Instant Story

Scott, inspired by watching Sara at the harp, is day 17 in his surprising new hobby, marked by his acumen and desire for a greater range of expression and development. Jean comments.

It was not an art usually appreciated in the making, it was something appreciated after it was finished. And even after seventeen days of practice, he was still too shy to show anyone but the Adriens.

He knew Ororo saw it, because she left encouraging little post-its on his desk. And sometimes, gifts of culch.

He was deep into an arrangement of interesting stones when he realized he had an audience.

Jean was peering over his shoulder in stunned fascination.

“Uh,” he said.

“You weren’t answering my ‘ping’, so…” she pointed. “What the flying hell is that?”

“Ikebana,” he said, placing a twig.

“Icky… what?”

“Ikebana. As Sara would say, flower-arranging with a twist.”

Jean rolled her eyes at the mention of her quirky-on-a-good-day roommate. “Don’t tell me, she got you started on this.”

“Sort of.”

“How does anyone 'sort of’ get you into flower-arranging?”

I heard that 'you’ thank you. “Well, it started with this harp video and Sara showed me the difference between technically correct and talented,” he began.

“I saw the video, yes…”

“And… I wanted to be able to… reach people like that.”

“Still missing a few dots.”

“So I talked to Sam, and he said I should find my hearts’ passion.”

“Which is flower-arranging.”

“Ikebana. There’s no vase, the plants stand as part of the art. On their own.”

Jean shook her head. “So how the heck do you get them standing up like that? Is it the rocks?”

“No, there’s these little stand things, you can get them in wire or plastic, but some folks carve them out of wood or fold them out of this special paper, because the artificial stands interfere with the spirit of nature inherent–”

Jean held up a hand. “I get it. This is your hearts’ passion.” She smiled. “You should leave a few around the mansion, ninja style.”

Scott mock-glared at her. “You know I am no good at ninja.”

“I’m sure Sara could help,” she teased.

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When Scott finds out that leaders can indeed be seen crying and still be respected, he adjusts accordingly.

Kitty had recorded it because she couldn’t believe it. She showed it to Jean because she still didn’t believe it after watching it fifteen times in a row.

“Wow,” Jean said. And, after the third view, “I was joking when I said Sara’s playing could make a statue cry, but - *damn*…”

She

When being the coward of the county works out well.

There’s always that one weirdo in every town. That’s me. I try not to let on, because this is redneck country, but I’m scared of just about everything. Fortunately, since redneck country is also survivalist country, nobody bats an eye at folks ordering food by the pallet. With GPS co-ordinates instead of a delivery address.

I don’t have a bank account. Not since I

When Julie dreams.

“Good morning, Miss Shayde!’

Shayde turned. The only person who could get away with ‘miss'ing her was skipping along with a peculiar little box in her hands and, as always, Nanny in tow.

"Good morning, Julie,” she said, tagging along because it was way more interesting than grocery shopping. “What’s in the wee box?”

Julie blushed and giggled. “It isn’t wee, it’s dreams.”

Dreams?