[Center] [img]http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjdiZDk3My5TWEpwY3lCRWRtOXlZV3MsLjAAAAAAAAAA/quirlycues.regular.png[/img] [img]http://top1walls.com/thumbs/celebrities/nicola-peltz-actress-black-5232-480x320.jpg[/img][/center] It took longer than usual for the sun to come out today. Not that it was a bad thing; just an odd observation Iris Dvorak made as she sat alone in her room. She stared at her bed as it beckoned her forward, out of the corner where the lingering shadows slowly receded into nothing. She didn't want to leave the darkness. Not yet. For Iris knew that the moment the sun fully illuminated the room, a wave of exaustion would come over her. It was the darkness that gave her energy to stay awake. It fueled her. Without it, she felt... empty. It was inevitable, she knew. But still she stayed, watching the light slowly move towards her. As it touched her pale foot, she drew it away, quickly pulling her legs closer to her body as if the light would burn her. Iris knew better. There was no harm in sunlight. But she was so... tired. She couldn't remember the last time she slept in her bed. It had been so long, she now was convinced that the sun stripped her of her energy. Made her more of the walking dead woman many assumed her to be. It was all just the fault of a bad routine. It started years ago, when Iris first realized how alive she felt at night. She would stay awake all day for school, work, etc... and then at night, when she was supposed to be resting, she was filled with an unxpendable about of energy that kept her awake. Again the sun would rise and the energy would fade, leaving the exaustion behind. It was daytime however, so she couldn't sleep because of her busy schedule. This cycle repeated and repeated until now. Her body would never fail her, no matter how tired she was, but it made her already uptight personality even more repulsive. Iris knew all of this, but what could she do? She could run away for a few days just to sleep... pretend to be sick for a day just to sleep... She thought of doing that often, but eh. It would never be enough to catch up on what she'd lost. Finally, after a few more excruciating minutes, the sun had lit her room, and her darkness was gone. Iris stood on trembling legs and made her way to the bed. It was so comforting, the small thing. As she lay there, it wrapped her in warmth and security from... everything. Her green eyes closed, and she was lost. Lost to time, place, everything. All she knew, was that she was finally sleeping. Such a wonderful thing so many people took for granted, was a real luxury for her. Iris was out like a light in moments, not wasting a single second of the sweet serenity in her empty dreams. --- By the time she woke, it was just beginning to lose light outside; likely around three in the afternoon. Her shadows were back, and the smell of fresh baked good filled her room, flooding her senses. It was time for work. At the young age of 21, Iris was no longer in school. Most of her days she would spend out at the library, reading up on everything she could get her hands on. Filling up her mind with useless information was her new daytime distraction before it was time to head back to the Bakery where she worked. Ah the Bakery... So many memories she had made there. Some pleasent, others down right fucked up. Iris loved working there for the most part. It was nice, but often times, she had wanted more. The Bakery was the first level of the two story building her family bought as a home. They lived together on the second level, and the basement was used to store items and food for the shop below. It was a nice set up they had, and for that reason, Iris never thought about leaving. At least, that's the reason she liked to tell herself. For now, she was content on staying and doing what she's been doing. Afterall, she was alive and safe. Her household was not too well off, but stable enough to expect one large meal a day. During this day and age, not many people had that luxury. By the time Iris had to begin work, there was enough darkness to draw energy from all around her. She didn't get nearly enough sleep, but at least it was something. She dressed up in her usual work clothes. [center][hider=Iris Clothes] [Img] http://s9.favim.com/orig/130908/2013-clothes-fashion-hipster-Favim.com-908565.jpg[/img] [/hider][/center] No uniform standard. Something cute that would attract people to come by while she washed the windows in the front and showed off the tone body she had finally been graced with after turning sixteen. It wasn't her sick idea to do that, but hey, it worked. She was good for business according to her parents, not sure if they thought that was all she was good for. As long as she didn't open up her mouth, she was good. When she did, normally rude things spilled out when people tried to mention anything that had to do with her body. "Eat and get out" was usually the only thing she said to those men who stopped by, hoping for... who knows what. Well enough about that. A scowl was forming on Iris' face already just thinking about it. Speaking of her face, Iris noticed she look particularly horrible as she looked into the mirror on her desk that sat against the farthest wall in her room. Closing her eyes, she extended her arms out on either side of her and drew the shadows towards her. They snaked across the floor like living creatures, wrapping around her like a blanket as she absorbed the energy into her body. Slowly, she began to feel more awake, and energized as if charged with electricity. Her body was reacting to her absorption of the darkness, and after a few moments, she felt satisfied. She released a breath she had been holding and looked at herself in the mirror once again. She looked like a different person now. Her cheeks were not so sunken in, the dark circles under her eyes had faded, and her pale skin seemed to glow. She gave a smile and started to brush her hair, finally ready to start her shift. [color=PaleGreen]"Hn. Not every woman needs beauty sleep."[/color] --- It was halfway into her shift, around six thirty in the evening, when the sun finally began to fall at a faster pace. The Bakery was a bit slow today, being in the middle of the week. Most of the customers came to get their breads for dinner and cakes for various celebrations, only to stay a short while before leaving. The middle of the week was busy for everyone else, and as a result, boring for Iris. As she stood behind the front counter, chin resting on her open palm, she wondered if anything interesting would happen today. She had resorted to staring at the few people who decided to sit and order beers with their pastries. Likely the start of a long night of drinking for some of them. For once, Iris didn't like being so alone. Her mother had gone out to buy more ingredients from the local markets, and her father was in the basement, switching between taking inventory and yelling at who knows what. Eventually a few more people came into the shop. Two people who looked to be a couple, practically smashed into another man who was well dressed, and seemed to stick out to her. She had never seen him around before. Not that she had seen everyone in New York City. Iris was good with faces. Being the only bakery around for miles, a lot of people had to stop here to get their fresh breads. This particular man, she had not seen before. [color=PaleGreen]"Welcome."[/color] She said, trying to sound pleasent and failing as the three walked in. "Hey." The man who upon closer inspection, was a teenager, said. He had his arm around a girl who looked no older than he did. "I need a special cake for my... special girl." He said, kissing the girls cheek which caused her to erupt into a flurry of giggles. Iris tried not to frown and rolled her eyes as she turned from them. [color=PaleGreen]"We have some cakes on display over here."[/color] She said, leading them over. [color=PaleGreen]"Take your time to choose."[/color] "Thank you." The girl said smiling as the two began to look. Iris walked back over to the man who was waiting patiently. He was well dressed, she had to give him that. He looked really handsome. Iris avoided looking too long however as she got closer. [center][Hider=The Handsome Man's Clothes] [Img] https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4c/78/43/4c7843c95dd8cd6a46d889f730ae65be.jpg[/img] [/Hider][/center] [color=PaleGreen]"Thanks for waiting. What can I help you with?"[/color] She asked as she moved back around the front counter. He stepped forward and leaned his elbow on the counter. [color=DarkCyan]"I actually came here so I can speak with you. My name is Erik Lehnsherr. You are Iris, am I right?"[/color] Iris raised her brow at him. So he was another one of those guys who thought they were cool enough to ask her out. It was going to be fun letting him down. [color=PaleGreen]"What makes you think I want to talk to you?"[/color] She asked him with an annoyed tone. He ran a hand through his short brown hair and smiled. [color=DarkCyan]"There is that colorful personality I read about. Don't worry Iris, I'll do all the talking. You just have to listen."[/color] He said. Iris already didn't like the sound of that. He had read something about her? That seemed a bit fishy, and really odd for a pick up line. [color=PaleGreen]"How about you order something. Eat it and leave."[/color] She said, crossing her arms. He looked at her for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if she was testing his patience. After a moment he nodded. [color=DarkCyan]"Okay."[/color] He said putting his hands on the counter and standing up straight. [color=DarkCyan]"I'll take one of your Blueberry Vatrushkas."[/color] He said the Russian pastry in a perfect accent. It surprised Iris, but she nodded and went to go retrieve his selection. When she returned, he handed her the money and suddenly, the dimly lit bakery got darker. A cloud had passed over the sun, causing a shadow to fall over her hand as she held the paper bag out to him. Without thinking too much about it, she waved it away with her free hand, the shadow receding away from her. She snatched her hand back fast when he took hold of his bag, realizing what she had just done, silently hoping he didn't notice. Pushing his change across the counter to him, she crossed her arms and waited for him to leave. [color=DarkCyan]"That's a nice trick you did there with that shadow."[/color] He said to Iris' horror. She bit her lip and said nothing. [color=DarkCyan]"I think I have a better one."[/color] He said with a smirk. He reached out as if he were going to take the change, and instead, Iris watched as the coins began to levitate, and floated back to her. They dropped into the 'Tip' jar to her left with a light clang. [color=DarkCyan]"Keep the change. Let me know if you change your mind about that talk."[/color] He said, turning and going to sit down at one of the tables near the window. Iris was stunned. Jumping slightly when her father came up from behind her a minute later, she turned to him and shook her head. [color=PaleGreen]"I don't feel well, I'm going on break."[/color] Was all she said before pushing past him. She made her way to her room, heart racing like she was just finished running a mile. She closed and locked her door, barely making it to her bed before collapsing. She ran a hand through her hair as she thought back to what she had just seen. Something so simple, what he had referred to as a trick... just turned Iris' world upside down. For the first time in her life, she finally found someone like her. Somebody who was different. --- Sooner than later, her break ended and she returned downstairs. That man... Erik was his name, was still sitting down at the table he was before. He didn't move for a while, and she couldn't help but stare as his back faced her. After what seemed like hours, he stood and walked over to her. She was wary of him, crossing her arms as he approached. [color=DarkCyan]"Does your staring at me for the past fourty five minutes mean that you plan to hear me out now?"[/color] [color=PaleGreen]"I was... not staring."[/color] She said, avoiding the question easily. He turned and pointed to a reflective piece of ventilation that was above his table, and sure enough, she could see herself clearly. [color=DarkCyan]"You were staring. I know because I was watching you too."[/color] [color=PaleGreen]"It was your scarf I was looking at. Not you."[/color] She bluffed, still trying to fight her way out of this awkward situation. [color=PaleGreen]"Won't you just leave?"[/color] [color=DarkCyan]"Alright I'm leaving."[/color] He said, but he paused. [color=DarkCyan]"My scarf, huh?"[/color] Iris watched with wide green eyes as he casually took off his scarf and leaned over the counter to wrap it around her neck with his impossibly long arms. [color=DarkCyan]"I'm not giving up just yet. If you want to talk, meet me outside when your shift ends."[/color] [color=PaleGreen]"That's not for another few hours. Won't you just go home?"[/color] She asked, unconsciously reaching up to touch the soft scarf at her neck. [color=DarkCyan]"I cant. Not until you listen to what I have to say. Afterall..."[/color] he turned and started to walk towards the door. [color=DarkCyan]"A place like this... it's not suited for people like us."[/color] With a short wave, he left the way he came in. --- Iris' shift ended at 10 pm, but her parents had her do the cleaning up after the shop closed, so she didn't finish working until an hour after that. She had her entire shift to debate about wether or not to hear what that man had to say, and after a while she had made up her mind. If there was any way he was like her at all, she should probably hear him out. And for all she knew, he'd keep coming back until they agreed to have a discussion. Still, even after she was completely finished, Iris hesitated upon going outside to meet him. Eventually, after making sure her parents were asleep, she decided to brave it and went outside the front of the shop to meet him. She found him leaned against a street lamp, fiddling with something in his hands. The air outside was cold, and Iris hugged herself as she stepped over to him slowly. [color=PaleGreen]"Please tell me you were not waiting outside all this time."[/color] [color=DarkCyan]"I grew up in a place that was pretty cold. This is nothing to me."[/color] He said, though Iris was sure she caught a light tremble in his voice. [color=PaleGreen]"You didn't answer my question."[/color] She said, rubbing her arms. [color=PaleGreen]"Come on, let's go inside."[/color] She offered, turning and not waiting for him at all. Footsteps behind her told her he was right on her heels though. When they went inside, Iris turned on one of the lights in the room, and they went to sit on that side of the Bakery. [color=PaleGreen]"I'll just... put on a pot of tea."[/color] She said, shuffling out for a few moments, then returning shortly after. She sat across the table from him, crossing her left leg over the other and waited for him to speak. He said nothing for a long moment and Iris frowned. [color=PaleGreen]"You made such a big fuss about wanting to talk to me, and now you want to be silent? I don't have the time or patience to play games."[/color] The man named Erik nodded and leaned forward, crossing his arms on top of the table. [color=DarkCyan]"I gathered that much already. Fine, I'll make this quick and be out of your hair in no time."[/color] He paused and studied her face for a moment before speaking again. [color=DarkCyan]"I have an offer for you. One that, if you're as smart as you look, you will surly not pass up. "My colleagues, Logan, Charles, and I are doing this thing where we go around and find people like us. People with special abilities. Mutants... it's what we are. It's what you are. It's what so many others are just beginning to realize that they are. And we're trying to find them, before something bad happens to them."[/color] [color=PaleGreen]"Bad like what?"[/color] Iris said, actually listening to what he was saying. [color=DarkCyan]"That's what we don't want to find out. Its been repeated in history time and time again... that humans, the regular ones, fear things they don't understand, things that are different. Things they fear are usually always exterminated. "Now I'm not here to frighten you. Like I said, I came here to offer you a place where you can go and be around others who are like you and I. A place that is safe, and where you can learn how to use your powers to the fullest extent. A school essentially." [/color] He paused as the sound of boiling water was heard. Iris stood without a word and went to go fix some tea for them. She put his in a larger mug, and made a small cup for herself before bringing it out to the table. Erik mumbled a thanks before the two sat in silence once again. After a while, Iris decided to speak up. [color=PaleGreen]"Up until a few hours ago, I thought I was alone. The only one who was different. And now you come along and tell me there are others out there? Other freaks like me and you want me to join them in some kind of school?"[/color] She placed her cup down gently and ran a hand down her face. [color=PaleGreen]"I don't want to learn more about my powers. I don't want them at all, let alone prance around with other monsters like me to remind me every day that I'm not normal? No thanks."[/color] [color=DarkCyan]"Iris, listen."[/color] He started. [color=PaleGreen]"I don't want to hear any more of this. All my life I've been picked on because I was different. Granted it was never for my powers, but everyone hated me for one reason or another. I couldn't figure out why. When I found out I was different, that I was some freak that fed on darkness, even I started hating myself."[/color] Iris' face darkened in anger as she spoke. The hurt of the past years were shown clearly on her face and her voice was low as she spoke. [color=DarkCyan]"Learning how to "use my powers" is not going to change anything. I'm still going to be a freak. Or a mutant, whatever the hell you call it. Being different ruined my life, and it's a little damn late to try to embrace it."[/color] Erik's glass came down with a loud clang that made Iris jump. [color=DarkCyan]"It's unfortunate we couldn't have found you sooner, but I assure you that it's not too late. I think you're long overdo for a harsh lesson in reality. Even if you were the same as them, as every other human, they still would have found a way to make you feel like you were less than them. Your ability does not make you a monster. It makes you better than them. You can't see it, but I do. I see the beauty and the power in every mutation. It's after you move on from your childish desire to fit in that you too will be able to see it."[/color] Iris was surprised at the sudden shift of intensity in Erik's voice. It was like she struck a nerve in him and he suddenly became very passionate about what he was saying. He had leaned forward towards her and was speaking with force. It made Iris look down at her lap and sigh. [color=PaleGreen]"I don't know..."[/color] she said, unsure of wether to agree or disagree with him. They sat again in silence for some time before he sighed as well. [color=DarkCyan]"The school offers you a place to live while you work more on controlling your powers. It's not much but better than the state most of our fellow mutants are living in. ...Iris, this is an opportunity for you to be in an environment where you are free to be yourself. You can't change who you are, so I see no point in hating who you are either. You make the best of it."[/color] He stopped talking and Iris' eyes flicked up to meet his brown ones. He was holding something out to her. It was a folded piece of paper which she extended her arm and took. [color=PaleGreen]"What's this?"[/color] She asked, looking at it. [color=DarkCyan]"It's the address of the school. I'll give you a week to think about it. If you want to, stop by then and have a look around. You have nothing to lose in this."[/color] Iris just shook her head and sighed. [color=PaleGreen]"Fine. I'll think about it."[/color] [color=DarkCyan]"Great. We're done here then. I hope you see you soon Iris."[/color] he said standing. She stood as well, bending down to fix her shoe that started to slip off. When she stood up again she looked around and saw the front door close quietly. Running over, she opened it and looked outside. [color=PaleGreen]"Wait, Erik... your scarf-"[/color] she started to say. Then she blinked. He was gone. --- [Center][Hider=Her current Outfit] [Img] http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5ucnuFJ5a1r15q9to1_400.png[/img] [/hider][/center] Fast forward a week and sure enough, here she stood, in front of a large building that looked like it used to be something else. Not much like a normal school Iris remembered growing up. She stood across the street from what she assumed to be the main entrance with a scowl on her face. It was a wide building, taking up an entire street corner; tall as well, standing three stories and perhaps a basement. It looked somewhere in the middle of being repaired or something. Alright, description aside, it looked like a piece of work to say the least. To top it all off, this random building was oddly hard for her to find. Though she'd never admit it, Iris was severely directionally challenged. She was bad with maps too. And speaking of maps, one would think she'd been given at least a rough sketch of a map. Something other than an address. Not to mention she was slightly uncomfortable out in the sun with only a small black umbrella to cast some shadow over her. It was bad. Just a mess. Iris was already starting to slightly regret her decision. The only reason she didn't turn back was because she was convinced she'd get lost trying to find her way home. Thinking back on when she was approched by Erik a week ago, she never would have guess she'd actually agree to come. The fact that she had nothing to lose was what made her decide to take a leap of faith. Worst case scenario was, if she didn't like what she saw, she could just claim to be returning the scarf she'd been given. And at that thought, Iris reached up and touched the soft cloth at her neck. Oddly enough she had worn it every day since she'd received it. Just having it was a reminder to her of the first person she'd met who was like her. It was a reminder that a new chapter in her life was just starting. Maybe it had already started. Either way, Iris had to admit, it was more than a little terrifying. Despite her fears, Iris took the last few steps over to the door and toom the handle in her hand. It was a cool touch to her warm palm, but it calmed her enough to open the door and step inside.