[b][Mae & McHaggis][/b]

This [i]boy[/i]. She had felt something, she was sure. She was thinking on him, trying to make out his features… He was of her height, had auburn hair, slightly handsome.. A typical [i]boy[/i]. She clicked her boots against the floor, she had monopolized the hallway, she had wished someone had a camera.. The shot would be a rather appealing one.

[i]No[/i]. She couldn’t distract herself now! There were at least, what, fifty boys here? So many, but she knew she could make out this one. She hadn’t gotten a good glance at him, being behind her and all, but if he think he could catch The Valkyrie unawares, he was sure for a misfire! Was it misfire? She hated american sayings.

She drowsily looked towards the stairwell, what would she do if he walked in right at this moment? A large grin spread on her face, and she thought of just exactly what to do.. Ah, being devious, maybe they had a right to call her Vid’ma.

The boy – James? – sauntered in just then, eyes pinned to his schedule with the smallest of grins on his face as if he was rationing them. His new bowling shoes, soft and brown in colour with rubber heels made squeaking noises, ones that he seemed overly amused by. For a moment, he looked at ease with the world. Alone, isolated from the rest of the students in the gym hall who had yet to collect their packs. All that was for naught, as she strut her leg out, hoping to trip him as he walked, unaware of her presence as she leaned against the wall.

And then his face froze as he neared, that same tiny smile seeming almost plastered on or carved out of stone, and indecision flitted through his eyes, as quick as a flash. His pace slowed, but he didn’t stop or react with any realistic surprise as he walked straight through into her leg. The boy didn’t trip, but he did stumble.

“Hey, nice one,” he said easily without seeming the least bit upset as he righted himself and stopped for a moment to stare at Natali.

She smiled innocently, like she hadn’t done it at all. “Hallo.” She waved, and then tapped him on his nose. “Why’d you trip?” She tilted her head, her accent thick as she said the words, taking a considerable more leave of time than he did to pronounce them.

His words slowed considerably from the fast-paced motormouth of the Scottish accent as if in an attempt to make himself understood, just in case. He ran a hand through his hair, folded his schedule into a crinkled mess and shoved it into his back pocket. “Oh, I dunno. Could just be the Soviets leavin’ their legs lyin’ around the place, y’know?”

She hissed, but then concealed her lips. “I’m not a fool, you don’t have to.. Do that.” She was referring to his speech. [i]She did notice.[/i] “And you know, being compared to a Soviet in my country either makes you an bastard, or an soon to be dead man.” She shrugs, smiling fondly. “Here in america, I suppose, revolutionaries aren’t common. You seem.. More of an Imperial man, though.” She snorted, saluting him, “Is that what you British do, eh?”

“Well, even Americans’ve asked me to slow down a’fore, but if you want to me speak normally – like a true Weegie –  [i]I can do that[/i].” He shrugged, utterly ambivalent. “I wouldn’t go around threatenin’ death on all those who offend you. Most of my dad’s business partners are Soviets, so I made a guess. Sorry.” 

She peered into his eyes, “Sorry. Pappi says I should.. Be less confrontational.” She put her finger onto his chest, “I don’t really care what you call me. What I do care about, is you [i]spying[/i] on me.” She shuddered. “I [i]felt[/i] you. It was strange.. You were nowhere near me, yet.. It manifested just the same. What were you doing?” She scrunched up her face, cutely trying to look fierce.

“Dunno what you’re talking about,” Jamie said with unusual nonchalance for a kid in his situation. His eyes did narrow at the finger on his chest, but he said and did nothing about it.  “Maybe it’s just one of those things, bit like electric shocks ‘n the like? Deja vu? [i]In-ex-plicable[/i] phenomena?” He emphasised each and every syllable of the ‘in-ex-plicable’ in a jaunty voice.

“You have powers. I have my own.” She snickered, “Just tell me what you do. If you can’t control it, then.. Well.. Why were you doing it?” She bit her lip, and recoiled her hand. She didn’t know what he saw, but she felt an intruder in her.. Thoughts? No. It was more raw, less complicated than that.

“Look, no offense, hen, but I don’t have a clue what you’re on about.” He moved away from the wall he was seemingly pinned back into the open hallway, ready to walk away. “And seriously, get some help. Psy-chi-atric, if you need it.” Again with the annunciating big words for emphasis.

Her eyes glared at him, her own nose flaring at his words. “Well. I will find out. And when I do.. I am going to be slightly unsettled by it!” She looked a [i]fool[/i]. But if she didn’t make a threat, what could she do? She let her guard down, this boy was nothing, she concluded, her shield loosening as indecision and nervousness scrambled out of her mind. She wheeled. “Tata.” She said hoarsely, whipping her coat-cape with her.

“See ya. Have fun.” James let out a startled (and almost victorious) laugh, almost as if he hadn’t yet been able to process what was going on. “Go save the world or something, yeah?” She thundered to her room. [i]Mocking her, The Valkyrie, Just like an Imperial. -James? Jaime?- you will [b]DIE![/b][/i]