13120/Playing games and plotting fun..or something.

Playing games and plotting fun..or something.
Date of Scene:	25 April 2021
Location:	Rec Room - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Megan plays pool and learns more about Jeremy
Cast of Characters:	Pixie, SpyderByte

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Pixie has posed:
It's a lazy Sunday afternoon, and Megan is enjoying a relaxing weekend after stressful exams, by playing a solo game of pool. She's not actually very good at pool with all the angles and aiming and physics involved, but it's still kinda fun to knock balls around. Still...If on,y she could find a good tutor.

She's got a cup of hot co is resting on one corner of the table and soft, upbeat music plays from the radio nearby. Hey, she even attempted to bake some cookies, and while they're a bit burnt, the smell of freshly baked ginger snaps wafts in through the front door.

SpyderByte has posed:
Heading into the rec room is Jeremy, who is wearing a shirtless black tank top to reveal his pale bare arms and a pair of black bondage pants with chains hanging off them. He's put on a bit of weight over the months now that he's not swallowing himself up in baggy clothes. He is starting to find a bit of muscle in his arms from the trainings they are put through, but he's still a lanky teen. As he spies Pixie playing pool, he heads over to watch her for a few moments, blowing some hair away from his face.

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn bites her lip as she attempts to line up another ball, peering down her cue and shoots..And misses, her ball bouncing uselessly against the wall of the table. Doesnt look like she's sinked a lot of balls, sadly. "Ahh darnit! Why's this game Sooo hard?" she pouts, pausing a moment to take a sip of her hot chocolate. It takes her a moment or two to realize that she's not alone, and she smiles and waves to Jeremy when he arrives.

"Oh, hi Jer! how's it going? Want a cookie? I baked em myself..They're a bit burnt, but really pretty good..If you don't mind crispy!" she grimaces, reaching over to grab a crispy cookie, taking a bite and wincing a bit. Okay, maybe a bit too crispy. She laughs nervously as she chews excessively on the cookie.

SpyderByte has posed:
<< It's okay. I am not hungry. >>

Jeremy's phone chirps from the holster he has on his shoulder. He looks at the pool table and tilts his head to one side.

<< Pool is all math. Do you see the diamonds on the table? They represent a mathematical point of angle. If you know how to angle the ball from the table and combine it with the correct amount of force and velocity, you can make the ball do what you want for the most part. >>

As he picks up a pool stick, he rounds the table and leans forward. He taps the white ball off the table at an angle, letting it pop a striped ball into a side pocket.

<< My dad had a pool table in his basement and I would play all the time. By myself. For days at a time. >>

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn groans as talk of math is mentioned in the rec room. "Awwwe Cmon, are you serious? I mean, I'm sooo not a math person, soooo how come I can't have fun playing a game without thinking of homework?" she makes a face.

Still, she steps back and watches him sink the ball, smiling, "Heey, you're pretty good. Given your smarts, you're probably pretty badass at this game, huh.." Megan continues to sup thoughtfully on her focus and much on her cookie as she watches. "Go on, I'm gonna just watch for a few rounds. Sooo..I really have to calculate angles and distances and stuff? Aren't there any short cuts?" cuz short cuts are nice.

SpyderByte has posed:
<< You don't have to. It's just how my brain works. >>

Jeremy says as he moves around the table to follow after the white ball. He leans in and immediately taps it again as he pockets another ball, moving fluidly without pause. Either he is insanely confident or he has used his computer brain to create a map of the entire table, positions of balls, possible outcomes from multiple angles. He just sees the world different. Each of his shots he makes isn't fancy, or show-offy. It's very simple and straight forward. He takes the easiest path to each ball.

<< You could just play based on skill also. Muscle memory. It's not a game someone picks up and is good at. It takes a lot of practice. >>

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn continues to watch in wonder and awe as he effortlessly sinks another ball. "Ohh..So are you saying there are multiple ways to play the game well, and all I need to do is practice more?" she sighs, "But it seems sooo complex." another pout is given as she sips some more on her hot cocoa, watching his game intently. "Okay, I guess I can practice more, never really had the patience but.."

Megan shrugs and smiles, "Oh hey by the way I heard you nearly drowned the other day..How are you doing?" of course she'd heard other stuff too, like Rogue draining his powers a bit but..One thing at a time.

SpyderByte has posed:
<< I did. I fell into the water when the pier broke under me. I was at the bottom of the lake until Rogue pulled me out and gave me CPR. I lost my powers for the day so I stayed in med-bay for evaluation and to have some time to myself. >>

Jeremy says as he rounds the table once more, sinks another ball, then chalks his stick.

<< This game is hard, so do not worry about not being good at first. Everything in life takes practice. Muscle and mental memory helps. What you should do is set the balls up the same each time and focus on sinking the same ball over and over again until your hands grown used to it. Then move on to a new position. After awhile, your brain will understand. >>

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn blinks slowly, eyes widened. "Oh..Wow, that must have been really scary.." she pouts a bit, and can't help but feel sorry for the guy. "But at least it work out ok right? Maybe you can get in some swimming lessons next time. I mean, swimming is actually kinda fun once you get used to it, Yknow?"

She nods again, biting her lip as she watches, "Oh, I get it. Repetition, muscle memory. I guess it's kinda like singing. Maybe that's why I never got far in music. I mean I can sing and play piano, I'm just not incredible at it.."

SpyderByte has posed:
<< It was scary. At the bottom, I could no longer see the sky or the sun. It was very dark. I felt myself take one last breath and I blacked out. Next thing I knew I was waking up and coughing out water. Then I couldn't feel anything at all. No phones, no noises in my head. It was just me. >>

Jeremy taps in another ball, the last one, then goes about racking up the balls once more methodically. He moves robotically in a way. Each color and stripe put into the triangle in a specific place.

<< It was the first time since I was fourteen that I had only myself in my head. I missed it. >>

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn sighs and nods, "Yeah, I kinda feel like that when I'm in enclosed spaces..My..Dad...Died in a collapsed coal mine. So I guess it kinda traumatized me to be in enclosed spaces, like, what a horrible way to die.." she shivers at the memory, hugging her arms. "But hey, at least you're safe now." she smiles faintly as she continues to study his technique.

"Oh, um..so you're saying you usually have..Other voices in your head?" Megan blinks in surprise, realizing that she really doesn't know him that well.

SpyderByte has posed:
<< Yes. Every machine around me is a voice. It's all digitized binary really. It's a voice but it's not a voice. It's like a drone of beers, humming away in white noise. I can pick and choose who to talk to when I connect to that device. Over the years I have learned to tune it out. It's there but it doesn't bother me. When I lost my powers for the night, it was just me, nothing else there and it was so fascinating to think clearly. To be human. >>

Jeremy takes the rack off, then heads to the front of the table to set the cue ball. He gives a quick, hard crack of the stick to send the balls spiraling around the table.

<< But, I have decided to live my life a bit differently now. Take risks. Maybe try new things. >>

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn blinks slowly, eyes widening even more. "Oh..lWow, I didn't realize it was sooo hard for you. I mean, all this time, I just kinda thought you were like this overly nervous, autistic..Weirdo." oh wait, did she just insult him?

Megan blinks and laughs nervously, shaking her head, "Umm, I didn't mean that! I mean..Well I guess I never really understood you before but..Maybe I understand, a little better. Ohh Heey, maybe that's kinda like.lWhat a robot telepath or something?"

She laughs nervously, probably totally putting her foot in it. like, a lot. But that last part catches her attention. "Ooh, really? Cuz I might have a proposition for you.."

SpyderByte has posed:
<< I am an autistic weirdo, yes. I suppose that is why I am better with machines than I am people. Machines are simple and driven by math and binary. People are driven by emotions and I have a hard time understanding them. But, I am getting better. >>

Jeremy does not seem bothered by the remarks. He just pops one ball after the other into the pockets as he moves around the table slowly.

<< I asked a girl to go to Prom with me. >>

There is a pause and an amused smile.

<< And a boy. >>

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn sighs as she watches his perfect technique, having decided that he'll probably sink the rest before she has a chance to sink any. But at least he knows what he's doing! And at least he's not too too upset with her indiscretions..

The next comment does cause Megan to blinks slowly in surprise. "Erm..,Really? Oh, that's great! I actually wasn't gonna ask you to the dance. I was gonna ask if you want to help me decorate the place? Might be fun!"

SpyderByte has posed:
It's as if Jeremy is on auto-pilot and he forgot that Megan was playing the game herself. He is just moving from ball to ball, tapping them into holes, then re-racking them once he gets to the end again. He finally puts the stick to the side so that she can have at it.

<< I know you weren't going to ask me. I would be a step down from Super Boy of all people. >>

At least he knows his place.

<< I can help you, sure. Let me know what you would like for me to do. >>

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn blinks, taking the cue. "Phew, do t think I could top that!" she laughs a bit, but peers back at Jeremy thoughtfully, "Well to begin with, I didn't choose superbly, just cuz he's..Well, super. And cute. I mean, I'm not that shallow, I do happen to like his personality."

She offers a hopefully reassuring smile, "But anyway, I wouldn't sell yourself short. You're smart, decent looking and sensitive." she tilts her head, "And hey, have you been working out lately? I'll bet at least one, if not both of the people you asked said yes?"

As for decorating, Megan nods and chuckles, "Cool! It'll be lots of fun!"

SpyderByte has posed:
<< Yes, I believe all three of us are going to go to Prom together, even if we just sit at a table and talk all night. None of us know how to dance, but we've become best friends. I would like to spend my Prom, and my first dance, with my best friends, to make good memories and take pictures. >>

Jeremy glances down at his arms and smiles, then actually curls one arm upwards and flexes his bicep. It's nothing to get excited about, but there is definition there. He's no longer a sack of bones.

<< I am working out, trying to. It's hard. Eating better too. I made a promise long ago that I would try and help myself both physically and mentally. It's a good way to heal. So, I try to work out thirty minutes a day. >>

Pixie has posed:
Megan Gwynn arches a brow, "Ooh, the three of you? Well that's cool, I mean, as long as there's no jealousy or third wheel, right?" she smiles, seemingly cool with whatever, "Oh, but wouldn't it be more fun if you learned to dance first? Heey, I could teach you, if you like, and feel you can trust me?"

Megan looks at his bicep and nods, "Cool! I really am seeing some definition there, I mean, it sounds like you're doing better than like, when you first came here, so that's cool." the game seems to be rather ignored right now as Megan relaxes some with slightly burnt cookies and hot cocoa.