He wasn't in a good mood.  He really wasn't.  Not only did he have to cram five papers in one night, but even that damned Lesson Plan was not making his life as a college student that easy.  If only; oh, if only his group members were as fond as NOT cramming as Leon was...  things would have been far, far better.  Now, the sharp shrill of the alarm clock sent him bolting up, causing the books that had slept with him to fly abruptly.  The books fell over his head, showering him in a flurry of academic pain.  Not only did he have a part time job at the café, but he also had to finish another paper by tomorrow.  Nope.  This was not the best day for Leon; not at all.  In fact, when he did his routine in the bathroom, he slipped on the tiles, and smashed his head against the wall, causing an angry-red welt to spawn from the side of his head.  This was not the best day for him; not at all.

Thus, he rushed towards his part-time job, a small café in the heart of the town, and, before the sun could rise, he was already dressed in his usual uniform:  a white long-sleeved polo, with the sleeves folded neatly to his elbow, and a red apron tied in front of him.  Leon adjusted his glasses as he got to work.  The sign had yet to be flipped open, but he could already see his fellow workers filing side by side, getting busy on adjusting those valves, preparing the milk, and whatever stuff they had to do.  Still, as he observed the people around him, a question boiled up within Leon:  were there others like him?  The boy had already discovered his powers a few months ago, and has since kept it under wraps.  If he had revealed himself, next thing he would know, he was strapped to a chair with a dissecting tool above his abdomen.  He was not really in the mood for that.

One thing is for sure, though.  Leon was not the only victim.  The interesting question is:  who are his kindred, then?  And, for another thing, if others do have the powers of some other champions in that single videogame...  who knows who would use their powers to start another Runewar?  Oh, well...  that's far too extreme to even think about, and rightfully so.  Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted as a young woman entered the café, bouncing in what seemed like artificial energy... or lack of it.  She panted almost like a dog who had ran for miles, and whatever customer they had had their attentions drawn to this invader.  Deciding that nothing good would come out of entertaining such a guest, Leon busied himself with the pastries that were still being placed unto the small glass display.  As such, he let one of his colleagues do the entertaining, and when he was done, he noticed that his colleague had given the complete order for free.  

[color=fff79a]"For... free?"  [/color]Leon muttered to himself as he looked at the girl who had nonchalantly started skipping out of the café.  [color=fff79a]"Dan..."  [/color]Leon began as he placed his hand on the lad's shoulder.  [color=fff79a]"You do know that's coming out of your paycheck once the boss knows.  We don't give stuff for free, you dingdong."[/color]  the lad could talk freely since Dan was one of the first friends he ever met in Darkwell.  

I-I.. d-don't know what happened, Leon..."  Dan stuttered as he massaged the temple of his head.  "It's like...  I g-got drawn to her or something."

[color=fff79a]"You're a twenty-five year old man.  That's pedophilia if I had my way."[/color]  Leon stole a last glance from the woman.  [i]Unless...  just unless...[/i]. [color=fff79a] "No.  It can't be."[/color]

"What was that?"  Dan tilted his head in inquiry.

[color=fff79a]"Nah.  Nothing.  It's nothing."  [/color]Leon shook his head.  [color=fff79a]"Just don't do that again."  [/color]he pulled out a three dollars and fifty cents, putting it into the cash register.  [i]It should be nothing.[/i]