3112/The Replacement Marie

The Replacement Marie
Date of Scene:	27 August 2020
Location:	Xavier's School Front Yard
Synopsis:	Roulette meets Firestar and takes her under her wing. Don't tell people she was nice.
Cast of Characters:	Angelica Jones, Jennifer Stavros

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Angelica Jones has posed:
A yellow cab of all things pulls up in front of the school. The man inside tips his hat to the redheaded female that he's dropping off, waiving his tip with a wave of his hand. Their conversation is soft-spoken, not enough to be heard outside the taxi's windows, but the man reaches and squeezes her hand in a fatherlike fashion. It appears they bonded on the way here.

But eventually the doors open, and out steps a ...well, it's definitely not one of life's beauties. A youngish lady, red hair and pale skin emerges. No makeup, kind of a boring outfit. But something in her has the cab driver keeping an eye on her until she gets to the gate. Where she waves at him, and smiles.

It's a decent smile, at least. She doesn't look around though, and if there were someone nearby she'd not see it. For example, the moment the cabbie pulls away, a bird from a nearby tree launches itself at her. It lands in her hair, and she shrieks with surprise! She's losing to a bluejay. Wow. Good combat skills there.

City girl.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jennifer Stavros has just arrived from the city herself, and she's approaching the front doors of the school, but turns when she hears the taxi coming up to the gate. The familiarity between teen and cab driver causes her to raise an eyebrow. When Angelica gets out of the cab she mutters to herself, "I see. They went and got a hotter Marie," only to facepalm when the bird gets the best of the mutant.

With a sigh she moves toward the new redhead, who /clearly/ needs her help. "Alright, alright," she says. "Let me get the bird out of your hair." She's a city girl herself, but she's hard sort, the sort who doesn't show fear or care when anybody's looking. "I've gotta tell you, hon, same thing probably would've happened to my best friend in the same situation. Those blue jays, they love the redheads."

Angelica Jones has posed:
It takes a moment to fix, the 'It's in my hair!' almost worth smacking her over. Well, yeah. We see that hon. Kinda obvious. But when the bluejay is set free and flies away looking down with a triumphant expression to tell its friends, the redhead looks tousled and ...

Sigh. She looks amazing like that. Messy and flustered. "Ugh, that always seems to happen to me," she says, looking up. Then she turns to her saviour, looking around. No bag, no suitcase. She's travelling light.

With her smile slowly returning, she tries to untangle her bird's nest with her fingers. "Thank you so much...? I'm Angelica. Not Angel please, I'm just me." And she sticks out a hand, or tries to but it's tangled. Five seconds later she -actually- sticks out her hand, managing this time with a bit of work involved in the process.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Takes the redhead's hand. Shakes lightly. None of that crushing of fingers -- that's the way of people with Y chromosomes. But she's cataloging things she can criticize the other girl for in her head, because that is definitely in the wheelhouse of mean girls like Jen. She is having trouble finding a lot of aspects to criticize, but she's sure they're there somewhere. Aside from the obvious 'too innocent for words' thing.

"Jen Stavros," she replies. "Jen, Jenny, Jennifer. I respond to them all. I'm a graduate, but it was a dull night and I figured I'd come back and see who's around to hang with. It's nice to meet you, Angelica whose hair remains awesome despite literally being a bird's nest for a minute there."

Angelica Jones has posed:
"I'm brand new," the newcomer says. She looks a little bit nervous, which is probably the norm for a new school, and someone she hasn't met. "Wait, what?" She tries to look up, then frowns. "I look ridiculous, don't make fun of me please, not with hair like that on your head. Seriously wow. And...Jennifer, I'll remember that." She probably will too.

Still, she shook Jennifer's hand eagerly and looks around again. "Did you see a blue bag? Arm length strap, dark...where's my bag?" She seems to turn around a few times, starting to be anxious. "Oh hell," she says under her breath. Then turns to Jennifer and points. "The taxi!"

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"You do not look ridiculous," Jen says, tugging her phone from her pocket and flipping on the camera, flipping it so Angelica can see herself on the screen. "You look great, and it's entirely unfair to those of us who can actually wind up with a rat's nest on our heads if we aren't careful. You look fantastic, Angelica, and you have the modesty and naivete not to realize it." A long, slow shake of her head. "I am almost obligated to hate you. I don't, but almost obligated." A wry smile. "Just for the record, don't take much of what I say as serious, okay? I'm literally the worst. If you ever saw that show about the too-old people in community college, I'm practically the blonde girl on the show, except she's nicer."

She shakes her head and sighs. "Welcome to Xavier's. You're going to do fine here. You here as a student? How old are you?"

Angelica Jones has posed:
Having a moment to process everything that Jennifer's just said, Angelica closes her already-hanging-open mouth and nods, trying not to sound like the idiot that she clearly is. Sometimes. She sighs, then answers the questions since it's what she's clearly expected to do.

"Yes'm, student, sixteen, and I'd really rather you didn't hate me yet. I get enough of that already." Her voice is dry and pained at the end sentence, she's clearly had a few run-ins with bullies. Probably due to all the aforementioned issues that Jennifer just did a mini-rant about.

Oddly, something else is happening, aside from the problem with her bag. The ground under her feet is smoking. Not on fire, but definitely smoking.

"I need to find a phone, that cabbie has my luggage." She calls one bag 'luggage'..

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jen can't help but notice the smoking, only closes the distance between herself and Angelica to stomp the fire out. "I don't hate you. I'm too much a sucker for that, much as I hate to admit it." She glances at the phone, about to offer it to Angelica before she realizes it's not exactly handling the proximity to the redhead well. It's not going to be of much help. So the phone is tucked away, and the blonde backs off a little. "And I don't want to freak you out, either, but there's a phone right inside. Or I can call for you and you can shout."

Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica looks at the phone. She pauses, then presses her fingers to the bridge of her nose, eyes closing. Then she opens them and looks where Jen was stomping. "Ugh," she says, voice low enough it might not be heard. Probably is though. "Just...one day without doing that. Just one? Too much to ask?"

Then she lifts her head and pastes on a smile. "I would really love if you could. I got the driver's name, he's Bill Murray. Says he does comedy sometimes, but I've never seen him at a club." She shuffles her feet, trying to press out the smoke herself, and then murmurs, "Seemed familiar though."

"I mess up phones, it's just wierd. I think I have a bad aura." She's clearly trying to cover for her mutation. So, nobody's told her yet. About how the school works.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"You'll get better," Jen says. "I mean, I never had THAT much trouble with my powers, but my powers are different. Everybody figures it out at their own rate, and they're pretty helpful about it here." Really, Xavier's was good for her or she wouldn't be coming back here. She had people she didn't hate here. Met Marie here. Life was pretty good.

"Okay, Angelica, listen, just 'cause clearly nobody told you... this is a school for mutants, sweetie." She pokes at the phone, bringing up the phone app. "So, everybody you meet here, we're all like you, and nobody's gonna blink twice if you set fire to the grass while we're here. Or if your powers make phones act weird. What's the number?"

Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica opens her mouth, then closes it again. "They mentioned, but...it's hard to believe," she says, brutally honest about everything it seems. Would be soooo easy to hate her, it really would. She rattles off the phone number, though the sight of a yellow taxi returning in the distance behind her might be a clue that it's about to be unnecessary. Apparently Bill saw her bag...

"I do light fires. I try not to though." Then she almost whispers, leaning in closer, "What do you do?" As if it's the most important secret EVER! Her eyes are wide, and she's...going to get teased so much. It's a miracle she survived high school this far.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
It kind of is, yes. Part of Jennifer feels like she's not being true to herself, being somewhat nice to this girl. She should be breaking Angelica down to component atoms -- in a social and psychological sense -- so that she'll be tougher later. But sometimes Jen is entirely too nice for anybody's good. "Looks like he realized already," she observed. "You said this guy was Bill Murray and he does comedy? Older dude? Dark hair, thinning on top?" She doesn't quite believe it's him, but hey, weirder things have happened around here.

"I influence luck," she says, however, as a pair of balls appear in her hands -- one glowing brightly, the other so dark it seems to suck light in. "Hit somebody with a white ball and they're gonna have a good day. Black one, they're going to wish they stayed in bed."

Angelica Jones has posed:
As Angelica is told, she turns to look. The smile that lights her face is real, and far too easy to come by. Yep. Needs some of that toughening. Yikes. She turns back when she's shown Jen's balls though, her face actually doing a decent job of paying attention, and she says, "...wow. So you ...mutated? To have balls? I ...that sounds painful."
The cab comes closer, and Angelica turns to look. She beams and waves at the driver, actually bouncing a little as she does so! "Bill!" He can't hear her yet, but it barely matters. She's so getting the black ball.

"Let me introduce you, he's a nice guy. And your power is so much better than mine is. I just kill things."

...ouch.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Nobody's getting the black ball. Jennifer reabsorbs it into herself as 'Bill' returns to the scene -- best not to let somebody who isn't already in on the deal know that there are mutants here. Then things could get awkward. "I don't have balls," the blonde says, quietly, though a hint of testiness (no pun intended) in her tone. "I make balls of probabilistic energy." But she manages to affix a mild smile on her face as she waves to 'Bill'. She knows he can't hear them yet, but she doesn't take chances. Maybe he can read lips.

Angelica Jones has posed:
It's not Bill Murray. An older man, rather like a father figure for everyone drives up. "Angelica! Did you forget something?" He's got her bag, a pastel blue of all things (does not go with her hair at all), and he offers it out his window.

Angelica smiles at Jennifer, then turns to take the bag from Billy boy. "You also forgot your tip, you rascal," she says to him as he adjusts his glasses. "This is Jennifer. She's been helping me get settled, so it's okay."

"Gonna fight you on it ma'am. I got plenty tipped. And it's very nice to meet a lady like yourself, Jennifer. Take care of each other, alright?" He seems ready to leave, none the wiser. Though he seems awfully familiar, with the grey hair.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"Nice to meet you, Bill," Jen says, bemused as she watches him thoughtfully. "If you're willing to come all the way out here from the city, I'm going to have to get your card from Angelica -- this is my second home." She flashes him a grin that goes well with her pretty face, even meets her eyes. It's acting, yes, but hey, she has nothing against Bill. She mostly wants to get back to the conversation with Angelica.

Angelica Jones has posed:
"Here you go, one for yourself," the nice old cabbie says, reaching into his glove box. He hands over a couple of cards, then grins. "I'm late, my show's on in half an hour. Enjoy your evening ladies." Then he nods warmly to Angelica, and drives off. Excelsor Cabs has never had a better driver.

Ang turns, tilting her head. "Did he seem familiar to you? Anyway. Walk me inside? I'm told I have a room, though it's probably just a bed and four walls. Which is fine! I would feel awkward getting special treatment anyway."

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"Break a leg!" Jen calls after Bill, then wraps an arm around Angelica, giving in to her inexplicable desire to take care of the redhead. Maybe it's just redheads. Maybe they're her weakness. She's living with Marie, after all. And doesn't even make fun of her for dating another woman. She'll never understand. "He seemed a little familiar," she concedes, "but I can't place him. Happy to," she continues as she guides Angelica toward the building. "What's this about killing things? I doubt it's that bad."

Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica glances around as they enter through the side gate. The small one. For people, not cars. So, the people gate? I'm bad with names. "I emit microwaves, apparently," she says as if she's not sure if spies are listening and they might want her frult roll-ups. "It's possible I'm doing it right now, so...I don't want to hang around too much, I have this wierd idea I might sterilize someone and I really don't think I could live with that. I mean, I also don't want to DO that!" She sounds a little hysterical, nodding her head when she should be shaking it.

"I mean, don't get too close? I can tell when I'm doing big bursts but I met this Dr Richards and he says that I spill over sometimes and it's not the best thing to have in your soup." Whut?

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jen raises an eyebrow. "First," she says, not so much as taking a step back, even tightening her arm around Angelica. But with her other hand she produces a large white ball, drops it onto herself. "So, here's what I know about radiation: it passes through things and if it hits the wrong bits of a cell, it can cause the cell to grow out of control. Hence, cancer. However, I am now approximately the luckiest person this side of the solar system, so I'm not worried about your microwaves."

She leads Angelica further toward the mansion. "Second, I'm gonna say, based on what was going on when the fire and the phone wonkiness started, that when you get nervous, you emit more microwaves. And this place is going to train you to be a lot less nervous about your powers, Angelica. And also, you need a nickname. Four syllables is a mouthful. How do you feel about 'Angie'?"

Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica watches the interaction between Jen and the ball, and while she doesn't exactly relax, she does at least keep walking without pulling away. "My dad works as a nuclear engineer, so I've got a working knowledge about them too. Looks like it'll be helpful in my studies," she says, a little wistfully as she looks from Jen up to the school.

"Help me to not be nervous, huh." Not a question. "Got their work cut out for them there. But I can do it, I'm tough when I need to be." She's a mushball and she knows it. But hey, might as well try. She might kill LESS people if she's trained.

At the end though she turns, then smiles a quirked right cheek. "If you like it, I can answer to Angie. Or Angel, but that is guaranteed to make me squirm. There's names, and then there's being arrogant."

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"You can do it," Jennifer agrees. "Don't tell anybody I'm being this nice, okay? But you're too sweet to be mean to. Today, anyway." She shakes her head and sighs. "Angie it is. Though honestly, I don't see how 'Angel' is arrogant. Your name already means angel. Just in another language. Plus, we've got a blonde guy with wings here who goes by Angel, so, you know, calling you Angel would probably be confusing.

"So, here's the deal, Angie. You're gonna do great here, and you're gonna come into the city to meet Marie-Ange. She's my bestie and she's also a redhead. And French. And I'll take you and get you a better wardrobe. And life is gonna be great. You in?"

Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica seems to be a bit distracted by the approaching bulk of the new school she's found herself in, and she looks a little bit spacey as Jennifer tells her how sweet she is. Somehow, she's managed to miss being complimented, and she turns back when she's directly addressed by her new pseudonym. The nod she makes is almost too real, as she tilts her head and smiles. "I'm gonna do great. I'm gonna meet Marie-Ange, and I'll always look like a freak even if I'm dressed up nice. And my life is gonna be great," she says, agreeing to that part with a clasp of Jennifer's hand.

Then she winks. "You were clearly evil to me, and I cried twice on the walk up. Would have been three but I am tough and can take it. The bag thing was your fault as well." Stories straight, got it.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jenny grins. "You got it. Except the freak part. You're a way hotter Marie." She winks at the girl and lets her go. "You get on inside, Angie. Everybody's gonna love you here. It'll be ridiculous, but hey, that's the way it works with fairy tale princesses." She gives one of Angie's curls a light tweak and starts heading back toward the gate. "See you soon, Princess!"

Angelica Jones has posed:
"Princess?" Angelica Jones actually snorts at that, shaking her head as Jenny starts to head off. She grins, she shakes, and she leans against the door for a moment. Crossing her arms, she watches Jennifer leave, and thinks about what she said. Fairy tale princesses don't exist, like montages and fair pop quizzes. "Drive safe!" she yells, waving a hand...

And the door opens behind her, spilling her into Xavier's upside-down and backwards. She's gonna fit in GREAT.