Dana, after a long pause, finally spoke. She seemed to harbor the same feeling of dread growing in Aislin's own chest. "... I'm worried. Very worried. This doesn't feel like the Academy I spent seven years of my life in...."

"...I feared as much." Aislin bit her lip, more mumbling to herself. "What's going on in the shadows here? How long until we ask the right questions, never mind answers?" Her brow furrowed as they neared the hospital and she lapsed into a tense silence, her mind throwing back every question still unanswered in this hellish, hellish and damned school for the genetically gifted. 

God. Dammit.

Her frustration extended beyond herself. Jaska morphed into her mind, the monster with glowing golden eyes. What if his transformation wasn't accidental? It seemed he was the catalyst in creating chaos in her new home. The devil after was icing on the cake, and the true killer revealed himself for a moment. She remembered his/her silhouette perfectly, now just to unmask the bastard...

In their travels across school grounds Aislin couldn't help but catch the scene in front of the cafeteria. It was a blur of lights and shadows of officials marching around. This immediately set off alarms in Aislin's head, and she almost expected it when Adam got a phone call. She had never seen such panic in a teacher's eyes before. The kind of panic figures of authority never show around kids; they are meant to be a foundation of strength, but the way Adam looked caused Aislin to be afraid. Something was terribly wrong.

Adam took off running. Dana reacted more than Aislin, she simply stared coldly as he left. Dammit, he wasn't even going to hint at the news. She felt she had a right to know what was going on, she was the one who got tragically sucked into this first. 

Dana sounded a little hollow. "... I don't know what to do now. Head into the hospital?"

They were just outside the building, yet even though Adam direly requested it, Aislin had other plans. She folded her arms and stuck out her chin, planting her feet firmly on the sidewalk. "No." Her eyes hovered on Dana's before drifting to where the cafeteria building was located. "I need answers. If Adam won't divulge, then I'll simply go to the source. You can stay here. But I'm going to the cafeteria. Something's happened, and I'm gonna find out exactly what. Maybe... Maybe it'll get me a step closer..."

It was then Aislin noticed footsteps approaching from behind. She spun around, flashing a beam of light into the rainy darkness. He seemed to be a student, very tall with matted brown hair and thoroughly soaked clothes. The shock factor was the blood seeping from a wound on his face, and his bloodied jeans. Aislin inhaled sharply. "Ah fuck."

She flicked the beam off, placing the flashlight in her other hand while she approached the limping student. She ducked under one of his arms, drawing it over her shoulder to grip his wrist tightly. He would be better supported now. "Come on, let's get you into the hospital. Did someone attack you? What happened?" She said, cursing under her breath. What a shit-ridden day...

Her hand holding the flashlight prodded the handicap button on the wall, and the hospital doors automatically opened. Aislin slowly walked down the hallway with Mark, finding the waiting room empty save a few people. She leaned him toward one of the chairs, releasing her grip on his wrist. "Here. Take a seat." Aislin glanced at Dana, barely managing a smile. "Are there any nurses around? Could you by chance flag one down for us please? Maybe they'll have towels."

She sat in one of the chairs beside Mark, shaking her head softly before meeting his eyes. "My name's Aislin. I don't believe we've met. I wish I could introduce myself in a better light," She briefly paused to look down at her torn and muddied clothes. "But it looks like both of us have had quite the shit day."

Deborah Termellio, Shannon Balore, Jago Javuant, Nicholas Raynor, Henry Olin, Ben & Claire Voss.



Something happened at the cafeteria? Hm? What could that possibly be? Well, that was the question - and Ms. Termellio is going to find the answer. "I don't know what's going on myself, Claire.." Deborah raised a leg, and scratched the back of her calf. But she didn't break eye contact with Claire the whole time. "... But I'm going to find out..." Deborah whipped around and headed out the exit, before coming to a brief stop and turning her head back towards the group. "If anyone wishes to join me...." She asked before continuing. She was followed by Jago and Shannon - since, hell, they didn't have anything better to do.

Nicholas was definitely the first to nod to Deborah. He had been watching these chaotic past moments, and to be honest, getting out of here and checking on the others seemed to feel like the only sane thing to do considering the fact that so much chaos was being caused by -just- staying here. So he quickly got to following Deborah, not quite yet lighting up his flame, especially in the presence of a strange person like Claire who seemed to be able to communicate with Ben and probably others in ways that were quite...invasive, to say the least. He would rather her -not- peek into his mind and find what lied inside.

Ben stopped chasing Jago as Deborah spoke. His eyes made contact with his wife's for a moment, as of they were dicussing something, before he shrugged. He didn't see why not, and if it was an am ambulence like his wife said it was, then they could be of some assistance, potentially. "We're in." Claire stated, crossing her arms. "I'm already soaked anyways." Ben cracked his neck to one side. Two huge leaves crept out of his sleeves. He plucked one and handed it to his wife, who nodded. It wasn't much, but it was something. It was raining sideways out there. Any help was appreciated to her.

It was a short walk to the cafeteria, actually. Since the two locations are relatively close due to a logical design, but what took place outside of it was a sight to behold. As Deborah walked up, her boots sinking into the mud, she watched the scene. There were security guards everywhere! Like what's up? And then they were carting... Oh my God. Her heart sank as a familiar feeling was sent through her body - fear. What they were carting out of there (A dead body - Unknown). No, did somebody die? There has to be a logical explaination for this - and she'll be the woman that'll find it. Deborah's steady hawkeyes scanned the scene. Not one detail went over her head, but the problem was that her eyes couldn't percieve anything that would even hint at who it was. She could try her hearing, but with the mass of chatter, sirens, and the rain hitting the floor, it'd be impossible to discern one sense from one. She was blocking out her own group, and trying to focus on the scene.

Jago stood right next to Deborah, and bent his arm overhead. He created a dark-purple shield overhead that acted as a de-facto umbrella. It was circular and curved enough that any rain that hit it merely fell off. "Yo?" Jago asked his older cousin as she scanned everything like she was god-damn Sherlock. Well, that chick knew more things than Jago did, so it didn't matter. She was going to spout everything in a second... But, aw hell, he couldn't help but give a little bit of attention to the scene. Aw shucks, he was no Deborah, but shit looked preeeetty grim. Was that a dead guy? Aw shit. Did someone slip and fall on some fucking clam chowder again? Second time this week. These fat fucks need to learn to look down... well, he couldn't blame them because all they'd see is guts!

It was only natural that Shannon takes Deborah's side - with one look at Deborah, she knew her lover was in detective mode. And she couldn't blame her. Something very serious went on here. Whatever it was, Shannon was curious... Did someone die? It wasn't too unexpected, everyone here on this island were a load of apes. All believing they are Superman - or generally just above the rules. Of course, someone would end a life. She gave the scene a scan of her own as she crossed her arms - after quickly adjusting her spectacles.

Oh dear Lord, what had just transpired here? His eyes looked at the security guards, and then the thing they were toting ou-wait...that wasn't a thing. That was a person...a dead person. He cringed. Oh dear, this was going to be like one of those horror movies. He frowned, reaching up to his own forehead and placing a small, burning white flame. He would need the morale support to make sure he didn't give into his paranoia tonight, and no doubt, this was his real defense against that. He didn't know for sure if the person was dead or not, just that they weren't moving...and they were being carried out like someone who was dead...

Yep, they were probably dead.

Worst of all, Deborah was beginning to recieve Premonitions again... Bad feelings in her gut that something was bad here. No, it wasn't just the corpse being carted away... she had the feeling something extremely malicious was at work here - Or, another theory was that it was still here. Deborah broke her trance for a moment to look around. She felt as if she should leave here fast, but she couldn't. There were too many thoughts running through her head about what happened here to possibly focus - and it all frightened her. There was the dead body. Someone died! Hell, it could be someone she knows. Or, it could... Nicholas's flames managed to allow Deborah to collect herself. She closed her eyes, inhaled, and once she realized everything, she exhaled.

"Thank you, Nicholas." Deborah quietly said. She looked around, between each and every one of her group. What were they to her? Friends? Lover? Family? Was that all they are to her? The question came into her head because she wasn't sure about their true nature. While her power can allow her to infer a lot, there was plenty she couldn't until it was, much, much, too late. Were these people kind, or monsters in the shape of humans? Deborah was certain about where Shannon stood... but everyone else? She met them a few hours ago and never learned what they are in the dark. Deborah tried to push those thoughts out of her head as she focused. Wondering what to do next. "This looks... bad..."

"No shit, Sherlock'." Jago said while he crossed his arms. "Someone dead! Dumbass probably tripped down some steps..." He let out a pttf.

"No, no, no, that's not what I mean." Deborah said. The woman never felt these emotions since the shipwreck - and when they met that man... Luis.... Who the hell was that man, and what is his true nature? "Something feels very wrong here, strange... like I can't pinpoint what the hell it is, and it's driving me crazy!" Deborah had to stomp her foot into the mud, and splashed it everywhere.

A gentle hand was placed on Deborah's shoulder. It was certainly Shannon's graceful touch. "Look, Debby," She started off as she stared Deborah right in the eye. "You need to calm down and get your thoughts together..." She couldn't say 'It'll be fine' since last time Deborah felt like this, they almost died in the shipwreck and they met that creep... Boy if he ever shows his face again....

Ben showed his hidden intelligence as they approached, wrapping his arm around his wife and pulling her closer to him to make her feel safer. He was, in a sense, connected to all life as the holy beast of the land incarnate. He was firm yet gentle, and strong but soft. He felt nothing from what was going on around him. It wasn't power related, or maybe it was, but he was put off by the whole event. Normally he'd be making the best of standing in the rain. Splashing people or dancing and just having fun. But... He seemed to sag, and age some as whole. He wasn't himself, and Claire knew it. She was about to speak up, but she shivered. Something was behind her. She turned her head, and yelled in surprise. Pushing Ben away and herself with him. Ben reacted immediately, turning to face whatever set his wife off. What he was greeted by was a huge creature. Many inches taller than himself and no doubt at least double his weight. It rippled with muscle, and was distinctly reptilian. But what stopped him were it's eyes. They were circular and intelligent. Human eyes. Bloodshot, puffy human eyes. "Enjoying the s-show?" Henry questioned in bitter sarcasm, looking over the group, his facial expression softening as it went. From angry to sad in a rainbow of melancholy emotion. "It was Vera." He said
simply. "...It was Vera." He repeated, his voice much quieter, barley audible over the rain.

Everyone expressed their own version of shock at the revelation.

The one who got it worse had to be Deborah. The second Henry told them what happened, Deborah's eyes widened as her heart raced - it felt like she was being overwhelmed by flight-or-fight instincts. Her eyes darted towards Vera, then back towards Henry. No, power, DON'T tell me it's- (Vera is deceased) - "God dammit!" Deborah shouted at the top of her lungs as she dropped to her knees. No matter how hard she'd try to deny it, no matter how hard she tried to think it was a lie, she couldn't lie to herself. It can't... it is. Vera was one of her bestest friends here.. her secret keeper... and she's now dead. After all these years, after all these hopeful years, Deborah couldn't quite come to terms with what happened. Mixed with her uneasy feelings from before - she... didn't know. Deborah had to fight back the tears.

Despite the fact that Shannon never liked Vera, she had to express a little bit of shock after learning that she was dead. Her eyes widened as her hands swung to her sides. Deborah's reaction just cemented it. That was Vera Dublin in there, and more importantly, she was dead in there. But why? Shannon found Vera to be irritating and largely unimportant - but she was on great grounds with everyone else. Who would kill her? Shannon let out a sigh... She didn't know what to do right now other than comfort Debby. It was the least she could do. She keeled down and put her hand on Deborah's shoulder. Uttering things like "It's okay", "I'm here for you" and "We'll be okay"

"Yo, yo, yo!" Jago shouted, his body language went from casual, and apathetic, to heated in less than a second. "You tellin' me that nurse Vera got murked!?" His relationship with her was something, she was one of the few people here he could talk. It was all that damned Empathy ability, but damn, at least she kinda wasn't a dickhead. Plus, she healed him a few times after he went a little overboard. He slammed his foot on the ground, and grit his teeth... Jago's eyes wandered downwards towards Deborah. Aight, she wasn't taking it that well. Jago let out a sigh and stared upwards. That shield used to block the rain had disappeared and they were all soaked in rain-water in less than seconds. Whatever. It felt appropriate. "God dammit..." He shook his head and stared at his feet. Jago personally didn't know what his reaction was. Anger? Sadness? Or a mix of both. But he did know that whoever did this?

That fucker is gonna pay.

Nicholas couldn't help but sigh at all this devastation. He may not be an empath on the level of someone like Deborah, but he could just -feel- the awful tension in the air as Henry emerged. He recognized him from the hospital, and the fact that he was -that- freaking huge gave him away. Still, it didn't change the tension. It was obvious this was only getting more and more out of hand. The only thing that helped himself stay in control with the morale power from his own flames...and because of that, he had an idea. It sounded like everyone was mourning, and they had every right to be, but after a moment or two of allowing them to do so, he could only see this spiraling downward...he had to do something. Quickly, he began to form small flames along his fingertips, preparing them and trying to get them larger, taking a moment to calm his mind in order to do so...

Henry snarled at Jago's description, and general disrespect for his friend. "Shut the fuck up, my friend wasn't murked, she was slaughtered.." He said simply, with the tone of voice only a person and metahuman of his size and power could achieve. In his current mental state, even he wasn't sure if it was a legitimate threat or not. Henry shook his head, one of his hand sliding down his snout. "She saved my life once... Along with many others." he said, his gargantuan body sagging. He hushed himself, and rubbed his arms, his jaws clattering in his mouth at the obvious cold. He mumbled something inaudible, and walked through the group, disappearing into the darkness that was the path to the dorms. Ben held Claire close to his side the whole time. He was apprehensive of Henry. He'd never met him. The way the reptile talked, he was a living, breathing threat. He wanted to make sure he could help... But could he fight this thing? He didn't know this Vera, nor did Claire. All they knew was someone died.

"Ugh!" Jago hissed in response to Henry. What the hell is Lizard-fuckers problem? He was pissed as all hell, and Mr. Olin felt the need to tell him to "shut the fuck up"? No, fuck that. Jago got a right as anyone else to express his feelings on what he just learned. But fortunately, Henry was leaving. Good. The freak of nature can go fuck a swamp or something. Jago didn't care about what other thought of him, or how they were
handling the death of Vera. Only thing that mattered to him was himself - and only himself.

With that, Nicholas opened his eyes again. There was too much fear. "Enough of this already. Pull yourselves together." He stated firmly, before moving to flick the now larger flames at each of their bodies, the affect not at all being harmful, but rather, exerting a large amount of morale-boosting energy through-out each of them. This was why he had taken his time. He feared if he had just done it immediately, he would have just ended up not being enough for those paralyzed in such madness. "I don't mean to sound like a walking cliche, but that guy isn't the enemy. That's one of our teachers, and it is offensive to treat him with any less respect than he deserves when someone he cared about just passed. Now. We need to figure out what exactly caused this, and not let this fear terrorize the hell out of us. If we don't, and if there -is- worse to come, we'll be set up like easy pickings in a horror film." He finished, moving to firmly place his palm on his face. Well, this was rather out of character for him, but frankly, someone needed to step up, and right now, it seemed like he was the only one, thanks to his flames, that was man enough to do it.

Ugh, Nicholas had a point. Regardless of how angry Jago is, there's no point in getting infuriated and lashing out against the world like some damn animal. Jago let out a sigh and shook his head yet again. "Whatever." He said to no one (but really to himself). Apathetic. He needed to take a break from all this. He learned that one of the only good people on this damn island is dead and, quite frankly, that left him emotionally spent as anyone. Time to find somewhere to be alone. A dark-purple aura surrounded Jago as he started to take flight. "I'm out. If any of ya'll need me...." He started flying away towarsd he wall, "... Fuck off." That said, he disappeared behind the wall.

Claire and Ben were the least affected, as they hadn't known the deceased. Rather, it removed Henry from their minds for the time being. They looked to one another, having another silent comversation between one another. "Ben and I will help with the funeral." She stated. She felt that this ine final act of kindness might mean something to Vera's soul. They were a religious family, and believed firmly in a god. Ben was silent, even more so than usual. Normally he had a talkative mood that came with his mute attribute, but his body language spoke of silence. Dead, blank, silence. Claire, hugged her husband, who had no visible reaction in turn. She felt his arms wrap around her, and his head dove into the crook of her next. She felt him crying.

"I..." Deborah calmly said as she rose to her feet. Her back was to the Voss's but she looked over her shoulder. "I am calm." She nodded her head at Nicholas. Shannon then jumped up, looking blank as always. Deborah on the other hand was desperately fighting down those emotions she had. She needed to keep her emotions in check, she needed to be strong - an example to everyone else. Keeping control of them is more important than anything else. Losing control of them would be failure... failure...

At this point, Ben had recomposed himself. "I think it's time we got some sleep." Claire said flatly. "And a shower." They needed to get away from this for a while. They needed to sleep on it and deal with things in the morning. Ben was fragile, especially towards death. She couldn't let him be in this situation an longer. Ben looked to Deborah and Shannon and gave a silent nod in goodbye, before walking off with Claire, who gave a small wave. They disapeared into the night, only for Claire to return a few seconds later and place some more cotton in Shannon's hands. "Ben wanted to give this to you... We'll... We'll see you tomorrow. Stay safe." She said, before running back off in the direction she came.

It was time that they left, yes. Deborah knew that. She let out a sigh as she simply walked away from there. Just, leaving them all behind. She had plenty to say, but no one to listen. As she took steps through the rain, she realized that she was all alone. Right here in the middle of the school grounds. Free to be the person that she was deep down. She dropped to the ground, getting on all fours. She dug her fingers into the dirt and clawed her fingers, getting mud and grass all over her fingers. She let the tears over the death of her friend flow. "God dammit, Vera..." She quietly groaned to herself. "Why? You were one of the good souls, people like you made this place better..." Deborah arched her back, and continued. "I promise you, I'll find out who did this... I promise...."

Shannon knew what Deborah was going through... and she didn't know how to help herself. She let out a sigh as Debby wandered off. She wanted to take her back to her dorm room, and just spend the night together. Being where they feel the most comfortable. But, no. Her lover needed to be alone. And so did she. Shannon wandered through the rain holding her arm. Her expression was somber, eyes half open, peering towards the ground, and frowning worryingly.

What was to come?

Nicholas widened his eyes. Everyone...was leaving? This was not what he intended...not at all. It seemed as though calling out for sense just made everyone feel terrible, despite the fact he had tried to use his flames to help others...they all disbanded, carrying their sorrows and tears with them. He had done the opposite of help. He had...made it worse. He sighed. He stood in the rain, alone, before slowly making his way back towards the hospital...maybe he could do some good there?...He didn't know, but slowly, the flame on his own forehead dimmed...and in the dark rainstorm, the light subsided, leaving him alone. The stagnating depression fell upon his mind, and he found himself simply sitting outside of the cafeteria's entrance once he finally reached it. He didn't feel like going all the way to the hospital...or anywhere, for that matter. He was drained, empty, and lost. He had done all he could, and in the end, it meant nothing. So he simply allowed the sound of the rain and the cold rain drops soak him into the atmosphere of the night...maybe this melodic, yet depressing melody they played out would allow him some semblance of rest...

Mark Heaton, Aislin Rose

The wound on his knee wasn't quite as painful as he had thought it would be, but the walk to first aid was still an irritation that forced a change in his walk. It was not on his mind though. He was desperate to try and remember how he had gotten there. He hadn't fallen out of his window even if opening it was the last thing he remembered: if he had, he wouldn't have been in front of the tower and a good walk away from the dormitories. With the hospital now in sight, he came to the conclusion that his power was to blame for his memory loss: he could remember that with extended use it could cause him to black out. He'd never let it before though, so what would cause him to now slightly worried him. As he got close, a girl came up to him that he didn't even notice. The limp to the confusion and the anxiety coursing through him were more than enough to keep him from seeing what was directly in front of him. She went under his arm and helped him into the building.

"Come on, let's get you into the hospital. Did someone attack you? What happened?"

Mark didn't say anything. He didn't know what to tell her. He didn't even tell her that the support was unnecessary, as he ordinarily would have, and let her shoulder some of his weight. He just felt weak. Sitting down in a seat she kindly found for him, he was aware of the call for a nurse and some towels from her friend in a wheelchair. Mark's mind was now completely blank: he was just being cared for now. Then the girl met his eyes.

"My name's Aislin. I don't believe we've met. I wish I could introduce myself in a better light," She briefly paused to look down at what he now realised were her torn and muddied clothes. "But it looks like both of us have had quite the shit day."

Mark had been somewhat devoid of emotion up until now. His face softened.

"So what happened to you?" He inquired with the a slight tired smile.

...She has really blue eyes.

Aislin chuckled, though it felt hollow. "If I told you, I know for certain you wouldn't believe me. It feels like I've crossed Hell's half acre." She gave him a serious look. "Tell me, do you believe in monsters?"

She leaned back in her seat, examining the hospital's white walls with a delicate frown. Ugh, what was she saying? It was the devil that introduced himself with similar words, was she really so scarred that she'd quote the monsters themselves? It must have done something to her psyche; all she could think of was the cafeteria alighted in red and white ambulance lights. The scene filled her with dread, but she needed to know. Was it the killer? The timing couldn't have been more perfect. The entire school was dead in the water during the blackout. No communication, hardly any light and shitty weather. The conditions couldn't have been more ideal.

Mark raised his eyebrows and his gaze turned distant for a fraction of a second. It was a bizarre question to ask. "..No, I don't. But coming to this school and seeing some of the people here.. I guess it could be quite hard not to."

The girl nodded her head, expecting as much. "Yes, especially with teachers like Professor Olin walking around. He's only sinister if you royally piss him off, though." She cracked a smile, remembering how they first met over fish and a swallowed fork. That was before all this horror started.

"... You never divulged your name." Aislin tilted her head, abandoning her thoughts of the cafeteria for the time being. "But to answer your question, I would never relive this day. My friend tried to kill me. I woke up in the hospital only to head back into the jungle, upon which I almost died again. Today has been... well, stressful, to say the least."
He opened his mouth, about to give out his name to what he now realised was the first person since the receptionist, but the shock of her account had him uncharacteristically wide eyed.

"...I'm sorry, what?" he exclaimed incredulously.

Aislin rubbed the back of her neck self-consciously. "Yeah, I told you it'd be hard to believe. Adam made a similar face too. And then he proceeded to lecture me about going out without telling anyone." She rolled her eyes, slapping her palms on her knees. "But he locked the school down. Like, twenty minutes ago. No one knows because of the blackout, though."

"Wait wait wait wait.. Go back, you seem to have skipped over your friend trying to kill you." Mark said with fingers on his temples and a heavy frown upon his brow. He didn't quite know how to react to this information; or to how she was giving it out quite so easily.

"Yes, with good reason." Aislin said carefully. "It's not something I'd like to go into more detail with. My imagination is vivid enough as it is..." She shivered.
He raised a hand as if to apologise "Ok, thats fair enough. Sorry, it's just.. Its like I was expecting Friends and its turned into Breaking Bad. Its kind of a shock." A tinge of self awareness softened his expression. "..Ah, but I guess you're the one who should be saying that." He gave a pause, as if to acknowledge what he now recognised as selfishness. "So.. who's Adam? I haven't really met many people yet. Just got here today.." he trailed off.

"It's fine, I'd be concerned if you weren't curious." Aislin shrugged. "I arrived yesterday. Adam Blackmore is the leading Power Instructor and the Training Hall is his domain. Very powerful teacher, I'm glad we have someone like him. Well, especially now."

A tall nurse with streaks in her brown hair came up to the two students. She double-checked her clipboard. "Mark and Aislin, right? Dana told me I could find you here." Her eyes hovered on Mark's bloody jeans. "Would you two follow me please? This won't take long, I'm just going to fix those up." She nodded to Mark's injuries.

"Ah, sure thing."

Mark turned and gave Aislin a wry smile before standing and hobbling behind the nurse.

"Ooh, the hospital people know everything. Nice to meet you, Mark." Aislin laughed, grinning as she trailed close behind the nurse and her charge. He stopped for a full two seconds.

Mark you idiot! You forgot again!

"Ah yes, I'm Mark by the way. Mark Heaton." He held out a hand after having introduced himself for what he now realised was the first time since arrival.
"Pleasure's all mine, Mr. Mark Heaton." Aislin grasped his hand in a firm shake, snickering to herself.

It was only a 30-second walk to one of the smaller offices, the nurse quietly shutting the wood door behind them as the students filed in. Mark took a seat on the bench, crinkling the sheet of paper mesh under his weight. Aislin found an empty chair against the wall, briefly glancing over the cramped room. When the nurse said fixing up Mark wouldn't take long, she was right. A simple steralizing, wiping down and wrapping up with fresh gauze did the job. Mark had a small patch of bandage taped to his face, and his leg was wrapped likewise. The nurse also offered him a towel -- he was soaked, after all.

"I'll need you to drink fluids, stay warm and take it easy tonight." The nurse lady advised, holding open the office door for them. "You two are free to go, just be careful. The school is under lockdown, after all."

His gaze grew distant again for another fraction of a second.

"Why, has something happened?" Mark asked, sharing eye contact between the two women in front of him.

Aislin leveled a flat gaze at him. "I only mentioned it five minutes ago. You didn't know who Adam was, remember?" She shook her head, giving the nurse a skeptical glance.

"..Wait, I meant-"

"I'll keep an eye on him. Besides, something has happened, actually. And we're going to go check it out." Aislin walked out the office door, not giving Mark a chance to ask more questions. "You coming or what?"

Mark sighed. Defeated "...I knew something had happened. I was just asking if.." He trudged after her into the rain as his voice glided away. He stuffed his hands into his pockets in bottled up frustration, when something connected with his finger. Something thin, and something wooden. He pinched it between his finger and thumb, and discretely pulled it out. It was a blood stained toothpick. Confused, he put it back where he found it, with growing sense of dread filling his stomach.

The nightly darkness was only intensified in the rain. Aislin flicked on the flashlight Mr. Blackmore let her borrow, following the sidewalk. She moved at a slow enough pace that Mark could easily keep up with her as they meandered to the cafeteria. By now most of the flashing vehicles had up and gone; only a few officials stood around, talking amongst each other with worried expressions.

"Well, that doesn't look good.." Mark quietly declared.

"Excuse me," Aislin walked up to one parameic standing by himself. "What happened here?"

The paramedic shook his head. "Sorry, I can't divulge that. The school will have an official statment for all the students in the morning."

Aislin raised an eyebrow, the perfect lie on the tip of her tongue. "I think you misunderstood me. I'm a close relative of the victim's family, plus I'm on the case to catch the fucker who did this. This is official bussiness, and I'd prefer your full cooperation in this matter. Or do I need to tell Mr. Dellamorte how I couldn't do my job right?" She glared.
Her new associate would have given a bemused laugh at the such a tenacious lie, but instead he gave an impatient and expectant look at the paramedic, adding to the ruse.

The man gave her a cynical stare. "Yeah, of course you are."

Mark snapped back to honesty. "Look, if this happened in a cafeteria, we're just going to hear rumours that are 1000 times worse than the truth. Just give us something."

The paramedic gave them both a look over, weighing up whether or not such an argument was credible or simply manipulative. He rolled his eyes. "Tsk. Fine.." He lowered his voice as if the information he was about to disclose would break if it were dropped. The pair quickly understood why.

"There's been a death. Vera Dubnin. I'd suggest that you don't go mouthing off about it, ya hear?"

Aislin remained expressionless, though in her chest her heart raced. What was known could never be unknown. Finally, the first answer. They were getting somewhere. "Thank you, sorry for taking up your time. I'll let you know if we have further questions." She said dismissively, turning away from the scene.

Mark nodded at the paramedic who proceeded to shoo them away with a hand motion. He didn't know what to feel. But fear gripped his heart like fingers on a cold iron hand. He followed after Aislin, expressionless and silent. He didn't want to be alone right now.

Rosette Sauveterre and Codi Bailey

From where they stood near the door, Rosette and Codi watched as paramedics rushed into the room, before carrying out a body bag. They didn’t see who was inside, and neither had ever seen something like this before, but they both knew what it was. Codi covered her mouth in shock, while Rosette stared with a solemn, somehow sad look on her face. While Codi acted somewhat normal, going pale, and looking as though she wanted to scream, Rosette maintained her composure, though she, too, was affected by it. Rosette shook her head, “So this is a dangerous place, after all.” She said, as though she had suspected danger, and was just now confirming it.

“Rose, how can you stay calm? That was a body! Someone died!” Codi cried, once it had gone past, just as Henry had exited the building and seemingly undergone some sort of breakdown.

Rosette looked at where the door had closed behind the paramedics, “I do not know who was in that bag, but this location should have been a safe place. If murders are occurring on the school grounds, then we are all in danger until the killer is captured. Staff will probably start questioning students of their whereabouts, and the chances are, it would also be recommended that students begin traveling in groups, versus being alone. People will not be able to comfortably sleep at night until the issue is resolved.”

Codi frowned, still looking shaken, “There’s a murderer on the loose? Oh…no…” Her voice started getting faint, like she was going to pass out from shock. She had thought the problems had ended with the jungle, but now a murderer was on the school grounds. She had also not eaten, and hunger was starting to make her feel weak, combined with the shock, which made her feel as though she were going to faint.

Rosette looked at Codi, “Calm down, you look like you’re going to pass out. Listen, there is nothing wrong with grieving, but if you let sorrow or fear cripple you, then you will live out a miserable life, and might render yourself helpless to something far worse than your current situation.” She said. “I did not know that person they carried out, and though I wish I could grieve, I cannot lie and say that I can. I also know that nothing I say will make this situation any better for those that did know that person and care about them. I can only accept the turn of events, and take the best course of action that I can.”

Rosette then looked at the door, “We must take precautions to protect ourselves, while hopefully discovering the person who did this, so that they may be dealt with accordingly.” She murmured. Her gaze darkened, “There are people like that on this island who would take an innocent life…it sickens me.”

-

_________________________________________________________
Act 3: Ordeal of Innocence::
_________________________________________________________

---

September 10th, 7:00 AM

---

One day since the death of Vera, and the school has been attempting to cover it up - mask it from the students and handle matters behind closed doors. However, through rumors, word of mouth and the efforts of Deborah Termellio, news of Vera's death did not go unheard. It had come to the point where the headmaster had ordered everyone to gather in the Auditorium to give a formal announcement about the death.

Today was a cloudy day.

---

Adam Leo Blackmore, & Deborah Lillian Termellio.

---

Mr & Mrs. Dubnin, I am incredibly sorry to inform you that an accident has taken the life of your daughter. We will be sending her body back to you so you may decide her burial. Again, I am doing everything in my power to find out who's responsible for this.

Adam had always hoped that the school morgue never gets used, but as he could tell, only one case was being used. Standing on a white tile floor and surrounded by metal doors - with only one being used. Adam stared at it blankly. He never thought such a upstanding student would be the victim of a senseless act of violence. This wasn't the first time this has happened - or, as pessimistic as it sounded, the last - but that never made it any better. Adam sighed as he turned to walk out the room. He wished it was different, but he has a day's worth of work to do. Wearing his usual black suit and red tie combo (With black dress shoes) he strolled out the hospital doors. Ignoring the nurses and doctors completely. His business wasn't with them unfortunately. He was heading for the Training Hall.

"Adam..." A voice appeared from behind him, and it made him turn around. It was one of his students, Deborah Termellio. Dressed in a navy-blue blouse, and jeans, with black combat boots. She had a purse underneath her arm. She was looking rather melancholic. She took a step towards Adam, and left one foot behind her. "I... Wanted to talk to you."

"Yes, Ms. Termellio?" Adam turned towards Deborah and asked her.

"What will happen to Vera...?" Deborah's head darted towards the side as if she was desperate to avoid eyecontact with Adam.

"Once the lockdown has been lifted... the school will be shipping Vera's body back to her family." Adam nodded his head. He was a bit suspicious of Deborah. He switched to his telepathy and with one peak into her mind, he learned that she was hoping to find Vera's murderer - Which was the real reason why she came over here. She was hoping to get something from him. "Ms. Termellio..." Adam rolled his eyes as he shook his head. "You are not a detective, you are a student, and you are certainly in no position to be investigating murders."

This filled Deborah with anger. And it showed as she grit her teeth, balled her fists and strongly stomped her foot onto the ground. "What the hell am I supposed to do then?!" She yelled at him, "She was my friend and I can't stand by and... and.. do nothing!"

Adam tipped his glasses at her and calmly said, "I understand how you feel, but the investigators are doing their job."

"I know, but..." Deborah quickly realized who she was talking to. "Nevermind." She said as she turned around and walked away. Adam did the same.

---

September 10th, 4:03 PM

---

Deborah Lillian Termellio, & Shannon Jacqueline Balore.



"... I know you're not going to sit put." Shannon said to Deborah as they walked side by side. She was wearing a bright-green and frilly dress, with black cowboy-like boots and glasses.

"I just can't..." Deborah cupped her forehead as she walked through the school grounds. "Not when I could have been there to stop it."

"I know I can't talk you out of this one..." Shannon said as she rolled her eyes. "But whatever you do, I will follow."

Deborah grabbed onto Shannon's hand for a second. "Good, I'm... really glad I at least have one person who will help me."

But, they were heading to the auditorium in the Administration building for the headmaster's big speech. Deborah herself was wondering what nonsense he'll spout, but every student has to go there, so she'll be one of the people there. She and Shannon made their way into the very auditorium they were oriented in. Hm. It wasn't too crowded, but she was certain people would be pouring in any second now. The stage was empty... Which meant the headmaster would be coming out any second now. Deborah herself found a seat not too far away from the headmaster - she wanted a good position so she could observe anyone else. Learn about them.

Jago Andrew Javuant.



It was just so fucking annoying!

Feeling helpless, and being unable to help the people he knows he could have. It just... Ugh! Young Jago needed a break, or just something to distract himself. He wasn't sure why he was getting so worked up over. It was just one woman! One! He didn't even know her that well, so why... No what, there's no point in thinking so hard about it. So, over the day he had to himself, young Jago kept to himself, and spent it either in the woods or in the gym playing basketball all by himself.

The basketball dribbling was almost a rhythm. The sounds it made were rhythm-like.

Young Jago let out a puff of air as he alternated hands as he dribbled. He focused on the hoop, since there was nothing between him and that hoop. Not his emotions. Absolutely nothing. He made one burst of spastic movement that carried him forward. It was a fine demonstration of his footwork put to good use, he made it across the court to the hoop in a few seconds. He leaped up like a bunny and slammed the ball right through the ring with one hand. There was that satisfying sound of it going through that ring and hitting the floor of the court. He let his feet hit the ground... but man, he felt empty. Right now basketball just wasn't doing it for him. He didn't know why. He does know why... Ugh! Why the hell can't he just move on and forget about it!?

It's not his problem. It's... Jago didn't know anymore. Maybe he should stop lying to himself and admit that he's affected as anyone else about it. He slammed his foot onto the hard floor of the basketball court and turned around. He walked over to the vending machine and tried to find his only solace; juice. This time he didn't steal it, he just inserted a dollar and got a drink back. Equivalent exchange... Oh yeah, there was that big meeting the Headmaster was gathering everyone for. Jago didn't want to piss off anyone else by being absent. So he made his way over there with the soda in hand.

Jago nodded his head as he stepped into the room. He threw the hoodie over his head and started walking through the crowds. He eyeballed a few familiar faces - but, hell, he ain't in the mood for talking to them. All he wanted to do is be alone. That's why, instead of finding a seat, he leaned up against the wall and waited to see whatever bullshit Dellamorte pulls out of his ass. Heh. It better be entertaining - or someone should jump on that stage and rip that old bastard to pieces.... Yeah, that'd be fun to watch.

For now, the little black boy hung in the background. Drinking his soda. Waiting for the show to begin...

Kade stared at the roof of her dorm room, the lights were off and there wasn't any music playing to calm her. She wasn't there to sleep, she wasn't entirely sure why she was just laying around doing nothing. She wasn't too close to Vera, they spoke and hung out a couple of times, that was it. It still hurt her to know she was gone, but Kade was more worried about what caused her demise. Worse yet, she was afraid that she might be pinned for it. Her climbing axe was already confiscated, deemed to be a potential weapon and she had spoken to at least a dozen investigators and school officials. Her reputation for being in the gray area for being good and bad didn't help anything either, she was unpredictable.

Kade groaned and rolled onto her stomach, holding her face in her pillow as she mulled things over. She was quiet for a good two minutes until she felt an itch at the sole of her bare foot. She flicked her foot, when it didn't go away, she lifted herself and looked at her foot. She saw one of those plant things her new roommate commanded around climbing onto her bed. "Oi! Screw off!" she kicked it off her bed and groaned again.

With a long breath, Kade threw herself onto her feet, almost stepping on another plant. At least they made the room smell good. Kade looked out the window and saw things were as active as they usually were. She looked each person over, "Who did it..." she mumbled to herself, "Who did it..." Kade repeated. "Which one of you has the guts to ki- Valjean!" she said his name much louder than the rest. "It had to have been him! That son of a bitch! Vera must've pissed him off."

Kade changed from her simple white tank top and sweat pants to more presentable clothes. She wore a long sleeve shirt, black in the torso and white on the arms. There was a large yin-yang symbol on the back of it. For pants, she wore plain black denim that hugged her frame. Kade put on a thin white hoodie and left it unzipped as she kicked on some shoes and left her dorm. She tied her hair back into a simple ponytail as she walked down the hallway and into the courtyard. Kade wanted to find Valjean, she didn't want to confront him, but she wanted to keep her eyes on him. She hated that guy, and he seemed like the one guy in the academy to pull it off.

She was just passing by the entrance to the building where Vera was found. She bit her lip and kept moving on, stopping only when she heard the announcement of a school meeting in the auditorium. Kade sighed and clenched her teeth, "I'll look out for him there." she mumbled under her breath and turned to make head to the auditorium.

For June, the last three days had been filled with reluctant bliss. The initial scepticism he harboured for all academies and institutions held firm against the Principles opening speech, in fact it had even been reinforced by it. All that talk of freedom of educational choice was nice and all and most of the academy rules standard fare, but having a ban on 'sexual relations'? What the heck was that about? No June had kept his cynicism in tact throughout that little performance. The banquet had gone a little better and he had spent his time mingling here and there, nothing committed though and mostly he spent his time watching and eating. While part of him was anxious to get involved and meet some new people he had decided that it would be best to wait until after he'd explored the facilities a little more, seeing as they were the main reason he'd taken the invitation in the first place and if they weren't what he was looking for he had plans to bail off this island.

With this in mind he had left the feast early taking the hint from a few of the students doing the same, likely to avoid the inevitable rush to the administration office. June of course hadn't bothered looking over a campus map before now and had to follow the odd stray student to find the correct building but eventually made it, though while there he made certain to actually pick up a guide while getting his room number. Feeling a little stupid for thinking he could mange without the map he now had a fresh sense for the size of the place, he had seen the walls on his way in of course and the large open plain that separated the Academy proper from those walls but seeing it all laid out in front of him was something else, still at least that meant the library might actually live up to what he had been told, it was almost too good to imagine. With a newfound bounce in his step and his pessimistic slump from the orientation speech dampened he hurried to the library, the feast was still in full swing and there was light left in the late afternoon sky so he found his way quickly and without distraction to the impressive maze of bookshelves that made up the biggest single collection of written work he had ever laid eyes on. The guide had told him the library closed by nightfall and while he ached to spend the entire evening here he settled for the few hours he had left.

In the end he was asked to leave twice by staff. From here he made his way, still giddy with excitement as the library had proved more that he had ever dared hope, to his room. He was on the top floor due to his age and practically flew up the stairs with a little voice in his head telling him would come to hate them, but he didn't care. Bursting through the door to his room he found his luggage piled neatly in one corner and he left it there, plenty of time to unpack later, and went straight for the computer grinning wolfishly. He reasoned that while he had the run of the place he should get to know the hardware and that was how he spent his time until the arrival of his roommate whom he ignored for the most part and soon headed to bed, leaving his possessions unpacked and sleeping in his underwear. June slept fitfully that night, unable to rest easy in his excited state, mind always wandering to either the wonders of the 218 Library or pondering the lab he was sure to visit the next day.

The day in question came with a deafening roar that nearly jumped June out of bed and onto the floor with surprise, though soon his curses filled the room with just as much vigour as the siren wake up call. He wearily dragged himself to the bathroom taking a set of clothes and a toothbrush from his as yet unpacked suitcase with him. He wandered back out several minutes later looking halfway decent though still clearly grumpy. The sour mood soon faded with a spark of laughter as he decided, in retaliation to being woken so rudely, he was going to take advantage of that 'free learning' spiel from the day before and skip classes, the seductive laboratory was sounding much more appealing than anything the school was going to put him through and that was where he headed. Without a word he threw on a thin jacket, more for looks than any functionality, and slipped on his ornamental shades as he consulted his guide book, walking in the opposite direction to the first classroom of the day and towards the Academy's famously equipped lab. He found it easily enough and, with his tired moodiness swept away, threw himself to it with a will. He only ventured out that day to fetch his pieced together creation, the small knee-high robot that he made with the limited materials at his disposal back home. It was weak work but for the most part functional, the bot couldn't lift anything more than a few kilograms worth of weight and moved at the pace of a slow walk but it was a source of pride for June, a creation all to his own. The machine was a quadruped for stability and movement with two thin arms attached to the 'torso' of the machine. There was a rotating dome at the peak of its height in which sat several cameras. Throughout his binge at the lab he made several adjustments to improve these limited capabilities using the myriad of high grade equipment a resources that filled the space. New cameras and pistons improved its sight and mobility when he was controlling it with his powers, not to mention its load limit. His work had been interrupted by an unfortunate blackout at one stage but it had passed in time and he had managed to finish his little project. All in all he had considered it fine work when he walked it back to the room that night, stopping by the cafeteria on the way to make up for the missed meals that had passed him by while he was obsessing over his robot. He wandered into the room, made his machine scuttle under the bed to power down, and flopped onto the mattress kicking off his boots without a word to his roommate. Time enough for that later.

This pattern was continued the next day too and though he overheard students talking about some incident he ignored it. He was happy in a school for once, content with the resources at his disposal and revelling in his freedom to use them. Though... he could not contain the growing longing inside him. What he wanted was people, he enjoyed the entertainment they brought, the fun you could have with them, and with all the opportunity around to meet new faces he was beginning to decide that perhaps he should make some... acquaintances, friends probably wasn't the right word, you trusted friends. No he needed to meet some distractions, some entertainment. Maybe he'd strike up a conversation with that roommate of his? Who knows. He would start tomorrow. With that settled he slipped back inside the social shell he had made himself, for the time being at any rate.

The day June had planned for overdue socialising coincided with a Headmasters address. When he learned what the topic of this speech was supposed to cover he was shocked, then angry. In only three days a student had been killed. Dead. Under the care and watch of the academy. After only three god damned days. At that news all the wonder and bliss he had experienced wilted. Sure this place had better resources than any other academy he'd heard of but it still couldn't protect its fucking students. A popping fizz was heard from under the bed where he had been beginning to power up his machine, one of the rear mounted cameras had failed, he'd pushed too much current into it. A quiet flurry of curses streamed out under his breath and he powered the bot back down, it was no good controlling things when he was angry it just made it difficult and the more sensitive equipment suffered for it. He rose to his feet and stormed back into the bathroom, blasting himself under the shower for several long minutes until he had washed away his disappointment and frustration, leaving the cool cynicism he treated most institutions with in its place. As he walked out of the steam filled room, his electric blue hair wet and plastered to his head, his black sleeveless turtle neck and jeans damp from the steam, he ran thoughts through his head slowly. He should head to the auditorium and find out what happened if nothing else. June might not trust people much but he certainly liked them and he hated the idea of anyone being betrayed by an authority that should have protected them. And this he saw as a betrayal. He stopped mid step and chuckled dryly, at least this gave him an excuse to bump into people. Everyone was going to be at the speech so he might as well make use of it. The laugh faded into a determined grin, after that he might just cause some trouble, give the departed a little payback for the academy's failure. They might not be able to appreciate it from where they were but June sure as hell would. Shaking some of the damp from his hair he grabbed his boots and made for the door, shoving his feet in as he went. Before he turned the handle he slipped on his shades, as always.

He had looked over the guide extensively these last few days and knew the layout pretty well, meaning it didn't take him long to find the auditorium though he took a wrong turn on the way. June surveyed the building for a moment, watching the students file in either as individuals, pairs or groups and eventually followed himself, begrudgingly taking off his glasses on entering, it wasn't quite bright enough for them inside. He cast his eyes around at the setup, seats everywhere and plenty of them, and noted that some students sat and others preferred to lounge against walls. One such lounger was a thin kid nearly his height in a hoodie drinking what looked to be a soda. June placed them somewhere between sixteen and twenty, though from their slight frame guessed the younger side of that range. Curious despite his mood he took a few steps past them and looked around to see a dark skinned youth who definitely looked like he was on the younger side, maybe even younger than the sixteen he had guessed. On top of that the kid had a nose that clearly had a history of being broken, some impressive dreads and a fuck off look in his eyes. June smiled widely and plopped himself down in a chair a few feet away and looked back, bouncing his eyebrows with his grin still in place before turning back to the stage. The kid looked like he had some attitude, something June appreciated greatly.

Ben and Claire Voss



Claire woke up in their bed alone.

She yawned, and stretched, the night shirt she had on moving up and revealing her midriff and belly button as she did so. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes and rubbed them, momentarily looking around. She was taking college classes, and had requested that the alarm be muted in favor of the ones they had bought themselves since they didn't need to be woken up early every morning. She hit the alarm on her side of the bed, as to silence it before it went off. She had no classes today, but Ben had accidentally crushed his yesterday, and he normally had classes on Thursday mornings. Well, save for this morning because of the speech the Headmaster had planned. They had heard the announcement the day before.

She looked over to Ben's spot on their queen sized bed. Normally she just about slept on top of him because he radiated unnatural, but comfortable warmth. He had somehow managed to slip out from under her without waking her. For man his size, he shouldn't be able to do that. Her ears perked up, the shower was on. She stretched again, cracking her neck, and slid off the bed. She wore nothing but a Jurassic Park nightshirt that Ben had bought at some point and panties. But she didn't care much. Half the time Ben walk around their home in his trousers or went commando in jeans. She walked over to the bathroom, and opened the door to poke her head in. Most of the time Ben was singing some song wordlessly. But right now Ben was just... standing there in the water, facing away from her. His hands at his sides, not moving. He barley looked like he was breathing. His slightly tanned skin looked almost pale. She frowned, and left the room, grabbing her latrines and the clothes she was wearing today. Ben walked out a few minutes later wearing jeans. The lip of underwear could be seen just above the hem of the jeans, which sagged ever so slightly, like they were meant to. No commando today, it seemed. His upper body was bare. She looked him up and down and smiled. Not caring for his muscular body and more so laughed at the spongebob bandaids that covered his forearms. She shook her head, and moved into the bathroom to do her business.

When she returned, Ben was sitting on the bed wearing his usual getup of his work shoes, white tank top, and the brown leather jacket he had worn since as long as she could remember. He looked up at her, his big brown eyes looking over her attire. She struck a pose. "Like what you see?" she questioned, giving him a coy smirk. She wore simple blue jeans, with boots. Above the belt she wore a simple grey shirt and a slightly darker grey hoodie, which was very thin. Obviously more for looks than actually protection from the nonexistent cold. Ben gave her a melancholy smile, but there was a silence in the room. No words were exchanged, not vocal nor mental. Claire frowned, and sat down on the bed next to Ben. He hadn't been right yesterday, he had been especially bad Wednesday evening when they returned home. Ben had always been in tune with life. Everything he did related to life in some way, hell, his power was control over what was by far the most populous and diverse organism on the planet. All of them had inherit connections to things. He did, Pink did, hell, Ziz probably did too wherever she or he was. His was his inherit empathy for everything around him. So while he accepted death and what it was to the world, it affected him. Especially when someone who had been unrightfully taken from this world.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" Claire said, looking up to Ben for a moment, her large lucky emeralds meeting pools of chocolate. She took off her right and lifted it for him to see. "I promised you I would always be there for you." she said, before placing her ring back on. She placed a hand on the side of his face. "And there ain't nothing that's gonna change that." She said, giving him a soft smile. For the first time in the past two days Ben gave her a smile in return. A real, genuine smile.

"I will always do the same."

Claire gave him a hug, and without releasing she spoke. "I know you will." She released him, but help onto his hand, interlacing their fingers. He gave hers a firm squeeze. "We should probably leave soon." She said, looking over to the clock. It was close to that time. "You see this Ben?" She said, lifting up their hands. "If you start getting upset during the speech, squeeze my hand." She said, earning a gentle smile from her husband, who simply nodded. "Break my hand and I'll break your wrist." She said sternly. Ben laughed his silent laugh at this, he knew she (probably) was kidding. He looked over to his nightstand and grabbed his reading glasses, placing them gently into one of the pockets inside his jacket. Before turning around again and grabbing the book he had laid next to the glasses. It read "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy: Volume III". Ben often carried around one of the guides, it kept him busy when he was not in the mood for conversing or wanted to distract himself. He saw the latter being the most likely today. Claire in turn grabbed an umbrella. It looked like it was going to be a dreary day and better safe than sorry.

The walk to the Auditorium was quite, but it was a sort of comfortable silence. The whole way Ben's hand had been in Claire's. He hadn't been particularly comfortable coming out for the reason they were, but he had to show up. It wasn't his choice. As they entered they chose seats in the center of the auditorium, like, dead center. They seemed to be some of the first ones here, save for that reptilian fellow who seemed to have been here for while, and that Jago boy who was leaning against the wall. Claire bit her lip to refrain speaking. He didn't look like he wanted to be bothered. Another boy walked in right after they did and seemed to be turning around to talk to Jago. After her quick scan, she turned her attention to her phone as to review for the Botony pre-exam that her professor was having them do. Ben had already taken out his glasses and begun reading from his book to distract himself.

Her attention was brought away from her studies when she felt a large and calloused hand wrap gently around hers. She looked up and to the side. Ben had pulled their hands to rest on his knee, which was propped up with his ankle resting on his other leg's knee. He hadn't looked up, he was still reading, but there was a soft and small smile on his face as his eyes slowly but surely scanned through the pages in the book. He Claire returned the smile, even though Ben wasn't looking, and returned to her own reading.

They could always find some solace in one another.

---

Henry Olin



Henry didn't do his morning routine like normal the day before. When he returned to his empty dorm cold, wet, and alone that terrible Tuesday night he did the one thing he knew he couldn't fail at.

And and so he rested, and slept through the whole of Wednesday, recuperating from Tuesday's events. From the battle, to the cliff jumping, to the murder... It was too much for him to take in one day. And so he rested. And he rested well. Twice he had awoken, his claws ripping at the air as if he had reached the attacker before they had done their deed to Vera.

When he awoke he had received the text from Adam to him and the other teachers about what the plan was. He canceled class for the day and did his best on Wednesday evening. He woke up early, and did his average routine. When he returned home, he dawned what looked to be a semi-casual dress shirt, and khaki pants. Both specially fitted to accommodate his size. He had arrived very early, 6 AM on the dot. He had been there for an hour give or take now. They had prepared the auditorium Wednesday evening.

On stage there was no casket. He didn't expect there to be. He sat in the front row facing the stage, in his huge reptilian hand was his phone. The background set to a picture of himself, Vera, Dana, Theresa, and several others at one of the piers holding their biggest fish. He remembered that day. It had been a good day. Full of happiness and the academy he had grown up in.

Dana had caught the biggest fish. A grouper as big as she was that she had hooked while reeling in a smaller fish. It had eaten her original catch and was hooked on accident. As she had gotten it close it quite nearly pulled her chair into the water. A few others held her back as she brought it in, and when she finally landed it, if flopped back into the water. Now, Henry being himself was pissed off at this, and dove in after it. Regardless to say, in the picture there was a fish nearly as big as Dana herself laying in her lap. Vera had caught a Wahoo, and he had a Dolphin fish. Theresa had hooked a nice Kingfish bigger than his own catch, but not as big as Dana's. There were others there too with assorted marine animals ranging from sea bass to redfish to whiting.

It had been a good day. Probably one of the more fond memories he had with her and the others and he was glad he was there to remember it. Not long after the cooking club came over and had a barbecue. He had lost a game of beer pong and was forced to attempt to breakdance while wearing a horse mask and a superman cosplay. It was terrible.

But he wouldn't give it up for the world. Henry sighed and stood up, placing his phone in his pocket before walking to the back of the auditorium. He stood behind the farthest row of seats. This was where most of the teachers stood to overlook the students. He wondered if the Headmaster would be addressing friends and family, or himself as he was the person to happen upon her body. His tongue flicked out. He would need to apologize to Jago later for snapping at him. But for now he would have to endure the speech. He knew the Headmaster couldn't tell the full story, or would have to lie about it. There was a tactical advantage to keeping everyone calm and collected that the school would need in a time like this.

But despite the silence the school would attempt to use to cover up the incident, Vera wouldn't be forgotten. He would never forget.

And he doubted anyone else who knew would either.

Mark

Last night had been spent following a girl in her ultimately fruitless pursuit for information. A sudden fear of loneliness kept him close to her, but it came to a point when he had to persuade her to leave it for tomorrow. He hadn't seen her since. He had met his roommate though; an angry provoker spoiling for a fight that Mark had no patience for. Luckily for him, his temper was non-existent and he managed to simmer the idiot down and get some sleep. Regardless, plans were made to get him out of the room before he woke up which, much to his amazement, he followed through on.

Aimlessly he wandered in a fresh pair of jeans and a long sleeved white T shirt. What happened yesterday had swirled around in his mind like a hurricane he found himself in the eye of. His thoughts were blank, calm even, but deep within him they raged with uncertainty and foreboding. Who had killed another student? What had left him unconscious in the rain with a bloody knee and cut cheek with no memory of the hour before that? Clutching what he now saw as contraband in his pocket, he hoped that those two events were not related. He looked at his watch and thought about heading to the library as he was keen to kill some time. The thought of running into other people right now however he wasn't so keen about. He continued to wander from landmark to landmark until the time for the assembly.

Mark entered the auditorium and found himself a chair by himself. The only part of him showing any emotion being the length of his stare: it was as though he didn't see the many others there. Perhaps that was what he wanted; to be alone. But he knew himself better. He yearned for a friend. Someone to turn his fears to fantasies and to joke with his troubles. A wry grin came and failed to form on his face.

I can't rely on that hope. I'm alone.

Having grasped what was truly bothering him, his head cleared. He'd deal with these issues when the time came, and he didn't need to rely on others to keep himself together. He'd be just fine. Just as he always had been. He bottled up his worries and his cold eyes grew warm again. Warm, yet wary. For once, he didn't want to analyse the other people before him, as for the first time in a long while, he had one interest and that held his attention. He was ready for whatever the Headmaster had to say.

Ruben Geraltes Tarblatt

---

>OPEN ITINERARY A218
#ACCESSING…
#ITINERARY A218
- Conduct testing with Artificial Neural Interface on available devices []
- Continue design and construction of Brainvault Type 3 “Skull Fort” []
- Seek suitable volunteers for Project Limbo []
- Gather testing data on Project Limbo subjects []
- Consider long-term teaching opportunity []
- Acquire access to Academy tools and technology []
- Get a souvenir for the team []
#ALERT
#NEW MESSAGE
>OPEN
#MESSAGE FROM: Hamian, Paul T.
#SUBJECT: You there yet?
#ATTACHMENTS: 1
- Private Chat request
>OPEN ATTACHMENT
#ESTABLISHING PRIVATE CONNECTION…
#PRIVATE CONNECTION ESTABLISHED
#COMMUNICATION SERVICE ACTIVE
#PARTICIPANTS: Hamian, Paul T., Tarblatt, Ruben G.
[Paul] Hey. So you’re not there yet?
[Ruben] NO. CLOSE.
[Paul] Okay, good. How’s the ANI working?
[Ruben] USING IT NOW FOR CHAT. EFFECTIVE. ONE ISSUE PRESENT.
[Paul] Caps lock?
[Ruben] CAPS LOCK.
[Paul] The link must be faulty between the lobe and the keys.
[Ruben] NONISSUE. WILL EXAMINE ON ISLAND.
[Paul] How close are you?
[Ruben] VIEWING WILL BE AVAILABLE MOMENTARILY.
[Paul] Excited?
[Ruben] YES.
[Paul] What do you think you’ll be doing over there first?
[Ruben] ATTENDING MEETING IN AUDITORIUM. INFORMED OF MATTERS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED TO ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF.
[Paul] Concerned?
[Ruben] UNAWARE OF ISSUE PRESENT. WILL ASK LATER. CANNOT PROMISE TO DIVULGE INFORMATION.
[Paul] I understand.
[Paul] Anyway, wanted to wish you good luck and an enjoyable stay. We’ll keep working on the other ANI prototypes here. Will update you with tests and results.
[Paul] Everyone says hi, by the way.
[Ruben] GIVE THEM MY THANKS.
[Paul] Will do. Be sure to message us sometimes while you’re there.
[Paul] Talk later?
[Ruben] OF COURSE.
[Paul] Thanks. Bye!
[Ruben] FAREWELL.
#PRIVATE COMMUNICATION TERMINATED
#ALERT
#NEW MESSAGE
>OPEN
#MESSAGE FROM: Transport P-18-C Crew
#SUBJECT: Academy in sight. Come up when you’re ready.
>LOG OUT
#LOGGING OUT USER: Tarblatt, Ruben G.
#SUCCESSFULLY LOGGED OUT USER: Tarblatt, Ruben G.
#WELCOME TO ACCESS TERMINAL 5 FOR ACADEMY 218 AQUATIC TRANSPORT VESSEL P-18-C (CUSTOM). PLEASE LOG IN OR SHUT DOWN TERMINAL.
>SHUT DOWN
#SHUTTING DOWN…

---

Ruben’s ‘hand’ began to detach itself from the ANI, the white orb, connected to the onboard terminal. The meat and flesh peeled away, revealing the red neural stem enveloping the orb. It slowly peeled itself off as well and retreated back into Ruben’s arm. He stood up, towering over the terminal as the screen blanked out, offline. He turned, scanning the room around him. The vessel had been constructed for him at his request, to his specifications, in order to transport all of his equipment without incident. The detachable compartment he was sealed within was sort of a ‘refrigerator’. His equipment was all constructed from artificial neural tissue, keeping it inside a cool, moderated environment was crucial to ensure its working at optimal efficiency. Ruben himself found comfort in the cool temperature as well. Made it easier to keep his body from seeping through the gauze tape. He was told the temperature on the island wouldn’t be entirely suitable, but he assured them he would adjust appropriately.

He made a quick examination of the ANI compartments, the Brainvault Type 3, and the Limbo device. All were inoperable at the moment, but once they were brought into the Academy laboratory, they would be up and running again soon. Ruben was confident in the staff’s abilities when they told him they had a room in the lab slotted out and retrofitted for his arrival. One large cooling compartment, just what he needed. He didn’t show it well, but he was more eager than he’d ever been before. After double-checking the machines, he stepped towards the sealed door, turned the valve, and stepped out into the vessel interior.

“Professor Tarblatt? Sir?”

Ruben turned his vision to an Academy crewman awaiting him outside the compartment. He was dressed in a white uniform, hands behind his back. Ruben quickly sealed the compartment back up and faced the crewman again. “Destination? Reached?” He asked from his mounted voice box in heavily synthesized, robotic voice. The crewman replied, “Nearly there, sir. Captain’s inviting you to head up top and see for yourself.”

“Yes. Yes, I will.” Ruben replied, following the crewman up the stairs.

…

The hatch opened, the crewman pushing it aside. Out followed Ruben behind him, gazing at the open sky, feeling a breeze pass by on his gauze-covered flesh. He turned his head towards the Captain of the vessel approaching him. Lean man, middle-aged, trimmed gray beard. Didn’t seem too old, though.

“Professor.” He exclaimed, “Enjoy the trip?”

“The journey, irrelevant.” Ruben replied, strolling past the Captain. He marched towards the portside of the ship, past the other crewmen going about their business. There, over the horizon, he saw it; Academy 218. The surrounding perimeter wall, the overarching tower, the buildings dotted around the landscape, he saw everything through the lens in his Brainvault. He was in awe at that moment, thinking back to when he was human. Hearing about this place, all the wonder and grandeur behind it, saddened by the fact that he’d never be able to attend because he was, just… human. Normal. Mundane. No one worth mention. But, here he was. And as a formally invited visitor, no less. On his way to, perhaps, becoming a teacher. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t overjoyed. Alas, his range of displayable emotions was stunted at best.

"The destination." Ruben exclaimed, "Everything."

“Welcome to the Academy, Professor.” The Captain stated, standing beside him.

Ruben didn’t respond. He was just too… overcome with wonder.

“You’re aware of your directions?” The Captain asked, turning his head to face the Academy’s newest arrival. “Auditorium.” Ruben replied, “Formal address. Recent matters.” He turned his vision towards the Captain, staring right at him with his monocular ‘eye’. He asked, “Do you know of their nature?” The Captain looked back at the Academy in the distance for a moment before stating, “Some… unfortunate events, have taken place recently. There was a blackout several days ago and…” He hesitated. Ruben simply waited for him to continue. “Well…” The Captain said, “They found one of their students… dead. Murdered, I think.”

“Unfortunate.” Ruben replied. The Captain simply nodded, brow lowered, somewhat surprised at the Professor’s lack of… reaction, he supposed.

“That’s most likely what the Headmaster will be addressing during the assembly.” He continued, “Everyone’s required to attend, you as well. I don’t know how long it will last, but don’t worry about your equipment. The men will transport it to your new quarters while the assembly takes place. Everything will be there by the time you’re out.”

“My gratitude.” Ruben replied. He paused for a moment, and then bluntly asked, “Captain. Are you a meta-human?”

Pondering the question for a moment, he replied, “Why do you ask?”

“Curiosity.”

The Captain shrugged and replied, “Yes, I am. Elemental, water. Most of the Academy staff tasked with aquatic transport are. Rest are techs, to keep the boats repaired. If anything ever goes terribly wrong, me and some of the other crewman keep the vessel going.”

“Well-equipped. Well-manned. Well-prepared.” Ruben replied, “Admirable.” The Captain nodded, returning a wry smile to the Professor. “Thank you.” He said sincerely.

…

The boat was fully docked. The crewmen had activated the detachment procedure for the cooling compartment, lifting it from the interior of the boat and placing it on a mobile platform. Several laboratory staff from within the Academy grounds had been sent out to greet them and move the compartment to the appropriate location. One of them approached Ruben, announcing, “Professor Tarblatt?”

“Yes?” Ruben replied.

“The assembly will be commencing shortly, sir. Follow me and I’ll take you to your destination.” He stated. Ruben did not reply. He gestured for the staff member to lead the way, following closely behind, towards the perimeter wall.

He was doing a good job of containing himself so far. He didn’t if that would change sooner or later, though. Supposed he had nothing to do but wait and find out.

September 10th, 12:37am

Laying awake in her bed, Aislin tossed and turned in her freezing sheets. She was cold, uncomfortable. The dorm was too empty. Even Alex's night light would have been comforting, but she hadn't seen the moon girl that entire evening. Maybe Alex hated her. That's why she wasn't here. Not that Aislin would blame her. She was a failure. Walking along with Mark before just showed her how helpless their damn situation was. The killer, the killer...

He was impossible to find. Even her own memories of his single silhouette seemed to haze and blur; it worried her. She was ready to continue her investigation all night, but it was Mark who finally convinced her they were going in circles. Poor kid, he really should have spoken up sooner. Aislin half-considered inviting him up to her room as she feared being alone in a locked down school, but several reasons held her back. One, that would have been inappropriate. Two, he never divulged what he'd been up to before he walked to the hospital with those mysterious injuries. Vera's death, she heard it was a gruesome one. If there had been a struggle, it would make sense someone would sustain minor wounds from the scuffle. Now, she wasn't labeling Mark or anything, but she had to keep her options open. The students were on trial, maybe even the teachers. They had a killer on the loose, and everyone was a suspect.

Growling in frustration, Aislin rolled over in her sheets, tossing her pillow to the wall. She'd have to speak with Mark again, see exactly what he was up to before they met. Hopefully his story absolved her suspicion; he seemed like a nice kid. She was grasping for straws here, one answer and it wasn't even really helpful. Vera was deceased. She didn't know the girl, but from what other students said she was a superb person. It... It didn't make any sense.

Damn, here I thought the killer had a sense of justice. Aislin thought, sitting naked in bed with her arms wrapped around her knees.

When the killer saved her life in the depths of the caves, it had been quick, painless, efficient if not loud. The devil was silenced before he could rip her own throat out, and the killer left her alone. It seemed like an almost different person went after Vera, butchering the girl. Vera was innocent, the devil was not. He got the quick, easy death while Vera bled out on the floor like some twisted horror movie. It didn't make sense, and Aislin found herself questioning the killer's motives once again. Were there two? Or was he/she experimenting? And how did the blue lady tie into all of this?

The questions kept Aislin up all night. As dawn finally peeked through her window Aislin sighed, grudgingly peeling herself off her mattress. She was even more exhausted than she was yesterday, and yesterday had been hellish. She looked at herself in the mirror, poking at the dark, heavy circles under her blue eyes. She seemed disheveled, bony and tired. The child within was terrorized and destroyed; all that remained was a tired, scared soul seeking some kind of respite. Her life at this school, especially yesterday, it all seemed so surreal. She wished she could just shut it out, pretend it never happened. It'd be the easy way out, the path of least resistance.

No, no way. Aislin shook her head, stepping into the shower. Hot water washed the chill out of her system, bringing the warmth back into her cheeks. I'm in this too deep. I've gotta see it through.

September 10th, 4:08pm

Holding a purple tinted thermos, Aislin sipped on her sixth cup of black coffee that day. Not only were the bags under her eyes still prominent, the coffee made her eyes dry and blood-shot. But it served it's purpose. She could function without falling asleep at her desk, though the coffee left her jittery. She found the purple thermos complimentary to her feathery cashmere sweater and black skinnies. Today she dressed for comfort, and feeling the cool beige fabric at the edge of her palms steadied her nerves. It was for good reason too; The Headmaster was to make a formal statement in front of all the students soon, and she was slowly making her way to the Auditorium with the rush of every other meta student. There were still seats available, but Aislin was looking to sit with someone in particular. She needed an information broker, and there was only one person she knew who qualified for the position.

As the Auditorium filled up, Aislin sat in the other seat beside Deborah, taking another long swig of wakeful coffee. She gave Shannon and Debs a tired smile. "Hey ladies, it's lovely to see you again." She dropped her voice a tone lower, talking to Debs specifically. "I need to speak with you after this. It's... important."

Adam Leo Blackmore.

---

Adam was easily the first person on scene. He needed to wait here. Yes, it was a tragedy that Vera had died, at such... ambiguous... circumstances. But the school has to go on. An important part of that had to be supporting the Headmaster and being there to keep the students in check. So he stood there on the stage wearing a grey suit. However, what caught his eye was a particular man... or creature, if he was cruel enough to apply the term to him. Tall, covered in gaze, and worst of all, had that giant metal dome on his head... Creepy, yes. But Adam has seen it all (Meta-humans with the most amazing and strangest powers), and has become long desensitized to such. Ah, yes, Dr. Ruben. Adam was told of his arrival, but at such an inopportune time... He wished they would meet under different circumstances. But he figured that he'd introduce himself to Ruben. He is the lead power instructor, and a big name on this island.

Adam walked up to the strange man, and nodded his head. Completely unfazed by his appearance. "Dr. Ruben, it is a pleasure to meet you." He himself was unsure if Ruben could even see him. "I am Adam Blackmore, head Power Instructor."

---

Deborah Lillian Termellio, & Shannon Jacqueline Balore.

---

While they were conversing, Deborah noticed that Aislin was walking up to them... But, damn, she looked like shit! Like she hadn't gotten the chance to sleep (She has been relying on coffee to keep functioning). And Deborah didn't even need her power in order to tell her that. Deborah bit her fingertips as she examined Aislin. She had deduced that something had happened in their absence. Which worried her, since the Power Training, she was doing just great. But a lot of time had passed since they last seen each other, and going off what happened at the shipwreck, she had plenty of time to get into something. Hero of another story, eh? "Aislin, it's nice to see you again..." Deborah trailed off as she stared at Aislin. "... But you look awful, girl. What's wrong?" She knew this question was redundant because she knew that Aislin had a bad time, but she was looking for the specifics.

Shannon herself had to raise an eyebrow. She never expected to see this girl again - nor did she really want to, honestly. Shannon had expected Aislin to be thrown off the island for drug possession, but this week has been full of surprises hasn't it? "Hello, Ms. Rose..." Shannon said in her usual tone of voice. She was fine with dismissing Aislin, but she has the eyes of Deborah.

---

Valjean Vaseal.

---

Outside the Administration building, leaning on a wall to the side, with one boot. Wearing a tan jacket, blue jeans, combat boots, with a white t-shirt (He even had a scorpion-stinger shaped locket around his next). Unlike any of the other people here, Valjean was made for the desert! He could walk around on the hottest days in winter-gear and not even bat an eyelash. He was enjoying a nice cigarette. He took in one puff and breathed it out through his lips. Oh boy. Looks like the school just got a whole lot more interesting!

Valjean would go far enough to say say better, but he's not that big of a dick. But here's the 411: apparently that Vera chick got herself murdered. It didn't bother him even in the slightest, since he personally didn't give a fuck about that chick (Because who the hell even has that hairstyle!? A real moron). Problem here was obvious: there's a fucking psycho killer running around! Someone has to handle that shit. Might as well be the Desert Scorpion. He'll be a real fucking hero. The hero this school needs. With Debby by his side, finding this - actually, with all these detectives and investigators, why the hell haven't an Extra-Sensory type solved all this bullshit yet? See? Everyone here is useless and would rather sit around with a thumb up their asses than do something about it. Which is why those who act are the top dogs rather than these... lapdogs. Now where should he start? Well, maybe he should get suspects. Like in those cop shows. The people who could have easily done it.

... He should also be in the auditorium!

The muscular French-man flicked the cigarette away as he got up. He adjusted his jacket as he marched through the doors of the auditorium. The Headmaster had something important, but Valjean isn't listening. It's probably just going to be some nonsense about how the "school is perfectly safe" or how "The killer will be brought to justice!". Valjean can already picture the headmaster slobbering around like Richard Nixon. But that wasn't the point. He walked into the auditorium and tried to paint the perfect picture of who could have done it.... He saw Debby talking to some chick, but whatever! He'll talk to her in a second after he gets a good enough suspect. She'll be able to work all of this out.

There was Kade... Actually, that would make sense if she was the killer. With that inverse universe crap, she could have killed Vera and got away! Or took her into the inverse. Now that made the most sense. Why she would do it? He didn't know! That's the beauty of detective work. He was going to find out!

Like any good detective, Valjean walked up to her, hands in pocket. Giving her a half-grin as his muscular frame moved over towards her. He didn't do a good job of hiding his intentions. "Hey, Kade," He said, letting his French accent slip blatantly. He rolled his eyes and muttered something in French underneath his breath. "How have you been, girl?" Valjean spoke to her, like they were friends. When everyone here knows otherwise.

---

Jago Andrew Javuant.

---

Hm? Jago looked up and eyeballed some fruity bastard took a seat not too far away - staring at him. What is he gay? Jago stared at him, with a curious eyebrow raised upwards, as he drunk the soda with loud gulps. He was giving this fruit-loop the old up-down. Yup, definitely a fruit-loop. Only a goddamn fruit-loop wears a turtle-neck. Overall this guy looked like a real fag. The kind of guy who licks up salty magical gumdrops in alleyways. Thin, wimpy, pale, white,and probably never seen a gym in that goddamn worthless life of his. Worst of all - Worst of all, he had this blue-ass hairdo that looked like a retarded anime character. Like seriously man. Why do white people paint their hair extravagant colors to look cool, when all they do is make themselves look retarded? Which is what made June here fruit-loop of the year. Nah, the king of the fruit-loops. Like Elvis or some shit. Ugh. Jago rolled his eyes. This Fruit-loop ass motherfucker better not be trying to talk to him.

For a second, young Jago looked around to find someone else to talk to at least... Cousin Debby and Carrot-top talking to some white chick - Well, at least she has a nice ass. What else? There was Big-Man and China-Town. Jago exchanged glances with them before moving on. He had generally had mixed feelings about Big-Man and his wifey. On one hand, they were kinda annoying, on the other, ugh, Jago didn't know what to really think. But that's a rockin' rack on her, ten out of ten. Uh, who else? There was that other weirdo... Wrapped up in fucking bandages like he was a mummy impersonation. Except this weird motherfucker had this helmet on. Lookin' like some real horror movie. Honestly, in a school full of giant Lizard-fuckers, Spider-bitches, and Sea Urchin freaks, a B-movie horror monster didn't bother him all that much. Adam was talking to him so that meant he was important in some way. Now what was he doing?

Oh yeah. Trying to do anything but talk to the fruit-loop.

Eh. It was a downhill battle anyway. He was too adamant and lazy to walk off, and deep down he really wanted to distract himself from Vera's death. Even talk to these fucks. Jago shuddered. Maybe he'll get some enjoyment out of hearing what bullshit this Fruit-loop has to say. "Yo," The young boy started off, "Yo hair looks like some anime cosplay gone wrong." There. He said it. Conversation starter of the year.

---

Theresa Sindel Obott.

---

"Yes sir, that's everything..." Theresa moaned as she handed her knife to an investigator that came to the island. They were apparently going room to room, searching for anything that could have been used as a murder weapon. Which meant her hunting weapons had to go. It was a shame, since these were oh so sentimental to the trans teen. But it was life. The investigator left with all her things, and Theresa dropped backwards onto her bed, letting out a sigh. They probably thought she was the killer. When Vera was her best friend, and she herself was one of the kindest students here. She never hurt a fly, and never considered it. Tears started flowing down her pale white cheeks, and stained the blue bedsheets of her room. Just where are all her friends when she needed them? Poppy, Kade, Henry, Dana, Ethan, Aislin... Looks like she's all alone here. No friends. Just lonely old Theresa.

The whole she was lying here, she was wearing nothing but an unstuffed bra and pajama pants (That didn't do an excellent job at hiding that certain something). She grabbed a red scarf and wiped her own tears with it. Theresa wrapped the scarf around her face tightly as to prevent her from getting too much of her drug into the air. She got off the bed and dropped those pajama pants as she casually strolled over to her dresser. What should she wear today...? Honestly, it barely mattered to her anymore. It was like she was losing care for such small things like what she was going to wear. So Theresa merely threw on a blue V-neck blouse, and a jean skirt. She put on some ear-rings and stared at herself in the mirror for a second as she put on black leather cowboy boots. Stylish, yes? She didn't know why she choose this outfit in particular, but she felt like it... suited her. She grabbed her skirt, put one foot in front of the other, and bowed. Like a princess.

With that out of the way, Theresa was out of the door. She felt much more like a freak than normally. Every eye that traced over her... Dear God, what has become of her? Being this paranoid and lacking this much confidence in herself? She didn't... she just wanted to have fun. Relieve stress. Yeah, that's the best cure. Just go out and try to make the best of this. Have fun! Live life to it's fullest! Theresa made her way to the auditorium... Wow, there was so many people here. She was unsure of what to do herself. There were a few familiar faces but... Theresa was scared to face them. Because that means she would have to face her emotions. Something she'd rather avoid, it's so stressful opening up yourself. Theresa found a seat in the far corner, and pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them. Just waiting for this damn speech to be over with so that she can retreat back into her dorm room.

Funny, huh?

Theresa went from longing for her friends to avoiding them. Merely because of her inability to handle emotional situations.

---

Dana Lucille Alcott.

---

All those good memories....

They felt like they've gone... gone.... to waste...

Dana stared herself in the mirror, well, the alternate form she takes when nobody is watching her. A Goddamn abomination, that's what... She was staring at herself for what felt like hours, so long that she lost track of time. Personally, she wondered what is her default form. Honestly, she didn't know anymore. Dana has felt so... apathetic since learning about Vera's death. She was fighting back the tears, but knew that they would come eventually. It was Vera Dubnin after all. One of her closest friends, and it might have been the empathy ability, but she felt like she could confide in Vera. All this stress... all this violence. It was so draining. Dana just wanted to hide herself away - but she couldn't. Academy 218 was her home, and nothing is going to change that. Whatever is going to happen, she was going to be apart of it.

Sighing again, Dana rolled out of the room, and fortunately another student caught eye of her. She turned back into a human being instantly. Not a hint of what she was a moment ago. Because of how stressful times had been on her, she wasn't feeling like dressing spectacularly at all. She was wearing a black t-shirt and some jeans. She would have wore a hat, but in her mood, she didn't feel like it. Dana let out a sigh as she continued towards the auditorium, and arrived there. Looks like she popped up right before the headmaster's speech. She was just in time, she guessed. Dana let out yet another sigh as she looked around. Scanning for anyone she knew... Henry. He was the only person she could talk to about this like adults.

The wheelchair bound woman rolled her way towards Henry and tried to force a smile, before returning to that gloomy frown. "Hello, Henry..." She looked around, "We haven't talked since... have we?" She was referring to the incident regarding Beast-Jaska, but she trailed off being unsure of where to proceed with the conversation.

Henry Olin, & Dana Alcott



Henry's attention was brought away from the nothing he had caught himself staring off into. His sensitive ears picked up that his name was being called. He blinked and looked over to the person who had said his. He turned his large reptilian head over his shoulder, his neck long enough so that he could manuever his skull without having to turn his body at all. Flexability and an elognated spine were one of the gifts that came with his transformation. There was no one at eye level, so his eyes dropped downward. His yellow coming to meet with Dana's blue. He blinked again, his eliptical pupils thinning and expanding into various variation of a slit, before widening out into an almost circular orb.

She had said something. He looked her up and down again, processing what she had said before turning to look back at the auditorium's empty stage. "No, we haven't." He stated simply. He hadn't forgotten what she had said. He was sure she hadn't forgotten what he had done. And he wouldn't forget the help she game him in doing it. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding before looking back down at her. He worried for her mental state. Less about with the Vera incident, although that shone through innately, and more so about how she fared in the darkness, where no one could see her. "...How was the blackout for you?" he said, trying to start up some conversation for her. They were close. They always had been, and while it was a bit of a touchy subject for Dana to discuss she had decided long ago she trusted him enough to confide with him what happened to her. He hoped that her comfort with his being, despite being the opposite of cuddly, was still there.

The blackout, oh right. Dana found her blue eyes wandering downwards before looking back up to Henry. She blinked and coughed, pressing a palm against her lips. "Me?" She asked, rather awkwardly. "I..." She trailed off. Well, this isn't a good way to catch now is it? Everytime the blackout was even mentioned Dana felt weak. Not physically, but mentally. Like there was all the things she could have done to save Vera, but just couldn't. It made her feel... Ack, she honestly didn't know. But, while she wasn't there for Vera, she was there for Aislin. That was a difference in her eyes. "... I was guarding a friend," She spoke proudly, because it was honestly the most she could feel proud of. "Aislin. She... got into something after she left the hospital..."

The edges of Henry's lips turned upwards at Dana's remarks, and he nodded his head. "I thought I smelt her." he stated. His sense of smell was around that of a blood hound's, and like a real dog, he never forgot a scent. He still recalled exactly what an Irish student smelt like, that he met at a party well over six year ago. He remembered the scent of those who he came to the island with. He walked into this room and was able to distinguish exactly who everyone was, and where they had been based upon how dispersed their scents had been. His tongue flicked out, tasting the air. It was how he sensed Vera to begin with. He had tasted the blood in the air. His sense of smell was by far his most powerful sense and he could, in a way, see through his tongue and nose. He leaned down and smelled Dana's shirt, retracting his head at the alien scent mixed with the smell of rain and Dana's clothing softener the she used when she washed her clothes in combination with her shampoo. It was too weak to make our distinguish, but it was there. He stood back up to his full hieght again and looked over the the stage.

"I wish I would've been able to do the same. I guess there's only so many people I can take care of in a day." he commented, a mixture of a smile and a frown on his face warping his expression into something foreign. "I'm glad you two are okay though. I'll probably be speaking to Adam after the speech, you dont mind if I ask what happened, do you?" He wanted her to tell him herself, but if she didn't want to, he would ask Adam. If she didn't want it known, even to him, it was probably in his best interest to not ask Adam about the scenario unless he brought it up. He wanted to respect Dana's wishes though, whatever she replied with.

What happened? Dana thought that was a better question for Aislin, but she might as well repeat what she was told. "Okay." And there was the fact that Henry would most likely ask someone like Adam and get his question answered. "There was... a woman, I don't know who, but Aislin claimed she made that child fall and transform into that godforbiddened beast...." Dana's head darted off to the side, her curly head of hair shook in rhythem. "... She went back to the cave where it all started, and met a strange man. I... don't know what happened from there, but he attempted to kill Aislin, before getting killed himself." Dana felt the strength to return gazes with Hery now. "That was when I showed up, and got her back to the school, and vowed to protect her."

Henry was quiet for a moment. "I've seen a lot of shit." He commented. "I've seen kids snap and got on small scale rampages, I've seen some kids make a mess of themselves and everybody around thim in this school." He said. "I've seen people die, more people than most will ever see, luckily." he said. "I've even seen what the inside of my leg looks like while a ship was collapsing around me. I though I saw one of my best friends be crushed right in front of my eyes." he said. "But it wasn't until Tuesday night did I find a cold blooded murder." He said. "And it wasn't until now that I found out I wasn't the only one to see one."

He shook for a second, his eyes closing, one of his huge breathes escaping his nostrils with heat and power behind his diaphram's movements. "I dont know whether to be upset that more than one passed Tuesday night, or happy I'm not alone." he said. Most of Henry's life he had suffered in silence, it was better that way. There was no need to put his anxiety and anger and frustration on others. It wasn't often that he didn't suffer alone, and whenever he didn't it was always because of something so terrible it couldn't be taken by one person alone. He had face this conundrum before. "This isn't the academy I've lived most my life and grown up in," Henry continued. "...Dana,"

"I'm scared."

Honestly, Dana couldn't say that anyone was prepared for the death of Vera - like Henry, Dana has seen... strange things. Like herself. When she looked into the mirror when she was ten and saw what she is in the dark... She shuddered. She hadn't gotten over it to this day. But the death of Vera? Dana never experienced the death of a friend before and she never knew it would hit her this hard. She had lived in bliss, and was hoping that she would never have to see the evils of the world. But that only caused it to feel all the more crushing when that ideal fell to pieces. Dana sighed.

"I'm..." Dana groaned, since she was looking for the words to say. "Terrified... this isn't the academy I grew up in anymore, is it Henry...?"

Henry made no response, he seemed to not move for a few moments before he slowly sank down, resting on his haunches next to Dana. He was a little higher than she was, even at this level. He scooted next to her and wrapped one arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to him and into his shoulder in a hug. "No, no- it's not." He said, relaxing his arm but not pulling away entirely. He had thought he lost a friend at her very age right now - Chris. He was fortunate enough to get him back. He knew that Vera would never come back for either of them. Not after what he saw. "But I promise you I'll be here to get you through it. Every step of the way." He said, locking eyes with Dana and attempting a comforting smile that was lopsided and melancholly.

But he was here. And he never went back on his promises.

These words... Dana didn't know if they were empty words to make her feel better, or had some meaning behind them. She has lived a life-time of pity because of her disability, and right now it was... blurry... to say the least. It was for the best she took it at face-value for once and move along with it. "Thank you, Olin." Dana said, looking up to Henry. "I really needed that." She meant it too. Henry here was the person she was the closest to, and easily one of the kindest people on this island... But there were all the unkind and malicious people here as well. Dana has a few suspects.

"Henry, can I talk to you about something...?" Dana leaned in closely, talking quietly, she knew his senses were so keen he'd be able to hear her. "I don't want to point fingers but..." She started tapping her fingertips together awkwardly. "But do you know who would have killed Vera? I-I... don't really want to talk about it, but I believe it's Vespera...." Dana quickly scanned the room, hoping to find everyone's evening spider. "That woman... that woman is malicious, and she scares me...."

Henry was silent for a moment. "A good suspect choice." He commented, thinking. "Whomever it was looked like they used a knife. There was a lot of... wounds, when I found her." he said. "Too sharp to have been made by claws. Whoever it was also wore boots. I couldn't find their scent throught he smell of blood." He said. "It could've been her. She is smart, cunning, exactly what you would think from a spider." he continued, his voice low. "If she is the cause, she cant be ruled out based on lack of intelligence." He said. "My only question is why would she do it? Vespera is shallow and self driven. I doubt she'd kill another for fear of me hunting her down." He said. Vespera most insect based meta humans always had an inherent fear or distaste for him. His mere presense put them off. Reptiles were the top of their respective food chains, and preyed upon nearly anything they could fit in their mouths, and then some. "She seems like the type of person to do it... but she doesnt have the motive. Vespera's too self concious behind closed doors." he said, more to himself than to Dana. "If it had been Vespera, if she had gone far enough to do it, she would've stayed to feed." he finished. "The puzzle pieces we have done match up."

He momentarilly realized that if he had killed a person he would've stayed to feed. He didn't doubt any animal meta human would hunt down or kill another without the intent to reap the benefits of their labor. He shivered at his thoughts. He had just admitted to himself that if he had killed Vera, he wouldn't eaten his fill of her corpse when he had finished. That scared him even more.

Maybe Henry has a point... or maybe he could be wrong. There was something wrong with that woman and everyone on this island knew it. But why would she do it? Motive was where this all fell apart. Perhaps Dana was simply attempting to shift blame to Vespera because she was the easiest. "I understand Henry." She nodded. "I just..." Dana coughed. "Nevermind." She cut herself off, figuring there was no point in even continuing this. Motive or not, Dana was going to keep her eye out on Vespera.

"I'll keep an eye on whatever the investigators find. You'll be the first to know if another clue comes to light." he said. "...Thank you for showing interest though. I... I'm sure Vera would've liked to know that someone cared."

Ruben Geraltes Tarblatt, Adam Leo Blackmore

---

"Surname. Tarblatt." Ruben responded, peering at Blackmore through his visor. "Greetings." He extended his limb. Out of the stump at the end grew a hand-like appendage. First the red stem, then the meat around it, and the patches of flesh to quickly envelope it. It wasn't perfect, but it would suffice for a mere handshake.

The man's (If he could even be called that anymore) robotic speech was rather unnerving to Adam - despite seeing it before. Ruben created a hand, or something that looked like it. Adam's eyes wandered downward and saw the process. His power gave him a rather intuitive understanding of the process - It was a biological power. He was comprised of an amorphous substance that he was free to shape. Regardless of the inner-workings of his power, Adam shook his hand and responded with a, "Pleasure to meet you."

"Power." Ruben stated, moments after he made contact with Adam's hand. "Class? Specific. Details unknown to me. Divulge?"

Hm. Not too many people asked for Adam's power actually. Most of the student learned it from other students, and so on. Adam himself was always willing to share his power with the students - even though it was rather alienating. "Observational Power-Replication," Adam started off. "I can copy the powers of others by observing them in action. Along with understanding them on a level most don't." He coughed, putting a hand to his lips. "Which is how I know quite a bit about your ability, Mr. Tarblatt..." He adjusted his glasses.

"Effective correctional ability." Ruben responded, "Admiration." He turned his attention past Adam's head, looking at the rows upon rows of chair situated before the center stage. The two were catching the eyes of some of the students, but not the entire building. "Vessel commander informed me of present situation." Ruben stated, turning back to Adam. "Deceased student discovered on-grounds. Details? To be examined? Here?"

Almost immediately, Adam fake-coughed, and pressed his fist against his lips. Talking about Vera was... hard, to say the least. He thought she had potential, and all of it went to waste in one night... One night. Since Ruben was apparently informed of the situation (And a member of the staff), there was little point in beating around the bush. "Vera Dubnin was the deceased student found by Professor Henry Olin. She was a healer that worked as a nurse." He said, professionally as he could, as he folded his hands behind his back. "From what I'm told, she was killed via a blade, probably a knife. Currently there are no suspects."

"Aware. Condolences from unfamiliar individuals are not held in high regard." Ruben replied, "Regardless. You have mine."

"Thank you." While Ruben was certainly a strange man, it just warmed Adam's heart that he was empathetic to even a slight degree. "It means a lot. Vera was one of the more well-liked students here. It will be... hard, on her friends."

Ruben returned the slightest nod he could, through his Brainvault. "Displeasure. To alter topics." He started, "But I. Would like to ask you something. Regarding. My interactions with the students here."

"Sure. Ask me anything." Adam quickly replied.

Ruben reached up with one of his limbs, an appendage forming and reaching into a compartment on the side of his Brainvault. He pulled out an ordinary-looking folder, stuffed with papers. He handed it to Adam. "Experiment. Long-term attention towards advancement of systems and configuration." Adam opened the folder, examining the first paper on the stack. Printed on it were five letters spaced well apart, below them a diagram depicting a... chair-like device, encased in a dodecahedron.

"Limbo?" Adam replied, still looking at the paper.

"Neural simulation generator. Creates free-form, modifiable mind-space. Built primarily for the training and advancement of Cerebral-class abilities. Expectation? To extend range to other power classes as well." Ruben replied as Adam flipped through the pages some. "Academy invitation arrived at opportune interval. Request. Student volunteers to participate in testing. Will not pursue if they wish against it. Permission, from you, and perhaps others, to pursue this course of action?"

Experimentation on the students? This was... certainly an odd request, to say the least. There's so many variables, and Adam doesn't know Ruben that well. He didn't exactly fully feel comfortable letting this man perform experiments on the students. Maybe highly regulated and supervised ones, but as Ruben said, it's made to develop Cerebral-type powers. Adam thought it was best if powers naturally develop via training and proper care. "I am very interested in this, but, I will have to think about this...." He said, looking up from the paper to Ruben. "But, I'm in no position to decide either way. You will have to ask the Headmaster himself for permission." He nodded his head, "If you do get permission, I only ask that you be very careful, and allow me to supervise them."

"Understood. Will speak with Headmaster." Ruben replied, "Well-being and safety of students lies above all else. Agree with this notion. The machine has been fully examined and tested for errors, all of which have been purged first-hand. The folder contains all updates and records. Keep." He turned his attention back towards the students and said, "Volunteer testing would be primarily for individual calibrations and examinations. Full-scale training would come later. Supervision from staff is welcome." Ruben turned back to Adam and said, "Matter to discuss later. For now, assembly. Agree?"

At least Ruben didn't come across as a mad-scientist. That inspired a little bit of faith in Tarblatt's experiments, but Adam wasn't entirely sure. "Yes, agreed." Adam replied. He was wondering who would volunteer for such an experiment. He wasn't sure himself, but he was hoping it would be for all the right reasons.

Codi Bailey and Atticus Fowler

Codi and Atticus sat next to each other in the auditorium when the meeting had been called; arriving much earlier than the majority of students, because neither of them really had anything else to do. Classes had been cancelled for the event, and because the two of them had been repeatedly receiving shocks from either witnessing events, or hearing the news, it was difficult for them to concentrate on their hobbies, which required more mental focus than what they were currently capable of. Codi would have gone and trained her powers until the poor parasitic urchin’s arms and her own body had given out, if Atticus didn’t reason with her and convince her to give her body a break. She had intensely worked yesterday, and as it turned out, she had woken up extremely sore all over the next day. She also felt a prickling sensation all over, like the kind of itching felt when someone had just gotten better circulation back into a limb. It wasn’t an unpleasant itch, but it was still distracting, regardless. She was wearing jeans with a backless halter-neck top that was patterned with red, purple, and yellow, matching Reef’s bright fiery coloration.

Atticus, in the meantime, had switched back to his human form, and was wearing a plain white t-shirt with dark navy-blue shark designs on it, along with plain jeans. As usual, he was wearing dark, tinted lenses that completely prevented people from seeing his eyes. Someone might have made fun of the fact that he was wearing them indoors, but for all anyone knew, he had laser eyes and couldn’t stop himself from obliterating the school without them. While Codi folded her arms and hunched forward uneasily in her seat, Atticus made no facial expression, but his posture suggested he was alert for something. The two sat in relative silence, but an uneasy, tense aura hung about them, as though the stress were a physical thing that could be felt.

Rosette Sauveterre

Near Theresa, Rosette’s shape materialized out of nowhere, phasing into reality as though she really were a ghost. She breathed hard for a moment, looking panicked, but as nobody could hear her breathing, it didn’t draw any attention unless they saw her up close. She finally calmed down, and looked at Theresa, who was curled up into a ball in the corner, the very image of despair. Rosette felt an odd combination of sympathy and annoyance, at this. On one hand, she was aware that seeing someone die was painful, and that she herself had been in a similar state once, and at the same time, she was irritated, because Theresa had never seen anything as terrible as what Rosette herself had been through, and yet she was wallowing in self-pity. There was a bit of mental conflict, as Rosette knew people who hadn’t witnessed horrible things couldn’t know, and yet she was inevitably prone to judge based on her own experiences.

Rosette was wearing a slim, form-fitting grey zip-up collared jacket with sleeves that had holes that her thumbs went through. She was wearing lighter jeans and pure black running shoes. The scarf she wore today was a cotton one with lime green, dark purple, and yellow, with a few black touches to emphasize that it was a flower pattern. It was an overall lighter form of dress than the dark monochrome from the day before, but it was clearly something that defined her personal form of dress. It also took away a bit from the paleness of her features, although today, she was not wearing any makeup, and an old, cut-like scar, about an inch in length, was present beneath her right eye, extremely noticeable. Usually the makeup was applied to hide it, but Rosette did not see the point of doing so today.

She watched Theresa for a bit longer, going completely unnoticed, as there was no way to actually sense her presence, before she folded her harms, and soundlessly sat down a distance from her, feeling it was appropriate not to get too close. She looked at the woman for a bit more, before she decided to say anything, “Your friends will start to worry about you, if you act like that.” She said, before looking at the ring on her right hand. It was a gorgeous ring that had belonged to her late grandmother, something that Rosette never removed from her finger. “Your happiness yesterday aggravated me to no end, but now it seems as though you are shutting down completely.” She observed.

Headmaster Dellamorte.

---

The second he walked on stage, the room went silent.

Headmaster Darrel Dellamorte, dressed up in a grey suit, sky-blue tie, black dress shoes, thin-framed glasses, and had a gold-tipped cane that he tapped loudly with every step. In a rhythm, he marched over towards the hard wooden podium. He stepped up to it, leaned his cane against it, and gently placed both hands down onto it. He stood blankly for a few seconds, and cleared his throat with a loud sound, which reverbed through the room.

"Hello students..." Dellamorte started off, somber. "I'm sure you all heard the news of Vera Dubnin's... demise, so I will not make any attempt to hide it any further. Yes, it is a great tragedy that longtime student and nurse that many of you are familiar with. My condolences go out to her family, and I take full responsibility for this - it happened on my watch. Where the school should have been much more secure. Which is why I'm going to be the first to say that this will never happen again. I'm doing all in my power to make sure that none of you are at risk. But I can only ensure that if you, the students, are willing to work with the staff to ensure that. That said, I am enacting a new role; all students are required to go everywhere in groups of at least three. No one goes anywhere alone. That way we can at least help. I promise everyone here, I will bring Vera's killer to justice. But I must ask that the students do not get involved. These are not your matters to resolve.... They are mine... That is all, students. Go out and resume your education and activities as if this never happened. You are dismissed."

The Headmaster walked off stage nonchalantly after grabbing his cane.

Nicholas Raynor

And thus, he finally arrived. Not that Nicholas was anyone important, mind you, but he was indeed among the last to arrive. Today, he wore a white t-shirt with a pair of blue jeans, keeping simple, and yet...it seemed almost bare, if anyone really knew him. Which, honestly, none of these people likely would. When he wore white, he preferred to wear some sort of button-up or jacket over it, to blend well together and create a better looking outfit, but he wasn't feeling it. Not today. Not after nearly drowning himself in his own sorrows over being unable to help, Not after feeling the rain drown him in a melodic somber beating. He just...wasn't feeling it.

The young man adjusted his brown backpack, taking a seat near Aislin and Deborah, along with Shannon. This was not a conscious decision, however. In fact, one could be surprised that Nicholas showed up at all, considering that one as usually as introverted as he was previously had been involved in that death scenario, and anyone reasonable would imagine he wouldn't want to be anywhere near this saddening affair, especially considering he hadn't used his power since that tragic night. His spirit wasn't strong enough, he didn't see it necessary, any number of excuses could be present. But he had presented none. He hadn't spoken since the incident, again, seeing no point.

But Nicholas was here. Because he valued the life of someone fallen, even if he had never known them. And furthermore, he feared that something darker...no, he -felt- it. A chill in his bones, something wasn't right. Not at all. He had to search out the truth in this situation, which was why he couldn't afford to not be here. Unfortunately, as the headmaster spoke, he heard nothing that surprised him. The headmaster refused to shed any more light than he, having been at the scene, knew. Furthermore, this man, this leader, told students not to get involved, which was fine...until one line changed his mind, which made him grasp his fist in disagreement.

As if this never happened...

No. He couldn't accept that. He wouldn't. His depression and fear was loud, but this aggravating viewpoint was enough to drive this usually silent young man into a furious line of questions...which he didn't dare voice. Hey, he was angry, but in front of all these people, after what he felt...he was still a little too drained for that...but something about how that line infuriated him. How could he act as if someone people cared about didn't die?! How could he just sit around and let it happen again, when the one responsible was still not present. He couldn't. And he wouldn't...at least. He still needed to steel himself mentally, find his center of sorts. His emotions had reason for drive, but his spirit felt weak and his reasoning could be faulty. No. He couldn't rush. He needed to gather himself again...in due time, though. He would search for the truth. In due time.

June's grin never faltered as he listened to the loud gulping noise the kid made as he chugged away at the soda behind him. From the look he'd gotten at the youth he'd pegged him as a hard case, which meant he was going to be a barrel of laughs if nothing else. From June's experience most people who had lived rough enough to look that mean that young didn't appreciate hedonist oddballs like himself. His hair usually got him a good reaction if his clothes failed to do the job. Still he wasn't looking for a fight, verbal or physical, in the middle of an auditorium packed full of folks looking to hear about a dead student. He liked to watch people do their thing but even he had his boundaries. June wasn't about to disrespect the dead, not when they'd died under the academy's nose like that. But he would certainly file this kid away for later, he wanted to see how far he could push him before they started swinging.

Needless to say he was surprised when they actually called out to him, 'anime cosplay gone wrong' wasn't likely to be anyone else after all. He shifted to sit side saddle on the chair, his sleeveless pale arm laying on the back rest as his crossed legs lounged in the aisle. His expression was one of genuine amusement as he eyed the kid cheekily "Cosplay huh? Yeah I couldn't decide who to be so I went with a blue haired version of myself. Still I figured it was better than matted hair clumps-" he wasn't exactly putting venom into the words, just giving dreadlock here a little tit for tat "-much to pirate-y for my tastes, but hey, whatever works for you". The kid hadn't exactly opened with a ray of sunshine but the fact he'd spoken to him at all piqued June's interest no end, dreadlock might not be such cheap fun after all. A thin wry smile had crept up onto June's features during his little jab, but as the room fell into hushed silence at the headmasters tapping cane it dropped like a stone. June's head turned fractionally, almost on instinct at the sudden silence, and he gave dreadlock a swift, final glance before swivelling around to focus fully on the stage. Until next time kid.

He sat stock still as he took in the speech, only his pursed lips betraying his growing frustration, it was all empty words and posturing, the gasbagging of a failed protector. He said nothing about what was actually being done to find the killer, not even admitting that the death was murder even though the whole damned school knew by now, plus his countermeasures didn't even make sense! How was he possibly going to enforce that rule? And how were students going to coordinate their movements when the education structure was so free form? The man was an idiot and had done nothing but show that fact during the entirety of his speech. A soft curse rattled under June's breath as he shook his head in disgust. This girl Vera deserved a better response that a weak speech by a weak man.

"The life of the dead is placed on the memories of the living." -Cicero

Henry Olin



Henry's eyes watched the headmaster. His every movement was noticed and every small detail was analyzed. He was bullshitting it. He knew it. So did the headmaster, and he was willing to bet that most of the students thought so as well. Henry shook his head as the Headmaster exited the stage. That wasn't enough. Not for him, not for the students, not for Vera. His respect for the headmaster fell even farther. He could've spoken about Vera, he could've told everyone what happened, he could've been a bit more meaningful to those who knew her and acted as if he cared. It was... disheartening to hear what he said. And a few seconds after the headmaster left the stage a few students began to gather their things and leave.

No. He wouldn't let that happen.

He pushed his way through the stream of students, and up onto the stage. Each foot he placed had a purpose, and he seemed to be moving faster than normal despite walking the same pace. As if he was floating. He had tunnel vision and forgot everything that was around him, save for his goal. The microphone. As he approached he swiped it off of it's stand and spoke into it. "Students, may I have your attention." Henry began. Many of the students who had been leaving stopped and turned to look at him. With so many faces Henry's resolve began to falter. "I, uh, I have something to say." he said, a small amount of fear in his voice. Their attention didn't dwindle, but a look of apprehensive distrust crossed some of their faces. Henry took a deep breath, which could be heard through the microphone, and steeled himself for what he was going to say. "My name is Professor Henry J. Olin," he began. He took another deep breath. "I've lived on the Academy for well over a decade now. I've lived here longer than some students have been alive, and I've witnessed my fair share of accidents." Henry slowed to a stop for a moment, to let the students gather their thoughts for a few moments. "I came to the academy when I was thirteen years old. One of the students who had come to the academy for the first time with me on that fateful trip was Vera. She wasn't a full student like me, but ever summer for twelve more years she'd come to the academy and every one of those twelve years we would meet. In 2002, twelve years ago for those of you who aren't math majors, there was an incident at the shipwreck," he scanned the crowd, meeting eyes with several students as he did so. Ben, Deborah, Jago, the kid with unnaturally colored hair, and more. "One of the ships collapsed on itself, resulting on eleven deaths, and well over a dozen injuries." he said.

"What you don't know, is that if it weren't for Vera, I, and many other long time students, would probably not be here right now." He said. "Vera was one of my best friends. She saved my life and many others, and became a nurse at the school after that night. She wasn't even a teenager yet and she had done more for other people than most people ever do in their lives." he said. "Everything she did was to help other people. I don't remember one day that went by that she didn't place another person above herself at least ten times." He said. "There would be times I'd go visit her in the hospital and ask her how long she had been working, and she'd have forgotten to eat and sleep. She'd have been working for three days straight one time! She had a purpose, she had a drive for helping others I don't think I've ever seen in any other human before. I hate to admit this to myself but I don't think I'll meet a person with her drive to aid others ever again." he said, his voice catching in his throat for a moment. He had a ragged breath for a moment, before he recomposed himself. "I'd ask her why she worked so hard and she'd tell me 'If I sleep I might miss the opportunity to help someone'. She was one of those people who user her power to help every person she met. She was a hero." He said. His eyes met Nicholas' for a moment, before moving back to the crowd. "I found her in the cafeteria on Tuesday night the way she was and I broke," He said, letting the whole room fall silent for a moment. His eyes met Jago's again, and he spoke. "Sorry for the outburst toward you by the way, Javuant." he said, causing a few students to lightly chuckle. Henry, not wanting to loose momentum, continued. "I don't think I'll ever fix that part of me again. There's no way TO fix it," he said, shaking his head. "There are some things that I can't let go." he stated.

He lifted his arm and pointed in the direction that the Headmaster had gone off to. "Headmaster Dellamorte had some good ideas. Travel in groups, act smart, don't go anywhere without telling anyone." he said. "That's smart." He pointed in the direction Dellamorte had walked off to again. "But there are things he said that I. Can. Not. Let. Go." he said, his voice had an edge to it by now. He had momentum. "I'm not going to pretend that nothing happened, and that the school's the same, because it's not!" he yelled. "There's no Vera in this school anymore, this ain't the school I grew up in any longer," and said, taking a breath again. "So I'm not just going to play pretend. I'm a an adult. Pretending is for children." he said. "Adults fix the problem and I'm willing to bet some of you had a hard time sleeping the last few nights. I don't blame you. I woke up three times last night." he said, trying to make the point that even he, one of the most powerful people on campus, with his size and practice with his power, was scared. "Blackmore's in the crowd here. I know it, and he's probably going to come after me when I finish. Fine, he can do that all he wants, but right now I'm going to use Dellamorte's own words against him." he said. He hit his chest with his free hand, which had previously been pointing. "I am a Professor here at the academy. I am a member of the staff." he said. "So what I am about to say is within my authority. I'm going to be doing my own investigation to find who did this to my friend. I don't know about you, but I don't trust anyone the Headmaster hires to investigate it because I don't want this being pushed under the rug. I wont settle for my friend being forgotten." he said. "So I'm asking you, the students, to tell me if you happen across anything that could interest me. I'm not telling you to investigate anything. If you do, I don't condone it, but please do it safely and in groups." he said. He hoped that they would realize that he wasn't telling them not to either. He was finding a loophole in Dellamorte's words. "If not for Vera, do it for yourselves. Do it so you can put someone to rest, and allow yourself and everyone else on the island to rest more peacefully."

He placed the microphone back into it's stand, and looked into the crowd for a few moments longer, before leaning down his neck to speak again. "We will find this person. Whomever they are. That, I promise." With those last few words spoken, Henry walked off stage and out the doors. He had a feeling he would hear from someone for that, but he didn't care. If they didn't care for Vera, he wouldn't care for them. Simple as that.

He was Henry Olin. He didn't let anyone be left behind.