fandomhigh | Welcome Party for the Summer Students and Staff

Entry tags:

!event: welcome picnic

Welcome Party for the Summer Students and Staff

Despite the slightly overcast sky, the weather is still good for welcoming all of the new arrivals for the Fandom High summer session. The graduation decorations (and gremlin debris) have been cleared from the front lawn, and replaced with tables of information packets, food, and drinks. A series of signs point the students to the information table first, where they can pick up their room assignments from the office drones, and then continue on to the food tables to mingle.

And no, there are no inflatable gremlins around today. It's far too early to start scaring the new folks. ~~That's what the mingling section is for!~~

[OOC: All right folks, have at it!]

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He had no idea how to answer that. Especially as he suspected the person she might have to beat up was him. "I'm going to go with 'one of those Fandom things' for the moment, but I do need to talk to you." Despite his best efforts his grin slipped, and he stared at her a bit desperately for brief seconds before getting it back in place.

"But what's this I hear about you being in love?" he asked teasingly. "Is there someone I have to beat up? Or at least threaten?"

Parker frowned a little at the desperate look, which deepened when he asked about being in love, though she kept her voice light. "Jarod? We ogled him together at Caritas? You told me I was in love with him before I'd even consider the idea? I know I wasn't specific on your voicemail, but I'm not that fickle...." She moved a little closer, gaze intent. "You're not okay, are you." It wasn't a question.

Running a hand through his hair, Jack stared at the ground. When he looked up there was no trace of his usual grin, and he simply said, "No."

"Aw, crap." Parker looked around for somewhere to talk, then nodded over to the door that led out to the courtyard. "You want privacy for this, I'm guessing?"

"Definitely."

With a shaky smile, he said, "You lead, I'll follow." After a brief pause, he added, "And remember, you promised not to hurt me."

Parker powered through the crowd, and held the door to the empty courtyard open for Jack when they got there, then shut it with a very definite click, before walking over to the low wall that encircled the patio and perching on it. "You've got my full attention, Jack. Spill." She reached for his hand. "It'll be okay. C'mon, it's me. Have I ever hurt you more than you wanted?"

That made him laugh.

"Well, I'll have to take your word for it." He gripped her hand tightly, perching next to her on the wall, his shoulder brushing hers. Avoiding her eyes, he said with a half smile, "I honestly don't remember."

"Not again," she groaned. "Damnit. How bad is it? What's the last thing you remember?"

"Again? There's an again?" Slumping slightly, Jack muttered under his breath, "I have got to get a better hobby."

"Last thing I remember is being..." he paused, unsure what to say, and cursed himself for not being more specific in that recording about what Parker knew. "...at home. I don't remember anything from here." He waved a hand around to indicate the school. "But I know I went here, I know who you are, I know you, sort of."

This was the part that he sensed she really wasn't going to like. "Apparently, this was something I was okay with. I left myself a note," he said, shaking his head at the absurdity of it. "And a video recording which, among other things, said that I could trust you absolutely." He shrugged. "So I am."

Parker blinked at him, stunned. "You signed up for this? After December? Right, you don't remember December. God, Jack--" She flailed for a second, then took a deep breath. "Okay. You know me, 'sort of'? And you left yourself a note before you got your brain erased saying to trust me." Parker facepalmed. "Oh, Jack, you're so lucky I like you, babe. The ways I could torture you at this point are too numerous to mention."

"But where would be the challenge?" he quipped, but it was obvious his heart wasn't in it.

"Parker. I don't remember anything about this place. Not one damn thing. I've got a damned note that says I agreed to having my memories wiped, and I've got a video recording of myself, telling me a bunch of stuff that I apparently thought I should know. All nineteen minutes and thirty seven seconds of it. Including that someone named CJ adopted me, but she's gone, and that you..."

Frustrated, he drove to his feet, letting go of her hand, and paced across the courtyard. "...that you were important to me." Turning to face her, he added, "Oh, and that I should under no circumstances call you Maureen, no matter how entertaining it might be."

Parker got up and followed him, her arms folding as she studied him. "Did you tell yourself why? Last time, you never did explain it to me. Professor Ten fixed it, somehow, and your memories were just back, a week later. Is this permanent?" She reached out, hesitated, then stroked his arm, relaxing a little herself at the contact. "And yeah, calling me Maureen is a bad, bad idea. I only put up with that when I've been magically turned into a four-year-old."

Leaning into her touch, Jack relaxed, some of the tension draining away. "No, no explanation, just that it was important. I think it's permanent. Honestly, I can't imagine I'd agree to something like this unless there was no other choice." Ruefully, he said, "And if it was that important, well, stands to reason it'd be permanent."

He met her eyes. "It wasn't something I did lightly, I know that much. I was pretty upset at losing you and CJ." He reached out, as if to hug her, needing the contact, but pulled up short, clenching his hands and sighing loudly.

Changing the subject, he asked, "You got kiddified too, huh? Bet you were incredibly cute." He was not at all amused at the thought of a baby version of the rather formidable woman standing in front of him. Not even a little bit.

"I would imagine so," Parker said, her voice softening a little. "You loved having her as your mom. She left partly because she wanted to look for you. She'll be thrilled you're okay, you know." She quirked an eyebrow. "Damn straight I was cute. And bossy. And loud. Be glad you missed it."

At the gesture, despite her ingrained reserve, Parker sighed. "Oh, damnit." She'd had sex with the guy multiple times. A hug wasn't beyond her. "C'mere, okay?" She put her arms around him in a very gentle embrace. "You'll manage this. I swear. And this place is great, you'll like it here, new guy. And even if you don't remember being my friend, I do. I'll do it for you until you feel it, okay?"

His arms tightened around her and he sighed in relief, the tension inside him unravelling. He'd said he could depend on her, and damned if he hadn't been right. "Okay," he said softly. "Thanks."

He pulled away, and if his eyes were suspiciously bright, it was only because of the sun. "And I bet you were damn cute." Wrinkling his nose at her, he asked with a grin, "More bossy than you are now?", and danced back a few steps, just in case.

Parker aimed a whapping at him, but didn't bother following through, grinning. "If you listen to the pirate on the radio? I was Maureen Bossy Bossy Meanie Head. So shut up, I might order you to do something." She tilted her head. "Are you okay with me telling people you lost your memory? Again? Or do you want some time to adjust?"

Tipping his head back, Jack stared int the sky, (the bright sun having disappeared as mysteriously as it had appeared), and considered her question.

"Honestly? I think it would be easier if I didn't have to fake it." He slanted her a sly smile. "Never been a fan of that, in any circumstance. People are going to find out, especially if there's a pirate radio station - and Maureen Bossy Bossy Meanie Head? And they're still alive? I'd rather have it be my choice, or your choice, then to be outed."

Shrugging, he touched her briefly on the shoulder. "I leave it up to you. Just warn me if there's anyone I should be watching out for, okay?"

"Okay. I'll let people know to give you some space, until you get your feet under you." Parker grabbed his hand and swung it, then grinned again. "Barbossa left the island after that broadcast. He only *thinks* I won't remember it when he gets back. Even if he was four at the time too."

"The only person you should avoid for a while that I can think of is Cam Mitchell. You slept with his ex-girlfriend before they dated, he never liked you for it, and while you guys are fine when you're both drunk, you both get macho otherwise. Just don't talk to him much until you're more secure here, okay?" Parker bumped her hip against his. "I'll look out for you until you've got a handle on this place. Which should be this weekend, if I know you."

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