Between the equinoxes and judgement day...

[Pyro]

Laurie’s response earns what is probably the closest she’ll ever get to an approving glance – a sharp half-grin and a curt-nod, which in John-terms no doubt equates to an emphatic thanks! – before she’s effectively forgotten, a by-comparison mega watt smile trained on Rogue in the moments where their eyes light on each other as they orbit in the coffee-making bustle. And even if it’s a calm, hun, everything’s fine smile and not a ‘love’ thing (or at least nothing more than pseudo-sibling-esque…) it’s a good enough act.

Not that he’s acting. No, it’s all totally genuine, and the fact that Laurie sorta-kinda knows Bob and could carry word of their *relationship* is a million miles away... or would be, if he *knew* Laurie was there, because she really is pretty damn good at the whole *invisible* thing…

… Matty, understandably less so. Knowing a guy could go Hiroshima on your ass is normally enough for you to sit up and take notice without them being built like… whatever it was the kid is built like. Tank doesn’t quite do it justice; this is whatever would make a tank quake and melt into a terrified little puddle.

John, of course, is not a tank, and doesn’t tend to do the whole *melting* thing. Leastways not on the outside. He aims for what should be an equally dispassionate ”Craft Junior” but finds it totally wrecked by the eyebrow quirk and the smirk lurking in the tone… not to mention the quick glance back and dismissive grin/snort. Okay, he should think better of it. But Matty’s… well, Matty. One of those people he can’t help but be his usual *charming* self around.

[Laurie Collins]

"Morning Laurie. What had you rushing out of there in such a hurry?"

She looks up quickly and smiles, a rather harried smile but a smile nonetheless, as she recognizes the especially towering (from her crouched position) form of probably the one person at the institute who doesn’t inspire some small pit of panic in her stomach.

“Hi…” she says softly, getting to her feet and tossing her trampled-on toast into the nearby garbage can. There’s no socially acceptable answer to his question ‘Well I’m rather afraid of going the way of my toast if I make a wrong move here- burned and trampled on- and I do tend to unsettle social situations when I’m nervous’ probably wouldn’t go over well with The Human Toaster or his friend, so she refrains from answering and settles for a wave to second her greeting.

She goes back towards the cupboard, still hungry and feeling secure enough in the knowledge that there’s at least one person in the kitchen who won’t potentially eat her or toast her to remain long enough to try for breakfast again. Three more slices of bread are tugged out of the bag as she listens to Matthew greet the friend of The Human Toaster cheerfully enough.

"John."
”Craft Junior”

The exchange coupled with the dismissive snort coming from John towards her friend raises her internal hackles slightly and she turns slowly, lifting one of the new pieces of bread in a quick one handed motion, attempting to distract from the tension she senses building with the question, aimed at Matthew this time, “You wouldn’t know where the toaster is would you?” she appreciates John’s earlier demonstration well enough but isn’t eager for a repeat, preferring to get her breakfast and escape back to her room as quickly as possible.

[Rogue]

About the time she settles on a mug (a plain solid black one, but slightly larger than normal, a decision that shouldn’t have been so terribly hard, in all honesty), she hears someone else enter, speaking to the girl she’d bumped into, now known as Laurie, by the voice’s greeting. She doesn’t turn, at first, intent on getting the coffee (she really needs some right about now; hopefully it’s really strong…) and then adding sufficient levels of sugar.

Once that’s done, though, she turns, and sort of looks about, almost like she’s uncertain as to where she should be at the moment – glancing about from place to place quickly,

"Good morning!"

She glances over towards Matthew, and offers a slight smile of greeting, and a small wave with one hand, followed by a half-slurred, “G'morn'n’…”, following which, she leans her back against the counter, almost for support, except she’s not really that out of it, it’s more the idea of support she likes.

"John."

”Craft Junior”

She’s not really sure what it is in their tones – likely that weird male thing that seems to indicate not outright hostility, but at least general dislike, and she shoots John a stoppit look, or what’s supposed to pass for one, hopefully comes off right, and moves to stir her coffee, blinking at it in confusion at the lack of a spoon in the mug where it’s supposed to be.

After a momentary lost pause, she turns and pulls a drawer open, digs out a spoon, and begins to absently stir at the coffee. The absent motion is good - takes little effort, but feels normal enough that she doesn't feel like some kind of weird paranoid zombie.

[Matthew Craft]

“Craft Junior.”

Charming, now I don’t even get a name. But I suppose it’s one step up from ‘What the fuck are you lookin’ at?’

Matthew steps in behind Laurie, and ignoring John for the moment, pulls out the orange juice and pours himself a glass.

“You wouldn’t know where the toaster is would you?”

“Hnf?” Matthew asks, the glass tipped up to his lips. While drinking, he points to a cupboard next to the stove. “I’m surprised hot-head over there didn’t offer to do it for you.” He wasn’t there to make fun of John, or encourage a fight, but his counterpart’s disgruntled nature didn’t really make Matthew feel like playing nice either.

Rogue makes the attempt at ‘referee’ by shooting John one of those looks, but Matthew remains unscathed by her precautionary anger. All the better for him then.

“So, John. How’s the shoulder feeling? Heard you took a bullet on that little rescue trip you ended up dragging Toni into.” And Matthew’s still angry about that. Not so much John getting shot—hell, he probably couldn’t care less—but the fact that his sister had been put in danger had him teetering on an uneven edge.

Okay, so maybe he was encouraging a fight.

Just a little one.

[Pyro]

< I’m surprised hot-head over there didn’t offer to make it for you
”Not my fault the newbie can’t juggle.” he shrugs, directing his response more at Rogue as if to hastily cut-in that no, he’s not that much of a jackass (and, perhaps counterproductively, so it’s not actually acknowledging Matthew’s presence).

John catches Rogue’s stoppit, counters with an almost wounded what? look which turns quickly (perhaps worrisomely so) into a I’ll play nice smirk as he swallows a draught of his own coffee, reaching around her to retrieve his *breakfast*.

< So, John. How’s the shoulder feeling? Heard you took a bullet on that little rescue trip you ended up dragging Toni into
… Ouch, was that meant to sting? Looks like Toni’s little brother’s none too pleased about the whole affair, and part of John wants to thank him for having the guts to admit as much rather than tiptoeing and hand-waving and trying not to piss the terrorist off or scare the prodigal back into his old ways, because having everyone pretend that it wasn’t a glorious Technicolor fuck up somehow only makes things worse.

‘Course that part looses out to the one that’s itching for a good fight. And maybe going up against The Human Microwave isn’t the best plan he’s ever had, but whatever. He’ll take what he can get, to tide him over until the next breach in their ridiculous fake-nice wall.

”Occupational hazard out there in the real world, Matty.” John injects the name with as many patronising vibes as he can, though using it is in itself the big sting as only Toni has that right. It’s a ridiculous and ludicrous idea, trying to make that giant of a kid feel small, but whatever; experience is the only real advantage John has over him, and he’s damn well going to play it for all it’s worth, regardless of how false it feels to be claiming some sort of worldliness, maturity and superiority based on his brief taste of life outside the ‘stute. Which is why the next bit comes out reeking of it’s grown-up stuff, sweetie, you wouldn’t understand… so let’s bring things down to your level. ”But whatever. How ‘bout you? How’s school?”

[Rogue]

_{Sorry t'post before ya, Laurie - it wanted out!}

“I’m surprised hot-head over there didn’t offer to do it for you.”

”Not my fault the newbie can’t juggle.”

The I’ll play nice smirk is plain as day to her – she’s glad to see their weird understanding is back to whatever passes for their version of ‘normal’, though she’s not sure she likes passing it off to now playing hostess to him in her mind again; she’d rather think it’s just them, and all, that it’s just because they’re back around each other again. She shoots back something that’s between you’d better and likely closer to a sarcastic yeah, I believe you.

Momentarily, Rogue perks up at the sight of the pizza, and she nods towards it, shooting a questioning look, as if asking if he’ll share, keeping to the silent exchange of looks instead of words because words seem to have a hard time forming at the moment, in the odd cloud of sleepy-post-panic-whatever. Pizza’s a ‘comfort food’ for her, along with ice cream and coffee, and it sounds really good right now – likely because she’s got both herself and John’s Psyke wanting some. But whatever the reason, it just sounds perfect.

Finally deciding that she’s stirred the coffee long enough, Rogue takes an experimental sip, then pauses, looking into the mug a moment, and a half-annoyed, half-pouting look crosses her face as she steps a bit away from the counter. Locating the sugar dish seems to pose difficulty, at first, then managing to keep all the sugar going into the mug does, some spilling onto the counter, which she regards with a blank but still annoyed look, and promptly dusts off onto the floor. Once satisfied that by now the coffee should, ideally, be sweet enough, she resumes the idle stirring.

“So, John. How’s the shoulder feeling? Heard you took a bullet on that little rescue trip you ended up dragging Toni into.”

”Occupational hazard out there in the real world, Matty. But whatever. How ‘bout you? How’s school?”

Rogue sighs, and resists the urge to find a flat surface to hit her head against. Instead, she just sort of tips her head down, shaking her head and gazing blankly into her mug. Not. Good. And, yeah, sure he could handle himself (…maybe?), but she doesn’t want him getting anyone upset with him, not when he’s just back and there’s already tension around and everything.

But she won’t say anything now, just remains silent and stirring her coffee. If he wants to bring it on himself, she won’t interfere – yet. Right now, it’s nothing too serious.

Why, she thinks towards John’s Psyke, D’ya have t’always do stuff like tha’?

[Laurie Collins]

“Thanks.” Laurie whispers in response to Matthew’s gesture toaster-wards, edging towards the indicated cabinet and lifting down the appliance.

“I’m surprised hot-head over there didn’t offer to do it for you.”

She pauses in plugging the toaster into the wall to give Matthew a surprised look, not having heard that particular tone from the other student before. The shock of the one person in the kitchen she’s pegged firmly into the not-terrifying camp suddenly shooting out sarcasm stills her explanation that actually The Human Toaster (now known as John) did offer the first time but flames shooting out of someone’s hands are rather unsettling- as is the owner of the flaming hands- so she’s happier just waiting for the toaster, really, thanks.

”Not my fault the newbie can’t juggle.”

Her cheeks flush slightly at that even though no one’s looking at her (though the conversation is at least superficially rather concerned with her) and she shrugs, dropping two pieces of bread into the cheerfully glowing toaster. Okay, see, toast is toasting. Now let’s all be nice?

“So, John. How’s the shoulder feeling? Heard you took a bullet on that little rescue trip you ended up dragging Toni into”
”Occupational hazard out there in the real world, Matty. But whatever. How ‘bout you? How’s school?”

…or not. She’s completely bewildered now, feeling like she’s stepped into a play halfway through the third act with no script. Toni’s his sister, but…rescue mission? What? John’s return snipe at Matthew earns him a quick, probably unconsciously formed, reproving frown before her gaze flits over to the still unnamed friend- she thinks briefly of cutting in on the escalating tension to introduce herself just to be ridiculous but isn’t anywhere near brave enough- as if hoping the other girl will be wearing a key to this strange encounter on her forehead. No such luck however, she’s merely stirring her coffee and looking rather exasperated.

Toast quickly please. She thinks towards her breakfast, leaning back against the counter and trying to think calming, pleasant thoughts. The last thing this situation needed was a sudden pheromone-burst of nerves or fear.

[Matthew Craft]

”Not my fault the newbie can’t juggle.” The typical smart-ass remark earns John a sharp glare as Matthew finishes off his orange juice.

"He botherin' you much, Laurie?" He asks, turning his attention to the newer student, who is busy minding her own business with the toaster. "Just let me know and I'll be sure to snuff out that flaming ego of his." Though the statement is directed at Laurie, Matthew gives John a clear 'try me' look.

”Occupational hazard out there in the real world, Matty.” Matthew silently curses Toni's involvement with the teen way back before his Brotherhood days. It was bad enough that John had had minor romantic interests in her, but to be using Matthew's nickname, which only his sister was allowed? Well, that just wouldn't do.

"Johnny." He says warningly, which, after he thinks about it, comes out more like a growl. "You can go out and get your ass blown off for all I care, but next time make sure you leave my sister and my friends out of it." It's not very often that Matthew uses his size to his advantage, but when up against the stubborn likes of John Allerdyce, it certainly comes in handy. Matthew makes a point of standing up as straight as possible, maximizing his height, trying to make himself look as imposing as he feels he needs to be.

"But whatever. How ‘bout you? How’s school?” Matthew almost grins at that. It was just way too easy.

"Oh you know, average. But now that I think about it, I guess I have a higher education than you." He raises his eyebrows ever so slightly and let's a small, cocky smirk pull up the corners of his mouth. "Mind you, Johnny, that's not saying a lot."

[Pyro]

Who needs words when you’ve got whatever strange brand of telepathy passes between him and Rogue? Her riposte is clear enough, as is her request, and though Yeah right. Insult me, and then steal my breakfast? Think not. is a lot for a cocked eyebrow and sidelong glance to convey, the possessive Mine as, grinning, he pulls back the pizza and starts systematically demolishing the topping comes across clearly enough.

< Just let me know and I'll be sure to snuff out that flaming ego of his
Already struggling to suppress his amusement at Matthew’s ‘mafiosa heavy’ voice as he swings in to protect Laurie, the ‘offer’ pushes him over the edge and he can’t help snickering into his coffee before turning to flash the younger Craft a look of total pantomime surprise - ”Did Microboy just use fire puns? How incredibly fucking clever.” – which turns, unsurprisingly, into another sneer as he gives a slow, patronising clap before turning back to the counter. ”Well done, Matty. Really”

< Johnny…
Touché. John scowls at the choice of name – not that he hadn’t asked for it, of course, but Matty hasn’t earned that right, and it’s different when the one being patronising is 3 years younger – absently fingering open the lighter before catching Rogue’s eye and snapping it shut with a what? Come off it. Like I’d do that look.

< next time make sure you leave my sister and my friends out of it
”There’s maybe three people on the planet who can drag Toni anywhere, Matty. She wants to risk her neck, it’s her right as a free psycho… The knight in shining armour act’s old. Was back when she was interested in my ass. Maybe if her kid brother’d stop nuking anything with a penis that so much as looks at her she’d stop being so fucking suicidal.” His tone is casual, punctuated with the odd shrug, giving no indication of the knife he knows full well he’s sticking in and twisting round, the underlying invitation daring Matty to break in front of Rogue and Laurie. John can be as much of an ass as he likes, that’s what he does; Matty’s where it gets interesting, because he’s a ‘good boy’ and shouldn’t rise to it, should be above such things. Which, John knows, is bullshit; everyone has their breaking point, and the challenge is finding it…

< I guess I have a higher education than you. Mind you, Johnny, that's not saying a lot
… which is why a cheap, almost cringe-worthy dig is a so much better retort than pointing out that no, he’s still much nearer graduation that Matty, even with the ground gained in the interim.

”Sure… not exactly difficult” – and for a moment it looks like he’s conceding the point, possibly even taking the piss out of himself for good measure, before it swings back into smirking because no, no way he’d back down, right? – ”Higher than everyone else in the ‘stute, probably. Do the teachers get altitude sickness, reaching you all the way up there?”

”And Matty?” His tone is still the light sneering piss take, though it toughens slightly at the edges as he effectively lays down the only real law in their ‘no holds barred’ snark-fest, again daring Matty to disregard it. ”There’s certain things need to happen before you get to call me anything other than John, and frankly? You’re not my type.”

[Laurie Collins]

[[eww bad post. *pokes a twig through it* shit on a stick everyone! 0.o]]

"He botherin' you much, Laurie? Just let me know and I'll be sure to snuff out that flaming ego of his."

This must be how the sand in the bull fighting arena feels Laurie decides and shakes her head at Matthew, “Um, no, not really.” she says quietly though she suspects her response is lost in John’s return snipe of-

”Did Microboy just use fire puns? How incredibly fucking clever. Well done, Matty. Really”

Oh great. This isn’t getting better. Laurie starts backing slowly away from the two boys, edging around behinds Matthew towards Rogue, the last bastion of sanity in the random eruption of testosterone. Also, Rogue is standing next to the jam.

She smiles shyly at the older girl as she reaches around her for the jam and digs in a drawer for a knife, immersing herself as completely as she can in the task so as to miss as much of the fighting as possible. Calm, calm, stay caaaalm. No emitting.

“The knight in shining armour act’s old. Was back when she was interested in my ass. Maybe if her kid brother’d stop nuking anything with a penis that so much as looks at her she’d stop being so fucking suicidal.”

That gets through though, despite her best efforts and she fumbles the knife, giving John a rather amazed look as if unable to believe he’d just said that before sliding her glance nervously towards Matthew. She knew he was close to his sister and if John had been dragging her own family into something like this… well she hoped Matthew had a good rein on his temper.

Then John is on to height snipes and she looks over worriedly at Rogue, “Um, do you think they’re going to stop this soon?” she whispers hopefully, probably completely unnoticed by the other two students who look like they’re wishing desperately that their powers included literal death glares.

[Rogue]

Rogue returns John’s unspoken Mine with a half-pout, a Fine then. Be that way. sort of look, and promptly pretends to ignore him. She’s not – watching from the corner of her eye, really – but for the moment, she makes it seem she’s totally absorbed in watching the absent stirring motion she has going with her mug. Yes, very interested in the dark-colored whirlpool forming in the cup… Because it’s …interesting. And it’s watching that makes it hard to keep the half-smile off her face, of course…

"He botherin' you much, Laurie? Just let me know and I'll be sure to snuff out that flaming ego of his."[/color]

”Did Microboy just use fire puns? How incredibly fucking clever. Well done, Matty. Really”

Sigh, then a quick glance shot to the side as the girl moves in. She absently puts a little distance between them, almost flinching away, really, before she catches herself and offers a smile almost as an apology. She doesn’t move back, though, carefully keeps feet of space between them – she’s still edgy.

"Johnny." [/color]

A wince, and a look shot towards John – she knows full well his dislike of the nickname, and has a feeling she knows what’s going through his head…Yep, looks like she was right. Noting the lighter, she raises an eyebrow at him, then breaks into a smile at the Like I’d do thatlook he returns with. All this takes only seconds, and she turns her head slightly, looking over as Matthew continues.

"You can go out and get your ass blown off for all I care, but next time make sure you leave my sister and my friends out of it." [/color]

”There’s maybe three people on the planet who can drag Toni anywhere, Matty. She wants to risk her neck, it’s her right as a free psycho… The knight in shining armour act’s old. Was back when she was interested in my ass. Maybe if her kid brother’d stop nuking anything with a penis that so much as looks at her she’d stop being so fucking suicidal.”[/color]

By this point, Rogue’s definitely wondering if the nearest wall will stand up to her beating her head against it – hard. Doubtful. She settles for a sigh and takes another drink from her coffee (which still doesn’t taste very sweet, but she doesn’t feel like adding more sugar at the moment).

"Oh you know, average. But now that I think about it, I guess I have a higher education than you. Mind you, Johnny, that's not saying a lot."

”Sure… not exactly difficult…Higher than everyone else in the ‘stute, probably. Do the teachers get altitude sickness, reaching you all the way up there?”[/color]

“Um, do you think they’re going to stop this soon?”[/color]

She’s almost managing to ignore them, and just enjoy her coffee and try to calm down, when the girl speaks, and it takes a second for her words to register.

“Huh?” She looks up and over at the girl, then offers a slight smile. “Sorry. …Nah, if I know John, he can keep this sort’a thing goin’ ‘till it turns int’ a whole big fight...” she responds quietly enough that it’s aimed just towards the other girl. Unlike the way the two males’ comments have been pointed and obviously snipes. Sigh, and shake of her head, and she takes a drink from her mug. Males. She’ll never understand them…

”And Matty? There’s certain things need to happen before you get to call me anything other than John, and frankly? You’re not my type.”

It’s this moment she chooses to move over towards John, while he’s seemingly occupied in his verbal battle, and reach out and snatch the pizza from him, shooting him a Ha. I win. playful-smug sort of grin.

[Matthew Craft]

”Did Microboy just use fire puns? How incredibly fucking clever.”

"And now you're using height puns. I believe that makes you a hypocrite, Johnny." Matthew wasn't usually one to delve into the competitive (and definitely male) sport of insult tossing, but every once and a while he had his moments. Crossing his arms, he levels a hard, flat stare, waiting to see what John's next move would be.

”There’s maybe three people on the planet who can drag Toni anywhere, Matty. She wants to risk her neck, it’s her right as a free psycho… The knight in shining armour act’s old. Was back when she was interested in my ass. Maybe if her kid brother’d stop nuking anything with a penis that so much as looks at her she’d stop being so fucking suicidal.” Red clouds his vision and he can feel his radioactive blood beginning to boil. But the last thing Matthew wants to do is break this into a fist fight, which sounds awfully tempting at this point.

"Listen," Matthew snaps, dropping his hands back to his sides and balling his fists. "Say whatever you want about me. I don't care. But mention Toni again, and I'm going to rip your puny little arms off, pip squeak." A little voice starts screaming at him from the recesses of his mind, warning him that he's only making matters far worse than they already are, but with a blink, Matthew discards it carelessly. He wasn't about to give up on this (so far) verbal fight with John.

”Higher than everyone else in the ‘stute, probably. Do the teachers get altitude sickness, reaching you all the way up there?” There's a moment of pause, and then Matthew laughs increduously.

"That's all you have left? Making fun of my height? Like I haven't heard all of those before. Yes I know, I'm always the first one to know when it's raining. And I'm so tall that when I trip, I hit my head in Florida. Yeah, I get it." Matthew grins condescendingly down at John, just itching to see what the retaliation would be.

”There’s certain things need to happen before you get to call me anything other than John, and frankly? You’re not my type.” Matthew would rather not go there, knowing that no matter what he says in response would probably be twisted and skewed by the Institute's beloved Pyro. So instead, he chooses silence and a vicious glare to speak for himself.

[Pyro]

< And now you’re using height puns. I believe that makes you a hypocrite
John looks at him sidelong as if struck by a thought, goes to say something and does a double-take as if puzzled, the whole act amounting to the suggestion that Matty’s said something he’s got to stop and figure out, before making a oh, right, I get you! stab with his index finger, and, grinning, shooting back ”Ten points for using a big word, kid. Minus a few hundred for completely missing the point… because unless you’ve got some split personality who’s, y’know, micro in the sense that I could literally look down on him…” – hell yes, I can be self deprecating… and pre-emptive. Do your worst – ”I thought I was talking to the human nuke… “The Amazing Microboy”. Like the sidekick in some crappy Saturday morning show.” He pauses, then waves dismissively as if Matty’s obviously incapable of understanding and shouldn’t worry about it.

< But mention Toni again, and I'm going to rip your puny little arms off, pip squeak
”Hit a nerve, Matty?” John doesn’t have to turn round to know what he’d be facing (and in many ways it’s as much for himself, as for the ‘yeah, whatever’ image it presents, that he doesn’t, but instead stays focused on the counter, as if Matty isn’t enough of a threat for him to bother paying attention to). And yeah, aiming at Toni is probably all sorts of low – if only because she was one teacher he hadn’t entertained notions of killing – and makes him several shades of jackass, but whatever. And however bad an idea that is, antagonising Matty has to be a million times worse… but there’s no way he’ll make a move, is there? Leastways not one that’ll do any damage he can’t cope with. Right? ”You want to take a shot? Get in line. Otherwise back in the playpen”

< Like I haven't heard all of those before.
John shrugs, refusing to be phased – ”Why mess with the classics? … Guess it’s a generational thing”. Even Matty’s (admittedly unexpected) refusal to rise to the bait in the last slur can’t quite stop him, because he’s obviously not going to lose a battle like this with anyone at the Institute, let alone Toni’s bratty little goody-two-shoes hulk of a brother. ”Oh, right. Strong silent type…” Figuring it's about safe to turn now, John grins, and winks, and goes to say something more, but…

… there goes his breakfast. He shoots Rogue a oh, thanks a million sort of glare, which turns into a grin as he grabs her wrist and spins her back into him so she’s pinned with her back against his chest, letting go of the exposed skin just before her mutation kicks in and re-adjusting his grip so it’s around her (safely covered) waist. He’s grateful for the momentary distraction, the chance to get back in something like her good books with the display of non-fear, and the neat way of bringing the others back in and reminding Matty exactly why this can’t descend into tearing each other to shreds.

...okay, and a final cheap dig doesn’t hurt, of course. ”Is he making you jealous, Roguey?”

[Bobby Drake]

Bob shivers as he turns off the water… no matter how hot he runs the shower, he’s still way too cold when he gets out of it. Of course, he’s too cold the rest of the time too, but it’s particularly bad after a shower.

Not nearly as bad as walking around the Institute smelling like he does after a gym workout, though. Among the side-effects of his mutant ability he’d never fully appreciated was the not-sweating… he may not be destroying his clothes with the same regularity as he used to, but he’s having to wash them way more often.

He dries off quickly and gets dressed even more quickly, then heads towards the kitchen for some lunch – it’s almost noon, and he’s starved – before he becomes aware of angry voices… John’s among them… and the smell of burned toast… and contemplates whether driving to the local Pizza Palace might be a better plan.

No, that’s dumb. We have to work together, even if we aren’t… together. I can’t run away just because he’s dating Rogue. He hangs back a little until the sniping seems to die down, though, then walks into the kitchen… just in time to see them embracing, kinda, with Laurie and, um, Toni’s brother, whose name suddenly escapes him, looking on.

And on the other hand, maybe I can. Pizza Palace sounds awfully good… He turns on his heel without greeting anyone, and heads back the way he came.

[Laurie Collins]

“Sorry. …Nah, if I know John, he can keep this sort’a thing goin’ ‘till it turns int’ a whole big fight...”

Laurie nods slowly, “I’m getting that impression.” she mutters, drawing her brows together in a frown as the boys continue to trade snipes. Her toast is beginning to smell but she’s far too intimidated to try walking through the battleground to retrieve it and too busy trying to suppress that intimidation under a sense of calm and stop it from leaking out to plot an alternate rout breakfast-wards. At least Matthew’s defending himself and retaliating well enough in the verbal sparring that she isn’t feeling much indignation on his behalf, contained instead to shooting Matthew ‘please stop now? Please?’ looks that it would be miraculous for him to notice amidst the sniping and fidgeting uncomfortably about next to Rogue.

She wrinkles her nose slightly as the smell from the toast gets worse, you could probably smell it from the hall now, but Matthew and John are still at it. Then Rogue darts out mid-fight to grab the pizza out from under John’s nose and Laurie starts slightly at how quickly John shifts to friendly and proprietary as he grabs at her playfully. She darts a glance towards the other side of the kitchen while the others are occupied with the snarking and pizza-thieving antics. Now is probably a good time for toast reconnaissance, she decides and begins to edge forward, pulling up as a few steps into the journey John resumes the verbal battle with a snide-

”Is he making you jealous, Roguey?”

She’s frozen warily, looking rather like, well, a mouse who’s been caught midscurry by the sounds of a commotion, when she notices Bob entering the kitchen. Oh good, she thinks with no small measure of relief, the boy she remembered from their chapel conversation had impressed himself on her as rather capable and with his addition the sane non-fighting people would officially have the advantage of numbers. “Bob! Hel--“ and he’s gone before the second syllable of the relieved greeting can emerge. She blushes, puzzled and embarrassed and makes for the toaster quickly in attempt to cover her flustered response, yanking out her charred slices.