Adam's assesment spurred a reverence in her. Emotion?! She thought, eyes wide. How did I not think of that? All this time she had focused on separating emotion from intention, thinking that was part of the key in the function of her ability. But if not... Emotion could really get her places. Love, she looked forward to experimenting with that. But anger? Even if it would be more offensive, stronger, whatever -- Anger didn't float her boat. She was a peace-loving Taoist, anger didn't factor into that. It was a lack of control, that emotion. But if Adam saw potential, she'd give it a go.
What surprised her most was when he mentioned she could have alternate bodies/consciousnesses. What does that even mean? She could barely wrap her head around it, and the whole idea both intrigued and freaked her out. Would I be able to return to my real body? What happens if the animation dies while I'm inside? She bit her lip, coming up with horrid answers to her questions.
Regardless, Adam helped her see how much potential her ability had (when she originally thought her growing potential was zero) and she thanked him earnestly. She was the last student assessed; Capture the Flag was right around the corner.
The fact that Deborah the planner was on their team didn't change much. As she usually did, Aislin hung around the back of the playing field, pretending to be an excellent defense when all she wanted was to get this game over with and watch everyone else do that hard work. That was, at least, until the power went out. Stuck in the darkness with a bunch of power-crazy Metas (Amanda, mostly) was a very scary thought.
Alex's bright eyes lit like a beacon in the darkness, and Ailsin's fear abated. It wasn't long after when a huge smash shook the ground, blue light arcing across the field for just a moment. In that instant, Aislin could see everything. Silhouettes all around her, up on the tower blocks and -- Shit, even the walls? The darkness returned quickly, and the knowledge in the light was shrouded once more.
That was when the creepy crawlies started falling from above. How did she know they were bugs and not little pebbles? They felt like husks, and they felt dry and dead. Bodies had a different feel than inanimate objects. Aislin shuddered uncontrollably, thoroughly disgusted from the thought of bugs landing on her. Dead bugs. "Eww, goddamit!"
Well, at least the Amanda bitch didn't like it either. It was hard to miss her voice bitch across the field. Aislin smirked in her own disdain.
The laser light show was cool, especially in the dark. Red shots of light mixed with star power that Aislin had a feeling belonged to her roommate. If they were using it as a distraction, it was working. But of course, it was around that time Adam pulled plug, declaring Team One the winner. Scoffing, Aislin departed from the field and changed out of her suit. What a shit show...
Switching back into her comfy skirt and graphic tee, Aislin slipped on her Aviators and stepped outside. The sky was full and embraced her in its warmth. Finally, the end of classes. God, today felt like it would never end. And now that she was here, she knew what she wanted to do. Something she had anticipated earnestly all day: The 218 Jungle Tour led by none other than the Lizard Professor, their dearest Henry.
It took some time to make her way through the school's large outdoors, but she eventually ended up by the impressive gates at the school's entrance. The Jungle opened up beyond that, just waiting to be explored. Aislin had a feeling she was early, so she leaned up against the jungle trees just outside the school's perimeter, and pulled out a candy-wrapped joint from one of her pockets. Keeping her promise to Deborah, Aislin wasn't smoking during class hours, plus she was technically standing in jungle territory. Fuck school rules.
With a puff off her honey bud Aislin finally relaxed, staring up at the jungle canopy with a smile.