[hr][hr] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/owYAY37.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/q8oihtH.png[/img] [sup][@tsukune] & [@Dioxide][/sup][/center][hr] [b][code]The Cheng Household, Spring Town, Hedgemount The Night Before_[/code][/b] "Is that a bullet hole!?" Kannix's mom yelled as she pointed sternly at the perforation in her daughter's jacket - which she had never seen before, she'd like to add. It was nearing midnight, but that was no excuse for noise and activity to go down. Crime and petty life wasn't going to stop when the sun went down, so much so that the annoyance from it all sort of became ordinary. Emma would know this, but this was all of Kannix's life - the one she knew, and only knew. Everything else to Kannix was a jarring comparison. "I'm fine, it's no big deal," Kannix's hand on the stairway handrail, ready to pounce up to their compact apartment. Kannix's mom had waited for her downstairs, spitting venom at passersby, staring them down with the ferocity of a caged tiger. "Fuck off it's no big deal! Nevermind where the fuck you've been. Why do you still come back home this late? You know it's far too dangerous to be out here alone!" "Mom, did you forget that I'm like invulnerable? I shrugged off a shotgun blast last week!" Kannix marched upstairs heavy-footed. Her mom followed suit. "It's not that! Do you not realize the implications of the trouble you're causing? I've seen people from outside our window looking at our building. They know [i]you[/i] live here and they know you have a single mother who isn't invulnerable! People who'd very much like our apartment!" A neighbour swung his door open. [right]"Hey shut the fuck up!"[/right] "You shut the fuck up!" Kannix and her mom yelled back simultaneously. The neighbour slammed his door back shut after the Cheng's did. Kannix wanted so bad to just get to her room, shut herself from her mom and the rest of the world. She was tired, and she didn't want any more bullshit as much as the next Cheng. Her mom reached for her shoulder to turn her around. Kannix wouldn't dare use her powers against her. She gave in. "What? No smart retort?" No, there wasn't. Kannix just looked down at the floor, unwilling to look up to see her mother's face. It wasn't just the anger she was scared of; it was the shame and disappointment she knew she would be able to see through the sharp steel eyes. The softness that is the reason for her mother's harsh care for her. "We can't exactly move out of her, Kannix. No place to go. I don't want to say those fuckers would want a piece of us and come after us; but I'm saying those fuckers would want a piece of us and come after us." "Then fucking let them come! I'll take them all on!" Kannix finally replied, frustration and despondency in her voice, struggling to hold back her tears, choking on her spit, hands quivering. People's hearts would melt if they saw Kannix cry; a tiny, cute, upset little thing. Emma needed more from her, though. "And then what? Suppose you do take out an entire neighbourhood. You rid Spring Town of its crime and evil dudes. What are you going to do after that? Have you not, for once, thought about your future? The future that you are so willing to risk and lose because you think you're nigh-invulnerable that you can have the world on your platter. No, that's not how it works!" "...Then what am I supposed to do...?" Kannix (barely) attended school and was very much average. She could go through the plentiful causes and reasons, but she knew that Spring Towners almost never have a good future. The two were silent. People at the opposite street were gambling from the sounds of it, and someone just lost and flipped the table over. Her mother fixed Kannix's dishevelled hair and brought her face up to look at each other eye to eye. "...Do something more. Be something. Not this. [b]This[/b] isn't it. This can't be only it. You're so much more..." God Kannix wanted to refute, to refuse, to reject. How? [i]How?[/i] How was she supposed to be more than something? She started crying in her mom's hands. Her plump cheeks shook as she blubbered, snorted, and went all out. "I thought someone here was nigh-invulnerable. Loooooossseerrr." Kannix smiled and laughed at the tease. "Go to bed. You're still in trouble, trouble-maker. I ought to whip your ass, honestly." "Goodnight, mom." ... ... Morning came and the two had breakfast together. Kannix talked about how she went with a neighbour ("Do I know this neighbour?" - "Probably not, mom.") to see the DOVE rally at Regal Square. ("You get me anything?" - "No, mom.") Kannix chose not to talk about how she might have gotten two dudes into trouble and probably arrested. She did mention her meeting a boy named Rein ("The fuck kind of boy is called Rein?" - "I don't know, mom.") and how the two talked for a while. ("He cute?" - "Mom stop.") "Can I go out later?" "And fucking leave me alone again?" "I'll get us some stuff before I get back home." "Where are you goi-" her mom stopped half-way and gasped exaggeratedly. "You going to see Rein, aren't you? Aren't you!?" "Mom stop please I jus-" "He cute?" "Mom, pl-" "Is he cute?" "...Sort of. A bit of a freak though." "You're a freak." "You're a freak too. You raised me to be a freak." "Still a freak." "So can I go?" "Hmmm..." Kannix's mom kept making odd gestures of contemplation, all fake and attempts of comedy considering the request. "You may go. You must bring me some things though." "Okay, I wi-" "And!! And... I want to see how he looks like. Take a picture." "Oh for fuck's sake." Kannix took that as the prompt to be able to leave. Her strides were long and meaningful. She wanted to talk to Rein, if he could find the heart in himself to want to talk to her again. Yes, he did look cute, but... she wanted to talk to someone about last night. Not that many friends, Kannix - hopefully Rein is around. "Ahem." Kannix turned just before reaching for the doorknob. "Hope you don't forget about last night." Kannix nodded, solemnly and briefly, before reaching for the doorknob again. "Have you thought about the Academy? You know, the one we talked about last time?" Kannix had given it some thought back then but she just wasn't so sure or ready to leave her mother alone in a place like this. She wasn't sure about the arrangement because she was too scared to ask. There is that bit of arrogance in her saying that she did not need to be taught by some oppressive dickface who probably couldn't do anything to her physically (literally) She's heard of it, but like, like... she couldn't think of a reason to go or not to go. If on- [b]Aahhh!![/b] "Rein's from the Academy! I remember now! I can go talk to him about it!" Kannix's mom gave a vicious smirk, and Kannix returned the smirk with an even bigger smirk, crinkling her nose, and widening her smile to expose an evil grin. "You may leave." [hr] [b][code]Academy 61, Roseview_[/code][/b] Her tiny butt raced for the shuttle bus, stopping and nearly breaking the door as she got on. Her time in Little Seapond was very brief what with the clashing bus schedules but man what a peaceful, almost boring sight the town was. It was like two different worlds, Little Seapond and Spring Town: one's a piece of shit and one's the grass that the piece of shit would love to ha- wait, no one's going to want Spring Town. Fuck it. Let's just savour the moment, she thought. Through the noise of the hustle and bustle of the passengers, Kannix watched - not look, watched - as the scenery would present new, delightful things to her. Lakes, ponds, people swimming - swimming! - and being so relaxed. Gosh she knew she was making a weird face but she couldn't help it. The others were used to it, she wasn't. It was like a documentary. She'd switch off from it and see what the people were talking about next to her, but something would catch her eye and BAM! A squirrel! After a while, the route had it so they were passing a large fence and contained itself was the massive, she surmised, Academy 61. Everyone was pulling out their stuff, ready to get off. Kannix was flattening out her white dress. Even she couldn't believe the work she was putting. Everyone knew where they were going. Streams of people headed in different directions but a large group went to the, again she's guessing here, main building. Luckily for her, she got it right. There's a lobby, for starters. "Hi, uhm. I'm looking for someone. His name is-" Shit. How do you spell his name? "Rein. It's either R-E-I-N or R-A-I-N. Definitely a He though. About... 'yay' tall." The receptionist perked up from her boredom, her daydream rudely interrupted by Kannix's sudden appearance at the front desk. Forcing herself to straighten up, she peered at the girl through her round glasses, not bothering to hide the annoyance written loud and clear on her face. "You're looking for someone? Student or staff?" She was completely unfazed at Kannix's overly eager chatter. "Student! I... think! He's a bit too young to be staff, hehehe." She pointed and gestured to reach for the microphone she could barely see jutting out from her short view of the high counter. "Here, I'll call him." Before the receptionist could even react, Kannix pulled the mic down, loud and sharp as it sounded all over the hallways. "Rein! Rein! It's me, Kannix! Come find me at the Main Building with the old lady!" As she let go, the metal stand snapped back, and the noise was painful for everyone to hear. She smiled and winked at the receptionist, and the receptionist could do nothing but stare blankly, shocked - a truly "What the fuck?" face. [hr] Though the rally event was technically over, there was still the corollary to sort out - another tedious part of the volunteer work that most of the students weren't happy with. Not when all of their weekend break were gone for something they were pretty much forced to do, whether it was for a good cause or not. Rein was one of them, but he was careful to keep his face impassive. No need to whine and bitch about it like the others around him. He was amused at the school's decision to keep that lame banner as a memento, but he'd be lying if he didn't feel a slight pleasure at the indirect praise for his work. Definitely not something he felt proud enough to show off to others, but who wouldn't feel a sense of elevation at the recognition, no matter how small it was? By the time they were finally released from the long, boring debrief, it was almost three in the afternoon. Half of their Sunday was gone, and majority of them had lessons the very next day. [i]Talk about a tight schedule.[/i] Rein would like nothing better to head straight back to his dorm room and knock himself out. ...Or not really. There were a few things on his mind he had to mentally sort out before he could really call it a day. He pulled out his mobile as he strolled towards the dormitory building, raising an eyebrow to see that he had a text message. From Wendy, the strange, tall girl he had met back at the rally. About a meeting in a cafe quite a distance away from the academy later in the evening. [i]It's going to be a really long day today.[/i] He winced at the sharp, metallic screech that shot through the school building, which made him glared up at the intercom. The irritation quickly turned to a mixture of shock and embarrassment when he heard the familiar, energetic voice of Turkey Leg Girl - Kannix - paging for him before it was cut off by another ear-piercing noise of someone who didn't know how to handle the microphone with care. [i]What's going on now?[/i] With an exasperated sigh, he pocketed the phone, turning around his heels to head towards the main lobby area. [hr] Rein found Kannix easily; she was seated at the sofa a short way in front of the receptionist's desk, wearing a dress... that was a disastrous sight with the way her legs were wide open. She didn't seem to care how the receptionist was throwing eye daggers at her. He exhaled slowly, then walked towards her. "...Do you need me for something?" He was too tired to keep up the meek act, nor did he had any mood to make a witty comment. "Come on now. Don't be a [i]droopy[/i] little freak! I'm not disturbing you, am I? 'cause it'd be cool if you were done for the rest of the day, hang out with 'le moi.'" Kannix twirled her dress, accentuating the hardcore army boots she donned underneath. She had to look up to speak to Rein and though it was common practice, over time the strain on the back of her neck would never go away. Rein wasn't pleased to be constantly called a 'freak' by Kannix of all people, but he merely pursed his lips for a second before he raised a hand to scratch the back of his head. "Sure, I don't mind." Then he stared at Kannix in the eye. "...Is there something you want to talk to me about?" Kannix could only stare back. If it wasn't a challenge, she was going to make it one. "Oh yeah. Lots. I'd take you somewhere but I have never been here. So..." Kannix stepped aside and gestured for Rein to lead the way. "Sir." Kannix could not help but snicker at herself, and smiled a broad smile. Rein didn't seem to pick up Kannix's attempt to start a staring contest - or he simply didn't care - and broke the eye contact. Raising an eyebrow as Kannix appeared to be in a weird, giggling fit, he simply pointed a thumb over his shoulder: at a cafeteria behind him. "Are you hungry? We can grab something to eat while we chat, if you want." "Oh. Hell. Yes." ... ... Kannix wasn't particularly hungry at that point in time. However, if one was given the opportunity to have good food (and for free too!), one ought to savour such a chance. Kannix didn't want to embarrass herself or Rein by going back multiple trips. So instead, she brought multiple plates and trays with her - a bit of everything, and keyword is everything. What a delight. Kannix was happy. It really beat having cold food all day back home. "So, can I ask-" she gulped down some peas, and downed some mashed potatoes with a chug of water. "What is it that you all really do here? Students, and all? I've heard things, but maybe you can shed some light." She waved her spoon over her head, emphasizing the 'light' being 'this place'. Rein, on the other hand, was hungry, and simply got himself a main course - seafood aglio olio pasta! - with winglets for side dish. He thought for a moment at Kannix's question, his fork twirling around the spaghetti, then he started off, "Well... the Academy Program is set up to give Metahuman children like us an opportunity to go through some form of education - both the normal curriculum that non-Metas have, and a place for us to learn how to control and use our powers safely." Kannix could not help but roll her eyes at the mention of [i]'normal curriculum'[/i]; she was already doing bad enough in the crap-ass school that she went to. Assert herself, actually try to learn something? Fuck that. How is Math and Literature supposed to get her the fuck out of Spring Town? No one is going to hire a Spring Towner. No one is going to even bat an eye at a Spring Towner. The future was so bleak for everyone there. What mattered was the day and the day itself. It was a blessing to live another day. It would have been a good day. They - regular people - still hated Metahumans. They hated her. Fuck 'em. The fuck was she supposed to do about all this? "...A place for us to learn how to control and use our powers safely? I mean, yeah, I get it. The tragedies, the baddies we do get every now and then. But I guess I have the hang of my powers!" She had no idea how to think of this. What exactly... god she did not even know the questions she should ask herself. She wondered: why would she need to be in the Academy? She thought back to what her mother told her. What good would it do? What good [i]could[/i] it do? She played with her food, head down, leaning on her hand. "Is it not pointless? Not just for me - though especially for me - but for everyone else?" Her face wasn't exactly grim, but the seriousness on her face betrayed hints of sadness through her wide-opened eyes. Rein shrugged. "Maybe for some, it seems pointless," he replied, taking a bite out of a prawn. "But as far as the public is concerned, they'd feel more at ease knowing that we're kept in here, rather than wrecking havoc out there." He sounded resigned - he didn't know if it was due to weariness from the long day, or the idea that the academy was a figurative prison to keep Metahuman kids away from the rest of Baybridge. "..." Kannix remained quiet. She chose to stay quiet. She was thinking. So even the Academy isn't an option. "...You... probably wouldn't get it." The message hopefully got across to Rein through the racket of the cafeteria, still packing people at this time. It's probably never empty here. "...I... don't know what choices I have. I wreck things, but I'm a bit of a wreck myself. Here I thought..." The food on her third plate no longer seemed appetizing. She collected herself. "Here I thought maybe the Academy was an option, you know? To-... To-... Can we go somewhere quieter?" Rein raised his eyebrows at her, with confusion written loud and clear on his face. He glanced down at his half-finished food before looking up again to frown at her. "What do you mean? Did you do something that you have to come here?" Kannix sat up straight and looked Rein ferociously in the eye, then fervently smiled, donning a new set of emotions so polarizing to what had just been. It's a mechanism she picked up from her mom - smile through the pain. "You're my only, I wouldn't say friend, but something close. The others I had left when they found out I was a Meta and the daughter of a prostitute. I'm not a butterfly, you might have noticed, but I'm not exactly... a cockroach as well. Ugh, identity issues. Annoying, right? You might not be able to help fix my dilemma, but at least you're listening, and that helps. "Heh...Do you think I should be a student at the Academy? Do you think I [i]can[/i] be a student at the Academy?" Rein listened as Kannix talked. Unlike the previous time, he gave her all his attention, weighing every word she had said in his mind. [i]Ah, so she had been through the typical prejudice that most people had towards Metahumans.[/i] And her family background wasn't pretty, either. The girl sounded like a lost soul, trying to find something she could hold onto. Something that would make her feel like she belonged in this world, like she existed. [i]That probably explains why she likes to show off, likes to seek attention and approval... Why she talks and acts in such a funny way. ...A bit like me.[/i] Not the same, but he could share the sentiment, even if it was just a little. "This is a school for [i]Metahumans[/i]," he responded with a small smile. "You'd probably fit in quickly with the kind of power you have. At least most people here would think your ability is something cool. Unlike mine," he added with a slight chuckle - to mask the look of pain that almost showed on his face. "Oh come on, now. I think you're cool! Speaking of cool, smile." "...H-Huh?" Hurriedly, she pulled out her phone - the phone her mother had saved for a while to get for Kannix, and that was a while back - and loaded up the camera app. It took a while, and Kannix almost cursed when it finally showed her face and a confused-looking Rein. She framed and took the shot before he could say anything. "You don't look half-bad, Rein! It's R-E-I-N, right?" Rein cringed at the way Kannix emphasized her pronunciation, trying too hard not to make it sound like the other word. "Well... 'Reinald' in full, but you can just call me Rein, yeah." "Alright, Rein-[i][b]ald[/b][/i]. Take my phone, add yourself to the contacts, would you please?" Rein was surprised at himself for getting too comfortable with Kannix's hyperactive personality. He hated to admit it, but her randomness, the way she seemed so confident of herself even with the hardship she had been through... he couldn't help feeling attracted to that vortex of positive energy. "Sure, alright," he said as he took her phone and keyed in his number, making a missed call to his own mobile so that he could record her contacts later... Which also reminded him of something else. "Hey, um... are you free for the rest of today? I'm thinking if you want to come along with me. Something about dimensional traveling. Are you interested?" "You asking me out already? Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn you got game. I don't know what the fuck dimensional travelling is, but if it's more time with Clairvoyant Rein then why not? I've just got to get home first, do some errands for my mom. Message me the details, if you would be so kind." "Ah... sure?" Maybe he should take that back about getting used to her eccentricity. She stood from her seat, and ruffled out her dress. Oh, and wiped her mouth, of course - she looked down at the plates of food she gobbled up and she was mighty impressed. "Oh, and, Rein-[i][b]ald[/b][/i]: from the deepest of my little heart, thank you for this." With that, unaware of whether they were allowed to use their powers inside the cafeteria - if the school premises at all - energized herself, and with instant acceleration dashed away. She remembered how to get back to the bus stop - managed to pick up a leaflet and application form on the way too, just in case. Before she knew it, she was back on the bus, deep in heavy contemplation her way back to Little Seapond, leaving a bemused Rein watching her disappear in a gust of speed. There was a lot to think about. Nothing's truly settled, but at least... she's got a pair of ears that are willing to listen. She won't admit it, but Kannix is a little more than excited to receive Rein's message. Now, to read the leaflet to pass the time...