[centre][color=6ecff6][h1]Arthur Ragnarson[/h1][/color]

[h3]Auditorium[/h3][/centre]

Their new instructor, Nilin, worried Arthur.  She was constantly on guard and, at least as far as he could tell, was committed to whatever programme they were involved in despite having been through it herself.  He liked to think himself a good judge of character; a perceptive observe of human nature and emotion due in part to the lack of it in himself.  However, this Nilin was unreadable.  Even with the other scientists Arthur could sense [i]something[/i] under their polished behaviour and upbeat-but-still-serious demeanour, something that did not mesh with their state aims.  It wasn't quite animosity, it wasn't so direct and almost moderately disinterested disdain.

Arthur was one who liked to arm himself with knowledge.  Whether that be researching extra material before an academic test, watching videos of various formations and tactics used in team sports or even just observing emotional reactions of others before he invested in any meaningful relationship with them; Arthur felt that holding information gave him an advantage and made him feel safe, in control.  Now he was wary, unsure of how to proceed.  Nilin shrugged off his question with a perfectly adequate response but that was all.  There was nothing extra, no little verbal slip that he had been hoping for.

[color=6ecff6]"Thank you, that clears it up a little for me."[/color]  Arthur replied, smiling as if he were satisfied while his inner self struggled to retain its strict discipline.  Their new instructor carried on responding to questions in turn before speaking directly to Irina.  From the stunned look on her face, Arthur suspected that she had been trying something out with her power.  Maybe trying to read Nilin's mind?  It was a good plan but for whatever reason, Arthur found it easy to believe that Irina would be unsuccessful despite accidentally reading everyone else's thoughts at most times.

[i]Careful, Irina.  She seems sharper than the others.[/i]

Arthur was half talking to himself, half communicating with the telepath before he clamped down on his thoughts and smoothed out his shaken mind.  He ceased listening to Nilin and her interactions with the group as he tuned out any influences upon his mental state and returned to his emotional base line.  The young lad managed this just in time to watch Nilin's display.

At first he thought that she had some kind of pyrokinetic power but the nature quickly changed. Arthur found himself leaning forwards, like most in the room, watching in fascination at the display of a power than could only be described as near-magical.

[i]So, an illusion?  But is it merely optical or has she planted it in our minds?  Assuming that it is, in fact, an illusion.[/i]  He briefly glanced over at Irina. [i]If it's the latter then we might have a problem.  If we were wanting to leave, that is.[/i]