thisavrou_log | Set Out For a Great Adventure

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Set Out For a Great Adventure

Who: Kelly Ann and OTA
When: Month of November
Where: MedBay, Gymnasium, Music Hall, and Chemistry Unit #3
What: What Kelly Ann is up to for November.
Warnings: None at this point

i. If you want somethin' don't ask for nothin'

MedBay

[ Kelly Ann is not one to sit around idly. As soon as she gets her bearings, she looks for something to do. Unfortunately, there isn't much call for teleprompter or spotlight operation on the Ingress. So she has to look for something else to occupy herself.

Thanks to Shepard's handy organizational chart she winds up in MedBay doing scut work. It's not glamorous. Or interesting. But somebody needs to do it and better her than somebody who could be doing something more vital.

Her first day, she gets there before anybody else. Intergalactic jet lag is a bitch. Mostly everything seems in working order, until she finds a supply closet that's a disaster area. She's not quite sure where to put everything yet, so she decides to start by simply tidying supplies and putting them in bins so that when the actual doctors show up and tell her where they want stuff it's easier to organize quickly.

She's focused on her work, but it's not all that involved. So when she hears somebody else enter the MedBay she notices right away.]

Oh, hey. What's up?

ii. If you want nothin' don't ask for somethin'

Gymnasium

[ It's very strange to go from living in the confines of the constantly-moving tour bus to the spacious but stationary Ingress. As time wears on, Kelly Ann starts to feel the strain of cabin fever. Or space station fever. Whatever.

For the first time since arriving she goes to the gym. Luckily, there doesn't seem to be anybody else around. Which is lucky because she's not going to be running and she's not sure if what she wants to do is even allowed.

Whatever. Skateboarding is punk, right?

Before long she's gliding around the outside of the track. It's weird. The track itself is too springy and textured to make a good surface, but the thin strip of polished concrete on the sidelines between the track on the wall is smooth enough. It's still weird to skateboard on a track. Like it's some kind of sanctioned sport.

After a few laps she starts experimenting. Simple things, as she hasn't been doing much in the way of tricks for a while. Some ollies and shuvits, just warming up. And wishing she had a curb or a railing to do something more interesting. ]

iii. Now the neighbors can dance

Music Hall (first come, first serve)

[ The fact that there even is a music hall in this place is pretty incredible. It's not as big as Kelly Ann's used to. More of a chamber music/indie band scene than an arena.

It smells the same, though.

She paces around the seats, prowls the catwalk, pokes around the wings, and checks out the fly system. It's mostly in good repair, though there's some basic maintenance that should be done. Seems a waste of time, though.

Homesickness has not been a problem until this exact moment. Standing in the middle of the stage, looking off at the wings, only work lights illuminating the space, she wipes a couple tears. She doesn't hear anybody approaching. ]

iv. When Daddy comes home you always start a fight

Chemistry, Unit #3 (Closed to Adam Jensen and Anakin Skywalker)

[ Kelly Ann isn't quite sure how the housing situation worked, but hopes it was something like the tour bus. She finds an open bunk in a room that isn't too big and seems to be mostly claimed already. She doesn't look too close at the other belongings scattered about, though it seems somebody there really likes brown bathrobes.

She sets down her duffle and starts unpacking what little she has. It's weirdly quiet, with only the air conditioning-like soft hum of the life support and the sounds of her own movements in the silence. She's used to the constant chatter and road noise and music of the road.

Humming as she goes, and drumming on the sides of her bunk with her hands, she pushes back the overwhelming lack of sound. Until she hears a step at the doorway and freezes. ]

Um, hi. So, wanna be roommates? I can find somewhere else if... if that's not ok.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Kelly Ann grins and bops around the stage, stomping the beat as she hasn't managed to find any drums yet. ]

Much better!

[ She starts to sing a long. Her voice is plaintive, better suited to folk songs than rock anthems but she's on key and enthusiastic. ]

[It isn't long before Rogue's joining in the singing. Her voice, meanwhile, is a clear mezzo-soprano, classically trained, and she gives the song that twist. A few times, her fingers slip- either due to the gloves and it having been a while since she played, or because it had been a while since she'd played and liable to forget notes.

She takes them through the song, before turning back to Pistachio.] You got a nice voice, y'know that?

[ Rogue's voice is beautiful, and Kelly Ann does her best not to get intimidated by that. Usually when she's singing along with somebody so much more talented, they're on a recording. But it was only the two of them and the rapping was way worse anyway.

She dipped her head and waved off the compliment. ]

I don't embarrass myself at karaoke, I guess. I'm nowhere near as good as you. Did your mom teach you, too?

No, I'm serious- a little training and you'd be great.

[Rogue pauses a moment. The idea of her mom is always a hard one to tackle. Priscilla D'Ancanto was not her biological mother- she'd been adopted by the kindly couple after they'd failed to conceive. Her biological mother was unknown, and Rogue didn't really think trying to contact her would be a good idea. Great way to meet your kid: I grew up to kill everyone I touch, aren't you proud of me, momma?

Besides, Priscilla had stood by when Owen had kicked her out of their home. She'd hurled her insults, too. She'd proven herself hardly a mother to Marie, and certainly not a mother to Rogue.]

No, I learned in my church's choir, mostly.

[ Kelly Ann smiles, because the sentiment is nice. But a lot of people have been talking about how she needs training for this or that and it's starting to grate. She has skills, even if they're not all that useful here.

She doesn't miss how Rogue hesitates when she asks about her mother, and demurs giving her credit. She gets serious and steps a little closer so she can lower her voice. She's not quite sure how old Rogue is, but she's pretty sure she's older. ]

Hey, um. I don't... really have a relationship with my mom, at all. It sucks but you can make your own family. You know, with people who are worth it.

[Rogue tenses when the other girl steps in. It's nothing personal. She just doesn't like people being in close proximity to her. Especially people who don't know.

Normally, unsolicited advice like that would be met with harsh criticism. Throwing her walls up was Rogue's natural defense mechanism. People who got too close to her got hurt. That was just how it was.

But the way Kelly Ann says it, the seriousness, the eye contact, it leaves Rogue nodding.] Thank you. That's kinda... How I've come to view a lot of the people at the school I go to.

[ Kelly Ann smiles, though it's bittersweet. ] That's what it was like at my job, heh. It's not as sad as it sounds, though. It's not like working at Walmart or Starbucks or something when you all live on a bus together. None of them are here, though.

[ She fidgets a bit. ] What do you study?

A bus? What do you do? [It sounded weird, living on a bus. Then again, she she'd lived on the road for a while, she'd seen what type of accommodations people would make for themselves. Logan's trailer, for example.] I hope they show up, if that's what you want.

[It takes Rogue a moment to remember that advanced battle tactics was not your standard class.] Oh- everything. I'm a Senior.

I'm a roadie. [ It still feels cool to say. It's a pretty cool job. Way cooler than a barista, anyway. ] My last gig was with the Staton-House band. We just finished the American leg of their world tour, and the next leg is Europe. I'm probably going to do that. Or... I was. I dunno, maybe I'll miss it.

[ Are they worried about her? Did they think she left for film school without saying goodbye? They'd never believe it if she told them any of this.

She laughs a bit. ] Man. High school. That sucked. I was glad when I graduated and aged out of the system so I could do my own thing, you know?

[ She wasn't really, when it happened. It was terrifying to be dumped out into the world with just her irresponsible brother, who was more like another person she had to take care of than an ally of any kind. But it all worked out in the end. More or less. ]

You gonna go to college?

A roadie? [Rogue's both surprised and intrigued. That was such an odd career choice, but it sounded like something she would have loved to do. Travel the world with a band. It sounded amazing.] That sounds... incredible, really.

[Rogue lets out a small exhale on her laugh, a relieved sort of noise.] Yeah- high school hasn't been the easiest thing. [Can we talk about dealing with hormones and puberty and other fabulous shit while you cannot touch another human being without killing them? It is hell I don't know- There's no way I could afford it. But maybe. I always thought it'd be kinda cool to be a lawyer.

[ Kelly Ann flushes pink with happiness and hangs her head bashfully. ]
It is a pretty cool gig. And like, the people I work with? They're like a family. [ She shrugs. ] As close to one as I've ever had, anyway.

[ She sighs and leans against the piano. ] Yeah. College is stupid expensive. I got into film school and have a scholarship but I'll still have to take out loans and shit. If I go. I dunno. [ She scuffs a bit of spike tape with the toe of her sneaker. ] Might just keep working. If I even still have a job when I get back.

I know what you mean. [That's how the X-Men were to her. She missed the place, and would miss it, when she returned home. The opportunity for her to get cured was still there, looming on the horizon. Waiting for her to get back.]

Congrats! I mean, I think you should take it. It's a really good opportunity, and hey, you'll always have the job to come back to, right? [Rogue swings one leg over the bench so she's effectively straddling it, looking at Kelly Ann.]

Yeah. It is a great opportunity. If I don't fuck it up, I guess.

[ Look you're just gonna have to let people feel this way for a while. People are pissed at you because you left. ]

It's not the easiest to get a gig like that. But I guess I could try working with a different band. I dunno.

I'm sure you won't.

[For all she knows, Kelly Ann could be a total loser and fuck it up majorly. But she likes her well enough, and she's not going to discourage a girl that could be her new friend.]

Yeah. Or talk to your boss, maybe? See if they can take you back after college or on breaks?

Well, that makes one of us, I guess.

[ Everybody is always so sure about her. It is unnerving. How can anybody be so sure about themselves, let alone somebody else? ]

Yeah, I'll figure it out when I'm there. I'm not really sure how all this space travel shit works so who even knows what things will be like by then. Chris and Tom had a big fight and like, broke up the band for an hour a few weeks ago and maybe by the time I get back it'll be for good. But whatever I'll deal. [ She shrugs. What else is there to life than dealing with bad news? ]

With that kinda attitude, you're already gonna fuck up. [She probably shouldn't have said it. But it was the truth, as far as she could see. She wasn't an overly optimistic person, not with regard to her mutation at least. But she could recognize that in another person.]

I know what you mean- back home I've got some huge stuff happening. I saw my boyfriend with my best friend. [It's the first time Rogue has said it out-loud. She didn't even tell Logan, of all people. Of course, his advice would clearly be dump him, but what was the point when he wasn't even here? It was frustrating as hell.

Even more frustrating to be so incredibly close to a cure.

Regardless, she knows the statement she makes is vague. She doesn't want to say too much, no talk of her mutation and why that makes the slight all the worse. Kitty Pryde could hold Bobby's hand. The simplest gesture. Rogue couldn't even do that properly.

She pulls at the fabric of her sleeves, trying to better cover her wrists.] Ain't anything I can do about it here.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

[ Kelly Ann just doesn't see the point in declaring whether or not a thing will work out. Who can say until it's actually happening? Not to mention that it's all more complicated than Rogue knows, because she hasn't been there and Kelly Ann can't explain it without it being boring.

The problem is that she can't really do both. Even if she does go to film school and get her degree, going back to the road would be a step in the wrong direction. If she's going to make film she should make film, not be a rigger. She needs to make a choice. And it sucks.

Rogue's problems are worse than having too many good options. ]

Shit.

[ She sits next to Rogue on the piano bench, but not too close because she's picked up on the whole "personal space is real important to her" thing. ]

That really sucks. And it was like, with her with her? Shit. That's like losing both at once.

I don't mean to sound so harsh. [Which is true, because words had been a bit strong, even if the sentiment was meant well.

She's thankful, though, when Pistachio sits next to her, keeping a safe distance away.]

Yeah. They were ice skating. Holding hands... Kissing. [She presses her lips together. It sounds so stupid to be so mad, so betrayed. But Kitty knew how much her inability to touch had bothered her, how much it weighed in on her relationship with Bobby. And Kitty had taken advantage of that. And Bobby?

Well. Could she blame him?]

It's not a great situation.

She's a shitty friend, and he's a shitty boyfriend.

[ Kelly Ann doesn't mince words. It's true, and the sooner Rogue puts the blame on the guilty parties, the better. Plus this is a more productive conversation than endlessly mulling over her uncertain future, anyway. ]

You're gorgeous, talented, smart, and really nice. I don't care what their excuses are, you really don't need to put up with that shit.

[Rogue glances up over at Kelly Ann slowly, her eyes heavy.]

You just met me- for all you know I'm actually a huge bitch. [She could be. When she needed to be.] and I mean, they do have a good excuse. [It's not like she could kiss Bobby without hurting him, right?]

Ok, sure. Maybe you have some secret bitchiness I haven't seen yet. If that's true, then why didn't he just break up with you? Why was she your friend in the first place?

[ She sighs, feeling very ancient and mature. ]

High school is so fucking stupid.

Honestly, that's what I want to know. [Kitty and Bobby had both reached out to her when she'd come to the school, scared of her own shadow and unsure of this strange new world. So of course she'd grown close to both of them. She should have known there had been something there.]

He put up with a lot, so did Kitty. We were all in a really bad spot, right when I left and came here. But I guess that doesn't excuse cheating.

Everybody puts up with a lot from everybody. Look at what Kitty and... this guy is making you put up with, now! So yeah, that doesn't excuse it. I mean, God, it's not like you're married. How hard is it to break up with somebody before shoving your tongue down somebody else's throat?

[ She sighs. ] It was a shitty thing to do. You didn't deserve it. Maybe they'll realize it and apologize when you get back. You can decide whether or not that's good enough.

Or they won't apologize and they're even bigger jerks and you're better off without them anyway.

Bobby. [She immediately interjects with his name.]

Maybe. [While Kelly Ann had a grasp of what was going on, she didn't know the whole truth. Rogue's mutation put an odd spin on the whole affair.]

I mean, who really knows. [She sighs, rolling her shoulders.] But you're right. [But what Bobby had done was still a taste of what everyone would ever do to her, if she kept her powers.] A lot of stuff is up in the air at home.

Yeah.

[ Kelly Ann shifts back on the bench until her feet don't touch the ground, and then swings them. ]

It sucks because there's not a whole lot we can do to resolve any of it until we're back there. So I guess we just try not to think about it and then deal with whatever shitshow awaits when we get back.

But, hey, in the meantime you have plenty of excuse to like, run free or whatever.

[ Kelly Ann smiles and waves her hands vaguely. Rogue is seriously pretty and poised and all that kind of shit. She probably won't have much trouble finding somebody else around the station. ]

Set Out For a Great Adventure

i. If you want somethin' don't ask for nothin'

ii. If you want nothin' don't ask for somethin'

iii. Now the neighbors can dance

iv. When Daddy comes home you always start a fight

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