<div class="floatleft">(http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j480/Erion2451/Haley_Ramm_zpse2f7a826.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Jean Grey<br/><strong>Alias:</strong>Marvel Girl<br/><strong>Dorm Assignment:</strong>2/1<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Auditorium<br/><strong>Wearing:</strong>Casual suit and skirt combo<br/><strong>Date/Time:</strong>September 2nd, Early evening<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Arthur, Mantis, Cassie, Ri, Erik, Stephen, Kitty, Xavier<br/><hr/><br/>Jean nodded to Erik with a sympathetic smile and slight shrug of her shoulders.  There wasn’t a whole lot they could do, and she was certain the Professor was doing what he could to help ease those feelings of nervousness.  It was good to be reassured that the others felt what she was feeling, even if she could sense it through her filters and barriers.<br/><br/>The conversation with Ri was a bit strained, but she continued to smile welcomingly and warmly.<strong>”This is Erik, Stephen, and Mantis.  Everyone this is Ri,”</strong>she said in a form of a quick introduction.<strong>”Now you’ve met three more people.”</strong>Jean said in a friendly manner.<br/><br/>Her smile was given to Arthur when the boy decided to return to the table,<strong>”and this is Arthur.”</strong>She never got to introduce Arthur to Ri as the Englishman demanded to know everyone’s abilities.  A frown quickly replaced her smile, as those nerves that had been semi-calm began to swim and twist uncomfortably in the very depths of her being.  If patience was a virtue, it seemed Arthur had none.<em>”Professor,”</em>she sent out a mental distress call laced with alarm to the other telepath.<br/><br/><em>”It’s okay, Jean.  They’re just curious.  They will accept you, telepathy and all.”</em><br/><br/>It had been a frequent topic of discussion these past few days, leading to the arrival of the newer students and the inevitable revelation of her abilities.  Jean was fearful that people would treat her differently once they learned that she could read their innermost thoughts.  She knew, in her gut, that she would be seen as someone they couldn’t trust, and the few friends she had made, thus far, would believe she lied to them.  There was a reason S.H.I.E.L.D. had not believed in existence of telepaths, and that she would have sooner found herself in a holding cell than a school if the Professor hadn’t been involved.<br/><br/>She smiled at Erik, a smile that wavered slightly,<strong>”can Charlie do any tricks?”</strong>she asked, curiosity and nervousness tinted her voice.  She was eager to keep it his turn, or anyone else’s, in this impromptu and forced show-and-tell.<br/><br/>Her eyes moved to Mantis when the girl said she wasn’t special.  That brought a raised eyebrow from Jean, and the temptation to see if the girl was lying, but Jean remained out of Mantis’ head.<strong>”Anomalous properties?  That sounds like something someone would say when they didn’t exactly know what to call what you can do.”</strong>Jean suggested.<strong>”So, what exactly can you do?  Are we talking Bruce Lee, Jet Li, and Jackie Chan type stuff?”</strong>She didn’t mean to be offensive or belittling, but that was the first thing she thought of when someone said they followed the “Martial Way”.<br/><br/>Stephen Strange was next.<strong>”I don’t think any of us were born with our abilities,”</strong>she said upon his admission.  When Stephen talked about an old bald guy, Jean turned to look at the Professor and then nodded her head to Stephen in the direction of the man in the wheelchair.  It was meant to be a joke, though she wasn’t sure if the timing was appropriate.  Her insides knotted as she waited to see if anyone found her attempt humorous.<br/><br/>Of course, when Stephen continued his story she didn’t feel like laughing anymore.<strong>”So, your powers are demonic in nature or just mystical?”</strong><br/><br/>The irony that an old, bald man had told her that she’d be able to master her abilities one day hadn’t been lost on Jean.  The expression on Jean’s face wasn’t disbelief as much as worry.  Three months ago, they had discovered that aliens exist.  Now Stephen was telling them that demons existed too.  No wonder S.H.I.E.L.D. was training people like them.<br/><br/>Her green eyes moved back to Mantis as the girl began hypothesizing about who had spoken to Stephen.  It seemed like she knew quite a lot and it made Jean wonder what else the girl knew.  A simple peek would have answered all of Jean’s questions, but she knew she was being watched and if she did peek, that would only justify why people were going to dislike her in a few short minutes.<br/><br/>Mantis justifiably turned the table upon Arthur and asked what he could do.  Jean was slightly relieved and appreciative that the girl had done so.  It gave her a few more moments to feel normal and to enjoy the suggested popularity that she’d tried desperately to earn.<br/><br/><em>”Do I have to tell them?”</em>she asked pleadingly.<br/><br/><em>”Yes, Jean.  Teams are formed upon trust, and they will learn sooner than later.  Your gift will be a great asset to the team, and they will all come to understand and trust you to use discretion with your ability.”</em>Xavier reassured the young woman.<br/><br/>Jean was busy talking to Xavier when Kitty joined the group.  Katherine's questioning look was answered with a blank unknowing stare, as if the redhead was daydreaming.  A moment later, Jean smiled at Kitty and shrugged.  It was nice to see the girl decide to join them.<br/><br/>Instead of telling, Arthur seemed eager to show his ability.  Perhaps that was why he brought up the topic in the first place.  Perhaps he was simply a child who wanted to show off his toys.  Jean scolded herself for thinking that way, but couldn’t help but feel anger toward him for this.  The faint glow of light quickly covered Arhtur’s body and then the boy was wearing what appeared to be a suit of armor as he held a sword.  Jean wasn’t sure whether she should be more impressed that Arthur could bow in the suit or that it appeared from a gauntlet.  As quickly as it appeared it retracted.  Jean found that he skipped the bit about telling.<br/><br/><strong>”So, what does the armor and sword do?  Did you find it or was it given to you?”</strong>she asked hesitantly; anything to buy her another precious second of feeling normal.<br/><br/>Her eyes moved to Katherine then Ri, and hoped either one would choose to reveal their powers next.  When she sensed neither were about to act, Jean stood with an apologetic smile.<strong>”I’m going to check on Cassie.  I’ll be back in a little bit.  Sorry.”</strong><br/><br/>She was willing to listen to a lecture from Professor Xavier.  She was willing to look rude to those who had shared.  She was even willing to look like she was trying to hide something, because she was.  If she could disappear until class time tomorrow, she would do that.  It would all be worth it for just a little more time of fitting in and being considered normal.<br/><br/>Jean threw away her plate and refilled her drink before moving to join Cassie where the girl ate alone.<strong>”Hey, you okay?  Something’s bothering you?”</strong><br/>