[IC] In Enemy Territory

[Midna-Phobia]

Grace looked at him in surprise. She had never really thought about it that, always assuming she had been afraid of other people. But maybe he was right, though he hadn't said it in so many words; maybe she was afraid of herself and her powers. Maybe that was why she shied away from so many people. However it was the last sentence that made her look up in surprise, her brow furrowed in confusion. However after a few moments she simply shook her head and tried to laugh it off. “My level of power? No. You must be mistaken.” Her power was just like everyone else, only that it was water based rather than the other kids. She wasn’t any more powerful than the next person. That made no sense. She was sure everyone got angry and lost control and had things happen they were never able to recreate, either by choice or simply because they were unable to. “I’m no more special than anyone else.” She assured him, looking back down at her cup of tea and frowning again. Kyla had lived his entire life on his own anyway; he’d never had other people to compare to just like she had. How could he possibly know how powerful a person was or wasn’t? Especially when he’d seen so little of her powers being used?

[TimasheTiger]

He smirked slightly, "Grace, I think you underestimate yourself." While it was true that he had seen little display of her power, he just had this...feeling that she had more potential than she was letting on. Her story about controlling that one person proved at least that she had the potential, if nothing else, at least to Kyle, it didn't seem like a story anyone would just make up. Perhaps he was getting a bit ahead of himself though. He smiled and relaxed his posture a little, "I suppose it really doesn't matter right now though, how powerful we are, after all we're just students trying to learn, leave the heroics to the professionals right?"

[Midna-Phobia]

Grace smiled slightly at the boy’s words and gave him a look. Exactly what kind of look she gave him she wasn’t sure, but she supposed it didn’t matter either way because he couldn’t see her face. “Maybe I do…” The girl pondered aloud as she rubbed her finger on the cup in her hands, bringing it to her lips and sipping gently. He had her really thinking now. What if she was powerful? What would that even mean for her? She still wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life. Being a super hero just seemed… too out of character for her. It didn’t feel right. Did the magnitude of her power open up new opportunities for her? Turning back as Kyle spoke she smiled again, nodding slightly. “I suppose so…” She said, her voice clearly indicating that her thoughts were now on other things. “Do you know what you want to do with your life yet?” She asked eventually, turning back to look at him, thinking it was rude to just sit there quietly and not really add to the conversation. That and she wondered if maybe his answer may help her find some kind of direction in some way.

[TimasheTiger]

Her aura spiked suddenly, confused he raised an eybrow, unsure of exactly what that was Grace had just...felt, done, anything. The good news though, he got her thinking, which was exactly what he was driving for, letting her take a deep long look at herself and think on things. It seemed though that whatever pondering she had was short lived and her mind wandered elsewhere. Her minimal responses suggested it before she asked him her question. "Do I know what I want to do with my life yet..." he thought on that, he had always lived in the present, never really dwelling on things that have happened or things that have yet to happen, that being said... "I've never really thought about what I've wanted to do with my life, I generally live in the here and now, but, to be honest, I think my father has... expectations of me, though I'm unsure of when he'll exactly share them with me. I honestly believe though that it has something to do with sending me to this school, up until now, I've never been in a social learning environment." This got him thinking though, "And what about you? I'm sure that's what you were thinking about before you asked me."

[Midna-Phobia]

“I’ve probably thought about that too much. But I still have no idea.” She said eventually, her eyes still lost in the dark liquid of the tea in her hands. “I’m sure my mother wants me to join the… family business.” She glanced up at him, wondering if he got the reference. Grace was sure a lot of the parents of the kids here had parents who were superheroes. Maybe some had super villain parents… it was impossible to tell really. “But it just doesn’t seem like something I’d suit. It’s too flashy and public.” If she truly was powerful like he thought she was then maybe it’d be something she was good at. Maybe it was something she should do. Maybe it’d be a waste of her powers not to use them to help people. But deep down whenever she thought about herself as a hero it just never felt right. Maybe that was just her lack of self confidence? She really had no idea. “But I guess whenever I try to see myself as an adult with a life of my own… I just see me with kids, being a house wife. Very ambitious of me I know, and many would probably see it as a very stereotypical aspiration but it’s just the only one that feels right.”

[TimasheTiger]

He understood the reference, it was one his father had used on him once before as well, though he could already tell that she wasn't completely into the idea. She told him what she really wanted to do, stereotypical, sure, but there were those who did just want a peaceful life, honestly, it was one he desired as well. "I think you should do what you want to do, what you feel is right. As I said, your powers are a part of you, whether you like it or not, however, I never said you needed to save people with them or be public and flashy with them. If raising a family is what you aspire to in life, then you should do so." He finished the rest of his tea before setting the mug aside and folding his arms, "As for me...well, I'm not so sure about kids, but, to live in such a peaceful existence," he breathed in, dwelling on the thought before letting it go, "I think I would enjoy it."

[Midna-Phobia]

Grace shrugged slightly. “Like I said I don’t really know what I want to do yet. I’m sure I can’t just leave school and start a family, so I think I’d have to find some kind of job in the mean time. I just can’t think what it is I’d like to get up and do every day.” She shrugged lightly once more as she listened to Kyle saying he wanted a peaceful life. It made her smile, knowing that someone else was content to join one of the more generic lifestyles even with their powers. It made her feel a little less odd, which was a nice change in a world like this. Finishing off her lunch and tea she sighed gently. “Luckily I have a lot of time to think about it I guess.” She finally settled upon. “And who knows, by the end of school I might be an entirely different person than I am now. High school changes people.” At least that’s what she’d been told. “But… do you think doing something any person can do would be a waste of my powers?” She eventually asked, looking back to him. Certainly not everyone who has super powers becomes a super hero or does something with their powers… right?

[TimasheTiger]

"To waste your powers is only a part of a whole which is, in essence, to waste your life. To waste your life, is to not do the thing your heart most desires, but what I suppose I'm really saying is, you don't have to be a hero to do great things." Kyle sat back, wanting to let his words sink in. At this point in time, whatever she did with her life, Kyle didn't think he'd think any differently of her. Damn, he'd only known this girl for less than a day and already he couldn't help but imagine this bumbling and nervous Grace running around with a couple of small children, doing normal, everyday things. At the same time, he couldn't help but imagine wanting that kind of existence, to be this bumbling and nervous, but joyous and with a lot of heart, kind of creature. Grace was indeed an enigma, but he couldn't help but feel that she viewed him the same way.

[Midna-Phobia]

Grace looked at him curiously, putting slightly as she thought about the words. Once again she found herself confused by the things he said, trying to find the answer to her question amongst the cryptic words. However it seemed like she had run out of time to think it over. The bell rung; a harsh, loud noise that broke her line of concentration. “We have those power classes now don’t we?” She asked as she once again took out her book, the one she carried the sigil in, her school schedule stuck on the back as she looked it over, hoping she’d remember it eventually. The book itself was a journal of sorts, where she wrote down some of her inner most thoughts, she also tried to keep it strictly positive, so it usually helped to make her feel better when she was feeling down. “Yeah, theory followed by practical. Did you want to walk over with me?” She figured it only made sense, since they were already sitting together and were going to the same place. But she didn’t want to make him feel like he had to either. Hopefully he didn’t get sick of her hanging around him all the time like this.

[TimasheTiger]

Grace seemed...almost put off, he wondered if maybe he hadn't given her an answer that maybe she wanted to hear. That being said, what Grace did with her life, wasn't really Kyle's concern and it definitely wasn't something he could dictate in just a few short sentences. Trying to figure out one's life, one's future, requires dedication, thought and a little bit of passion. He knew she'd figure out what she'd want to do with her life, just like eventually he'd have to figure out his. The sudden ringing of the bell brought him violently from his thoughts, if that was the sound he was going to have to suffer through high school with, it'd be a damn long 4 years. "We have those power classes now don't we?" she asked before flipping through a book and answering, “Yeah, theory followed by practical. Did you want to walk over with me?” There was a very subtle hint of concern in her voice, was she afraid he was going to say no or something? He smiled, saying, "Of course," he began to stand up, the initial roar of the students as they stood from their seats had begun to quiet down as they filed their way out of the cafeteria, "You lead, I'll follow." In this particular instance, it was good to have someone with sight, while he could easily attempt to navigate the halls on his own, it was more methodical, required more time. With Grace, her sight would be able to tell which room was which, far more quickly than if he rubbed his fingers over every single sign in front of every single door.

[Midna-Phobia]

Grace smiled slightly when he agreed to walk with her. It was a really strange thing to think of, but Kyle’s composed and collected approach to life had a very calming effect on her. It was like he just radiated tranquillity. She wondered, if she could see auras like he could what his would look like compared to everyone else. He certainly seemed to pick up on her mood changes easily enough, so she wondered if it was colour coded and if some had more powerful or bigger auras than others. She pondered over a lot of questions she had over auras as she led the way through the halls, making her way towards the rooms near the gym where the theory classes were held. She wasn’t sure if she’d bother him with all her questions right now, some time maybe. However there was one that was pressing her more than any other and she just couldn’t help herself. “Kyle?” She said as she walked to catch his attention. “Can anyone learn to read auras? Or do you have to be born with the ability or maybe you have to have something special to read them?” She supposed what she was really asking was if she could learn it with some training. Grace still wasn’t sure if it was something she’d ever need in life, unable to think of situations where it would be useful except when faced with a loss of eyesight. But certainly Kyle would be able to tell her other places it may be useful. As they arrived at the classroom she quickly took one of the few remaining seats with an empty one next to it. It was all things they could talk about at another time she supposed.

[TimasheTiger]

“Kyle?” She said as she walked to catch his attention. “Can anyone learn to read auras? Or do you have to be born with the ability or maybe you have to have something special to read them?” "Hm?" Maybe it was just from the tone of her voice or the sudden barrage of questions, but he had a feeling this was something that had been on her mind. Kyle had to admit, this was something that had been on his mind as well, ever since she revealed herself to be a form of water elemental, Kyle had been mulling over the possibility of her having a mana source. If she did, it'd require some time and patience, but she could have similar abilities to his own, and who knows, opening her mana source may even further increase her powers. As they took their seats, Grace seemed to realize the futility of having such a discussion right before their class. Kyle leaned over a little and said, "If you'd like to, we can stop by my place after school and we can talk it over there, because truthfully, you having magic, has been on my mind too." Then he calmly seated himself upright just as the emanating presence of Mr. Steele entered through the doorway; the final bell rang.

[Midna-Phobia]

Grace smiled slightly but then pouted as she thought about it. “Maybe tomorrow.” She whispered quickly. “I’d have to ask my mum about it first.” Her mother was slightly over protective of her, but she supposed it was well justified what with all the villains she fought threatening to get her and everyone she loved one day. The life of a hero she supposed. Still, even as Mr Steele began with his lecture on power theory her mind was more on Kyle’s words, thinking them over. He thought she had magic? Why would he think that? What did it even mean? She knew some kids in the school had powers more orientated towards the mystical and the fantastic, but they had elemental powers. How did magic fit into all of this? “Alright class!” The sudden shout caused her to look up in alarm. “Now I don’t think too much about all this theory stuff, in my opinion the best way is to get out there and practice the theory! So put your things away, we’re going out to the sports courts early where we’re going to reinforce the theory we’ve just covered with practical application.” Grace sat there in shock. She’d completely missed the theory element all… ten minutes of it. She had no idea what she was supposed to be doing now.

[TimasheTiger]

The teacher began his lecture and, frankly, it was exactly what he expected it to be...

"Now class, the school requires me to go over your power control and breathing exercises, written here in the first few chapters. I completely disagree, because you've been doing that since you were preschoolers!"

The basic gist of the next ten minutes passing involves him completely skipping the aforementioned exercises and instead going over basic application of power control and manifestation. In other words, projecting your elemental power in the form of your elemental attack. Kyle's in this case happened to be projecting fireballs and other pyro based weapons and projectiles. He looked over to Grace, for her it'd be her water manipulation and whatever she could do with that. He looked to the class and felt their auras, most seemed a bit nervous, he was calm, surprisingly she was calm as well, that could be good.

"Alright class!"

Her aura suddenly spiked, and he figured he shouldn't have been too surprised by now. Mr. Steele then marched the class out of the room and towards the sports courts, Kyle stayed alongside Grace and lightly tapped her foot.

"Everything alright?"

[Midna-Phobia]

Grace looked over as Kyle tapped her foot and spoke softly to her and she nodded slightly. “I wasn’t paying attention.” She whispered softly back. “And ‘practical application’ has never been my strong suit.” She quickly turned her attention back towards the front as Mr. Steele began speaking again.

“First off we’ll be splitting you guys into groups. From my experience, elementals are usually one of two classes, we have creators and manipulators. Creators can produce their element as will, but their control of it once produced is minimal. Manipulators are the opposite; they usually have control over their element, but are reliant on an existing source. Now, some of you fit into both of these categories, which is fine too. Some of you might find that as the year progresses you’ll begin to develop your abilities in the other category. So, for starters we’ll get you guys to group up. Creators here, manipulators there, anyone feeling like they fit into both over there.”

Grace gave Kyle a smile as she moved off into the manipulation group as Mr Steele went into an explanation of the next exercise. “See those machines down the other end of the court? We’re going to be using those to shoot tennis balls at you. The aim is to simply use your powers, however you see fit, to stop them from hitting you. Before we begin, are there any manipulators who we may have trouble finding materials for you to use?” Grace looked around and then shook her head slowly, noticing everyone else was doing the same.

[TimasheTiger]

He chuckled, that sounded like something she'd do for some reason. He just smiled and simply said, "I think you'll do find Grace." as they parted from each other into their respective groups. Kyle found himself home in the hybrid group, his mana source allowed him to create his fire, but it also allowed him to control it too, manipulating it many things, including the forms of animals if he so desired.

"Before we begin, are there any manipulators who we may have trouble finding materials for you to use?” Kyle remained silent as everyone shook their heads, "Good! Then let's begin."

He started calling from group members at random, consistently going in a creator, manipulator, hybrid pattern. As each student went up, it was pretty much what you expected from a group of elementals; hurling bolts, boulders and icicles. He did admit though there were some pretty impressive displays, there was one girl in particular who was using vines, he wasn't even sure where she got those. Even the group of bullies from earlier showed off their stuff...they seemed tough, they've had their share fair of practice. As students displayed their powers and applied it in the practical, Mr. Steele would eventually call them to stop and move off to a 'discard' group so to speak, and as the last student was 'discarded'.

"Parker!" Guess it's time. He took his cane and folded it up hanging it in his belt loop, then reached up for his sunglasses and removed them, revealing his closed eyes; his bound eyes. Putting the shades in his pocket he stepped forward up to the plate and took a fighting stance, spreading his legs apart and crouching low, his left hand extended forward, palm out, his right, a closed fist centered at his core. Even before Mr. Steele announced the start, Kyle was already manifesting energy into his core and as the first ball launched forward, he thrust his closed fist in response and allowed the energy to flow from his core, into his arm and out of his fist in the form of a fireball. It lanuched itself forward and incinerated the tennis ball mid-air.

The other machines began to fire, launching the tennis balls at him, some even causing the tennis balls to curve out and come at him from the side. Taking everything into account, observing his surroundings, memorizing every detail, he moved. The way his body flowed, it almost seemed like Kyle knew where the balls were flying in from. He would jump, spin, kick, chop and fire would leap, lunge, curl, curve and incinerate. The times he didn't launch fire, he'd allow his body to simply move around the incoming projectiles, until finally, everything went silent. Kyle straightened himself out, breathed in deeply, then exhaled before returning his sunglasses to his face and moving over to the 'discard' group.

[Midna-Phobia]

Grace stood there nervously as others went, though she was mostly uninterested. Her powers were something she had, but she didn’t really like defining herself by them. As such she had never been interested in developing them that much, though her mother often said it was just because she was afraid of failure, which was also true. Until Kyle went up, that was. Upon hearing his surname called out she perked up slightly, eager to see how he handled himself. The fact that he removed his glasses got her curious to see why, especially since he kept his eyes closed.

Watching him was really… something. The way he moved… it was like he could see like everyone else. Though it just made her more confused, she knew he could see auras but she hadn’t though non-living things had auras too. When he was done, acting as if the impressive display had been nothing at all. She almost felt like clapping, even as he moved off to the other side. Another few students had their turn, and the groups were starting to get smaller when Grace heard the words she had been dreading. “Miss… Whyte?”

Anxiously Grace walked up to the court, even if people weren’t watching her, she felt her face growing red as the machines began wiring up. When the first ball fired at her she made a small noise of alarm as she quickly moved out of the way, nothing like the graceful movements Kyle had done. A few more shots and once again she dodged them, this time finding it a bit easier though she made no real attempt to use her powers. After another few Mr Steele paused the exercise to look at her. “Grace is it?” He asked uncertainly, looking at his clipboard. “You know you’re supposed to be trying to use your powers don’t you?”

“Well sir… it’s just… water… it doesn’t waste energy beating against things in its way. It just… moves around them…”

She was certain Mr Steele would have slapped himself in the face if he could. However he showed a great deal of restraint and simply told her to just attempt to use her powers, if she was able, for the exercise. Despite her own reluctance Grace tried to do the exercise the way she was supposed to. However with all the eyes on her it was just too hard to concentrate. She wasn’t the best at controlling her powers unless she wasn’t trying. So this was just too much pressure for her.

She did manage to create a few water streams that got in the balls way, however the ball sailed right through her shield attempts, usually hitting her shortly after. After a few rounds of that Mr Steele let her go and the girl quickly moved off the court, her face still red with embarrassment. And the best part was she had a whole year of this to look forward to.

[TimasheTiger]

Kyle waited patiently for Grace's turn and the results were somewhat surprising, but he should have expected them. She seemed to blunder out of the balls way, not surprising given the personality she's shown, but when requested to use her powers, she seemed to flounder around with their use; her thinking was too....straightforward. It should have been expected beforehand that she wouldn't have the proper training to flaunt her powers in front of the crowd, from what he'd gathered so far she's kept her powers under wraps. What did surprise him most however is her boastful claims from earlier, not that he didn't believe them, but that she could have so much latent power and not enough control to properly wield it. As she approached he could feel the heat of her aura coming from her, the amount of embarrassment she must be feeling.

By this point his sunglasses had been returned onto his face and he simply smiled at her as she stepped forward and said, "It's day 1, don't let this bother you too much Grace."

[Midna-Phobia]

“I just… everyone was watching me.” She whispered back softly, letting her head fall slightly, her hair falling over her face. “I can’t control my powers when I’m nervous.” She knew her emotions often got the better of her, and that her ability to control her powers went out the window when she couldn’t keep her emotions in check. It was probably from being so used to trying to hide her powers in public. Had it just been her, then she would have been fine… maybe. It was still an application of her power she had never tried before.

Maybe Kyle was right. It was only day one. Maybe she just needed to practice. Maybe she’d be able to do it if it was just the teacher watching… but she didn’t know. She wasn’t even sure if she’d be alright with Kyle watching, before school she hadn’t thought he’d been able to see her. “You did so well though. Your dad did a really good job helping you learn to control your powers. It kind of made her wish her mother had been more proactive about helping her gain control over her powers, rather than just how to hide and suppress them.

[TimasheTiger]

Kyle had a brief flash of his childhood life, taming his powers and receiving and excruciating amount of 'discipline'. He breathed in deeply and exhaled before replying, "My father was very insistent that I learn how to control my powers, and how to keep myself in check, mind, body, and spirit. I think it was because of his rigorous 'training' and the knowledge of a mana source at my disposal that helped me to control my powers up to this point. That being said, I'm not nearly as strong as I could be, there's still a lot more training I need to go through, and that's exactly why I'm here."

He looked at Grace briefly before smiling and looking off, "That aside, I'm not exactly objective to making a few friends of course."