[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ByVOXgQ.png[/img][/center]
[center][color=8a3dff]i want to be somewhere else[/color][/center]
[h3]9/14[/h3]
[hider=Emma and Marcus: Alone Together]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4335855]Link[/url]
[/hider]

[hider=Emma and Kusari: Seeking a Much Needed Drink]
[center]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/qObCsLJ.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/55cuDim.jpg[/img]
[h2][color=8a3dff]Emma[/color] | [color=662d91]Kusari[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] 
[color=silver] 𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥. 𝟙𝟜, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕃𝕒 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕒, 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕪𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   𝕄𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕝   / /  ~𝟚𝟙𝟘𝟘 [/color]

[sub]Collab with [@Diggerton] and [@Piercing Light][/sub][/center]
By the time Emma had come out of her room it was night. She’d hid in the modest motel room for the last several hours. First, she took a long shower, washing off the grime of the battle. Then she went to bed, or tried to go to bed, her weary eyes begging for sleep that never came. She got up and showered again, still feeling unclean, before she left.
 
She needed to move, she decided. There was something that she found so inexplicably peaceful about night. Maybe it was the lack of people, or the sound of crickets that so often accompanied it, or maybe it was the cool air…
 
Regardless of what it was, it felt right. Oddly calming. She desperately needed some respite from her stigma, something to turn her away from the thoughts Savannah’s twisted corpse… so she began moving, not sure where she was going. 

The people looking after the students were lax in the strangest ways. Kusari had decided to see what kind of drinks the motel had. She saw that they had various alcoholic drinks in the room's fridge. She figured the school would front the bill, and grabbed a bottle of wine. She smirked at the price tag, it was probably one of the most expensive things in the room. 

Kusari rarely ever drank, but she figured now of all times was a good excuse to do so. She glanced back at Allison, who was still asleep in her bed, and exited her room, bottle in hand to look for a drinking partner. Drinking alone just seemed a tad too sad, and she didn't want to awake Allison just to drink. As she rounded a corner she nearly bumped into Emma, who looked rather out of it. [color=662d91]"Hey, you aren't sleep walking are you?"[/color] She asked.

A hint of surprise crossed Emma’s face, but it quickly slipped back into the apathy before reformulating into a sad smile. [color=8A3DFF]”No, wide awake I’m afraid.”[/color] Emma’s eyes flickered to the bottle in Kusari’s hand, but she didn’t say anything. It’d been a long while since she’d touched the stuff… but right now it didn’t sound like the worst idea. 

Emma was having trouble sleeping, she wasn't alone there. Most of them were likely having trouble sleeping. Kusari noticed Emma eye the bottle of wine in her hand. [color=662d91]"It's a bit fancy for the occasion, but you want to join me?"[/color] She said, holding the bottle up. 

Emma took a moment, a contemplative look crossing her face. She could remember the last time she’d been drunk very well… it wasn’t exactly pleasant, but… [color=8A3DFF]”Sure. I could use a drink after…”[/color] she made a vague gesture around her, [color=8A3DFF]”All that.”[/color]

Kusari wasted no time dragging Emma back to her room. She grabbed two glasses and sat down at a table. Using one of her claws, she poked the cork of the wine bottle and yanked it out. [color=662d91]"Now that I think about it, I've never had wine before."[/color] She said, pouring herself and Emma a glass. She swirled the drink around in it's glass a few times before taking a sizable gulp. She sat the glass down and looked at it with the same expression one gives to a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. [color=662d91]"Meh..."[/color] She sighed. [color=662d91]"Well that's disappointing."[/color]

Emma took her own sip, taking a seat. She'd noticed Allison in the bed when she walked in- Emma didn't intend to ask questions. They were probably just friends rooming together, right? [color=8A3DFF]”It’s… an acquired taste, I guess.”[/color] Emma gave a polite smile… so quickly she’d gone from hiding in her room to drinking in Kusari’s. Truth be told she wasn’t much in the mood for talking and likely would of declined Kusari’s offer if not for the temptation of the wine. Unlike Kusari it was something she enjoyed, [color=8A3DFF]”Not much of a drinker?”[/color] Emma probed.

[color=662d91]"Not really."[/color] Kusari said. [color=662d91]"I guess I don't really get much from it. It was always something I did just because other people were. Not being old enough to buy it myself didn't help."[/color] Kusari leaned back in her seat and chugged the rest of the glass. It was probably rude to invite someone to drink and not even drink yourself. Sitting the empty glass back down she looked to Emma. [color=662d91]"How is Marcus doing by the way? It looked like he had to deal with a lot back there."[/color]

Emma nodded along as Kusari spoke, taking a contemplative sip. Despite her apparent dislike of the drink she sure was quick to finish it. The question about Marcus, however, caught Emma a little off-guard. Did Kusari know they were a ‘thing’? How many people knew? Emma didn’t let her face betray that she was surprise, though. [color=8A3DFF]”I… don’t think any of us are okay. Him especially. He’s trying to play it off, but… well, Savannah died.”[/color] Emma’s smile turned to a frown, [color=8A3DFF]”I’m sure that everyone involved is finding some way to shoulder the blame.”[/color]

Kusari grumbled with irritation, eyeing the label on the wine. [color=662d91]"This is some weak stuff..."[/color] She poured another glass and downed it. Slamming the glass on the table she narrowed her eyes at Emma. [color=662d91]"We really need to cut that nonsense out. Remember, none of us asked for this. This is [b]not[/b] our responsibility. Unless you killed Savannah with your own hands it's not your fault. The more we get used to this and blame ourselves, the more we'll forget who really did this to us."[/color]

Emma took another sip. She didn’t think it was [i]that[/i] weak, but she hadn’t had enough for it to have an effect yet. [color=8A3DFF]”I mean… you’re right, but it’s not that easy to disassociate yourself from it. But yeah, we should be worrying about whoever those guys that actually did it were, not ourselves.”[/color] the words were hypocritical, Emma knew, as she was taking the blame on herself as well.

[color=662d91]"I was talking about the people that put the slave cuffs on our legs, but yeah, them too."[/color] Kusari said, downing another glass. At this point she was drinking it out of spite. [color=662d91]"There wouldn't be so many rogue subnaturals if they didn't treat us like trash in the first place. They're lucky someone too powerful to handle hasn't shown up."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”You’re… you’re not wrong. Trust me, I’m the last person to agree with USARILN’s methods.”[/color] as she said this she glanced towards her own cuff, [color=8A3DFF]”It’s… I’m not sure what the rest of the world would do without them though… we’re barely making it as is, so without the school, the Precursors… but there has to be  a better way, right?”[/color]

[color=662d91]"It's possible, but it might as well be impossible."[/color] Kusari said. [color=662d91]"People have always hated other people just for silly shit like the color of their skin or where they happen to live. It had always been nonsensical, because obviously we're all human, right?"[/color] Kusari rubbed the crimson claws of her hands together, looking at her hand with a tepid expression. 

[color=662d91]"So what happens when they have an excuse to treat a group differently, heck to not even think of them as human? They can demonize us, scapegoat us, and use us without a second thought. Even your own famil-"[/color] The glass in Kusari's left hand suddenly shattered, she hadn't realized she was gripping it so tightly. She moved a plate under her hand just as blood began dripping from her palm. [color=662d91]"Sorry, I guess this power is making me a bit... reckless."[/color] She said. Shards of glass were pushed out of her hand and clinked onto the plate, a few seconds later the cuts were fully healed.

Emma pushed herself out of her chair, walking over to Kusari, concern crossing over her face. However, by the time she got there her injuries were already healed, [color=8A3DFF]”I almost forgot about your power…”[/color] 
 
Still, Kusari had said all she needed to, [color=8A3DFF]”Listen, Kusari… my… my family was the same way. M-my stepfather’s father… he was killed by a subnatural. When… when it happened, when I became what we are now… they… they [i]hated[/i] me. Him and my mom…”[/color] Emma’s tone had turned somber, a slight shake setting into her voice.
 
Emma placed a cautious hand on the girl’s shoulder, [color=8A3DFF]”It’s hard, I know.”[/color]

Kusari nearly flinched as she felt Emma's hand on her shoulder. It had been a long time since someone physically comforted her. It felt nice, but at the same time it was frustrating. She wished she didn't need it, her desire for affection contradicted everything about the way she acted towards people.

[color=662d91]"Thanks... and I'm sorry to hear that."[/color] Kusari said. She had figured she wasn't the only one with family that had effectively disowned them. [color=662d91]"You're better off just forgetting about them. They wrote you off, if they really loved you being a subnatural shouldn't have mattered. It's in situations like this that you find out who really cares about you."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”Yeah…”[/color]

[color=8A3DFF][i]That doesn’t make it hurt any less though.[/i][/color]

Emma gave a contemplative glance towards the wine. [color=8A3DFF]”Y’know, if that’s not doing it for you I’m sure we could find something stronger.”[/color]

[color=662d91]"Ehh..."[/color] Kusari glared at the wine bottle, she'd had nearly half the bottle already, but felt nothing. [color=662d91]"So... I'm not feeling anything actually, maybe my ability is stopping it from effecting me. Now that I think about it I wasn't really bothered by that fog of poison in our first battle either."[/color] She shrugged. [color=662d91]"Oh well, not like I've ever really enjoyed getting wasted."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”Oh… I see. Your power extends that far? I… I guess that makes sense.”[/color] Emma sighed, walking back to her seat, placing the wine glass down. She gave Kusari a slight smirk, [color=8A3DFF]”Well, I guess if you can’t get drunk it’s on me to keep things entertaining.”[/color] Emma shifted slightly in her chair, crossing her legs, [color=8A3DFF]”You do anything outside of being a child soldier? Like, hobbies?”[/color]

[color=662d91]"I'm eighteen you know? That's young adult soldier to you."[/color] Kusari said with a smirk. She would have rather avoid the topic of hobbies, but she supposed there was no point in being secretive about something so small. [color=662d91]"I guess you could call me an artist?... I used to draw and paint a lot before I became a mage. Don't really have much motivation for it lately, for obvious reasons. What about you?"[/color]

Emma gave a slight nod, [color=8A3DFF]”Art. That’s cool. I always wanted to be able to draw, but… well, as for myself, I guess… I’m alright at the guitar. My sister taught me, but she’s way better. Kind of the same, I didn’t bother to requisition one… I’d probably just annoy my roommates anyways.”[/color]
 
[color=8A3DFF][i]I wonder if Hazel’s ever heard music?[/i][/color] the question came and went, something to be saved for later.
 
[color=8A3DFF]”Anyways, I asked a question, now you get one.”[/color]

[color=662d91]"Guitar, huh?"[/color] Kusari titled her chair back and planted her left foot on the edge of the table. She slowly rocked the chair forwards and back, probably not the best pose to make considering the state of her skirt, but she didn't seem to care. 

[color=662d91]"Angel's a musician right? Maybe you could do something with her."[/color] Kusari said, tightening her lips as she thought of something to ask Emma. She couldn't really think of something to ask, Emma seemed quite unassuming. [color=662d91]"Oh."[/color] She let all four legs of the chair hit the ground. [color=662d91]"Is there anyone you're interested in?"[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”Angel? Yeah, maybe…”[/color] Emma was quick to notice Kusari’s unflattering position, a quick glance darting down before she quickly looked away. [color=8A3DFF]”Well… I guess me and Marcus are a ‘thing’. We went on a couple of dates and before I knew it everyone else knew…”[/color] Emma was still [i]very[/i] embarrassed about how quickly things were going. They’d only been here for what, a little over a week?
 
[color=8A3DFF]”Did... things ever pan out with Callan?”[/color] Emma asked cautiously, raising an eyebrow slightly. 

Kusari blinked a few times, processing. [color=662d91]"You're dating Marcus? How did I miss this?"[/color] She'd been spending far too much time by herself, of course people would be living their lives even without her around. Kusari tensed a bit as Emma mentioned Callan, she only had herself to blame, she'd brought this topic up in the first place.

[color=662d91]"That's... probably a no. She doesn't seem interested in me, and believe me I've made more than one pass at her. I don't know why I even assumed she'd be into girls in the first place."[/color]

Emma shrugged, [color=8A3DFF]”Well, y’know, plenty of fish in the high school for super-powered teenagers and all that.”[/color] Emma paused for a moment before a mischievous smile crossed her face, [color=8A3DFF]”Well, now I get a question. Do you just like girls, or…?”[/color] she said, a slight playfulness in her voice. 

Kusari let out a chuckle at Emma's question. Her mind went to her encounter with Marcus in the showers. [color=662d91]"Marcus can probably answer that."[/color] Her eyes froze in place the moment she spoke. She really needed to develop a filter. [color=662d91]"I mean, after the flag game, in the shower... I kinda sorta... said something to him that was probably a bit leading. I was just teasing him, mostly."[/color] The talons on Kusari's foot tapped the floor a few times as she rubbed the back of her neck. [color=662d91]"Yes, the answer is yes."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”In the… shower? With Marcus…?”[/color] Emma raised an eyebrow, clearly confused, a tinge of red hitting her face.

[color=662d91]"Yeah, the showers weren't really separate.[/color] Kusari waved her bulky hand side to side in a dismissive manner. [color=662d91]"Nothing to worry about, chill."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”Right… shared showers… yeah, of course.”[/color] Emma shook her head, trying to control the burning in her face. [color=8A3DFF]”Alright. Your turn. Question, before I die of embarrassment.”[/color]

Kusari was tempted to further tease Emma, but she didn't think they were quite close enough for it to be endearing. [color=662d91]"I've been thinking that we need to work on our team composition more. Like, finding out which of us work best together. I think you and Hazel could be a killer team. If you had that summon slow down the enemy, she could just pummel them into the dirt. What do you think?"[/color]

Emma shrugged, [color=8A3DFF]”Yeah, that could always work. There are a million things we could do, I’m sure. We need start figuring out how to use our powers, work better as a team.”[/color] Emma’s smile morphed into a slight frown, [color=8A3DFF]”The better we get, the higher chance we have of avoiding more casualties.”[/color]

Kusari let out a sigh, of course talking about battle tactics would make Emma think of possible deaths. Even so, they needed to talk about it. [color=662d91]"We have to do better, keep getting stronger. At the rate our powers are growing we should rival the Precursors at some point, right?... At least I hope so, that may be what it takes for us to ensure no one else dies."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”Rival the Precursors? You really think we’re going to get that strong?”[/color] Emma’s face brightened a little, [color=8A3Dff]”It’d be nice, but no one’s topped them in what, ten years? Why is it that we’re suddenly so special? It’s kind of hard to imagine it’s just… random.”[/color]

[color=662d91]"Well..."[/color] Kusari folded her arms, or rather, she almost did, remembering that she was a few inches away from slicing a gash in her side. [color=662d91]"Do mages usually improve as quickly as we do? Maybe they're injecting us with some drug or something."[/color] Kusari glanced at her cuff. [color=662d91]"Maybe through these damn things."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”I wouldn’t put it past them. I’ve… I’ve seen them do far worse.”[/color] Emma sighed, remembering the medical building, Miranda, who was somewhere between girl and monster, Clark’s jagged row of teeth, and Hector the Heartless. [color=8A3DFF]”We’ve definitely landed in the shit.”[/color]

[color=662d91]"Tell me about it. We'll just have to rely on each other, basically everyone else in the world either wants to kill us or doesn't give a crap if we die."[/color] Kusari let out a yawn, her fatigue was finally catching up to her. [color=662d91]"I think I'm gonna get some sleep, no telling what nonsense we'll have to deal with soon."[/color]

Emma nodded, [color=8A3DFF]”Good idea. After that battle I’m sure we could all use some rest.”[/color] Emma stretched up out of her chair, eyeing the remainder of the bottle before grabbing it. [color=8A3DFF]”Hope you don’t mind, considering it doesn’t work for you.”[/color] she said, taking a swig and finishing the bottle before Kusari could protest. Emma headed towards the door, hovering for a moment before turning around. [color=8A3DFF]”It’s been fun. Y’know, you act all mean, but you’re actually pretty nice Kusari.”[/color] she said, giving the girl a slight wink.

Kusari shrugged as Emma took the wine bottle, if anything that saved her the trouble of tossing it out. What Emma said before she left made her let out an amused scoff. [color=662d91]"I'm only 'mean' when I need to be... or when I can't help it. Goodnight, Emma."[/color]
[/hider]

[h3]9/15[/h3]
[hider=Emma and Callan: Love and Zombies]
[center]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/qObCsLJ.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/fwTScNE.jpg[/img]
[h2][color=8A3DFF]Emma[/color] | [color=a2d9ce]Callan[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] 
[color=silver] 𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥. 𝟙𝟝, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕃𝕒 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕒, 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕪𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℍ𝕠𝕤𝕡𝕚𝕥𝕒𝕝   / /  𝟙𝟘𝟘𝟘 [/color]
[sub]Collab with [@Diggerton] and [@Baklava][/sub][/center]
Emma took a breath before stepping into the hospital room. The last time she had seen Callan the girl had been armless. Well, that was up for debate. She wasn't exactly sure how Lily's power worked but the damage, at the very least, seemed to have been fixed. Still, Emma was sure Callan had her fair share of injuries if she'd been taken to the hospital... of course, there were more types of injuries than the physical ones.
 
Emma knew that all to well.
 
A small knock came, followed by Emma entering the room, several bundles of flowers in her arm. It seemed that she had more than one hospital visit to make. She didn't visit people in the hospital all to often, but bringing flowers was the appropriate thing to do, was it not? At least, that's what movies and TV had taught her. She tried her best to put on a genuine smile as she came into the room, the hospital staff having already informed her that Callan would be awake.
 
[color=8A3DFF]"Callan!"[/color] she exclaimed, a tinge of excitment in her voice, as she made her way into the hospital room. [color=8A3DFF]"I, uh, got flowers..."[/color] this time there was a hint of awkwardness in her voice, as she sought a spot to set them down.

Callan had been awake for a hours by the time Emma arrived. After that nightmare, sleep had evaded her entirely (or perhaps the other way around) and it showed. Curled up in the seat by the window, staring out at the small town she'd seen sluggishly wake up and set itself into motion, she turned to face the door as the knock sounded. 

The TV was on, softly abuzz with local news that mainly concerned the arrival of USARILN subnaturals. Amazing as it was that a single news station could rehash the same story so many times in a row, Callan had long since stopped paying attention to it. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Emma?[/color]" Genuine surprise crossed her face as the brunette entered, flowers in hand. For some reason she hadn't even considered that Emma might pay her a visit. Let alone bring [i]flowers[/i]. She mustered up a tired smile, "[color=a2d9ce]Oh... thanks. You didn't have to do that,[/color]" she chuckled, "[color=a2d9ce]I'm not even hurt.[/color]"

Emma finally found the nightstand by Callan’s bed, placing the flowers on top of it. [color=8A3DFF]”And I’m glad you’re not… when I saw what happened with Zoe…”[/color] Emma gulped, a small frown crossing her face. [color=8A3DFF]”Well, let’s just say I’m glad you still have an arm. How… how are you feeling?”[/color] 

"[color=a2d9ce]Oh.[/color]" [i]She saw that.[/i] "[color=a2d9ce]Yeah. Me, too, y'know?[/color]" Callan said with a crooked smile. Zoe was a topic she'd rather not get into, but perhaps it was the lesser of two evils. She definitely didn't want to talk about Savannah. She didn't want to talk about the fight at all really. She felt she'd done enough of that last night. 

"[color=a2d9ce]I'm... doing okay. All things considered,[/color]" Callan answered, glancing at the flowers on the nightstand before turning her attention back to Emma. She nervously twisted her fingers in her lap. Callan hadn't had much one on one time with Emma since they met yet she'd already been trying to make up her mind to dislike her. She knew how unfair it was, but that shred of animosity was still there. "[color=a2d9ce]What about you?[/color]"

Emma gave a small nod. [color=8A3DFF]”I’m…”[/color]

Of course, what she was going to say was a lie. Emma still had the image of Savannah’s twisted body burned into her head, still couldn’t stop thinking about all those that very nearly died, couldn’t stop thinking about how she did absolutely nothing to save them, taunted by the Stigma, constantly reminded of her failure, she just couldn’t…

[color=8A3DFF]”I’m fine.”[/color] the hesitation lasted only moments, a small pause as she hesitantly took a seat, [color=8A3DFF]”Well, as ‘fine’ as ‘fine’ is nowadays.”[/color] Emma shifted in her chair a little, slightly uncomfortable. Was it just her, or was there something awkward about this? There shouldn’t be, she was just visiting a friend… but at the same time Emma still felt the air of discomfort that she always seemed to around Callan. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Mm,[/color]" Callan nodded. 'Fine' as 'fine' is nowadays. A fitting way to put it. Callan inwardly winced as Emma took a seat. She wanted to talk for a bit then. But, besides yesterday's events, what was there to discuss? For all her jealousy, she really didn't know very much about Emma. She caught herself staring at the features of Emma's face, noting their prepossessing qualities, before quickly looking away-- back to the flowers. "[color=a2d9ce]Uh. Thanks again. Those flowers are really pretty.[/color]" The words felt terribly gauche as she said them. The small arrangement was indeed pretty, but also sparked an eery memory of the gift shop bouquets her family used to bring her grandmother during the few weeks before her death. She swept the thought aside, rubbing at the corner of her eye. Why would she be thinking of that now of all times? Maybe she was just tired. She forced a small smile. 

Emma rubbed the back of her head. [color=8A3DFF]”Oh, yeah, not a problem…”[/color] she quietly tapped her leg with her finger, [color=8A3DFF]”Sooooooooooooooo…”[/color] she said with an exaggerated tone of awkwardness, [color=8A3DFF]”We’ve been hanging out for a while but I guess we haven’t really had the chance to talk like this before…”[/color] Emma said with a small laugh, trying to address the awkwardness with a little levity. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Yeah,[/color]" Callan smiled in return, "[color=a2d9ce]We've both been kinda busy, I guess.[/color]" For all she knew, Emma had probably been out doing things with Marcus all week. Meanwhile she... hadn't been that busy at all actually. The whole ordeal with her parents hadn't put her in the most social of moods. Outside of class, meals, and her roommates, she'd been keeping mostly to herself. She-- wait. Why was any of this relevant? Did she [i]really[/i] feel bad for not going out of her way to hang out with Emma more? For not feeling as relaxed around her as she did literally any of the other members of their lunch crew? 

If anything, she'd been avoiding this very situations. Being stuck with Emma alone. Maybe because the less she actually knew about Emma, the easier it was to dislike her being with Marcus. A harrowing concept, really. How miserably selfish. 

"[color=a2d9ce]We should hang out sometime.[/color]"

Emma nodded eagerly, [color=8A3DFF]”Yeah. Fosho.”[/color] she said, genuinely happy that Cal in fact didn’t hate her, [color=8A3DFF]”It’s a little surprising how much free time we get considering… well, y’know. Where we are.”[/color] another moment of awkwardness came for Emma, as she wasn’t quite sure what to talk to Callan about. She decided that the usual routine was best… she should just act normal, [color=8A3DFF]”So… getting along with Marcus and Siena alright?”[/color] a half smile crept across her face, [color=8A3DFF]”Living with Marcus must be… interesting. Guy’s a total dork.”[/color] she said jokingly.

"[color=a2d9ce]O-oh.... Yeah. Total dork. For sure,[/color]" Callan replied, almost immediately regretting the plans she'd just made. Was Emma not going to ask about the battle yesterday? Maybe that would've been better.... She laughed, but it was woefully unconvincing. 

"[color=a2d9ce]They're both chill, though. We've gotten a lot closer than I thought we would. So guess I got lucky,[/color]" she pushed on, "[color=a2d9ce]One less thing to worry about anyway.[/color]" Good, good. That was enough. Next topic. "[color=a2d9ce]What about you?[/color]"

Emma nodded along, feeling a vague tinge of jealousy at the mention of how close they were. [color=8A3DFF]”Well…”[/color] Emma gave a distinct sigh. [color=8A3DFF]”I’m a little envious of you guys. Lawrence is a good guy, but he’s not much of a talker… and Hazel… well, I don’t even know where to begin with her. I guess we’re friends, but…”[/color] Emma sighed again, [color=8A3DFF]”I mean, you saw her during that ‘game’ they had us do earlier, right? She’s like a robot.”[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]I, uh... I heard she sorta lost it. Back at Wisford. Any idea what happened?[/color]"

Emma raised an eyebrow. [color=8A3DFF]”Did… she? Honestly, that doesn’t sound too surprising… but I don’t know. I can’t say she doesn’t strike me as the sort to do something like that.”[/color] Emma shrugged slightly, [color=8A3DFF]”I plan on visiting her too, so I guess I’ll find out.”[/color]

Callan briefly debated on whether or not to ask her next question. Hazel hadn't been the only one to attack a teammate-- yet she'd been the only one surrounded by guards as they were led into the hospital. Unlike a certain redhead she knew. And then there was that strange collar she always wore. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Do you think it was because of her stigma?[/color]" she asked. Could have maybe phrased that better, but she was curious.

Emma gave a contemplative [color=8A3DFF]”Hmmmmmm.”[/color] after a moment she continued. [color=8A3DFF]”Certainly not out of the realm of possibility, that’s for sure. I guess you Arbs don’t really know, huh?”[/color] Emma gave a slight frown, [color=8A3DFF]”The Stigma could certainly do something like that…”[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]Uhm... but yours isn't like that... right?[/color]" Callan asked tentatively. She felt she was treading on dangerous territory here. Maybe she shouldn't have brought it up at all. She'd made the mistake of asking too many questions that day with Lawrence and, even though he seemed to forgive her, she didn't want a repeat. She wasn't sure how delicate of a subject this was. She'd learned from the forums that the dreams weren't something most mages felt comfortable sharing-- that was understandable. She hardly knew what hers had meant anyway. It hadn't been quite as clear about stigmas though. 

Emma’s frown became a little more distinct. Of course Callan was curious, it was a natural question… but one that Emma was uncomfortable with. [color=8a3dff]”I mean… I’m not going to do anything crazy because of it, or at least I don’t think I am, but… it affects all Aberrations, myself included. Maybe not in the same way, but it’s not like I can just ignore it- it’s always there. So… yes and no, it does make me do… certain things, but not anything dangerous.”[/color] Emma sighed. She’d need to explain that better. 

[color=8A3DFF]”Like… like, it’s made me have… certain outbursts. Made me act unnecessarily angry towards people before, but… I won’t be a danger towards them.”[/color] Emma hoped that would explain it without making her seem scary, but she somehow felt that she was slowly digging herself into a hole.

Immediately noting the discomfort in Emma's voice, Callan felt a pang of regret for having asked. Nonetheless, she mulled over what she'd said. It made sense... sort of. From what she gathered, it was a little different between abes. Zoe hadn't exactly tried to pit all the blame on her stigma alone, but... still. It was interesting.

"[color=a2d9ce]Sorry,[/color]" Callan said quickly, "[color=a2d9ce]I've just been kinda curious ever since... uh. Anyway, it doesn't matter. We can talk about something else if you want.[/color]"

[color=8A3DFF]”It’s… fine. Not my favorite thing to talk about, but don’t worry about it. It’s just… really hard. The Stigma.”[/color] Emma paused for a moment, the smile on her face taking a second to reform. [color=8A3DFF]”But yeah, something else… where are you from, Cal?”[/color]

She couldn't even begin to imagine what it might be like. But it was comforting to hear that Emma wouldn't be a danger. For everyone's sake. "[color=a2d9ce]Atlanta,[/color]" Callan answered, thinking fondly of home for a moment before remembering the state it was in now. She didn't give herself time to feel sad before she flipped the question around. "[color=a2d9ce]You?[/color]"

[color=8A3DFF]”Originally New York City. Tribeca, specifically… and then we moved to Lake Pleasant. Little tourist town in New York. A lot of people in the summer, but dead for most of the year.”[/color] Emma forced a small laugh.  

"[color=a2d9ce]Oh. Same as Marcus,[/color]" Callan said without thinking. There it was again. The irrational jealousy. 

[color=8A3DFF]”Haha, yeah.”[/color] if Callan was uncomfortable with that, Emma didn’t notice.

Gah. What was she doing? She was supposed to be avoiding the whole Marcus subject. "[color=a2d9ce]How is New York anyway?[/color]" she queried, "[color=a2d0ce]Do the movies do it justice?[/color]"

Emma gave a small shrug, [color=8A3DFF]”It’s… well, like all places it has its ups and downs. Where I come from, Tribeca, is a pretty nice place… looooots of rich people. Outside of that, well, there’s about a million places to eat within three blocks of you… beautiful city, although that’s no secret. What a lot of people won’t tell you is that it smells bad. Like, [i]real[/i] bad. Especially in the summer. And of course there’s all the… well, there’s a lot of people. A [i]lot[/i] of people. A lot of things are always happening everywhere… it’s always crazy busy, the people are rude… but there’s a certain charm to the place. Nothing like it.”[/color] Emma gave a polite smile, [color=8A3DFF]”And what about Atlanta?”[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]Heh,[/color]" Callan listened intently to Emma as she described the ups and downs of her hometown. "[color=a2d9ce]That sounds a lot like Atlanta actually,[/color]" Callan chuckled, "[color=a2d9ce]But I guess all big cities are gonna be a little like that. I definitley get the 'lots of people' thing. Atlanta's pretty crowded. There's always stuff to do there, too. And it's really pretty-- especially the botanical garden around Christmas time. We rarely ever get snow, though. It's mostly hot and humid and horrible, but I guess you get used to it.[/color]"

Emma sighed, [color=8A3DFF]”I don’t envy the heat. New York already smells bad enough in the summer, I can’t really imagine it getting hotter… the snow’s interesting. Kids in the streets making snowmen… on the really snowy years you can see people skiing in the streets. It’s a pretty crazy place.”[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]Really?[/color]" Callan said, smiling, "[color=a2d9ce]That sounds amazing.[/color]"

Emma nodded, [color=8A3DFF]”Yeah… actually, me and Val- er, my sister, tried it once. Thought it looked fun… surprisingly trying to ski in a city full of millions of people that has traffic [i]everywhere[/i] isn’t quite as entertaining as it sounds. Sure way to piss of a lot of people, though.”[/color]
 
Emma gave Callan a half smirk, [color=8A3DFF]”But enough about home, it’s starting to bum me out a little. Hmmmmm…  well, what do you think about the other people in our class?”[/color] A small pause as she gave Callan a wink, [color=8A3DFF]”Like anyone”[/color]

Hearing Emma talk about her sister was making her think about Dom-- and everything that accompanied those memories. She'd lived in the same house all her life.... Callan was almost grateful for the subject change. Almost. 

Her eyes widened, perhaps communicating way too much by the way her mouth opened and closed. "[color=a2d9ce]N-no,[/color]" she lied poorly, color flooding her cheeks as she cast her eyes back towards the flowers. A feeble attempt to hide the face that had already been seen. 

Emma raised an eyebrow. Clearly Cal was lying. Was she just bashful? Or maybe Cal just didn’t know Emma well enough to feel comfortable talking about it with her? Either way Emma decided to play it off, giving a small laugh, [color=8A3DFF]”Yeah, sure thing.”[/color] she said with no small degree of sarcasm. [color=8A3DFF]”It’s not Kusari, is it?”[/color] Emma asked, suddenly remembering her conversation with her earlier, [color=8A3DFF]”I know you like… went on a… uhhh… y’know, but you’re not…?”[/color]

[color=8A3DFF][i]Very well phrased.[/i][/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]Ku--[/color]" Callan turned her head back to Emma in alarm. Did... did she hear that right? She... [i]she knew about the date she went on with Kusari?[/i]

.......

[color=a2d9ce][i]H... How much did she know??[/i][/color] Kusari's less subtle comments from last night came rushing back to memory, fueling the flustered inferno that was Callan's face in that moment. 

"[color=a2d9ce]O-oh,[/color]" Callan smiled uncomfortably, pretending to brush her bangs aside, while hiding half her face. She rapidly ran her fingers over the aquamarine curls as she continued, "[color=a2d9ce]We went on a date, yeah. I-- uh-- we had a pretty fun time. Sh--... she's pretty cool. I'm not really sure how I feel about her, though.... She came on kinda strong,[/color]" her voice was graduately degrading into a mumble as she tried to simultaneously chew her lip and talk. 

Emma gave a mischievous smile, [color=8A3DFF]”So, you are… er, you do like girls? To be honest I thought you only accepted because she put you on the spot.”[/color] now this was getting interesting. Emma just had to narrow it down.

Callan inwardly shrank beneath Emma's smile. Oh no. "[color=a2d9ce]That's...[/color]" Callan  wasn't sure how to explain it. She didn't want to throw Kusari under the bus by saying she only went because she felt bad for punching her guts out... that would be a lie by ommission anyway. She DID find something strangely captivating about the girl-- physically and intellectually. Even in spite of their obvious differences of opinion when it came to certain things. 

"[color=a2d9ce]It's not that I don't like girls,[/color]" Callan said finally. Strange. She'd never been very open about that fact in the past. Perhaps it was easier to say outloud without worrying about the opinions of people she'd grown up with. Namely her mother's side of the family. It actually felt nice. Being able to say it outloud so casually. But alas-- that wasn't the only thing they were talking about here. 

"[color=a2d9ce]I think Kusari's attractive. It's just...[/color]" Callan hid her face behind her hands as another wave of embarressment came rolling in. She couldn't tell Emma about what Kusari had said. She just couldn't. "[color=a2d9ce]Ugghh, I don't know.[/color]"

[color=8A3DFF]”No, no, I get it… Kusari is… abrasive. Although your right, she is attractive… if not a little bony,”[/color] Emma’s smirk grew, [color=8A3DFF]”And… guys too, or…?”[/color] 

"[color=a2d9ce]Y-yeah... I like guys, too,[/color]" Callan answered, still reeling from the whole Kusari debacle. 

Emma thought for a moment. That left a pool of fourteen… no, thirteen potential candidates. Emma though back to the people she’d seen Callan with before deciding her next target, [color=8A3DFF]”Hmmm, what do you think of Sander than? You two seem… friendly.”[/color]

[color=a2d9ce][i]Sander?[/i][/color] Callan stared blankly. Attractive, but...

[color=a2d9ce][i]Also taken.[/i][/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]No, no, no. Not Sander--[/color]" she caught herself, immediately biting down on her lip. 

"[color=a2d9ce]W-wait... are you trying to guess?[/color]" she said suddenly, narrowing her eyes with faux anger. She gave a nervous laugh, "[color=a2d9ce]I told you-- I'm not... er-- I don't like anybody like that. Really.[/color]"

Emma laughed, [color=8A3DFF]”Oh, come on Cal, you can’t pull one over on me that easily.”[/color] Emma gave her a wink, [color=8A3DFF]”But if you don’t want to talk about it I can stop pressing… I [i]will[/i] find out though.”[/color] the last part of the sentenced was accentuated with a playful sarcasm.
 
Still, Emma mulled over the possibilities in her head before arriving it the next logical conclusion, quickly deciding to ask about one more person, [color=8A3DFF]”W-wait, it’s not Ernie, right?”[/color]

Callan tried to keep her smile up, failing severely in the aloof department. Especially at Emma's 'I will find out' statement. God damn it, how did they even get on this topic again? Something about skiing in the streets? 

Even with her defenses up as high as she thought they could go, hearing Emma mention Ernie's name came as a unexpected surprise. "[color=a2d9ce]Ernie?[/color]" Callan repeated the name. She  definitely [i]liked[/i] Ernie. As a person in general. But... probably not in the way Emma was describing. No-- "[color=a2d9ce]Probably not,[/color]" she mused. Out loud. For Emma to hear. 

"[color=a2d9ce]I mean-- nah,[/color]" Callan choked. A million and one curses streamed through her head. 

[color=8A3DFF]”Proooooobably not?”[/color] Emma said teasingly. [color=8A3DFF]”So, he has potential, but not your big crush…? I’ll make a note of that.”[/color] Emma said with a smirk. Still, Ernie’s name soured Emma’s mood a little. She was having quite a bit of fun, but now…

[color=8A3DFF][i]Just tell her.[/i][/color]

No, Emma couldn’t go around trash talking Ernie their friends. That’d be way too rude, breaking whatever semblance of a truce they had.

[color=8A3DFF][i]Say it.[/i][/color]

But still, Emma couldn’t just let Cal make a mistake like that, could she? That would be a total bad friend move. [color=8A3DFF]”Really though, Ernie’s an ass-”[/color] no, wait, what was she doing? She couldn’t just say something like that, [color=8A3DFF]”An ass… astoundingly [i]bad[/i] choice.”[/color]

[color=8A3DFF][i]Wow, nice save.[/i][/color] The voice spoke sarcastically.

[color=8A3DFF]”I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’s a nice guy, but like… I don’t know, I just don’t think he’s really relationship material.”[/color] that was good enough, Emma decided.

Callan stared back at Emma quizzically. Not relationship material? What did she mean by that exactly? She considered prying deeper, but it didn't feel right. Whatever Emma's preconceptions of Ernie, surely they were wrong... maybe a vague throwback to that first day they'd all sat together during lunch?

In any case, it didn't matter. She didn't like Ernie like that, so who cared if he was relationship material or not? He'd been a good friend to her and that was all that mattered for now. In fact... she found Emma's opinion of him slightly offputting. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Hmm,[/color]" she hummed, "[color=a2d9ce]Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I'm not into Ernie, so don't worry.[/color]" She smiled, her expression more guarded as her mind raced for a different subject, "[color=a2d9ce]Anyway, you've gotta be way past 20 questions by now. You know too much. If you want to live, you'll have to give me a turn.[/color]"

Shifting in her seat, Callan conjured up a mischevious smile of her own, "[color=a2d9ce]Anybody in class you think is cute besides Marcus?[/color]" She mimiced Emma's winking from before, "[color=a2d9ce]I won't tell.[/color]"

Emma nodded. [color=8A3DFF]”Right. I guess I deserve that… I’ve given you a lot of grief over the crush thing, so I guess I’ve gotta be honest.”[/color] her smile did brighten- Emma was worried that she might’ve been making her uncomfortable, but maybe she was wrong. Emma took a second, composing her thoughts. 
 
[color=8A3DFF]”Well, in terms of pure looks… I gotta say, Brent is pretty hot. Those muscles, and… well, he’s a nice-looking guy. But even if Marcus wasn’t here I don’t think I’d ever do anything with him… I mean, looks aren’t everything, y’know? I don’t know how much you’ve talked to him but… he’s kind of… I don’t know how to put it, kind of off putting.”[/color]
 
Emma wasn’t going to mention the fact that he explicitly told her to kill herself.
 
[color=8A3DFF]””Hmmm, who else… well, I already said Kusari is attractive. Very unique looking... she might be a little rough around the edges but she’s not as bad as she seems… oh, yeah. Just between you and me- and you better keep your promise not to tell- Siena is very pretty. But she’s my boyfriend’s roommate, and yours, so… whatever. And, I guess If I had to pick one more just for safe measure, Lily is pretty cute. That long messy hair is… well, it works for her.”[/color]
 
Emma’s smirk lit up a little. Suddenly, another idea to escalate the little game that was now going between the two.
 
[color=8A3DFF]”Y’know, Cal, you’re not so bad looking yourself… maybe if Marcus wasn’t in the picture…”[/color] the first part came out sincere, the second came out jokingly.

Callan listened intently to Emma's answers, agreeing with her assessments for the most part while also noting the girl's tastes. She pursed her lips at Emma's final statement, only briefly losing her cool as a bit of warmth swarmed her cheeks before she narrowed her eyes playfully. "[color=a2d9ce]Mm mm, girl. You couldn't afford me,[/color]" Callan laughed.

Feeling a bit more comfortable in spite of the frequent mentioning of her roommate's name, Callan relaxed in her seat a bit. 

Emma gave a slight tilt of the head at Callan's statement. [color=8a3dff]"Right, of course. We may have those cards, but I guess being superheroes doesn't really pay the bills."[/color] She paused for a moment. Maybe she could use this as an excuse to narrow her list a little more, [color=8a3dff]"Well, I told you, it's only fair that you share too. Or am I going to have to start interrogating you again?"[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]Agh,[/color]" Callan rolled her eyes, "[color=a2d9ce]Can't I just say I agree with what you said? Except maybe that last one.[/color]"

Emma grimaced with faux anger. [color=8a3dff]"Come on Cal, fair's fair. At least have the courtesy to compare notes with me."[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]Tch. You're horrible, you know that?[/color]" Callan shook her head. She paused, thinking for a moment as well gathering up the courage to be semi-honest. "[color=a2d9ce]Uh... Lawrence is kinda cute? Probably too mature for me, though. Right?[/color]"

[color=8a3dff]"Hmmm, Lawrence is alright, but... well, he's a bit of a cold fish. At least, he strikes me as one. I mean, I live with him, I've tried talking to him and he's polite enough but... he seems like the kind of guy that prefers solitude."[/color] Emma gave a little shrug, [color=8a3dff]"Cute enough, though."[/color]

Callan nodded thoughtfully, propping her head up on her knee. 

“[color=a2d9ce]Mm, yeah. I can see that,[/color]” she shrugged. Guy that prefers solitude, but will chill out with a sleeping idiot for several hours? It wasn't quite adding up, but Emma probably knew him better than she did. 

Callan caught herself mid-thought. How long had they been chatting like this? She hadn't so much as thought about the fight at Wisford. A feat which, after a tortuously sleepless night, she found nigh unbelievable. A small, stupid smile spread across her face as she pondered that. Maybe that was why Marcus liked Emma so much. She was... surprisingly easy to talk to. Talking about unimportant garbage like high school crushes and skiing in the streets... she could almost forget about everything else that was going on and feel... normal. Blissfully normal.

Emma took a moment, thinking again for a moment about the secret identity of Cal's crush. It wasn't Lawrence, that was clear... she said his name a little too quickly, she'd need to pry a little more, but Lawrence was a nice baseline for her type... blonde, kind of longish hair... that sounded a lot like... Christmas. But no, Callan didn't strike Emma to be the sort that was into a guy like him... Christmas seemed nice enough, but he was a little pitiful. And the only other guy that matched that description was...

No, not him. Looked like Emma would just need to fish for a little more information, [color=8A3DFF]"Well, give me a little hint about your crush at least. Is it a guy or a girl? What color hair? Abe or arb?"[/color] the questions came rapid fire, Emma's grin growing

"[color=a2d9ce]Oh my God. [i]Emma. Please.[/i] Stop.[/color]" Callan laughed nervously, but her eyes were pleading, a hint of seriousness in her tone. As fun as this was, she really needed to get off the topic. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before she slipped up. "[color=a2d9ce]Seriously-- I don't like anyone and I'm not talking about this anymore.[/color]"

Emma gave a half laugh, [color=8a3dff]"Okay, okay, I get it. Cal's crush is a big secret."[/color] Emma shifted in her chair, crossing her legs, [color=8a3dff]"Well, if you wanna stop talking about it than it's going to be up to you to pick another topic."[/color]

Callan smirked, shaking her head. The fear of almost having been found out still nagged a bit at the back of her head, but she was willing to keep chatting. Happy, even. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Alright. Time to find out if we can seriously be friends. Choose wisely. Shaun of the Dead or Zombieland?[/color]"

[color=8A3DFF]”Shaun of the Dead.”[/color] Emma answered with no hesitation. [color=8A3DFF]”Zombieland is pretty strong, and Emma Stone was pretty tasty back in the day, but… what can I say, Shaun of the Dead is Shaun of the Dead.”[/color]

Callan beamed. It was almost a fifty-fifty shot (depending on who you asked), but the fact that Emma had seen both of the movies she was talking about already made her a stupid sort of happy. "[color=a2d9ce]Correct![/color]" she nodded, "[color=a2d9ce]But really, yeah. They're both gold. That was the secret answer, so I guess you get bonus points.[/color]"

[color=8A3DFF]”[i]Hell[/i] yeah.”[/color] Emma beamed in equal part, [color=8A3DFF]”Well, this is starting to get interesting. Looks like you know your movies, Cal. We’re going to have some fun.”[/color]
 
Emma leaned in. She was a total movie nerd and, as it turned out, so was Callan. Their tastes were fairly in line- Callan, much like herself, had a strong appreciation of classic comedies. However, just as Emma was starting to engrossed… [color=8A3DFF]”Oh, god. The clock… I still have, like, 3 visits to make. I’d love to stick around and chat more, but…”[/color]

Callan glanced over at the clock, surprised to see how much time had passed. "[color=a2d9ce]Oh. Wow,[/color]" she gawked through an embarrassed smile, "[color=a2d9ce]Yeah, no. Don't let me hold you up. I'll see ya later.[/color]"

[color=8A3DFF]”Yeah… bye, Cal.”[/color] Emma got up, but didn’t leave yet. [color=8A3DFF]”It… was nice talking to you… and I’m glad you’re okay. After the battle, I mean.”[/color] Emma gave the girl a smile, a genuine one, before heading for the door.

"[color=a2d9ce]Likewise,[/color]" Callan smiled back with the same amount of sincerity. Watching the door close after the brunette, she felt a strangly heavy pang in her chest. She'd been right after all. Emma was nice. Sighing heavily, she leaned her head up against the back of the wall. It'd been a lot easier to cope when she thought there was chance Emma might not be. They shared a lot in common, actually

[i][color=00a99d]"I bet if Marcus knew earlier, that would've been you."[/color][/i]

She groaned in her throat and patted her cheeks with her hands, trying to snuff out the warmth as it gathered there. Ernie had said it was okay to think like that. To not be happy for them or wish them the best. But she just couldn't do it. Especially now that she knew Emma a little more personally. All that was left to do now was keep trying to put it out of her mind. It wasn't like she'd planned to interefere anyway.
[/hider]

[hider=Emma and Ernie: Misplaced Confession]
[center]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/qObCsLJ.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/FWMorlL.png[/img]
[h2][color=8A3DFF]Emma[/color] | [color=00a99d]Ernest[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] 
[color=silver] 𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥. 𝟙𝟝, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕃𝕒 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕒, 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕪𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℍ𝕠𝕤𝕡𝕚𝕥𝕒𝕝  / /  ~𝟙𝟙𝟘𝟘  [/color]
[sub]Collab with [@Diggerton] and [@banjoanjo][/sub][/center]
Ernie moved through the hospital with a peculiar pep in his step, a giftbag filled with assorted drinks, snacks, and magazines in hand. He wasn't entirely sure what Cal's tastes were yet, so hopefully the variety of the gift would make up for the lack of specifics. Honestly, he was just hoping that it would be enough to help keep his mind off the things he'd seen in her phone.

Fortunately, the giftbag wasn't needed as a distraction. Unfortunately, it was because Emma just emerged from the room Cal was in. Ernie grimaced internally as he saw her walk out, the resentment from the day before still lingering in his mind.

He looked around the halls, hoping to find some way out of this interaction, but found nothing. She'd probably already seen him anyway. Ernie sighed and his hand instinctively moved up to run through his hair, making his frown only deepen when he was reminded that he now had none. A tired look was fixed on Emma and he tried to fumble out some line that wouldn't make it seem like he was avoiding her completely. She was a 'friend', after all, ignoring each other would only lead to questions from the others.

[color 00a99d]"How's she?"[/color] he asked, nodding to Cal's area, [color 00a99d]"I haven't found a chance to visit her yet."[/color]

Emma had been surprised that Ernie approached her. After all that had happened, he was still trying to be friendly. She regretted what she had said to him in Wisford, although she wasn’t sure she was wrong about it. Still, there was a clear hint of awkwardness in her smile. [color=8A3DFF]”Well… she has an arm again, so that’s good. She seems fine… well, as fine as any of us are after what happened out there.”[/color] Emma shifted uncomfortably, one of the bundles of flowers she had brought still in hand.

[color=8A3dff]”So… uh, trying out a new look?”[/color] it was the best small talk she could make. She didn’t have it in her to pretend that this wasn’t incredibly uncomfortable. She wasn’t sure why she bothered feigning politeness, but she did.

Ernie's expression turned to one of alarm at the mention of Cal's lost arm, before settling back into an awkward half-smile. [color 00a99d]"Less 'trying' and more just dealing with it. Couldn't stand the gunk that was still in there from Wisford."[/color]

He spied the flowers in Emma's hand and immediately grew conscious of his own gift. Shit, should he have gotten those? Or would Cal's room be overflowing from the hospital presents everyone else would have given her. The comtemplative moment stretched much longer than what was comfortable and Ernie was suddenly very eager to leave this talk behind him.

[color 00a99d]"Well, I guess it's my turn then,"[/color] he spoke hurriedly, moving towards the door, [color 00a99d]"See you...around?"[/color]

Emma nodded. [color=8A3DFF]”Right. Yeah. Uh…”[/color] a frown set in on her face as she gave a slight nod. She took a deep breath before speaking again, [color=8A3DFF]”Listen, Ernie, before you go… I… I know you probably hate me… and I’m sure you don’t want to hear this from me… but, for whatever it’s worth, which probably isn’t a lot considering what happened… I’m sorry about what I said.”[/color]

She sighed again, trying her best to keep going, to be honest, [color=8A3DFF]”The truth is, what I said about my stigma was a lie. It does affect me. Not in the same way, but… and I know this isn’t an excuse, because I should have been able to control it better, but yesterday I said what I did because it’s what the stigma wanted.”[/color] she looked towards the ground, avoiding his face. She was an idiot, and she knew that. The realization that you couldn’t just say you’re sorry after telling someone that you wished they were dead dawned on her all to late.

Ernie looked at her curiously for a moment. Then he chuckled. It sounded eerily genuine.

She was a good faker. A lot better than he was.

[color 00a99d]"I'm glad we can be honest with each other,"[/color] he smiled sarcastically. There was something very malicious behind it, [color 00a99d]"But now I'm starting to think that talking to you was a bad idea."[/color]

His eyes revealed the depths of the disdain he held for the girl and his voice suddenly took on a cutting tone.

[color 00a99d]"It seriously weirds me out when you play nice like that. But I started it so I apologize for it this time. How about we just not talk to each other outside of the group? I'd rather not spend so much effort skirting around something we both know, that you're an asshole and I'm an even bigger one and we hate each other's guts. Trying to sorry your way out of that is just insulting. Blaming all of it on the Stigma is almost just as bad. I don't really like it when people hate me, but honestly, lying about it is so much worse. Don't talk to me like I'm a complete idiot, please."[/color]

That was all he needed to say. But Ernie couldn't help but try one final dig.

[color 00a99d]"But it was nice to hear that you're not completely immune to your Stigma. Not so perfect after all, huh? Pro tip, next time you rage out at someone like that, try not to brag about it so much. It just makes you look stupid when you come crawling back to apologise."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”I…”[/color]

Emma paused. She didn’t know what to say. So instead she decided to say everything. All she could do was go for broke. 

[color=8A3DFF]”You’re right. I’m an asshole. I guess… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t try to talk my way out of saying that I wished you were dead. I’m trash, really… the stigma does get to me, all the time. But I was like this before the stigma. It’s not a real excuse… and I’m not sure why I’m telling you this, but I am. I blamed you because I wanted to evade the truth: Savannah would be alive if [i]I[/i] wasn’t such a coward. I fled when I could have saved them. I shut down on that battlefield. Hell, I have no doubt you did much more than I did out there, even without some badass power. So, go ahead and hate me. You have every right to. Hell, go ahead and tell the others what a piece of shit I am. It’s not like I deserve their friendship. When it comes time, I’ll be the one dying, not you, Ernie. Because really, I’m the useless one, even with this power. I’m not reliable, and I’m not strong. So… whatever you think of me is probably right.”[/color]

She didn’t realize she had started crying until she stopped talking.

[color=8A3DFF]”I’m sorry… I don’t know what the hell am I doing, telling all of this to you. I’m sure you’re the last person that wants to hear it. But, I guess you win. You got me to break down.”[/color]

Was it the crocodile tears? Reverse psychology? Ernie felt his smug smile turn to an uncomfortable frown as her breakdown continued. Urgh, it was his first meeting with Angelique all over again. An unsettling trend was starting to form with Crying Girl No. 3 here. He was unable to deny the warming of his Stigma however, as it filed away an immeasurable amount of notes on Emma's weaknesses.

[color 00a99d]"It doesn't feel like winning,"[/color] Ernie murmured, narrowing his eyes.

It didn't feel like it because this wasn't the response he was hoping to see. Why wasn't she angrier? Where was that fire that she'd shown yesterday, the one he was so eager to mercilessly douse?

He knew it was still there. He knew that Emma was a force to be reckoned with and frankly, he wouldn't have been surprised if the conniving bitch had learnt to fake cry somehow. There was no sympathy to draw out of the boy, only the simmering anger that was much easier to understand.

[color 00a99d]"Why are you telling me this? Are you trying to goad me into reacting the way you did, the way you predicted I would yesterday? Are you trying to provoke the maniac who lost it and endangered his friends?"[/color]

Because if that really was her goal, Ernie feared that it was working.

[color 00a99d]" 'People died, people got injured, because you were sloppy.' Is that what you want to hear? Because I doubt you shat all this at me because you were expecting me to give a crap. I don't know what you're trying to get out of this. The sight of Ernie the Heartless Bastard beating down and scolding a girl in tears, maybe, so you could prove yourself right. Or maybe the opposite of that. God, I hope for both our sakes you weren't hoping I'd actually comfort you or tell you that everything's okay. Because right now, it's the furthest it can get from that."[/color]

There was so much he wanted to rage on about from her confession. The wasted potential of her abilites. The fact that she [i]ran away[/i] when she had the power to help the people she cared about. He wanted to yell at her, he really did. But what had she done that Ernie himself hadn't done so many times before?

Suddenly, he didn't see someone worth despising. He just saw a pathetic reflection of everything wrong with himself, sobbing out the sadness he always kept shoved away. Pity, anger, and distrust congealed into something that revolted him, but he couldn't find it in himself to openly resent the girl anymore, not at the moment at least. He couldn't find it in himself to give a right answer to all this either. Finding an answer for Emma was impossible when he couldn't even find one for himself. He wasn't smart or strong enough to do that. But honesty had always been a good stepping stone towards that gargantuan task.

[color 00a99d]"I'll never be able to trust you out there,"[/color] he admitted coldly, [color 00a99d]"You showed me a side of you that I doubt anyone else has seen, one that I'll never get out of my head. Because I sincerely believed you then. I still do. Even if we ever manage to get along, which I seriously doubt, there will always be that Stigma-driven side of you that gets brought out by battle. The side that gets brought out of all of us that makes us so angry and sad and pathetic. There's no escape from it. As long as we have those X's on our throats, my life will be in danger around you."[/color]

His voice became the slightest bit more gentle, and the hardness in his eyes faded.

[color 00a99d]"If...you told me all this because you wanted me to forgive you then...I'm sorry. Really. Forgiveness was never an option here."[/color]

He wasn't strong enough to do that. Not yet.

[color=8A3DFF]”You’re right. Of course you’re right.”[/color] she said, wiping away the tears from her eyes and trying to regain her composure. [color=8A3DFF]”I don’t know what I want. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I am just being conniving. Maybe…”[/color] she sighed.

[color=8A3DFF]”I’m not really sure what I’m doing these days. I’m sure you know how it is, the stigma, driving your actions…”[/color] maybe that was what she wanted, someone else who understood what it was like, because none of her other friends did. But she wouldn’t admit that she wanted that.

[color=8A3DFF]”But… I know I can’t take back what I said yesterday. And I know that this is the last thing you want. And… I know that this doesn’t make much sense, because I’m a total mess. And you’re right about the X’s too. Being an Aberration fucking sucks, doesn’t it?”[/color] she said, a deep sigh escaping her lips.

[color=8A3DDF]”Like you said, I'm glad we can be honest with each other. Because either way… whether we like it or not, we’re friends. Or maybe 'friends' isn't the right word for it… but regardless… we shouldn’t have to get along, two people like us, but that’s the way it’s going to be, right?”[/color]

[color 00a99d]"Yeah, it's hard on all of us. But getting along, or pretending to anyway...I don't think it'll be too bad. We've done it for this long, haven't we?"[/color]

Ernie shuffled his feet, suddenly feeling very conscious of himself again. He didn't know what to feel about the 'friends' thing, not after everything that had been said. But it seemed that there would at least be some unsteady truce called between them.

Truth be told, he felt a little guilty about it all. She was going through the same thing as him and he wasn't doing anything. At least at Reno he was surrounded by people going through the same thing, though the 'help' they offered was sketchy at best and horrifying at worst. Were he a more noble person he would have offered his experience and knowledge, maybe even someone to talk to. Perhaps he would have gave her some encouragement and told her that even though she didn't know what she was doing now, Ernie believed that she was smart enough to figure it out. But he didn't think himself capable of swallowing his pride to that extent. So he said nothing.

[color=8A3DFF]”Right. We’ll get along.”[/color]

If she were a better person, if she were braver, she might’ve begged him for forgiveness. She might’ve asked for his help. She might have told him that she felt like she was drowning and didn’t know how to stop the stigma, that she was scared, that she wanted it [i]all[/i] to stop, that…

[color=8A3DFF]”Well… unless you know of some magic way to stop the stigma, I guess we’ll just keep going. You should… you came to see Cal, I’m sure she’ll be happy to have another visitor.”[/color] she said, nodding to herself.

[color 00a99d]"Oh, yeah,"[/color] Ernie blinked, suddenly worried that Cal had heard the entire thing. Please no. He took a small breath, [color 00a99d]"Yeah, I'll see you later then."[/color]

His hand remained on the door handle for a few seconds, as if he were unsure if it was a good idea to go in. But he steeled himself eventually and took the first step in.
[/hider]

[hider=Emma and Siena: Visions, Superpowers, and the Secrets of the School]
[center]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/qObCsLJ.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/EqVwCQa.png[/img]
[h2][color=8A3DFF]Emma[/color] | [color=ff57ff]Siena[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] 
[color=silver] 𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥. 𝟙𝟝, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕃𝕒 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕒, 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕪𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℍ𝕠𝕤𝕡𝕚𝕥𝕒𝕝   / /  ~𝟙𝟙𝟛𝟘[/color]
[sub]Collab with [@Diggerton] and [@PapiTan][/sub][/center]
 A small knock came from the door of Siena’s hospital room, followed quickly by the entrance of Emma, two bundles of flowers in her arm and a smile that tried its best to be genuine on her face. She wasn’t entirely sure about bringing flowers, but it seemed like the right thing to do. 

[color=8A3DFF]”Siena!”[/color] she exclaimed, just like she had with Callan, just like she had practiced in her head, a small bit of excitement intentionally eking its way into her voice. This time she knew exactly where to place the flowers, on the nightstand beside the hospital bed. [color=8A3DFF]”How’s it goin’?”[/color] followed quickly.

Alone in a hospital room was a terrible place to be. Sterile, cramped, and most importantly, uninviting. Siena had never liked hospitals. She'd only been to one before, and even then that had been under strict supervision by Gerwulf and Maya, both hovering near her, obscuring her from view from the outside world until they reached a disgustingly empty building. A small, private hospital where nobody would see her and nobody would miss her. All because she'd been young and stupid just like she'd been in the fight. 

Perhaps that was why Siena latched onto the knock so quickly. 

"[color=ff57ff]O-Oh, Emma.[/color]" A weak smile pushed onto her face. Weak, weak, weak. She didn't know how she was supposed to act in the situation. She didn't want to bring the mood down, didn't want to burden anyone with her own issues...but it didn't feel right to be smiling or beaming. It was so damn hard. "[color=ff57ff]Probably better than the others here. I wasn't as injured with Lily taking my injuries...[/color]" Guilt. Too many mistakes. Lily had taken her injuries. Other people had gotten hurt. [i]Too many mistakes.[/i] She pushed forward. "[color=ff57ff]What about you?[/color]"

Emma frowned. [color=8A3DFF]”I’m fine.”[/color] she said, but her face said otherwise. [color=8A3DFF]”I mean, besides… y’know… just wondering if things could have gone differently.”[/color] Emma quickly shook her head, [color=8A3DFF]”But that’s not important. I wanted to come to check… I was worried about your… well, what you told me before the battle… are you still all ‘you’?”[/color] 

Somewhere in the back of Siena's mind, there was a sense of some emotion that resembled relief. She liked it better when she could read the people around her, liked it better when there was a more obvious dissonance between face and words. But the topic was quickly discarded as Emma brought up another--one that Siena wasn't sure how to approach. Part of her wanted to talk about it. To talk about the little "stigma" that came with her own powers because there was [i]no one else[/i]. No Maya. No Gerwulf. Nobody that knew, and nobody that she had trusted because people weren't so hard to read. 

...and then there was the part of her that recoiled at the thought of sharing more than she already had. As if there was some invisible wall that had erected itself between herself and her peers. The film of distrust that had been glued into place after years of experience. 

"[color=ff57ff]That's...a hard question.[/color]" Something that felt unusually like weariness bore onto her, but Siena pushed it away as best she could. "[color=ff57ff]I don't know the answer, but my best guess is--[/color]" Hesitation. "[color=ff57ff]...honestly, probably not.[/color]" Not after she lost control of her emotions and lashed out to [i]hurt[/i]. To inflict agony because she [i]could[/i], and because it felt [i]right[/i] instead of out of a raw necessity. Memories she preferred not to keep intact tried to break back into her head, and the brunette released a breath as if she could blow the thoughts away.

"[color=ff57ff]But I don't know. I'm more afraid of still being myself after everything that did happen.[/color]"

Emma nodded slowly. [color=8A3DFF]”Well… if it’s any consolation, I’m glad that you’re still you.”[/color] Emma uncomfortably tugged at the hem of her shirt. Luckily she’d taken the opportunity to get new clothes earlier, no longer in the ruins of a hoodie she had before. [color=8A3DFF]”I… I know… well, I don’t know, but I’m sure it’s tempting to lose yourself after all of that. But remember, your friends, Marcus, Cal… Ernie… me, we don’t want to see that happen.”[/color] the words came out uncertainly.

[color=8A3DFF]”We lost enough yesterday.”[/color]

Emma opened her mouth to talk again, but paused for a moment before continuing, [color=8A3DFF]”But there’s no use dwelling on all of that, I’m sure we’re all thinking about it enough as is. Do you want to rest, or should I stick around? It must be boring posted up in a hospital room by yourself… they could’ve at least had the courtesy to toss you and Cal in the same room.”[/color] Emma offered up a smile.  

[i]'[color=ff57ff]Still me...[/color]'[/i] A surge of discomfort. Something about that didn't sit quite right. Still the Siena Santana that she'd taken painstaking care to present. She should have been proud that she was still holding up, but...somehow it was a hollow triumph. Still, she smiled hesitantly. A perfectly simulated uptic of the lips, tinged with a hint of nervousness. Still Siena Santana. 

"[color=ff57ff]I...suppose that is true.[/color]" But there was the vile little voice that jeered in the depths of her head. No, it wasn't true. [i]They wouldn't even notice[/i], would they? She kept the smile unfaltering. "[color=ff57ff]Oh! You don't have to stay, I'm sure you have better things to do than being stuck here too.[/color]" [i]'[color=ff57ff]But she's right, isn't she?[/color]'[/i] "[color=ff57ff]I'm used to being stuck in a room by myself. It's actually a little less lonely than usual knowing that at least someone else is on the floor.[/color]"

Discomfort gripped suddenly at Siena's chest at the thought of being left alone. Again. She [i]hated[/i] being in the room alone. "[color=ff57ff]But um...do you think I could ask you something? Just...between the two of us?[/color]"

Emma gave a small laugh at the suggestion that she’d be stuck. Really, she was seeking out someone to talk to. People to talk to. She needed distraction, to keep the stigma at bay and to keep herself from thinking about Savannah’s broken neck. [color=8A3DFF]”Really, it’s no bother. We’re friend after all, right? It’s not like there’s a lot to do around this town anyways.”[/color] she said, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly.

As for Siena’s next question she nodded slowly. She had though that perhaps Siena had disliked her a little before the battle, but it seemed to Emma that she was slowly becoming her confidant. [color=8A3DFF]”Yeah, of course.”[/color]

"[color=ff57ff]Um...[/color]" [i]Breathe.[/i] It was hard to put into words exactly what she wanted to say. What was okay to ask, what wouldn't make Emma think that the unintimidating Siena Santana was still the one calling the shots. That she'd [i]always[/i] been the one in control. She wanted to mull over it, but every fraction of a second stretched into an agonizing eternity. Each instant she felt her courage waning. Whittling away until it was next to nothing. 

[i]Keep pushing forward.[/i] ...but she couldn't do it, could she?

"[color=ff57ff]I'm going to sound like a complete idiot, but...is it wrong that I keep hoping we'll do better next time we fight?[/color]" Close enough. "[color=ff57ff]Or that I'm not even thinking about how terrible it is that people my age are doing a soldier's job, just...that we keep failing at it.[/color]"

Emma took a deep breath. She hoped for the same thing, completely ignorant to the fact that the words coming out of Siena’s mouth weren’t what she was going to say. She hoped that they could work together, that they could do it without losing anyone, that they could all become competent.

[color=8A3DFF][i]That I could become competent.[/i][/color]

She squirmed a little, taking a seat in a chair beside the bed. Clearly Siena could use a little company. [color=8A3DFF]”I… I don’t know. I can’t help but play back everything that happened in my head. I have no idea how we can become a force like Shane’s team, but… it needs to happen. We can’t have another… another situation like Savannah.”[/color] she let the words hang in the air for a moment. [color=8A3DFF]”But no, it’s not wrong to want that. I don’t know if we’ll ever really be what we have to be, but… USARILN seems to expect a lot from us, and we’re going to keep getting thrown out there. We’re either going to acclimate, or…”[/color]

She didn’t need to say what could happened.

Again the relief buzzed in the back of her head, in the pit of her stomach, as Emma took the seat by the bed. Siena wondered if she'd always been so easy to please, if she'd always wanted nothing more than to [i]not be alone[/i]...but then pushed it out of mind as she listened to Emma's answer. Of course, the older girl was right. Siena knew that from the start. She knew the answer to the question.

But still, she couldn't help but feel her muscles tense at the mention of Savannah's name. Dead. And Benediction wasn't going to waste his power on a little girl, was he? He hadn't revived anyone their first fight. He wouldn't bring the blonde back. It was a realization that she had to accept, but that didn't make it easier to stomach. 

"[color=ff57ff]...yeah...[/color]" Dejection slipped into her voice, just the right amount. "[color=ff57ff]I guess I'm still struggling with the idea that we're special enough to be sent out as a unit for situations like that.[/color]" She averted her gaze to her hands, the smile fading by the barest amount. "[color=ff57ff]...I never thought being surrounded by people would be harder than being alone.[/color]"

[color=8A3DFF]”Yeah…”[/color] Emma let the vulnerability slip in, just a little. Things she would usually talk to others about. [color=8A3DFF]”I… It’s nice to have everyone but… I don’t think…”[/color]

A small pause.

[color=8A3DFF]”I don’t want anyone else to die.”[/color] A long sigh came from Emma. Now was a good time to bring something up that she hadn’t mentioned to anyone yet, [color=8A3DFF]”About… about why they care about us so much… I had an idea. Have you… have you been having weird, like, visions, followed by your powers getting stronger? I saw someone mention it on Death and Taxes, and… well, I’ve been having them.”[/color] Emma gave a hopeful glance. Maybe that was what bound them together.

Visions? Siena blinked at the word in legitimate surprise. 

"[color=ff57ff]I...I have. I don't know how to explain it.[/color]" Pausing to regain herself, Siena instinctively moved to tug at the ends of her hair. Something to do with her hands as she tried to process everything. Was that really what made them special? Or...? "[color=ff57ff]It's just a flash for me though. But...it feels safe when it happens.[/color]" That wasn't the right word to use, but she didn't have a way to really explain what she felt or what she saw. 

Emma nodded. [color=8A3DFF]”I… see what you mean. For me it’s a bit of a mixed bag… but something changes every time. I think… it might be different for us Aberrations. Sometimes the stigma gets worse alongside it, I think.”[/color] it was nice to know, however, that it was a shared experience. [color=8A3DFF]”I haven’t seen a lot about it besides a few messages… I wonder if it’s just us, of if it’s just a Mage thing…”[/color] a hint of uncertainty was in her voice alongside a small frown.
 
[color=8A3DFF]”There’s too much that we don’t know. About USARILN and about ourselves. But either way there’s gotta be something different about us, or they wouldn’t go through all this trouble for new students. At least, I don’t think they would.”[/color] 

Something different about them. That much was starting to become clear. If not from the visions, then at least from the way that they were being treated. With her mind cutting through countless thoughts in a second, Siena turned her attention away from Emma for a moment, but not to anything in particular before she pulled back to reality with a wry smile. 

"[color=ff57ff]The way that the other students looked at us the first day of 'class' was a dead giveaway that we were different. I doubt any of them would have kept eye contact if we tried to look at them.[/color]" So quickly the words were torn from her, they didn't pass through every filter. A faint hint of bitterness, one that she immediately regretted. "[color=ff57ff]...sorry, that's probably just...I'm just reading too much into it.[/color]"

[color=8a3DFF]”I… I don’t know.”[/color] Emma said uncertainly. [color=8A3DFF]”There are just too many weird things going on here. Too much for it to be coincidence… the visions, the special treatment, the fact that we’re new students yet we’re their go to team… after the precursors and Shane’s group, of course… hell, they got Benediction to heal our injuries. That must mean something, right…?”[/color]

Emma leaned back in the chair. [color=8A3DFF]”Or maybe I’m the one reading too much into things. I don’t know. It just… seems like there’s some big secret everyone is in on but us.”[/color] 

"[color=ff57ff]I doubt you're reading too much into it. It really does feel like there's a secret that we're not supposed to know.[/color]" Shaking her head, Siena released a soft sigh. "[color=ff57ff]I'm not sure I like being a mystery topic to myself.[/color]"

[color=8A3DFF]”Yeah. It’s not a good feeling… it seems like [i]everything[/i] is a big secret around here.”[/color] Emma gave a slight frown. [color=8A3DFF]”Not to mention all the stuff I saw beneath the hospital building… er, the monster I mentioned. You know, before the battle…”[/color] she didn’t want to say it again, reminding herself of Savannah’s inevitable fate, [color=8A3DFF]”There was a whole lot of weird stuff going on down there… I’m sure there was more I could of seen if the guards didn’t stop us.”[/color] Emma sighed. [color=8A3DFF]”No point worrying about it though. Not like I’ll get the opportunity to check it out again.”[/color] 

Right...the monster that might inevitably devour Savannah's corpse. Weight pressed against Siena's chest, but she hid it away. Back and away to be compartmentalized for later. Just like always.  Instead she gave a thoughtful pause. 

"[color=ff57ff]Maybe if we end up meeting their expectations, we'll get to see those secrets.[/color]" Quietly, the girl twisted her hair in between her fingers again. "[color=ff57ff]I hope that we're actually prepared to deal with it by then.[/color]" 

[color=8A3DFF]”Maybe we will. I don’t know if I want them, but… well, if anything, maybe some of this insanity will make sense one day.”[/color] Emma gave a long sigh. [color=8A3DFF]”I doubt it, but…”[/color] she tapped her finger against her leg.

[color=8A3DFF]”Let’s… talk about something else, if that’s alright…”[/color]
[/hider]

[hider=Emma and Lily: A Visit and a Phone Call]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/154651/ic?page=30#post-4343821]Link[/url]
[/hider]

[hider=Emma and Hazel: Red Tape]
[center]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/qObCsLJ.png[/img] [img]http://i66.tinypic.com/m7tcpe.png[/img]
[h2][color=8a3dff]Emma[/color] | [color=fff79a]Hazel[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] 
[color=silver] 𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥. 𝟙𝟝, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕃𝕒 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕒, 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕪𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℍ𝕠𝕤𝕡𝕚𝕥𝕒𝕝   / /  ~𝟙𝟝𝟘𝟘[/color]
[sub]Collab with [@Diggerton] and [@GreenGoat], Featuring [@January][/sub][/center]
Emma approached the door to Hazel’s room slowly, noting the guards that were mostly absent from the rest of the hospital. [color=8A3DFF][i]What the hell happened to warrant all this?[/i][/color] she wondered to herself as she walked up to one of the guards. [color=8A3DFF]”Uh, excuse me, may I see Hazel?”[/color] she said, mustering up all the politeness she could.

The soldier watched her carefully, eyes narrowing as he tried to gauge how much of a threat she would be if she didn't get what she wanted. He shifted the rifle in his hands so the movement of bringing it up to fire at the girl's head would be that much faster and easier.

[color f7976a]"No, unless you're authorized by the commanding officer."[/color]

Emma sighed. [color=8A3DFF]”Listen, whatever happened out there… I’m Hazel’s roommate, we kind of get each other.”[/color] a blatant lie, but a convincing one. Emma mustered up all the sweetness in her voice she could, [color=8A3DFF]”I’m sure that seeing me would… make things easier. I’ll go through the commander if you need me to, but don’t you think you could make an exception?”[/color] Emma choose her words carefully, aware that the man had a gun and wouldn’t hesitate to shoot her. 

[color f7976a]"Nice try, but she's unstable at the moment. Commander Kardos himself gave the order to quarantine her if she proved dangerous to her allies. No guarantee she won't go berserk again."[/color]

Emma frowned. [color=8A3DFF]”She was that bad, huh? Well, I get it. Just doing your job.”[/color] Emma gave him a slight smile. A convincing one at that. [color=8A3DFF]”Well then, if you’re not authorized to let me through, can you point me in the direction of who I need to talk to? I… I know Hazel can be a pain, but I need to make sure she’s alright.”[/color] she sighed.

[color=8A3DFF]”I know that it’s your job, but I just want to check in on my friend.”[/color] 

[color f7976a]"Look, it's not a call even the commanding officer can really make without [i]the[/i] Commander's explicit permission. But if you really want to try, you'll have to talk to Officer Brahms. He should be back at the motel."[/color]

Emma nodded. [color=8A3DFF]”Alright. Great. I’ll be back soon, that’s a promise.”[/color] she said, still doing her best to maintain her smile.

[hr]

After a short walk, Emma found herself back at the motel. She wasn’t exactly sure where to find Officer Brahms, so instead she choose to ask the nearest guard. [color=8A3DFF] “Uh, excuse me, I was hoping to find Officer Brahms?”[/color] she said, putting on a guise of politeness, hiding her rising irritation at the situation. 

The guard pulled at the strap of the helmet he was readjusting, looking at her curiously before jabbing a thumb towards the parking lot. [color f7976a]"Should still be out there."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”Alright, thanks.”[/color] Emma said, walking off towards the parking lot. It wasn’t hard to find Officer Brahms, who had a number of soldiers moving to and fro around him for orders. She approached him slowly, clearing her throat to grab his attention, feeling just a slight bit silly with one of her bundles of flowers still in hand, [color=8A3DFF]”Er, excuse me, you’re Officer Brahms, correct? I’m, uh, Emma Halwell, from Group B. I was hoping to visit Hazel Baker’s room. I’m her roommate back on campus, and I wanted to check in on her.”[/color]

The man looked younger than expected--no more than late 20's at a guess--and he appeared not to have heard Emma for a moment, skimming through lines of information on his phone.

But his response was clear enough.

[color f7976a]"Off-limits. Quarantined for uncontrollable behavior. Orders from up top. You can give that to the guard near her room if you want,"[/color] he said, motioning to the flowers in Emma's hand.

Emma was starting to get annoyed. She sensed that it was going to be a long night. [color=8A3DFF]”Is there really [i]nothing[/i] you can do? Talk to Kardos? Or, let me talk to Kardos? Like I said, she’s my roommate, and I’m sure that if I get in there I can calm her down a little. Anyways, you probably have plenty of restraints on her, right? Between that collar and the cuffs she can’t be [i]that[/i] much of a threat, can she? I just… want to make sure she’s okay. That battle was stressful for all of us. I’m sure she could use a friend.”[/color] the pleading tone in her voice was clear as she put on her best puppy-dog eyes, resigning to the fact that if this didn’t work she’d have to keep going down the line until she could find someone she could convince.

[color f7976a]"Trying to free her or something?"[/color] His tone hardened abruptly and he straightened from the previous relaxed posture. [color f7976a]"Most people go through a battle and want to rest. But you're here trying to get in to a quarantined subnatural. I assume the guards at her room told you to come to me, or you wouldn't be here. And it makes me wonder."[/color]

He motioned for a nearby soldier who, noticing the atmosphere, tensed as well.

[color f7976a]"Something wrong, sir?"[/color] the guard asked on the approach.

[color f7976a]"Not yet,"[/color] Brahm replied, voice calm.

Emma gave the commander a clear look of surprise. [color=8A3DFF]”With… with all due respect, sir, really? I got enough rest last night and now I just want to see my friend, because after a battle, I’m sure you know, people are also concerned about the people close to them. You really think I could stage an [i]escape[/i]? Not like we’d get very far with these cuffs.”[/color]

Emma sighed.

[color=8A3DFF]”If the choice is leaving or getting shot, I’ll go back to my room. I [i]just[/i] want to make sure she’s okay. I have [i]zero[/i] intent of getting in trouble with you guys… after all, you may be here to watch over us and we may be subnaturals… but in the end we’re on the same team, right?”[/color] she put on as convincing a smile as she could muster. 

[color f7976a]"She tried to kill two of your team mates, healer included. Hardly the same team. But she's fine, last I checked. I'll allow you to stand at the doorway to her room, but a single suspicious move and both of you get shot."[/color]

He turned to the nearby soldier, pulling up the appropriate channel on his phone.

[color f7976a]"Hospital units, double up security on Baker."[/color]

That done, he nodded at Emma's soon-to-be escort.

[color f7976a]"Take her to the Baker girl. Keep a weapon trained on her at all times."[/color]

[color f7976a]"Yes, sir."[/color]

Near Hazel's room, the order came through the respective phones of the soldiers assigned to watch the students in the hospital and they followed commands swiftly. Another four soldiers crowded the space around her bed, and three remained stationed outside her door, backup units pulling in from the patrols set up around the area to watch for any attempts at escape.

By the time Emma reached the hospital room again, all eyes and muzzles in the hallway were directed entirely on her. Around Hazel's bed, the soldiers' fingers were ready on the triggers.

[color f7976a]"Officer Brahm's orders,"[/color] Emma's escort announced. [color f7976a]"She can talk to the prisoner from the doorway."[/color]

After a moment, the soldiers barring the door parted, one turning the knob and the other three holding aim on Emma's head.

[color=8A3DFF][i]Killed two of my teammates.[/i][/color] Emma certainly wasn’t aware of that. Regretfully, the first question that came to her was [i]who[/i] and then came the [i]why[/i]. She didn’t bother asking Brahm, as she got the sense that he wasn’t too big of a fan of hers. 

Still, she supposed he was doing her a favor, given what she now knew, and for that she was thankful.

She approached the doorway slowly, giving a cautious glance to the men whose guns were trained on her. Part of her wanted to protest, but her better judgment stopped her. Didn’t want to give them a reason to shoot, after all. 

Instead, she spied the girl from the door. She wasn’t in a good state, clearly injured. Clearly in pain. She was also heavily restrained, certainly not a good sign. [color=8A3DFF]”Hazel…”[/color] she called out from the door, but a hint of sadness in her voice, [color=8A3DFF]”They wouldn’t let me enter the room. I… I wanted to come make sure that you were okay.”[/color] she said, giving an ever so slight glance to the guards around her who remained silent for the moment.

[color=fff79a] "Emma?"[/color]

So that was why there were guards all around her. Hazel had assumed there was going to be some sort of high ranking person coming in to inspect her or the like, but it was just Emma visiting her for... to check up on her? Turning in the bed, she looked towards Emma, noting the flowers in her hand. It seemed Emma wasn't really affected much from the previous battle. Wasn't that why she was worried before? As for the question of whether Hazel was okay or not, she was still alive, so she assumed that would be enough for Emma.

[color=fff79a]"See? Don't worry."[/color] Hazel spoke, referring to the conversation they had before.

Emma couldn’t help but smile a little. She didn’t know what happened out there, but Hazel never seemed to be the monster that other people said she was. Instead, she just seemed scared. Scared and lonely. Emma nodded, [color=8A3DFF]”Yeah. You’re right. I shouldn’t have worried. Although, I’m sorry to say, your armor got a little shredded out there.”[/color]

Emma tapped her foot against the ground. If she could’ve she might’ve given the girl a hug. [color=8A3DFF]”I got you flowers, but I can’t exactly hand them to you.”[/color] she glanced towards one of the guards in the room, [color=8A3DFF]”Uh, you think you could hand these off? Brahm said it was okay.”[/color] she said, cautiously extending the flowers, careful not the cross the threshold of the door.

The guards eyed the small bouquet like it was a bomb, but after several seconds of silence stretched out between them, one of them took the bundle from Emma's hand, eyes never leaving her face as he backed up slowly and placed the flowers on the bed beside Hazel's fingers. He was quick to resume his position afterwards, weapon raised once more.

Hazel grasped the bundle in her injured right hand, the bouquet visibly shaking as she raised it. She had no idea what the flowers were for, but it certainly lent some color to the stark whiteness of the room and the grimness of the guards around them. 

[color=fff79a]"Thank you."[/color] There was a small pause as she gave an experimental nibble on one of the flowers, before spitting it out. [color=fff79a]"How do I use this?"[/color]

Emma nodded at the guard. [color=8A3DFF]”Thanks…”[/color] as for Hazel, even in the current situation, Emma couldn’t help but giggle a little. [color=8A3DFF]”You… they’re not for eating, at least, they’re not very tasty. They just…”[/color] Emma took a moment, considering what the actual use of flowers was. 

[color=8A3DFF]”They make the room look nice. It’s a little boring without anything else, don’t you think?”[/color] she finally decided, giving a small smile. She couldn’t will herself to ignore the presence of the guards watching them, but tried her best to push them out of mind. For their part, the guards didn't interrupt, choosing instead to keep a silent vigil.

[color=fff79a]"I see."[/color]

Hazel swished the bouquet once, twice, then thrice before it slipped out of her limp hand, landing neatly on the small desk beside the bed. Unintended, but it did look nice there. It was faint, but at least she could smell something than her own blood for once. That and she did not have the mind to put some effort into sitting up and picking it up again; not when pain shot though her entire body every time she moved. 

[color=fff79a]"Hmm."[/color] Affirming that it did indeed lend a dash of color there, Hazel turned again to Emma, looking expectantly at her.

Emma stood for a moment, not commenting on Hazel’s treatment of her present. She didn’t exactly expect the girl to treasure it, given what she knew about her, but the gesture made Emma, at the very least, feel good. Emma nodded to herself for a minute before speaking, a small gulp coming before she started, [color=8A3DFF]”Hazel… I… I’m glad you’re okay, but… what… what happened out there? In Wisford? You don’t have to tell me… but if you want to talk about it, I’m here.”[/color] Emma said, leaning against the side of the doorframe, crossing her arms.

[color=fff79a]"Wisford?"[/color] Hazel looked up at the ceiling, before turning her head back to Emma. [color=fff79a]"We were ordered to go apprehend Factory, I was with you in the frontlines, drawing attention from the strike team sent to fight Factory and only Factory. There were several machines that we destroyed, including those mechanical monsters resembling spiders, which deployed a large net. We destroyed what was left of those monsters, and Factory was defeated. I do not have knowledge of what the other squads did, or their particulars."[/color]

Blinking, she continued. [color=fff79a]"Should it be needed, I could write a full mission report should you wish to review it."[/color]

Emma nodded slowly. She was surprised that she had expected any different from Hazel. [color=8A3DFF]”Hazel’s that’s… that’s not exactly what I meant. What I’m trying to ask is how you’re doing emotionally. Are… are you holding up okay? I know things got stressful out there, and if… if you’re sad, or confused, or… just, you can talk to me about that… if you want to.”[/color] Emma hoped those were the right words. She was never quite sure how to get her point across to Hazel, but she thought she was getting better.

Hazel looked quizzically at Emma for a moment. Emotionally? Perhaps she was referring to her self control.

[color=fff79a]"Do not worry. I am completely combat ready, even if I am currently injured. Even if I should lose control, the collar I wear will shut me down in a short while."[/color]

She paused for a moment, considering what else to say. [color=fff79a]"In Wisford, after the battle, a dream..."[/color]

[color=fff79a][i]This girl could not be trusted. She could be trying to find your weakness, she could be afraid of you like all the rest. Look at how afraid she is to go near you, look at how they restrained you, look at the fear in their eyes.[/i][/color]

Hazel closed her eyes, trying to shut out the whispers, the ragged screaming of anger scrabbling for control, for dominance, for destruction. A short while later, she opened them again, lightless green eyes meeting Emma's.

[color=fff79a]"No, that was unimportant. Was there anything else you wished of me?"[/color]

Emma frowned. The dream. She remembered her conversation with Siena, but the moment was over before she knew it. For just a second she had thought that she was about to get something from Hazel, something real, but it was brushed away just like that.

She didn’t push.

Emma nodded slowly. [color=8A3DFF]”Just…”[/color] Emma gave a smile. A sad smile. She wasn’t getting anywhere. [color=8A3DFF]”Make sure you get better. I’m sure you’ll be out of here in no time. And…”[/color] a moment of hesitation.

[color=8A3DFF]”Just remember, you’re my friend, and for what it’s worth, I worry about you.”[/color] but Emma didn’t say what she really wanted to.

[color=fff79a]"Friend?"[/color] Hazel stayed silent for a bit, eyes still locked onto Emma. [color=fff79a]"Unh. I understand. Do not worry."[/color]
[/hider]

[hider=Emma and Angel: Words Better Left Unsaid]
[center]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/qObCsLJ.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/Fb1UXSA.png[/img]
[h2][color=8A3DFF]Emma[/color] | [color=9e0039]Angel[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] 
[color=silver] 𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥. 𝟙𝟝, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕃𝕒 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕒, 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕪𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   𝕄𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕝   / /  ~𝟚𝟚𝟘𝟘 [/color]
[sub]Collab with [@Diggerton] and [@Riffus Maximus][/sub][/center]
It was a cold night. Emma found herself wandering around the grounds of the motel, her encounter with Brahms and her visit with Hazel still fresh in her mind. Hazel, her friend, her roommate, Hazel who attacked two of her teammates and went on a rampage, now chained up to hospital bed with a tight blanket of security. 

Too many questions, not enough answers.

She also couldn’t get the battle out of her head. Her indecision, her failure to protect Savannah, her inability to do [i]anything[/i]. She was so wrapped up in these thoughts that she nearly missed the form of Angel Lachance, sitting, seeming to be writing, or working up the courage to start writing. Emma very nearly walked past her, but then she remembered the battle. Angel was on her team, was she not? Surely she’d know more about Hazel.

So, instead, Emma stopped. [color=8A3DFF]”Um… excuse me, Angel? Hello?”[/color] she said cautiously, hoping that she wasn’t interrupting anything.

Lost deep in thought, Angélique was staring at the blank sheet of paper in front of her. After speaking with Siena yesterday evening, she kind of wanted to give the girl an authentic gift as a token of her appreciation. She wouldn’t really be satisfied in herself to simply make a cover of a song Siena might like. She felt like composing a song herself, just like how she did so many times in the past.
 
One covered end of her pen was tapping rhythmically on her lips while the fingers of her right hand rattled the table in harmony with a humming that mimicked the music on her phone playing right next to her.
 
A voice however made it through her pensive state of mind and popped her back right into reality, turning to see the familiar of Emma looming right beside her.
 
[color=9e0039]“Oh, hello Emma. Sorry, I was thinking. How are you?”[/color]

Emma offered her a small smile. [color=8A3DFF]”Good… well, ‘good’ is relative nowadays, but… good. How about you?”[/color] Emma said, with a slight tilt of the head towards the spot next to her, [color=8A3DFF]”Uh, is it alright if I take a seat? There were a couple of things I wanted to ask you about.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Yeah, it’s just as you say. I suppose I’m good, considering the circumstances.”[/color] Angel replied, her free hand wandering to her phone and turning down the volume of the background music as soon as she heard her fellow Aberration had something to ask.
 
[color=9e0039]“Sure. I’m all ears. Want something to drink? I’ve made some coffee not long ago. I think there’s a bit left.”[/color]
 
Angélique wasn’t one to usually drink coffee. As a matter of fact, she hated the taste. But she had to admit that it helped getting her creative juices flowing when she was hitting a wall, productivity-wise.

Emma shook her head. [color=8A3DFF]”No, I’ll take a pass on the coffee, but thanks.”[/color] Emma sat down next to Angel, for a second looking down towards the ground before she met her eyes. [color=8A3DFF]”I was… I wanted to know what happened with you guys after I left to support Evac. I heard… I…”[/color] Emma sighed.

[color=8A3DFF]”I heard that there was some trouble with Hazel?”[/color]

Angel’s pen twirling between her fingers was brought to a stop right as Emma asked the killer question. Of course she was going to investigate what had happened while she was gone. Why a few, including Hazel, were injured and the girl locked up. To be fair, Angel expected that situation to come popping around, but she never prepared herself for the moment it would surface. She tried her best to keep it under wraps, lest the harmony in her group be broken by mistrust. Not that any lack of trust towards Hazel would be unjustified. Angélique herself didn’t feel particularly fond of the girl after what she did, nor was she looking forward to work with her again.
 
[color=9e0039]“So you know what happened, huh? I suppose I don’t need to hide it to you, especially since Hazel is your roommate.”[/color] Angel sighed, dropping the pen next to the sheet of paper. What friendly expression that was on her face when she first saw Emma had turned into a frown, clearly visible in her eyes now that she was no longer wearing shades. 
 
[color=9e0039]“What exactly do you want to know?”[/color] 

Angel's tone wasn't outright unpleasant, but her voice and her eyes suggested she wasn't particularly looking forward to the discussion.

Emma was a little taken aback with Angel’s tone, giving the girl a curious tilt of the head, her smile eroding just a little. [color=8A3DFF]”I want to know why my roommate… my friend, is in the hospital, severely injured. I want to know what exactly happened when people are telling me she went ‘berserk’. I want to…”[/color]

Emma’s put her smile back on.

[color=8A3DFF]”I just want to make sure everything’s going to be okay next time we have to fight together.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]"You  want to know what happened exactly out there? Very well, I can tell you things from my perspective. But you have to know, Emma, Hazel is an Aberration like the two of us. I never got a grasp of what exactly Hazel is except when I witnessed her bouts of destruction during the Flags and Seek game. What went through her mind during that time, I don’t know any of it. I don’t read minds.”[/color]
 
Angel paused, taking a sip of coffee. She grimaced at the taste before turning her black-circled tired eyes towards Emma. 
 
[color=9e0039]“After you and Siena left to help Marcus and his team, Grant and I took care of the Collector that was coming towards us. Hazel left on her own without saying anything. Didn’t seem like the Collector was bothering her. Like I said, god knows what was going through her mind. I think she was headed towards the drop-off point’s direction? Anyway, after Grant and I took care of the collector, Hazel started screaming and…”[/color]
 
Angel trailed off; remembering something important that happened right after the Collector was felled by Grant and her combined efforts. Just like that, the screamer Aberration’s frown faded away and instead was replaced by what seemed to be like enlightenment.
 
[color=9e0039]“Emma, did you… saw the ocean shortly after you left to help?”[/color]

Emma nodded slowly. What Angel was saying about Hazel didn’t sound unreasonable, but… [color=8A3DFF]”The ocean? You mean… the visions. Yeah. About… five minutes after I left. Why, do think it has something to do with Hazel? What [i]exactly[/i] did she do?”[/color] Emma said slowly, trying to get Angel’s point out of her.

[color=9e0039]“Hmm… then perhaps… there’s something about those visions after all. I saw it too, and I suspect Hazel saw them too, about right at the same time you did.”[/color] Angel started explaining, her eyes looking unfocused as she seemed to be lost in thoughts.
 
[color=9e0039]“I’m no expert on Mages matter. I just know what I’ve read from Death and Taxes, from personal experiences and observations. But Hazel, she’s one hell of an Aberration. She’s fucking strong. The only person who could potentially rival her in power is Zoe, although their powers are direct opposites.”[/color] The suddenly enlightened Aberration continued explaining, things started making sense but yet brought more questions at the same time.
 
[color=9e0039]“What I mean to say is, perhaps Hazel’s Stigma reflects her power? If the visions triggered her Stigma, then that would explain the screams and the clutching at her head.”[/color] Perhaps this was too much information, a bit too gruesome to Emma. But the girl wanted the truth. Angel would be an asshole to not reveal what happened to her roommate now that they were trying to explore Hazel’s case.
 
[color=9e0039]“Look, I’m not going to beat around the bush as to what Hazel did. It was more than just trouble. It was straight disaster. Fuck, I think Hazel’s screaming was just as loud as mine. She just launched herself away using one of her ‘arms’ to obliterate another Collector that was standing between us and Ernest and Christmas.”[/color]
 
Angel paused, feeling her throat going dry from all the talking. She took another sip of her mug.
 
[color=9e0039]“I heard unknown panicked screams and gunshots, so I rushed down the street to know what was happening. Just when I arrived, I saw Hazel charging Ernest and Christmas with one of her projected fists. I tried to call out to her. I asked what everyone was doing. I asked her to stop. She didn’t.”[/color]
 
Angel sighed, remembering clearly the scene at that time. Her frown returned to her face as she continued her story. 
 
[color=9e0039]“I just… tried to make it all stop. I screamed. I tried to make it all stop. Stop Hazel from smashing Ernest and Christmas into the pavement. It was a bit too late though, she knocked them out cold. But at the very least, when she regained composure, she charged me instead of dishing out more punishment on the boy. She was just about to turn me into a bloodstain onto the road, but she fell unconscious. I felt her fist, her fleshy one, graze my head.”[/color]
 
Angel’s eyes turned somewhat remorseful as she was telling Emma [color=9e0039]““I… lost it. My Stigma wouldn’t allow me to die. So I screamed... again.”[/color]
 
The raven-haired Aberration sighed,8 her face looked morose. 
 
[color=9e0039]“That’s pretty much all that happened. I fell unconscious shortly after. Hazel didn’t injure me at all. I just blacked out from the blood loss after physically overexerting my wounds.”[/color]

Emma stayed silent for a long moment. She didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t blame Angel, not like she wanted to. She couldn’t quite bring herself to blame Hazel either. Maybe she should’ve blamed herself for leaving them. [color=8A3DFF]”I see.”[/color] she paused for a moment more.

[color=8A3DFF]”I can’t… I can’t say what you did was wrong. But… don’t hold it against Hazel. She’s not… she’s not like us. There’s something different about her. I don’t know if it was something the school did, or if she was always like this, but it’s like… mentally, she’s a little kid. A kid with military training, very strong superpowers, and a Stigma. I mean that, really. Whenever I talk to her it seems as if she hasn’t spent a day outside of wherever they held her.”[/color]

Emma took a breath.

[color=8A3DFF]”And I know… I know that you went into the battle scared of her. I could tell. But we can’t be like that. We have to be a team. Remember when we were fighting the spiders, and she swept you away with her hand, and you yelled at her? She saved you. The spiders threw their net at you guys and she was protecting you… and you just raged at her. I know she can be scary, but… she’s not as bad as you think.”[/color]

Emma sighed, tapping her foot against the ground.

[color=8A3DFF]”I know… I can’t ask you to forgive her, not after what happened, but just… keep that in mind.”[/color]

Angel listened intently as Emma tried to explain Hazel’s case. So the girl wasn’t a reckless insensitive teenager as she thought she was. But really, did it make any difference? Whether she acts like a child or like a berserking teenager, the fact remained she attacked her teammates. Understanding what was going on with the girl will not help any further next time she loses control.
 
[color=9e0039]“Look, I don’t want to pretend to look tough, but it’s not that I was scared of Hazel when we were teaming up with her. I just tried to be wary of the reckless behavior she showed in battle before. I was willing to give her the benefit of a doubt, a second chance. I wanted to confirm just what kind of teammate she was now that I was teaming up with you guys.”[/color]
 
Angel fell silent; reminiscing of the moment she lost control over her words and shouted at Hazel for disintegrating her gear and parts of her clothes. 
 
[color=9e0039]“I admit that I’ve lost control in the fight. I’m sorry for that. It just happened so suddenly, I didn’t immediately know she did this to save us. In my mind, if she simply swatted the spiders and the web along while they were airborne, it probably would’ve saved us the trouble of having them circling us. But I think I can understand your point. We don’t share the same mentality on this battlefield.”[/color]
 
Angélique paused, her face dragging itself towards the flesh of her face, feeling the ghostly ensation of the web slicing into the skin of her face as she remembered the scene.
 
[color=9e0039]“Listen, I know you’re protecting your roommate, and I am actually a bit envious of you guys getting to share a room and be together. But it’s not about forgiving, being scared or wary of her. It’s about her actions, what she does. It will sound harsh, but if Hazel keeps this up, she will be considered a liability to keep around by the institute and will end up either locked away permanently, be disposed of, or worse.”[/color]
 
Angel coughed, words spoken by a familiar redhead training partner came into mind.
 
[color=9e0039]“Imagine if Zoe hadn’t left her team to help the others. You may not know her, but you saw what she did to Gregory. If Hazel went to attack her, she probably would have melted her off without any second guessing. I’ve trained with Zoe at Ground Zero. She’s ruthless. She’s not someone you want to mess with.”[/color]
 
[color=9e0039]“My point is, Hazel has to learn to control herself better, or become more mindful of her teammates. Before the worst comes to befall her. If she is just like you said, then I assume you are the closest person she has right now. You’re probably the only person she will listen to. Give her some insights, some advices, I don’t know.”[/color]
 
The obsidian-haired singer finished her cup of coffee in one gulp.
 
[color=9e0039]“We’ve lost enough of our classmates already. I just don’t want anyone else to pointlessly die because of some in-fighting.”[/color]

Emma’s face turned venomous. [color=8A3DFF]”Are you [i]kidding[/i] me? It’s a good thing you mentioned Zoe, because you want to know what she did? She melted Callan’s fucking arm off. It’s a good thing Lily was there, or it would still be gone. We [i]all[/i] have problems with control. You, me, Zoe, Ernie, Hazel… all of the X-marks. You understand that, don’t you? I’m not asking for you to forgive her, I’m asking for your [i]cooperation[/i]. Because whatever you were doing to Hazel out there, it certainly wasn’t helping.”[/color]

Emma got up. She wasn’t leaving, though, instead starting to pace in front of Angel.

[color=8A3DFF]”Hazel locked away, disposed of, that’s [i]exactly[/i] what I want to avoid, because right now she’s shackled to her bedpost, surrounded by guards, covered in cuffs… you understand what I’m saying, right? Group B. We’re a team. If we’re going to be a unit, we have to work together. And you losing your shit on the battlefield might’ve been what sent her over the edge. And that doesn’t excuse her, of course it doesn’t, but we can’t have that happen again. Hazel isn’t the only one among us that has to learn control.”[/color]

Emma stopped.

[color=8A3DFF]”I’m not placing the blame on you. Really. Not all of it, at least. Hazel can’t be attacking her teammates, that’s obvious, but it goes both ways. You can’t give her reason not trust you. That doesn’t sound fair, I know, but… we have to keep this team together.”[/color]

Ah… there it was. A crack through the calm aura Emma was trying to exude ever since she arrived. She wasn’t wrong. Angélique herself had to learn control, that much she was aware of. She gained some, lost some. It went forward as it went backwards most of the times. As much as she was willing herself to become better, her weaknesses would just bring her back to square one. That’s why she was kicking herself in the shin so much. The reason she accepted to go along with Brent’s suggestion and spent the whole morning working her ass off through his hell training session.
 
Still, while Emma tried to be passive throughout the whole discussion, her now direct accusations sparked some embers that were still burning, the hatred she felt towards herself as she had spoken to Brent. For the moment, she didn’t care what Zoe did to Callan. What the fuck could she do about it? Bitch and moan at Zoe for being such an asshole? She knew how Zoe was. The girl probably couldn’t give two shits about what she did. If she did it, there was a reason she pulled the trigger.
 
[color=9e0039]“You think I don’t fucking know that already? Why do you think I go to Ground Zero each fucking day of the week? I’m trying to find that control! You think I’m enjoying screaming at other people? That I enjoy hitting my teammates along with my enemies? I’ve been trying to become better.”[/color]
 
Akin to Emma, Angélique’s voice started to grow. The difference was that it had no venom, only hatred. She wasn’t attacking Emma simply because she had nothing to say against her. She just looked so perfect, aside from the venom that she was trying to spit. But Angel would not play this game of accusations. She only spoke what was in her mind and offered her input on the situation. 
 
[color=9e0039]“Trust me, I’m trying to be as cooperative as I can be. Fuck, do you even know just how hard I’m trying to bring everyone together? I’ve organized training sessions outside of class days, dinners and tried to convince a few people out there to work with others for our mutual survival. I’ve kept silent about Hazel’s attack from the others and hoped they wouldn’t know exactly because I don’t want to segregate her from the class for what she did. ”[/color]
 
Angel sighed. Her voice grew calmer as she didn’t want what she was going to say next to be perceived as a personal attack.
 
[color=9e0039]“But even after all that, I’m still just an Aberration. I’m trying to keep my rage under wrap, but even I have limits despite all the efforts I put. We can’t all be as perfect as you are. I just don’t have the control you simply exude whenever I see you guys at lunch.”[/color]

Emma narrowed her eyes. 

[color=8A3DFF][i]What the fuck did she just say?[/i][/color]

Emma quivered, for just a moment. She considered slapping Angel, wanted to even. [color=8A3DFF]”How fucking [i]dare[/i] you Angel. You think this is easy for me? You think I’m so perfect? You don’t know [i]anything[/i] about me. You think I don’t have the same voices constantly fucking screaming at me? All… ALL that I am saying is that you need to cut Hazel some fucking slack and not spaz out on her in the middle of battle. Try to [i]understand[/i] her situation, because you should get it. You said it yourself. You don’t enjoy hitting your teammates, do you think she does? Do you think that she raged out on you because [i]she[/i] wanted to? You’re standing here calling her a liability when [i]any[/i] of us could’ve done the same. And don’t… don’t you dare make this about me. I’m not… I’m not perfect…”[/color]

She couldn’t help it. For the second time today, she couldn’t stop herself from crying.

[color=8A3DFF]”Why the hell… you, Ernie, why the fuck do you guys think that? How do you not see? I’m so [i]useless[/i]. Savannah died because of [i]me[/i]. I couldn’t do anything, I froze up because of my Stigma and my shitty fucking power that in the hands of [i]literally[/i] anyone else here could actually have done something. So yeah, I’m just as bad as Hazel and Zoe. Just as bad as you. This is hard for me too. We’re all facing the same fucking dilemma, so don’t try to diminish my fucking feelings. We are all in this [i]shit[/i] equally, even if it comes out in different ways. And we [i]all[/i] need to control it.”[/color]

Emma paused.

[color=8A3DFF]”Or you know what, never mind, clearly a little fucking empathy is too much to ask for.”[/color] she was tempted to leave right there, but instead stood, staring down singer, reminding herself of how much this remind her of Ernie.

Clearly her words hit a nerve. A landmine Angel didn’t mean to step on, but couldn’t help it in this situation. Seeing the girl fighting against her presumed perfection, and then on the verge on crying. This whole discussion made Angel feel like shit. She had just been saying what’s on her mind, pretty much like Brent always did. How could he stand facing people when saying things like that? Was she too soft, too caring to be like him?
 
Angel blinked, sighed and looked down for a moment. As she abruptly stood up, she knocked the mug sideways and the blank sheet she had been working on, revealing underneath a stack of paperwork she had previously written all over it and crossed, as if the ideas weren’t satisfying enough. 
 
[color=9e0039]“I’m… sorry. I’ll… just leave before it gets worse.”[/color]
 
Angel walked past Emma and headed towards the exit. Right now, the voices were not just whispering. They were screaming insults, aimed both towards her pathetic self and towards the pitiful Emma. Her Stigma wanted her to stay and scream those insult at the other Aberration, but Angel had to prove she could still exercise control over herself. At the very least not show this stigmatic outburst to someone she was trying to convince she was growing better. She couldn’t let her inner darkness infect the others. They had enough shit on their plate as it was.
[/hider]

[h3]9/16[/h3]

[hider=Emma, Zoe, Lily, Ernie, Brent, and Angel: Scream in the Night]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4346208]Link[/url]
[/hider]

[h3]???[/h3]
[hider=Emma: Fragile]
[color=8A3DFF][i]A boy that had the inexplicable ability to shrug off the trauma we faced with his jokes. Or was he? I couldn't tell, but I wish I was able or maybe I wished he would tell me what he felt. I want him to like me. I want to help him. I don't know why that is, and I wish I didn't feel this thing.

The girl that could not die. She's more friendly than I thought... I like that. We shared something that I couldn't put into words... a moment of solace in a world that's falling apart around me. What she said meant something to me and talking to her made me realize that my story is the same one as the people around me. What do I have to cry about, anyways? My problems aren't special.

Why is it that I can't shrug off the feeling that she has something she isn't telling me? A shared moment of friendship came when I didn't expect it and yet something about it feels rotten. By all accounts we grew closer but there's something unsettling about it. It's strange, because I want her to like me. I want everyone to like me, but her too. 

Something inside me is twisted. Telling the wrong people the right words. Did I want him to give me solace? Tell me it would be okay? Understand my problems? Maybe I just wanted to piss him off again. Either way, it was a mistake. What I said will come back to hurt me, as it so often does.

The girl who could steal words off a page for herself. I'm glad we're friends... the more people I surround myself with the more I can pretend things are okay. She trusts me but I don't know why. I'm not a good person to tell your secrets to, but I'll do my best not to misuse hers. 

The amnesiac couldn't tell me stories about her home. I feel... jealous, but at the same time reviled. Maybe it would be easier to forgot, but what could I hold onto if not memories? My friends? They're fleeting, they will go away. People come and go as the seasons do, especially in a place like this. 

My friend, the monster. She hurt the people around her, so why can't I help but look at her as I would a child? Can I protect her from the hatred of the people around her? Should I? Maybe they should be scared of her. Maybe I should be scared of her. But I can't bring myself to be.

Why was I angry at her? Was it deserved? Did I burn a bridge? We're a team, but after on conversation I've already made her into a villain in my head. I was honest with the wrong person again. I should stick to lying, because I can't control what I say.

A twisted and broken body with golden hair. Just a child.

I can't get the image out of my head. How can I sit there and smile, acting like everything is okay?

I feel... cold.[/i][/color]
[/hider]