Owner	Pose
Samuel Guthrie	Classes are over for the day. His rush in the danger room to get someone set up is over. Sam has a couple of bottles of soda in the water, and another next to him. Stretched out under the shade of a tree. He has a soda open next to him, and a blanket on the ground. A fishing pole is set up in the water, and there is a tablet in his hands. Sam is trying to read for one of his college courses. Most of his course work in this, his final semester, is actually collegiate work. Year long school has worked out well for Sam Guthrie.     He's singing, badly, and off key to himself quietly. Like really badly. Like make Rahne howl badly.     'Cause the sun's too bright,     The sky's too blue     Beer's too cold to be thinking about you     Gonna take this heartbreak and tuck it away     Save it for a rainy day
Yana Asarov	Another voice picks up, as Sam's voice dies off, even if it's only for a moment. It's not terrible, no. But it's certainly nothing to brag about, either:     "Fall is here, hear the yell     back to school, ring the bell     brand new shoes, walking blues     climb the fence, books and pens     I can tell that we are gonna be friends."     Yana is approaching, and certainly not trying to sneak up on the newly christened X-Man and the fellow who, against all odds, had raised his voice in favor of her at a rather tense meeting. Partially made so by Yana's presence.     The girl in the electric blue hair and black outfit sits near Sam, then, and she glances over at the tablet. "General Physics? Cool. Kinetic equations are pretty fantastic. My favorite." She's being sincere, "It's not quantum theory, or theory of relativity, sure. But, you're probably doing --," she considers, thoughtfully, "Things like rube-goldberg mechanisms, and basic equations like distance traveled on a merry-go-round?"
Samuel Guthrie	He stands up as she approaches, like a gentleman should. He might have grown up poor, but Sam has manners. "Hello." he drawls. "Relatively easy things. Given how my powers work, Ah have had to develop some knowledge of vector physics, but mostly the laws of thermodynamics, algebra, and trigonometry. Ah have to avoid hitting an object too sturdy at the wrong angle, to avoid property damage. I can eyeball it pretty well, but understanding the math and the science gives me a better eye."     His hand is offered for a congratulatory. "Ah understand Ms. Grey signed off on you. Good work." Sam pauses. "Ah am drinking diet orange soda. Want one?" He has a couple bottles cooling in the lake.
Yana Asarov	She smiles, sharply, a certain gleam in her eye appearing. She shakes the man's hand, eagerly, gratefully. "Someone after my own heart. That's exactly why I started studying Physics, myself. It's one thing to have control over your abilties, and be able to use them properly. It's an entirely another to be be able to understand how your abilities can be magnified by taking advantage of the science behind them to amplify them."     She nods, exhaling, "It seems I'm on a very uphill road with getting her to like me. Apparently killing someone who is trying to kill you first is - not a good thing, around here."     "Soda sounds good."
Samuel Guthrie	"Morals aside." Sam replies. he has a firm handshake. Workmanlike hands. "Corpses undermine the message.' Sam says quietly. He walks over to get her a bottle of the diet orange he likes. He pops the metal cap off for her, and holds it out to her. The bottle cap into his pocket and holds the soda out.     "Ah do not mean to sound callous, but if the brand is peaceful coexistence and the other brand is why are dangerous, a corpse strengthens their side and weakens ours." Sam tilts his side. 'We are not here to do violence. We are here to guarantee civil rights." His smile is soft. "Even if sometimes would just be easier to put them in the ground."     His smile is soft. 'Ah maybe did not help you there. Either. Ah could have handled that better. Transitive property..."
Yana Asarov	Yana shakes her head, "No, I get it," she says, honestly enough. She considers how to express herself, "But at the same time, if -- well, if you have an enemy that is continually trying to end you, like, this Mojo that killed Gambit," and her voice, even though she didn't know the man is full of respect, "Isn't it better to protect your friends and family by making sure the threat doesn't come back?"     It seems to be a rhetorical question, though, as she follows it up with, "But, I suppose that's just one of those questions that doesn't have a right answer. We take the higher moral ground, as much as we can. I'm on board."
Samuel Guthrie	"Given the alternate philosophies alternate mutant groups have taken, we have to be above reproach." Sam replies. "Again, staying away from morals. Its about building a brand." he says with a slight frown.     His shrug is small. "Ah am sure ah would be scolded for such realpolitik." His shrug returns, still small. "But it avoids moralistic arguments and accomplishes the same thing. But, what brings you out to our little lake today, Yana?"
Yana Asarov	"Honestly?" The young woman pops open the orange soda, "To talk to you."     She exhales, "You know, I've told this to Ms. Grey. A couple others. But, I could've stayed home. Finished private schooling. But, I wanted something more. The appeal of a mutant school, for mutants, and abilities? Well. I finally persuaded my father that his training had limitations. I thought I might find, say, mutant sports teams, using abilities for competition. Maybe something like - mutant combat training, like, I don't know - competitive karate."     She pauses there, considering, "Ms. Grey said I could train with the rest of the teams, people, going to Mojo-world. The area she had me in was with a bunch of dinosaur's. Savages riding them, stinkbombs, fires." Her eyes are alert, "So, I'm guessing if Mojo-world simulation was built off of prior experiences with an inter-dimensional being, then the dinsoaurs and savages are also." She's not asking.     "It's more than what I bargained for. But, I still want it. I'm - I'm one of those people who needs a challenge to thrive. So it fits."     Her mouth twists, then. "But. I'm curious. You didn't know me. Why did you stick up for me, when even Dani was going quiet under Ms. Grey's rather displeased glare?"
Samuel Guthrie	"Ah'm dumb?" Sam counters. His grins is self-deprecating. His eyes meet hers while she talks, but for someone willing to stare down Jean Grey, he is uncomfortable talking about himself.     His hand pushes his hair out of his face. "You said you wanted to help. You didn't say you wanted revenge. You said you wanted to help." Sam slowly meets her gaze. "What ah heard though, is that you were family. Ah stick up for family. Family... helps family. We were all new once." The shrug is bigger. he walks over to get his own soda to take a drink. 'Seems to me that if you are willing to put yourself out there for people you just met, one of us should maybe do the same?" His smile is soft, and a little abashed. "Ah know it is silly."
Yana Asarov	"Lexi and Dani are my friends. I know relatively few people here, admittedly, presently. I hope to change that," Yana says. She frowns, "Lexi is - not ready for much. I'm helping her, best I can. Showed her a few tricks, gave her a few ideas how to use her tendrils to her advantage to, well, give her half a chance. From what she told me, it pretty much saved her there," recounts Yana.     She nods, "I want to help, because there are people who can't. Yet. Or, who never may be able to. Lexi will, just - she needs time." And the blue-haired girl recognizes that.     "So yes. I do want to help. I didn't know Gambit. If it were my father, or mother he killed? Then, honestly? I probably would want revenge. But I know I -can- fight. And," suggests Yana, quietly, "I am a mutant that this Mojo has never encountered. I'm a wildcard."
Samuel Guthrie	"Yes. Problem is, you are a wildcard with s too." Sam counters with an easy almost cheeky grin. "But that can be solved. Ah have no issues with you going, but ah would be lying if ah said ah had no reservations." Sam says it gently. "Just... listen to those of us who have fought is all ah ask. Individually, well, we are all as talented and powerful as we are. Synergy is a real thing though. Make sure you take those powers of yours and use them as best you can, but as directed. That is the hard part."
Yana Asarov	Yana nods, "Part of my ability is synergy." She considers, thoughtful, and agrees, "I'm used to using my own tactics. My own abilities." She exhales, "And in a lot of situations? I'd probably do fine with that. Ms. Grey's little dinosaur scenario was certainly an eye-opener."     She pauses, leans over, and picks up a hand-sized rock. Her hand moves over to Sam, hesitates, above him, she asks, "May I?"     It's a clear request to demonstrate something, to him. Or, for him. Perhaps on him.
Samuel Guthrie	"Gonna hit me with a rock?" Sam teases. His smile is lopsided. "But stow that your own tactics. Want to be a leader, you gotta earn that. Dani did. Ah did. Until then, Our tactics." Sam replies. It is gentle, but firm. "But go ahead and hit me with the rock. Just not in the face? Ah am doofy look'n enough as it is."
Yana Asarov	"Nope." She takes the rock, and her fingers touch Sam's hand, briefly. "No rock throwing. Yet." She holds, instead, the rock out. "Hit it. Hard as you can," she says, with a measure of sober sincerity.     And, inquires then, "Dani mentioned that to you? Yes. I do want to be a leader. Already have a few things I need to be - well, working on. But, I have the ability. It's now a matter of experience. Learning the application of more," she presses her lips thoughtfully, "Gentle handling. Awareness that everyone isn't me." She grins, ruefully. "I've not worked with a lot of people, before."     She nods, though. "Hit it."     There's no change in Sam. But, she's imbued him, bolstered his kinetic ability through that touch. And, he's about to learn that with her blessing, he can punch through a rock with his bare fist as if he were Colossus. The applications when he's in full mutant Cannonball mode? Well. Interesting, to say the least.
Samuel Guthrie	Slowly Sam considers. He pullls in a breath. His lefft arm lines up, and then swings. He is protecting his right. The swing is practiced. Sam obviously boxes. He is cringing a little though. If she wanted to know if there was trust, well, he is trying to punch a rock.
Yana Asarov	Sam? Well, Sam won't hardly feel a thing. If anything, it might feel like he's maybe punching one of those little hanging lightweight punching balls that flips back at you, rather than even a heavy sandbag. But the rock shatters, with an impressive force.     "I can buffet people, or objects," she explains. "Among a lot of other things. Ms. Grey's probably given you a decent rundown. I can slow, or increase an objects speed. Their ability to withstand kinetic energy, and their ability to deal it, too. Trick is, besides myself, I can, at least right now? Only buffet one additional target at a time."     She considers, "So in a lot of ways, I can also make any one of you a wildcard, too. Create an unexpected result, from a proven equation."     She adds, "But I don't expect it to be easy. Just know I won't disappoint your faith in me, Sam. And? Honestly?" She reaches out, dropping the debris of rock in her hand - curiously she doesn't seem that effected by the hard punch either, to touch his again, "Thank you."     Yana squeezes his hand, briefly. "It means a lot."
Samuel Guthrie	He is surprised. A little shaken. A little off center. Sam slowly nods his head. His hand squeezes hers back. Just once. A good, long squeeze. A little more powerful than hers, but not to hurt her. "Thank you for proving you belong here. Not talking about powers. Talking about heart. Ah respect heart." His hand releases hers qwith a warm, gentle smile. "Cannot teach that."
Yana Asarov	"Don't get me wrong," Yana agrees, "I - am proud of my abilities. I -enjoy- my abilities. Like I said. I desire challenge. I'm probably going to be one of the strangest people to ever hit that Danger Room. Because, even after that grueling experience with Ms. Grey? I'm already self-analyzing what I could've done better. And I wanted to run it immediately again." She smiles, briefly, and she shrugs, placing her hands back around the diet orange soda. She takes another drink.     "Family? Friends, though? Rare. And, something I will fiercely protect. You only get one family. And so many friends."     There's a brief exhale, "So. I've done enough talking about me. Tell me about you? I don't even know what your abilities are. Or, anything about you, except you're that you're going to run me into the ground with your training sessions, and you like diet orange soda, and fishing. Oh. And that you're taking a collegete course in general physics that I can probably help you ace."
Samuel Guthrie	"But are you sure Ah need the help?" Sam asks. "careful with assuming folks do. Some of the girls, in particular, can get a little hurt at that. Ah will, though, ask you if ah need help?" Sam asks, his tone still warm and gentle.     He considers. "Well, ah am the oldest of ten, ah was a New Mutant until, well, a week ago? Ah used to co-lead the team with Dani. She is the better tactician. Ah might be the better soldier to her better warrior? Ah dunno. Ah think she is fantastic. Uhm--" Sam considers. "Ah am Doug's roommate? Done with school at semester, then to Colombia for hopefully just 3 years, then we will see?" Sam quirks a slight grin. "Me in a nutshell. Boring. Oh? My powers. I generate a reaction I use to propel myself through the air at great speeds, like a rocket. Ah am nearly invulnerable while blast'n. So... Cannonball?"
Yana Asarov	"Point," Yana conceeds, "Didn't mean to assume. Just, ...," she trails off, looking ruefull, nods her head. "Not a subject that's easy, for most." Still, she agrees, "Deal. I'll try not to assume. You're right. I don't know."     She adds, though, head tilted, "But, take your own advice. Maybe I wasn't offering -only- to help you."     But she'd listened to his story, and his past. Yana nods, some, and she admits, "Okay. That's - pretty damn cool. Everyone here seems to have a -lot- of really fantastic sort of abilities. It's - really cool." She considers, "Is it bad if I can't stop thinking, on some level, about synergy? Like, if I can't help Dani toss out her arrows faster, with my own buffeting? Or, how much more I could bolster Mr. Rasputin's ability to protect, and withstand damage to take it off someone else? This is all pretty new to me."
Samuel Guthrie	"You make a decent point of your own, and honestly, you should be talking to Dani about your training. Ah was just going to get you up to snuff for the mission. I will happily help you if you want the help, but Dani, your teammates, and the other, more experienced instructors should take over the lion's share. Ah used to help out, but ah am not a team leader anymore. Ah am the most junior member of the X-Men outside of Doug. A lot of what you are doing? Ah am also doing, learned hot to coordinate with new people. It is an eye opener. Ah grew up with the others. Ah miss them." Sam admits his emotional attachment with a sad grin. "So, admittedly, more than others." He admits with a grin. Sam tilts his head. "Be'in said. If you want me to throw different missions at you, ah will. Just sort of supplement your other training? Ah can do that. But mine are -always- with full safeties on. Training is great, until someone gets hurt."
Yana Asarov	"It's - almost impossible to hurt me, in some ways," Yana offers. "Bullets. Sharpnel. Pteradactyl's. They actually can recharge me." She considers Sam, thoughtfully, "It's other things I need to worry about. Like, the guy breathing fire? Not cool. But, yeah. Honestly, I meant what I said. I'll take -any- training, or any openings to test my abilities in new ways, figure out where I'm weak, or underdeveloped. What I can do better."     Yana smiles back, "I'm a driven girl. Consider yourself warned. But, yeah. I'll get with Dani, too."     Yana gives a short laugh, after finishing off that soda, "Hell. I'll probably be the student looking over her performance tapes like a NFL coach the day after the big game."
Samuel Guthrie	5r    "Good. Someone needs to do that now that ah am not doing it." Sam's grin is broad and honest. He regards her for a moment, "Unsolicited advice has no value." Sam says it carefully. "But, remember that these folks? THe other students? They are the the real reason that you are here. make friends. They are the key to your success. THey are the key to your happiness, and the real reason you are here."
Yana Asarov	Yana considers that, and nods. "Dani and Lexi are showing me that," she admits, honestly. She shrugs, "I - honeslty didn't have time, before. Between private tutors, training with my father and mother, and my teachers - which, mostly, consisted of a Sambo instructor and a few men who wore protective padding and progressively got more dangerous on me as my abilities trained up," Yana says conversationally, "I didn't have friends. Didn't -miss- having friends."     It's not something she's sad about, or remorseful for. "So, it's a lesson. I value Lexi a lot. She's like the little sister I never had. Dani reminds me a lot of myself, in a lot of ways. And, is generally my go-to person for advice in this place," she half-jokes.     "You're pretty cool, yourself."
Samuel Guthrie	"Ah am not cool. Ah am anal retentive. Ah am hands on. Ah am a mother hen who really had to get out of where he was because he got too involved in his team. Ah am sometimes a liability." Sam pauses. "But ah can be fun. Ah can be a good listener, and maybe more important for you? Ah can be a friend." Sam says with a smile. "A friend who can help you train, and who is outside your chain of command while doing so, so, ah guess, double bonus?" He pushes a hand through his hair. He looks over at his fishing pole. Bobber is still above water.
Yana Asarov	"What are you trying to catch? Anything good in the lake?" Fishing probably isn't Yana's thing, but, she's curious at the very least. She looks at the bobber, too, "You should move it," and she points after a moment's thought, at about a 35 degree angle from where it is right now. "Over there."     Then she adds, "I said you were cool. I don't think, Sam, you get to change my opinions of other people." She sounds amused.
Samuel Guthrie	"Don't do that." Sam admonishes with a grin. "Ah am sure you have soem sort of kinetic sense, or the like?" He asks. "Ah do not mind, but that? That will drive Dani and Tabitha nuts." Sam says quietly. He looks over at the bobber. "Ah knew there was more debris that way." He says. His sigh is soft and he turns his attention back to Yana. "Mean well? Ah am sure you do. But trust me? Ah mean this. No one like a know it all."
Yana Asarov	Yana frowns, and looks genuinely admonished. "Not trying to be that. Just - trying to help," she says, exhaling. "But. Yes. That's fairly accurate. You've seen - well, like movies with thermal vision, or such? That's - kind of how it looks. I can tell shapes. Movement. Consistant exposure helps me recognize what shapes might be what. I don't get, say, to know who might it be around the corner, unless I'm really aware of that persons size, maybe something unique to them. A hate. A pair of shoes. Something. But, yeah. It works with my dampening field. Without it, there's no way in hell I'd stop bullets."
Samuel Guthrie	A little squeeze of her hand hopefully takes the sting out of it. It is a tentative gesture, for Sam to do that. "It ain't you being bad. that is human nature. No one likes to think someone else is right and they are wrong. No one seems to take it as a mistake.     After a moment, Sam says, "Try saying it this way? Hey Sam, i detect a 28 inch long fish about 12 feet off to your bobber' location, at about a 35 degree angle?" Sam prompts. His tone is gentle. "That way, you are giving me information and it is up to me decide what ah am doing? Ah know you are saying the same thing, but trust me?"
Yana Asarov	Yana considers this, nodding some, after turning the idea over in her head. She twists her lips, venturing, "It's only 16 inches, though. And, two probably around 10 inches," to show she's not only appreciative of the information, but that she also still has a sense of humor.     She doesn't seem to mind the squeeze of her hand, either, she nods. "Supply information, and let them decide what to do with. Build trust. Right. I can do that. No wonder why you got promoted. Well," she exhales, "I suppose my first real goal is to simply get accepted. Can work on the other goals after, right?"
Samuel Guthrie	"Ah am smarter than ah look." Sam says warmly. "And thank goodness for that! Not that it is too hard to be smarter than this." He indicates his face. "Now. Acceptance? Given where we are? That should be natural. But... sometimes not so much. Just be yourself. be kind. Be decent. It will come." He shrugs his shoulders. "Ah had to learn all this too. Ah just learned it a bit younger. Ah was a mess when ah got here. as much as ah helped raise the others, they helped raise me. And that, Yana, is how it ought to be." His grin is gentle. "But also, that ain't worth moving my bobber for." He gives her a playful, mocking little wink.
Yana Asarov	"You do anything else for fun, besides study Physics while fishing? Video games? Sports? Hunting?" She considers, "I enjoy music. Quite a bit. All varities, but mostly -real- rock. Rock that sounds as if it could've been made - or was, back in the early days. Seventies. Eighties. Jack White. Bowie. You know." She gestures, casually. "I go to parties, sometimes. That's where I met Lexi and Dani at. Ran into Dani again after I met Magneto. Now that guy? Pretty impressive. First person I'd -ever- met, besides my father, who made you feel small. And, not in a bad way. Just, that he was a great man. That he could -do- things. That he -knew- things. I imagine it's kind of like people in Ancient Greece felt around Aristotle. Like, he had a palpatable aura around him, or something."     She realizes, perhaps, she's rambling, asks, "Does that make any sense?"
Samuel Guthrie	"It makes sense." Sam regards her for a moment. His cheeks flush. "Ah look after my friends. that is my hobby. I do chores. Sometimes, like now, I try to relax while doing homework. Ah... one of my best friends is not back yet. Bobby. So it is just me and Doug, on the guy side of things. I ... play cards? I train." Sam makes a slight face as if it dawns on him how little fun he's been lately. "Kinda, umm, just sorta got dumped." Sam says slowly. "Twice." He concludes, looking like he feels bad himself now as he realizes his situation. "Once by a girl who dumped me... before."
Yana Asarov	"Ouch." Yana postulates, "That's - well, that's gotta be rough. Don't expect anything I can say can really help. But, if you want to talk, or something, I can offer you at least my personal perspective."     She brushes her hair back, casually, and changes gears so not to dwell on the subject "Cards, I can do. Guy stuff, not so much. So, maybe, tell you what - after we do one of our Danger Room sessions we have a good old fashioned card game. Get some snacks, like, I don't know, pretzels, cheetos, whatever, and use them as currency. You, me, whoever else wants in. Good way to blow off some steam after the session, and to get to know everyone better." It's at least an idea she thinks has merit, as she looks to him for either a thumbs up, or down.
Samuel Guthrie	"Ah dunno." Sam says. "Ah guess. Ah like to play. Ah did not say ah was good." Because he is actually a vicious card player the likes of which takes Logan's money. But he's not going to tell her that. 'Could be fun, yes. We can all do that." Sam agrees. "You play?"
Yana Asarov	"Some," agrees Yana. Which is, a lot. Still, her kinetic sense cannot derive what cards are which. But her advanced training in psychology can give her an edge in telling bluffing from all but the very best - like, perhaps, Sam and Logan. "Mostly, though, I started playing after I started taking an interest in finding convienent ways to weaponize myself, if I needed to. Started using playing cards, as one option. Easy to carry around. 52 opportunities to knock someone out, create a distraction, trip someone up. Can't get more convienent than that."     Her expression twists in to a smile, "And, the card playing kind of came after that, with the people my father's men would hire. A way to take a respite, talk about ways I could better react."
Samuel Guthrie	"Yes. Cards are safe. Snacks to get them there." Sam smiles. "Excellent idea." He rubs his chin. 'Check with Dani. She might love it. She will probably love it." Sam says nodding.
Yana Asarov	"I'll completely rope her into it," Yana says, confidentally. "If she -does- give me any grief about it, I'll just tell her that since she hasn't given me that promised ride on Brightwind yet so she owes me."     A pause, "Though, really, I owe her. Didn't realize at the time, how much she stepped up for me there."
Samuel Guthrie	Sam looks aside. "That's Dani." He agrees sadly. He pushes his hand through his hair as if something is bugging him. 'She is great. Umm. Ah have all this reading ah have to do?" His body language changed. He is vaguely upset. A little sad. "She is a good person, but uh. Yeah. Ah should get back to my reading/"
Yana Asarov	"Sure," Yana says, unruffled at Sam's remembering she should be studying. Or, the sudden desire to do so. "Good luck fishing. Who knows. Maybe you'll catch something bigger." She curves a lopsided smile, "Thanks, Sam, for talking with me. It was - good." She nods, satisfied, and begins to head back to the school, humming the same song she was singing when she came up on him, originally.
Samuel Guthrie	Running a hand through his hair, Sam shakes his head, He moves over to his blanket and slumps down onto it, cradling his head with one hand for a moment before picking up his tablet to resume his studies.