[ 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

iii ota

[aequitatis]

[ Steve isn’t the best at Mahjong - it has been years since the last time he played, in a very different setting than this, but he knows how important this is to Jimmy. He wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of putting all this together if it wasn’t, and he’s pretty damn proud of him for it.

Besides, it’s for a good cause. And Steve likes spending time with the kids, hence the gallons of ice cream he had brought with him to spoil them a little.

Before the session begins, he hangs out with Logan for a moment before he moves around to mingle for a bit. When he sees someone that seems a little hesitant to join in, he smiles as he approaches. ] Hi. I’m Steve.

[ wildcard option feel free to toss me anything you want to play! ]

wildcards u

[danzan]

You're getting rusty. [ Logan sits on the armrest of the chair Steve's in, handing him a cup of Sprite (his favourite, courtesy of Cable). Logan himself has two cups, one of them filled with Sprite and the other one filled with Trix. He could go to the kitchen and get milk, but he thinks he actually enjoys being in this room with all these people -- which is, you know, something new entirely.

He slips a mouthful of Trix into his mouth, chews, and swallows. ]

Think you gotta re-memorise all the tile designs they got, Cap.

[aequitatis]

I told you I was rusty.

[ It's said with a soft chuckle, taking the cup of Sprite. If his fingers brush against Logan's, well, it's really not an accident even if to others it may seem that way. He just knows that they're in public, and considering neither one is used to public displays of attention, he doesn't want to put Logan in an awkward spot if he were to wrap an arm around him or bring him up to his lap. ]

Guess I do. I can do that in between missions. Think you can help me with practice sessions, too?

[danzan]

You askin' for extra lessons? [ It's an innocent enough question, but the amused tilt of Logan's mouth probably gives his less-than-innocent intentions away. He hides it behind another sip of Sprite. ]

I mean, I could.

For an extra tutor's fee. [ He shrugs, purposely looking elsewhere. ]

[aequitatis]

I may be.

[ He tries to keep a straight face, but he can't quite hide the smile that keeps tugging at his lips. ]

Extra tutor's fee, huh? I think I could swing that. When do you think we could start?

[danzan]

Tonight if you stay.

[ Oh, he loves when Steve leaves him openings so Logan doesn't have to outright ask. ]

But you pay extra for extension fees.

[aequitatis]

I think I can make that happen. They’re not expecting me back for a couple of days.

[ They can reach him, of course, if something happens. And it’s not like he’s so far away that he won’t make it back, but Steve had gotten on his motorcycle to begin to trek to the school with the full intention of staying for a few days.

He’s glad he planned for that, because he’s not ready to go back. ]

Think you can stand to have me around for a bit longer?

Wildcard | /a sudden Cyclops appears

[no_fun_allowed]

[All the strange people coming and going around the mansion turned out to be Logan's fault. Something that in retrospect, doesn't surprise Scott in the slightest. What really has him worked up, though, is their latest conversation about their suits. He's so distracted Scott almost walks into Steve in the hallway.]

Sorry, I didn't see you there, I...oh. Rogerѕ? Logan roped you into this too?

[aequitatis]

[ Steve smiles politely, a slight shake of his head. ]

Don't worry about it, I was a little distracted, too.

I don't know if it was 'roped into,' as much as me just agreeing to play.

[ Especially since it's an old game they had played another lifetime ago. And, really, he doesn't mind it. ]

...you alright?

[no_fun_allowed]

[ Scott return the small smile, appreciating the politeness. ]

I'm sure he appreciates having more people to play with who actually know the game rules. Afraid it's not my case.

[ That with not being able to tell apart the colours, for starter. At the question, Scott's ready to dismiss the concern as to not bother Steve with his worries but in the end, he thinks better of it. ]

Do you think our uniforms are ridiculous?

[aequitatis]

Yeah, I just have to get rid of some of the cobwebs. It's been a while.

[ Before going into the ice, at the very least, and it's not like he has been playing since waking up. He just hopes he can improve his skills by the time of the competition.

At the question, he pauses because that really isn't what he had been expecting. ]

Your... What do you mean? [ His lips twitch slightly into a small smile. ] Remember you're asking about your uniforms to the guy that wears a big star on his chest, so I may not be the best source for this.

[no_fun_allowed]

You'd still play better than me while half sleep and with your eyes closed, I'm sure.

[ The x-mansion is full of surprises today. Any day, actually, although today is the unexpected question kind of sort instead of 'someone's attacking us' or 'the building is about to explode again'.

Steve's answer manages to get a real smile out of Scott.]

Good point but people loves your style. Logan complains that he can't move properly in the leather uniforms.

[aequitatis]

[ The mention of the leather uniform makes him say a quiet 'ah' as it dawns on him what, exactly, Scott is asking about and he smiles. ]

I see. Well... I don't know. I think it varies per person, you know? Black Widow doesn't mind leather uniforms, but I don't think all of us would be able to make it work. That's one reason why each of ours is different. And Tony tries to modify them, so even when it's leather it can have a good range for movement.

[no_fun_allowed]

Ororo and I don't seem to have any troubles either but we can attack people from a distance, he needs a bit more mobility. Although I refuse to let him go out on missions in his pajamas.

[ There is being accommodating and there is allowing your team to be ridiculous and Scott drew the line at sleepwear. ]

I think Logan only needs to stretch it but since he refuses to wear the uniform most of the time, that's not happening anytime soon. [ Scott offers a smile back. ] Yours is very nice tailored, I can tell even if I can't see the colors properly

[aequitatis]

[ He can’t help it, at the comment about Jimmy in pajamas out on the field, he can’t help but chuckle. ]

Understandable. Pajamas don’t make the best fighting attire.

If you’d like, I’m sure Tony wouldn’t mind helping out with that dilemma. Whatever he added to Black Widow’s outfit to make it both durable and flexible could work for him.

[ He doesn’t know if he’s overstepping any lines by offering, but...well. If it could help Jimmy, why not? Besides, it’s a good ‘neighborly’ offer, right? ]

Ah, thank you. I appreciate it. I’m sure some think it’s still somewhat old fashioned considering the colors and the similarities with the original, but I’m pretty fond of it.

[aphephobia]

[ Any friend of Logan's automatically wins favor in Marie's eyes. She's not the most outgoing, even within the community at the school, so while she notices Steve when he first arrives, it doesn't occur to her to introduce herself.

Though the ice cream is a nice touch.

She's on the sidelines of a game between Bobby and Spider-Man when he approaches, and the smile's infectious enough that it inspires one in return. Holding out a black-gloved hand to take his. ]

Marie. You come up from the city?

[ A southerner to the bone, Marie's latent mutant power is spotting a Yankee in the wild. ]

[aequitatis]

[ He shakes her hand, his smile growing at the question. ]

Nice to meet you, Marie. And yes, I did. Logan invited me.

[ It's 'Jimmy' for him, considering he has known him for many years now, but he keeps that name to himself. ]

Having fun?

wildcarding

[cassandra_firebreath]

[Cassandra's really getting into this whole mahjong team thing. It reminded her of childhood and all the games she loved to play, with friends and family.

Her thoughts are interrupted when she spots a new face. He looked friendly so she decided to go make acquaintance.]

Hey. I'm Cassandra, Cass for short.

[aequitatis]

It's nice to meet you.

[ He takes a sip of his cup of Sprite that Jimmy had given him earlier, before he motions towards the tables and the people playing. ]

Have you played this game before?

[cassandra_firebreath]

Nice to meet you too.

Hmm yeah. Years ago.

[She laughs softly, looking around the place too.]

It'll be nice refreshing the memory here and playing with everyone. What about you?

[aequitatis]

I agree, it's nice to be able to do this with a group. Everyone seems like they're having fun.

[ He nods slightly in response, a small smile on his face. ]

I learned a long time ago, so I'm very rusty. [ During the war, so it might as well be a lifetime ago. ] Let's just say I'm pretty thankful for the practice sessions before the tournament begins.

[cassandra_firebreath]

It gives everyone a fair chance.

[Maybe the tournament would end in some new friendships as well. Everyone seemed nice and fun to be around already.]

Logan's onto something good here, isn't he? Bringing everyone together like this, for a fun game of mahjong. A healthy dose of competition.

I wish you good luck.

[aequitatis]

Yeah, it does.

[ When she mentions that Logan is onto something good, Steve can’t quite hide the look of pride on his face. Because, yes, he’s onto something. Steve has known the man long enough to know him as Jimmy, they’ve been through so much both together and apart. And here he is, in the school where he teaches, surrounded by people he brought together, and yeah. Steve is pretty damn proud of Jimmy. ]

He is. This is a great thing he’s doing. There was no way I could have said no to joining.

[ Not that he even considered it, really.

He smiles at her and gives a slight nod. ]

Thank you. Likewise, I hope you have fun.

[cassandra_firebreath]

[She returns the smile and nods too. It'll be a fun day for sure, knowing how everyone's been preparing.]

He's a natural born leader.

[The look on Steve's face makes Cassandra curious, so she decides to ask the important question.]

Have you known him for long? He's been around for so many years now.

[aequitatis]

Yes, he is.

[ His smile softens a little at the question, and he nods. ]

For a long time. We actually met while fighting in Europe, during the war.

[ Because Jimmy isn't the only one that has been around for a long time, after all. Not as long as he has, but it could be said that he has been around for a while. Even if some of those years he spent them in ice. ]

What about you, how long have you known him? Are you a student at the school, or just visiting?