DT1: Back to Shopping

[Will Stanton]

Will was alone downtown this time. Dang it, he had spent long enough cooped up in an antarctic base. If he was going to be a real boy, he had to get out! And about!

And so he was sipping a coffee as he walked down the main street, looking into all the various shop windows. He was even wearing the shirt that Nailah, Sam and Onyx had helped him pick out! This was going to be a good day.

((open))

[Tereza Rozanov]

Tereza was going about her business in town, but stopped when she saw Will. "Hey, Will. How's it going?"

[Will Stanton]

"Tereza! How is it going? What brings you out here?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Going good, just a bit of not wanting to be cooped up at the school. How about you?" She seemed to be in an especially good mood.

[Will Stanton]

"Yeah, kind of getting out and about, and trying to appear normal. I think I'm doing alright.

You seem pleased today, what's up?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Things seem to be going pretty well with my team, I've got a part-time job, and I *think* I may have a date," she grinned. "Of course, I sort of wonder when the rain is going to start since things are going so well."

[Will Stanton]

"Oh, don't think like that. I'm sure good things will keep happening--who is your date?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Vivienne. You may have seen her around campus. Occasionally looks like she's lost in time?"

[Will Stanton]

Will looked blankly.

"Not sure I've noticed anyone like that, but still! That's good! Good for you!"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Thanks. I heard a rumor you were going to join one of the teams?"

[Will Stanton]

"Yeah, I am. I don't know which team yet, but I'm going to go down to the danger room and get some practice in later today. I hope I can be useful."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"I'm sure you will be. And it's a lot of fun in between brief bouts of boredom and terror."

[Will Stanton]

"The terror part doesn't sound good, but boredom isn't something I've ever had a problem with."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"My last mission involved a stake-out. They're not the most interesting thing to do. Onyx's team had someone quit, so I'd guess they'd put you there, but you never know X-23 will shuffle things around."

[Will Stanton]

"A stake-out sounds super exciting, though?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"It involved sitting in a car with Tosh, Carlos, and Trev for a while waiting for things to happen."

[Will Stanton]

"Yeah, that sounds great! Hanging out, talking, getting ready for action. Exciting!"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"In theory, yes, in practice, not so much. I'm sure you'll get your chance at doing one before too much longer. I don't think we actually cut the head off the snake with our last mission. Their tech indicated some serious funding or backing."

[Will Stanton]

"Maybe we should practice a stakeout so we're better at it, is that what you're saying?"

[Tereza Rozanov]

"No, I meant it's something that sounds good, but the actual thing is not as interesting as it sounds. Theory versus practice."

[Will Stanton]

"Ahhh. I see you now.

Well, I'm sure whoever it is will pop up again, and we'll be ready."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Settling into school otherwise?"

[Will Stanton]

"Somewhat. It's still a little weird being around so many people, and they have...odd ideas of how things are supposed to work. But it's been interesting."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Odd how?"

[Will Stanton]

"Oh, you know how it is. Sometimes, people get offended by a turn of phrase or something like that. On the whole, though, everything's been really nice to me so far."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"People can be touchy from time to time."

[Will Stanton]

"Yeah, I guess. I don't mean to offend, but I am apparently strange.

But then, we all are, yeah? I guess I just have to own it."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Everyone has their own weirdness. And it is generally better to own it."

[Will Stanton]

"Well there must be a middle ground between owning it and living up to others' expectations."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Other's expectations are an awful sticking point. They matter, but but there's a lot to be said for 'self'. I'm still figuring out that little balancing act."

[Will Stanton]

"Oh? Do tell, if you don't mind."

[Tereza Rozanov]

"Well, there's a whole lot riding on who *I* want me to be. I know what the school's expectations are for the most part, I know what I'm expected to do as a functioning member of society, I even have an idea of what those protesters outside the school's gates expect of me. But I can't be everything to everyone, so when push comes to shove, what's important to me is what I want to be."

[Will Stanton]

"And what do you want to be?"