SkeankySnack — Roleplayer Guild

          
Time; Sometime after noon 
Location; Fountain → Balthazar Restaurant → Campus
Interacting With; Each other (@lovely complex); Mentions of Lucas, Gianna, Samantha, Avalon, Brenna

Thoughtful →  chivalrous →  inquisitive →  reassuring →  judgmental →  recollective/thoughtful →  slightly emotional →  judgmental →  understanding →  inquisitive →  empathetic →  appreciative →  reassuring →  hopeful
Excited/Nervous/AH → Decisive → Appreciative/Thankful → Conversational  → Slightly insecure / pity toward person of topic  → Cautiously curious  →  Honest → Questioning  →  Indifferent about people of topic → Surprised / unsure → Seeking comfort → Understanding → Embarrassed

First gather and concentrate energy, what type of energy is up to the user’s choice, though psi is recommended for beginners. Move the energy around your mind and form it into a barrier around the brain, imagine as if the energy is reinforcing your skull. Imagine the energy as molten steel as it pours into the mold, forming a hard metal barrier. This spell is designed to protect against mental penetration and attacks, to make the shield stronger, concentrate the energy consistently and devote a portion of your natural energy to it. This is not recommended to beginners as the constant energy can be quite draining to the user.

Not recommended for beginners...what kind of novice do they take me for? Elijah thought. The spellbook he brought was indeed basic, yet he was more than skilled enough to form and devote his energy towards what he needed to. That being said, he was about to go on his date with Eliana and would rather not waste his energy towards such mental protection. His head turned towards the sky as he looked for the sun, while the orb was blinding to most, it was a rather small flowing sphere in his mind, its aura far away from the earth. Judging by its position, it was nearing noon, close to his meeting time with the Mayweather girl. Closing his book and tucking it away into his cloak he sat back and recollected the last couple of hours. Nothing of interest had come up in regards to last night, the usual gossip and banter about it, the usual threats of I’m going to kill so and so, but nothing important, at least around him. Gianna had created a storm, and even though he didn’t hear anything, he felt that something big was going to come of this.

Eliana spent her morning rushing around New York City to find an outfit that wouldn’t embarrass her during her lunch date. Her sister would get in after Ellie and Elijah met at the fountain. Today was a day she would use her money she rarely spent and splurge a little. Okay, maybe a lot. She may have called her personal maid from home to take her to Manhattan so that she could buy an impressionable dress with help from another woman (that wasn’t her mother). Ellie knew the man she was going on a date with was blind, but people would see them together - so perhaps she could make them look like a couple? Other people’s opinions did not matter, she was a (romantic) girl and this would make her feel good about herself. 

Nora Lemoine, her darling maid and friend, has been with her for as long as she could remember. Occasionally, Ellie calls and updates her on school and personal business. With Ellie attending college, Nora is now taking care of Jen at home, while keeping the eldest of the Lovelace fortune in the loop of family affairs. One can say Nora is also her assistant. Getting back to the shopping adventure, the young and excited 18 year old purchased a Chanel grey jacket dress, black Jimmy Choo heels, and soft nylon stockings. Once she felt fully satisfied, they returned back to her dorm. Complimenting her ensemble with her heart locket given to her by her late grandmother on her father’s side, she glanced at her friend, who stared at her appreciatively.  Nora took the time to curl her darling Eliana’s hair and make sure the girl’s face wasn’t caked with makeup. The results were splendid - Ellie was a lovely woman, it was about time a guy took a chance and asked her out. Before Ellie left her room, she was given a quick pep talk to calm her nerves (you better believe she was nervous). 

This was her first, true date with someone outside of her family and friend loop. Of course she had butterflies! Her heels resounded on the stoned sidewalk that led to one of the most known places at Mayweather, the fountain. Gathering herself, she took a deep breath in and tightly held onto her yellow clutch purse. As she exhaled, her chartreuse green orbs fell on the man sitting and waiting for her in his go-to outfit, looking up at the sun. Appearing in front of him, she gave a soft and warm smile, “Where shall we eat? I’m partial to Balthazar in Soho. It would give us options and it’s pretty popular here. Of course, I’m always up for trying something new.”

Lowering his head, broken from his thoughts, he saw the aura of Eliana Lovelace. Absolutely bright and beaming, she was truly excited for their outing, good start. He smiled, a simple gesture meant to instill comfort and a sign of a gratified greeting to reciprocate her own. He stood up as she asked where to go, listing off a restaurant to him.  ”I’ve never been before, but if you’re partial to it, I’ll take you up on your recommendation.” Elijah lifted the hood off his head, letting it fall back, he was already an odd character in a pretty bustling place and to the normal humans of the world, he looked even stranger. It was better to expose his face and look at least somewhat normal than to rouse suspicions of a hooded and cloaked man walking the streets of New York City. ”Shall we be off then?” he extended out his arm for her to take, another gentlemanly gesture.

Appreciating his etiquette, Ellie looked up at him and teasingly grinned, “We shall, good sir.” Not afraid to point out her obvious amusement, she gently grabbed onto his arm like a lady would. 

~

The walk was simple. They chatted about small things like how breakfast was her favorite meal of the day and finding a book in her hand was not an unusual sight. Anything that could have led to her personal life was directed elsewhere since Ellie wasn’t one to talk about such topics near immediately. As for him, Elijah spoke of how he acquired his rather unusual attire, addressing his father in the process, and spoke of the little bit of magic he himself dabbled in, just the simple spells like creating a light or a knock on the wall.

Once they were seated in a booth by the back mirror, since Ellie was quite particular with where she wanted to be seated and even had an ideal table, she asked for a water with lemon. Ideally, she liked sitting at a booth, an area where she could see the lady’s room, and in a private area so if she were to make a fool of herself, only the person or people she was with would see it.  

Looking down at the menu, she glanced at the luxury french cuisine and realized she may have picked a pricey place but based on what he told her already, he could afford it. Not one to have a friend pay for her on the first date (or ever, really), unless he literally tried to race her with his card, she asked while leaving her eyes on the list of food, “Mind if I pay for myself? I would prefer it, if you don’t mind.” Her stomach made a loud growl. Sighing (oddly enough not embarrassed), Ellie pushed a curl strand behind her ear, “I didn’t eat anything because today is Sunday brunch. I love brunch.”

Elijah had removed his cloak, folding it neatly and laying it on the seat beside him. His clothing looked formal, collared, but just as intricate and unusual as his cloak did. He waited patiently for the waitress, asking for a list of teas that were available and requested a Jasmine tea as it was listed. Ellie on the other hand simply order water with lemon while she deeply stared at the menu. His hands folded together he simply stared at the concentrating young woman, who then asked him if she could pay for her own meal. He didn’t mind going dutch, he actually preferred it, not that chivalry was dead, but he knew Eliana could pay for her own meal. It was only the first date anyway, he wouldn’t go out of his way to pay for someone on the first date and judging from the sounds and smell, this place seemed of a higher quality than most restaurants.

”No, I don’t mind at all, I was about to ask the same question myself,” he smirked subtly. ”That being said, I might need your help with the menu, it’d be greatly appreciated if you could recommend me something.”

The next moments were spent with Eliana asking if he had allergies and Elijah telling her anything she recommended he would be glad to try. A gentleman through and through. She ended up ordering Mixed Field Greens in a sherry vinaigrette as an Hors D’Oeuvres for the both of them, she would put it on her check, Apple cinnamon pancakes for herself because yum breakfast, and Steak Frites with maitre d’butter for her lovely date. Money was obviously not an issue. The red haired, freckle faced waitress that served them, whose name was Maybelle, knew Ellie’s face quite well and made sure to say her usual phrase when Ellie had entered earlier, “Ms. Lovelace, we are so delighted you could come today.”

As they waited for their food (their drinks already delivered), the petite brunette grabbed her napkin and gently laid it on her lap. The air around them was silent while everywhere else in the restaurant was filled with chatter. She brushed the wrinkles out of her napkin to make it drape nicely on her dress. Bringing her attention to her date, she gave him a serene smile, her nerves having calmed down the moment he was in her presence (was it weird she felt this comfortable around him?).

 “Thank you again for helping me last night.” The incident from the previous night was still a bit surreal for her. She couldn’t fully register the fact that she helped her nemesis out and even took off his pants to wrap his wounds up. But she did it and it was all thanks to Elijah.  

”It wasn’t a problem, though I was honestly curious as to why you had decided to help him. Elijah leaned back into the booth, folding his hands over the table, sometimes raising one up as if it was part of his dialogue. ”The gossip that spreads around this school is like wildfire and I always keep an ear to the ground, your relationship with Farweight is of no secret to me, and considering the events that transpired last eve, I believe things only to grow worse.”

Her relationship with Lucas was complicated, she wanted to brush him off like the damn insect he was, but he just somehow kept reminding her of his existence. She wanted to bring him hell but at the same time, she didn’t want to go too overboard. Why did she help him last night? Oh - was it the guilt of seeing him battered and bruised after they had just argued? Did she blame herself for what had happened to him? But why? Why should she care about what he did to himself? Well, he was a person. 

Sighing to herself, Ellie reached for her glass of water and absentmindedly twirled it,  “Without a doubt things will only escalate and I--” She hesitated for a moment, trying to think of the right words but not really knowing how to explain her feelings, “I don’t know why I helped him. I just did. Our feud is one of the most popular ones on campus. I suppose I’m conflicted, I guess.” Woah. She was being extremely honest with Elijah. Was it because she liked him or was there something more about their relationship?

Slowly he leaned forward as she spoke, his hands risting to rest his chin on the back of them. Her emotions certainly seemed conflicted, yet she was speaking with honesty. ”That certainly sounds like something a hero would do.” He resumed his original position in the booth, ”I don’t believe there is any shame in what you did, most would have left him in his position, both Mayweather and Delphina. Yet you took the time to not only bring your enemy to the infirmary, but care for him too. Even if you may not know the reason why, most heroes simply do good for the sake of good, even if they haven’t the tiniest inkling of why they do what they do. Not every origin story is so black and white after all.”

 “Well that’s assuring…” Eliana quietly muttered to herself. She did not know if she was completely heroic but if he thought she was good, then her actions weren’t a complete waste. Her brow furrowed when she realized Lucas was the topic of discussion on her date. Changing the subject, she first brought her glass to her lips, took a sip, and then sighed,  “I kind of feel sorry for Gianna.” Letting go of her glass, she wrapped a curl around her pointer finger and allowed the two to dance together,  “Weird coming from me since my mom adores Gia and I, not so much, but… the rumors say that Sam attacked her first. Why is this conflict so convoluted yet everyone is pointing the blame at just her?” Leaning back in her seat, her green orbs gazed at the mirror to the side of them, “Don’t get me wrong, Gianna can be… much. Still, even people like her should be forgiven, right?” 

Inhaling and letting out a small breath he replied, ”You’re not wrong and I couldn’t agree with you more, it's true that the gossip spreading does point to Samantha being the first to strike, though I’m hearing words about something else maybe causing that…” he couldn’t really go pointing that someone else was the cause of it, but from how Samantha normally seemed to act, her’s were unwarranted and uncalled for, and there were plenty of mind benders around the campus, even Mitch had affected him at one point. ”Still, most of the blame points to Gianna simply because her retaliation was...inexcusable...though not unforgivable, given time and perhaps if there was less tension between both sides. Regardless, Samantha’s actions are also inexcusable, she certainly proved that with her ‘No Villains Allowed’ Party.” He chuckled a little, “For a hero who’s supposedly as smart as she is, she’s quite dense to the outcome her own actions caused. There is certainly a lot of malice flowing within her, for as cheerful as she might appear to others.”

Ellie opened her mouth but nothing came out. Closing it, she decided to choose her words carefully. She was truly curious about this, but it may come off as prying. Staring at Elijah’s face, she brought her hands down and clasped them together on her lap. “Um. This may be a personal inquiry and you do not have to answer but… Gianna’s lover died in the fire, right? I’m not totally oblivious with school gossip.” Playing with her fingers, her eyes trailed to the ceiling, “I’m sure you all lost something or someone of importance that day. It seems like Gia was hurt the most… I may have never lost someone that close to me before but don’t you think people are being a bit careless? Everyone is acting like the fire never happened…” She didn’t know if she was making sense but from what she’s heard, saw, and being a girl who tries to mask her emotions herself, she wondered whether or not people realized how mindless they were being. Surely Gia wasn’t the only one emotionally wounded by the fire, was she? 

Eliana had a point and Elijah considered her words carefully, inhaling deeply before responding, ”Vincent...he was a good friend...a valuable ally, and yes, he was Gia’s lover, more than even.” As to the fire...a realization had dawned on him, ”Do you believe they are being careless? Or intentional? I’d like to ask you something,” he leaned forward with intent, ”When was the last time you heard about the fire from anyone? How frequently?” he let her think a moment before continuing, ”Now when was the last time you heard about the school’s feud? How frequently?”

Biting her lip gently, she thought about what he was asking and then replied, “Student body-wise… the night my feud started with Lucas, a month ago. I did a terrible thing to him… I would say he deserved it, but no one deserves what I did to him.” They were interrupted by the waitress who brought their food and asked if they needed anything else. Ellie shook her head ‘no’ and stared at her pancakes before continuing,  “Prior to him… offending me, I was in the library and I heard a group of girls talking quietly about the fire, one sobbing.” Grabbing her fork and knife, she slowly carved her pancake to pieces.  “Staff wise, I overheard my mom talking to Ms. Petrescue about it a week ago. Little things, I guess.” 

Reaching for the syrup she made a puddle on the edge of her plate, since she was one to dip her pancake not drown it. Grumbling when she thought about the school feud, she added,  “Feels like everyday kids are talking about their differences with the ‘other’ school.” 

”Exactly,” he leaned back into the booth again, grabbing his utensils as he began to delicately cut into the meat. Though he could still see things, he generally tried to be careful with what he was eating. ”Though fresh in our minds, the fire is more of a distant memory than the battles the students wish to wage against one another, and I fear it may only become more distant with what’s happened. Whether we’d like to admit it or not, a war is coming.” he pulled a piece of the steak to his mouth, chewing it and swallowing before resuming, ”We really should be sharing in our similarities, after all, we’re all fucking broken, one way or another.” His voice spoke more emotion than he intended to, but could anyone blame him? He was getting really sick of all this.

Her eyes perked up with the last comment of Elijah’s. More emotion than she was use to hearing from him since he came off as someone mysterious and monotone most of the time. Contemplating on taking a bite, but not wanting to talk with food in her mouth, she simply held her fork and countered, “The fire may be distant but it is still prevalent in Gianna.” Placing her fork down, she shook her head trying to understand the thoughts coursing in her head. Her voice went down an octave, “I’m still trying to get over the fact that Lucas joked about my sister getting roofied. Why do people assume someone like Gianna, who seems like a person who understands love more than anyone else… I mean, come on. She’s called ‘Cupid’s Psyche’ for a reason... Can get over Vincent’s death just like this?” She snapped her finger to emphasize that people expected others to get over their demons a lot faster than they were capable of doing. Her mind was heated with this conversation and her daring questions went loose, “Have you ever lost someone, Elijah?” she let the question settle in before continuing, “Don’t answer that. But take a moment to think about the feud and the fire. The feud has always been there but the fire gave people a reason to act on it. Now let’s look at Gia.” 

Her leg moved up and down as she analyzed the situation, “She is the most prominent face of Delphina. She is one of the obvious sides of the feud. But she is also the one who continues to let the fire live on.” Bringing her thumb to her lip, she bit it gently, before continuing, “I don’t know where I’m going with this but… if I was in the same situation as her, I would surely be fighting demons beyond my understanding. I’m sure people like Milo would want me to look at the brightside of things and just get over it, but how is that possible? When everyone is acting like it isn’t a big deal? Like what she’s going through isn’t a big deal? ‘Oh Ellie, just get over it. Your sister had it coming’...” Her voice trailed off to allow him to speak, she just felt like she was rambling now.  

He deeply considered her words, ”No..I wouldn’t expect anyone to get over such...feelings or loss so easily. Even now Vincent’s words still haunt me…” he shook his head, attempting to banish the thought, ”That doesn’t excuse the fact that she’s using those negative emotions to lash out at others, she’s being foolish and her actions will only cause more despair to fall on us, ‘my people’.” he emphasized that last point. ”It does make one wonder what that says about ‘your people’ after Samantha’s actions, and I don’t believe she’s lost anyone so dearly in that fire.” He realized the words he was speaking and bowed his head, ”Forgive me, it is easy for the actions of one to cause fingers to point in the actions of the many.” He raised his head up, ”That being said, Gianna is...a difficult individual to deal with in those regards, it’s impossible to make her see the error of her ways...”

Shrugging, Ellie picked up her fork again, obeying her stomach’s yells for food, while saying, “You can talk about Sam however you like, I could careless about her.” She brought a piece of pancake to her lips and chomped on it gleefully. Smiling happily, her mood briefly changing with glee, she covered her mouth while chewing, “This is so good!” Ellie did love breakfast food. Once she finished a couple of pieces of pancake, hoping Elijah didn’t mind the brief pause in conversation, Ellie tilted her head, “Lashing out usually happens if the person feels antagonized or threatened. I’m not trying to excuse Gia, like how I shouldn’t be excused for some of my past actions, but people have a tendency to bring out the worst in us, wouldn’t you agree?” 

Elijah’s hand went up to the bruise on his face, rubbing it gently, ”I suppose...I can’t argue with that…” he put his hand back down and went back to his own food, eating it somewhat slowly before speaking again, ”It becomes even more antagonizing when both sides believe they are right in what they believe…”

“Right, wrong, black, white, your people, my people. Humans are quite foolish.” She reached for her water and lifted it in the air, her eyes looking through the glass and to Elijah’s face, “I suppose it’s all about perspective. Sometimes I feel right, but I could be wrong. Sometimes I may do wrong, but it feels right.” Placing her glass back down, she thought outloud, “I guess we all just need to learn to listen to each other.” 

Once again Elijah leaned forward with intent, her words were interesting and her aura fell under many shades...he wondered. ”Where do you stand Eliana? I’m not asking about the feud, I’m asking where you feel you personally stand. Your morals seem...conflicted with one another.” He leaned back, taking another bite of his food with him, ”I suppose what I’m really asking is, do you feel you are a hero? Or not?”

A puzzled look fell on Ellie’s face. Not expecting a question like that to come to surface at a date that turned into an intellectual discussion with someone she was growing to respect as a friend. She stood silent. What should she say? Did she feel like a hero? Or was she simply doing it because she was in a family of heroes? Her father wasn’t even fully heroic since his hotel chain was a safe haven for hero and villain alike -- or does that make him more heroic because he wasn’t as bitter toward villains as people like Samantha and Avalon were? Millennium was the one place where supers could push their differences aside and hideout under highly surveillanced protection and enjoy the many amenities it had to offer - the casino and cabaret attachment being the guest favorite. There were more evils out in the world than the obvious villains seeking world domination or some other cliché. Her mother had a rather tough upbringing and it didn’t help that her emotions manifested her into monsters. It always seemed that her family was treading the lines of good and evil. Now her mother demands her daughter to truly test herself and grow into her full capability (for the sake of Eliana carrying out the Lovelace legacy). The way Ellie interpreted her mother’s lessons were control was key. Her family may be labeled as heroes but were they really? Her head was spinning with all these questions she didn’t know how to answer. 

Finally, after a long silence, Ellie hesitantly answered, “I stand for…” What do you stand for? “I can’t say entirely myself. Nor can I say entirely for others. All I know is… I want to get better. No, I need to get better. I can’t let--” She cut her words short, and shook her head, “I don’t know, Elijah.” 

He could tell his question may have riled her up a little, but he further pressed the question only because he felt...no he knew what she had wanted to say, ”You struggle with something deep within you don’t you? That’s what you don’t just want to get better, you need to.” he paused briefly before commenting, ”Perhaps it is all just speculation on my part, but it goes back to something you said earlier, we all have our demons to struggle with, some, more than others.” He leans back his expression rather serious, ”I can relate, literally.” He felt the surge of power that flowed within him, that spirit that was imprisoned in his own body, the one that gave him his power.

“Do you ever feel like you may forget who you are if you allow yourself to be… careless?” She asked, seeking some sort of comfort. Ellie didn’t know if she was wording her question properly but if Elijah truly understood, she would love to hear how he dealt with it. 

Elijah breathed in deeply, looking at his hand, clenching and unclenching it, ”All the time…” he spoke softly. ”There is a reason why I don’t show emotion, why I keep myself collected and calm all the time, why even the slightest slip up, could result in something like Delphina’s destruction happening again. You said you were privy to the campus and its wonderful tales, I’m sure you’ve heard the stories rumors about me.” He lowered his head, taking another bite of his steak before sipping the tea, ”To me, control over my powers is everything, I train, I meditate, I study, and most importantly I don’t let my emotions take control over me, otherwise...I fear for what might come out.”

Nodding to his mention of people pointing the blame on him, she kept quiet and listened to everything he had to say. Once he concluded his statement, she frowned,  “It looks like we found another thing in common. Fear of unleashing our full potential.” Eating one more piece of pancake before feeling satisfied, she sighed, “You’re innocent until proven guilty. I do not believe the pyromancer burnt down the entire Delphina campus, killing off someone I can tell both you and Gianna deeply cared about. Yet, that is one easy scapegoat.” The waitress came by to check up on them, Ellie requested boxes and the two checks, though she didn’t necessarily want to leave now. She simply wanted to have everything ready so when they were ready to leave - they could leave without having to wait. 

A small smile graced his lips and nodded in appreciation, ”A rather mature statement, one much appreciated. Most of the students would rather burn me at the stake…” Realizing what he just said he frowned slightly and shrugged, ”I don’t actually believe that would be possible though.” He thought for a moment, ”You know, I’ve heard some rather interesting rumors about you, though from the conversation we’re having, I don’t believe the young woman to be sitting before me lives up to the reputation she’s acquired. As you’ve said though, innocent until proven guilty, though I don’t believe the guilty to be possible.”

“Rumors about me?” She inquired, wondering if Lucas leaked information about her diary already. 

”Eliana the deviant...those kind of rumors don’t just stay in high school after all. Alas, I believe them to be rather...false, after all deviants don’t tend to show quite the charm you do.”

Her face beamed red. Why was her past catching up with her like this? The feeling of bitterness toward Brenna flooded her but also the torture she went through because of high school. The words. Everyone’s words, rushed through her mind. With a faux smile, she acted like this didn’t hold any importance to her, “Oh that old stuff. That wasn’t a big deal. Nothing for you to be too concerned about. You’re the first guy I’ve ever been on a date with!” Her face dropped. Did she just fucking say that out loud?! Shooting up, she grabbed the checks and quickly murmured, “I’m just going to pay for this at the counter!” Eliana tried to retreat from Elijah, feeling utterly stupid. 

The more he watched her flush, the more a smile crept up on his lips, as she attempted to retreat towards the counter, he firmly but gently grabbed her arm. ”I hope you’re not going to pay for everything, like we agreed on, wait a moment...will you?” He reached into his cloak, pulling out a small leather wallet, one of the few modern items he carried and pulled out his portion of the bill, tip included. ”Don’t worry, I was never worried,” he opened her hand, placing the money in it before gently closing it, ”You’re my first date too.” he allowed himself to give her a comforting smile and leaned back in his seat, ”I’ll be waiting.”

As much as his words did comfort her, it also made her blush even more.  I’M HIS FIRST?! Holding the money tight in her hand, she walked to the counter, her heart literally dying. She was dying. Oh dear lord. Someone call an ambulance because her heart was racing. 

~

Just as enjoyable as the walk from campus to restaurant was, the walk back was just as enjoyable. It was...an interesting feeling, to speak with this girl, she didn’t seem nearly as reserved as some of the rumor let on, in fact she seemed like a perfectly normal girl, aside from her powers. More small talk ensued, just minor babbling between the two, and yet for as normal as it sounded, he thoroughly listened to her words, commenting where he felt it necessary or reacting to it as needed. Their journey once again brought them back to the fountain, he simply stood before her, quiet and contemplative.

”I think brunch was...enjoyable, I appreciated your company.” He smiled softly before asking, ”Will I get to see you again?”

Her heart fluttered when he wanted to see her again. The wind blew her curls slightly to the side, as she nodded with a serene smile, “I’d like that.”
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