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[img]http://i67.tinypic.com/2qb8wgw.png[/img] [img]http://i68.tinypic.com/33p7a8k.png[/img]
[h2][color=a2d9ce]Callan[/color]  | [color=662d91]Kusari[/color] [/h2]
[hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥. 𝟘𝟜, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   ℂ𝕣𝕚𝕞𝕖𝕟 ℂ𝕦𝕝𝕡𝕒𝕖 𝟙   / /  𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕁𝕒𝕕𝕖 𝔻𝕣𝕒𝕘𝕠𝕟   / /  𝟙𝟘𝟛𝟘[/color][hr]
[sub]Collab with [@Piercing Light][@Baklava][/sub][/center]

The bus was almost completely empty. Callan had been so enthralled with the back seat being open when they boarded that she all but broke the bus as she hopped over the second to last set of seats, claiming half of the entire back row for herself. The bus lurched slightly as Callan landed, causing the bus driver to shoot an irritated glance over his shoulder. Oblivious, Callan simply proceeded to hug her knees and shift into a comfortable enough position against the windows-- leaving the other half of the bench for Kusari. 

Kusari smiled wryly as she watched Callan excitedly head towards the back of the bus, She noticed the driver look back, but upon seeing Kusari he quickly turned back. The way Callan sat by the window reminded her of her days in elementary school. She enjoyed looking out the window at the scenery, enjoyed trying to sketch what she'd seen in the middle of class much to the dismay of her teacher. She let out a sigh, and sat beside her date. Things would never go back to normal, she knew that, but that didn't mean it got easier to accept.

[color=662d91]"So, just how much can you lift anyway?"[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]Uh,[/color]" Callan had been chewing on that question all week, "[color=a2d9ce]I seriously don't know. I picked up a dumpster the other day and it was super easy, but... that's the heaviest thing I've tried.[/color]"

Kusari let out an amused huff. [color=662d91]"Just about anything could have been in that thing, that's a pretty vague baseline. We should find a way to get a better idea of your limits."[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]Like how?[/color]" she responded, genuinely curious, "[color=a2d9ce]I don't want to cause a mass panic trying to pick up cars and stuff.[/color]"

[color=662d91]"I bet some of the freaks here would pay you to try lifting stuff."[/color] Kusari said, looking out the window to the people on the sidewalk. [color=662d91]"But screw them, you can find something at the school, request it if need be."[/color]

The thought of all the things she could possibly request just for lifting purposes brought a stupid smile to her face. "[color=a2d9ce]Maybe.... What would I request, though?[/color]" she asked, thinking out loud, "[color=a2d9ce]...what's the heaviest thing you can think of?[/color]" 

Kusari couldn't help but grin at Callan, her smile and excitement was infectious. [color=662d91]"We could have them bring in an Earth Mover, and we can fill it with weights."[/color] Kusari huffed as an image popped into her head. [color=662d91]"Maybe you could bench press it to work out."[/color]

Callan laughed. A few movie references came to mind but she didn't want make Kusari uncomfortable in case she didn't know them. She scolded herself for assuming Kusari lived under a rock, but... one couldn't be too careful.  Kusari had gone out of her way to make her feel better about what had happened. She owed her that much.

"[color=a2d9ce]Do I get to ask you about the leg yet?[/color]" she asked, feeling like the mood was right. 

Callan laughed, it almost took Kusari aback. It'd been so long since she'd enjoyed talking with someone like this. She was in enough of a good mood that the sudden question didn't upset her. She looked down at the leg in question, the claw where her big toe should be was lightly tapping the floor of the bus. [color=662d91]"It grew when I lost my leg in that battle we were forced to go through. I wish I knew more about it, like how to get rid of it. I've thought that cutting it off and just hoping it grew back normal might work, but... Who'd be crazy enough to cut off their own leg?"[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]HMMmmmmmmmm,[/color]" the teal haired arbiter chewed the inside of her cheek. Unsure of how to answer such a question, she attempted to fill the void with something other than awkward silence, "[color=a2d9ce]Maybe the doctors at the hospital... could....[/color]" Her voice trailed off, unsure of whether her suggestion was a good one or not. The doctors yesterday hadn't seemed thrilled to be there, but they'd also seemed pretty busy. Too busy to help someone safely amputate their mutant leg?

Kusari inadvertently put on a scowl at Callan's suggestion [color=662d91]"I'd prefer to avoid having those people touch me. You saw what they did to Christmas, They wanted to turn him into a magic blood factory. There's no telling what they'd do to me if given the chance."[/color] She let out a sigh, noticing that their stop was coming up. [color=662d91]"Anyway, let's see this buffet already." [/color]

A bad suggestion then... but was it? To Callan, it hadn't seemed like the doctors and nurses were the only ones using Christmas for his blood-- everyone else had been just as guilty. Herself included. She wanted to believe that the people here meant well-- that they'd help Kusari if she asked and not give her any trouble for it. But... she wasn't sure enough, nor did she know Kusari well enough, to press the issue any further. It seemed like she didn't want to continue the discussion anyway.

"[color=a2d9ce]I think I remember it being a few blocks that way,[/color]" Callan said, motioning further down the street as the doors hissed open. The bus stopped just outside of a small cafe. People with their late morning coffee trickled out the doors and were all eyes for Kusari and her raptor leg. Some walked briskly on while others slipped their phones out of their pockets to hastily record the incredible sight.

She knew it would be like this, she knew and yet she still decided to come. Kusari tried to ignore the people staring, snapping photos and recording video of her. She wanted to tell them all to kindly screw off, but that'd just make things worse. A nice date with a cute girl she'd met, that's all she wanted right now. She was allowed to pretend she wasn't a slave that was as disposable as a cheap razor, wasn't she?

"Holy shit man, is that thing real!? Y-you're one of those subbies!" An excited man that seemed to be in his late teens came up and talked to her. Well, more like talked [b]at[/b] her. To him this girl was likely just a cool part of this town to gawk at. Kusari walked past him to the counter where a host was standing.

She handed him her ID. [color=662d91]"Paying for two..."[/color] She said in a low voice, not wanting to speak to them anymore than she needed to. She turned to Callan, an obviously forced smirk on her face. [color=662d91]"So, what would you recommend?"[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]Uh..,[/color]" Callan had been looking at a man who had proceeded to follow them with his phone still trained on Kusari's leg. He stood just outside the glass door, squatting to record past the several flyers about specials and business hours taped to the upper portion of the door. "[color=a2d9ce]Everything-- probably,[/color]" Callan scoffed, smiling easily. If there was one sure fire way to lighten the mood for Cal, it was food. The was especially true for food she didn't have to make or pay for herself.

"[color=a2d9ce]Never eaten here before, but... I usually try a lil' bit of everything. Looks like this place has a pretty huge selection, though. What sort of food do you like?[/color]"

[color=662d91]"Anything that's che-..."[/color] Kusari caught herself giving the same answer she'd always gave. Just going out and eating without worrying about her budget was an alien experience. She picked up a tray and tapped it against her stomach. [color=662d91]"I need to gain a few pounds, so I'll go for the fattening junk."[/color] Most of the people's stares and commotion had died down at least, though one man in particular was still filming her as if his life depended on it. Kusari wondered if the school would cover it up if she decided to make him vanish. What was she, an Aberration? She shook the thoughts away and loaded food onto the tray. 

Brown rice, pork cutlets and stir fried vegetables, this seemed good enough for now. After getting a cup and filling it with lemonade she looked around the buffet for a good table. By 'good table' she meant to find one as isolated as possible. She found a table in the corner of the restaurant that didn't have many people nearby, the light above it had blown out so it was a bit dimmer than the rest of the place. She motioned for Callan to follow her and sat down.

[color=662d91]"Next time, maybe we should try a less... Populated place." [/color]

One. Two. Three. Callan slid the final plate down off of her bicep as she placed it on the table. "[color=a2d9ce]Hold up-- I'm gonna grab a drink.[/color]" She hurried over to the soda machine, not wanting to keep Kusari waiting since she was already done. [i]Anything that's cheap.[/i] That was what she was going to say. Kusari was literally [i]starving[/i] before she came here. Filling two cups up with soda, she was just going through the motions. All week long she'd felt like [i]she[/i] was starving. The meals they'd given her after she was taken in had certainly looked big enough, but they must've been pumped with air or something for as much as they managed to sate her hunger.

She'd smiled when Kusari made the remark about fattening junk, a joke bouncing around behind her teeth. She'd managed to swallow it, however. Kusari didn't seem to appreciate the jokes she made at her own expense-- though that was going to be a bit of a rough habit for her to break. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Sorry,[/color]" Callan sighed, setting down the drinks and taking a seat. She seemed oblivious to the oddity that was her portion size as she went on talking, "[color=a2d9ce]This was just the first place that came to mind-- I still need to find where all the best spots are.[/color]"

Kusari watched in astonishment as Callan sat three plates full of food down on their table. She suddenly felt silly for thinking she had grabbed a hearty amount of food. [color=662d91]"S-sure."[/color] She said as her date went to get a drink... make that two drinks. Sitting down, Callan apologized for her choice of restaurant. [color=662d91]"No need to say sorry, it's not your fault these people are dicks. I doubt any other restaurant around here would be any better."[/color] Kusari said, beginning to eat her food. It wasn't bad, but she wasn't quite blown away by it either. Oh well.

"[color=a2d9ce]Hopefully not,[/color]" Callan sighed, but she knew Kusari was probably right. Her experience in town yesterday hadn't been much of an exception. She brought her glass to her lips. 

[color=662d91]"I'll choose the place next time, maybe we can invite a few of the others."[/color]

Next time.... Shit, that was the second time she'd said that now, right?

The window to answer this remark was a small one. Callan understood this, but it didn't help her conjure up an answer any faster. She certainly [i]liked[/i] Kusari. She was tall, cool, collected, and surprisingly skilled when it came to fighting-- on account of how easily she'd managed to trip her on her ass. And in spite of her bony physique, she carried herself with a sort of sinuous grace. Unapologetic. Resolute. Strong.

'SuperCal' was... intimidated. Unprepared. Unsure. [i]Weak?[/i]

Was that why?

"[color=a2d9ce]Mm,[/color]" she responded, finally proceeding to take a sip. The implications were clear. Suddenly she felt guilty and a whole lot less comfortable. She needed to say something to expel the butterflies in her stomach-- but she didn't know what. She just kept drinking, tilting the glass a little further back with each mental command.

Say something.

[i]Say something.[/i]

[i]SAY SOMETHING!![/i]

"[color=a2d9ce]You've-- seen The Office, right?[/color]" she asked suddenly.

Kusari watched Callan after she offered to take her out again. Something was wrong. She hardly knew this girl, but she didn't seem the type to have difficulty keeping up a normal conversation. What she said clearly didn't go over well, but why? Did Callan accept her request for a date out of pity? Kusari stabbed a piece of pork and popped it in her mouth. She chewed on it slowly as she looked at the paint on the wall.

Eventually Callan said something, something far away from the topic of another outing. [color=662d91]"I've seen a few episodes, it's a decent show."[/color] She managed to say fine even as she still chewed. She hated this, she hated this so much her face was beginning to flush. Why couldn't people just say what was on their mind? She tapped her fingers on the table, her eyes still on the wall, her mouth still chewing. 

She knew why, it was because Callan was a good person, and part of being a good person meant taking people's feelings into consideration. That had to be it, that was the theory she'd thought of years ago after breaking up with her first and only boyfriend. He didn't take too well to her becoming a subnatural. He tried to hide his feelings and act like a good person, but eventually his own safety superseded their relationship. He was a coward. Kusari's nails ceased their rapping upon the table. She stopped chewing and swallowed, then looked back to Callan.

[color=662d91]"Just say it Callan. Whatever it is. Whatever it is it won't tick me off as much as going to bed not knowing why I'd made my date feel awkward.[/color]

Callan lowered her fork full of food, a more dour expression passing over her face. There it was-- that barefaced resolve; reflected in the piercing red, hawk-like eye that peered at her from the half of Kusari's face that wasn't shrouded in choppy, long white tresses. She wanted the truth. Actually, she was demanding it. Somehow Callan didn't think The Office was going to save her this time.

"[color=a2d9ce]I really like you,[/color]" she said, straight-faced, "[color=a2d9ce]You're cool and pretty and-- and I'm having a great time so far. I like this... what we're doing right now. But I'd rather not commit to another date or anything because--[/color]"

[color=a2d9ce][i]I might be interested in someone else.[/i][/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]--I'm not sure about how I feel... about... all this....[/color]" It wasn't a lie. On the contrary, it was the closest thing to the truth without sounding downright idiotic. She'd only been at USARILN East for like two days. She wasn't sure about how she felt about anything. Her powers. This school. Kusari. Marcus.

The cogs of her mind came screeching to a halt. She'd successfully avoided thinking about him ever since Kusari showed up and mentioned how he and Callan had been arguing over nothing. He was just trying to make her feel better. [color=a2d9ce][i]Like he would have done for anyone, stupid....[/i][/color] She stopped herself from careening down that tunnel of thought. Now wasn't the time. 

Kusari sat back in her seat, her shoulders drooped as the tension left her body. [color=662d91]"We've all been put through a lot, huh?[/color] She let out a sigh and ruffled her hair, a habit that seemed to be getting stronger recently. [color=662d91]"Thanks for letting me know. I should have known better, most of us likely aren't stable enough yet for this sort of thing. I just..."[/color] Kusari's eyes lowered to her food, she ate a bit of the rice silently before continuing. [color=662d91]"As much as I keep telling myself that I've accepted what I've become, it still bothers me. I wanted to feel... Normal for once, and I used you for that. Sorry."[/color] She let out a wry chuckle, and looked to the side, she was blushing for a different reason now.

[color=662d91]"Pretty, huh?"[/color]

Callan felt her own posture relax a little as well. She smiled at the sight of the pinkish hue on Kusari's face.

"[color=a2d9ce]I'm serious-- you are![/color]" she confirmed, "[color=a2d9ce]You could probably be a model-- but you've got to stop eating like one. We're at a buffet.[/color]" She motioned at the vegetables on the girl's plate. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Anyways, don't apologize. If anything, I should be sorry for leading you on. After that shitstorm yesterday, going out on a date sounded nice,[/color]" she said, smiling, "[color=a2d9ce]But if you really want to be sorry for something-- be sorry you haven't seen more of The Office! Don't you have Netflix?[/color]"

[color=662d91]I-It's a balanced diet, isn't it?"[/color] Kusari stammered, her face feeling as if she were making out with an overclocked GTX 1080 graphics card. She wasn't used to being complemented like this. She shoved more food in her mouth to distract herself as Callan continued talking. She apologized as well, it seemed the both of them just wanted to try and have some fun after yesterday.

[color=662d91]"Netflix? The video streaming thing? I never had the money for it. I guess that's one positive thing about my situation now, I can finally indulge myself in some classic first world delights."[/color] Kusari grinned, taking another bite of pork. She went for another, but her fork hit nothing but the tray. [color=662d91]"Well would you look at that, be right back."[/color] 

As she got a serving of orange chicken and more rice, she heard a couple girls mumbling to each other.

"That's so fucking disgusting, like what even is that?" A girl with nails polished and bedazzled enough to blind said. Kusari snapped around to face them, they jumped up. "W-what? We didn't do nothing!"

Kusari could feel her right eye twitch. She could take this bitch's head off with one good kick. She glanced over to Callan. No. She couldn't make a scene, couldn't let these people ruin this. [color=662d91]"It's [i]I didn't do [b]anything,[/b][/i] imbecile."[/color]

She took her tray and returned to her table, ignoring the now refreshed stares. Taking a seat, she popped a piece of chicken into her mouth. [color=662d91]"These people, I swear. We fought to protect this city and they still treat us like garbage."[/color]

Kusari's altercation with the girl was missed as Callan withdrew a pen from her bag and began furiously scribbling on a napkin between bites. As soon as Kusari sat down, she held it out for her to see, a very serious look on her face. On the napkin was an email address, password, and list of several TV shows. She lowered the napkin and winced for a moment at Kusari's observation, "[color=a2d9ce]I'm still having trouble not seeing myself as one of them, to be honest....[/color]"

It was a pretty bummer topic, so Callan held the napkin up again, "[color=a2d9ce]Here's your homework.[/color]"

Kusari took the napkin, assuming the information was for her Netflix account. Looking at the list of shows, she recognized quite a few of them. Callan certainly had a particular taste. Nearly every show was a comedy and/or a chick flick. She'd probably enjoy some of them, though she had to wonder if Callan watched anything else. She also noticed how quick she was to avoid the topic she'd brought up. It seemed she didn't have the same disdain for normal people as she did, not that she'd blame her for that. not everyone was as jaded as she was.

[color=662d91]"Thanks. Once I get a laptop I'll try out the oh so fabled binge watching."[/color] Kusari fiddled with the napkin before putting it in her pocket. She wanted to ask Callan if she could watch with her, but considering the reaction to her mentioning a second date, that was a bad idea.

The two of them continued talking for a while, apparently Callan hadn't brought up The Office for nothing, since she was able to go on about it for a good chunk of time, as well a few other comedy movies and chick flicks. Kusari managed to squeeze in a few of her favorites, including Star Wars and Kill Bill. Before they knew it more than an hour had passed. They finished eating all that they could, that amount seeming the difference between a hill and a mountain between the two of them. After cleaning off their table they left the buffet, only to find that the same creep that was photographing Kusari was still hanging around. [color=662d91]"Hey, could you not so kindly buzz off?"[/color] Kusari said. The man seemed a little shaken but didn't go away.

"I-It's a free country!" He said, holding up his expensive looking camera. "I have a right to do my job as a-a journalist!"

[color=662d91]"You run some messed up blog about Subnaturals, don't you?"[/color] 

"Huh? wha, N-no! It's a respectable, official web site fo-"

[color=662d91]"Perverts?"[/color] Kusari interjected. The man stomped his feet in irritation, he must hear that one a lot.

"I-It's not dammit! Anyway you should know your place, you don't even have any rights!" He yelled. Kusari looked to Callan and shook her head.

[color=662d91]"Let's just go."[/color] She said, continuing to walk, but the man still followed. Callan walked next to Kusari, eyes lingering on the persistent reporter for a moment before snapping forward. She pursed her lips and shot a sideways glance at Kusari-- and then Kusari's leg. What a God-awful pain....

She stopped in her tracks, pivoting on her heel to face the reporter. In one fluid motion, she reached out and grasped the camera in her hand, covering the lens with her palm. The man shouted out and lurched back, the cord around his neck forcing him into place while the camera didn't budge.

"[color=a2d9ce]Haven't you taken enough pictures of my friend?[/color]" she said in a calm, polite voice, smiling ruefully. 

The man leaned as far back as he could without relinquishing his camera. His lip stopped quivering long enough for him to glower down at her, "Y-you can't hurt me. The Director'll shock the life out of you as soon as you hit me! You--"

Callan surrendered her grip, causing him to stagger backwards as his balance was thrown off. Little did he know that one hit was all it would take. A small part of her was tempted to say that out loud, just like she'd been tempted to crush his camera in her hand a second ago. Why? Because it might impress Kusari? Her silent stare proved to be more intimidating than she realized as the man, upon regaining his composure, quickly spun around and ran.

Callan groaned in frustration, rejoining Kusari. Without thinking, she grabbed her hand, falling into a brisk walk towards the bus stop without another word.

Kusari watched as Callan confronted the man that had been following her. She felt a mix of anxiety and amusement. She'd rather like the image of this guy getting thrown into a dumpster five blocks away, but at the same time she knew there would be consequences. Callan only threatened the man's camera, apparently that was the last straw to get him to go away.[color=662d91]"Oh sure, only run off when the black girl confronts you."[/color] She quipped, letting out a giggle.

Callan walked back to her side and grabbed Kusari's hand. She blinked a few times, surprised. Did she even realize she'd done it? Perhaps she had a maternal instinct that kicked in when her friends were in trouble. Well, she wasn't complaining. Callan's hand felt warm, so holding on for a bit wouldn't hurt. [color=662d91]"Thanks. You'd make a pretty good bodyguard."[/color] 

"[color=a2d9ce]Heh,[/color]" Callan scoffed, her smile slowly returning. She was eager to forget about the debacle and a little disappointed that she'd turned around at all. Certainly that wasn't how a hero should be behave... but Kusari seemed to like it. Somehow that stroked her ego just enough for it to be okay. As her date was coming to a close, she pondered on why Kusari had bothered asking Cal of all people to satisfy her desire to feel normal. Suddenly remembering how abrasive the girl had seemed earlier that morning, she suspected there was something more to it than just finding her 'cute'-- her cheeks warmed, remembering the compliment. 

But that was a conversation for another time... maybe.