Student outreach liaison...

The title had had a nice ring to it when Janelle had seen the little flyer posted on the bulletin board on campus one day as she ate her lunch.  It had even had those little strip thingies with a QR code, a tinyurl, and a snap code that led to an application site.  The site had sold itself very well with phrases that suggested that a student outreach liaison could change peoples' lives by helping them make the decision to come to NYU...by convincing them that this was the place for them!   

College had been good for Janelle, who had previously been happy...if a bit sheltered by her previous upbringing in upstate New York.  Actually living in the city had its perks, and the redhead thought that it could do the same for lots of other people...

Until she found out what a student outreach liaison actually did.

And it involved cheap hotel conference rooms.  (Well...cheap by her standards anyway...)

And cheap catered buffets.  (Again...cheap was a relative term...)

And lots of uninterested kids being drug around by parents who cared more about their college choice than they did themselves.   

Ugh.  This was the third one of these, "recruitment events" she'd found herself at, and Janelle was getting more and more disillusioned by the second.  The billboard smile plastered across her face was convincing enough, and as she recited the script she'd been fed by the recruitment officials in the admissions office, she could see they were riveted.  Their daughter?  Not so much...could eyes actually get lost in the back of someone's head if they rolled far enough back?   The smile got brighter and the parents got even more interested as the redhead launched into a list of honors bestowed upon NYU in just the last couple of years.  It was definitely the place to go if you wanted a head start on the rest of your life!   

After what seemed like an eternity, the parents led their daughter away and Janelle made her way towards the buffet to see if there was actually anything edible.  The clothing for these events left something to be desired as well, it was all very business casual and buttoned up...not the kind of thing that lent itself well to buffets.   

Ah well.  It was what it was.  

The entire social event wouldn't have even blipped on his radar if it hadn't been for his exceedingly mild interest in seeing what this whole college scene was about since that seemed to be the thing most people his age were doing. Not to mentioned the face college as a whole was a dark enigma. A distant dream only to be thought about in passing but never truly looked at. On a normal day he wouldn't of even thought about it past several long minutes that wouldn't ever intrude into the double digit territory until he saw it had a buffet. A free buffet. A FREE buffet. All thoughtfully provided and funded for by the schools illustrious alumni followed by a list of people noone in the history of ever would read. Could a school that charges as much for a new year model luxury pickup for four years of attendance really afford to give away food? Erik figured there had to be a catch in there somewhere and despite his due diligence found none. Just a list of criteria stating attendees simply needed to RSVP by a certain date after filling out some info and to never have attended college before. 

He was so determined to make the most of  his free buffet experience he even skipped out on a full breakfast. Instead opting for a simply protein milkshake to ensure he didn't waste away in the meantime. When he arrived he was fairly impressed with the place. A little more upscale than someone trying to sell people on timeshares would choose but no so high end as to chase away less than affluent parents. A critical eye for con men told him it was a pretty appropriate setup for a place like NYU. his brown eyes surveyed the room until he found his target, the full spread buffet.

So as not to give away his true intention he casually wandered over to the information table and picked up a pamphlet to fake read through through as a cute redhead launched into her spiel that covered just about everything a prospective parent would want to hear and mingled his way over to the buffet table with an almost feral look in his eyes. So intent on his mission he hadn't even really paused to care that his usual attire of late, black combat boots with a crisp pair of dark blue jeans and a white cotton shirt (the sort you bought by the pack), was out of place amidst the business casual environment. He was too busy lamenting the fact that wearing a bib, despite how appropriate it felt in the heat of the moment, was some sort of social faux paux reserved for large italian men in mafia movies. The animalistic side of him wanting to just casually move a chair in front of the buffet table and declare it his domain, but that too would cause an unwanted ruckus.

Instead he contented himself with filling a plate with as much food as he dared and was now currently picking his way through the finger food with his free hand. His cheeks puffed out like a chipmunks on occasion before it disappeared only to be replaced by more..   

The food looked...alright which was really pretty good as far as these things had been concerned. Janelle tried really hard not to be a snob, but food was one of those places where she just couldn't resist splurging. If she was going to waste precious caloric intake, the food needed to be worth it. Crusty finger food that had been left over a steno for too long generally wasn't worth it.

Apparently she was being a snob though, because the food was starting to look pretty picked over. Then again...that definitely could have been because the only person in the room without parents book-ending their elbows seemed to be trying to eat it all himself. Janelle tilted her head to the side and studied the young man as he made his way through the pans of finger food.

The first thing the redhead noticed was the lack of trying-too-hard that was evident in almost every other attendee. In fact, if anything, he wasn't trying at all. Janelle was definitely intrigued. She approached.

"Thinking about applying to NYU?" she said, in her best student liaison voice, eyes glittering with barely suppressed mirth. "The food in the student union is nearly this good."

Another 10 maybe even 15 minutes tops and he could have the buffet cleared out and he could go on with his day. He ignored the envious glance of one man a bit on the plump side who looked on with envy, no doubt in the throes of a forced diet from his wife. Erik almost felt a bit of pity for the man and his progeny, almost. There were more important food related thoughts to be contemplating as he efficiently worked to shut the place down. He was vaguely aware of someone else watching him and paid it no mind until a kindly voice interjected into his personal delve into unashamed gluttony. His brown eyes slid over to regard the woman as he chewed what was in his mouth before swallowing. Taking a moment to try and decide how he wanted to play out this next interaction and settled with his usual efficient honesty. The young woman he recognized as the saleswoman in training. Thinking it might be his last morsel he grabbed another bit from the table and hastily chawed it down before speaking.

"I have given it a passing thought, most likely just go with online classes to get my generals done before deciding on a major." A phrase he had heard from someone else and he would have to look into later. Eyes glancing to the food on the table before shrugging softly with a quick smirk. "Ah, but would it be free? While not the greatest of quality whatever it lacks is made up for its lack of a price tag." Or did it? Maybe he would hit up a different buffet after all this simply to try out this theory. With the distinct lack of any sort of reproving face he felt the woman earned herself a more detailed background. "I already have a pretty good paying job so I wouldn't want school to interfere with my work hence the online classes."

Without taking his eyes too far off her he finally gave a more indepth look to the crowd around him. Oh boy, perhaps she was just taking pity on him because he looked like some random bum from right of the street. After a moments of quick thinking he figured a compliment couldn't hurt, "How did someone as nice as you end up selling dreams to parents so they could live their life vicariously through their kids?" Allowing himself to relax his discipline a bit and let some of his Russian accent shine through for the extra potential allure and sympathy points. It didn't take a genius to realize the young woman was trying to escape the responsibilities of her job for the moment if she was talking to the least likely college candidate in the room. To his credit he was giving her his full attention since it would be foolish to pass up the opportunity.   

Janelle nodded as the prospective student explained his situation and his interests in NYU. It was all very reasonable, and Janelle couldn't help but think that these were the kinds of students that the school should be putting their focus on attracting. Sure, some of the kids in this room were great, but they were probably already going to get in and this was just the kind of networking overkill that the overly ambitious loved. As for the rest...they didn't want to be in college anymore than they wanted to be at this event, they were just appeasing their parents. Janelle knew their type...they'd spend a few years wasting time, money, and space until they either grew up enough to take school seriously...or found something "better" to do with their time.

The redhead didn't know what it was like to try and juggle work and school. It was just something she'd never had to do. It didn't mean she couldn't nod her head and be an empathetic ear though. This was someone who already had a way of supporting themselves and wanted to do even more. It was downright commendable! "That's fantastic!" she said with a grin, "I haven't personally taken any online classes, but I know there are a lot available."

At the young man's last comment, the redhead couldn't help but chuckle, light brows raising in mild consternation, "Someone like me?" she said, noting that while the statement was a little off-color, the sentiment was true...so she shrugged, "NYU honestly has been really really good for me in a lot of ways." she said directly. "The people in admissions did a good job of selling this as an opportunity to let others have the same kind of experience. I'm not the type to quit once I have my teeth into something...so here I am!"

Janelle held out her hand, "I'm Janelle." she said, deciding this conversation was much more worthy than the others she could have been having. "Is any of that any good?"

Erik blinked a few times at the apparent exuberance of the woman. His own face a neutral mask as she broke out into a full grin and wondered if this would be like one of those movies where she broke out into a song about her dreams and aspirations or something. The woman had no shortage of pep in her step that was for sure. It was complete the reverse of what he was used to given  his line of work. 

He listened attentively to what she had to say before adding his own two cents in. "Yes, someone that looks like a model with a ton of positive energy and a genuine appreciation for what the school has to offer." Did that sound too flirty? Perhaps it did, but he meant every word of it as he often did when speaking. "It wouldn't hurt to mix up your own presentation so you don't get tired of hearing yourself say the same things to the parents of alumni to be. Even if it sounds like the admissions office sold you on the idea." Leaving it implied that it probably what she wasn't expecting it to be if her rehearsed speech was any indication. Offering her the tiniest of smiles before it faded.

His hand slid into hers and he gave it a polite shake. It was most likely warmer than most others she had felt, a bit like he might have a fever or had just finished a great deal of exercise, but neither of those could be true. "I am Erik, nice to meet you Janelle." With a glance towards the table he offered her his plate. "Consider this a plate of the choicer bits of food if your wanting some. I believe I got a bit carried away in my enthusiasm for free food. " Not that he looked the least bit sheepish. "What are you going to school for? I mean your major sure, but why that major?" His eyebrows raising ever so slightly betraying his genuine interest.

Ahhh, we had a smooth operator here. Janelle shook her head and laughed a little. A model? Yeah right. No model was this short...or had muddy red hair that never seemed to do what it was supposed to do. The sentiment was sweet though, and Janelle had to reflect on the fact that the people she interacted with almost universally commented on her sunny disposition. It had to be a compliment...that sort of thing was a positive personality trait, right?

As far as her spiel was concerned..."The speech isn't for me though." she said, taking a chance to glance around the room, "It's for all of them...though I do have to admit it sounds far too much like a sales pitch to me." The redhead frowned for just a moment at that, "School shouldn't be about that."

It was always said that you could tell a lot about someone by their hand shake and Erik's was firm and warm. That was a delightful change from the crushing, clammy, and/or weak ones she'd been experiencing all night from the others in the room.

Erik wanted to know about her major and suddenly Janelle was all smiles again, "Botony!" she chirped happily. As for the why...it simply wasn't polite to parade ones powers around like a business card, so she had to settle for the more simple and mundane explanation that tended to get her through in situations such as these, "I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I spent my Junior and Senior year of high school at a private school in the city and I didn't want to leave. NYU was the perfect choice." and it was, Janelle could still live in her sweet little room in the mansion and attend classes with little fuss.

"What about you? What kinds of classes would you take?"

He gave a little double blink as she laughed. If he remembered correctly that was a good sign usually right? At least she wasn't bored of him regardless of how much he managed to say something that wasn't intended to be funny. He was just going to take  his free win and roll with it. 

With the slightest of pondering he gave a tiny shrug. "Then you should tell them what you think school is about. The lifelong friends you can make, the enrichment, and all the other hidden values. Go off script and speak from the heart. The parents already know what they are getting for face value. Wouldn't help to convince the kids they would be having a good time." He hoped he was sounding like he was intent on contributing in a positive way without sounding too judgy. These sort of social interactions always seemed to trip him up and offend someone. Either that or it was just because he was Russian. It was a pain to try and figure out.

He could swear he felt the flood of energy as she talked about her major. "I was homeschooled." Came out perhaps more succinctly and abruptly then he first intended but continued on in hopes it wouldn't be noticed. Now she was asking about what he would like to take. His previous statement of taking online classes until he decided on a major was valid. In his most emotive gesture yet he scratched his cheek with his free hand. "Ideally? I think i would um... eventually like to be a.." Hesitating he looked around a moment to make sure he didn't recognize anyone else in the room. "A doctor." It came out in a whoosh of breath that turned into a sigh. It was totally at odds with his current profession. "Not that it will probably happen. I have time constraints that would make all the requirements that would not make it feasible." Only a slight pinching at his eyes betraying he wanted to frown before shrugging. "Might be able to get away with microbiology though." Well that was out there. Something he hadn't shared with anyone quite yet. "What would your dream job be with botany? Some big organic farm or more GMO style plants?"

In Janelle’s experience there was a large disparity between the things a person should do an the things that a person was going to do.

This was a tough situation and it bordered on making her feel pessimistic about the entire college admissions experience. It was too much like sales. Erik was right...and she told him so.

”I guess it’s easy to follow the crowd when you’re surrounded by other people who think it makes perfect sense.” the redhead admitted guilelessly. ”Plus, a lot of these kids are way less interested in being here than their parents. It couldn’t hurt though…” Janelle mused, almost itching to try it out. Everything seemed so simple now, and it was almost embarrassing that she hadn’t thought of it herself when being genuine tended to work out so well.

Erik, it seemed, was also in the, ‘scientifically minded’ club...if somewhat more reserved about his interest in the medical field. ”Ugh...people.” she said with an exaggerated scowl. ”I’ve heard stories though…of people who got through med school with kids and jobs and all the things that go with them...live the dream!”

Microbiology was something the redhead could get more behind. In fact, she’d had to take a number of courses as part of her major, ”The science department here is great...but I do know you have to take some of the lab courses on campus. The good news is that the commute isn’t really too awful from anywhere around town.”

As for what she wanted to do? The question made her smile a little. It was something people always wanted to know...GMO’s were a popular thing to hate.

Janelle just shrugged, ”As long as the plants are happy, I’m happy.” It was a multi-layered statement, whether Erik knew it or not. As for what she wanted to do? Janelle did elaborate, because she didn’t know...working wasn’t something that a lot of people in her family really did. It was uncharted territory.

Not that he was much of a salesman he was just glad he could help in some small way. Most of what he learned from selling people were in far more illicit trades and con men from the sidelines. Now those were true salesmen. They sold people on items they didn't even have in hand. Compared to something like that college seemed like an easy auction. He gave a nod of encouragement as she ran through the idea in her own head, obviously already some ideas formulating even as she spoke.

Erik couldn't help but smirk as she seemed to slowly be drawing him out. Something that was difficult for the young man that had spent most of his formative years hiding his emotions. He gave a brief smile as she mentioned people. "Hey now, some of us horrible people might get offended by that statement." Managing to suppress the chuckle he felt however. "Are you trying to practice your refined pitch on me or is this off the books Janelle who is talking?" His voice chimed in an amused manner, live the dream huh?

"I could most likely squeeze in labs easily enough, but I will see how my online studies go. At the worst I know I can get a nice Associate's Degree without too much fuss. That in itself would be a nice achievement." Especially since he wasn't sure anyone else in his family had anything even close to a formal education. Not they weren't lacking in smarts it just wasn't the first thing on everyone's mind. Her little comment on plants causing both his eyebrows to raise. The multitude of directions one could take that left it hard to nail down the exact meaning and he wasn't about to try and pry it loose in a social function for parents. So he mentioned the thought aloud. "There is something to that statement that makes me want to unravel it, but not right this second." Of course she could just be one of those people who were super passionate about plants.

A thought occurred to him and his mouth opened briefly before he hesitated. After a mental shrug and telling himself 'screw it' he went for it. "I wouldn't want you to get into trouble for speaking with me too long, but if you would like we could talk about it over a late dinner?" There was even the slightest gesture with his hand. She herself had just said to live the dream and for his first time trying to ask someone out he felt like he didn't do too bad. If nothing else it was good practice since someone like her had to be taken already. Compared to getting shot he found it was rather easy by comparison.  

Was this, "off the books Janelle"? The redhead tilted her head slightly to the side, pondering the question as Erik continued to talk about his potential plans for school, how it would work for him. Why else would a person do something like going to college? College seemed like one of those things that a person should only do if they really had their heart in the idea. For most people it meant debt, and a time commitment unlike anything they'd experienced before. It would practically be a waste of time to do it if your heart weren't in it.

An Associates Degree, he said, Janelle nodded her head, eyes narrowing slightly in concentration as she tried to remember something from one of the seminars she'd attended to learn about NYU before joining the student outreach program. "There are lots of science and medicine jobs that you can do with an Associates Degree, lab techs in a lot of places need associates degrees, some nurses and surgical assistants...all good options." as for the rest of the statement, wanting to dig deeper into her comment about the plants and their happiness, she just smiled and shrugged obtusely.

And then Janelle got asked to dinner.

Well. That was an interesting turn of events, and not at all what she had expected from tonight's activities. For the first time, Janelle really studied the young man in front of her.

If she had to guess, they were close in age...but sometimes it was hard to tell. He was taller than her, but didn't tower like a giant and so far he seemed like the kind of person that it might be nice to get to know better. She considered for a moment and then gave a quick, decisive nod and a small smile, "I think I'd like that." she said.

"There's a good pizza place around the corner from here that's always got hot slices. I'm done here in a little while, if that works?"

It was a lot of information to process all at once and he did his best to not look completely ignorant of anything she was saying. His ability to maintain his usual neutral face was exceedingly helpful in situations like this. All of those were positions he resolved to look up at a later time. So he gave an interested, but non committal "I will will have to look into those ideas. Thankfully I have some time to figure it out." Or figure out if he even wanted to go to school at all. Would it really be possible for a guy like him to be a 'productive' member of society outside of his job in private security? Was there a job out there that could make him feel more contributory to the Earth? Erik was skeptical.

Erik could almost read the exact moment in her face when he went from just a prospective student to something more personal. The fact she didn't immediately turn him down was already more than he expected so the paranoiac endured the scrutiny with some idle munching. Then she even picked out a place! Saving him the internal dialogue as well as a back and forth of trying to decide on somewhere appropriate. "That sounds good to me. I can always eat some good pizza." A thoughtful pause occured. "Hmmm.. Is it literally around the corner or will we need a ride? New Yorkers can be a bit understating when it comes to distances." Smirking just the tiniest bit as he spoke. Around the corner to some of them could mean two miles down and around the corner. Americans! Now he just had to make it through this outing? Date? His almost complete lack of experience in such things left him without the word to describe it.

If they needed a ride he had that covered. "I will wait outside and let you finish up here then so I am not hovering. It will also give you the opportunity to sneak out the back if you change your mind." Offering her a small smile to help let her know it was a joke despite the flat delivery after which he turned and moved to wait outside and wondering what she would do.     

Whelp...she’d gone and done it again. Janelle nearly rolled her eyes at herself as she overwhelmed Erik with a deluge of career options. He’d come here for information, not life planning! He spoke, and Janelle nodded her head, eager for a seguey out of that particular topic of conversation...she had a terrible tendency to be a know-it-all sometimes and it was something she simply had to work on.

Erik seemed to be amenable to grabbing pizza around the corner after she was finished here, but he was a little concerned about the walk. Janelle did laugh at that comment and looked conspicuously down at the practical, but somewhat pinchy, pumps she’d donned for the occasion. ”It’s literally right around the corner from the hotel. It’s not fancy, but it’s really good.I haven’t been in the city long enough to skew my sense of distance.”

That all established, Erik excused himself to wait outside, being so kind as to even offer the redhead an escape route if she changed her mind about the impromptu dinner invitation. She chuckled lightly at the suggestion an shook her head, she wouldn’t have agreed if she hadn’t wanted to .

Janelle checked her watch, noting that she only had about 25 more minutes until her shift at the event was over. It was a decent amount of time to try out some of the suggestions Erik had given and she wandered over to some parents and a child who looked more uncomfortable than skeptical of the event.

25 minutes later, Janelle made her way outside into the brisk New York air. It was always a little amazing to Janelle how it could ever be cold in a space with so many cars, buildings, and people in such a small area, but the city managed. Erik was nearby, as promised, and Janelle made her way over to him, shoving her hands into her pockets for warmth.

”I tried you suggestions…” she said by way of greeting as she approached, ”There was couple and their son who live in Queens, this was actually their first college visit because he’d been reluctant to pick somewhere out of state. They seemed receptive to my overenthusiasm...you may be onto something.”

Janelle smiled, ”Shall we?”

The semi planned strategic retreat felt like a stroke of genius as he made his way outside. Certainly it was a completely normal impulse to invite an attractive girl out. An impulse he feared would lead to his impromptu... was it a date? He didn't even know how to classify it! What sort of conversations did normal people have? The list of 'safe' topics he had in his back pocket amounted to the last magazine he had read with a spot of lint. At worst the upcoming disaster would provide valuable intelligence for his next attempt. Now he almost felt guilty for his guinea pig of a.. date? The 25 minutes stretched on amidst his wracked self conscious until he heard her voice.

"Hmmm?" An eyebrow raised as she approached. Suggestions? He was at a loss until she elaborated further. Ah! "I do try to be helpful." He gave her a small more genuine smile then he had allowed himself back in the more professional setting. Erik was trying to be helpful, but had attributed her over enthusiasm in the same vein as fast talking car salesmen. Only with far more genuine honesty behind it. "We shall." Nodding in the affirmative as they set off. Despite the brisk air he hadn't bothered with a jacket or a long sleeve.

"You mentioned you haven't been in the city long? I have been here... a year and few months I believe. It is quite the city. I am beginning to think if you can't find it in New York it doesn't exist." He attempted to make idle conversation as they strolled down the street. "And how did you get roped into being a glorified saleswoman for the school?" Erik had always thought that a certain level of fudging the the facts was required to sell people on anything in his experience. She seemed far to honest for that sort of thing.

As the two began to make their way towards the pizza shop around the corner, Erik asked a couple of questions and Janelle nodded by way of acknowledgement as she thought about how to answer.

Having never been much of one to sugar coat things or deny who she was, she answered truthfully. Better to do so now than ruin a meal if her origins were distasteful to her dinner date.

”Relatively new…” she conceded, ”I’ve been coming to the city with my parents since I was little, but I didn’t live here until my junior year of high school” she paused for a moment, wondering if it would just be easier to pass it off as boarding school…

”You see, I finished high school at Xavier’s School for the Gifted. My parents thought it was best once they found out I was a mutant.” the term still made Janelle want to wrinkle her nose a bit. Slowly but surely they were, ‘taking the word back’ as so many had done with malign labels, but there was still a stigma and it all seemed rather funny.

”I grew up in the suburbs upstate…” That she would be cagey about...she still felt her parents had more money than sense and it didn’t do well to flaunt the fact. ”And I didn’t leave the Mansion much until after I started at NYU...the job was advertised as a way to give back…and I felt like I owed at least a little for broadening my horizons.” There...that was acceptable.

”What about you?” she said, ”Where were you before?”