fifthcurriculum | INTRO LOG

[He hears the splash, but he's too late - by the time his head's turned back, he's too busy getting doused with water to retaliate in any way. It drenches his whole front, head to toe, and he glowers dangerously (from beneath the bangs now plastered to his forehead) as he flicks his lighter open again.]

I can still burn something if it's wet. Takes more concentration, but I can do it. And pal, you just made the punishment worth it.

So you can dish it out, but you can't take it without setting something on fire?

[He's trying not to just back right down at that threat, and despite his words, it shows in the way his shoulders hunch just enough to keep him from standing straight and his hands tuck into his pockets. Ryan's not at all experienced with actually trying to assert himself in this kind of situation.

And, as always, nerves mean less conscious control of what thoughts stay in his own head.]

(way to get yourself set on fire Ryan great plan, what's next, pissing off the rest of the school?)

[Lucky for him, it's that last thought that makes John shake his head and turn away.]

You're not even worth it. [He just pockets his lighter again and moves back to his spot in the sun, stretching out again.]

Dunno about you, but I'm gonna dry off.

[Hell no, he's going going in the school sopping wet to change his clothes. That would be a story, and not the kind he likes told about himself.]

[It worked out. He didn't take shit and nothing worse happened to him. (Of course, he doesn't know that it was that last unintentional thought, either.)

As far as he knows, it worked, and the little rush of adrenaline from that is nearly exhilarating. Ryan's grinning slightly after John's attention turns away from him, and there's no answer; he's too occupied with the idea that he did it, returning to his seat on the edge of the fountain juuust in case he actually does get dizzy off of this.

This all may or may not kick him in the ass later.

After a minute of silence, though, he can't help but push his luck:]

...is it just the telepathy thing?

I just like to fuck with people. [Totally honest, and once again delivered without looking back.] You pretty much scream "easy target."

So... being a dick just for the sake of it, not because you just don't like me.

[Which he doesn't really get the appeal of, honestly. If you're going to be an ass to people isn't it supposed to be more satisfying if you do that for a reason?]

[He shrugs at that.]

I don't even know you, man.

[Now that he's been hit back, he's considerably more casual about everything. No big deal. If he underplays the whole situation, it also underplays Ryan's tiny victory.]

You don't make much sense, y'know that?

[At least it's not personal. He can work with that, he guesses, and he's managing to relax a bit while he soaks up the sun.]

Of course I don't. Look at me, I'm responding to nothing. Anyone who doesn't know us probably thinks I'm nuts.

[Yeah, he's teasing Ryan, but it's not entirely unfriendly either. "Don't make much sense" is better than "loose cannon asshole," so maybe he'll work with it a little. See if this guy could be interesting.]

[It's the kind of teasing he actually doesn't mind, at least-- more at the situation than directly at himself-- and that gets a grin out of him, as well as a nearly-silent laugh.]

You get used to that.

[And after a moment's pause he adds, cautiously:]

But, uh, you don't have to. If you don't want to look like you're having half a conversation, I mean. Like I said, I don't dig, I just-- overhear things sometimes, so... if you thought at me it'd be pretty much the same.

[He's careful to keep his 'voice' neutral as possible-- he's not pushing for that, this doesn't bother him at all. Just offering, in case.]

Nah. [His shrug is deliberately careless.] Everyone who knows me already does think I'm nuts, and I don't give a shit about any of them anyway. If you're at Xavier's and can't figure out telepathy when you see it, you're really too dumb to care about.

Okay, okay, fair.

[He's just counting himself lucky that didn't irritate the guy, honestly. There's another beat of silence.]

I don't think you're nuts. [It's casual, comes with a one-shouldered shrug.]

[He gets up on one elbow, glances back, full of jokes about just how often Ryan's life involves potentially deadly pyrotechnics. But what comes out isn't really humorous at all.]

You will.

[Then he's looking into the sun again.]

John Allerdyce. And apparently you're Ryan something.

--Farrow, yeah.

[He answers reflexively, before he's really had time to consider the first comment. The lack of humor in it is something he's not sure what to do with, and tempted as he is to try 'overhearing' a thought or two for once... it still feels too invasive. It wouldn't be right, especially not doing it to someone who already doesn't like telepathy.]

And I think you're calling it a little early, yeah? You're kind of a dick, I'll say that much, but I don't think you're that bad.

Say what you want. I'm used to people not getting my idea of fun.

[He almost had a partner in crime last year, but then the asshole turned around and blamed the whole thing on him, and got off scot-free. Which is exactly in line with his idea of fun, really, but not when it backfires on him. Dick.]

Maybe it works out. If you had too much competition for your kind of fun we might all be in trouble, yeah?

[He quirks a brow, grinning slightly. Several of John would be kind of worrying, maybe, but the thought's entertaining.]

Nah, you've got it backwards. No one would be in trouble.

[Because they'd all get it. Get it?]

Some of us might still be.

[He'll concede that much, because damn, the thought of everybody feeling the same about that isn't something he can stretch his imagination enough to accommodate.]

Fine, if you're that determined to be uncool.

[No, he's still not very nice, but it's definitely settled into banter now. It has the feel of how he relates to people he doesn't actually mind, because although it's unkind, it's not barbed.

Maybe he just doesn't know how to relate any other way.]

[Ryan can deal with that-- he answers with another bit of silent laughter, shaking his head as he gestures to himself. Glasses, gangly limbs, ill-fitting clothes and all.]

Do I look like I could pass for cool in the first place?

It's an attitude, not a look. Not saying you don't look like a massive dork, but you could still pull it off if you -

[He plays at considering the statement again.]

- okay, if you really wanted to. We're talking serious dedication.

I think you're seriously overestimating my abilities, here.

[He gives John a curious look, though, leaning forward to prop his elbow on his knee and rest his chin in his palm.]

But okay, how do you make yourself look cool.

Nope, I was wrong. No chance. If you have to ask, you're beyond hope.

[Complete with a dramatic flop back onto the grass. Begone, Ryan Farrow, he has finished with you.

... except he's kind of enjoying this. But he'd never let on.]

Well, that's it, then. There go all my hopes and dreams.

[It's as dramatic as he can make it in response. Honestly, he's starting to enjoy this too, the banter as opposed to arguing.]

I'm just doomed to be a nerd forever, go on without me.

Don't pretend I dropped any kind of bomb on you with that one.

[He props his hands behind his head, looking more thoughtful now.]

So. This place. What do you make of it?

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