[IC] Academy of Heroes and Villains

[Mistress Dizzy]

Kijani smiled warmly at him. "I am better. I feel stronger." Her gaze diverted, seeing Flood at a distance, obviously trying to get a look at her. "And for the record, you are always cute." She put a still-warm bagel on Connor's plate. "One moment, please." She kissed the top of his head as she passed by, weaving her way toward Flood. Kalinda passed right by, but she didn't even recognize the girl with what she had on. "What's the problem, Flood? Couldn't find a decent breakfast to swipe?"

--

Devika frowned, puzzled. "Who was that? What did he-" She caught a glimpse of the picture and quickly turned her face away in disgust. "EW! That's horrible!" She shook her head as if trying to dislodge the image. "What a weirdo... and that's saying something with this school..."

[Flood]

"Kalinda was on the ship. She knows." Flood stated simply as he looked over at Kalinda. There was a slight hint of panic in his eyes, barely noticeable even if you were looking for it. "How should we handle this?"

[MarshiestMallow]

Phoebe laughed, smiling. She would forever be grateful for Ryan approaching her on the first day of school. She knew some might say that she was too young, that she didn't have enough experience to know what she wanted. But she had already lived without Ryan once. And she never wanted to again. Because it rose over her, threatening to overwhelm her, she said "I love you, Ryan" She finished off her food, "We can live in Central city. It is a lovely city"

---

Connor smiled, happily accepting the warm bagel, and biting into it, not questioning Kijani on where she was going. Slightly distracted, pondering the kiss to his head. He had soon finished the bagel, and picked up his pack, glancing around, to try and catch sight of where Kijani had done.

[Mistress Dizzy]

Kijani arched an eyebrow at him. "Yes, Kalinda was on the ship, too." She shrugged her shoulders. "So what if she knows? If she was going to tell, we'd be in interrogation or expelled by now." She followed Flood's gaze to Kalinda, watching the girl slip a note into the chair she'd just occupied. "Tch. Obviously she just wants our attention. You need to calm yourself. We don't bend to anyone else's threats." She paused, thinking. "Well, I don't, anyway. This is a classic ploy. She thinks she has power, but she doesn't. If she tells the Headmaster, her only bargaining chip vanishes. She's working us because she thinks we are easily intimidated." A brilliant grin graced her features, but there was something close to deadly in her eyes. "Let the amateur do what she wishes, and I will reel her in when I choose to do so." To Flood, she gave a softer gaze.

"Seriously, relax. The worst thing you can do in a chess move is overplay your hand. I am fine, which means you will be too." She patted his shoulder, then went back to the table, folding Kalinda's note into a paper crane with a delicate touch of her power, then making sure it was obvious when she crushed it in her hand.

"What were you up all night doing, Connor? You look kinda beat."

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda chuckled lightly to herself when she saw Kijani crumple up the note. It amused her to think they underestimated her. They could do so all they liked. Just like everyone else.

She knew better. It also meant that she could go ahead with her plan without too much worry. She didn't particularly care about having power over Flood and Kijani. Let them think that though.

Deciding that she had done all she wanted to here, she headed out the cafeteria, deciding to take the time to practice flying before gym.

---

Connor smiled when Kijani returned, "Ah. I was fixing up my suit, and adding a few things. I guess I lost track of time" He said "And then I woke up early to clean up all the mess from it" watching her, and stopping himself from saying Are you trying to distract me from whatever you were doing with Flood? Which I assume has to do with the paper you just crumpled up..

It didn't matter. Not right then, Not when she was feeling better. "I wanted to upgrade some things, make some changes, fix up the damage from yesterday, and add a few things to it. Stuff I've been thinking about for a while now." Excitement and enjoyment enter his voice,

[Eviledd1984]

"It's my father i don't know what they want but they want me to come kill him...for what reason i do not know but.." Nicholas looked down at the picture again staring at the body of his father beaten and almost dead,Why would they sent him this perhaps they wanted to recruit him to something his emotions coming though it was anger and hate for the man that ruined his life.

[Flood]

Mistress Dizzy said
Kijani arched an eyebrow at him. "Yes, Kalinda was on the ship, too." She shrugged her shoulders. "So what if she knows? If she was going to tell, we'd be in interrogation or expelled by now." She followed Flood's gaze to Kalinda, watching the girl slip a note into the chair she'd just occupied. "Tch. Obviously she just wants our attention. You need to calm yourself. We don't bend to anyone else's threats." She paused, thinking. "Well, I don't, anyway. This is a classic ploy. She thinks she has power, but she doesn't. If she tells the Headmaster, her only bargaining chip vanishes. She's working us because she thinks we are easily intimidated." A brilliant grin graced her features, but there was something close to deadly in her eyes. "Let the amateur do what she wishes, and I will reel her in when I choose to do so." To Flood, she gave a softer gaze. "Seriously, relax. The worst thing you can do in a chess move is overplay your hand. I am fine, which means you will be too." She patted his shoulder, then went back to the table, folding Kalinda's note into a paper crane with a delicate touch of her power, then making sure it was obvious when she crushed it in her hand. "What were you up all night doing, Connor? You look kinda beat."

Flood frowned. She was right, but he didn't like having blackmail on him. "She's not an amateur. I know amateurs, they have this look in their eyes. No she knows what she's doing." He muttered to himself as his analytical mind began working. He won't do anything for now but he needs to keep a close surveillance on the principal's office. He went to the gym and sat down. He worked on some ideas for inventions until class began.

[Klyix]

It was time to take stock. Pushing her plate aside she looked at the scene playing out before her. Nicholas and Devika were together. A mismatched pair, the empath and the emotionally shut off. Or maybe that attracted them to each other. Another was near them, and seemed to give them... something? Something which clearly had an effect, though what could have caused the reactions she could only guess at. For the moment there was no fun for her there.

Kijani and Flood were talking: Magneto's little birds. That was of little interest to her. Besides, her reputation was not one of truthfulness and no matter how earnestly she told the tale Kat was outnumbered. Though paying attention to the commitment to their loyalties could prove more interesting.

Then in walked the golden son. Granted it had been a long time since she had seen Orin but his appearance was hardly conspicuous with all that polished Asgardian armour. That would be a difficult dance. Again his words would be favoured over hers, no matter how sweet she said them, providing he was his fathers son. If there was any confrontation there she would have to be careful not to be seen to instigate it, not physically at least.

She pulled the plate back towards her and tore apart the bread, occasionally popping a piece in her mouth.

[Mistress Dizzy]

Kijani chuckled softly. She loved seeing Connor's eagerness, his joy and passion. Sure, sometimes he got so technical that she needed a dictionary and some schematics to keep up, but she liked it when he was happy.

"Well, I can see it just bursting out of you. Tell me what you did! I want to know."

--

Devika looked seriously bothered. "Nick, you need to tell someone. Whoever that person is, you can't let them blackmail you and put your family in danger." She could feel his anger, but had no idea what it was directed toward. She could only assume that Nicholas was angry because his father was hurt.

[MarshiestMallow]

Here, Connor became sheepish. It was partly from the fact that no one, aside from his parents, were particularly interested on what he did with his suit. It was also because he wasn't strickly sure it was legal. "Ah. Well. I touched up a few things, like the flight aspect and the lasers and then there's...uh. It kind takes GPS sateliting to a new level...essentially enabling me to track anyone, anywhere. It's been something I've been thinking of for a while, and after yesterday...I just felt helpless when I couldn't do anything" he shrugged. "It wasn't that hard when you consider that the worlds governments have the technology and the access. It was just really simply connecting to existing technology and enabling my suit to be able to use it" he realized he was probably rambling now, and stopped himself from continuing.

He seemed to hesitate, before continuing. "Other then that, it was just little touch ups. Kijani...you know you can trust me. I'm not a fool. I know something is going on. Flood seemed pretty desperate I talk to you" he spoke with concern, but didn't want to push it.

[Eviledd1984]

"I am not angry at them for hurting him...and i do not think they are blackmailing me i think this is some sort of gift like they want me to deliver the finishing blow to my father..." Nicholas said looking at the picture again like it was some sort of optical illusion but wasn't.

[Mistress Dizzy]

Kijani listened to Connor eagerly describing what he'd done. She knew the level of tracking he'd come up with wasn't necessarily legal, but she knew that it was in use, most likely, for entities that found themselves outside the law... or just not caring about it at all. Why should Connor limit himself? If he wanted to fight the darkness, he would have to break some limits. She was rather proud of him.

"That sounds like something that will definitely come in handy, Connor." She definitely heard what he wasn't asking, and she took his hand across the table. "Connor... do you know what plausible deniability is? Just in case you don't..." She stroked his knuckles in an absent manner. "There are things that I'm doing that will get me in trouble, if I should be a moron and get myself caught. If that should happen, they will come to you, to question you. I don't want you to have to lie. If you truly don't know something... they can't blame you for not telling." She reached up and stroked his cheek. Behind the love in her eyes was a deep uncertainty. "I'm trying to protect you, in my own selfish way. I know what would truly protect you..." Her eyes shut, briefly, and her hand stilled. "But I'm too selfish to let you go."

[KatherinWinter]

Kathetin finished her food. She studied the new girl. She wished she could figure out what it was about this girl that didnt seem right her. She cleaned up and headed to the gym.

[twave]

"Uh, okay bye." Watching Katherin leave she glanced around. Were these people always so on edge? Left alone Kagerou stood up from the table and threw away her trash. Noticing that other students were leaving she looked at the time and nodded to herself. "Right, class time." Following along she went to gym.

[MarshiestMallow]

Connor just stared at her. "It amazes me how, despite everything, you can be so.... Naive. Do you think I would ever let myself be used to hurt you, be used against you? Do you think I would ever let you go, without a fight?" He spoke softly, his tone serious. "While I admire the fact that you wish to protect me....I wish to do the same for you. The trouble is, you always want to go it alone. And you don't have to. I've gone into a building risking my life trying to help you. And I would do it again, gladly. I'm not some kid playing here, I can protect myself. But more then anything, I want to protect you, without asking anything other then your trust. If you'd just bloody let me" frustration entered his voice, but he sighed softly, taking her hand, and didn't say any more.

---

Kalinda happily made her way to close when it was time, and claimed a spot on the bleachers when she got there, at the back, waiting for class to begin

[Mistress Dizzy]

Eviledd1984 said
"I am not angry at them for hurting him...and i do not think they are blackmailing me i think this is some sort of gift like they want me to deliver the finishing blow to my father..." Nicholas said looking at the picture again like it was some sort of optical illusion but wasn't.

Devika openly stared at Nicholas. After making sure she hadn't hallucinated what had just come out of his mouth, she adjusted her glasses and frowned. "I'm sorry, but... you're saying they want you to kill your father? That seems kind of... counterproductive."

Caits said
Connor just stared at her. "It amazes me how, despite everything, you can be so.... Naive. Do you think I would ever let myself be used to hurt you, be used against you? Do you think I would ever let you go, without a fight?" He spoke softly, his tone serious. "While I admire the fact that you wish to protect me....I wish to do the same for you. The trouble is, you always want to go it alone. And you don't have to. I've gone into a building risking my life trying to help you. And I would do it again, gladly. I'm not some kid playing here, I can protect myself. But more then anything, I want to protect you, without asking anything other then your trust. If you'd just bloody let me" frustration entered his voice, but he sighed softly, taking her hand, and didn't say any more.

Kijani hadn't expected to hear that come out of Connor's mouth. He sounded a bit angry at her, but more out of concern than anything else. Silently, she heard him out, her head actually ducking in shame at one point. His words hurt to hear, but she wasn't really sure why. He wasn't saying anything wrong, it didn't sound like he was lying...

But...

"Connor... I trust you more than I trust anyone else on the planet." She had her head down, her dreadlocks keeping her face hidden. There was pain in her expression, and her hand on his tensed. "Even that... is difficult. And I know you're wonderful. I know that I should trust you. I just..." She took in a shaky breath, and stood in a sudden motion. "I don't know how." With that, she started out of the cafeteria, desperate to leave before she lost control and started weeping.

Why did the person she cared for most have the ability to make her feel the worst?

[MarshiestMallow]

Despite the sudden motion of her movement, Connor didn't let Kijani's hand go. He tightened his grip, enough so she couldn't slip away. He decided he wasn't having that, not now. He rose calmly, and whether she wanted it or not, he hugged her. "You have to stop running away from me. I'll just keep on following, chasing after you." He hated knowing that he had put pain in her, hated knowing that he caused her such emotion. What could he do to convince, truly?

With the truth. The complete truth. As he tried to figure out the words he wanted to say, he just finally decided to simply let them tumble out.

"From the moment I first talked to you, on the stairs after that first PD session, I wanted to know everything. I told you you should speak with someone, to help with your powers, to help with the reason why you very nearly broke down there, that you should do something to help yourself. It might have taken you six months to tell me. But you did. But right from that moment, I wanted to know the puzzle that was you. You intrigued me. You still do. You always will. And then you asked for help, water and fire proofing paper. I desperately wanted to succeed in helping you with that. Because it seemed it was the first time you had ever asked for help. And then somehow, I slipped through your defenses. And I never wanted to be pushed back out of them again. If I have my way, I won't be. I need you." He swallowed, his voice catching on those words.

He took a moment before continuing. "I know it's hard for you. I can be patient. Very patient" He said, "But I'm scared that every day, at anytime, you might look at me like you see me as you do everyone else. Like you are never sure if they are going to stab you in the back or not. I don't think I could live with that, not now. I know, very much so, that I can hurt you, just as you can hurt me. I don't think that makes us weaker, but stronger. I would do anything for you"

And now he let her hand go, knowing she would probably want to run off, as she had wanted to before, before he lost control. He shoved his hands in his pockets, watching her, hoping to god he wouldn't have to repeat what he had said, because he wasn't sure just what he had said, the words spilling out. He wasn't too sure what else he could do. But he was keep on trying.

[twave]

Having been kept apart from the other students for a mental examination (a much quicker process between telepaths) Estella was waiting at the gym with the instructor. Watching as everyone came in there were faces that were familiar but she still couldn't draw out her memories of them. The inability to recognize anyone was beginning to frustrate her. Estella wanted to talk with them but she had to wait for the instructor to explain the situation first.

[Mistress Dizzy]

Kijani was stunned into complete silence. Even her always-thinking mind quieted when Connor started to talk. She couldn't believe he remembered the first time they spoke. She hadn't until much later on. He was right. Somehow, he'd got through her walls, he'd snuck past her guard, he was there in her heart before she knew it, and now she didn't know how to get him out.

He needed her? ...why? He had parents who obviously cared, he had friends, he had plenty of good people in his life, so why would he want, let alone need someone like her?

Then he said something that made her stomach twist. He thought that she didn't trust him, that she thought he was going to hurt her on purpose. That... that wasn't quite true, not anymore, but she couldn't fully explain why she still couldn't trust him.

When she felt him let go, something in her cried out for the sudden absence of his solid warmth, his presence.

She... she didn't deserve this, did she?

"Connor..." She was trying to get the words out before her throat closed up. "I don't know how we got here. I never meant to lo-" The word nearly slipped from her heart and past her lips without clearing her brain first. "I never meant to let you in." Damn, the tears were coming. "Fool..." She turned to him, touching his face with both hands.

"Don't you know I'll ruin you?" Admitting that was too much, and she pulled away, feeling her face starting to collapse in childish crying.

[KatherinWinter]

Katherin made her way to the gym. She wondered what they would do today. She hoped it wasn't too stressful. They needed something...fun. She looked around the gym. It surprise and amazed how the school bounced back. She could tell that there were a few people that were still shaken by yesterday but for the most part it looked like any other day at the academy.