"It was... good to know."
"Thanks. Sorry again. I just...Dara's the only family I have left, so I'm pretty protective of him. It's hard when people don't understand why he's so weird."
She gave a halfhearted smile. "Always good to know what the sore spots are so you don't accidentally hit them later."
"Anyways, you were going to get some more breakfast...and I should go get Dara before he gets mad and thinks I forgot him."
"uh not long ago. I was mostly bored... should I not have sung? I'm sorry if that was rude" he looks embarrassed.
"Uh, no, no... you're fine. I just.. don't normally sing in front of people."
"It was... good to know."
"Thanks. Sorry again. I just...Dara's the only family I have left, so I'm pretty protective of him. It's hard when people don't understand why he's so weird."
She gave a halfhearted smile. "Always good to know what the sore spots are so you don't accidentally hit them later."
"Anyways, you were going to get some more breakfast...and I should go get Dara before he gets mad and thinks I forgot him."
adon nods, and heads off to eat more without another word.
It was a step forward, at least.
Miss Jones had told Djalos that he had to let out his emotions, otherwise psychic buildup would eventually incapacitate him. Unfortunately, despite his hundred years of experiences, nothing the Anonemuss had taught Djalos prepared him for having friends, or people close to that, anyways. There was a social paradox involved: in order to truly resolve emotional turmoil, friends were needed. Yet it struck Djalos with a paralyzing fear to even think of relating all of his guilt, his sadness, his anger, the truth of everything to Adon and Sadie.
So he struck a compromise. A five-minute emotional breakdown and crying jag every six hours was better than nothing, at the very least. While Adon and Sadie discussed grave matters in the cafeteria, Djalos' internal alarm went off. Businesslike, he paused his work, turned into a reading room, then collapsed and began sobbing as he let his emotions overwhelm him.
"you have a beautiful voice"
"you have a beautiful voice"
viskra spunds like nails on a chalkboard again, now that she stopped singing.
"I, uh, i mean, uh."viskra fidgets, debating taking off.
|
Feeling better than she had in days, almost cheerful even, Nala went in to the room and shook Vai slightly where she was still asleep on a cot, having finally passed out from exhaustion after hours of standing watch over the cocooned Phaezeriel. "Vai? It's time to wake up. We're going to need you to leave the room for a while. I'm not sure exactly how long. There's a large energy buildup and we need to put up safety shields. Probably part of his transformation. I can section off a part of the waiting room for you with a view screen so you can see what's happening. But you can't stay here.""Oh, thank goodness. Something went right for once," she said, relieved as she takes a sip of the highly suspect drink. "I'll go tell Vai what's going on. Hopefully I can convince her to vacate the room, at least temporarily."If the feeling of a bright morning after a solid night's rest and a brisk, invigorating shower had a smell, that would be the one coming off the glowing beverage. A few moments after Nala's first sip, she can feel her fatigue fading and her mind clearing. A couple more sips and by the time she gets to the iso-room, she is feeling good enough, almost, to start humming to herself.
** spoiler omitted **
Inside the iso-room, there is a barely audible hum coming from the cocoon. It must have built by the most minuscule steps for Vai to have not noticed it yet.
Vai groans as she gets shook "I don wanna"
"or at least you were before you got all nervous and stopped singing"
"or at least you were before you got all nervous and stopped singing"
"Uuuuh...."
"... sorry. I was trying to compliment you... sounded better in my head"
"... sorry. I was trying to compliment you... sounded better in my head"
viskra just falls silent for a while, unsure.
Grim walks up and pats her on the side
Grim walks up and pats her on the side
"So, uh. What were you up to?:
"looking for something to do. Lang woke up before I did"
"looking for something to do. Lang woke up before I did"
"Oh. Uhm. Alright. Sorry to interrupt that."
Grim laughs "Nah, When I came across you singing I found something fun to do,"
Grim laughs "Nah, When I came across you singing I found something fun to do,"
"Really? Where?"
"talking to you, silly"
"talking to you, silly"
"... you have an odd definition of fun."
"I think I might just be a little odd in general"
"I think I might just be a little odd in general"
"I suppose you're in good company then."
"Where I'm from you get to do whatever you want. Everyone usually has daily chores, but on your birthday, you get your day off and you can do whatever you feel like. I always liked to go fishing, or climb trees. I explored the mountain on the island one time, but as you know, that was a really bad idea."
He exhales slightly more heavily than usual, making his breath visible to demonstrate that his icy condition is the product of the bad decision to explore the mountain. He's learned to breathe quietly to keep that from happening. If he had to be a popsicle, he didn't have to make it any more obvious than it has to be.
"But, I also lived on a tiny island. This place is a lot bigger. Plus, you and I and the others can go, like, anywhere since we became champions, right? Is there anything you've ever wanted to try but couldn't til now?"
He keeps up his sewing work, moving faster and making far fewer mistakes than any normal person could.
Dave blinks and thinks for a bit "hmm, I honestly am having some degree of difficulty thinking of where I want to go or what I want to dotoday."
She lets him lead the way out of the infirmary since he seemed to think it was not appropriate to talk there before she starts talking...
Fei remains silent throughout Asha's tale, though his brow is deeply furrowed by the end of it.
"You...have no need to apologize. To me or anyone else. And I have just recently become aware of some of the...atrocities that some of the firebird noble houses have committed against their own people, and helped to stop one of them. The family affected by that actually resides here in Avalon, and I think at some point you should speak with them, as you have common ground to build upon."
"They are the del Sols, and they are...friends of the Sunwake family that helped found this school. One of their daughters is married to one of their sons...but I digress too much. They are good people, and worthy of earning your trust."
"You are right to have this anger, and you are right to be concerned about it. I can tell you, however, that there may not have been very many firebirds (even nobles) who knew the full measure of what transpired. To pass judgment on people you have never even met is to give in to the same hatred that allowed these atrocities to occur in the first place."
"We have instructors here at Avalon who are well-versed in the arts of deep meditation to help deal with such feelings. My own...condition...has benefited greatly from their teachings. They could help you control these feelings you have and channel them into more constructive uses.
"Perhaps something as simple as a physical fitness regimen would allow you to 'vent' your frustrations without harming anyone, especially yourself. Many of the students here do so to great effect."
"I am not sure if they will be helpful, but they are the first thoughts that come to my mind," he concludes with an apologetic bow.
"You know, I never even considered that before, that Champions would be drawn to each other. I should have. I feel kinda dumb now. Oh, and his name is Krays. He's the one who's a kobold most of the time. Er, let's see. There's Asch and Amada. They're a thing. Darkness and Love. But they've been off world since I got back so I haven't seen them. Oh, man, if she sees Serrin before someone tells her what happened this is gonna be rough Umm....Jim Rivets, Enre, they were friends with Ephebe. I haven't seen either of them since I got back either. Oh, and there's Keme. He's annoying and....doesn't have a Champion aura anymore..." she said as she spotted Keme sitting across the cafeteria. "I'm starting to feel so out of the loop." She shrugged. "So there's probably others. My information is kinda out of date. Ironically enough."
"Sometimes it takes a while to get a roommate. I wouldn't worry too much about it. You're still ahead of me. I haven't got a room yet. Nothing says I've got my life together like still staying with mom and dad," she said, rolling her eyes. "What I really need to do is go clothes shopping. Pretty much everything I have is from three years ago and is the rejects from what Ephebe didn't want. At least that would be a step in the right direction."
Jasper tries to discreetly produce a note card and pen from his pocket to add Krays to the flash cards.
"Guess we can learn the newest state of affairs together, huh?"
He glances over to Keme, or at least the general direction of him, since he doesn't have an aura to find any more.
"Clothes shopping sounds good to me. Should find a gift for the party too. But we can go and apply you for a room first, if you wanna move out."
Tybalt finishes one of the pieces and lays it over to the side, starting on another.
"Maybe I could take you ruin running. Maybe find some cool stuff. Or we could go see about getting that watch put together and get your robe pattern swapped over now that I'm done with my project."
Dave smiles "either or both of those sound great!"
"I think I might just be a little odd in general""I suppose you're in good company then."
Grim smiles and nods "do you often sing in the mornings here?"
"I think I might just be a little odd in general""I suppose you're in good company then."Grim smiles and nods "do you often sing in the mornings here?"
"No, I don't. It's rsther uncommon for me to sing, to be honest."
Grim sits down beside her. "Why is that?"
Grim sits down beside her. "Why is that?"
"Well, I've been told my songs can make people sad sometimes."
"Everything can make someone sad"
"Everything can make someone sad"
"Not exactly the point, grim..."
Grim frowns "then what is? Does the song make you sad?"
Grim frowns "then what is? Does the song make you sad?"
"Grim, that's not... I... Nevermind."
Grim frowns but says, with childlike determination "well I liked it"
Grim frowns but says, with childlike determination "well I liked it"
"I... Uh. Thanks."
Vai groans as she gets shook "I don wanna"Feeling better than she had in days, almost cheerful even, Nala went in to the room and shook Vai slightly where she was still asleep on a cot, having finally passed out from exhaustion after hours of standing watch over the cocooned Phaezeriel. "Vai? It's time to wake up. We're going to need you to leave the room for a while. I'm not sure exactly how long. There's a large energy buildup and we need to put up safety shields. Probably part of his transformation. I can section off a part of the waiting room for you with a view screen so you can see what's happening. But you can't stay here.""Oh, thank goodness. Something went right for once," she said, relieved as she takes a sip of the highly suspect drink. "I'll go tell Vai what's going on. Hopefully I can convince her to vacate the room, at least temporarily."If the feeling of a bright morning after a solid night's rest and a brisk, invigorating shower had a smell, that would be the one coming off the glowing beverage. A few moments after Nala's first sip, she can feel her fatigue fading and her mind clearing. A couple more sips and by the time she gets to the iso-room, she is feeling good enough, almost, to start humming to herself.
** spoiler omitted **
Inside the iso-room, there is a barely audible hum coming from the cocoon. It must have built by the most minuscule steps for Vai to have not noticed it yet.
"Well, I think that you don't want to get hit by a magical blast even more. Can't you hear the humming? It's getting stronger. And I think that Phaezeriel would be very sad if he accidentally hurt you because you were being stubborn. Now, come on," Nala said firmly.
"Don't mention it"
"Don't mention it"
"Uh. Ok, I won't."
She lets him lead the way out of the infirmary since he seemed to think it was not appropriate to talk there before she starts talking...Fei remains silent throughout Asha's tale, though his brow is deeply furrowed by the end of it.
"You...have no need to apologize. To me or anyone else. And I have just recently become aware of some of the...atrocities that some of the firebird noble houses have committed against their own people, and helped to stop one of them. The family affected by that actually resides here in Avalon, and I think at some point you should speak with them, as you have common ground to build upon."
"They are the del Sols, and they are...friends of the Sunwake family that helped found this school. One of their daughters is married to one of their sons...but I digress too much. They are good people, and worthy of earning your trust."
"You are right to have this anger, and you are right to be concerned about it. I can tell you, however, that there may not have been very many firebirds (even nobles) who knew the full measure of what transpired. To pass judgment on people you have never even met is to give in to the same hatred that allowed these atrocities to occur in the first place."
"We have instructors here at Avalon who are well-versed in the arts of deep meditation to help deal with such feelings. My own...condition...has benefited greatly from their teachings. They could help you control these feelings you have and channel them into more constructive uses.
"Perhaps something as simple as a physical fitness regimen would allow you to 'vent' your frustrations without harming anyone, especially yourself. Many of the students here do so to great effect."
"I am not sure if they will be helpful, but they are the first thoughts that come to my mind," he concludes with an apologetic bow.
"Too much physical fitness is kind of what got me into trouble this morning. When I was locked up, I used to climb up to the only window so I could watch. One of the times that I climbed up there I saw some entertainers performing in the square. They could do all sorts of things, but my favorite were the acrobats. I've been practicing ever since. Especially when I feel lonely. I practiced too much last night. Usually just falling through the floor doesn't use up so much energy that I need the infirmary, but I guess with all the energy I used during practice last night...."
"Well, anyways, meditation, huh? I'm supposed to start taking that. Professor Shiro thinks it might help me learn how to control my powers. I guess it's multi-purpose.""Del Sol...that sounds familiar....Oh! I know! That was the name of the girl Embre was supposed to marry, but she ran off and married someone else! He was so mad. I thought she must be pretty smart running away from him like that. I wished I could have too. That was definitely the worst time. I guess that if they just had to deal with that kind of stuff, probably I shouldn't go trying to talk to them today, but it's a good suggestion. I mean, how can I not trust someone my family hates?"
She bit her lip, and frowned as she circled around to the problem at the heart of things again. "So, what you're saying is that I need to stop generalizing? That's what you mean right? Judging individuals by the actions of groups and all that? But....I'm scared. I'm scared of trusting the wrong person. I'm scared of having anything to do with my own kind. I'm scared of being hurt again after I worked so hard to escape that," she said, gazing at her feet, unable to bring herself to look up.
"You know, I never even considered that before, that Champions would be drawn to each other. I should have. I feel kinda dumb now. Oh, and his name is Krays. He's the one who's a kobold most of the time. Er, let's see. There's Asch and Amada. They're a thing. Darkness and Love. But they've been off world since I got back so I haven't seen them. Oh, man, if she sees Serrin before someone tells her what happened this is gonna be rough Umm....Jim Rivets, Enre, they were friends with Ephebe. I haven't seen either of them since I got back either. Oh, and there's Keme. He's annoying and....doesn't have a Champion aura anymore..." she said as she spotted Keme sitting across the cafeteria. "I'm starting to feel so out of the loop." She shrugged. "So there's probably others. My information is kinda out of date. Ironically enough."
"Sometimes it takes a while to get a roommate. I wouldn't worry too much about it. You're still ahead of me. I haven't got a room yet. Nothing says I've got my life together like still staying with mom and dad," she said, rolling her eyes. "What I really need to do is go clothes shopping. Pretty much everything I have is from three years ago and is the rejects from what Ephebe didn't want. At least that would be a step in the right direction."
Jasper tries to discreetly produce a note card and pen from his pocket to add Krays to the flash cards.
"Guess we can learn the newest state of affairs together, huh?"
He glances over to Keme, or at least the general direction of him, since he doesn't have an aura to find any more.
"Clothes shopping sounds good to me. Should find a gift for the party too. But we can go and apply you for a room first, if you wanna move out."
She shook her head. "No, it's fine. I'll get that sorted out by the end of the weekend. It would be weird demanding that they fix it now. It's a different kind of thing when the people in charge are family. I'm just struggling with feeling like I've been left behind. Post-resurrection blues I guess," she added with a wry smile.
"Oh, yeah, I'd totally forgotten that we'd need to bring presents. Hmm. Kuros is supposed to be a mess right now, so no shopping there I think. We'd need to go a little farther afield. There's Mentor, I guess, but they're more academically inclined. Maybe not the best shopping. We could go somewhere off world. As long as we never, ever tell my dad about it. I would be in so much trouble."
This eventually gets Vai to wake up. She rubs her eyes as she stands and asks "is he gonna be ok?"
"I'm not getting any bad readings. I think so, yes. I think this is just a normal part of his transformation. I'll set you up with a view screen so you can still watch and make sure he's okay. But the readings suggest it's not healthy for anyone to be within a certain radius that would be a lot bigger than it is if we didn't have containment shields," she said, leading Vai to the waiting room.
"Running takes a lot out of ya, really, so I dunno if it's best before a party. Plus with getting you registered and getting your physical, I'm not sure we'd have time to actually get to a run after. But, accounting eating breakfast and gathering supplies, if we can find a watch without a whole lot of delay, we could get that done before lunch. We'll have to go off world probably with how the city got attacked. I may know some places."
He holds up a finished suit for Dave.
He turns around and covers his eyes, not so much out of modesty, but more to be surprised as to how it looks on him.
"We could get breakfast out for a change, if you want. See if we can find anything cool."
She shook her head. "No, it's fine. I'll get that sorted out by the end of the weekend. It would be weird demanding that they fix it now. It's a different kind of thing when the people in charge are family. I'm just struggling with feeling like I've been left behind. Post-resurrection blues I guess," she added with a wry smile.
"Oh, yeah, I'd totally forgotten that we'd need to bring presents. Hmm. Kuros is supposed to be a mess right now, so no shopping there I think. We'd need to go a little farther afield. There's Mentor, I guess, but they're more academically inclined. Maybe not the best shopping. We could go somewhere off world. As long as we never, ever tell my dad about it. I would be in so much trouble."
At the mention of something being off limits, Jasper grins and raises an eye brow.
"Why even take the job if we can't use the perks to have fun every once in a while, eh?"
He closes his mouth and literally pulls a physical zipper shut over it in response to not telling her dad, bouncing his eyebrows a little.
He pulls it back open, and it vanishes along with that. "Soooo, I haven't exactly been out and about in a while. Any idea as to where we should go?"
She shook her head. "No, it's fine. I'll get that sorted out by the end of the weekend. It would be weird demanding that they fix it now. It's a different kind of thing when the people in charge are family. I'm just struggling with feeling like I've been left behind. Post-resurrection blues I guess," she added with a wry smile.
"Oh, yeah, I'd totally forgotten that we'd need to bring presents. Hmm. Kuros is supposed to be a mess right now, so no shopping there I think. We'd need to go a little farther afield. There's Mentor, I guess, but they're more academically inclined. Maybe not the best shopping. We could go somewhere off world. As long as we never, ever tell my dad about it. I would be in so much trouble."
At the mention of something being off limits, Jasper grins and raises an eye brow.
"Why even take the job if we can't use the perks to have fun every once in a while, eh?"
He closes his mouth and literally pulls a physical zipper shut over it in response to not telling her dad, bouncing his eyebrows a little.
He pulls it back open, and it vanishes along with that. "Soooo, I haven't exactly been out and about in a while. Any idea as to where we should go?"
"Well, I haven't really got out a lot myself, but I've been looking over some records and maps and things and there is this one place. It's totally dedicated to shopping. Like, the entire planet is one giant shopping mall. I'd have to be careful that no one found out what I am, but hey, it's only for a few hours and I look pretty human. I think it'll be fine," she said, grinning. She'd always been a rule follower so she didn't have a lot of experience with rebellious behavior. It was more fun than she'd thought it would be. "But I'll definitely need a jacket or a purse or something to hide my Casters. Those are also not okay to cary openly in the Empire."
He thinks for a moment as he stacks up his dishes.
"Weeeell, I have no idea where we'd get one of those without shopping for it, so, if you want, I can offer a one time use of the W word for it. But you're gonna have to be more specific than "Jacket or Purse or Something" and we should wait until we're not in the middle of the cafeteria."
Ace glances over to the girl Ginni was talking about ::"Nope, not a clue. Maybe she was trying to be friendly?"::
He thinks for a moment as he stacks up his dishes.
"Weeeell, I have no idea where we'd get one of those without shopping for it, so, if you want, I can offer a one time use of the W word for it. But you're gonna have to be more specific than "Jacket or Purse or Something" and we should wait until we're not in the middle of the cafeteria."
"Nope. I told you I wasn't going to do that to you and I meant it. You are your own person and you can decide how to use your own powers. No magical compulsions. Not from me anyway," she said emphatically. "I'm sure I can scrounge up something from the boys' old room. Jiminy had all kinds of stuff designed for hiding things. No way he took all of them. Plus I need to stop at my room anyways to get my allowance money so I can actually pay for stuff," she added with a shrug.
Ace glances over to the girl Ginni was talking about ::"Nope, not a clue. Maybe she was trying to be friendly?"::
::Probably. Well, we can be friendly back, I suppose. She might be new.::
Ginni paused from inhaling her giant pile of sugar long enough to wave back to the new girl. "Hi. I'm Ginni. This is Ace. I don't think I've seen you around before," she said, with a friendly smile towards Jessa.