggles a bit in response, and lowers her head in a nod. "Hide from lawyers, visit in July, bring an umbrella. I understand." the redhead agrees. Bringing an umbrella is just a wise idea in general when on vacation; she doesn't bring one with her in town because, frankly, she can usually predict the weather.

Precognition has it's benefits, even if the occasional weather-manipulator will interfere.

"Perhaps you need a school that is... more understanding of your duties and... the calamities that the city seems to encounter on a daily basis?" Marie asks, canting her head to the side thoughtfully. "Exams can be difficult, to be sure. Especially when other things come up." As for herself? "I am pursuing a Music major, currently." She'd take magic classes if they were offered! "I grew up playing the violin, and have always enjoyed it... so it seemed like a natural transition for me."

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale laughs out loud at that. "A school that's more understanding? Oh yeah, because that -always- works." She continues, "I'm sorry, Professor, but I need to retake the exam because the talking ducks jumped through the portal again and I had to talk them back."

Without breaking stride, Jen ducks into a coffee shop and trusts Marie to follow. "Music major? That's very cool. I've taken a lot of dance classes, myself. I think if it weren't for my... hobby... I would've tried it professionally." She leads the way up to the counter, then places her order. "Double tall, double strong. Black."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
It occurs to Marie that not every school is as understanding of such things as Xavier's; and there's a bit of sadness that crosses her features. If only Jen were a mutant! "...talking ducks? Is this something that happens often?" she asks in a hushed tone.

She's not well versed in that side of the world, and liable to believe a lot.

"The homework I do for it is much more entertaining than what a friend of mine did; she was a math major." Marie makes a face at the mental image of the /other/ Jennifer-that-she-knows' homework. Of course, now it's time to consider orders... well, since they're going to Jen's? "A medium coffee for me, three creams, two sugars, c'est vous plait." And a pause. "Her order is on me, as well." A nod over towards Jen, and she starts digging for her debit card as her attention changes to focus on the blonde. "So you have taken dance classes, Mademoiselle Jen? What kind?" Marie has, too! Although in her case, it was ballroom. The convent had to raise a proper lady.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale is reaching into her pocket when Marie declares that she's buying. The blonde smiles at that, turning to look. "Thanks very much." she offers. Watching as Marie pays, she replies. "Oh, several different styles, actually, but I really like jazz and ballet...." Her voice trails off as if she would say more, but decides against it.

A coffee shop really isn't the place to bring up her evening job as an exotic dancer, after all.

"And yeah, we get... visitors... from a lot of different... places. More than you'd expect, really."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
As coffees are delivered, she takes hers with both hands and nods a polite thanks to the barista -- adding a generous tip, as well. Either she has a soft spot for the purveyors of the java bean, or she's just a good tipper. She'll wait for Jen to be ready, too, before moving for the door; she might not know the way to the blonde's place, but she at least knows her way to the exit!

"Even more than me!" she giggles, "I mainly practiced ballroom dancing, myself. Fancy dresses, a beautiful partner in my arms.... tres romantic." she offers, her tone taking on a dreamy-sort of vibe to it. Definitely the hopeless sort, this one.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale nudges the door open with her hip, leading the way out (since she knows which direction they're going). She grins at Marie, giving her head a little shake as well. Not in a judgy way, but more wistful. As if she remembers being that way, a long time ago.

"Ballroom? You'll have to show me a few steps sometime." she replies. "Though I've never been much for fancy dresses. I've always been more of a tomboy." Jen pauses for a moment, then. "You know what a 'tomboy' means?" They're continuing past the coffee shop, now, and take another turn. "My building is just up ahead on the right." she offers.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Oh, gladly. Music is a passion -- I would not pursue it otherwise, oui?" Some people pursue degrees because of the money they could make from a job they might not care that much for. Not Marie. Marie lives and dies by her dreams; the closest thing she's had to a job-for-money was at the Shake Shack, and even /that/ she enjoyed because free food!

"Oh, oui, I know the tomboys." A nod. "You prefer pants to skirts, and video games to playing with dolls." Granted, they're both probably beyond that age now! "I... respect the mobility that pants afford, but given the option -- and better weather -- I prefer a nice skirt, myself." She'll follow each direction with ease and no resistance. Not that she has any reason to resist! If anything, she's a bit eager to get there.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale keys the front door of the building, then leads up a flight of stairs. That's where she pauses, giving the apartment number a knowing look and offering a wry smile to Marie. Yes, it's the same number she gave earlier. Then she unlocks the door and opens it, switching on the light.

Jen's apartment is, well, small. Small and pretty basic. It's neat, at least, and doesn't even smell bad. A worn but comfortable-looking sofa, a chair, and a small TV on a stand. Two other doors are there, plus an efficiency kitchen.

"It's not much, but it's safe and it's cozy." she offers. Jen flops down onto the couch, stretching her long legs out. She starts toeing off her boots as she takes a sip of coffee.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie believed jen! She tends to expect the best out of people rather than preparing for the worst.

Really, it's one of the reasons that her friends insisted that she provide addresses like that.

She follows Jen up to the apartment, and steps inside once allowed, stopping just inside the door to take a look around. Once she's done? She's back in motion; for her part, she'll opt for the chair. She doesn't want to deny Jen the opportunity to lay across the couch if she wants to, after all.

"Safety and comfort are the most important things that one could ask for of a home." Marie replies, offering a smile. "Mine is similar, just... more photographs." Because she enjoys having photographic proof of her happy memories surrounding her.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale stretches her stocking-clad feet straight out from the couch, wiggling her toes. Her feet flex; dancer's feet. "I don't tend to put down real deep roots, myself. Pictures are the sort of things you have to go back for." Jen replies, sipping her coffee. She shrugs out of her coat as well, and with a flourish it levitates over to the coat rack to hang itself up. Under the coat she's wearing a pink crop-top, and the bell-bottom jeans are very low-rise.

"So you've got an affinity for the cards, but you've never had any magic training?" Jen asks, casually.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie will keep her own coat on for a little longer; she likes the warmth of it, mainly, though eventually the warmth will be too much. Not yet though.

"That's precisely why I do it. There was a time, that my fate was to walk a path alone for quite some time. Having pictures of my friends, the happy times I shared with them... it made the solitude easier to bear." Though, she doesn't sound too happy about that particular time in her life. Oh, how she cursed the Hermit. At least that time had passed.

"As you said... it was passed along through my family. I learned from my grandmother; she taught me to read the cards, about... things beyond normal that /existed./ I suspect she knew much more than she was able to pass along, but... eventually my parents decided that my interests merited being sent to a convent school and away from her tutelage, instead." A pause. "But, fate blessed me. I do her bidding, and she allows me to see beyond the veil." Yes, Marie's one of those precogs that believes the future is set, for the most part.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale tucks her feet up an crosses her legs, sitting up a little. When Marie starts talking about fate and precognition, seeing beyond the veil and such, Jen lifts a blonde brow. "They sent you to a convent, seriously? Ouch, that's pretty harsh."

"The Kales come from an ancient line of Atlantean sorcerors." She pauses a moment, then adds. "Yes, I said Atlantean. I learned about my heritage at an early age, and was taught to embrace it. I was taught magic by an ancient sorceror and learned even more on the fly."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie shrugs a bit and sighs. Now that her body feels warmer and the cold isn't quite so much of a threat, she takes a moment to unbutton, and then shrug out of her coat. Underneath said coat is a goldenrod silk blouse, worn untucked over her leggings. Coffee cup is held with both hands once her arms are free of the coat. "My parents... they thought it was what was best for me, oui? They did not have time to raise an... abnormal daughter and also handle their business affairs." There's a sadness in her voice, but it's more resigned than angry; she blames herself for being difficult.

Then the stories are coming from the other womana nd Marie's all ears, lips curving into a bit of a smile. "It... has been a long time since I have had someone to speak of these things with, so I hope you will forgive me any stupid questions I might ask." A pause. "Atlantean. Does this mean you can breathe water, Mademoiselle Jen?" she asks. Marie is nothing if not earnest; she wants to understand everything, even if she has to start with the little things.

"My grandmother also encouraged me to embrace my heritage," she adds, "If not for her, likely I would have followed my father's path, rather than seek to learn the cards." Which, admittedly, is the only thing that's truly magical that she /knows./

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale's gaze wanders a bit, blonde brow lifting at the silk. She takes a sip of coffee, expression softening. The question about breathing water catches her while distracted, but she laughs loudly a moment later. "Me? Oh no. I'm just a normal human, really. Ancient Atlanteans were as well. And they couldn't breathe water, so they died when the island was trashed." Jen wiggles her toes, then. "Nice blouse." Because of course that's what she was staring at.

"Good to hear about grandma, though. While you were being repressed in Catholic school, I was raised more or less by the local chapter of the Cult of Zhered-Na." She lifts her cup, then. "So it seems you have some catching up to do in your mystical education. If you're up for it, of course."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Oh!" Marie blushes a bit. "I, well. I apologize for your loss. I did not mean to be insensitive." Marie, ever apologetic. Also for her part, fairly unaware of just where Jennifer's eyes were; as the blonde put it herself, the redhead spent a majority of her life being repressed, not to mention ignored or belittled. People taking note of her for positive reasons, even three-plus years withdrawn from France, is still very foreign to her. The compliment makes her light up a bit, though. "Merci! It was on sale, and I cannot help but adore the way silk feels..." She enjoys some of the finer things in life, to be sure.

"Zhe-Red-Na?" she echoes with some confusion; it's an unfamiliar name to her. Most things are unfamiliar to her. It's just the way it goes. She takes another sip, though, keeping the cup near her lips for a moment to bask in the warmth... before blinking. Once. Twice. Trying to process what was said.

"You... would be willing to teach me, Mademoiselle Jen?" she asks, sounding more than a little blown away by the prospect of this.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale's initial impression shifts when Marie mentions getting the blouse on sale. Only rich girls wear silk, right? Probably wears real lingerie, too, not Calvin for Women thongs. She takes another sip of coffee, looking amused. "It's alright. Atlantis sunk a long time ago. Ancient, remember?"

"But yes, I'd be willing to teach you. If you're interested in learning, that is. And you have to promise NOT to introduce me to your family. I get enough angst from other dimensions without a friend's judgemental parents." The blonde arches her back, then, stretching both arms high overhead. "So do you stay close to campus, Marie? You don't need to tell me the exact address, of course. At least not until I've met your protective friends."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Oui, ancient." Marie repeats, nodding slightly. Still, she was feeling bad until told it was alright; one of the few things she knows about magic is that those involved with it can have long memories, and ancient grudges are very much a thing, and she'd rather ask forgiveness than be thought unkind.

"I never thought the opportunity would come again." she admits, "I would be most honored to further my mystical education under you, Mademoiselle Jen -- what are your fees?" she asks; getting something for free, also, is something that's mostly unheard of to her. "No need to worry about my parents," she adds, "I... have not seen them in years. I do not think I would attempt to, even now." It shames her a bit to admit this, but it's true. They don't want anything to do with her. She accepts that. "I did, when I was still a student there; I have recently moved a bit further from the city proper." Back to Xavier's. She quickly adds, "Close enough to come into the city regularly, though!"

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale quirks a brow. Fees? Maybe this girl DOES have money. Certainly doesn't have to dance on a pole for extra cash. "Okay, so the parents aren't gonna be a problem. As for fees..."

Think of the opportunity, Jen! Here is your chance!

The blonde shrugs a little. "I've never really charged fees for teaching magic, y'know? It just wouldn't feel right. After all, for someone with magical talent but not the knowledge, it's like teaching survival skills."

Jen takes another sip of coffee, then. "Anyone ever tell you that you're cute, Marie? I mean, I've not known any French girls before, and I'm just sorta surprised, is all."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie shakes her head rapidly, "Non, not a problem at all... and my friends these days are much more accepting of my interests." she adds; so wealthy or not, at least she runs in better circles these days!

"I... that makes sense." Like the Institute. Xavier's never charged for helping her develop her mutant powers, and now Jennifer's offering similar. The other woman has earned some definite points, here. "Well, perhaps I can repay you another way. You mentioned being interested in learning ballroom dance... and fancy dresses are not /required/ by any means." A playful wink, there. She may not be the best teacher in the world, but she has knowledge that she's certainly willing to pass on.

Then comes the compliment, and Marie's cheeks redden, "Oui," she answers honestly. "But only in this country. In France... I was more fortunate to be ignored. Here... a number have told me. Most I am not sure I believe." Saying things to make someone feel better is a thing, she's learned. Mary's the exception; Mary she believes. Her gaze goes a bit downcast, not used to being the center of attention. "You... are surprised that a French girl can be cute, Mademoiselle?" she asks, sounding a bit confused.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale's eyes brighten when Marie mentions dance lessons, or is it when she blushes? "Tell you what, then, dance lessons in exchange for magic lessons. That sounds like a good deal to me. We'll just have to work out a schedule."

Jen uncrosses her legs slowly, then, stretching out one and then the other. "Well like I said, I've never met any French girls. Always heard good things, of course. I was just... surprised... at how cute you are." Jen pauses for a moment, then adds. "That was also sorta the reason I invited you to coffee. To... get to know you."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie's back to beaming; for someone who does, legitimately, come from wealth -- not that she has access to her family's -- Marie's more down to earth and hardworking. She doesn't want to feel like she's taking advantage of someone's generousity -- despite the fact that she allows herself to be taken advantage /of./ "Oui! I will... how you say... make a calendar of where my current responsibilities fall, and we can fill in the blanks with what works for you." Fortunately, things like time management /were/ covered in her education!

Then, there's a little giggle. "Oh, well. I." She pauses, knitting her brows together for a moment. "I... cannot really say how I compare to others because... when I went to the convent... I did not look at girls in such a way." Though, thanks to a revelation from the cards that romance with a woman /was/ in her future, she's allowed herself to, since. Of course, then it's coming back towards her again, and she's blushing redder. Coffee cup is raised to her lips again, though she doesn't immediately drink. "I... merci..." she trails off for a moment. A sip is taken, she swallows it hard, raising her eyes slowly. Not quite making eye-contact, more... eye-to-forehead. It's easier. "I... you invited me to coffee... to get to know me... because I am cute?" she echoes, trying to put it together. The cup is staying by her lips, though. A sort of shield. Those lips also curve downwards a bit.

"Mademoiselle Jen... I apologize if I have given the wrong impression... but." She pauses. Trying to find the right words. "I am... how you say... seeing someone?" There's almost a fear in her voice to admitting it. She's worried that she'll upset the other girl, but also knows it must be said. "I mean... I am most flattered..." and eyes start drifting down, pale skin growing redder. "...and you are very pretty, and I do like girls that way!" she points out. It was a revelation to her. "But... ah..." she trails off for a moment, making a face. "...I do not wish to cheat, nor can I truly see myself with more than one person." By this point, her eyes are on the floor, head hanging low. "I apologize... and I hope you understand... and I understand if you do not still wish to instruct me, knowing this."

Marie's a creture of politeness, but not one with much self-worth, to say the least.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale watches Marie's face, especially the hotter blush when the girl sips. Yeah, repressed and innocent, she'll take a little more time to process everything. Then it starts to sink in and it's Jen's turn to smile a little sheepishly.

Jen laughs, and it's in a good-natured way. "Marie, don't apologize that you're seeing someone. Seriously. I -still- think you're cute, and I respect that you've got romance in your life. In fact, I think it's great that you do, so just relax, okay?"

Jen's expression becomes wry, then, and she takes a deeper drink of her coffee. "Just because monogamy never really caught on with me doesn't mean I don't respect other people's choices. You enjoy your girlfriend, and I promise not to squeeze your ass while we're dancing, okay?"

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie shrinks in her seat a little at hearing the laughter -- a clear past of bullying, even if she hadn't more or less said it herself. Though the words make her straighten up and lift her gaze a little. Breathing out a sigh of relief. It's the first time she's really had a pass made at her -- and realized it -- while she's been in a relationship. She's been on the other side of that coin, but while she knew how she would handle it, she wasn't sure how anyone else would.

"Okay. I will try." Relaxing isn't always easy for her. She's a worrier. "--and okay." There's a little smile to her lips, now. "Monogamy is... what is for me. One of my very best friends is... involved... with more than one person, and she has tried to explain... but my mind cannot grasp it as hers does. Still, I am happy that she is happy... and I am happy with my one girfriend and my many friends, of which you are now one." She's decided this, it seems.

Jennifer Kale has posed:
Jennifer Kale also looks pleased, as much at clearing up any misunderstanding as anything else. "Sounds to me like we understand each other, Marie. I'm very glad. And I'm happy to call you my friend as well. In fact, you just feel free to call or text if you need help with anything, you know, mystical."

"So send me your schedule and I'll send you mine. I've got classes, and I also try to work a couple nights a week. Sound like a plan to you?"

At some point, Jen knows she should probably tell Marie what KIND of work she does. But the naive French girl has already worked through a lot tonight. That'll wait for another time.