Liam blinked at her use of the word friend. It was unusual for Liam to hear the term since either he or his ghosts had driven most everyone off with a few peripheral exceptions. A grin crept up on him and he nodded decisively. "Alright so long as you have your back I think we'll be fine."

Turning to look at her again he held up his hand. "This is just fair warning. Things can get weird around me. So if you feel the need to run don't feel bad; that's pretty normal for me." With a wry smile he turn3d to face the gymnasium again. Do I really look like I know my way around? Or is she just being nice The internal dialogue went back and forth for a little before he decided that he didn't really care. This was his first chance to make an actual friend in quite some time and he was going to make it work.

With a final glance over his shoulder he spoke up with a joking tone "Alright now if anyone attacks us or anything like that. You fight them and I'll go run for help" chuckling he turned and led the way towards the food as he'did given his first plate to Elaine. It was probably time for the staff to make an appearance soon. Hopefully no more fights broke out.

@Dusksong

"I am an empath." Ashleigh said, after pondering whether or not to reply. She couldn't keep her powers a secret, so she might as well tell this kid what they were. She held up her hand, witht he bracelet "Unfortunately, my abilities are strong. I get overwhelmed with others emotions. Paulina pretty much saved my life with this bracelet. I also have telekinesis-lord knows where that comes from-and the ability to heal"

She gave a shrug, "I don't particularly like my abilities. I'd prefer to be normal, but sadly I was a freak there anyway, even without my powers" She said it without emotion, and looked down at her book, hoping that Paulina would rescue her from small talk
@Natsu@Thundercrash

@caits
Jason walked over to the tables, and grabbed a plate. Seems all that conflict is gone, now what? He was really out of his element in this new place. He found a small quiet table to eat and think. Everyone here already seemed to know each other. However he was foreign to everyone else, so it would take a while before he would fit in.

He observed the blonde boy talking to Ashleigh. Clearly she's a little uncomfortable. I wonder what she's talking to him about? The boy seemed a little too pushy. Sometimes you couldn't ask everything that was on your mind.However, the blonde boy wasn't the only late student, it seemed more were pouring into the gym. Damn, how many kids can't figure out how to operate an alarm clock? He thought about trying to find someone to talk to, but no one was close enough, plus he was really hungry.
@natsu

Giggling to herself at her friend’s antics, Paulina grabbed a plate and began piling her favourites. The cook staff had pulled out the stops again this year, so coming to the yearly socials wasn’t an entire loss. ”Vivi, if you’re gonna tease him like that, at least remember to learn his name before you start playing with him. And try not to wear this one out; you’ll ruin him for other girls, and that’s just not fair for the rest of us,” she teased, poking the other girl in the side. Since the two of them had met a few years ago, Paulina had proved to be one of the few who could keep up with the hyperactive ball of insanity that was Vedika Venkatranman. She couldn’t do it all the time (privately, Paulina thought there was nobody who could keep up with the girl’s seemingly inexhaustible stamina), but it was enough that the two had quickly become friends. Paulina would often lend her a hand when she fell behind on her school work (which was often), and in exchange the enchantress always had a willing participant in her experiments and a combat teacher of sorts (not that Paulina was a good student in that regard either).@Stern Algorithm

When she turned back to Ashleigh, however, she sighed. There often was no reasoning with her when her thoughts slipped back into the past. Paulina knew a little of what had happened to her growing up, on the occasion that Ashleigh deigned to share with her, and Paulina respected her privacy, never prying and always thanking and reassuring her when she did chose to let her in. So, instead of arguing, she simply let the conversation between her friend and the newbie she had scolded flow at its own pace. She didn’t really hold anything against him; it wasn’t the first time she had seen a new-comer act superior like that. People who had or gained powers reacted to them in different ways, and sometimes they had to be reminded that just because you had powers didn’t mean that people stopped being people. It took all kinds to make a world, and often times the way things looked wasn’t how they were. It was something that she hoped to be able to show her troubled friend.

So, she simply let the conversation flow without her, at least until Ashleigh began starting into her self-deprecation routine again. Then Paulina paused and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving Ashleigh a firm, but kind smile. ”Nobody thinks you’re a freak, Ash. Anybody who does is a dunce and doesn’t matter. You’re wonderful, your powers are incredible, and I love you for them. You can connect to people on a level that almost no one else can. The only person who thinks the less of you for it is yourself.” Her smile became slightly wicked. “And if you don’t believe it, then Vivi and I will hug you until you do. I know you can tell how much we love you, and you know she’ll do it.” @Caits

She glanced towards Zach, tilting her head and giving him a smile that had left many a boy (and occasionally a girl) weak in the knees and tight in the pants. ”So, what’s your name, newbie?”@Natsu

Korie’s grin dimmed slightly when Liam looked surprised at her comment about making a friend. Was she coming on too harshly? She’d been out of contact with others for so long she was beginning to doubt her own social skills. Seeing Liam’s grin return, Korie felt her anxiety dissipate.

Korie followed the boy into the gymnasium, glancing around warily at the people inside. Liam joked about his powers, but Korie was reminded of just how different everything was. No longer was she free to frivolously befriend everyone. All her actions would be scrutinized by the government, and so would her power.

Korie thanked Liam politely as he handed her a plate. The food smelled good—like real food. And Korie couldn’t even remember the last time she’d eaten something that was cooked rather than packaged or microwaved.

”The food here looks nice,” Korie said to Liam, scooping some of everything onto her plate. ”Who do you usually sit with during lunch? I hope I won’t be intruding.”

---

@themerlinhawk

Liam gave her another sheepish smile. “You’re looking at the extent of my friend group. Since about the second day of classes here at the Academy no one really feels like braving the table I sit at since it can be uncomfortable if I have a spirit appear and demand my attention since they can be violent or target my friends if I’m paying attention to my friends. Its compounded by the fact that I’m not suppose to command spirits without supervision.”

It was really becoming quite clear he had absolutely no friends. “Occasionally Paulina stops by but it’s mostly because she’s still trying to get me to be a science experiment.” Looking up from his plate he realized that sounded kind of awful. “Keep in mind she’s really nice about it I’m just not a fan of doing tricks, that and she appears to be forced to rely largely on the Academy’s equipment for detecting spirits since he magic doesn’t appear to work on them. Hence their ability to wander through the academy and find me with apparent ease.” Liam frowned at that statement. “I know it sounds like an excuse, but I really do think I’m decent guy its just people don’t like having food dumped on them, having knives chase them or being hit by objects. I think most people just assume it’s me but I really don’t have telekinetic powers that strong and the academy keeps them on lockdown.

Holding up his left wrist liam displayed the thin metal bracelet on his left wrist. It was a telekinetic inhibitor. It was really not necessary given that he could barely lift a pencil let alone throw it. Nothing compared to Ashleigh's abilities. “Course everyone seems to think I’m faking it.” The look he gave the floor could have wilted flowers. Turning he motioned with his hand ‘Come on let’s find some place to sit. Now that you know everything except my life story; tell me about yourself. Korie, right? I’m sorry I have a hard time remembering names sometimes.”

@Dusksong

@Themerlinhawk@Dusksong

Alister sat alone at his table still reading others, but as this was starring to bore him he looked around the room and noticed Liam and some new girl grabbing their food. Aliater launched a pen across the room trying to attract Liam's attention. Most times this wouldn't have worked, but this one time his aim helped him peg Liam in the head.

"Hey" he said aloud waving the two down "Over here". Alister kept waving his hands and trying to draw them his way. haven't talked to him in a while he thought to himself. Alister wasn't sure if the two would approach considering Liam and Alister weren't exactly friends, of course, it's hard to blame him, no one really wants to friend someone who can look at you and know everything. That was Alisters biggest problem to, he really didn't know when to stop digging.

Ashleigh looked over as Jason watched them, and thought about inviting him over,but she knew she had already pushed things with Paulina today, and she was tired. She sighed at Paulina's words however and said softly, "you don't understand, people are complex. Their emotions are even more so. You put that altogether, not being able to stop feeling it, and it would drive you crazy too. It would make you feel like a freak too." She said, shaking her head "And you know contact makes it a million times worse, a hug is a very volitile threat, Paulina. Especially right now" she subjected herself to the random hugs either Paulina or Vivi gave her, most of the time. But there were some times where it just wasn't good to do so. Where it was positively dangerous. Like now.

"I know you guys love me...But look around you, look at the number of students here. Imagine all your doubts, all theirs, their feelings? Imagine putting that all in a container, and not being able to seperate them. I'm scared of my abilities, absolutely terrified of them. And so I think less of myself for it, because someone else could do something amazing with these abilities, but I can't because I can't control them, even with the bracelet"

She gave a heavy sigh, and shifted awkwardly, having spilled her guts out in front of a perfect stranger. And goodness knows how many other people had heard her speal. It wasn't like she had kept her voice down. And even now she couldn't help but look up, at Liam's connoction of emotions. Maybe I should make an effort to help others...I know I'm not the only one who struggles or finds it hard...but...how can I help anyone?She looked back down to her book, deliberately letting her hair fall down over her face. "I know you care about me, and believe in me, but if it wasn't for your bracelet, I'd be turning everyone into puddles of emotional mess" @Thundercrash

Korie’s eyes widened as Liam talked, both surprised and indignant. The people in the room had no right to isolate the freaks among them—they were all freaks. Metahumans. They were never seen as anything but a dangerous organism to anyone but themselves, and Meta’s almost owed respect to other Meta’s in that way. No one saw Meta’s as humans except themselves.

”That’s stupid,” Korie said, frowning. ”How can other Meta’s isolate you if we’re all already in isolation? And why would a you fake something like that if it didn’t benefit you in any way?”

Korie sighed before recovering from her little speech. She stiffened slightly when Liam asked her to share a little about herself, reminded about how normal human interactions went. You give what you get she thought, smiling dryly, and you get what you give.

”Well, what to say?” Korie started, trying to find the words. ”My name is Korie Weiss, and today’s my first day of many at this institution. I’m a Meta, and I can shapeshift. Yay me.”

Just then, pencil thunked against the back of Liam’s head, and Korie traced its path to a bespectacled boy who wore a grin that was more victorious than apologetic. Korie was about to give him a death glare, thinking she just witnessed some of Liam’s described bullying in action, when the boy called out to Liam. Liam seemed to recognize the boy, so Korie shrugged internally and followed him over to the pencil thrower’s table.

---

@themerlinhawk @kiritoasuna

Jason shoved his plate aside, it hadn't taken him long to tear through the various food groups that had once taken residence upon his plate. He had become so engrossed in his food that by the time he looked up it seemed most people had made friends.Damn it, I need to go and actually talk to people, or I'll be forgotten before the day is over. He scanned the crowd for a familiar face. Ashleigh's obvious emotional distress caught his eye quickly. It seemed like she was overwhelmed by various emotions, possibly some that weren't her own. He knew the burden of always being able to feel what others are feeling. Jason's ability to read people was all but supernatural, and he could feel her pain. He could also tell when someone's past was haunting them. @caits

The savior complex in him wanted to reach out to her. But he could tell she didn't need saving at the moment, just to be left alone. He could tell Paulina was attempting to comfort her. And it seemed the blonde boy was prying, possibly too much. And it all seemed to overwhelm her. Comforting her may not be what she needs, but I'm sure she wished all the attention wasn't on her. He grabbed his empty plate and casually strolled over to the food tables trying not to be too obvious.

"Damn this food is so great, I had to come back for seconds!" Jason said in an upbeat tone. As he turned to Paulina his eyes flickered to Ashleigh and for a fraction of a second he gave her a knowing look. His gaze quickly shifted to Paulina. "It seems you're the one who puts all the restraints on everyone's powers. So your power is controlling our powers?" He said jokingly. @thundercrash

The thunk of the pencil on the back of his head made Liam pause before he turned draining himself of emotions again so that he could manipulate spirits. “Annmarie I swear to-” Pausing he realized who had thrown it. “Alister...Right.” With a sigh Liam gave Korie a tired smile. “I do believe we are being summoned. And don’t you dare think that giving me that little bit of information is anywhere near acceptable.” Chuckling Liam lead the way towards the table.

“Dude. Not nice. Ghosts throw shit at me all the time. It’s really annoying.” Setting his plate down he pulled out the chair in front of Korie. Offering it to her; today had been a string of people wanting his attention which was utterly fascinating given that a lot of the people who had opted to talk to him today were people he’d known for a semester.

Waiting until Korie sat he pulled his own chair out and sat down. “Korie this is Alister. Our resident soul gazer.” It was a reference to yet another part of his childhood but he doubted either of them would get it. “Alright Alister, what’s up?”

@Dusksong@KiritoAsuna

@Themerlinhawk@Dusksong Alister smiled as the walked over. He waited patiently for them to reach him. Alister smiled and waved as he was introduced to the newcomer. "Hello there" he said with a small chuckle.

"Alright Alister, what's up". Alister could almost hear the slight disinterest in Liams words. Alister chuckled and with a smile he pointed to his book. His small black book was lying on the table in front of him filled with names. Under each names was a bullet list almost looking as though they were statistics

Well since you asked so nicely" he said sort of jokingly. "I have been scanning the room this whole time and was wandering if you were interested in the new info I was able to acquire today?" Alister asked the question than paused, but before Liam could answer he continued. "And before you say anything" he started raising his hand, index finger extended, pointing to Liam "I know it is an illegal misuse of my powers to dig so deep" he added sort of resentingly "but they haven't put my suppressors on yet this year..... So I had a little fun. " he finished his words sort of sheepishly than asked once again. "So do you want to see? "

"An empath?" He thought to himself, and frowned, so she could probably know exactly how he felt whenever she wanted. While he wasn't one to lie often, this seemed to be a person that he'd always need to be honest with. "Well, at least she isn't a mind reader." Something like that would feel very invasive. "Oh. That's actually really cool though. If you were comfortable, I'd love for you to show me how it works sometime."

After he said that, he was addressed by Paulina, this time in a much softer fashion. He gave her an odd look after she smiled at him the way that she did, "Is she coming on to me or something?" He wondered. He did think she looked cute though, but he knew it'd be creepy if he paid attention to that. "Uh, Zach, and you?" He asked. "Also, what is it you can do exactly?" She said she could shut down his powers, which slightly concerned him.

@Caits@Thundercrash

Liam’s comment about “that little bit of information” Korie had shared made her smile wryly. You have no idea, Korie thought, following the boy over to the bespectacled boy’s table. Korie thanked Liam politely for the chair before seating herself at the table. Liam and Alister exchanged brief greetings—Liam mostly expressing his disapproval of Alister’s unorthodox summoning techniques—before Alister started to talk. At first Korie didn’t know what to make of the boy—what conclusions could she come to if someone tells her that they’ve been ‘scanning the room this whole time?’—but when Alister mentioned his powers, Korie’s eyes widened.

”A mind-reader?” Korie asked as a wave of wariness rolled over her. She’d forgotten that Meta’s could have any power, including mind-reading. And there were things that Korie would have liked to keep to herself and never think about again, never mind not telling others. ”Surely you haven’t already upended all my deepest, darkest secrets? I was fairly sure I hid them pretty well,” Korie joked halfheartedly. ”Please don’t tell anyone I have a weakness for fluffy animals.”

---

@themerlinhawk@kiritoasuna

Studiously avoiding looking Alistar in the eye. “Partake in your ill begotten gains? I think you just want someone else to spread the blame out to if you get caught.” Looking up at Korie he tapped his finger on the table in front of her to get her to look at it. “He’s not a mind reader. He’s an empath. There is no way the academy would like a full blow telepath run around without an inhibitor. Unfortunately Alister makes the cut for being able to go off his leash. A Lot”

Alister was unfortunately the perfect example of people who made Liam kind of nervous at the academy. Not that he had many secrets to hide, it was just that he got up to some really less than by the rules things. Using it as an excuse he looked up at Korie again. “So you’ll excuse the two of us if we don’t make any eye contact.” Smiling reassuringly at Korie he tilted his head. If you don’t look at Alister he can’t read you.” With a sly grin he flicked his eyes sideways look at the book on the table. “You’re not the only person with information.”

That being said it would certainly be interesting.. No….Korie already seems rather nervous about the whole thing. Pursing his lips he continued to look at her as means of not making eye contact with Alister. “I mean unless you are really curious.”

Looking over Korie’s shoulder Liam frowned.

Noah.

The specter stood across the room staring at Liam. It was all too clear what its intentions were. Noah was going to find some way to ruin this. Liam could tell from the way the specter looked at him. And then looked at Korie.

Oh no you don’t

With another inhale Liam pushed away his emotions a second time and called a small number of the class one spirits still lingering to possess him. Focusing his gaze on Noah he willed the spirit to be gone. He rarely used the power because it seemed to hurt the spirits but it was okay this once… Right With a look of pain Noah disappeared in a silent howl of pain. Damn, I hate that With a sigh he released the spirits again and met Korie’s eyes again. Hoping the fatigue didn’t show again. He wasn’t sure if he managed to conceal it.

@Dusksong@KiritoAsuna

@Themerlinhawk@Dusksong Alister let out a small snicker and pointed to his eyes. "How long have you known me Liam? " he said slyly. "My eyes are normal right now". Alister smiled and looked over to Korie. "As for you" he said with a grin "Liam is right..... At least to some extent"

Alister pushed up his glasses and gave a small smile. "You see", he said with a grin. "If I really tried my hardest and used everything I had I could read you or anyone else in seconds..... And he knows that". Alister let out a smile and cracked his neck.

"The school only allows me out without inhibitors because they don't feel the need" he said with a shrug. "I'm really trusting Liam doesn't tell. I really don't want an inhibitor again. "

”Vivi, if you’re gonna tease him like that, at least remember to learn his name before you start playing with him. And try not to wear this one out; you’ll ruin him for other girls, and that’s just not fair for the rest of us,” Paulina teased, poking the other girl in the side.

"I'm being serious," Vedika replied, putting food on her plate, "And what do you mean ruin him? I'm letting him punch me, not the other way around. And I'm not even going to use my powers, he deserves that much at least since he was trying to help you." Vedika was mildly confused, but unbothered, oblivious to Paulina's insinuations. Paulina then turned to comfort which Vedika admired. Paulina was willing to spend the effort to resolve things that Vedika found too intangible to deal with. Vedika had plenty of elbow grease, but somehow, physical effort couldn't solve all problems. When Paulina mentioned both of them hugging Ashleigh, Vedika nodded, agreeing that she would if it was asked of her, though she had never done so in the past. In fact, because many people considered Vedika a 'warm personality', they assumed she was a touchy-feely sort, when in fact the opposite was true: she almost never made physical contact with people unless she was using her aura transfer. This wasn't something she developed since coming to the Academy out of fear of killing another person, it was something that was always a part of her, but people tended not to notice it due to her outgoing, chummy personality.

Ashleigh sighed at Paulina's words however and said softly, "you don't understand, people are complex. Their emotions are even more so. You put that altogether, not being able to stop feeling it, and it would drive you crazy too. It would make you feel like a freak too." She said, shaking her head "And you know contact makes it a million times worse, a hug is a very volitile threat, Paulina. Especially right now."

"I know you guys love me...But look around you, look at the number of students here. Imagine all your doubts, all theirs, their feelings? Imagine putting that all in a container, and not being able to seperate them. I'm scared of my abilities, absolutely terrified of them. And so I think less of myself for it, because someone else could do something amazing with these abilities, but I can't because I can't control them, even with the bracelet."

Vedika blinked a little dumbfoundedly. She had never been overwhelmed by her own emotions before and couldn't understand how it should be possible to be overwhelmed by other people's emotions either. While it was not entirely true that Vedika had never been overwhelmed by her own emotions, it was was not something she truly acknowledged. Her mental and emotional stability stood on a very unusual, almost transhuman foundation, yet it was firm. She understood physical hurt much better than emotional hurt. Still, she wasn't completely unsympathetic, and listened with the intent of offering support.

The blonde also came and sat down at their table and struck up a conversation with Paulina and Ashleigh, which Vediak simply allowed and listened, stuffing her face.@Natsu

"Damn this food is so great, I had to come back for seconds!" Jason said in an upbeat tone. As he turned to Paulina his eyes flickered to Ashleigh and for a fraction of a second he gave her a knowing look. His gaze quickly shifted to Paulina. "It seems you're the one who puts all the restraints on everyone's powers. So your power is controlling our powers?" He said jokingly. @thundercrash

"Ah!" Vedika called out in surprise, "The boy who's going to punch me!" She stood up with a slight clatter, nudging the table, and pointing at Jason. Then, as quickly as she had stood up, she turned her face down, brows furrowed, a look of deep thought on her face as she tried to remember what Paulina had just told her. Lightly slamming her fist into her palm, she looked back up again, saying, "My name is Vedika Venkatraman, what's your name?" She felt proud that she had asked him his name just like Paulina advised.

Ah!" Vedika called out in surprise, "The boy who's going to punch me!" She stood up with a slight clatter, nudging the table, and pointing at Jason. Then, as quickly as she had stood up, she turned her face down, brows furrowed, a look of deep thought on her face as she tried to remember what Paulina had just told her. Lightly slamming her fist into her palm, she looked back up again, saying, "My name is Vedika Venkatraman, what's your name?" She felt proud that she had asked him his name just like Paulina advised.

Jason almost let his confusion show, in the form of a raised eyebrow and cocked head. He couldn't tell if she was joking or what. But he didn't want to embarrass her so he kept a straight face. It was the girl who had stopped his punch earlier. He didn't resent her for it, and he had even come to understand it from her perspective, he just disagreed. She had offered to let him punch her earlier. He cracked a grin, time to take advantage of that.

"I think I wanna take you up on your offer..." he said with a dark tone. He drew his fist back and punched at her chest level. However just before his fist connected he stopped it instantly. And opened his hand for a handshake, laughing.

"I'm just fuckin with ya." He said jokingly. "Nice to meet you Vedika, I'm Jason."

@Stern Algorithm

In response to her friend, Paulina simply smiled and gently squeezed Ashleigh’s shoulder. ”You’ll get there. I have faith,” she answered in a tone that left no doubt how strong that faith was. This was what tended to draw people to the enchantress; a singular confidence that things would happen a certain way, like it was impossible for anything else to happen. ”We’ll figure it out, I promise.”
@Caits

Releasing her, Paulina turned back to the blonde boy who had introduced himself, looking him over. ”Zach, huh? And you said that you have sensory based powers…” she licked her lips in anticipation of the idea, her thoughts already whirring through the possibilities. She knew from her studies that the brain was both incredibly complex and incredibly redundant in its functions, everything interconnected with everything else. Being able to manipulate such things… the opportunity practically had her drooling. Metaphorically, of course. ”Sounds interesting. I look forward to experimenting with you later,” she smiled, as she shook his hand. His reaction was priceless, and it took all her willpower not to burst out laughing. ”I’m Paulina. My magic is… difficult to explain. I like to think of myself as a programmer, and the world is my computer. My power lets me write enchantments, programs that accomplish tasks, provided I have a clear enough understanding to describe what I want to happen. So, I’m still finding out what I can’t do.”

She shrugged, almost dismissive of her abilities. ”Since I can do so much, the faculty asks me to help students who have problems restraining their abilities, and I get all kinds of other fun requests. Last year somebody asked me if I could enchant them into being taller, so I’m studying biology and how people grow.” Technically it was a half-truth. While she had already been studying bio in pursuit of her own condition, she actually had gotten a request from a freshman last year looking to pump up her less than stellar bra size. Paulina had been quick to reassure the girl that her figure was just fine, but the possibilities had still intrigued her.
@Natsu@Hitman5455

”So, I do my best to make people feel welcome, and help them out whenever I can.” Recalling Ashleigh’s request to leave, she pulled out her phone. ”I’m impressed you stuck around this long, Ash. Good job.” She gave her friend a proud smile as she finished off her plate.”I’m gonna stick around to meet some of the other newbies, but if you want to head out, I’ll catch up with you and Vivi later. I do know how stressful stuff like this can be, and I’m working on a better enchantment for you. Zach, Jason,” she gave both boys a warm smile, ”It was great to meet you. I hope we can hook up some time.”

On that note, she began surveying the gym, until her eyes settled on an unusual sight. Liam and Alister, sitting together? Liam was one of her more frustrating projects. While she definitely believed him about his ability to see ghosts (as if she had any grounds to call him crazy when she could do magic), it defied all laws of physics as she understood them. How could something exist, and physically interact with the world, but still leave no trace or use any energy at all? “Frustrating” was only the beginning of how she would describe it.

Alister, on the other hand, she was much more familiar with how his powers worked. She’d theorized that he was somehow able to interact with people on a quantum level, but that was getting into science that was bizarre even by the standards of magic. Much like Liam, he tended to keep to himself, though he was one of the few people who actually knew about her condition. Having been there longer than she had, he had been one of the first people she’d tried experimenting with, and they had an at least cordial relationship.

What was far more interesting to Paulina, however, was the mystery girl sitting beside Liam. The fact that she didn’t know her was a tragedy enough, and was something that Paulina decided to immediately rectify. A slightly devious smile came over her as she approached the table, and she called out to them. ”Liam Pyne!” Coming up beside the handsome boy, she hopped up to sit on the table. ”You never told me you had a girlfriend!” She looked the girl up and down for a moment. "And she’s cute too." With a smile, she gave the other boy a small wave. ”Hey Alister.”
@Themerlinhawk@KiritoAsuna@Dusksong

As soon as the Noah problem was resolved another far more mortal issue presented itself in the form of the Academy’s queen bee, Paulina Benson. It wasn’t that Paulina was an awful person or brought with her a host of problems. It was just that she seemed to think that he was the solution to some problem that vexed her. No doubt it had to do with the fact that his powers and hers seemed to interact in a rather exclusive manner. She couldn’t affect ghosts as far as he could tell and his powers were largely confined to the spirit world. Although it seemed to push her buttons that he’d so far rebuffed her attempts to get Liam to let her experiment with him. No doubt this was about to be another attempt at coercion.

What came next was far worse than he had anticipated.

Seating herself right in what most people would consider their personal bubble already set Liam on edge. Followed by Paulina calling Korie his girlfriend. Liam’s ears immediately turned bright red. The combination of the sudden fatigue from the use of his powers and Paulina’s comment left him speechless for a moment as his brain tried to recover from the unexpected approach. What came next was a botched attempted recovery which only made him a brighter shade of pink.

“Her name is Korie. This is her first year here. Which is why you haven’t met her yet.” was all he managed to get out. Still rather flustered he flicked his gaze towards Alister when Paulina addressed him. Laim immediately corrected by turning back to korie as it dawned on him who he was looking at. All of this occured rather quickly before he finally realized he had totally failed to clarify the fact that the two of them were decidedly Not together.

Crap...

@Thundercrash@Dusksong