The Tale of How Jane Came to Work at the Institute
summary: see the title
rating: all ages
note: This was the third-person RP sample for Jane's XI app. It also happens to work as a ficlet. Enjoy!
----
Jane walked across the snow-covered grass of the notable Xavier Institute, figuring if the students running everywhere but the pathway were acceptable, he'd follow suit. He was shown to Professor Xavier's office with no wait, impressed that his appointment wasn't being treated like it was being squeezed into a packed schedule. Once inside the office, he went about his normal practice of scanning the room, analyzing his surroundings for clues about the owner.
"Mister Jane," Xavier said, entering from a chamber to Jane's left. "I'm Professor Charles Xavier. Please, be seated. Tea is being brought in momentarily."
Jane grinned, and sat himself. He did love a good cup of tea; Xavier's manners were making a very good first impression. "Thank you for seeing me," he said, crossing his legs and trying not to be too obvious about reading the good professor's body language.
"I understand you wish to seek employment here."
"Yes," he nodded, tilting his head. "As a consultant of sorts. Body language, human behavior, things like that."
A young girl brought in a tea tray and placed it on his desk before leaving. Jane could tell that she was nervous around strangers, and that she admired Xavier a good deal. Xavier steepled his fingers, peering over them. He was clearly scrutinizing Jane. "You do know this is a school for mutants?"
"Yes." He poured himself a cup of tea, adding a cube of sugar.
Xavier took a cup for himself. "Yet you've made it clear that you don't identify as one."
Jane furrowed his brow, not missing the implications of Xavier's word choice. "I'm not a mutant."
"Then why are you here?"
Jane sipped his tea, then sat it back on the saucer in his lap. "Because I'm useful. The students here could stand to be able to tell when people they're around are potential threats. I could help with that, teach them to recognize behavioral tells."
"Is that the only reason? That you wish to do us a service?" Xavier raised his eyebrows, and Jane knew there would be no pulling the wool over this man's eyes. Call it a hunch.
He made a great effort to swallow his pride for just a moment, and looked Xavier in the eyes (it projected earnestness). "Does it really matter if I'm a mutant or not? The world thinks I am, so I experience the same discrimination." Something deep down in his guts flipped over when he spoke, but he chalked it up to the fact he skipped breakfast that morning. "No law enforcement agencies will hire me; I came here as a last resort. I don't have anywhere else to go."
The admission changed something in Xavier's eyes, and Jane detected the faintest hint of a smile on the man's lips. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter one way or the other if you're a mutant or not. You're a good man, and if you wish to help us, who am I to turn you down?"
Jane looked away, into his teacup. "I appreciate that, Professor."
Xavier finished his tea and extended his hand. "I look forward to your work here, Patrick. Living arrangements can be made here on the grounds, or in the town nearby. Whenever you feel settled in, and you've gotten to know some of the staff, draft up a schedule of the classes you'd like to teach. They can be left with a miss Emma Frost. If you'll excuse me, I have a conference call in a few moments."
"Of course," Jane said, after shaking the man's hand. He put his hands into his jacket pockets and saw himself to the door. "Thank you."
Xavier nodded, and Jane stepped into the hallway. Time to explore.
rating: all ages
note: This was the third-person RP sample for Jane's XI app. It also happens to work as a ficlet. Enjoy!
----
Jane walked across the snow-covered grass of the notable Xavier Institute, figuring if the students running everywhere but the pathway were acceptable, he'd follow suit. He was shown to Professor Xavier's office with no wait, impressed that his appointment wasn't being treated like it was being squeezed into a packed schedule. Once inside the office, he went about his normal practice of scanning the room, analyzing his surroundings for clues about the owner.
"Mister Jane," Xavier said, entering from a chamber to Jane's left. "I'm Professor Charles Xavier. Please, be seated. Tea is being brought in momentarily."
Jane grinned, and sat himself. He did love a good cup of tea; Xavier's manners were making a very good first impression. "Thank you for seeing me," he said, crossing his legs and trying not to be too obvious about reading the good professor's body language.
"I understand you wish to seek employment here."
"Yes," he nodded, tilting his head. "As a consultant of sorts. Body language, human behavior, things like that."
A young girl brought in a tea tray and placed it on his desk before leaving. Jane could tell that she was nervous around strangers, and that she admired Xavier a good deal. Xavier steepled his fingers, peering over them. He was clearly scrutinizing Jane. "You do know this is a school for mutants?"
"Yes." He poured himself a cup of tea, adding a cube of sugar.
Xavier took a cup for himself. "Yet you've made it clear that you don't identify as one."
Jane furrowed his brow, not missing the implications of Xavier's word choice. "I'm not a mutant."
"Then why are you here?"
Jane sipped his tea, then sat it back on the saucer in his lap. "Because I'm useful. The students here could stand to be able to tell when people they're around are potential threats. I could help with that, teach them to recognize behavioral tells."
"Is that the only reason? That you wish to do us a service?" Xavier raised his eyebrows, and Jane knew there would be no pulling the wool over this man's eyes. Call it a hunch.
He made a great effort to swallow his pride for just a moment, and looked Xavier in the eyes (it projected earnestness). "Does it really matter if I'm a mutant or not? The world thinks I am, so I experience the same discrimination." Something deep down in his guts flipped over when he spoke, but he chalked it up to the fact he skipped breakfast that morning. "No law enforcement agencies will hire me; I came here as a last resort. I don't have anywhere else to go."
The admission changed something in Xavier's eyes, and Jane detected the faintest hint of a smile on the man's lips. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter one way or the other if you're a mutant or not. You're a good man, and if you wish to help us, who am I to turn you down?"
Jane looked away, into his teacup. "I appreciate that, Professor."
Xavier finished his tea and extended his hand. "I look forward to your work here, Patrick. Living arrangements can be made here on the grounds, or in the town nearby. Whenever you feel settled in, and you've gotten to know some of the staff, draft up a schedule of the classes you'd like to teach. They can be left with a miss Emma Frost. If you'll excuse me, I have a conference call in a few moments."
"Of course," Jane said, after shaking the man's hand. He put his hands into his jacket pockets and saw himself to the door. "Thank you."
Xavier nodded, and Jane stepped into the hallway. Time to explore.