[b]Collab between Tyler and Shard.[/b]


Adam Blackmore’s class, [i]power training[/i], what was he getting himself into? Honestly it was rather exciting but last year, Casper didn’t actually participate in this class. It seemed exciting but [i]oh so scary[/i]. It surprised him how he had conjured the strength to participate this time but at some point, he’d need to grow a spine. He had slipped into the outfits they were presented, something that seemed like movie props and licked his skin tightly. Was he really [i]that[/i] scrawny? Well, whatever, right? At least it didn't show how easily visible his ribs were...[i]much[/i].

Finding himself in front of the man was enough to encourage the boy to manage through this ordeal. He had come this far and to top it off, Mason was there! When he first saw him, part of the boy wanted to shout out ‘[i]Mason![/i]’ but that would be rather out of character, wouldn’t it? He had taken the liberty to stand rather close to the other boy, though. 

Throughout the day, Casper hadn’t run into Mason up until now and apart from a soft wave, he hadn’t been able to speak to him. When Adam spoke, it was highly advised to stay quiet and wait until he was finished. Though, what could he ask Mason? [i]‘Maybe I could ask him how his day was…? I wonder if he still wants to talk to me…he seemed to like me, didn’t he? I think he did…though after a day here he might have changed his opinion. Maybe if I say hi after Blackmore’s done talking…’[/i] 

Mason stood amongst the group, his body clad in the tight material. He felt incredibly uncomfortable. Perhaps it was a bout of narcissism, but it felt as though every eye was focussed on him, scrutinizing and criticising every curve of his body. The suit clung to his slender frame and really emphasised just how slim he really was, his body not hidden beneath a mass of denim for the first time in recent memory.

Adam only made him feel even more uncomfortable, reminding him of the cruel gym teachers he had been subject to over the years, and he tried his best to avoid eye-contact with the man. In doing so, he happened to glance upon a face that was much more welcome: that pink-haired waif of a boy, Casper. Mason smiled at the younger boy and then averted his gaze, not wanting to attract the unwanted attention of Mr. Blackmore.

[i]'He smiled at me! That's a good thing, right?'[/i]  Well, it must have been. Smiles were good, weren't they? Damn, this was affecting Casper just a little bit too much, wasn't it? Perhaps it was because of that outfit he was wearing, or was that was just a bad excuse? Either way, being a walking skeleton, the training outfit did not quite add any bulk to the boy at all. Showing his scrawny frame for all the see, Casper felt rather exposed but he would be lying if he didn't feel at least a [i]little[/i] cool wearing it. 

Due to his powers, Casper's gloves were fingerless but offered all the protection he'd need. The suit itself was light and easy to move in, weighing next to nothing for someone as small and weak as him to properly wear. Despite Adam's monologue, Casper raised his hand carefully and waved 'hello' to his...friend? Afterwards, he smiled slightly and looked back down. Mason was really here, it felt better than he thought it would to see that boy again.

When Blackmore suggested that questions were asked, Mason approached Casper towards the back of the group. He figured that, whilst the other students interrogated the teacher, he and Casper could catch up. 

"Hey, dude," he said, forcing a smile despite his discomfort. The pleasant nature of the younger boy made it a little easier. "How've you been?" he asked, sincerely. "Are you all settled in?"

"H-hi, Mason..." Casper's smile grew wider now that they were actually speaking. "This suit's a bit..." He looked down and sighed. "...revealing..." Though, he'd live with it. If this was what it took to pass this class with a good enough grade, he'd wear it. "I-it's nice seeing you again..." Hopefully that didn't come off as too clingy. "Oh...settled in..uhm.." He looked around at the other students that seemed comfortable enough in what they wore. "My roomates are okay...I guess...I think..." Well, Casper hadn't really gotten to know either of them that much. "Diego's kinda' quiet and uhm..." He had to stop for a moment before continuing. The other boy's name didn't quite come to mind as fast. "Lenny...yeah...we haven't talked yet.." 

Mason cringed a little at Casper's mention of the outfit. Was he making a subtle dig about how Mason looked? [i]'No,'[/i], he told himself. Casper didn't seem like the kind of guy who could be malicious even if he tried, and Mason was pleased to see that he was doing okay. 

"Well that's a start!" he exclaimed, hearing the news of Casper's roommates. "At least neither of them are hostile, right? I'm sharing with this one guy, Harmon." he explained, recalling the strange man he had met yesterday. "He's kinda funky-looking. No eyes, crystals growing out of his head... But he's actually really chill. And super smart." he said, laughing a little awkwardly. "Kinda makes me feel dumb!" he said, passing the comment off as a joke. "Have you taken this class before? The whole idea of 'power training' is kind of... Daunting, to say the least..."

[i]'Harmon! That's his name! Well, I wasn't too far off.'[/i] Casper nodded at the description of the unique individual but had an expression of 'Oh, right!' on his face. "Y-yeah...I've seen him. He was here last year..." Raising his hand, Casper reached behind his head and scratched himself slightly. "I never...said hi." Well, now perhaps he'd get the chance to at least say hello. Mason seemed to like him and that must mean that Harmon's a good guy, right? Mason wouldn't have liked him otherwise, and Mason seems like a good judge of character. "Hey..." Casper managed a soft chuckle. "You probably know a lot more than me..." He smiled. "But th-that means that...you can teach stuff, right?" The smaller boy's smile grew just a little as he spoke. He was sure that there was a lot to learn from Mason and one day perhaps he would. 

[i]Power training[/i], that word seemed so odd. It was so unfamiliar to hear 'power' in relation to anything happening at a school. "I try to think of it as uhm..." He gulped, looking down. This would probably make him sound like the geek he was. "Airsofting..." At least he was good at that. "It can also be uh...nice to see what people can do...scary but...interesting." 

Mason laughed. "Well, if you ever need to learn about colour theory, or the pioneers of surrealism... I'm your guy!" he said, in a deliberately sarcastic tone. Casper made a good point about seeing what his peers were capable of. "Yeah, I look forward to seeing what everyone has up their sleeve..." he said, trailing off as he became lost in his inhibitions. It was inevitable that he would soon have to demonstrate his abilities and expose himself as "Mr. Lame Power 2015". 

His trail of thought, along with his conversation, was interrupted when Adam's voice barked in their direction.