fandomhigh | Fandom High Welcome Picnic, Front Lawn of the School, All Day: Part III

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!event: welcome picnic

Fandom High Welcome Picnic, Front Lawn of the School, All Day: Part III

More tables and chairs had been set up further out on the lawn, where there weren't as many trees. That meant there wasn't as much shade either, so these tables had more fans on them to make up for the difference. Still, it was bound to be quieter over here than closer to the main area.

[~~Please wait for OCD!~~ The OCD is up! This is the SECOND post for general mingling. Use this post if your browser can't handle the comment load of the first mingling post. Roommates, fake siblings and teachers are here. Since it's outside, the picnic is open to all students, teachers, and townies!]

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Now he felt bad. He sobered and looked her square on. "Then I apologize. It was rude of me to stare. Being new," which he was guessing considering her apparent discomfort, "it's hard enough without jerks like me making you feel uncomfortable."

"Well... jerks like you are actually not prevalent," Elphaba said, relenting only a little. "Most everyone has been nicer than I ever dreamed possible. I'm just more used to people reacting like you did."

"I'm sorry I ruined the experience," he said honestly, making sure to make eye contact. He offered a hand. "Jack McCallister, professional jerk."

Elphaba was rather surprised he made the effort to apologize. She shook his hand. "Elphaba Thropp, professional target," she said, with little humor in her voice. "I suppose I can accept your apology."

"I appreciate it," Jack said dryly. "Where are you from?"

"Oz," Elphaba said. "But not Australia, if that's what you're thinking. I understand some people call it that, but I've yet to understand why."

"Probably because it sounds similar. Is Oz a long way from here?" For someone who felt he was pretty decent at geography, Jack was hearing a lot of place names he didn't recognize.

"I honestly don't know," Elphaba said. "I traveled by magic to the place where many of us waited for the bus. It must have been a great distance, beyond the desert barriers that surround Oz. But since I don't know anything of the land beyond there, I do not know the distance."

Magic. Like superpowers, Jack figured it was part of the whole hazing thing. Though Elphaba was new, so she'd either caught on fast, was crazy or was using slang he didn't recognize. "If you had to cross a desert, I'd say that's pretty far away. I only had to cross a couple of states, so it wasn't too far for me and my brother. Still seems like a world away."

"Your brother is with you?" Elphaba said. "My own sister sadly did not get to come with me. I'm going to worry about her constantly, I fear."

"Yeah, he's around here somewhere. Short, stringy, answers to Bobby. You'll know him when you realize he hasn't stopped talking for a whole minute to take a breath. Sorry to hear your sister couldn't come with you. That's rough not being able to keep an eye out for her."

Elphaba nodded. "But my father assures me she'll be fine, even if I've taken care of her since she was born."

That was a wee bit of an exaggeration given the few years age difference. But it was definitely as long as Elphaba could remember. "Your younger brother sounds quite the handful."

"He is. He was born with way too much enthusiasm and it hasn't worn off yet."

"I hope he has the brains to match," Elphaba said, not unkindly. "It would be awful if he was all enthusiasm. It could get him in a lot of trouble."

"He's a smart kid. Doesn't stop him from getting into trouble. It's a lack of self-preservation, not a lack of brains that does it."

"Well, I'll try to do my best to keep an eye out," Elphaba said. "I wouldn't want to let him blunder into anything when I'm around."

"He'll try his best no matter who's watching him, but thanks. What about your sister? Is she a handful?"

"Not really," Elphaba said. "Nessa just needs a little extra help. Her legs never grew properly, so she has to get around in a chair with wheels."

"I see what you mean about worrying about her if you've been taking care of her. Can't be easy, but she'll have to learn to cope without you some time, won't she?"

"I hoped it would have been later rather than sooner," Elphaba admitted. "But I suppose you might be right. About this."

There was still a little lingering bitterness about the staring.

"Me being right happens sometimes. It's okay to be surprised by it."

Elphaba fought the wry smile that wanted to curl across her lips. Instead she remained cool and nodded. "We'll see how often it happens in the future."

"Does that mean you plan on talking to me again?"

Elphaba looked at Jack a little coolly through her glasses. "I suppose it is bound to happen in a school this size."

The coolness was, of course, Elphaba refusing to give him a smile. Not after how he'd originally acted. It was entirely stubbornness on her part.

Jack was persistent and had plenty of time on his hands this semester. "Bound to," Jack agreed. "I'll see you around then. We'll probably run into each other somewhere."

Re: More General Mingling [Fall 2010]

didntchewgrass.livejournal.com - 2010-08-29 04:14 (UTC) - Expand

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