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bakerstreet2016-09-28 09:03 am
hotlink) wrote in bakerstreet2016-09-28 09:03 am
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[Let's avoid the Twisted prompts.]
[ There were many things that Weiss never thought would happen. Actually enjoying these inane tutoring lessons with Mercury had been one such event. She could never really figure out whether he was bad at this or not. He seemed to catch on quickly to most concepts, then others it almost seemed as if he was intentionally giving her a hard time, only to pull back with some sympathetic heart tug when she accused him of it. There were other times when she flat out could tell he was just being a jerk and he didn't deny it.
But right now was crunch time. There were precious few hours left before the exam and while Weiss felt prepared and Mercury had said he felt prepared, Weiss was insistent. No student of hers ever failed their first real exam after tutoring began, and she had no intention of letting that change. If he failed, she would have to officially admit that there was nothing she could do to help him and this time they spent together would have to end.
Weiss found herself far more reluctant for that to happen than she had thought she ever would, and so here they were. A session she had aptly titled "insurance cramming" in her head. But if there was one thing that the young heiress had learned from her team and other friends she'd made at Beacon, it was that she could be a bit of an overachiever when it came to grades, and if she wanted anyone to put up with it without throwing things at her in the middle of the study session, she needed to make it enjoyable.
Which is why when Mercury arrives at the library, it will be to a fresh margerhita pizza, a music player with a headphones splitter (so they don't interrupt other students), and a pile of little candies as 'rewards' for good questions. And, of course, a cup of coffee and a can of soda. She may have splurged a little and will have to skip out on going anywhere with her team this weekend unless someone's going to pay her fare to Vale, but she thinks it'll be worth it. ]
You're late.
But right now was crunch time. There were precious few hours left before the exam and while Weiss felt prepared and Mercury had said he felt prepared, Weiss was insistent. No student of hers ever failed their first real exam after tutoring began, and she had no intention of letting that change. If he failed, she would have to officially admit that there was nothing she could do to help him and this time they spent together would have to end.
Weiss found herself far more reluctant for that to happen than she had thought she ever would, and so here they were. A session she had aptly titled "insurance cramming" in her head. But if there was one thing that the young heiress had learned from her team and other friends she'd made at Beacon, it was that she could be a bit of an overachiever when it came to grades, and if she wanted anyone to put up with it without throwing things at her in the middle of the study session, she needed to make it enjoyable.
Which is why when Mercury arrives at the library, it will be to a fresh margerhita pizza, a music player with a headphones splitter (so they don't interrupt other students), and a pile of little candies as 'rewards' for good questions. And, of course, a cup of coffee and a can of soda. She may have splurged a little and will have to skip out on going anywhere with her team this weekend unless someone's going to pay her fare to Vale, but she thinks it'll be worth it. ]
You're late.
[Everything is okay with me! Just go for it!]
[Available in DA canon or modern AU flavor]
[ At first, it had been an exercise in seeing if he could get her to give up on him before they even made it to the first exam - a task he assumed would be simple enough, though he couldn't do anything blatantly offensive or cruel. Getting kicked out of the school would probably throw a wrench in Cinder's plans, which meant she'd throw something into him and that's just better avoided altogether.
But Weiss was stubborn, and surprisingly not as grating to be around as he first thought. Sure, she had a tendency to run her mouth a bit more than he'd like (there's irony there) and her air of superiority only made him want to knock the wind from her sails, but for the most part she was a sharp conversationalist, quick-witted and sharp-tongued. In that way she reminded him of himself, which is just about the highest flattery he'd ever offer anyone.
So he's actually pretty content with making his way to the library for this last-minute cram session, regardless of whether he actually learns anything or not. He was pretty confident he had absorbed enough information to pass as it is - he's a fast learner - but it's not like he had anything better to do other than sleep.
And even that, he tends to do less of than most people.
He strides into the library, dressed the same as usual from the waist down but wearing a plain black t-shirt on top. The lack of armor on his arms reveals a few more scars that might normally be hidden otherwise, though he clearly has no shame about them as he approaches her with a shrug. ]
It's fashionable, I hear. [ He lifts his head a bit to peer over her head at the supplies she'd brought with her, adding: ] Are we celebrating?
But Weiss was stubborn, and surprisingly not as grating to be around as he first thought. Sure, she had a tendency to run her mouth a bit more than he'd like (there's irony there) and her air of superiority only made him want to knock the wind from her sails, but for the most part she was a sharp conversationalist, quick-witted and sharp-tongued. In that way she reminded him of himself, which is just about the highest flattery he'd ever offer anyone.
So he's actually pretty content with making his way to the library for this last-minute cram session, regardless of whether he actually learns anything or not. He was pretty confident he had absorbed enough information to pass as it is - he's a fast learner - but it's not like he had anything better to do other than sleep.
And even that, he tends to do less of than most people.
He strides into the library, dressed the same as usual from the waist down but wearing a plain black t-shirt on top. The lack of armor on his arms reveals a few more scars that might normally be hidden otherwise, though he clearly has no shame about them as he approaches her with a shrug. ]
It's fashionable, I hear. [ He lifts his head a bit to peer over her head at the supplies she'd brought with her, adding: ] Are we celebrating?
[ When Weiss stands up as he approaches, mostly to make room for him since the things she brought are sort of.. taking over a large portion of the table, he may notice that she's about three to four inches shorter than normal. Even if she didn't wear full pajamas (it felt inappropriate around Mercury in comparison to anyone in RWBY or JNPR), she's at least taking the night library policy of comfortable clothing to heart with a pair of very comfortable baby blue slippers and her jacket is folded neatly on the chair behind her. Upon taking in Mercury's appearance, it appears he was thinking along the same lines. Comfortable but not overly so- it was something Weiss interpreted as awareness and courtesy.
There were a brief few seconds in which Weiss took in the sight of his arms, but she didn't give him any sort of pitying look for them and she, once again, didn't bring them up. Though this time, part of her hoped that one day he'd talk to her about them rather than just considering about whether she'd care to listen if he did or not. There was a brief flash of annoyance with herself for likely getting ahead of herself. Mercury had never seemed to care if she was a Schnee or not, which was good- while it wasn't the reason she liked him, it was something she needed but it also meant that there was every chance he would just tell her no, he wasn't interested, and be done with it. She didn't take Mercury to be like Neptune and say no because he was embarrassed about something- their first conversation had been embarrassing enough to clear any possibility of that ever being why.
Weiss turned her concentration to his words though, only a brief second passing for those thoughts. ]
Believe it or not, I'm self-aware enough to know that when I demand someone come study with me until far past their regular bedtime, most people don't think my company is a good enough reason to put up with it. We'll celebrate when you've shown marked improvement that means we've actually accomplished something here.
There were a brief few seconds in which Weiss took in the sight of his arms, but she didn't give him any sort of pitying look for them and she, once again, didn't bring them up. Though this time, part of her hoped that one day he'd talk to her about them rather than just considering about whether she'd care to listen if he did or not. There was a brief flash of annoyance with herself for likely getting ahead of herself. Mercury had never seemed to care if she was a Schnee or not, which was good- while it wasn't the reason she liked him, it was something she needed but it also meant that there was every chance he would just tell her no, he wasn't interested, and be done with it. She didn't take Mercury to be like Neptune and say no because he was embarrassed about something- their first conversation had been embarrassing enough to clear any possibility of that ever being why.
Weiss turned her concentration to his words though, only a brief second passing for those thoughts. ]
Believe it or not, I'm self-aware enough to know that when I demand someone come study with me until far past their regular bedtime, most people don't think my company is a good enough reason to put up with it. We'll celebrate when you've shown marked improvement that means we've actually accomplished something here.
You say that like I have a regular bedtime.
[ He doesn't, really. Some nights he just doesn't sleep at all. Not that this was at all the point she was trying to make, and he steps around her to take a better look at the pizza - noting her loss of height in passing. Well, she's not the only one who has her height artificially enhanced. It is a little funny, though, how noticeable the change is.
Almost impressive, that she fights in those heels, but then again both of his partners do too.
Not one to wait or ask permission, he reaches out for a slice of pizza, glancing back at her as he does so. ]
Besides, I think you're charming.
[ It's that annoyingly teasing tone that makes it impossible to tell if he's being flirtatious, a brat, or some of both.
It's probably some of both. ]
[ He doesn't, really. Some nights he just doesn't sleep at all. Not that this was at all the point she was trying to make, and he steps around her to take a better look at the pizza - noting her loss of height in passing. Well, she's not the only one who has her height artificially enhanced. It is a little funny, though, how noticeable the change is.
Almost impressive, that she fights in those heels, but then again both of his partners do too.
Not one to wait or ask permission, he reaches out for a slice of pizza, glancing back at her as he does so. ]
Besides, I think you're charming.
[ It's that annoyingly teasing tone that makes it impossible to tell if he's being flirtatious, a brat, or some of both.
It's probably some of both. ]
I assumed anyone who acts like a brat has the bedtime of a brat. My mistake.
[ She's definitely teasing him, but it's probably more obvious that she doesn't mean it compared to some of the insults she doles out. Most of her gibes toward him at this point have gone from actually trying to insult to playful. ]
You don't look like you're not getting much sleep though.
[ He looks good. People who don't sleep look like.. well, Blake with her baggy eyes. ]
There was a while when Blake wasn't and she looked like she crawled out of a B-horror.
[ She takes a sip of her coffee, then pushes some napkins over to Mercury and gets a slice for herself. ]
[ She's definitely teasing him, but it's probably more obvious that she doesn't mean it compared to some of the insults she doles out. Most of her gibes toward him at this point have gone from actually trying to insult to playful. ]
You don't look like you're not getting much sleep though.
[ He looks good. People who don't sleep look like.. well, Blake with her baggy eyes. ]
There was a while when Blake wasn't and she looked like she crawled out of a B-horror.
[ She takes a sip of her coffee, then pushes some napkins over to Mercury and gets a slice for herself. ]
[ He just smirks in response to her jab - her sharp tongue is one of the reasons he actually doesn't mind these study sessions. She can be downright brutal when talking about some of her former pupils who hadn't put forth any effort, and when the subject of Cardin came up they went back and forth for a good hour one-upping each other's insults for the meathead. He called it a draw, though she seemed pretty insistent that she had come out on top in the end.
Shoving some of the pizza into his mouth, he doesn't bother to finish chewing before he responds. ]
I always sleep kind of erratically. A few hours here, a few there. I make it work.
[ He wipes his mouth off as he swallows, pulling out a chair to flop down into it. ]
Maybe your friend needs to master the art of the cat nap.
[ Casual remark? Knowing pun? It's a mystery ]
Shoving some of the pizza into his mouth, he doesn't bother to finish chewing before he responds. ]
I always sleep kind of erratically. A few hours here, a few there. I make it work.
[ He wipes his mouth off as he swallows, pulling out a chair to flop down into it. ]
Maybe your friend needs to master the art of the cat nap.
[ Casual remark? Knowing pun? It's a mystery ]
[ There's a brief nuance in her expression when he says cat nap, as if she's not sure for a second if he knows or not. Blake hadn't been too happy with her the first time she went and shared with Team JNPR though, so she doesn't bring it up. If he knows, he can bring it up. Honestly, it sounded like something that someone could say without knowing anyway. ]
She got over it. She just needed to learn how to manage stress better. [ Weiss sits down and pulls her chair in just enough and takes a bite, swallowing before she continues. ] I sleep the same time every night unless it's a special occasion like a mission or I need to cram. I can't just lay down and go to sleep. How do you do that?
She got over it. She just needed to learn how to manage stress better. [ Weiss sits down and pulls her chair in just enough and takes a bite, swallowing before she continues. ] I sleep the same time every night unless it's a special occasion like a mission or I need to cram. I can't just lay down and go to sleep. How do you do that?
[ Because for a long time, his sleep would be constantly interrupted by violence and cruelty. There was nowhere safe for him to close his eyes, not even in his room, his home, so over time he became adept at functioning on light sleep in short spurts. Very rarely does he get a full good night's sleep, but he doesn't really mind that much. His subconscious has a nasty way of reliving past events in his dreams, so he'd rather be awake whenever possible. ]
Practice makes perfect.
[ They're dancing a bit too close to the topic, though, so he reaches his free hand to tap some of the reading material she's brought along with her. ]
Speaking of which, let's get a move on, right? Time's a-wasting.
Practice makes perfect.
[ They're dancing a bit too close to the topic, though, so he reaches his free hand to tap some of the reading material she's brought along with her. ]
Speaking of which, let's get a move on, right? Time's a-wasting.
[ Weiss has no idea what she stumbled close to. For her, her sleep times were things established by her father since she was little. The only excuse to stay up beyond them was if she was falling behind- because if she didn't live up to his expectations, then she wasn't trying hard enough. She was just proving him right if she didn't. Rise and shine at the same time every day and your body gets used to knowing what time it has to be ready at though, no matter what time you go to sleep.
Which also explains why whenever Ruby wakes her up she's 25% crankier than normal, since she's followed that strict sleep pattern her whole life. And why she doesn't think that Mercury's odd sleep patterns would be anything to question. Some people just sleep differently, she assumes. And as he said- practice makes perfect. ]
Well I didn't expect you to be this eager to spend all night with me. Careful or I'll think you actually wanted to study with me. [ She takes out her scroll while he grabs the book, swiping through her apps to get to a timer and not explaining why yet. ]
Which also explains why whenever Ruby wakes her up she's 25% crankier than normal, since she's followed that strict sleep pattern her whole life. And why she doesn't think that Mercury's odd sleep patterns would be anything to question. Some people just sleep differently, she assumes. And as he said- practice makes perfect. ]
Well I didn't expect you to be this eager to spend all night with me. Careful or I'll think you actually wanted to study with me. [ She takes out her scroll while he grabs the book, swiping through her apps to get to a timer and not explaining why yet. ]
[ Whew! This is fine. This is better. Snarky accusations and offhand remarks are far more up his alley - he sets his pizza down for a moment to grab his soda, cracking the top open as he crosses one leg over the other. ]
You must've learned by now that I hate sitting idle, snowball.
[ at least it's better than ice queen
it's... PROBABLY better than ice queen
He lifts the soda to his lips, winking before taking a sip. ]
So let's get busy.
You must've learned by now that I hate sitting idle, snowball.
[ at least it's better than ice queen
it's... PROBABLY better than ice queen
He lifts the soda to his lips, winking before taking a sip. ]
So let's get busy.
[ This is it. This is the long awaited second attempt. She's gone back. She's restudied her teammate's quips. They're still mostly stupid but people seem to like her for them and Weiss doesn't give up once she's put her mind to trying something out. Besides, the only other option is the offended 'hey' that doesn't ever seem to stop anyone from calling her ice queen (or snow angel as the case may be). Even if this is really as bad as she thinks it is, maybe it'll do a better job of deterring the nickname. ]
I hope you're not expecting me to throw myself at you with a nickname like that.
[ Her scroll rings for a brief second right as she finishes the sentence, but she swipes it straight to voicemail, the only indication that it was anyone of import being the brief furrowing of her brow, which she covers up by taking another bite of pizza and then wiping her hands on a napkin. Okay. Where were they? Right, timer. ]
Pick a subject. We're going to do a brief review exercise for rapid fire answers first.
I hope you're not expecting me to throw myself at you with a nickname like that.
[ Her scroll rings for a brief second right as she finishes the sentence, but she swipes it straight to voicemail, the only indication that it was anyone of import being the brief furrowing of her brow, which she covers up by taking another bite of pizza and then wiping her hands on a napkin. Okay. Where were they? Right, timer. ]
Pick a subject. We're going to do a brief review exercise for rapid fire answers first.
[ It takes a second or two before it clicks - mostly because he wasn't expecting a pun out of her of all people, and it's subtle enough that he can't quite tell if it was on purpose or not.
Hm. ]
Nope. You'd just melt in my arms, anyway.
[ In other words, no, it didn't deter him at all.
He certainly catches that subtle change in expression, taking another drink from his soda. ]
Let's go right back to where it all began. History and dates.
[ Another tick. ]
But if you have to call whoever that was back first, no big deal. Something important?
Hm. ]
Nope. You'd just melt in my arms, anyway.
[ In other words, no, it didn't deter him at all.
He certainly catches that subtle change in expression, taking another drink from his soda. ]
Let's go right back to where it all began. History and dates.
[ Another tick. ]
But if you have to call whoever that was back first, no big deal. Something important?
You somehow made it worse, uhg.
[ She almost starts, but she's a little distracted by the question. Thanks. Mercury. Weiss had been more than happy to just go on with their night without talking about that. Her expression falls again but she tries to make it sound... reasonable. But Mercury already knows and agrees that her dad kind of sucks. It isn't as if she needs to hide that from him. ]
Thanks in large part to the CCT making it so easy to communicate, he can't take me away from here without the world hearing about it and asking why he would rip someone who's doing so well away from doing good in this world.
[ You know, unless someone were to take out the communication and invalidate what she were trying to do here by destroying the school. ]
He can leave a voicemail because the only part of that that affects me is losing the two seconds it takes to delete it. Ten seconds, list the start date of each war since the council was established.
[ She almost starts, but she's a little distracted by the question. Thanks. Mercury. Weiss had been more than happy to just go on with their night without talking about that. Her expression falls again but she tries to make it sound... reasonable. But Mercury already knows and agrees that her dad kind of sucks. It isn't as if she needs to hide that from him. ]
Thanks in large part to the CCT making it so easy to communicate, he can't take me away from here without the world hearing about it and asking why he would rip someone who's doing so well away from doing good in this world.
[ You know, unless someone were to take out the communication and invalidate what she were trying to do here by destroying the school. ]
He can leave a voicemail because the only part of that that affects me is losing the two seconds it takes to delete it. Ten seconds, list the start date of each war since the council was established.
[ Oh, good. He managed to avoid talking about his shitty dad but now they've gone right to HER shitty dad. Man. Why are dads so shit? Fuck dads.
He takes a moment to rattle off the dates - with almost surgical efficiency, at that. She is a good tutor, and he is a quick learner. Admittedly, her stupid trick for remembering dates had actually been a pretty big help. The moment he's done, though: ]
Why don't you give me his number? Every time he calls you, I'll call him. It shouldn't be long before he's so sick of me that he just gives up.
He takes a moment to rattle off the dates - with almost surgical efficiency, at that. She is a good tutor, and he is a quick learner. Admittedly, her stupid trick for remembering dates had actually been a pretty big help. The moment he's done, though: ]
Why don't you give me his number? Every time he calls you, I'll call him. It shouldn't be long before he's so sick of me that he just gives up.
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