[Open] Catch All for January

[michaeljangelo]

Characters: Michaelangelo and Aya, Michaelangelo and you?
Date: All up in January's face.
Location: Wood and Fire sectors respectively.
Situation: Teaching kids in the Dojo, busting heads in an abandoned warehouse
Warnings/Rating: Six of gorgeously green AI and adorable small children, a half dozen of unhealthy coping mechanisms.

[ooc: Starters contained within.]

Comments

[michaeljangelo]

"No?" he looks back up at her, his grin is slow to return, but it does return.

"Did you miss the point where I jumped out the window after dancing like a loon?"

[looksfine]

There was a brief pause.

"That example is irrelevant to this current conversation."

[michaeljangelo]

The pause only serves to encourage him.

"I don't think that it is."

[looksfine]

"I do."

[michaeljangelo]

"Well...what's your basis of comparison?"

[looksfine]

"Our previous topic of conversation. While I do not agree with you, I cannot help but take note of your reasons and personal feelings behind the arguments you have made. They are not the illogical ramblings of a fool."

[michaeljangelo]

"Well then you get the distinct privilege of being the first person to have ever taken me seriously. Unfortunately, as I was never actually prepared for this...I don't have a medal, or certificate suitable for framing."

[looksfine]

"I do not require any of those items."

She assumed he was cracking a joke again, though was curious as to why he continued to appear so...amazed at the sheer notion of her accepting many of his words at face value. It had not been an exaggeration when she'd explained her thought process, regarding his arguments and counter-arguments. Under different circumstances, the debate may have even been a welcome challenge in her logic skills.

"Has it not occurred to you that people seldom take you seriously because you appear to insist upon this outward persona of one who is anything but? I am certain that if you allowed them to carry on conversations such as this one on a more frequent basis, they will understand as I do now."

[michaeljangelo]

"Oh it's occurred to me, sure, but....we're working with sixteen years worth of me being the baby. I'm the youngest of four, and my brothers are smarter, stronger, and more disciplined than I'll ever be."

He counts the positive traits of Don, Raph, and Leo off on his fingers.

[looksfine]

The sentiment of being youngest was also something Aya could comprehend. She had been the baby of her group of four as well. The "rookie." As time passed, Kilowog had even referred to her with an affectionate moniker highlighting her youth and inexperience.

"Are their no other attributes with which to attribute yourself?"

[michaeljangelo]

"None that seem to matter."

He says it simply, as if it were an obvious fact of life.

[looksfine]

"You do not know for certain what matters or does not matter to every individual you encounter."

Likewise.

[michaeljangelo]

"Call it an educated guess then."
His head tilts to one side, as he considers her.

"Why are you so concerned with my self-perception?"

[looksfine]

"Is it wrong to express such sympathies towards a fellow living being?"

[michaeljangelo]

"No. It's just... I'm a New Yorker."

In Mike's estimation this should really just say it all.

[looksfine]

For any fellow New Yorker, it would be enough. However, Aya had never so much as been to Earth, let alone the Tri-State Area.

"I...do not understand the significance."

[michaeljangelo]

"Oh. Right. Uh..." Mike scratches at the back of his head as he tries to think of the best way to put this that doesn't make New Yorkers sound like heartless heathens.

"We're not real big on telling people we care. We tend to focus more on kind of being overall...indifferent. Unless, of course, someone really needs us."

That kind of works.
If you squint.

[looksfine]

Oh. So it's basically a city of Guardians.

"That does not sound like a particularly pleasant means of existence."

[michaeljangelo]

Mike shrugs.
"It's not much, but it's home."

[looksfine]

She took a moment to consider this. Cultural differences were something that all Green Lanterns were expected to honor and respect. If Mike claimed this attitude to be a part of his home, then there was little Aya could do to convince him otherwise. However...while she would respect it, that did not mean she had to abide by it.

"You will understand that I mean no intended offense when I state that I prefer my methods." After all, they were not in this New York. "I have been on the receiving end of far too much indifference in apathy during my existence. It has not been pleasant, and not something I desire to subject to anyone without justifiable cause."

[michaeljangelo]

That...was not the reaction he was expecting, though truth be told he's not really sure what reaction he was expecting.

"I...think I've got it. No self smacktalk while Aya's in earshot."

[looksfine]

"Precisely."

Deal.