Logs:Assembly Instructions Not Included

Assembly Instructions Not Included
Dramatis Personae Tok, Asva
In Absentia	2024-11-30 "Does any parent? I mean really take it well?"
Location <XAV> Asva and Tok’s Dorm Room
This two person dorm room has a range of Mess to Organized Mess, depending on which way you’re looking. On one side, there isn’t much, but the most eye catching disaster is a desk with a glass jar overflowing with lake rocks, sticky notes dotting almost every surface with long past due dates and reminders, notebooks splayed out, and a fancy lamp in the corner that may or may not have been in one of the rooms of the mansion at one point. The bed is made, and just barely poking out from underneath are various packaged snacks. Around the walls are photos of bugs, plants, and wide shots of campus from suspiciously high view points haphazardly placed at various angles. The other side, while still an organized mess, is pretty neat and not too cumbersome. The desk is FAR less cluttered—books and belongings have been stacked to one side so the desk is actually accessible to… not study (the intention is there!). There are polaroids stuck up above the desk that start out in a neat grid, but grow further apart and more randomly placed as they spread over to the bed — the photos themselves varying from landscapes to family, to friends, with some very silly angles of the latter. The bedding is very neutral toned, with a giant crochet blanket draped over the top, and a Very Secret but Very Soft triceratops plushie hidden under the wooden frame. In and amongst the rest of the under-bed clutter, there's a pair of well-used and recently-frosted ice skates in a blue and orange combo. The floor is, perhaps surprisingly, clean, save for some stray brown fur wedged into the fibers of the carpet. It’s a brisk Saturday afternoon, the school still quiet and this particular dorm much the same. Students have begun to trickle in from their respective vacations, but still not as many as would be flooding in the following day. Tok enters the seemingly empty room humming, wearing their cargo pants with patches at the knees, sweat jacket zipped all the way up to their neck and sleeves pulled down over their hands. They have their backwards hat with the holes for their horns on, and their tail—which had been curled around their waist—uncurls to help shut the door with it. They have a few snacks cradled in their arms, and they do a quick scan about the room. “Ghost check!” They announce, practiced, as they drop the snacks down on top of their already cluttered desk. "-- is most definitely a ghost in here." Asva's reply is casual, smooth -- the missing first word of his response an indication that perhaps he was Somewhere Else entirely. He re-appears as soon as he starts talking, albeit still translucent. He's laying on his bed rather unorthodoxicly; semi-upside-down with his legs resting against the wall and his head positioned just under the space his pillow usually occupies. Instead, it is strewn at the foot of his bed with no rhyme or reason. His curls just about poke out of his chocolate hoodie, the raised fabric of the hood making his ears stick out to the side comically. Whether this was Intentional or not... The blue jeans he's wearing are clearly some of his favourites -- scuffs on the knees and stray threads at the rolled up cuffs at his ankles -- with a pair of fluffy green socks on his upturned feet. "Should call a medium-" He jests, dropping his phone off to the side of his head after an intense doom-scrolling session. There's a slight emtpiness to his smirk today, the corner of his mouth not quite stretching as far as usual, "what snackage did the kitchens provide you on this bless-ed day?" Tok’s tail flicks, almost startled, when Asva appears, but a grin quickly stretches across their face, “Maybe I should ask the school for a ghost vacuum! Like they got in Ghost Busters. Maybe they got one up in the attic.” They glance upwards towards the ceiling, like they might head up there right now, but seem to think better of it. They pick through the snacks, “Oh they had such good shit. I got some granola bars, OHOH they had some’a those fancy mini muffin things.” Tok tosses Asva a pack of Little Bites, “Shits so expensive in stores and they only give you like, four muffins? Scam! I snagged’em soon as I saw’em.” Tok is grinning proudly, and pierces their own bag of mini muffins with their claws to munch on. "That's phantom-phobic." He stretches his legs up the wall, before swinging them up and over his head in a weird back-stretch that -- combined with the Flying Muffins landing on the back of his thigh -- coaxes a squished groan. "Dang you hit the jackpot!" His voice is a little muffled by his hoodie as he Commits to the backwards roll, half-bouncing off the end of his mattress into a ~~stumble~~ standing position. He finally faces Tok now, "Thanks Tok, you da beest." He wastes no time in ripping into the plastic, shoving the Entire triple-choco-sweet-treat into his mouth, "Wha' flavors ya get?" Tok's ears flick upward, and their motions pause but only briefly, and they quickly wave a hand, "Heh-Anytime." They pop one into their mouth and spin the pack around to look at the flavor, "Birthday cake? S'good. Got some crumb cake ones in there too." They spread them out so Asva can take a look at the array of snacks they've procured. They pull out their desk chair--which also has some stray papers on it, and move those out of the way onto the floor so they can plop down into it. They push their legs against the edge of the desk so they can tilt their chair back, but not far back enough to topple over-- yet. Their tail flicks back and forth in the gap of the chair, "Hey you guys got these back at home?" They ask curiously, "Know they got all kindsa different snacks different places." “Prob’ly,” He swallows, a fraction of Panic in his eyes he watched Tok tempt fate (and as the cake goes down rather dryly), “haven’t had this one before. Mom’s obsessed with—it’s called Figgy Duff I don’t, know if it’s also called that here but it’s, real good.” He tilts his head downward, eyes unfocused for a second before he snaps back, “God-awful name for a pudding. Doesn’t even have figs in it — did you grow up eating these?“ Tok watches Asva, then shakes their head and crumbles up their empty packet in one hand, “Nah, only once or twice.” Tok is fishing for their phone from their pocket and begins typing, “Figgy Duff…Yeah that name sucks. Don’t think we really got that here but we’ll get you some. New mission!” They announce, allowing the front legs of their chair to snap back down so they can perch in it instead, and lean against the back, “OR we make it. Can’t be that hard right?” "Pass-" His tone is uncharacteristically blunt, "that thing looks questionable enough when it comes out the tin, I dunno if I wanna actually see what goes in it." Not figs that's for damn sure. He softens his bluntness with a "Thank you, though," and flumps backwards onto his bed with a huff. "Tok-?" He poses like he hasn't been chatting to them this entire time, "I forget -- is this your first vacation stuck at Xaviers or is this a regular thing for you?" He's staring at the ceiling now, finding (few) imperfections in the plaster and paint. Tok’s ear flicks and they smoosh the side of their cheek against the back of their chair, “Oh nah, I’m here all year long. Technically my first of this vacation since I joined end of last year, but I was here during summer too.” They don’t sound very bothered by this, their tail continuing its easy wave back and forth behind them. “Is this your first?” They ask suddenly curious, “Do you normally head home for vacations?” “Yeah-“ Asva sighs, “first time ever. Last time I was here I’d be on the first flight home, but my Mom’s paranoia was just.. too much after everything that happened at the labs. I’m not mad-“ He adds, quickly, “she needed a break but damn do I miss her cooking. These are a pretty good stand-in.” He pops another mini-muffin into his mouth, sitting up so he doesn’t choke on the crumbs. “Feel like you’re part of the furniture now. Be weird if you went home for vacay.” “I’d make great furniture.” Tok says, but they sound a little distracted. Their normal constant fidgeting has slowed in thought, tail wave turning a bit more stuttery-twitchy, and they tilt their head—as much as they can while still resting it against the chair. “So…wait. She just told you not to come home this time?” Tok brings their leg up onto the chair to idly play with the frayed hem of their pants. "I think you'd be a typa chair -- oooh an ottoman!" His brow knits itself, the innocent comparison sounding a little to close to an Insult. A glorified footrest. Nice one. It does however bring a smirk to his lips, as he continues - "She's in Bergen, had extra vacation to use from work that didn't line up with term dates, hence; Vacay a la Xavier's for me. Dunno why she traded cold for cold -- told her to go somewhere sunny but home is home I guess." Asva clocks his waffling-about-himself, lifting a hand to scratch at the back of his bed-hair, "Are your, have you heard from your Ma?" A wry grin flickers onto Tok’s face, sensing the insult but not quite putting it together, “An ottoman? That the thing you can stuff things into?” They tilt their head the other way in consideration, “If I’m an ottoman then you’re a…Lamp!” They grin, very satisfied with this chosen answer. “I guess that makes sense though, with her whole vacation timing thing.” They say, watching Asva carefully, “Maybe it’ll work out next vacation?” They suggest, trying to inject some positivity into this tone. At Asva’s question, Tok’s eyes darted away, looking down instead to study their claws very closely, “Yeah I’ve chatted with her. My folks are super busy though.” They say with a quick wave of their hand. Asva picks up on Tok's body language and his response is nearly verbal, his smile dropping and mouth opening in an ah shape as he exhales. His knee starts to bounce a haphazard rhythm as he pinches his fingers in his lap. He's Very Clearly searching for the right thing to say, and settles on a jovial "Not as busy as us. No more exams, snacks, Parkour -- we're swamped" Tok’s tail jumps back and forth in an excitement, “Yeah! And we still gotta do some sneakin’ around if we want to. Full schedules here!” They raise their eyebrows mischievously, then pop up out of their chair to toss Asva another snack bag, then rip open another one for themself, “Hey did your family lose their shit the first time you just went- POP!” Tok spreads out their fingers for emphasis, “-Outta existence?” Asva's eyes light up and the knee-bouncing ceases with a crossing of his legs, "How the fuck have I not told you about this -- Tok, it was on live TV -- a gymnastics heat they were livestreaming and I lit-er-ally said POOF-" He's mimicking Tok's gesture now too, his posture more upright and animated as he speaks, "it was the nerves for sure but my Mom and Stepdad were in the crowd and their faces -- they freaked the FUCK out it was wild..." The knee-bouncing is Very Much back, this time at tenspeed, "- were so relieved when I poofed back the next day cos -- OH YEAH the worst part was that I didn't even realise I went Ghost Mode until everyone started freakin' out. Couldn't get back til I slept off all the panic. The most scary shit." Tok’s eyes widen, and they suddenly seem to be trying very hard to keep a laugh down, but are failing spectacularly, “On TV? Please tell me it’s on some archive somewhere.” They let out a few breathy laughs here, still trying to keep it down, “Did you- you were gone ‘til the next day?!” they’re asking with even wider eyes, managing to fully tamper down their laughter now, “What did you think was going on? How’d you get home?” They’re asking rapid fire, tail twitching with interest, “Can you even like- sit in a car? How does that work?” Asva grabs his phone from where he left it on the bed and starts typing frantically to show the Source of his Trauma to Tok. "Right there on YouTube for everyone to see-" He flips his phone round to Tok. It's a short video, titled 'Mutant Kid Disappears at Gymnastics Competition' -- nothing too inventive -- but sure enough it shows a Slightly Younger Asva stepping up onto the beam and starting to flicker in and out of sight, Poofing entirely before he could even start his routine. The commentators waffle on to try and calm the situation but they're just as dumbfounded as the rest of the gymnasium. It's a chaotic and loud video, gasps and chatter that drown out most of the commentary, but the odd '-we don't know what just happened-' and even a '-glitch in the matrix-' slips through on the audio. Asva pulls his phone back, swiping the app away (along with the rest of the apps open on his phone as a habit) but doesn't seem too fazed. "Bitch I walked home, it took me a whole hour. Tok eagerly darts over and leans in close to watch the video, tail twitching behind them with interest. They quickly pop back up to standing up straight once Asva pulls the phone back. “Thats so freaky dude!” They snort at Asva’s comment and step back, but instead of taking a seat in their chair they instead crouch down to then starfish on the floor, hair pooling around their head. “Heh- Hey good thing you knew the way back though! I think I woulda just curled up under the beam for a few days. Sucks it’s like- on Youtube though.” They add the latter sympathetically. Then they’re pushing straight on with their nosiness, “Did they take it okay? Your folks I mean.” They idly wave their feet back and forth from their spot on the ground. "Right? Thought I was gonna get lost for sure but apparently enough had gone to shit already." He scoffs, leg still bouncing as Tok once again calls the floor Home (that's why they have to vacuum the carpet so often...) "Does any parent? I mean really take it well? Mine were supportive sure but... they're always gonna see it as a dangerous thing. If not to them, then to me." He pauses, reflective, "How were yours -- don't get me wrong I think having a tail and claws and horns is rad but, was it a shock for them?" Tok’s foot waving pauses when they glance over at Asva, curious, then they rock their head back so they’re looking straight up towards the ceiling again. “Heh- thanks.” they smile, quick. They pop back up into sitting, antsy, and lean against their palms behind them in a way that shifts their shoulders up. They tilt their head in consideration, “Yeah- parents always gonna be worried I think. Supportive is good, though.” they say, maybe a hint of hesitation in there. Their fingers drum against the ground, “I popped out lookin’ like this—well mostly.” As if on cue, they subconsciously scratch at the alien exoskeleton patch on their neck. An easy grin slides onto their face, “The extra switcheroo shit was surprising but- in a different way probably. Already knew I was a mutant at that point.” Asva’s mouth pushed to one side, his lips pursed. “Must’ve been kinda reassuring? When the switcheroo kicked in I mean, that you were kinda… used? to being different—“ His tone flicks up at the end of his words, moreso than his Canorwegian usual. “Yeahhh I was lucky. Really lucky.” Tok says simply. They look over to Asva again to scan him quick, “Didn’t have a uh, a whole gymnastics career that got flipped on its head ‘cause of it.” They roll back a bit, then pop to their feet, “Must’ve sucked. ‘Specially since you seemed to like it.” They say with a sympathetic wince. “Hey-“ Asva raises a finger and frowns, adopting a mock-serious tone, “flipped but not finished. I’d… probably have to register,” He slumps with a huff, “which SUCKS — but necessary so they don’t think I’m cheating or anything. Not my fault I’m tightropin’ dimensions. Parkour! is close enough for now, helps that it’s fun as fuck.” Tok’s ears flick upward at that, and they grin, “Heh-And little do they know you’re doing all that shit on hard mode! You should get extra points for that.” They crumple up their snack bag in one hand, “I’ll give you extra points for it in Parkour! Club. I dunno if we got points but we sure do now!” They toss the bag away, then hop into their own bed, “I’ll do the whole lil score card thing for you too.” They mime holding up a score card, “9.7! Didn’t phase through the wall you tried to flip off of!” “And the crowd goes wild, ahhhhh-“ Asva cups his hand around the edges of his smile, a quiet and breathy scream mimicking said Theoretical Crowd. The laughter that follows is warm as he flops back onto his own bed, “Not bad for a ’lamp’.” “Not bad for a Lamp.” Tok agrees and dissolves into giggles. They begin looking something up on their phone. It’s quiet, for a prolonged moment, when suddenly they’re sitting up with the search result of ‘What is an Automon’ on their screen, then below it ‘did you mean Ottoman?’ “Wait!” They hold the screen out towards Asva “Were you callin’ me a footrest-?!”