16779/Judging a Book

Judging a Book
Date of Scene:	04 January 2024
Location:	Gotham University
Synopsis:	Clara meets Phoebe at Gotham University and the two get a chance to know each other. It turns out they have a lot in common.
Cast of Characters:	Clara Jennings, Phoebe Beacon

---

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Today is the big day! Well, it is really just another big day. In order to steady herself, Clara has decided to review her script for the night. Well, that and many other things. She is sitting at a bench, largely ignored by the passing of students who just love it far too much to leave campus for too long. At her feet is a bag stuffed awkwardly with books.

    She is wearing a coat, of course, and a black skirt. It is one of her host of ankle-length black skirts. It is paired with a pair of shoes that are best described as boring, with a heel not even reaching two inches.

    For all her reading, though, Clara does look up from time to time, to see who is passing by. A few times she even raises a hand, trying to get the attention of a passing student. She has a remarkable talent for being overlooked, though, and no one stops, nor even waves back.

    "Drat," she says softly to herself.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Meanwhile, Phoebe is trained to not overlook anything. Detective skills for solving crimes, and those little hints in working the Larger Items.
    Her dusky pink hair was hidden beneath a hair wrap today, the scarf in Gotham Black and Gold for school, wearing black leggings, a black skirt, and a dark leather jacket, with sensible boots on her feet.

    "Miss Jennings?" she questions as she makes her way over, giving a bright smile.

    "Hi, Phoebe Wayne, from the New Year's party?"

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Clara, one would observe, is not used to actually being noticed. When she hears her name, at her first reaction is confusion. But once she sees Phoebe, she smiles. The mention of New Year's, however, wipes that expression away as quickly as magic.

    "Yes, thar party." She sighs softly. Silently, her mind flips through a dozen possible directions for the conversation. She is, in the moment, selecting a script to follow. She finds one that works and answers.

    "You were speaking with the hyena man, as I remember." And then she transitions to, "What are you doing today?"

    While Phobe has likely not seen enough of Clara to recognize her whole script approach, one does get the sense that she has to carefully select what to say next. Yet despite this difficulty, the way she leans forward, as well as the rest of her body language, nearly shouts how much she wants to talk.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Yes, Sma'sha. Ah... when I lived in New York I got used to all sorts. Sometimes the Gotham Elite don't take kindly to 'the other' amongst them. But I figured it'd be easier to recognize me from that, rather than bring up the Coptic Fiction seminar you spoke at." Phoebe gives a smile.

    It's as much a script as Clara's. Phoebe sits down on the bench, perches, like she's a bird that might fly off at any moment.

    "Well, I'm here for one of the 'in between session' classes, since class hasn't started back up officially. A couple professors were going to do a mini-seminar on identifying skin conditions on darker skin tones for the medical students that I snagged a spot for. Also," she gives a slightly embarrassed smile. "I'm part of the vitamin packet study that they were talking about on the news."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "I remember every face in the crowd from every lecture," Clara replies. There is a kind of unusual flatness in her tone, and she has trouble meeting Phoebe's eyes. "I am happy you enjoyed that lecture. You were very engaged. I like questions, even if they are sometimes difficult."

    She sets aside her script for tonight and lets out a breath. She is smiling again. "I am happy to see a familiar face. Well, I mean. To talk to someone." Awkwardness intensifies. There is no script for honesty, and honesty is usually pathetic.

    "I do not watch the news, though. I do not have a television, though I sometimes hear my governess listening to the radio. She does not want me to get distracted from my work. But..."

    She opens the bag just a bit, and Phoebe can see some kind of movie discs in there. Either DVDs or something like them. "These work in my computer, and if I keep the volume low she does not notice. Mrs. Dennings at the library is helping me curate a list of films to watch to understand... um." Awkwardness again. "Why people are the way they are, I guess? And maybe to not have so much trouble. Oh. Did you enjoy the party?"

    The last is smooth again. Back in the comfortable confines of a script.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "It's not often that esoteric languages usually used in the confines of religious practice show up as the main language of fiction, how could I not go?" Phoebe gives a bright smile.

    Phoebe is comfortable in the Awkward. Honesty, to her, is always something on halfs -- she has to keep so many parts of her own life hidden.

    "Governess?" Phoebe questions, her eyebrows rising up in curiosity. "I've found that talking to people gives a better sense of why they are how they are. Movies can focus on what the directors or producers want to show, rather than the actual heart of any problem." Phoebe replies, and she looks around their little area, "And taking psychology courses can help as well. The human brain processes events in so many different ways."

    She pauses for a moment. "Which is why Arkham becomes so full so quickly."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "I do find the past of humanity a much easier study than talking to people," admits Clara. "When I think I understand things, I usuall find out I was wrong the entire time. It is hard, you know?" She looks more intently in Phoebe's eyes, then turns away, flustered.

    "For instance, the party. I wanted to dance. I just think it was my fault, though. I do not know how to get a man to pay attention, and I was taught that I should not ask, then also taught I should say what I want. How can both be true?"

    Awkward may be the topic here, but she is pushing ahead with a strange energy. "Oh, and my governess, yes. She teaches me many things, and she has been with me since I left the nursery. They tell me it was on my fourth birthday, but I do not remember, of course. I was too small. My parents died shortly after I was born, so it has been just us."

    The comment on Arkham makes her curious. "I suppose it does, but I do not know why. Gotham is a strange place. Very dangerous. New York and Metropolis are safer. But here I am! My governess told me Gotham had a program that was more likely to support someone like me and allow me to establish a reputation."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "The past is written by who was left at the end. Sometimes many centuries after the events. Our understanding of the past changes all the time with archaeology, anthropology, finding out who we were as peoples can be as confusing and confounding as finding out who we are." Phoebe replies with a small smile. She does not follow the topic of parents. Almost everyone knows that Phoebe is an adoptee of the Wayne family. Like most of her 'siblings'.

    "I suppose both could be true if you consider different standards of behavior. Every situation is different. I can speak my mind if I'm in a Wayne Enterprises meeting about charitable giving, or handling how to distribute the extra earnings for a quarter to a team I manage, but I'm definitely not supposed to speak my mind during important dinners or galas -- I've gotten in a little trouble that way." she gives an understanding smile.

    "IF you're talking about my brother though?" she ventures, her eyebrows rising up. How to get Damian's attention?

    Horrible levels of lethality. Stitching his stomach back together. Being into the same manga.

    "If you do have his attention, it is an intense amount of attention. He's also not one for huge parties. A lot going on. If you get the chance to see him speak at an event and ask him questions afterwards, that's a better way. He's very cerebral."

    And a jerk sometimes. But all siblings are.

    "That must be difficult, to try and navigate the world with little understanding about it. Have you considered enrolling in courses here?" she asks, "Getting out a little?

Clara Jennings has posed:
    The first part, about history, pleases Clara. She is smiling through the entire thing. "Do you study history, Miss Wayne.. or." A pause. Her head tilts. "Please just call me Clara. Can I just call you Phoebe?" She is not on a script, here. This, she thinks, is the process of making a friend. So far she rather thinks she has faield every time she has tried.

    Then things get very difficult, and she looks away. Her expression is complicated. "I do not want to be a nuisance," she decides at last. "And you are right about knowing when to talk. I generally just stay quiet, but then I feel frustrated! A lady should not feel that way, of course. There are so many things a lady should and should not do, though. I was taught to remember things, but even I struggle to think of so much in a moment!"

    She laughs at herself, then. A rare sound, as of late, and even she finds it sounds rather odd. Too loud, maybe? Or too bitter.

    "I wish I had more time. I am kept very busy, though. I have much work to do and a schedule full of study. When I am very good, however, I am allowed to visit the library, or even read outside, like today. Perhaps I will get good feedback on my lecture and get another library visit next week, as well." A pause and a soft admission, "I violated my curfew for the party."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Of course, Clara. Feel free to call me Phoebe." Phoebe replies with a smile. She's beginning to pick apart Clara's script.

    "Studying history is interesting, but people forget, we're making history too. Every action we make can create a ripple effect. By standing up to a bully, someone can save a life. By sharing little pieces of ourselves, we help others to grow. Life's a garden." Phoebe gives a smile. "You decide what seeds you want to nurture, when to prune away the parts that no longer serve you. You are a part of history. Don't forget that. It's nice to not feel small when you think that way." the young woman gives a smile to the lecturer.

    "A Lady should feel however she is feeling. It's antiquated to say 'oh, no, a lady shouldn't be angry for frustrated'. You're /human/. You deserve to feel things -- just don't let those feelings control you."

    She considers a moment.

    "I've violated curfews a couple of times for fun too. Bruce Wayne adopted me because he felt that he would be able to help me after I got put through the wringer. I'm aware that there's opportunities I have that have come through being attached to him, but there's a lot of rules I have to follow as well. I get the sense that you have a long list of rules you have to live with."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "Phoebe." Clara seems to be thinking of just what that feels like. It seems different, somehow. She will have to see later if this is going to be a friend. She has made that mistake before.

    "A lady should feel however she is feeling," Clara quotes. She does not smile, but she comes close. "My governess would probably have many things to say to me about that!" A warmer laugh, then. "I get the feeling lately, though, that she is waiting for me to say something to her. I just cannot figure out what it might be."

    The girl nods thoughtfully as Phoebe explains her relationship with Mr. Wayne. "I imagine it must be very difficult. Damian had mentioned.." A pause then. She does not continue. "There are many things one has to do to meet high expectations. A man who has accomplished so many things would certainly hope for his children to do the same. High expectations are a blessing, though they might not always seem that way. I was recently allowed to speak to our director for the first time. He has very, very high expectations for me. Though I may have blundered with my curfew, I did something very good on-around New Years, that is. I helped resolve a sticky academic problem."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "There are high expectations. And sometimes we fall short, and in general there is someone there to help us get back on our feet if we need it." Phoebe gives a small smile. "That's the nice thing about having a big family. There's a lot of hands to help us back into place when we fall."

    She takes a deep breath, and slowly lets it out.

    She doesn't mention that Damian's mother's side had exceptionally high expectations of him.

    "When you say 'our director' --" she ventures, turning to face Clara, one hand coming up and over the back of the bench as her brows knit.

    "That sounds like you were adopted by an organization, with governesses and directors when you're already an accomplished academic. I mean, you don't seem too much older than me, and I'm nineteen." she states, her lips pursing as she considers. "You're not like, going to suddenly burst out into evil laughter and try to take over the school are you? Because if you do -- can do you do it like, around midterms? Classes get canceled and we get auto-A's for any tests we miss."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "It must be great to have so many people to rely on. I never am left wanting, though. My governess is always there for me. Sometimes I fear she has given up her whole life just to take care of me! She just says it makes her happy, though. And that it is what my parents would have wanted."

    Clara's eyes widen when Phoebe looks at her so directly. She does not look away, though. Normally she would be scared, but it seems she is getting a little bit more used to this whole talking and eye contact business.

    She blinks a few times, taking that entire long line of thinking in. She smiles at the end of it. "I would love to take over the school! It would be very fun. I could go to the library whenever I like! But a lady does not cackle, so I cannot be a villain. Sorry, Phoebe, you will have to study for your midterms. But if you would like, I could join you! I would have fun learning whatever you are studying. It is from books, right?" And she loves books. Which kind? The ones with words in them.

    "But I do have a director who talks to me now. His voice is not very friendly, but he told me I was very efficient and he appreciated my devotion to preserving knowledge. He tends to go on and on. It was quite nice of him to speak with me. Oh! And he said I would be doing even more difficult things soon, which is great, right?"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Ah, I'm not sure how much help I need studying for my practical lab with human anatomy... that's where we open up a donated corpse in groups." Phoebe gives a small smile and rubs the back of her neck. "I'm in the Medschool fasttrack program. I'm considering going into pediatrics -- it's a field I've considered since I was a kid myself." she gives a wry grin at Clara, and the darker-skinned girl relaxes a little bit as she leans against the bench back.

    "Sooo... you have a director, who appreciates the devotion to preserving knowledge... so the director's like... in charge of a museum?" she questions, blinking.

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Clara laughs out loud at that! "Err, yes, I do not think I would be of much use. For which I am grateful! I do wish to serve learning my whole life, but I am still using this body right now. That is so amazing, though! You are going to be a doctor!"

    Clara is obviously impressed, even excited. "How long have you been studying medicine? Or.. or is it biology first? I have never gone to a university to actually learn." She realizes how very weird that must sound. How very weird it is! "I should change that, like you said. Perhaps I can learn not to sleep."

    The mention of her director makes her pause for thought. Hm. How to explain? She sucks at secret identities, after all. "We work with thousands of museums all over the world. We also support private holders, ensuring that they properly care artifacts. There is a kind of process. We want to make sure that things are protected adequately and that they are available to instruct and inspire mankind."

    What she describes lacks a clear economic motivation, which is always a bit suspicious! But she fails to worry about how weird it sounds. "It is also why I love reading as much as I do. Just.. words." It's like she shivers in delight, "Even the curve of a letter is so beautiful, and knowing how to assemble them into sound, and then into meaning. Is that not the most wondrous thing humans have ever achieved? Well, outside of families, I mean. Outside of love."

    She hesitates, then just stops, trailing into silence after opening her mouth to start again. Clara sways slightly, far, far more relaxed than Phoebe has ever seen her be.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "NO, no, take it from a medical student who has a lot of friends with severe caffeine addictions -- sleep is not only good but really a requirement to the whole existing thing!!" Phoebe protests, waving her hands about a moment, she definitely didn't want CLara on the cadaver list. That would be bad.

    She tilts her head back. "Well. My ah... my first adoptive father was an EMT, and then became a fireman. So I've always had an interest in medicine and treating people. Gotham offers first aid classes for emergencies through programs in their public schools and I've always taken them." she replies.

    "With Bruce Wayne's help? I was able to get fast-tracked and could test out of some of the classes. I'm still six years from finishing medical school and actually earning the MD, but he thought it was very touching that I would want to graduate from the same school his father did. Thomas Wayne wasn't just rich and a philantropist, but was a doctor as well. Though... I don't recall if he ever practiced."

    And she purses her lips a moment.

    And as Clara explains how much she enjoys reading, Phoebe's eyes draw upwards, and she purses her lips again.

    "Love is a funny thing." she states, after a moment. She brings her right hand over her left shoulder, imagining she's feeling the burning sensation there again.

    "Love can destroy you as easily as anything else."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    Throughout Phoebe's explanation of why she is drawn to medicine, it is obvious that Clara is paying very close attention. She nods in understanding, "It is a calling, is it not? To follow in the footsteps of those who raise us. And it is wonderful that you have done so for so long. And what you are doing is so very important! There is.. hm. I have saved treasures crafted by the hands of genius. But they are nothing compared to the beauty of a child. Each generation is the magnum opus of all those who came before. That you are dedicated to them means we are alike, though what you do will be far more important to the world in the end."

    Clara is thinking about the last thing Phoebe said for a while. Her response is gentle, "I... do not know love very well yet. I mean, the kind of love that I want to know about. But I like to think that if it did destroy me, I would have no regrets. As precious as it is to preserve and keep things for the future, I am no book or tome. It might not be so bad, to burn so bright. Even if I was only as foolish as Icarus in the end."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Icarus was given wings through the love of his uncle. Icarus *died* because he didn't listen to the warnings. Hubris." Phoebe states quietly. "Same as Bellerophon, riding to Olympus because his pride and brought down by a fly's bite to Pegasus's flank. The only love that destroys you, is when you love blindly, and you find that you are not loved in return. That's more Echo, I think. Only permitted to return what she had heard, never able to voice herself her thoughts after being cursed."

    She turns to the sky a moment. Sorry, Zeus, you were kind of an ass in the old days.

    "So. You be careful with that director, and this organization. Sounds like a pain in the ass if they have too many rules put on your shoulders. Even as a Wayne I get to have a *little* fun."

Clara Jennings has posed:
    "You know, it is interesting. My governess said the same of Icarus, but I wonder... do we have it all wrong? Is not human life all about trying to touch the sun?"

    Clara smiles and nods, "A little fun? It seems that you were enjoying yourself with the... with Sha'shaw." He scared her, mostly.

    "But this all touches on a point that a person I met made me consider. It is selfish, maybe, considering how important what my work is about, but I read all these books. And the books about people are not about people like me. They are about people who do things. They fight, they get angry, they lose and they win and they..." She looks at Phoebe more carefully, "They touch the sun, Phoebe. And sometimes that is wonderful, sometimes it is tragic. But they are living. I just wondered lately if maybe I could have a life a bit more like that."

    She sighs softly, realizing the time. "But.. well, I am going to be expected soon. Oh, but.." The girl's expression changes. Uncertainty, hope, fear, and even a flash of a smile can be noticed in there. All in the space of a few moments. "I would lke to be friends." She draws out a card and offers it to Phoebe. "I mean, if you ever have time. I am not always around here, but I will try to be! I would like to hear about your studies. And anything else you think of. You are really nice."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Sma'shaw." Phoebe corrects gently. "And yes, like I said, I'm from a blue collar background. The Gotham Elite don't always like it when there's 'the other' amongst them. And we both had to cover our ears from the noise." Phoebe gives a small smile.

    "Just be careful that when you get to touch the sun, you're not wearing wings made of wax." she smiles, and she gives a smile.

    "Everyone is worth having a lived-in life. Maybe sometime we can talk more on that topic, as kids who lost parents young we got that in common." she replies, and she gives a nod "Yeah, one of my brothers might show up at the lecture. He's even more of a brain than Damian is, so he might have some good questions for you too." she smiles to her, and she accepts the card, and exchanges one of her own, pulling out from a worn wallet.

PHOEBE BEACON-WAYNE

Gotham area code number. "And I know people, so if you ever need to get out of a night of living life? Gimmie a call. Maybe I'll take you to a punk show. Or maybe a solar-punk acoustic jam, that might be more your speed." she jokes, and gets to her feet. "Need help carrying your books?"