[u][i]Nicholas Raynor, & Deborah Termellio.[/i][/u]
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Nicholas slowly walked along the hallways of the dormitories, the lit halls enough to expose the pure sadness on his face. These moments of his...happened, from time to time. It wasn't the first, and it wasn't to be last, he was sure, but for the most part, there had to be someone to come along and steal his joy. Whether it was bullies, strangers, or outright students in the same school which he had -thought- had been for those who could perhaps bear to understand him. Apparently, even though he was a meta, he was still out of place. Or...maybe she was out of place? He didn't know...infact, right now, he felt so wishy-washy that his own mind began to play tricks on him. Another darned symptom of his paranoia. He sighed, before slowly allowing himself to slump one of the hallways near the student lounge, learning against the wall and slowly sliding down to his knees, before closing his eyes...maybe he just needed to get away. Find a safe place to read...

"Hey." Deborah said, standing over him. She slid against the wall and landed on her behind. "Mind if I have a seat?" This kid caught her attention from one look... She knew that he was in some sort of emotional trauma ([b]The school, and it's people, are too much for him[/b]). She was always the kind of person who'd play therapist, the girl that everyone came to spill all their problems. Just... being that shoulder everyone cries on. New or not, this boy would not be different. But all she needed was a little bit of subtlety. Just start things off slow. "You don't look too good, boy, what's wrong?"

Nicholas slowly looked up at Deborah. Mind if she had a seat?...Well, not really. Especially since she wasn't outright threatening to beat his head in or something along those lines. He had experienced much worse introductions. He didn't bother to respond though, as she already took her seat. He sighed as she did so, no point in saying anything if she was going to do it anyways. "...I guess I don't look too good, either. But...its not really something you should care about. I mean, this school is full of all sorts of people who would rather me shut up about it, right?"

"Boy, who's got you hopped up on [i]that[/i] thinking?" Deborah started laughing, not in the "I'm mocking you" way, but more in the uplifting way. People here are assholes, Debs knows that more than anyone else here, but if you let them get to you, then that's not good for you. "Boy, yeah, this school is full of people like that," Deborah started off giving Nicholas an affirming nod. "But you can't let them get to you like that. You're basically letting them control you."

Nicholas found himself slowly nodding...before sighing. "I know, I know...but all I did was just try to be nice to a darn ginger-haired girl because she looked stressed, I offered to share some strawberry cake with her, and she goes ballistic on me, as if my very gesture is stupid in and of itself. She then proceeds to demand why I'm trying to be nice to her, and tell me that this school is only full of jerks, and asked me which one I was going to be. I...I don't know. I don't want to be any of them. Even if it means being ostracized again, I'de rather be alone than become one of a great many jerks this school apparently has." He finally finished ranting, before looking up at her, parting his semi-long bangs a bit. "You know what I mean?"

Um... Does he mean Shannon? Because that sounds like her. Deborah nervously scratched the back of her neck. At least Shannon is more... friendly... when Deborah herself is with it. At least she'd keep that cynical attitude to herself. But that wasn't the point here, she was going to have another 'talk' with Shannon later in her bed quarters... Hehe... there won't be lots of talking then. Deborah brushed a strand or two of hair back a bit. "You don't have to worry about... uh... being an asshole. Yes, there are people like that in this schol, but you want to know what this school has for every asshole...?" She put her hand on his shoulder and gave him a reaffirming smile. ".. A good soul. The kind of people who make life matter. And you just found [i]one[/i] of them." It was foolish to say that she was a good person, that was a title that should only be given to others, not to yourself. 

Nicholas found himself slowly nodding, before sighing again, just resting his back against the wall. "I know you're right. And...I appreciate your help. Its just...I spent a great deal of effort and energy making sure others were alright, and...I just wanted to sit down and maybe have a pleasant conversation, ya know? Its not like its a terrible thing to ask. But...I think you're right when you say there are some really nice people here." He paused, scratching the back of his head and beginning to summarize his thoughts again. "I'm...Nicholas, by the way. Nicholas Raynor. Its a pleasure to meet you, miss."

"[i]Deborah Termellio,[/i] school gossip gal." Deborah introduced herself in return. Which she felt took piority over responding to the rest of his statement. Boy, what Shannon said must have hit him hard. She could have mediated Shannon. "That's good that you care about others Nicholas, don't let anyone tell you otherwise." That was the first thing Deborah said. "If you wanted someone to talk to, there's me..." She looked away for a second, "... And don't really worry too much about Shannon... she's... just like that... and believe it or not, my best friend." [i]And my one true love.[/i]

"Oh...so you know her, then?...alright. And if you don't mind, I'de love to talk with you a bit. Though...something about her did seem off, ya know? Like...I don't know, but she seemed like she was just having a bad day to me." He stated, looking at the floor. 

"Well... That's kinda the way she is," Deborah started off, nodding, "She isn't the type to make friends. She just keeps to herself... or me, haha."

"Oh, if I had known that, I wouldn't have bothered her, considering her attitude. Nonetheless, I'll keep that in mind for the future. So...do you mind if I ask what your power is?" He finished, finally looking back up at Deborah, his saddened face having begun to try to express a bit more happiness at this turn of events.

"No, not at all." Deborah smiled at Nick. She was completely comfortable with Nick, she knew that he was one of the good people around these parts. He shouldn't get too mad about knowing her power. "Well... My power is basically getting information by making connections between two different things and filling in the blanks. You know, cause and effect." She stopped for a second to let him take in the information. "For example, I knew you weren't doing too well because of some not-so-good interactions."

Nick blinked, tilting his head. "...Oh, that's a power?...Cool. Em, I suppose I'm just used to the typical things. As for me...well, its not -that- interesting, but..." He stated, before his left hand's index finger's tip came alight with a small, white flame. "This is my power. Don't worry, it doesn't burn. In fact, you can touch it, if you want. Its a healing flame, used to heal people, obviously. Its...kind of a weird concept, I suppose. I don't know why my flames heal people naturally rather than hurt them...but I prefer it that way, ya know?"

Healing power... Interesting. It reminded Deborah of Vera, where ever that woman is. Deborah could always appreciate a nice healing power. Because, if it wasn't for a healing power, she wouldn't be walking right today. "Believe me Nicholas, I find all powers interesting." She was being truthful here. She has seen many powers, and each of them had a person behind them, with their own story. "Someone with your power set can really do some good, you know? I've... always had the belief that while people can do very bad with their powers, at the same time they have the potential to do great things for others."

Nicholas nodded again, as his flame grew larger with her encouragement. His smile widened, as the sadness finally began to fully fade from his face. "Thanks. Thats one of the nicest things I've heard all day. Though, thats...not the whole truth about my flame. You see, my flame does...well, a little bit more than heal people. I've felt myself like it kind of gives you sort of...a clarity. Yeah, we'll go with that, a clarity of the situation, helping you overcome your hindrances and fears. Infact...I often use it when I'm in fearful or painful situations. If you would like to see for yourself, feel free to touch the flame for yourself. Don't worry, nothing about it will harm you." He stated, smiling widely as his blue eyes watched in anticipation.

There wasn't any reason for Deborah not to trust him ([b]He is telling the truth[/b]). So she just stuck her hand in it, and felt the morale boosting effects surge through her. It almost caused a high ([b]It is altering your mind, removing your fear, and boosting your bravery[/b]). This power of hers was great for telling her when she's encountering mind altering powers! Her will-power would have allowed her to resist it, if she truly wanted to. That was the difference between Nicholas's . "This is... astounding, Nicholas." However, she quickly pulled her hand away. "You can really help people with this..." Deborah quickly stood straight up. "It was nice meeting you, Nicholas, but I think I should go have a talk with Shannon..." She started walking off.

Before she escaped his line of sight, she stopped for a moment and raised a finger. "How about you go swing by the training hall? You might find someone there to practice with you. You might even find an arena team." She left his line of sight.

Nick slowly nodded at her suggestion, before getting up and off the floor. Actually, that sounded like a great idea. Not only that, but he could spend some time himself practicing a few things in his mind involving his powers. Nothing revolutionary, mind you, just some small ideas. "I will, Deborah! Thank you for all your help!" He exclaimed. And with that, he quickly walked down the hallway towards the exit of the building. It seemed Deborah was right. There really was a good soul for every bad one, and he hoped that he was, at least, one of the good ones. Next time, perhaps he won't get so down when someone criticized him for no reason?...He would work on it, for sure.