[ network/log ] howlettes training session #1

[danzan]

i. actionspam

[ Because of the sheer number of people that ended up responding to Logan's apparent call for Mahjong team members, he ends up having to change the venue of their training from his office to the ante room next to Charles'. The first half-hour is spent explaining the rules of Mahjong (and snapping at anyone who tries to interrupt him; Logan's trying to get the damn explanation done as soon as possible), and after that he splits members into groups of four in the hopes of playing at least one game. He hovers throughout this first game in case anyone has anything they need clarified, and he's decidedly nicer than he was when he was busy trying to explain how the game works.

After all the first games are concluded, he leaves everyone to their devices to get to know each other, with the caveat that any mansion explorations are done with minimal destruction to the grounds. Some snacks have been laid out on the table -- mostly crisps, cookies, and other easy to eat fingerfoods (plus some Trix, courtesy of Spiderman) -- and there're bottles of juice and pop on the fireplace mantle, along with plastic cups if anyone wants to use them.

Logan also begrudgingly distributes a jacket to everyone at some point in the day. Having given the roster to Cyclops beforehand, the idiot went and got jackets made for them. All right, then.

He'll spend most of his free time seated in one of the chairs drinking pop and eating Trix, and saying yes to anyone who might want to play another Mahjong game with him. Mostly, he's just appalled that this thing's actually happening... and that so many people said yes.

Maybe he knows how to make friends after all. ]

ii. network/texting (after everyone's left the mansion)

Hey, good session today. Hope we all learned something from it. I think I learned more than I should have.

I'm sending all of you our teammates' contact details. You see a codename, that's all you're getting -- some of us want to keep our identities secret. If you're messaging anyone, let them know who you are first, OK?

Any questions or concerns, let me know.

P.S. This is what the Hyundai looks like: [ATTACHED IMG]. Print that out and stick it on the ceiling of your bedroom so you don't lose sight of your goals or whatever the hell it is people do.

L.

iii. open option

MAKE YOUR OWN STARTERS. Literally do it. Toplevel and stuff so I (and other people) can hit all of you, damn.

Comments

[magneticfields]

[ He laughs softly. ]

It's a recipe, Logan. I learned it from a woman I was sleeping with in Barcelona in 1951. Although she liked them with a little more cumin than I prefer. The Spanish will make meals of what they call tapas, which is a lot of smaller dishes like that.

[ He snags one. ]

Why are you doing this?

[danzan]

[ He listens attentively as Erik explains, but he's less interested in knowing how to make the almonds himself and more into the idea of asking Erik to make some again next time. He doesn't speak again until he's addressed, though.

And when he does, it starts with a look of question before he shrugs both his shoulders. ]

Why am I talking to you? [ He pops another almond in, munching on it. ] Because you're here and I appreciate the help.

But if you're talking about the Mahjong... [ He huffs a little, amused. ] I don't know. Thought it'd help get the kids to like me.

And then I thought. [ A beat. ] Why not win, you know.

[magneticfields]

I meant about the team. I figured the almonds were the attraction in talking to me. A few cups of unsalted almonds, a teaspoon of cumin, quarter teaspoon of garlic powder, cayenne powder, and hot sauce, salt and pepper. Toast the almonds in a dry pan and then put them in a bowl. Heat some olive oil in the pan, add spices, cook until you can smell them, add the almonds and stir until they're warm and whatever you do, don't get distracted and let them burn. It only takes a few minutes.

[ There. Now he can make his own and not bother Erik about it. His competitiveness isn't much of a surprise. Logan always prided himself on being the best, no matter what it was he was doing. But the original inspiration is curious. ]

You think you need to try to get the children to like you?

[danzan]

Aw, jeez. [ Logan can't help the snort at getting an entire recipe out of nowhere, and he hefts the last of the almonds into his mouth and lifts a brow at him. ] I'm gonna have to ask you to say that again when I got paper to write it on, you know.

[ He dusts his hands off, smacking them against each other to get the spices out of his skin, and then shrugs as he looks over the rest of the room. ] And... yeah, I think I do.

I don't scream "nurturing". [ Not like any of the other professors, anyway. Logan's arms cross over his chest. ] Keep getting told I'm intimidating and Storm said I should probably fix that.

[magneticfields]

I'll make you make them next time. You'll remember even better that way.

[ Erik's approach to teaching is very sink-or-swim. But it worked for him therefore it's the best way. (He also does not teach any of the classes at the school.) ]

No, you're not nurturing. A headmaster doesn't need to be. You're honest, that's what matters to them. The rest of the staff can do the hand holding.

[danzan]

[ I just don't want to ruin what Charles built is somewhere there, bubbling in his throat and threatening to spill out of his mouth. Fortunately, Logan holds it back and lets out a chuckle instead. ]

They are good at that. [ He is, after all, wearing a jacket that Scott had made. If that isn't some hand-holdy nice crap... ]

It's hard not wanting to be just like Chuck about the whole thing. I mean, he's the only headmaster I know.

But I guess it's different for everybody.

[magneticfields]

[ Erik is quiet as he takes this in. It's still a little astonishing, Logan revealing such insecurities to him. How they've changed over the years. ]

Do you trust Charles' judgment?