3658/Mind Matters

Mind Matters
Date of Scene:	14 January 2018
Location:	Xavier's School, Westchester, New York
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Phoenix, Redstar

---

Phoenix has posed:
Since it was the weekend there weren't any classes going on, but Jean Grey was still in business mode... when she wasn't doing Vice Principal duties, she was a student in college herself... trying to earn her doctorate. When she wasn't doing that? She was training with the X-Men and trying to help fight for mutant rights.

As of right now, Jean is where Vicky last saw her, in the Teacher's Hall. The redhead VP is seated at the conference table with her laptop in front of her, she was working on a paper for her own schooling and had a silver thermous in her hands... thick black framed glasses on her eyes, she's reading the screen of her laptop.

Redstar has posed:
Vicky hesitates outside the door, hand raised, and stares at the fine wood grain. The last day and change on her own in her own head had been an eye opener, but not in the way she thought. Swallowing the lump trying to form in her throat she let the hand fall in a knock before pushing open the slightly opened door. "Miss Grey?" She asks in a soft voice.
    The students that had been tasked with keeping an eye on her had reported her wallflower tendencies. Though this afternoon she had started to warm up to some of the students, she mostly sat and watched. "I hope I'm not interrupting, but I couldn't wait anymore," She says when the opened door reveals her staring at the laptop.

Phoenix has posed:
Jean looked away from her work when the knock came to the door, the double doors into the large Hall were generally always left open so students can come and go when a teacher(s) is present inside this once-banquet-hall.

Jean smiles to Vicky and shakes her head. "I was just about to come and look for you, Vicky." She told her. "Please come in." She motioned to the chair aside from hers to the left. "How have you been enjoying yourself? Been able to get any relaxation done?"

Since they'd last spoke, Jean had actively been attempting to keep the barrier up inside the girl's mind to keep Starr from dominating the poor girl's thoughts. Occassionally, Jean would've spoken to Starr as well to make sure she wasn't 'lonely' but the conversations would've likely been short and reassuring that it wouldn't be much longer.

Redstar has posed:
Starr had been mostly sullen and silent, withdrawn into a ball of conscious at the edges of the barrier. There was longing and some distant pain coming from Starr at every visit. Yet she maintained her silence, not responding in any words to the telepath. Though it was clear she felt that Jean was lying and would keep her trapped forever.
    Vicky herself smiles shakily as she takes the seat, turning it around to straddle. Her arms cross over the back and she rests her chin there. "It's really impressive," She admits with a nod. "And I can't -believe- your drama teacher is THE Dazzler," There's a momentary fan-girl flush and excitement to Vicky, before she refocuses on why she is here. "And...I think I made some friends. But..." She trails off now, licking her lips and dropping her gaze. There is guilt and uncertainty on her face.

Phoenix has posed:
Jean smiles at the young girl's words. "Dazzler is one of our more popular teachers. But yes, we've had some amazing instructors here. One of our recent teachers is a famous explorer, but she recently returned to her primary employment and isn't with us any longer, sadly. She was also pretty popular during last semester."

A nod was shown then to Vicky then as Jean turns in her chair to face the girl and leaned on her right elbow on the arm rest of the chair. "I'm glad you've enjoyed your time then. I have something here for you if you wouldn't mind filling it out?"

A second later and Jean was pushing some papers around and then offering a glossy dark blue folder with the Xavier School logo on it in shiney gold.

"Its a standard student welcoming package, and I know you're not declaring that you want to be a student here, but I'd very much like it if you could take the time to fill out the introduction section so we can know more about you. Your standard affair... your name, your birthplace, name of parents and where they might be found to the best of your knowledge."

Jean shows a light smile then and looked to Vicky, but spoke to Starr.

<<I'm going going to take the barrier down soon. But if you are unpleasant toward Vicky and focus on aggressive personality traits, I won't hesitate to bring it back up. We want peace here, not hostilities.>>

Redstar has posed:
Vicky's eyes come up and her brows raise as the papers are pushed at her, distracting her from what she wanted to say. She takes the pile and flips through the paper, looking at the various papers with curiosity. "I...I really do want an actual diploma. And I've made some friends here, but if I give you that information...it scares me. I guess I've become a bit paranoid," She admits with a snort and shake of her head.
     ~Soon. Soon. You like that word a lot.~ Quips Starr, still withdrawn but becoming more aware of Jean at the edge of the barrier. There is pain in that voice and whatever fire there was yesterday has gone out. The other entity seems to have taken the lesson to heart.
    Vicky reads one page thoughtfully before glancing up at Jean from them. "But being here has made me realize something else too..." Something she really doesn't want to admit too from the way her lips tighten. Her eyes fall and her breathing quickens for a moment, but then she seems to gain confidence from somewhere. She meets the Vice Principal's gaze again, "I can't make this decision alone. Because I'm not meant to be alone...I couldn't sleep last night because...she was gone. And I...missed her. I hate her, I think, but...oh I'm not making any sense," She says with a sigh and shake of her head.

Phoenix has posed:
Jean wouldn't comment back upon Starr, she'd told the entity the terms of the deal and if Starr wanted to hate her, then that was her right.

Another soft smile was shown to Vicky then. "You're more than welcome to join the school if you would like. I know it might seem like a financial improbability, but we have investors who donate money to make these kinds of things happen for those who cannot afford it on their own. And yes, you're more than welcome to take your time on that decision... as well as talk it over with Starr."

"I'll be here whenever the two of you have come to a decision on it."

Jean released Starr from the barrier and she was now free to speak with Vicky again, she'd feel it and not even need to be told telepathically.

Redstar has posed:
Vicky sucks in a breath and almost drops the papers in surprise and her eyes unfocus. In the mindscape the two minds race suddenly for the other, stopping just before touching. ~Well, you found your answer.~ Starr says quietly, a sense of defeat washing through the thoughts as the excitement of release fades on the meeting. Vicky's eyes fall, still unfocused, and she looks somewhere between guilty and sad. Her lips barely move to whisper, 'I'm sorry.' Into the air with barely any breath behind it.
    <<Starr...>> Vicky speaks clearly in her own mind and her mind-self reaches out to pull the othr close. There is stillness and surprise in the mindspace as Starr's presence is caught off guard.
    ~Hey. Hey! Stop it. You hate me, remember?~ Starr retreats suddenly from Vicky and closes herself off on her own, confusion at the forefront.
    It is like having a door slammed in her face and she blinks rapidly and sits up. Blue eyes refocus on Jean and she looks troubled, scared, and a little hurt. "Sorry," She says, realizing she had sat staring off and leaving Jean waiting. She swipes a hand at her eyes and clears her throat as she stands. "I'll give you their address. My parents...But that is a dead end. Thank you, by the way. You made me realize something I thought I always wanted really wasn't."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean wouldn't sit idly by though, she'd observe the emotional state that both of the minds were in, but she wouldn't listen in on their conversation, not until she was given another reason to do so.

When Vicky 'came back' she would get a smile from the VP. "I won't contact your parents without your approval. Just giving us a little information about them improves our odds of finding them quite eaisly, if you ever do want to confront them."

"In the mean time?" Jean leaned back in her chair and held her coffee thermous close to her stomach between both of her hands. "Just fill out what you are able to and take some more time to decide if you do want to be a student here."

At the last part though, Jean gently raises her left red brow. "Whats that?" She asks curiously.

Redstar has posed:
"For her to go away," Vicky says with a hollow little chuckle and an incredulous smile. "I mean...I don't like how she talks, or pushes, but...her being gone made me remember the times when without her things could have gone really bad...or I just had no idea what to do," She licks her lips and runs a hand through her hair. "I do want...maybe need even my diploma. I know that. I'll fill this out best I can and get it back to you. Um. Is living on campus required?" She asks as she pauses in standing to head out the door.

Phoenix has posed:
Jean would softly nod her head then to the girl's words. "Its like having a sibling that you just spend too much time around... absence makes the heart grow fonder." She shows another soft smile then. "If Starr is where you want her, then that is where Starr will remain."

"As for the both of you... You're seventeen years old, yes?" She asks then. "That means you're legally allowed to live wherever you want in New York state. So yes, you can live off campus. But we'll need to know where to reach you or find you, to have you supply that residence with us, of course."

Redstar has posed:
Vicky nods her head and smirks, "That...makes sense. Dazzler actually made me realize it...talked about taking on the persona of other people for performance. But I thought...what about times when I just am scared? Why not try those tricks then? It...made me realize I should listen to her more too. I -am- a bit of a baby." She says it with amusement and self-humility. She gathers the rest of the papers and heads for the door. "I'll let you get back to your other work. And thank you again," She says and then pauses at the door. "I think Starr might too, eventually." And she heads out the doors with that.