13072/Thanks Where Thanks Is Due

Thanks Where Thanks Is Due
Date of Scene:	20 April 2021
Location:	Classroom - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Thanks is given where it is due, but is only accepted with some difficulty--and threats of Danger Room retaliation if reponsibility for hard work isn't accepted in kind!
Cast of Characters:	Nightingale, Prismatic, Cannonball

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Nightingale has posed:
     It was a little later on in the evening in one of the classrooms, one that seemed more dedicated to music than anything else. Off to one side, in a pool of light given off by a single desk lamp, a music stand and chair have been pulled up, and a guitar case is open nearby. A slightly well-loved and well-worn notebook has been opened up on the music stand, and a familiar winged student is tuning up the guitar cradled lovingly in her arms.

     Shannon smiles a little bit to herself as she looks down at the instrument in her grasp, focused on the task at hand. She's dressed in some denim leggings, a long white t-shirt with 'Mutie Cutie' emblazoned on the front in hot pink lettering with shimmering gold and silver accents, and a pair of floofy Old English Sheepdog slippers. The door to the classroom is slightly ajar, letting the seemingly random notes waft through the air to the hallway, and admit a glimmering of light from the lamp next to her.

Prismatic has posed:
    Alexis had been going in a kitchenwardly direction for a cup of tea when she heard tuning coming from the music room -- and being one of the music teachers, she of course had to be nosy and take a peek.

    She makes her way over to the music room, pausing at the door for a moment, in her typically 'I have to be professional' outfit of demure grays and creams, her fingers toying with the ring on her left hand.

Nightingale has posed:
     Seemingly random notes melt into something more cohesive, a gentle accompaniment plucked out with more assurance than Shannon might have had a year or so ago. Though she glances up at just the right moment to see Alexis near the doorway and smile, she doesn't let this distract her--at least for now. Her soft, lilting alto voice takes on a very tender, almost bittersweet quality as she begins to sing an unfamiliar tune.

Hey homecoming queen
Why do you lie
When somebody's mean?
Where do you hide?
Do people assume
You're always alright?
Been so good at smiling
Most of your life

Look damn good in the dress
Zipping up the mess
Dancing with your best foot forward
Does it get hard
To have to play the part?
Nobody's feeling sorry for ya

But what if I told you the world wouldn't end
If you started showing what's under your skin
What if you let 'em all in on the lie?
Even the homecoming queen cries....

Prismatic has posed:
    It was an unfamiliar tune; after all, Alexis missed out on any sort of American formal dances, but she gets the gist of it. Her lips purse a moment and she opens the door a little more, leaning against the doorway with a soft smile on her face. Her eyes go from Shannon's stance to the way her fingers curl about and how she chooses the chords she's playing. There's naturally something critical, but it was in the manner of an educator.

Nightingale has posed:
     One or two notes do falter, with a slightly pained look for a brief moment on Shannon's face. It takes her a second to recover, and by the way she holds her left hand, one is left to wonder if perhaps she might have practiced a little -too- hard. But, the song continues, with a light smile towards Alexis as she sings.

Hey homecoming queen
How's things at home?
Still walking on eggshells
When that curtain's closed
Did your daddy teach you
How to act tough?
Or more like your mama?
Sweep it under the rug

Look damn good in the dress
Zipping up the mess
Dancing with your best foot forward
Did you want the crown
Or does it weigh you down
Nobody's feeling sorry for ya

What if I told you the world wouldn't end
If you started showing what's under your skin?
What if you let 'em all in on the lie?
Even the homecoming queen cries

Yeah, what if I told you the sky wouldn't fall?
If you lost your composure, said to hell with it all
Not everything pretty sparkles and shines
And even the homecoming queen cries
Oh yeah
Even the homecoming queen cries

Hey homecoming queen
Why do you lie?
When somebody's mean
Where do you hide...?

     As the last notes fade, she finally releases the guitar from her grasp, shaking out her hands as the instrument rests in her lap. She takes a moment or two to massage each wrist in turn, actually flinching as she looks down at her left hand. But she smiled all the same, looking up at the notebook, as if at a task well-done.

Prismatic has posed:
    "Your muscles get used to it." Alexis comments, and she gives a bright grin to the winted alto. The short soprano wanders in, shoes tapping lightly against the floor as she gives a nod.

    "You've come a long way since I handed a guitar to you at the Evolution soundcheck." she jokes, taking a seat at one of the desks.

Nightingale has posed:
     "I wouldn't be playing that at all if you hadn't," Shannon replies, setting the guitar with care into its case, but leaving the case open. She pushes herself to her feet, with a light -oof- at the pressure on her fingertips. "New song I just finished up writing, that was the first complete play-through. I think Andrea's lable may be picking it up, it sure sounded like both she and her manager were pretty keen on it when they heard the first bit I did a capella."

     Her slippers pat-a-pat on the floor, the little pink felt tongues on the toes flopping about as she approaches the desk where Alexis is sitting. "You sat down a little too soon, though. Because I think there are words I do need to have with you that really -must- be said." Though her arms are crossed, her eyes twinkle, and her lips curl upwards into a light-hearted smile.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie comes walking down the hall, hearing the singing he will stop at the doorway to the classroom, and stand there watching a moment. He is quiet so not to interrupt but is curious. The young man, tries to stay out of sight and watch the two ladies.

Prismatic has posed:
    "I'm sure someone else would have put a guitar in your hand. You're a bright girl; you would have figured it out without my thrusting such a fate upon you." Alexis replies playfully, and then her eyebrows rise up. She leans forward a moment, and she rests her chin on her palm.

    "And what words would those be?" she asks.

Nightingale has posed:
     "Someone else didn't, though. You did." Shannon points out, very matter-of-factly. And, as it seemed the diminutive soprano was not getting the hint very well, she leaned in to wrap both arms and wings around her in a fierce hug. "Honestly, when was the last time someone said 'thank you' to you for giving them a gift like that?"

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie smiles a bit at the duo. He leans against the wall. He is tempted to pull his phone out and film this but he aint going to embaress them like that so he continues to be the fly on the wall.

Prismatic has posed:
    Alexis gives a small laugh, and hugs Shannon back gentle-like.

    "Well, you had a lot of talent in the first place, Shannon. No wonder the label picked you up." she states, and then wrinkles her nose a little.

    "Just... don't let them shove you towards pithy Faith music because of your looks. I wouldn't forgive myself -- /or/ Andrea -- for that happening!" she states with a dry bit of humour in her voice, and then releases the teen.

Nightingale has posed:
     "Maybe I had some small talent, but let's be honest here. It wouldn't have meant a damn thing without a lot of help backing me up." Shannon is quite determined that she would take as little credit as possible here--and that was only reinforced when she glanced over by the doorway upon stepping back. She just frog-marched right on over to Sam and wrapped him up in a giant hug, wings-and all, as well! "And let's not forget -your- contribution, big bro. I seem to recall -someone- being rather stubborn, and insisting on getting me that guitar over there for Christmas that year!"

     Calling out back over her shoulder towards Alexis, she laughs. "And don't worry, I'm not letting anyone shuffle me off into music I don't want to sing to begin with. Nobody's pigeonholing me because of my looks."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie smirks a bit and hugs and offers a hug and says "Hey, I just provide the tools, your the one who put in the work. I am just there to help out where I can kiddo." He looks over to Alexis, and smiles and looks back to Shannon "Never belittle the work you put into something, we all can help but you do the work and make it happen."

Prismatic has posed:
    "Sam is absolutely correct. You put the work in." Alexis replies, her hand back to supporting her chin as she gives a smile, her dark eyes going to Sam.

    "I think, if she doesn't accept that she's done well, we should toss her in the pool."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Oh for the love of... you two are the utter end!" Shannon throws her hands up in mock frustration, looking heavenwards. "I might've put in a little bit of work..." By the look of the fingertips on her left hand, it might have ben a bit more than a little. "...but without you putting in the time teaching me, Alexis, and you getting me the guitar so I could even practice to begin with, big bro, I wouldn't be where I'm at now. So please. Both of you. Please, accept credit where it's long overdue?"

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie says, "We helped a little bit, Alexis more than Ah did. " He will smile and says "But with all family and teachers, it is what we do. We can do the exact same thing for a dozen other students, but if they don't put in the work it is meaningless. Where if you put in the work, even without the help we put in you could do it, may be harder may take longer but you could do it." He smiles over to Alexis, and says "Think would be better luck, waiting till she aint expecting it to turn the sprinklers on her, throwing flyers into the pool is a bit harder done than said."

Prismatic has posed:
    "I absolutely will take no credit for any talent but my own. I was playing Mozart when I was four, performing concettos by seven and by thirteen I was teaching a master class." Alexis states, and she straightens herself up a moment. "I gave credit to my teachers, certainly, but I /also/ practiced my ass off, on top of having a phenominal amount of talent. I too often see artists not take credit where it is due, the endless toils of practice scales, the splitting of calloused fingers. So I promise you, my wee pigeon, if you don't take credit -- I will find a way to turn the sprinklers on you, yes. Much easier than tossing you in the pool."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Be my guest. I'll just dance between the drops and enjoy it." Shannon just crossed her arms, smirking at the pair and giving a rather defiant flick of her wings. "What I see a lot more is people not giving credit to the ones who helped them get where they are, even if they work their tailfeathers off. So... how about we meet in the middle, and go for some pizza or something?"

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over and smiles "Could always turn the danger room into an ocean adventure mid training session too." He grins mischieviously.

Prismatic has posed:
    "Ooh, no, I didn't like that, the one with the squids?" Alexis considers, eyeballing Shannon quietly in consideration.

    "... maybe one of the pirate ones though..."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon just raises her eyebrows at them both, looking between them. "You're not serious...? Come on, I'm trying to get you two to take a little credit for all the help you've given! I admitted it, I did put in a -little- work, okay? Heck, I'm even offering to get us all some pizza here!" By now, she's getting the classic deer-in-the-headlights look of many an X-student, who has been threatened with Danger Room surprises.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie smiles a bit and says "Kurt has a lot of pirate sessions set up, Ah believe Kitty has a few as well, Berto and I usually had more Magnum PI and Indy type missions for fun." He offers with a grin and says "Pizza sounds ok."

Prismatic has posed:
    "Mm. I ought to show you the Penny Dreadfuls I'd written up. I don't think I've ever executed them. I still have to get a better, more-rounded ending on the Madripoor Docks scenerio. Hm -- think we could run that over the weekend?" the music teacher inquires to Sam. "Also offers water to dump someone who will not take responsibility for their hard work in -- although the water's full of debris. Might be worse than simply sea-spray."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Okay, okay! So I worked my tailfeathers off! But that still doesn't absolve either one of you for your part in getting me this far, either!" Shannon ruffles her wings behind ehr, those great, snowy-feathered limbs flaring out to their full span in a display of pique as she looks between Sam and Alexis. "Though... I kinda got to ask. Is there anything that helps calluses that split from practicing a lot? They hurt like a son of a beach ball!"

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie shrugs a bit at the question about callouses, and says "I never had the splitting ones, mine were more just standard from chores or such, developed over long term

Prismatic has posed:
    "Bag balm. The real stuff, not what they sell in the grocery store. Go to an Agway, get the green tin. Goop your fingertips up with it and wear cotton gloves overnight." Alexis gives a wry smile. "If it's good enough for a cow's udder, good enough for my fingers. Also helped with cold weather and numb fingertips from the cold."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Fantastic. So, pizza, and maybe a trip to the nearest Agway to get a tin of that bag balm stuff. Sound like a plan?" Shannon casts a hopeful--and decidedly grateful--look to both of them, smiling. But is she off the hook for Danger Room shenanigans? Only time will tell, dear reader....

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie walks over and puts an arm around Alexis, and says "So, you up for pizza hon?" He will go with the flow with the ladies choices.