[hr][h1][i][color=red]Reagan Beliakoff[/color], [color=steelblue]Maurice Hendricks[/color], [color=8dc73f]Fiona Barrett[/color], & [color=007236]Michelle Gallus[/color][/i][/h1] 

[i]Written in collaboration with [b][@Mr Allen J][/b][/i][hr]

[hider=Death Cab For Cutie - Little Wanderer]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io9ivuo4r6Q[/hider]
[hr]
Classes had, for the most part, been a drag. They had spent most of the previous few days to themselves, relaxing and acclimating to their new home, keeping each other... company.

They were both intelligent, they had come from some of the best schools in the country. While they were here for entirely different purposes, as freshmen they were required to go through the basic math, science, english, etc classes that were required of college students int he first two years before they began specializing. This was... a benefit for her at least, as she didn't know what she wanted to do as of yet. However, her boyfriend, in all of his wisdom, had set a plan for himself already. Something to do with international relations, he had told her. She couldn't help but feel that it was fitting. At least for him.

[color=steelblue]"That's a king."[/color] the male said from across from her, movint the checker over and placing it on top of hers, creating a beige and brown stack. This was bad. She was at a disadvantage in this position. She looked up at him, and as she did so his concentration broke from the checker piece to her. The man gave a small smile, the left side of his lip curving upwards first like they always did. He didn't give many open smiles anymore since he got braces, she noticed. Chocolate met icy blue, and she broke out into a grin herself. She looked down at the board again, and grabbed a checker piece from her side and jumped one of his own. [color=red]"Ha!"[/color] she exclaimed, grabbing the now moot piece of his and relaxing back into her chair, feeling satisfied by putting him on the defensive. He frowned, scratching the short rough hairs that were growing on his chin. It had been a day or two since he had shaved. She watched him for a moment more, a grin plastering her face, only for it to melt off as he slowly and calmly picked up a piece close by and jumping her piece back, and then jumping around piece right next to it in a terribly, perfectly legal move. With his free hand he grabbed the lost pieces and moved them to his side. She fumed, shooting forwards to the board and eyeing the pieces as if doing so would reveal a game changing move. Her concentration was at it's peak and her frustration was quickly rising.

[color=steelblue]"You're cute when you're mad, Reagan."[/color]

She looked up, to see Maurice watching her, reclined in his chair, glasses on, wiggling his eyebrows like an idiot. She grabbed the closest checkerpiece and threw it at him. He threw his arms up to block the piece, laughing. [color=red]"I wouldn't be so mad if it wasn't for you, you idiot!"[/color], she raged, crossing her arms under her breast and huffing, turning to face anything but him. She knew that if she looked at him, she wouldn't be able to stay mad. However, as she looked at anything but him, she noticed a very... insect like woman enter and sit down not too far away from them. Mutated to a degree she could relate similarly too at times. She felt somewhat bad for the poor woman, but knew full well she wasn't a threat. At least not to her. She cleared her throat and looked over to Maurice, who met her eyes and looked over to the direction Reagan motioned to with her own blue orbs. A... meta human, but a very... effected meta human.

He looked back over to her and she rolled her eyes, taking over her both hands and, with her pointer and index finger, did the finger walk on the table over to an imaginary object, and with her thumb invited said imaginary object over to another imaginary object. What that f...

Oh.

OH.

[hr]

"... M-Miss Barret!" One woman (Likely a staff member) on the boat said, as he rushed over to the side of the railing, and gazed upon Fiona's stunt.

[color=8dc73f][i][b]"Yahoo!"[/b][/i][/color] All that could be seen was Fiona flying through the air, holding a large luggage bag over her shoulder. She hit the wooden docks with a loud thump, and in a squatting position. She literally jumped up to her feet, and turned towards the boat. [color=8dc73f]"Oh..."[/color] She said, trailing off. Her antennae drooped, and her shoulders slumped. [color=8dc73f]"...You guys didn't dock yet... My bad!"[/color] She shrugged.

"W-wait next time! You could have been hurt!" She replied.

Hurt? Fiona's gaze looked downwards - which allowed her to get a good look at her outfit. A simple T-shirt and black athletic shorts. Nothing else - Fiona almost never wore shoes! That wasn't the point, there was not one scratch or dent on her exoskeleton. If there was, she could just molt and be all good a few minutes later! Fiona smiled wide, and put the ridge of her hand to her forehead. [color=8dc73f]"Thanks for your concern, ma'am,"[/color] Fiona started off, [color=8dc73f]"But there isn't a scratch on me!"[/color] She said, laughing. She turned down the docks, and bent her legs, and forcibly shooting them so that she would hop. She repeated this again and again, jumping merely to the beat of her hard shell impacting the wooden docks. 

Up until the Cricket passed through the front doors of the Academy. She turned her hop into a walk, and stepped through the doors - right when she opened the door, some Spanish kid rushed past her. Her eyes opened, and she looked at the boy. She watched him pant for a second, and she creeked open the door behind her for a second. Peaking out to see that the boat just finished docking, and the late students just started pouring off. Unless this kid... Fiona noticed that the boy's scent had disappeared. That meant he's gone. Fiona casually turned her head back towards him just to make sure. But yeah, he was long gone. Fiona shrugged - she wondered what his problem was. Whatever, he must not want to talk about it.

Fiona walked up to the front desk, and dropped her heavy bag, leaning up on the desk. [color=8dc73f]"Sorry, I arrived late - but I need my sleeping arrangements. My name is [i]Fiona Barret[/i]"[/color] It was an interesting story as to why she hadn't arrived yet. Something came up at the Ivory Deer Community, and she was a little late. Fortunately for her, this happens often, so she arrived with the second batch. 

Fiona nodded her head as the woman told her, "Your roomate is Cassidy Lynn Daniels. Here is your key." The woman handed Fiona a key, and nodded her head. "Your room mate will come up any minute now."

The Cricket clicked her mandibles together, creating a noise. [color=8dc73f]"Sure thing, ma'am!"[/color] This was interesting, she never had a room mate before. Though, she wondered what her roomie's reaction would be to sharing a room with a Cricket. She hoped they wouldn't freak out [i]too[/i] much. She was human like them, after all... Just a little different. Either way, Fiona turned away and walked off. Her business here was over, fortunately. She made her way through the halls - until her antennas had directed her to the scent of a vibrant forest. In here? Seemed unlikely. Fiona, eager to see what she was smelling, quickened her pace - until she had began hopping. The artifical lights overwhelmed her sense of vision for a second, but after it settled, Fiona realized that she was in the middle of a beautiful garden. Breathtaking... for a few seconds. This garden was nothing she had seen before.

Now, where are the dorms? Fiona wishes to retire to them. She hopped around the garden for a little bit longer - until another smell got picked up. The smell of coffee and other pastries. Smelled like fun! Fiona changed course to that scent - quickly hopping towards it. Until she came across a small building, in the garden. With a neon sign that said "CAFE". She smirked - the place looked like fun! She stopped hopping and walked inside. It seemed kind of active. Fiona was certain the place was more active earlier in the day. She picked up some more scents. She ignored them for a moment, and sat down in a chair, and rested her luggage bag on the ground at her feet.



[hr]
Maurice slowly and purposefully stood up, walking over to the woman's table and stopping about six inches away from it. [color=steelblue]"Uh, ma'am,"[/color] he said, trying to get her attention. [color=steelblue]"I noticed you looked kinda alone, do you... maybe want to join us for tea and get some some help with that luggage?"[/color] he questioned, motioning over to the table Reagan was at. The woman he motioned to, slapped her head to her forehead. Way to go and say they were watching her, jarhead.

Huh? Fiona's antennas perked up, as her head turned towards them. There was some guy and girl at a table - they were both muscular, and that was somewhat intimidating for Fiona. However, she realized that she was a tall mix between girl and grasshopper, and all that intimidation factor evaporated. They were inviting her to drink some tea? That was an odd request, but Fiona was certainly one to take it. [color=8dc73f]"Oh this?"[/color] She slapped her shelled hand onto the luggage bag.  [color=8dc73f]"I carried this thing all the way from Black Fall! It won't bother me!"[/color] She said, in the chippiest tone she could muster. The bag didn't concern her at all, her shell didn't exactly have nerves like flesh did. So it was fine. Fiona pushed the chair back, and stood straight up. She bent her knees a bit, and hopped right over to their table - Over some other tables. Landng right at their table. She dropped the bag of luggage by their table.

Nailed it.

[color=8dc73f]"And tea? I'd love some tea!"[/color] Fiona tried to be happy as possible - to hide that concern she had deep down. She was before two... normals, as some of the people at the Community put it. They didn't like freaks like her. Fiona pulled out a table, and sat down. Sliding herself in. There was a brief silence. And in that silence, Fiona was waiting for the moment they explode at her and call her freak and other slurs. Her fears weren't realized.  [color=8dc73f]"... Oh, um... I'm [i]Fiona[/i]! Nice to meet you two!"[/color]

Maurice looked down at the spot where the luggage bag had been and kinda stared at it, as the woman he had just spoken to had so casually jumped over all the other tables to their own. He didn't know how to react to that, and he didn't know if he ever would. He shook his head and composed himself, walking back over to his table where Reagn sat, holding herself as far away as possible while still gripping the table and her eyes wide and staring directly at the newcomer. She looked to Maurice for a moment, who shrugged, and then back to... Fiona.

[color=red]"Pretty name."[/color] Reagan finally commented, relaxing into the newcomer's presence. [color=red]"My name's Reagan, and this is my boyfriend, Maurice.'[/color] she said, motioning over to the man who had invited her over. "[color=red]Jersey Devil, and power replicator, respectively.[/color]" she finished. Maurice, as if to testify to this, held up his hand to displace the blace leather gloves that covered the skin. "[color=red]I take it you dont talk to people much based on... whatever that was.[/color]" Reagan finished her eyes flicking to the table Fionna had just... jumped from.

Oh! They were lovers!? How sweet! Fiona was going to congratulate them, but she kept her mouth shut. Offering to provide a sweet smile instead. So, they were Reagan and Maurice? Names sounded [i]exotic[/i]. Or at least to her. She spent awhile in the Ivory Deer Community, and that place had some weirdly named people. Then she randomly said "Jersey Devil" and "Power Replicator"... It took Fiona a moment to figure out that she was talking about [i]powers[/i]. Fiona would be lying if she said she knew what a "Jersey Devil" is - but the thought of a Power Replicator intrigued her... and frightened her. She wondered what he was capable of. Would he want her power?

However. the conversation took a turn for the uncomfortable once Reagan mentioned how "she didn't talk to people much". Once again, Fiona's antenna's drooped, and she looked at the foot for a second. [color=8dc73f]"Um... I, uh..." Come on, Cricket, you knew this was coming.[/color] They were looking down on her because of her appearance. She shouldn't have walked up to begin with! She started breathing a bit heavier, wondering the way out. Her eyes quickly shot around - [i]looking[/i] for that escape.

[color=007236]"Hey now..."[/color] A voice came from a woman approaching, Fiona looked up at her.

[hr]

Well, this day kinda sucked. Michelle started to play pool, and fucked that up. Then she tried to head out to have some adventure, and that went no where. So, for the rest of Michelle's day, she spent it in the woods. By herself. Relaxing. Fortunately, nothing in there was ballsy enough to mess with her - an Apex Predator among the savage beasts. However, when night started to fall... that's when [i]things[/i] that frightened even her started coming out. It'd be dumb to stick around. So Michelle left the woods, and retired to the Academy. Right now, she's exploring the place. And her explorations lead her straight to the Cafe. Putting herself in a small-ass chair was awkward. She looked at the menu, with her legs crossed. Her senses were being barraged in this small ass cafe. Sounds! Smells! Sights! They were almost too much for Michelle....

"[color=red]I take it you dont talk to people much based on... whatever that was.[/color]"

Michelle heard it vibrate through her ears. Now, now? She turned her head to the table, and saw a group of three people. Two girls, and one cu- guy - she couldn't give a fuck about him. Her attention was on the ladies. One was perfectly normal, redhaired, yadda, yadda, yadda... but when it came to the other lass, that's where Michelle got heated. The girl looked... inhuman. A green exoskeleton, with buggish traits - good thing god let her keep her hair. She was just a big old bug! Still, Michelle wasn't the type to sit by and let her become this chick's verbal punching bag.

So, Michelle slid the chair back a bit, and stood straight up. She stretched her back, and let out a yawn as she walked over to them. She stepped up to the table, casually saying, [color=007236]"Hey now..."[/color] She said with a grin. [color=007236]"You pickin' on the Cricket here?"[/color] She said pretty playfully. [color=007236]"Mind if I have a seat, then?"[/color]

[hr]
Maurice looked up to the new person in surprise, and Reagan remained relatively unfazed. She had been at a position to see the woman come over. She raised an eyebrow at the remark that the new woman made? Picking on her? Oh, no.

[color=red]"Less of... Picking on, and more of pointing out an abnormal social cue..."[/color] Reagan explained. [color=red]"Nothing we can't work on. I've seen worse be made into better. Like Black Fall's lizard-cop."[/color] she said, reaching forward and taking a sip of her tea. She had initially disliked tea. She still did somewhat. Green tea was the only kind she had really come to like of the many different variations. Maurice, leaned back, grabbing a chair behind them and pulling it over to the table for huge woman after acknowledging her question for her to sit in. [color=steelblue]"Maurice,"[/color] he said, offering a gloved hand. [color=steelblue]"This here is Reagan. And... Cricket is Fiona."[/color]'

[color=007236][i]Hmph... that's what I thought.[/i][/color] Michelle thought to herself with a smirk etching it's way across her lips. She probably intimidated the lass into shutting up. Michelle just has that effect! Still, she was going to stick around. She inserted herself into this conversation, and she's going to stay [i]for[/i] the conversation. She grabbed the chair, and planted her behind down into it. [color=007236]"Oh?"[/color] She said as she descended, [color=007236]"My bad. I just got the wrong idea... Didn't know you were givin' her a bit of constructive criticism."[/color] The chick mentioned Black Fall - Michelle heard a [i]lot[/i] about that place. She wondered if she should give it a visit at some point. [color=007236][i]That means this chick must be from there.[/i][/color] Michelle thought to herself again. Didn't matter honestly.

They started throwing introductions around. Muscle-guy was Maurice. From Russia with Love was Reagan. And the Cricket-girl was Fiona. Noted, noted, and noted. It only seemed [i]fair[/i] to give out her name too. [color=007236]"Well, since we're giving out names here, I'm [i]Michelle[/i]. Nice to meet each and every one of ya'."[/color] She said with a smile on her face.

While this conversation was on-going, Fiona remained quiet. Very quiet. She observed for a bit - choosing to focus the various scents given off by the group. The perfumes wore by Reagan, the raw... masculinity given off by Michelle. [color=8dc73f][i]Something's wrong with me...?[/i][/color] Fiona asked herself, as she raised a hand to her chin. Is [i]that[/i] what Reagan is saying? She... didn't know. Maybe there was. Maybe it was because Fiona wasn't normal. Still, what Reagan is saying is rather concerning... Maybe she should just go. [color=8dc73f]"Um, hi."[/color] Fiona weakly said right after Michelle sat down. Gently waving at her.

The gears in Reagan's mind began turning as Michelle sat down, analyzing the woman very meticulously and carefully. She was heavily built, more muscular than anything else, but at the same time more bulky than Maurice. This was compounded by her height. She had yet to stand up next to her, but she was obviously incredibly tall, enough to play basketball with no trouble by the looks of it. She was African American, strong chin, bob haircut. Lots of scars. She was obviously someone she wouldn't be able to intimidate out with sheer appearance like she could others, should she need to. Creativity however, was intelligence having fun.

[color=red]"It's a pleasure to meet you."[/color] Reagan said only a second or so after Maurice spoke. [color=red]"You seem like you'll have a lot of stories to tell, based on those scars."[/color]

Hmph. What does this girl think she is? A soap opera? Her business was her business, she wasn't going to start spilling her life story just yet. [color=007236]"Now, now, [i]Reagan[/i]... Don't you think you're getting a little ahead of yourself?"[/color] Michelle put a hand on her chest as she said with an idle smile.  [color=007236]"We just met."[/color] 

"[color=red]I didn't ask,[/color]" Reagan began, only for Maurice to give her a look that caused her to second guess continuing the rebuttal. As if to say that it wasnt worth it. [color=steelblue]"So, what do you do?"[/color] Maurice questioned, leaning back in his seat. [color=steelblue]"And Fiona, where are you from? You never said."[/color].

[color=007236][i]Sure sounded like it.[/i][/color] She thought to herself - very close to saying it outloud. Michelle's face turned into a grimace, and she glared at Reagan. Before she rolled her eyes and let it go. No point in keeping this going - since [i]even[/i] if Reagan was asking, Michelle's lips are sealed. However, Reagan decided on a simple question - where did Michelle come from? Well, that was pretty simple, actually. The most she would tell about her past is that she lived in Florida, and worked in a circus. [color=007236]"Well, I came from Flordia... did a lil' bit of work in a circus for a few years, before they sent me here to get my cerifications...."[/color] Michelle shrugged. That was all she was going to say.

The answer came harder to Fiona to Michelle - mostly out of uncertainy to say. Should she tell them [i]everything[/i]? Or just the important stuff. Fiona clicked her mandibles together as her antennae arced upwards. [color=8dc73f]"Um, I drifted from city to city, until I settled in Black Fall... where I lived for the last couple of years."[/color]

Maurice nodded, and met eyes with Reagan, who looked back to him with blank eyes. She was silent for a moment, before she blinked and shrugged. She had once again, not asked Michelle, who answered anyways... an arrogant gesture, but she would look past it for now. Maurice, on the other hand was completely unaware of the situation Reagan was analyzing in her head. [color=red]"Immigrated from Russia to DC. Now I'm here."[/color] was her initial response. [color=steelblue]"You can probably tell where I'm from."[/color] Maurice added in, shrugging. He was severly british and he knew it.

Maurice yawned and pulled out his phone to check the time. 7:41 PM. Not too late, but they were still acclimating to the new time zone. They were up at 2AM the night before, before they forced themselves to sleep. He was hopng to get to bed at a more reasonable time. He was impressed that these people were dealing with the jetlag so well themselves. He looked back to the game they had been playing before the other two had decided to join him, and seeing as Reagan had forgotten her turn, slid another piece forward, jumping another one of Reagan's pieces. Seeing this, the woman who commanded the small checker army coughed on her drink and grabbed another checked piece of hers, and promptly threw it at Maurice. He laughed again, throwing up his arms, but was too slow and the piece bounced off his glasses.

[color=red]"Fuck you!"[/color]