914/Understanding prophecies

Understanding prophecies
Date of Scene:	01 April 2020
Location:	Main Kitchen
Synopsis:	Up late at night, Marie seeks life advice from Jenny over ice cream. Advice is given, laughs are shared, and Xavier's has a bit less ice cream in the freezer to show for it.
Cast of Characters:	Marie-Ange Colbert, Jennifer Stavros

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Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Tuesday night; it's late, a number of students have already gone to bed, but not all of them. Midnight snacks were something of a tradition for teenagers, and seeking out the kitchen at night, after all of the activity had passed it by, was customary for one particularly shy student.

This is why Marie's here, seated at the big center island at a chair she dragged over from elsewhere. In front of her? Not the cards, but a bowl of ice cream -- mint chocolate chip, to be specific. The marks on the bowl suggest it started out fairly full, but she's whittled it down to the last scoop or so, along with some melted used-to-be ice cream.

She sits alone -- typical of Marie -- and only occasionally dips spoon into bowl. Getting close to her fill, or otherwise mentally occupied, likely!

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
As for Jenny, she hasn't been in the building this evening. She got word about a party and snuck out, slipping down to Salem Center and enjoying a couple of hours of music, dancing, and a couple of beverages that could have gotten her in trouble. Jenny's skilled enough a drinker, though, that these did not prevent her from getting back on campus by a reasonable hour, and now she slips into the kitchen via the back door.

"You're still up?" she asks as she opens the fridge and helps herself to a Diet Coke -- her constant beverage of choice, because it gives a kick of caffeine without the calories of sugar. That and aspartame just tastes better than the Splenda they started putting in Pepsi. Blech.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
It's not until Jenny speaks up that Marie actually notices the other girl's presence, surpriseed by the sudden noise which sends her spoon flying. Up in the air, batted away by one, two hands trying to catch it, and eventually clattering to the ground. Marie hops off the chair, crouches down in a ladylike manner to collect the utensil, and moves over towards the sink to clean it. Manners first. "Jennifer! You startled me." she admits, looking over to her bestie. Lips curling into a smile of familiarity.

"Oui, I... have had eventful days, and have spent the last couple hours pondering how to proceed. The cards tell of what will be, but do not always provide a recipe to get there, you understand?" she asks, moving back to the island -- though the seat is pulled out to offer to Jenny, first. Thinking of her friend before herself. She'll retake the seat if it's not taken by the blonde, though. "Do... you have a moment to chat? I find myself in need of your insight."

...which may or may not spell trouble.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"I'm the stealthiest little minx around," Jen says drily, but she tries not to laugh at Marie's inadvertant juggling routine. She manages to turn the giggle into a cough, so she's moderately successful and even fishes a clean spoon from the drawer and sets it on the table by Marie's ice cream. "Of course I can talk," she continues. "But before we start, is this the kind of chat that will have me enraged at somebody and marching off to give them seven years of bad luck, or just the kind that requires a lot of ice cream? 'Cause I can do ice cream pretty easy, but bad luck might require a little time to clear my head. Before revenge. Not before chat."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Jenny gets a smile from the redhead for her thoughtfulness, and Marie scoots back up on the seat to dig back in. "I... do not think you will be enraged at anyone, Jennifer, but I am not certain?" she admits, spoon going for another bite, which is then delivered to her mouth. Much savoring and enjoyment occurs in a couple moments, and she continues. "Much has happened since I have been able to speak with you at length, last. Most recently, I met a..." What was the name? "...Mademoiselle Jubilee. She told me of a job I required at the place she worked, and invited us both for free... fries and milkshakes, if you would be interested?"

She starts with the easiest bit. The one that comes with free food! "Are we allowed to job while attending the school?" she asks -- her last school, work wasn't even a consideration. So she's curious.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"Pretty sure you can work if you want to," Jenny says, shrugging. Ice cream it is. She retrieves a container of Java Chip from the freezer, scoops some into a bowl, then returns to the fridge to claim the whipped cream. Cream is a necessity with coffee. Plus, more caffeine. She may -never- go to sleep. "I'm not enraged, and I'm happy to hang with Jubilee for fries and shakes. Jubes isn't bad. She's just Jubes."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"I... do not know if I 'want' to, persay, but as they say... when in America, do as Washington did?" Well, not quite the expression, but close enough. She wants to experience more of American culture, and if some students work while they're in school... then perhaps she should, too. Plus, Jubilee was convincing. "She said it would be 'fun and easy', because nobody ever goes there..." ...which might also mean plenty of opportunities for free snacks.

"She reminds me of you, but not quite. She lacks a certain... je ne sais quoi that you have in spades. The cards said to be cautious, but proceed." A nod to that, and another bite of the ice cream scooped up -- though this time she licks it on the spoon, rather than putting the spoon in her mouth. Trying different ways to taste it.

...the refridgerator is one of her favorite things in the school.

"...but that is not all that occured, and the other... is quite overwhelming a thought."

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"Fries and shakes are worth experiencing," Jenny says, though she keeps her fry and shake intake to a minimum. She works out regularly and well, and she can afford to take in a few more calories than other girls trying to maintain her figure. But, still, she's not going to go overboard.

Her current Java Chip fixation to the contrary.

"Spill, Marie," Jenny continues, her mouth quirking into a faint smirk. "You know I'm here for you no matter what. So don't hold back and don't worry about it."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
She doesn't have to be told twice. Getting information out of the timid girl is super easy.

"I was... asked out for a date."

Frankly, she struggles with the concept that anyone would even /want/ to. Most don't even seem to know that she's alive, though hanging around Jenny and being dragged into things is slowly changing it. Her cheeks darkening, she continues. "I was doing a reading for someone, and les amoureux -- The Lovers came up. I... did not expect it to imply /I/ was directly involved, but it was taken that way, and I cannot disobey the cards, and..." she frets, going back in for a large chunk of chilly goodness and shoving it into her mouth.

"Eef donet eefin no whaf to do!" ...definitely overwhelmed. Talking with her mouth full? Not like Marie AT ALL.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jenny isn't surprised. Marie is pretty, is a nice girl, and generally a pleasant person. That she's been asked on a date is no shock in the least. That she hasn't been asked more often is more surprising to her friend. Jenny knows why she doesn't get asked out a lot -- she tends to make fun of just about everybody around her. Marie, though, is sweet and quiet and French on top of that.

Jenny takes a spoonful of her own ice cream as she considers those last words. She's not entirely sure what 'eefin' means, but the closest she can come suggests profanity, which seems just as much out of character to her as talking with her mouth full.

"So who asked you out?" she asks calmly a few moments later. "If it's Sam, say no. I heard he's got a girlfriend already. Same with Doug, because one, you can do so much better, and two, apparently Illyana can't and you really don't want to get on her bad side. Otherwise, as long as they're decent and you like them, why not?"

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"That... is the other thing." Marie admits, having chewed through and swallowed the bunch of ice cream. "It was not one of the boys at all. Her name is Julie." A couple moments for that realization to sink in, and another bite of the ice cream taken. Setting the spoon down in the bowl, she turns her head to face the other girl, elbow on the very edge of the table and hand moving into position to lean her head on.

"I, too, had expected that should romance enter my life someday... it would be a handsome young man with long, beautiful hair, ready to whisk me away from my troubles into a life I could only dream of." she admits, crinkling her nose a little. "...but I have no troubles to be whisked from, not anymore... and my readings had never narrowed things down so."

A soft sigh, eyes cast downwards. "I... am pleased that someone would think me worth such an offer, but I was not expecting... and I do not even know what to do on a date!" She's read romance novels, but... they weren't set in America with teenagers. They were usually more the historical types!

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
With a wry smile, Jenny notes, "I'm holding out for Thor's body and Tony Stark's money. But you do you." She leans back and considers Marie thoughtfully. "Okay, Marie, we have never had this talk, but are you even interested in other women? It's not my thing, but I don't judge. Based on who you want to smooch, anyway. Unless it's Doug." Because really, Jenny's opinions of Doug Ramsey have been low for a very, very long time.

"If you think she's cute and you might like to kiss her, go for it. What you do on a date is not the problem here. The question is just this: are you interested enough to try? If you're not interested in girls, just say no. 'Cause, I mean, you don't want her to be hurt when I have to tell her for you. If you're willing to try, go for it. The worst that happens is you have a fun night out. Dates are easy. Getting them is hard."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"No, no! Not Doug." A shudder at that. Jenny's talked him down so much that even /Marie/ might say no to him if asked. /Marie./

That cleared up, there's a blank look given for a moment. Is she interested? She hasn't even really considered it. It was, 'the cards said do this' and that was all there was to it. Cheeks turn rosier as she considers, though. "Beauty comes in many forms, I suppose... and it is not even the most important quality that I hoped for, and she seems quite nice..." Marie trails off, letting her mind wander for a few moments... and then it's time for more ice cream.

"...but I do not know how to dress, or how to act, or... do I bring a gift? Arrive with a... how you say... 'boombox' below her window?" She has no idea of the etiquette of dates.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"You've been watching too many old movies," Jenny says. "Say Anything is not the way to go here. Okay, no, beauty is not everything, but attraction is important, and if you don't feel something then it's gonna end up going nowhere in the end. Attraction can grow, of course, but it helps when it's there to start." Jenny doesn't feel much of that, generally. It's just the way she is. She knows what she wants: a trophy husband with a lot of money. That's good enough for her.

"I think the answer to the question is yes, you're interested, or at least curious. And that's good enough. Now, how to dress? Dress nice, but not super extravagantly nice. You don't need to wear a ball gown. If she's inviting you to prom for your first date, that's kind of a lot to put on you. A gift? Well, since she asked you, it's sort of her responsibility to bring any gifts. She's the one trying to woo you. But generally flowers and chocolate are acceptable. And how to act..." Jenny trails off, studying her friend for a long moment. "Be you, Marie. Because that's who she asked out. Just be you."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Oui." she agrees -- the answer is yes, what's outside matters less to the French girl than what's inside, when it comes down to it, and she believes that enough to give this a shot... plus, an actual date? It's exciting in concept alone! "Non, non. Not prom; she invited me to join her on a tour of the city, because I still have seen so little of it, and had barely found my way to the library where /we/ were to meet..." Probably for homework, and Jenny probably found something more interesting to do. Marie doesn't judge! It's really hard to /offend/ her without pushing specific buttons.

She pays close attention to the advice offered, nodding along to everything. "I see, I see..." she would've taken any advice offered, really. Dress like a mime and don't speak for the entire date, because in America they don't like a lot of blabber? Marie would have done it. It would have been a disaster. She's fortunate to be a proper friend of Jennifer's, to be certain. "...merci, Jennifer. I..." she trails off for a moment, smiling at her friend. "You are so pretty, and so kind, I knew if I were to ask anyone for aid that yours would be tres magnifique."

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jenny agreed to meet at a library? That doesn't sound like her... Well, she probably wasn't paying as much attention as she should have been, and chooses not to call attention to that. She just lets this slide off. "Just get a taxi and tell 'em where you want to go, Marie. Or an Uber. They'll take you where you're supposed to be. And then pay attention to where they go and you'll be able to find your way next time." Or at least Jenny's found that to be the case. She might have a better than average sense of direction.

"Marie, only you can trust my advice," she continues with a faint smile. "For a lot of people, I kinda feel compelled to be awful. But you deserve better than that." Only Marie would call her kind. She CAN be kind, but she's usually not, usually actively chooses not to be. But yes. She's pretty. She's got that much going for her. "What I want is for you to go and have a good time with this Julie, and for her to be good enough for you so I don't have to give her the worst luck her family has seen in ten thousand years."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
The last little bit of ice cream is scooped up with her spoon, and into her mouth it goes. A bowl well-eaten. Despite chowing down when she can, Marie's one of those girls that just doesn't seem to gain weight, regardless of her dietary habits. Call it a combination of exercise, now, and karma making up for many rotten years in one small way. "Perhaps another wise idea. I usually follow my intuition," ...she reads the cards. "...and it leads me where I /should/ go, though. Like when you texted me the other night." That, admittedly, was fun. Stretch Hummer!

"So, if, say, /Douglas/ came asking for advice?" she asks, giggling softly. There's not a mean-spirited bone in Marie's body, but she trusts her friend's judgement on these things. "...and I will. If it goes well, I will have to bring you to meet her, oui?" A pause. "...and if it goes badly, to tell you her address." ...because yes, Marie will allow Jenny to fight her battles. She'll follow pretty much anything the blonde says. It's a fair trade, right?

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
It was fun. And not just because of the stretch hummer. Jenny met somebody she has admired for years, and maybe might have a tiny bit of a crush on -- not the sort of crush that would lead to any sort of relationship, but just, 'Squee! She is so cool!' And yeah, Harley was totally drunk, but that was better in some ways because it showed her that Harley isn't just a clown. There's a very real person under the pale skin.

"Doug -needs- advice," Jenny observes. "I heard he called Illyana 'totally evil' before he asked her out. Given she said yes, I feel like, you know, she might not appreciate that." She leans back, pushing away her empty ice cream dish. "I will be happy to meet Julie, whether as my best friend's girlfriend or the one who broke your heart and deserves to be injured."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Only time will tell if there will be a repeat performance... and if the city could even potentially survive it. There's only so much awesome that can fit in such a small section of space without catastrophies following! It's just the laws of nature, or something.

"Quoi?" Marie asks, eyes wide and face aghast. "I..." she trails off for a moment, blinking a couple times. "...and she still said yes? Perhaps she requires your wise council, as well, non?" If a boy had called her evil and asked her out, she would not have said yes right away, at the very least! "...and merci again, Jennifer!" She exclaims, popping up to her feet. "You are the best friend I could have hoped for." ...and, feeling on top of the world right now? /She'll/ even try to initiate a hug.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"I don't think she heard him say it," Jenny says with a sigh. "But really, she said yes to him at all." Her head shakes and blonde locks bob around her. "I'm not sure there's any help for her." Which, to be fair, would not have been her take a few weeks ago. Illyana's the queen of a hell dimension, which carries a certain amount of cache.

While she's surprised by the hug, Jenny is not going to reject this rare offering from Marie. She hugs the redhead in return, kisses her cheek lightly. "Hey, I know I'm awesome, but that doesn't mean I deserve you. I have to do what I can to earn you."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
It's a gesture returned in kind. One cheek kissed, then the other -- the French way. Well. The less-talked about French way among teenagers, anyways. "You do so very well." she offers, smiling and moving to collect the bowls and spoons to take to the dishwasher. "...but you do have a point." Whether it's about Illyana and Doug, or about having to do what she can to earn Marie? The redhead doesn't make clear.

Given that it's Marie talking? It's obviously Illyana/Doug. She views Jenny far differently than most do. Though she also sees a very different side of her!

"I think... I can now rest easily, Jennifer. I will see you in class tomorrow, oui?" she asks, starting her way towards the door unless stopped.

Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jennifer smiles. "Rest well, ma chere," Jenny says warmly. "Have a good night, and I'll see you in class, if not at breakfast." Though really, that's an empty suggestion. Jenny rarely has more for breakfast than coffee, and that is consumed during first period.