ArchivedLogs:On Dating

On Dating
Dramatis Personae Jack, Rictor
In Absentia	2015-09-06 '
Location <XS> Forest
Quiet and shady, the trees rise all around here high and thick. In stillness, woodland creatures make appearances, though sudden noises scare them back into the cover. Dappled sunlight filters down between the thick foliage, and the ground underfoot is heavily overgrown, though here and there paths have been worn, by deer or years of students wandering familiar trails. The past few weeks has been a buzz of activity. New students have been trickling into school, finding their way with the help of some of the older ones, many of which are just arriving from summer vacation. Teachers have been planning lessons. Staff has been making last-minute adjustments for the fall term. And all of this has been overshadowed by the presence of outsiders at the front gate. That is, at least, for Rictor, who has had to deal with the presence regularly since it first arose. Rarely has he had time to breath, it seems. When he has found time, like now, he’s escaped into the woods. Footsteps crunch over fallen leaves as Rictor plods his way through the well-marked path running toward the lake. He has on some cargo shorts and a button down, with a backpack slung over both shoulders. Overhead, some birds fly off back in the direction of the mansion, and he stops to close his eyes and really feel the forest around him. The sound of footsteps coming from another direction signal the arrival of an old pair of sneakers, a floating pair of cargo shorts, and a simple red t-shirt...otherwise known as Jack. Coming from the general direction of the treehouse, the invisible teen's humming faintly as he walks. He pauses mid-step when he notices Rictor, surprised to run into anyone else in the forest. Shaking it off, a sleeve lifts as he lifts an arm to wave. "Hey, Professor." Rictor opens his eyes and offers a wave in return, not looking surprised in the least to run into someone else. “Jack, how’s it going? Need to get away from all that noise, too?” He hooks his thumbs under the straps of his backpack and takes a few steps toward the invisible young man. “I actually can’t wait for classes to finally start. These past few weeks have been a pain.” Then, remembering how Jack’s recent history has treated him, he asks again, “You been alright lately? "Kinda. Not as noisy today as its been every other day at least," Jack replies. "Classes start this week," he doesn't sound all that excited but that may be expected of a student. "This Wednesday," he adds, letting out a breath. The question gets a few moments of quiet before shoulders rise and fall with a shrug. "I...guess I've been alright. Trying to ignore everything going on at the gates and past them...getting ready for classes and football. Researching some stuff..." Rictor looks a little relieved at the response. With everything that’s been going on lately, he’d hate to hear another story of violence beyond the gates, especially involving Jack. To show this, he lets out a quick rush of air. “Well, that’s good. What are you taking this term? And what sort of research are you doing? Anything I can help with?” He shifts his weight onto his left leg and licks his lips, which are beginning to crack at the corners. "Oh man...a lot," Jack remarks, letting out a breath. "I mean...more than before since it'll be my first actual full term," he'd arrived at the tail end of winter term and summer didn't count the same according to most students he'd talked to. "Chemistry and algebra are going to be a pain," he adds, shaking his head. Of course the motion is only noticeable by how his shirt collar moves a bit. "And I'm actually in one of your computer science classes," the invisible teen remarks as he remembers it. Of course when asked what he's been researching, Jack shifts his weight and rubs the back of his neck. "I um...well...I was looking up..." he's a little embarrassed as he speaks. "Mutant-friendly date spots in New York..." Rictor nods at the classes mentioned and looks pleased to hear Jack will be in one of his. If he wasn’t, he would have highly suggested at least Environmental Ethics. “Well, I know I can at least help you out in the technology department. I’m sure you’ll do fine though. You’re a bright guy.” At the second reveal, Rictor grins more widely. “Oh yeah? What have you found? I always use Shane’s café, but that’s starting to get old and when you want to spice things up, well, old isn’t really what you’re aiming for…” he trails of looks away for a moment. “But, uh, we’re not talking about me.” Jack laughs a bit. "I'll need all the help I can get," he's not so sure of his technology-related skills. He offers an unseen smile to compliment though. "You say that now but wait till you see how I do on my first test," he tries a joke. The widening grin grom the older man has Jack glad he's invisible since he's blushing. "Um...not a lot. I mean some places just weren't an option because they're 18 and up or 21 and up only...and there aren't too many to begin with. And Evolve is great and all...one of my favorite places period...but I don't want to go there every time and I'm probably getting ahead of myself anyway." Rictor chuckles and lifts a brow in curiosity. “Is this a first date kind of deal? Because the Grindstone is pretty welcoming and, well, we’ve seen how much people tend to like coffee.” He shrugs along with the recommendation, but does continue to eye Jack in a sort of sly way. “I really shouldn’t be asking, but who’s the lucky girl? Does she go here?” "Second technically. Maybe...I'm not even sure if the first one was considered a date. But...the Grindstone could work. I've only been in there once before," Jack rambles a little, making a mental note. "Thanks," he adds, appreciating the suggestion. That sly look has him squirming slightly and Jack glances at one of the nearby trees. "Umm...it's...actually a guy. And...he doesn't go here but he knows about the place," he pauses a beat. "Well, knew about it before we went public." Rictor eyes for Jack for a while. Despite not being able to see the younger man, he’s been around him long enough to note the sort of “body language” evident from shifting clothes and changes in the sound of his voice. It’s surprising, really, but not something Rictor focuses on now. Instead he says, “Good for you, Jack. I didn’t really want to pry, but this is one of the only times I can think of lately where you’ve given me some good news.” He winks and shifts his weight to the other foot. “Dating in this city can be fun. Wherever you guys end up, keep that in mind and it’ll go well. Probably.” Jack shifts his weight back to his other leg as he's being watched, one arm still lifted and rubbing the back of his neck. It's hard to tell but the way his collar shifts might give away he's got his head tilted slightly down to perceptive eyes. He's not used to talking about this particular subject and he's a bit flustered. "Hope you're right," he says after a moment. "I have pretty much no idea what I'm doing when it comes to this dating thing." “Nobody does,” Rictor says, sliding his thumbs out from under his pack straps and stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I can’t pretend to, either. I just got lucky when I came back here I guess. At least, I think I did.” His breathing quickens just slightly. “But you know, he probably doesn’t know how dating works, either. Maybe that’s not too comforting now, but it used to help me to think that way.” Another pause and a smile. “Anyway good luck is what I should be saying.” Jack's posture shifts a little as he thinks about what Rictor's said. Eventually he nods, another barely perceptible shift of the shirt collar giving it away. "It's...comforting enough," he says with a little smile. "Thanks," the invisible teen adds, hands dropping to his sides. "Good you found some luck too," he adds. Rictor nods and says, “Thanks.” The topic has shifted his mind elsewhere and he wonders about Doug and what he’s been up to lately. The man pulls his right hand out of his pocket to look at the wristwatch there. “I should actually be heading back. Still have some things to prep for classes.” He adjust his backpack a bit and gives Jack a wave. “I’ll see you around soon. Hope it all goes well for you.” Jack takes a breath and nods again. "I should get going too. Going to try and enjoy these last few days of no classes," he jokes. "Naw, but I'll be around. And thanks again, Professor," he offers, starting to head off with a mostly unseen wave of his own.