Mark Heaton, & Shannon Balore
It was with conflicting feelings that Mark paddled his way back onto the beach. The trek through the jungle back to the school in saltwater soaked jeans wasn't entirely enlightening either. However, when it began to rain, and he ran to his room for a change of clothes, he got some understanding of the emotions he was feeling.
He was livid. Livid but calm due to the immense amount of smug coursing through his veins. He was angry, but elated. It was a curious feeling. He hadn't been proud of anything for a long while, so being forgotten and nearly killed as a result of that was something that he was willing to forgive. At least, for a price.
As to why it took him so long to get his thoughts in order.. he could only imagine it had to do with the use of his new ability. Before, he could change his perception of time with very little thought: it happened accidentally more than it happened on purpose. After exerting himself however, it would he now needed to really focus. He wasn't used to it. It didn't help that his brain needed a good long rest, so putting these thoughts together was an extra effort in and of itself.
Upon entering his room, he closed the door and took off the wet clothes. Too late, he saw his roommates things and remembered that he shared this room with someone else. Like a deer in headlights, he looked down at what he had just taken off for a good few seconds before hastily putting them back on. Mark checked to see if anyone else was in, let a sigh of relief when no one was, and proceeded to change.
A few hours later, after sitting around waiting for the storm to pass, Mark emerged from the room with a growling stomach. He could only ignore it for so long, and when the only thing he really had to do was read or play with his pet, he had run out of excuses to stay indoors. He did not have the focus to read at the moment. His hunger didn't let him sleep. There were only so many times he could ask the quesiton "what does scorpion taste like" before he ended up answering it. On that note, in a red hoodie and black jeans and umbrella, he wandered over to the cafeteria.
He walked in the doors, shook the rain off his body, and went over to order something filling. Mark took a good few seconds to look over the menu; something that he wasn't used to doing. The young man had lost all motivation to waste his mental reserves on such a pointless activity, and upon reflecting briefly on this for a following few seconds, a familiar face came into his peripheral vision.
What was her name again? Sharon? Yeah, that sounds about right. And she is one of the people who left me on that ship. We'll need to have a conversation.
He returned his view to the menu, and pursed his lips. It would appear as though he could not make up his mind. He turned his gaze over to 'Sharon'.
And there is the topic of conversation. Time to say hello.
With a with a frown not of anger, but of mock disappointment, Mark walked over to the girl.
"Forget about someone?" He remarked candidly as he took a seat opposite her.
... And of course someone walked up to this one table, and decided to have a seat. Shannon glared at him as she cut another piece out of her cake, sticking it in her mouth. She was fortunate enough to have been blessed with a good memory. Which is how she quickly knew this guy was the guy they dragged along on their journey who ended up - surprise, surprise - contributing absolutely nothing. She didn't know why he choose her to talk to. Because she immediately assumed he wanted something from her. Sex? Money? Clothes? Well he's in for a disappointment, since Shannon Balore is a master of breaking these boys down.
"Unfortunately, no." Shannon dryly replied as her eyes went down towards her fork as she started shuffling it around in her clear plastic tray. "I thought you had left during that whole endeavor," She started off, immediately assuming what he was talking about. "Your name is.... uhhh, never caught it, but, what do you wish to discuss today?" Shannon put the fork in her tray, and placed her elbows on the table as she put her hands together, intertwining her fingers. Interested in seeing what bullshit this kid could get together in some attempt to be her "friend".
Well that was needlessly mean...
Mark gave a confused frown, raised an eyebrow, and leaned forwards in his chair.
"What do I wish to discuss? Why don't we start with being left on deck while the rest of you dissapear within it without so much as a word?" His words were hushed, but they had an air of passive-agression. "How about the fact that that ship then started imploding, and before I knew it, the rafts were gone and I had to swim back to dry land in a life-ring?"
He ended on an expectant stare with hands firmly together and under his chin.
What an amaaaaaazing subject.... Shannon thought to herself as she rolled her eyes. From the way that Mark was putting it, it all sounded like he was blaming her for his own problems. Just who told him to go wander around on a dangerous ship? No, rhetorical question. He was the little pissant who wandered off. Shannon couldn't help but sneer in response to how this turn of events had gone. "That seems like something you got yourself into. Everyone was marching inside that boat, single-file, and you somehow get separated? Doesn't seem like my fault, now does it?" Shannon was quick to get across that she didn't like this guy. Which was pretty often, because there's few people that she liked to begin with.
Mark leaned back a bit, gave a shrug and crinkled his nose. Taking his gaze off of her for a few seconds, he gave a small gesture as if to defeatedly concede a point.
"Technicalities." He said, brushing that criticism under the rug. "And you didn't have to leave me behind now did you?" He said as he refocused on the young woman in front of him. He was showing a surprising amount of emotion today, and he would reflect on that later. But right now he was fully immersed in the person before him. And he fully intended to try and weasel some form of apology out of her. Best case scenario there would be cake.
Shannon sarcastically smiled at him. It wasn't a regular smile, it was the most cheery smile her facial muscles could push together. It was in a mocking tone, almost sounding like a child, she said, "...Accidents happen!" She did Jazz-hands while she said that, before putting them down and giggling. Shannon wasn't intending on antagonizing him, but she found this whole triad oh so amusing. Putting this kid in his place, then making a fool out of him? Delicious. Just like this cake! If he'd let her finish it in peace...
"Well then I hope you've got third party coverage, because I'd like some compensation." He replied matter-of-factly. His hands were back under his chin, but his eyes had softened. If he seemed hostile before, he certainly didn't now. He was still marginally indignant though.
"... Was that supposed to be a wise-crack, or an attempt at being clever?" Shannon asked as she sneered, glaring at him.
"Well it sure as hell wasn't sarcasm." he sneered in turn, although the slight smile on his face wasn't leaving easily. He played it off with a scrutinising expression.
"Look," Shannon started off, blatantly rolling her eyes. She didn't know how to get rid of this guy. She thought that passive-aggressism would be dick-repellant. But noooo. Mr. Persistent here has to sit here and try to accomplish nothing. "I do not know what you intend to get out of me..."
"Cake."
Oh, no, no, no. This was her celebration cake. She wasn't going to give it to some nobody who cut her off. She quickly snatched the tray, and held it over her head with both hands. "You even think of taking this cake and I'll string you down tighter than a sadomasochist at a BDSM party." She was serious here.
"Not even a little bit?" he pleaded, losing all sense of righteousness his voice may have held before hand (if any). His face was wincing for the obvious answer to his beggery, but he held up a hand with a close index finger and thumb regardless.
"No."
"Worth a shot."
Mark leaned back in his nonchalantly, defeated. He took his vision off her for a millisecond and for the first time in the conversation utilised his power.
That threat was oddly specific. Does that make her the one able to control ropes? I'd say that was kinky, but.. I'd rather not. Jokes seem to be beneath this particular person.
He leant his head slightly to the side as time snapped back for him. It had become tiring.
"Well, at least suggest something from the menu. I'm new here, so I don't have a clue whats good." He was talking to her, but at the ceiling. His fatigue was now rather obvious, and he was playing for sympathy points, even though it was doubtful they'd have any affect on this judge.
What do I look like, a waitress? Shannon thought to herself as she looked around the cafe. Unfortunately, she doesn't eat here too often, the only thing she got was the sweets and some coffee. If she did, she'd probably tell him to get something nasty. So she had to go off of Debby's experiences here. "Get the Chicken Salad. It is delicious."
"Tempting.. but I'm not really feeling it. Any other suggestions?"
"They have... cake?" Shannon remembered that Mark wanted some. "This strawberry cake is quite delicious."
He lazily slid his head so that the menu was in view, squinting slightly.
"You know what, I'm just going to get a bacon roll." Mark declared, putting his hands on his knees and pushing himself out of his seat. "I'd apologise for intruding on you, but I'm still mad about the near-death experience." A small grin played across his face. "Enjoy the cake Sharon."
With that, he left her, grabbed his meal, opened his umbrella and walked back out into the rain. Perhaps she'd have a somewhat positive opinion of him...
...Nah.
Shannon rolled her eyes, and contined eating her cake. This whole conversation was a massive waste of her time, but, hell, at least he knew when to leave.... If only that was five minutes ago. She rolled her eyes yet again as she began eating her cake in peace. The universe had already sent her one annoying moron, and it was probably about to send her two at once.
Because life has never been fair on Shannon.