[For Parker, Parker (Not a Typo), and Illyana] Bothering Ms. Rasputin

[st_opsummoningme]

It wasn't precisely that Illyana could not or would not provide mentorship. She'd been instructed by enough of the X-men that she had seen it done. She had willingly collaborated, and on occasion, even encouraged. She knew what it felt like to bond with a team or an individual, and the greater accomplishments to be had as a result. (Things were progressing Acceptably with Corbie.)

But there was a certain rather enthusiastic type of student that generally required more patience than she was inclined to practice. Piotr found them inspiring. Kitty found them amusing. Illyana did not find them, generally speaking. They found her.

Such was the case with Peter's unscheduled delivery, after which she placed a succinct call to inform Parker that he ought to meet with her in the library at once if he intended to discuss the book he needed to return. She would also be available to instruct him on the correct donation procedure.

The other Parker, as it happened, was an entirely coincidental arrival.

Comments

[st_opsummoningme]

The blonde tipped her head slightly, giving her a more intense stare. "That depends on why you want to learn Russian, of all languages. We don't have many Russian teaching materials here as of yet." And it was hardly the most obvious choice for someone such as Liz, who appeared to be modern and American in the contemporary sense.

[st_hotflashes]

"Oh, um. Well.. I was hoping to maybe learn some Russian to surprise someone. Piotr, actually." Some how the flush on her cheeks grew, but she didn't know why. Maybe she was worried it sounded incredibly stupid.

[st_opsummoningme]

"Of course you are." The words were hard and flat. "He has been instructing you on the subject of art, hasn't he?"

[st_hotflashes]

She paused. Did she say something wrong or was this just her misinterpreting something because Illyana was Russian?

"Yeah, he is. I'm not very good, but I'm trying." She offered another smile.

[st_opsummoningme]

She had said something wrong in a sense. But it wasn't her fault, Illyana recognized. Parker probably had no idea what it might mean to Piotr, to have a sweet, pretty, pleasant younger student who spoke Russian and so blatantly sought his approval.

"Has he given you a Russian nickname yet? He is partial to those."

[st_hotflashes]

He opened her mouth, then paused, which probably told Illyana 'yes' before she even spoke. Somehow Liz wasn't sure how to answer that, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to lie.

"um. Yes, I guess he has..." Liz liked it.

[st_opsummoningme]

"I'm sure it's charming. And not very creative," Illyana determined when Parker hesitated. But she didn't ask what that name was.

She leaned forward and placed her hands flat on the desk instead, bracing herself. "Why don't you begin by telling me something specific that you'd like to learn? Starting with a concise word or familiar phrase can be good incentive to do the work of learning an entire language."

[st_hotflashes]

Liz had thought about phrases she thought would be good to learn first.

"I was thinking... Maybe 'how are you' and the various responses to that. And work on the enouciation of please and thank you.... If you think that's a good idea?"

Liz wasn't even sure if Illyana was agreeing to teach her. Something was definitely up between her and Piotr though.

[st_opsummoningme]

Liz couldn't know if Illyana had decided to teach her yet because Illyana herself hadn't decided. She hadn't decided yet if she ought to be offended by the request, and if so, what the appropriate punishment was. The girl herself was frustratingly innocuous.

She exhaled a heavy breath. "That depends. Are you truly interested in learning Russian for yourself, or is it only for Piotr's benefit? I don't waste my time with half-hearted students, and there are easier ways to ingratiate yourself to your art teacher."

[st_hotflashes]

Liz felt a bit defensive and her expression hardened just a little but still in the realm of polite. "Can't it be both?" She paused. "I don't want to learn it just so Piotr will like me. It's not that... I want to learn so he doesn't feel as - as lonely. But learning a new language will also help me get into Harvard which is the college I want to go to after high school. And.. and knowing new languages here can help me talk to other people if they can't speak English well."

[st_opsummoningme]

Piotr would feel less lonely if he wasn't such an idiot, Illyana allowed herself the thought. But she did not say as much aloud.

Nor did she point out that the odds were decidedly set against Parker ever attending Harvard.

She just eased herself back upright, into the correct posture that had become natural to her, and rested a hand at her hip. "Make your own reasons your motivation," Illyana advised. "I don't especially care what they are, so long as you prove a good student. And I'll be teaching you Moscow Russian. Don't pick up the touch of backwater Siberia in Piotr's dialect."

It was her native dialect, too. But that was beside the point, and Illyana wouldn't be sloppy about her instruction.

[st_hotflashes]

The stubbornness in Liz mounted and she nodded. She was now going to work hard to impress her because she wanted to show how capable she was.

"I'll do whatever lessons you ask of me. I work hard and if you don't think I'm doing a good job then I'll stop being your student and I won't bring it up again."

[st_opsummoningme]

"Don't tell me," Illyana prompted curtly. "Show me. Prove yourself. Based on your rudimentary knowledge, how do you think you should thank your Russian teacher?"

She lifted her chin and gave the girl a demanding look. Parker would know how to answer if she'd bothered to pay attention earlier.

[st_hotflashes]

Liz paused and had to think for a minute. It was probably obvious she was making some connections in her head.

"...пожалуйста" she worked hard to enouciate it even better. She almost had it down this time, but her accent was still hindering it a bit.

[st_opsummoningme]

Illyana inclined her head in acknowledgment. It wasn't right. But the girl looked as if she recognized that herself.

"I'll put together a basic lesson plan and produce some study materials." Which would likely amount to her and Kitty sitting down with a bottle of wine and trading stories about the Parkers. "We can fix your atrocious accent. But there is no cure for stupid."

[st_hotflashes]

Liz nodded. "Okay, thank you. Thank you very much."

She paused, hovering there for only a split second longer. "Have a good day."

And then she made a b line for the door before Illyana could change her mind.