[Video]

[chippedmind]

[ Hair down, in neatly kept curls, Belle switches on her mobile device. She's clearly nervous. The idea of adjusting to American life properly isn't one she's taking well.

Perhaps it has much to do with the loss of her mother and being kept so far away from home. The best Belle can manage is a soft smile, her accent still evident in her speech, but her english is proficient enough. ]

Bonjour, my name is Belle and I just transferred. [ She gives a small, nervous wave. ] I was wondering what types of clubs you have here. I'm interested in any book clubs or maybe language ones. I am still learning english.

[ She bites at her lip. ]

I would appreciate it if someone could show me around properly? Also, [ Shuffles for a paper from her pocket. ] Meulin Leijon? I would like to meet you as it seems we're roomed together. How about coffee?

[ Does she sound too proper? She can't tell. ]

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[tofudog]

Dude, way to pick the boringest clubs i can think of. Books, for real?

[chippedmind]

Books aren't boring. Stories are fun and I happen to find them very captivating. The same way someone would enjoy movies or video games, I suppose.

[tofudog]

Except movies and games are actually exciting! Reading is just sitting around staring at some dumb old paper. Believe me, I've seen it happen.

[That last bit is only mostly a joke.]

[chippedmind]

[ She actually snickers which is probably good. She was about to get miffed at having to defend her interests. ] It helps if you turn the pages. [ A sly smile. ] Or have someone read them to you. What is your idea of fun then since mine isn't exciting enough?

[loveswaffles]

You have a problem with books?

[tofudog]

They're just the only thing more boring than meditating.

[Oh, he went there.]

[loveswaffles]

Because you're obviously an expert on both.

[mutationsprice]

[He was in the slow process of moving himself in his rooms here, not really ready yet to meet anyone or attempt being social, that would no doubt come tomorrow. But he couldn't help but stare at the young lady on the screen of his phone. She looked nearly the spitting image of his late Isabella when she had first met him.

He's tempted to just shut his phone off, more to keep himself from giving into the temptation to speak with her...and no doubt make a fool of himself. The least he could do perhaps though is to greet her, though he doubted he'd have her in his class, unless she was interested in Alchemy.

A greeting wouldn't hurt, surely. He could always cut the conversation short and turn the phone off if things got out of hand.]

Bonjour, Mademoiselle.

[Okay, switching to English. Excuse him for showing off briefly there.]

I hope you enjoy your stay here.

[chippedmind]

[ Oh she recognized that tone to a certain extent. It lacked the musicality she was used to and the man that presented himself, while he had the same manners, didn't exactly have the same looks. Belle is just staring for a good part of a minute before she remembers her manners. ] Excusez-moi. [ She rattles off quickly putting on a smile but she is confused. Is that Gold? The one she remembers has a visible mutation covering all of his skin. ] Thank you but. . .[ She frowns. ] Have we met before? [ There that's a good place to start. It wouldn't do well to poke at how or why he rid himself of his mutation. No sense in scolding a man who is being kind at the moment. ]

[mutationsprice]

Il est tout droit.

[The reassurance rolled off before he could think better of it. Her question however had him hesitating.]

I...don't believe so. I'm Royce Gold. [And as he answers the question and introduces himself, that telling Scottish accent escapes his control finally and makes itself known.

He could tell her that he did once know a woman who looked so similar to her and her name even could fit as a shortened form of his wife's own name. No sense in possibly making this any more awkward than it was already though.]

[knowitallgoddess]

It's not really a club but I do run a study group three times a week. Would that be interesting enough?

[chippedmind]

Plenty interesting! [ She probably shouldn't be that enthusiastic over it but this is the first time she's been back to school in a few years. ] It'll be a good way to make friends. May I ask your name, Mademoiselle?

[knowitallgoddess]

Yes, I think so too. But my name is Palutena.

[endurancepoint]

Welcome to the school. I'm Alex. May I suggest a trade? I can help you with English, if you could help me with French.

[Granted, his French is pretty good already. His pronunciation is excellent, but since Belle is a native speaker, she can probably pick up the slight hint of an English accent.]

I learned to speak French as a child, but I'm not as good writing it.

[The English accent becomes clearer when he switches to his native tongue.]

[chippedmind]

[ Now that’s got her attention. She’s more comfortable speaking her native language. ] Hi Alex. [ She greets with a small nod of her head. It carries a regal undertone. ] I can do that. I’m pretty good at teaching and it’s a fairly easy language to learn. [ A smile. ] I can help you with writing as well if you’d like. [ Brushes a piece of hair behind her ear. ] What part of England did you come from? I’ve only visited there once or twice. [ That she did pick up on his accent, barely. It’s easier to pinpoint when he switches back. ]

[endurancepoint]

I don't know if my classmates would agree that it's easy to learn.

[Granted, he has a leg up on most of the people in his French class due to his speaking fluency. But that only gets him so far.]

I'm from London, Chelsea specifically. What parts of England did you see?

[video] pretends not to be late to the party

[wherethelightwontfindyou]

[Oh, she reminds him of someone. It makes it impossible not to respond.]

You certainly don't seem to be having trouble with English. You're from France, huh?

[Paris? Maybe? For all he knows this is the girl he's thinking of from some other dimension or- He's getting ahead of himself. He clears his throat.]

If you need a tour of the school, I can help you out until you get the hang of things. I've been here for around three years now, so.

[Yes, trust the scruffy hobo in 1800's clothes. Seems smart.]

[video] pfft you're fine

[chippedmind]

[ Just wait until you make puns or use words that don’t make sense in french grammar. That’ll get interesting. However it’s good he picked up on it. ] I am. Neuilly sur Seine just outside of Paris. [ She brightens up. ] That would be wonderful! [ It’s Belle. Her soon-to-be-husband from an arranged marriage looks like a crocodile (kind of) she can’t really judge people for their appearance. It’s what’s on the inside. ] I wish I had come sooner. Everyone seems to have been for very long. [ A sad smile. ] May I ask your name?

[video] oh good uvu

[wherethelightwontfindyou]

[It is Paris. Christ, he can feel his paternal instincts bubbling up already.]

The name's Booker Dewitt. And don't worry, the years go by pretty quick.

[Or at least, he locked himself in his room for 20 years so everything is quick compared to that.

Not that his depressive habits are very evident in the bright smile he's giving her.]

[video]

[kickstart_my_heart]

Oh right? I spent some time in Paris, myself! Lots of homeless young mutants out there...

[video]

[chippedmind]

Unfortunately yes. Our government was trying to improve those living conditions for a while. [ There were hiccups trying to get that to happen. ] It's better than it used to be.

Re: [video]

[kickstart_my_heart]

I'll admit I didn't pay much mind to how officials were going about things. I got the impression most of 'em took care of their own. I got pointed to a shelter pretty quickly.

text;

[loveswaffles]

What sort of books do you like?

text;

[chippedmind]

I'll give anything a shot but I am a fan of fiction; namely romance and fantasy.

text;

[loveswaffles]

Oh.

[Good thing this is through text, because that keeps her from hearing Raven's disappointment.]