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[center][h2]And[/h2][/center]
[img]http://fontmeme.com/embed.php?text=Ashton%20Bryant&name=rexlia%20free.ttf&size=50&style_color=02A81E[/img]

[img]http://33.media.tumblr.com/67914a68612819126f5cfff85875bb8a/tumblr_nmt1fc1pL41th1illo3_500.gif[/img]
[img]http://33.media.tumblr.com/8b4c6d6a7f6d5c19a325729d93af539a/tumblr_inline_mowaqaaEte1qz4rgp.gif[/img]

Location: Wilcox Lodge
Interacting with: Each other, Everett via text [@AcerRo]
[hr][hr]

Nina had been woken up when Everett had come by and summoned Dags. She rolled over a bit and sighed and then sat up. She looked over at the mirror in the room and then herself. She looked like she had seen a ghost still, her eyes haunted a bit. 

She reached over for her bag and pulled out her hairbrush and then paused. The new dress from Everett was right on top, taunting her a bit. It was a lovely dress, but was it appropriate for what what happening? She shrugged and tugged off her grungy clothing and then tugged on the dress and looked a herself in the mirror. The dress was perfect. It clung in the right places, and looked better than any of her other clothing.

As she was trying to figure out what to do with her hair, her phone buzzed. She saw a text from Everett and sighed. [color=d86c00][i]"Be down in a moment."[/i][/color] She texted back and tossed her phone on the bed. She decided to tug her hair up into a loose bun, with some curls hanging around her face. She tucked her phone away, and headed downstairs.

As Nina was heading downstairs, her phone buzzed once again. When she pulled it back out, she found that she had a text from Ashton.

[quote=Ashton]
A bunch of shit went down today huh? Is the party still on despite the..thing? Not really in a party mood, but don't want to be alone either.[/quote]

She paused for a moment and realized that she was not the only one suffering from what had happened. [color=d86c00][i]"Hey, yeah. So much shit, but the party is still on and I'm there. Petyr and I are crashing at the Lodge tonight b/c dad out of town and don't wanna be in house alone. However, I'd love to see you at the party. Don't want to be alone either."[/i][/color] She texted back and then paused. Her phone photo background made her sad, especially today. She flipped through the photos and found one of her and Ash from the past summer and smiled a bit.

Ashton had bid goodbye to Jay after they had magically teleported back to Ash's home. Thankfully, Jay had been able to calm Ashton down a bit, so there was no danger of him electrocuting everyone... For now, at least. He quickly checked his phone when it buzzed, managing a hint of a smile at Nina's prompt reply. So the party was still happening, eh? That was a ballsy move on Everett's part--would parents even allow their children to attend?

[quote=Ashton]
Be right there then, I guess.[/quote]

After he had replied to Nina, Ashton climbed into his car to head over to Everett's place.

Nina felt her phone buzz and she flipped over to messages and saw the text from Ash and managed a smile.  [color=d86c00][i]"See you soon then."[/i][/color] She stepped outside and sat down on one of the benched of the porch of the Wilcox Lodge, waiting for Ash to arrive. It would have been rude not to be there to greet him.

A few minutes later, Ashton's car pulled up to the lodge. Before jumping out of his car, Ashton took a moment or two to compose himself before facing all of the party goers. He didn't look like complete hell, did he? The last thing he needed right now was to suddenly become Zeus and blast everyone with lightning. He was a bit tired right now, so that was a good sign.

He heaved a sigh as he swung his car door open. He lifted a hand in greeting to Nina as he sauntered over to her. [color=32CD32][b]"Hey Nina. You doing okay?"[/b][/color]

Nina walked over and hugged Ash tightly. [color=d86c00]"I could be doing better. But what about you? You didn't... oh you did, didn't you? Oh Ash, I'm sorry."[/color] Nina knew that Ash was probably going through hell right now, considering what had happened a few years ago.  [color=d86c00]"I'm here for you Ash."[/color]

Ashton wasn't the type to shed tears very easily or openly in front of other people. But when Nina said that she was here for him, something inside him snapped. While no tears escaped his eyes--thankfully--he gave a shuddering breath as he buried his face in Nina's hair. His arms tightened around the shorter girl.

[color=32CD32][b]"Thanks Nina."[/b][/color] There were so many words that Ashton wanted to say, so many emotions that he wanted to display but he didn't. There was no point in it now. The only one that mattered currently was his gratitude to his friend.

Nina's own grasp tightened around Ash as she heard his shuddering breath and felt him bury his head in her hair. She ran a hand along his back, in a comforting gesture. No where in her thoughts were how this might look to others, just right then and there, she wanted to be there for her friend.  [color=d86c00]"Anytime Ash. You know I care about you, right?"[/color] 

After a few moments of silence, Ashton loosened his grip around Nina and leaned back. There was now a half smile upon his face. It was a little faint and strained, but it was there nonetheless. He poked Nina's forehead while saying, [color=32CD32][b]"Wow Nina. Tell me something I don't know."[/b][/color]

There was another pause. [color=32CD32][b]"In all seriousness... Yeah, I do. And I care about you too."[/b][/color]

Nina blushed a bit and rubbed her forehead a little where he had poked and looked up at him.  [color=d86c00]"I know. Thanks. So, how are you holding up? Anything new I should know about besides the obvious?"[/color] She pulled back a little bit, a look of curiosity on her face.

Ashton hesitated for a moment. Why yes, there was something new but he didn't really want to make a scene. He gave a glance around and saw that more people were beginning to arrive at the party. He nodded to Nina and grabbed her hand. [color=32CD32][b]"Let's go somewhere secluded first, I don't want to make a scene."[/b][/color]

He lead Nina over a little ways away, where they would be obscured by trees. After giving one more glance to make sure that there wasn't many people around, he released her hand and backed away from her a little. [color=32CD32][b]"Guess you're not the only one with cool powers."[/b][/color] He said with a slight smirk. He held his right hand at around shoulder height before concentrating his energy and emotion to his hand. A few moments later, Ashton's hand crackled with electricity.

 [color=d86c00]"Woah... you're like Verona's personal Zeus. That's really cool Ash. I can't generate my power, so I'll admit I'm a little envious. May I ask how you found out?"[/color] Nina looked at Ash's hand in amazement. 
 
Ashton gave a slight grimace at her question. [color=32CD32][b]"I uh.. May have accidentally destroyed a tree."[/b][/color] He closed his hand and his eyes and took a deep breath. The electricity disappeared, and a slight headache took its place. He opened his eyes and grinned. [color=32CD32][b]"Zeus, eh? That sounds both amazing and horrifying."[/b][/color]

[color=32CD32][b]"Oh, but you probably don't want to touch me for a little while. I'll probably shock you."[/b][/color]

 [color=d86c00]"I mean more with the powers than personality. As for accidentally destroying a tree, might have done that a little myself yesterday."[/color] Nina looked a little sheepish at that.  [color=d86c00]"Was trying to see what I could do. But I don't quite have control of my power yet."[/color] She noticed the electricity disappear and nodded.  [color=d86c00]"Noted. After you power done, no touching for a bit."[/color] Nina reached for the lighter she had stolen from her father and flipped it over in her hand a bit.

[color=32CD32][b]"This is insane, Nina."[/b][/color] Ashton chuckled, [color=32CD32][b]"We have [i]superpowers[/i]. And we're talking about them like it's normal. Controlling fire has got to be the coolest thing ever."[/b][/color]

 [color=d86c00]"You're telling me. But, I guess it is normal now. As for it being the coolest thing ever, I don't know about that. I mean, I burnt breakfast to a crisp, nearly burnt down a forest, and I gotta make sure I keep my emotions in check... not that it has been easy lately. I mean, everything is so confusing right now. I thought things were getting better but, bam, today happened and I... I just want to get the hell out of this town Ash. I can't do it... not again."[/color] Nina could feel the tears welling up in her eyes again. She was trying hard not to think about it, but well, her she was, doing just that.
 
 Ashton instinctively moved closer to her to throw his arm around her, but he paused. He wasn't completely sure that he was completely electricity free. After awkwardly lowering his hand, he crouched down a bit to peer into Nina's face.
 
 [color=32CD32][b]"I know,"[/b][/color] Ashton said quietly, [color=32CD32][b]"And I wish that I could tell you to run away from here and never look back... But I can't. I hate this town and I don't want to stay either, but I dunno. I don't think that leaving right now isn't going to help."[/b][/color]
 
Ashton ran his hand through his hair with a frustrated sigh. [color=32CD32][b]"Sorry Nina. I don't know what I'm saying, and I don't know what to tell you except... I know how you feel."[/b][/color]

 [color=d86c00]"No, you're probably right. Leaving won't really help, just... I don't know anymore. I'm sorry Ash. I know I probably shouldn't dump this on you right now, but I got the feeling you'd understand. Seems I was right."[/color] She flipped the lighter over in her hand again.  [color=d86c00]"I just wish I could go back a few days, y'know, to when everything made sense?"[/color]

[color=32CD32][b]"Everything has changed so much in like the past two days."[/b][/color] Ashton murmured in agreement. [color=32CD32][b]"We're all a little on edge. But like all cheesy movie quotes and standard cliche statements, I guess we have to make the best of it. I wish we didn't."[/b][/color]

Nina nodded, and tucked the lighter away. [color=d86c00]"I guess so. Should we go join the others? I'm sure at least Petyr will notice I'm not there... but honestly, this just feels wrong. Everett must have something lose in his head to have this party still going on despite everything."[/color]

Ashton gave a grimace. [color=32CD32][b]"A party on the night someone was murdered... Yeah, it's pretty twisted. But at least it'll take our minds off of it? I'm sure he doesn't mean any harm. But yeah, we should go back. I wonder how many people are gong to show up?"[/b][/color]

Ashton started heading over to the lodge, trying to at least attempt to imitate the usual confidence he had in his step. Nina was right. This party did feel wrong.

 [color=d86c00]"You're right. At least something to keep our minds off of things."[/color] Nina sighed and headed back to the lodge with Ash, keeping a bit quiet. Her mind was racing through a thousand other thoughts, but one stuck with her.  [color=d86c00][i]"I'm keeping my damn lighter with me tonight."[/i][/color]