[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gIbvbhp.png[/img][/center] [h3][color=9e0039]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟟𝕥𝕙 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘[/color][/h3] [hider=Chapter I: Harmony] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4357439]Collab here![/url] [/hider] [hider=Chapter II: Raiding Washington’s Clothing Market] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4360493]Read up "Thursday | September 17 | 12 PM[/url] [/hider] [hider=Chapter III: Late Night Lessons] [center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Fb1UXSA.png[/img] [img]http://i66.tinypic.com/m7tcpe.png[/img] [h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=fff79a]Hazel[/color][/h2] [img]https://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] [hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟟𝕥𝕙 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘 / / 𝕎𝕒𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕥𝕠𝕟, 𝔻.ℂ. / / ℝ𝕠𝕪𝕒𝕝 ℙ𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕊𝕦𝕚𝕥𝕖 / / 𝟚𝟛𝟘𝟘 [/color][hr] [sub]Collab with [@GreenGoat][/sub] [/center] Tonight, Angelique could not find sleep. Her mind was preoccupied by a lot of things. Her Stigma growing restless from having spent not much time sating it; the local news constantly replaying every single bit of footage they managed to get on her classmates; the words exchanged between herself and Emma; Zoe's attempt at killing herself. Usually, when she had trouble sleeping, Angel would simply stay up some more and listen to some soothing music until sleep would finally claim her. However, now that she was rooming with someone else, Angel didn't want to disturb her friend's beauty sleep by listening to some music without her headphones. The musician Aberration figured that if she couldn't listen to music, she might as well make some. She wasn't too fond of the instruments she had spotted in the music room earlier today, but she could at least work a few of those, although those weren't instruments she had mastered like the guitar. Making her way to the music room, she could barely hear a thing coming from it. The room was insulated alright, but whoever was playing in there sure made enough of a racket for it to be heard even so slightly away from the door. As soon as Angel opened to the door to the music room, whatever insulation it provided leaked out from the room, increasing the racket by a thousand fold. It was so late in the evening; Angel didn't want to wake anybody up. As such, she swiftly closed the door behind her, finding herself alone in the room with the one person that was causing all this racket, Hazel. Angelique only sighed. She was still hogging the piano at this time of the day? Although Hazel was far from being someone Angel held dear at heart, she could still hear Emma's reasonable words at the beginning of their discussion, before it went to hell. Was she really a misunderstood girl? Earlier today, she seemed fine, listening to the others playing the piano. Perhaps... she could try and mend the broken pieces if she put effort into it? The raven-haired ex-idol made her way to the Aberration making that late-evening racket, leaning against the piano as to announce her presence so to not catch Hazel off-guard. [color=9e0039]"Hey... couldn't find sleep either?"[/color] Hazel stopped, hands still on the keys. It was true she had been enamored by the piano, but she was not here because she did not find sleep. She was here simply because she did not want to sleep yet. An interesting device, made of simple wood and strings, making such glorious noises. Those who had stayed and observed her banging on the piano after that session earlier would soon notice a methodical feel to it, the feeling that the incessant banging weren't at all that random. Not that anyone would want to stay and watch some girl bang on the piano of course. She was, instead, exploring the piano, so to speak. Seeing as the long haired girl wasn't about to do anything, Hazel simply nodded, and stared quizzically at Angel. What could she be doing here at this time of the night? And for that matter what on earth does finding sleep mean? She had simply assumed sleeping was an act, but never an object, thus for one to find sleep... Perhaps it did exist somewhere. After all, she had no knowledge of a piano before she found one here. Angel stood silent for a bit, gazing upon the quiet young woman in front of her. She seemed very quiet, a sight not matching what Angelique had witnessed when the girl had lost control. Even then, through the whole battle, she did gave off that quiet aura. [color=9e0039]"I... listened a bit to what you were playing. Do you like playing the piano?"[/color] [color=fff79a]"Yes."[/color] As if in demonstration, Hazel played an actual recognizable tune; short, repetitive, but still recognizable. It was the jingle from the elevator. However, it wasn't long before she started banging on the keys again, with sequence and melody known only to her mind. Having determined Angel wasn't here for anything important, she had simply turned her attention back to the piano. [color=9e0039]"Ah... Wou-"[/color] Just as Angel was about to speak, she was cut short from Hazel resuming her play on the piano. It might have sounded like a random mess of notes to any untrained rookie, but Angel's keen musical hearing thought she distinguished a small pattern in what Hazel was playing. She didn't seem to be trained at playing the instrument, but she seemed rather interested in exploring. [color=9e0039]"Would you like to learn playing piano? Like Christopher and Siena?"[/color] Angel asked softly. [color=fff79a]"Like Christopher and Siena?"[/color] The two who had played, while Hazel watched on intently earlier in the day. They played beautifully, even if the music was unfamiliar to her ears. One she was still trying to piece together right now. Regardless of how she mimicked him, the melodies she created seemed wrong, arranged differently in another manner. While still exciting in its own way, she wanted to play just like that. [color=fff79a]"Yes."[/color] It was all she uttered as she made room for Angel on the bench, looking expectantly at her. Nodding, Angel took a spot on the piano's bench. Decidedly, the black-haired sonic Mage never thought that she would transform from rockstar to music teacher ever since she was forcefully incarcerated in USARILN. But it was a nice thought, to be of relative use to the people around her. It was a nice hobby, to make living in a school-prison more supportable. [color=9e0039]"See that key here? Take your hands and make it so that your two thumbs touch that key, while your other fingers touch the nice other keys. That way, you can move your hands around with ease to reach other octaves."[/color] Angel explained as she put her two hands on the piano's keys. [color=9e0039]"An octave is made of seven notes: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La and Si."[/color] The Aberration musician continued, hitting each keys as she named them. [color=9e0039]"The black notes are the notes in between, like this one being Fa sharp, or also Sol Flat."[/color] Angel sighed, a faint smile managed to creep on her lips as she explained. Despite still feeling a bit uncomfortable around Hazel, her mind was seemingly put at ease when it came to teaching someone about music. Who knows, maybe that would help Hazel discover a new passion, something they could talk about like normal people. [color=9e0039]“Oh wait, maybe that can help you understand. Stand up for a second.”[/color] Angel asked as she went to open the bench on which they were sitting, indeed revealing musical booklets. Flipping through the pages, Angélique found the very first song she had practiced on, and quite frankly the only song she managed to play though before turning to another instrument to play. [color=9e0039]“See the notes I was talking about? These are the keys you will need to hit to play that song. Here let me show you.”[/color] Angel placed her hands on the home keys, catching sight of the keys she will need to hit according to the music sheet. She took a deep breath before starting to hit the keys. As she hit the notes, she sang along the names of the keys to the popular rhythm of Fur Elise. While she was no expert like Christopher or Siena, this song was simple enough to allow Angélique to play the intro without hitch, even with the limited knowledge she had of the piano. After she was done playing the first two sections on repeat, she stopped and looked at Hazel. [color=9e0039]”Here, now you try. It’s okay if you can’t play on the same rhythm; just memorize which key to hit. Tempo will come to you as you practice more.”[/color] Angel said as she placed herself to the end of the bench, leaving the middle open for Hazel to place herself to. It was a familiar tune, one Hazel could not name. But it was familiar to her. She took the center, noting every key she had identified and mentally attached a sound to. Her movements were slow at first, picking out the notes one by one. Once she figured out the notes however, she belted out what she could remember, pressing key after key, getting several wrong here and there, but it was unmistakably Fur Elise she was trying to play. Frowning a little, she looked towards the booklets Angel was looking through, but could make little sense of the dots and squiggly lines that filled the papers. [color=fff79a]"I see."[/color] Angel looked on as Hazel attempted to play the notes she just showed her. A lot of mistakes, but that was perfectly normal for a beginner. Instead, Angel was quite glad to see the quiet girl looking so committed to learn. She laid out the booklet in front of Hazel, pointing the dots on the line and the keys that were paired with the written notes. [color=9e0039]"Focus on remembering the dots' position and the keys that correspond to them. We can go over what those lines mean later on as we progress."[/color] the fallen musician suggested to Hazel. Nodding, she repeated the sequence, trying to match her memory of the music to the melody she was putting out. Without a doubt, Hazel was learning quickly, with barely any mistakes made, though her rhythm was still slightly off here and there. It was certainly exciting for her to find something new, and on top of that, she was playing something that wasn't just pure noise. However, Angel did come to this room at this hour as well. Did she, perhaps, want to play the piano too? Just like those two before, she could be here simply to play the piano to help her find sleep, as she put it. [color=fff79a]"Did you want to play?"[/color] The fallen idol was impressed simply by how quickly Hazel was assimilating those lessons. Emma was right all along. Hazel seemed to be a simple girl, but underneath she was a quick study. Perhaps she was an intellectual? It wouldn't be the first time in history for someone to be this gifted despite showing some... issues, Angélique figured. [color=9e0039]"Me? No no. Well, perhaps I did want to play for a bit, but I was more interested in the harp over there."[/color] Angel glanced towards the majestic-looking string instrument. [color=fff79a]"Harp?"[/color] Hazel glanced over to the oddly shaped thing with several strings on it. She didn't like the shape very much; it lacked the sleek black surface of the piano. Running a hand through the strings, she decided that the sounds it made was at least great, even if the shape looked stupid to her. Taking up another seat near it, she stared expectantly towards Angel, obviously thinking she was going to go and play the harp. God, with that stare, Angel felt pressurized to take a seat by the harp and play it. But she had no idea how to play that instrument. She just wanted to be alone in here and experiment, see if it was a bit like playing the guitar. She had no idea someone would be in the music room at this time of the night. Allison made it seem so easy to play earlier, the very same girl who told Angel on their first evening that she was but a novice at playing guitar. [color=9e0039]"It's a little bit late for that though. I'm starting to feel a little bit sleepy. I think... I'll just sit here and hear you play some more and help you if you want to learn more."[/color] Angel weaseled her way out of showing just how ignorant she was of playing the harp. Not that it was a bad thing to teach the girl how to play the instrument. Plus, if that would help mending their relationship as battle partners, that would be a good step forward. [color=fff79a]"I see."[/color] It was quite late, quite a while past Hazel's bed time to be sure. She was quite sleepy as well, but the clinking chainmail she still wore, and her still aching right arm reminded her she wouldn't get too much sleep. Plus, she still wasn't quite ready to leave the music room yet. Sitting beside the harp, she thought back to earlier that day, to Allison's playing. Reaching over to the harp strings, she started to play a graceful melody. Or at least, that’s what she had intended to do. It was as if she was pulling at a live distraught cat instead of the harp, should anyone else hear the noises she was making. Now that was just an unbearable sound. And one that Angel couldn't put a stop to since she had no way of showing Hazel how to play that instrument properly. Instead, she tried to dive into a subject she was reluctant of speaking of, but had to get it off from her chest. [color=9e0039]"Say, Hazel."[/color] She called the girl's name as she approached her to the harp's seat. [color=9e0039]"Do you remember... what happened in Wisford?"[/color] [color=fff79a]"Yes."[/color] Stopping her pulling on the harp's strings, she started summarizing the event in Wisford as best as she could, though only through her perspective, and only until she lost control of herself after the dream crept in. After a while of silence, Hazel looked towards Angel. [color=fff79a]"That is the summary of what happened in Wisford. Should you need it, I can make a complete report on the mission."[/color] That wasn't the answer Angel had been looking for. Did Hazel forgot what happened after that? Or was she purposefully avoiding the subject? One thing that was certain, the soldier-like explanations of the other Aberration girl creeped the singer out. Too formal. Too much like an automaton. But she'd play the game, if that's how she wanted it to go. [color=9e0039]"No, that won't be necessary. But tell me, can you remember anything after Factory had fallen? After we finished off the last of the machines?"[/color] [color=fff79a]"After... the machines.."[/color] Hazel held up a hand to her head. [color=fff79a]"..We.. I.. There was a dream, I couldn't save..."[/color] [color=fff79a][i]Sarah...[/i][/color] Unpleasant memories and feelings seeped through even the haze induced by both the drugs and collar, making her neck crawl. She stood up suddenly, obviously distraught. [color=fff79a]"I have to.. This.. I need to go now. Sl..I have to sleep."[/color] Seems like Angel pushed the subject more than she should have. So her theory was correct after all. Whatever vision Hazel had, it had sent the girl into an uncontrollable frenzy. [color=9e0039]"I... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pried. You don't have to go. I will return to my room."[/color] Angel said as she stood up as well. She made the girl uncomfortable, she had to take responsability. [color=fff79a]"I understand,"[/color] Hazel spoke, nodding as she did so, but nevertheless, she fled the room, her hands up to her ears all the while. [color=9e0039]"Hazel, wait! I..."[/color] Angel gestured for the fleeing Hazel to stand by, but it was too late, she was already gone by the door and was covering her ears. [color=9e0039]"I'm sorry about..."[/color] [/hider] [h3][color=9e0039]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟠𝕥𝕙 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘[/color][/h3] [hider=Chapter IV: Blowing Off Steam] [center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Fb1UXSA.png[/img] [img] https://i.imgur.com/OwPQCJ8.png [/img] [h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=palevioletred]Zoe[/color][/h2] [img]https://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] [hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟠𝕥𝕙 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘 / / 𝕎𝕒𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕥𝕠𝕟, 𝔻.ℂ. / / ℝ𝕠𝕪𝕒𝕝 ℙ𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕊𝕦𝕚𝕥𝕖 / / 𝟘𝟡𝟘𝟘 [/color][hr] [sub]Collab with [@Lasrever][/sub] [/center] While everyone was accommodating themselves in their temporary luxurious shelter one way or another, Angel still kept her daily routine. No time slacking off, not while her mind was on the edge from her growing restless Stigma and all the shit that happened and will happen in the future. The raven-haired Aberration had been training with Brent, Ernest and Siena this morning, but the work-out barely did any good to sate her curse. She sought out more things to do, to keep her mind distracted from the pent-up stress. And salvation would perhaps come from one girl Angelique saw in the distance. Arguably the best choice considering what happened, but Angel figured the two of them could use an exercise to blow off some steam. [color=9e0039]"Hey, Zoe. Hope you're not busy, 'cause you and I are going to kick some asses. Well, sand-filled asses."[/color] Angel waved to Zoe as she approached her. In all honesty, Zoe couldn't help but be a little surprised at the singer's approach. Surprised, and a little apprehensive, considering the circumstances - She still hadn't quite found the will to talk to anyone who'd found her at the motel yet, at least not one-to-one. But then she didn't have much to gain from avoiding half the class, and Angel didn't seem quite as snappy as she had been. Either way, Zoe decided running away and avoiding the girl who'd potentially stopped her from being crippled by her own stupidity was a shitty move, even by her incredibly low standards. So after a second's hesitation, she raised her head to look at her classmate as she nodded. [color=palevioletred]"Got nothing else to do, so why not? I'm always up for some asskicking."[/color] [color=9e0039]"Cool. Follow me, I've set something up in the gym that we could use."[/color] Angel gave the girl a thumb up before leading her to the gym. [color=9e0039]"Have you practiced a fighting style before?"[/color] The singer with a newfound pair of sunglasses asked the redhead as they made their way to the gym. There were already a few hanging sandbags that could be used to practice general strikes. However, near those punching bags, there was a makeshift practice dummy made from whatever Angel could gather and hold together. A frame made of some cheap stainless steel rods cushioned with a few of the penthouse's comfy cushions and pillows, all held together by heavy-duty duct tape. The cushions also served as target points, such as the chest, head, arms and lower body. [color=palevioletred]"Not... Uh, not formally."[/color] Zoe's expression darkened for a split second before she chuckled, the moment passing in the blink of an eye. [color=palevioletred]"But I can throw a punch properly, no worries about that."[/color] After reaching the gym, she wasn't sure whether to be impressed or amused by Angelique's handiwork. Not that it wouldn't work, but looking the dummy up and down she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. [color=palevioletred]"You know, I don't think that's exactly what they envisioned when they gave us those fancy pillows, not that I'm complaining."[/color] She smirked, glancing towards the other girl. [color=palevioletred]"So, how about you? You get some combat training in when you weren't too busy with the whole 'sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll' thing?"[/color] [color=9e0039]"Hey, that's what being resourceful is all about. It's not like we'll be staying here all our lives. And our 'benefactors' can surely pay the bill anyway."[/color] Angel replied to Zoe's comment with a devious grin and a chuckle. Angel's expression darkened as well for a moment after hearing the rock n' roll remark. [color=9e0039]"Ah... so you know..."[/color] It was to be expected. Even Ernest was a fan of hers. [color=9e0039]"Yeah, been practicing kickboxing for three years. Mostly Savate-oriented."[/color] Zoe shrugged. [color=palevioletred]"Hey, one of my old buddies was a fan, never affected what I think of you. Good that you got something done to protect yourself with anyway."[/color] Noticing that Angelique seemed uncomfortable with the topic, Zoe decided not to take things any further down that line of questioning. Staying focused on training seemed like a better idea anyway - Saved her from having to address the elephant in the room that was the motel incident. [color=palevioletred]"So, you gonna get us started or what?"[/color] [color=9e0039]"Ah, yeah."[/color] No time mopping around. That wasn't why she was here in the first place. Making her way to the punching bag, the martial-art apprentice took a glance at Zoe before starting. [color=9e0039]"Savate is mostly focused on swift end-point strikes. You'll rarely see anyone fighting with their elbows, knees, forearms or legs. It's all about striking with the feet and the hands. My style of kickboxing is pretty much boxing, but it includes those Savate kicks as well."[/color] Angel demonstrated her technique as she launched two quick jabs followed by a hook and ended with a swift low kick. [color=9e0039]"It's rather simple, when you think about it. Just gotta know your boxing and kicking stances, then it's all about figuring out combinations."[/color] [color=palevioletred]"Huh."[/color] Zoe watched the exercise, interested. Had to admit, it'd be pretty nice to know what she was doing in that way, but part of her had always taken issue with formal teaching. Nonetheless, she grinned approvingly. [color=palevioletred]"Well like I said, I'm not exactly a kickboxer, but that definitely seems to work. Not too hard to remember either."[/color] The simplicity of it was definitely helpful, just like Angel was saying. [color=palevioletred]"I gotta admit, I was a little worried it'd be one of those flowery styles that doesn't do anything."[/color] Walking over to the dummy, she grinned. [color=palevioletred]"Sorry to say I'm not sure how effective I'll be against a dummy. See, the problem I have with formal teaching was always a pretty simple one."[/color] She looked at Angel, interested to see how the other girl took this. [color=palevioletred]"They teach you to fight like there are rules."[/color] [color=9e0039]"Well you know, I've gotta say..."[/color] Angel started as she wandered aimlessly towards the makeshift training dummy. As nonchalent as her walking was, her aloofness was suddenly broken by a sudden punch in the dummy's face, sending the thing backwards a bit before bouncing back straight. [color=9e0039]"...I totally agree with you there. When you fight to defend yourself, there is no such things as rules."[/color] Angel repeated the words her old mentor taught her. [color=9e0039]"Sure, a punching bag is a far shot from actually fighting someone, but it still gets the basic through for someone who had no experience like me."[/color] the raven-haired girl shrugged. Zoe couldn't help but be slightly startled by the sudden noise. Well, that was interesting, although she had to bite back a comment about overdramatic stage performers. [color=palevioletred]"Then you're smart, 'cause that's how it is. Nine times outta ten, the person that wins isn't the biggest or strongest, it's the most ruthless person involved. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suckerpunching people, but once you're fighting, you fight to win."[/color] A mentality she'd stuck to throughout their fights, not that most of her classmates would agree with it. Honestly, she was surprised to get this much from Angelique. [color=palevioletred]"But what you're saying seems fair. I kind of learned from experience, so I could never really adjust all too well. Got told how to throw a punch and that's as far as it went. The rest I ever had to do was just about getting stronger. Mentally, you know?"[/color] Her gaze flitted over her knuckles as she finished speaking, but she didn't say any more about it. "Mentally..." Angel repeated, a word that seemed to have a lot of impact. Was she referring to prepare herself mentally for what fighting really meant? Somehow, Angélique felt like Zoe's ruthless behavior sort of came with that 'shouldering the responsibility' of her acts. Just how turbulent was her previous lifestyle for the redhead's Mage to have developed this kind of mentality? That very same question was burning on Angel's lips. She wanted to ask Zoe if that was the reason she did that horrible thing to Callan. But she knew better than to outright ask this question. Instead, Angel returned to the practice dummy, eying it. [color=9e0039]"Yeah, you're right. So it's more like street-fighting in your case, huh?"[/color] Angel asked, feeling a bit bitter than the punching session veered towards philosophy than actual punching action. She thought she would just enjoy a nice, steam-blowing session with the tough-looking girl of her class before actually getting to discuss. Angel felt like she needed it, instead of having the both of them trying to justify why they were that way. [color=9e0039]"Argh, enough talking, more punching! Show me what you got! Maybe I'll show you a few techniques if you're willing to learn them after."[/color] [color=palevioletred]"Sounds good to me! We're getting off track, right?"[/color] Zoe brightened up considerably as she took her place in front of the dummy. It had been a while since anyone gave her a reason to throw a proper punch - Hand-to-hand combat seemed redundant at this point. But then, it was always cathartic to do, and she sure as hell could use some of that. Her technique wasn't quite as refined as Angelique's, that was obvious once she started, but she more than made up for it in the speed and pure power she could get behind her blows. The redhead's physique wasn't just for show, after all, and she didn't exactly mind getting to push herself. After a long string of punches, she grinned, taking a step back. [color=palevioletred]"You know what, this actually was a good idea. Want a shot?"[/color] Angel was downright impressed by the power put behind Zoe's strikes. Just to tell her that even without techniques, raw power was still something to be reckoned. The more technical fighter could only imagine what it would feel like to receive a punch of that strength straight in the ribcage. [color=9e0039]"Haha! I knew you'd like that!"[/color] the singing rockstar claimed as nodded in agreement to Zoe's proposal. She might not know Zoe personally, but she had figured she might be into that sort of thing just by watching her go at Ground Zero. She did give off that street-punk vibe after all. Taking stance right next to Zoe, Angel launched a series of jabs, straights and hooks to the dummy's torso. It did recoil less than when Zoe hit it, showing that Angel wasn't as fighting-savvy nor as physically strong as her redhead peer. It was all about technique, catching someone off-guard with a well-placed strike. Then, to finish her round, Angel took a step back and finished with a mighty side kick to the dummy's chest, sending it reeling backwards with an impact powerful enough to rival, if not a bit more powerful, than Zoe's punches. The advantage of kicking was clear. Since legs muscles are generally stronger, from carrying a person's weight all day to the density of the tissues, they generated more strength behind an impact after absorbing momentum. [color=9e0039]"Man, I gotta say, I wouldn't want to change place with that dummy right now. You sure do pack quite a punch. Here, have a turn!"[/color] Angel smiled, taking the dummy and replaced it onto its original spot. [color=palevioletred]"Hey, keep going, I thrive on compliments."[/color] Zoe laughed cheerfully, shifting her weight slightly as she approached again. Boxing definitely was a good workout, that was for sure. Lot of movement involved, which was good - Kept her awake enough not to zone out and forget about Angelique. Focusing back on the bag, she threw another few strings of punches, but paused before swapping out. [color=palevioletred]"There any technique to kicking like that, while we're here? Kinda want to see how hard I can hit with that."[/color] Angel only laughed whole-heartedly to Zoe's comment. Damn, if only she could get the girl to be that cheerful all the time. Now that would make her seem less threatening. Or make her less of a threat to others. Shaking her head off that sudden thought that crossed her mind, Angel looked towards Zoe, taking a stance next to the dummy. [color=9e0039]"Actually, yeah. You can't just go about swinging around like that. You've got to get that momentum, transfer the energy to your kicking leg. Here, let me show you."[/color] Angélique placed herself in front of the target, her kicking leg being at the back while her pivoting leg was at the front [color=9e0039]"Let's take a sidekick, for example. If you swing it around just like that..."[/color] Angel spun on 180 degrees, catching the dummy with a kick that seemed much less intense [color=9e0039]"...you just waste your energy on the swing without putting actual power through your legs. But when you do this..."[/color] Angel once again took a kicking stance, but her legs were now a bit crooked. When she went for the spin, she kept her legs and body flexed until the very last second. As she extended her legs and back, the kick reflected the earlier mighty kick, sending the dummy backwards a little. [color=9e0039]"It's all about transferring the energy from the groundwork into your legs. Then, as you reach for the target, you let all that flowing energy explode by the end of your leg, straight up to the foot."[/color] [color=palevioletred]"Right, I think I get it. Like... I don't know, a spring or something?"[/color] Made sense in her head, although she couldn't quite think of a great description for what Angel was doing. Still, she did her best to mimic the action. Just had to hold back until striking, put it all into the blow. That part wasn't the issue, just keeping her balance for long enough to get some power into the strike. [color=palevioletred]"Might take me a couple of tries."[/color] Maybe a few more than that followed, as Zoe tried to get the movement down properly. It didn't frustrate her too much, she could feel herself getting closer with each attempt. And sure enough, eventually, her balance was almost solid, and she launched a powerful kick right into the dummy's makeshift torso. [color=9e0039]"Yes, exactly! Feel your legs as if they are springs. Well, don't flex them too much for the sake of balancing, but even a little bit of flexing and extending goes a long way to tremendously improve a kick. Add to it the spinning momentum, and you're just set on learning the simplest yet most effective kick. Basically, if you flex too much your muscle, you'd be just wasting energy to extend your limbs."[/color] Angel explained as Zoe tried landing a few kicks. She was getting better progressively. That was what made the beauty of kick-boxing. Simple moves, great efficiency. Keeping up on a single move to further improve it was way easier than learning Tae-Kwon-Do or something similar. When the last kick came in, Angel was impressed by the power. She felt as if it was but slightly lacking compared to her own, but Zoe's quick progress and sheer power would probably soon overshadow Angel's techniques. The obsidian-haired Aberration felt somewhat proud to have added yet another 'pupil' to her list of people she personally trained, whether it be for music or for martial arts. But at the same time, she felt a bit envious of Zoe's natural talent for fighting, even her physical attributes. While Zoe was barely any older or taller than Angel, the former clearly showed the results of a stricter physical training. [color=9e0039]"Nice, very nice! Hell, you might just crook that steel bar underneath if you keep this up!"[/color] Angel chuckled, amused by the thought. She'd very much like to see that, hoping Zoe would take the bait with that indirectly-formulated challenge. Part of Zoe wanted to drop out and prove she couldn't be baited that easily. It wasn't like she just jumped at everything that sounded like a challenge. Especially when it seemed as unlikely as this one. A bigger part of her wanted to at least try, and was way more stubborn than that. [color=palevioletred]"I'll bet you I can. You can choose what I get when I win. Or if I don't somehow, you know, hypothetically."[/color] While waiting for Angelique's decision, Zoe kept at it, adjusting things slightly to try and improve her power. Honestly, she wasn't sure bending that bar was even possible with just a kick, but that was why she was offering the bet in the first place. No fun if she was guaranteed to win, after all. Then there was no challenge. Although she wasn't quite confident in her abilities, she still looked cheerful - For the first time in a while, her mask had slipped and the impression of anger was dropped for the moment. Looks like her challenge backfired on her, but that was a tempting offer, Angélique thought. But what would she gain out of this? Angel was ready to offer whatever might interest Zoe; a favor, a free meal, more lessons, a live performance, or even questions about herself. But as for Zoe, she did not know what she'd want from the angry Aberration. No, Angel knew exactly what she wanted, but she feared that asking the reasons behind her recent actions would just ruin the moment they were having and burn a bridge Angel tried to slowly build to her red-haired classmate. [color=9e0039]"A bet? Oh my, aren't you quite confident? To be honest, I didn't think much about it."[/color] A small lie, but it's not like she'd want to outright tell the girl to reveal her secrets or what was going on in her head. [color=9e0039]"I dunno. How about a favor? Maybe a service. or even a treat to the loser's cooking? Hm... what would you like?" [/color] [color=palevioletred]"Let's go with that. A favor. Might ask for more of your cooking though, if that's up for grabs. Although I'm not great in the kitchen, so you might wanna pick something else for yourself. Don't have to cash it in right away. So let's say... Five minutes of trying, and if I haven't bent it by then you win. Can think of what you want until time runs out. If I manage to, then I win."[/color] She grinned, turning back towards the dummy. [color=palevioletred]"Sound good? You can tell me when five minutes are up."[/color] [color=9e0039]"That... sounds good to me."[/color] Angel replied, still unsure about what to ask of Zoe. She did however relished in the fact that her cooking was good enough to warrant being a prize for a bet. Nodding to the other Aberration, Angélique took her phone out of her pocket. She opened the timer application, holding three fingers up. [color=9e0039]"Okay. On my mark. Three... two... one... go!"[/color] After four minutes without a dent in the bar, Zoe was starting to realize that this might not be happening. To the girl's credit, her kicks did appear to be getting stronger, and she was beating the ever-living hell out of the dummy, but it seemed that all she could do was push it back and make it recoil instead of bending the actual bar. Pausing, she glared at it. Okay, hitting it over and over wasn't going anywhere. One last hit, strong as she could get, and if that didn't work she'd admit defeat. Taking a step back, she paused for a few seconds before launching a kick with everything she could muster, a yell of effort escaping her as her foot collided with the dummy. As it collided, Zoe realized two things - One, that the bar was just too thick to bend without heating it up or something, and two, that after a point, kicking so hard hurt like a bitch. Still, she had to admit the force was still pretty impressive. Panting, she waved for Angel to stop timing as she waited for her foot to stop throbbing. [color=palevioletred]"Damn. Think that's as hard as I'm ever gonna hit that thing. Guess that's one-nil to the dummy."[/color] As requested, Angel stopped the timer, with barely half a minute remaining. She wasn't really surprised that the damn thing didn't crook, but that wasn't what Angel was looking out for when she challenged Zoe. It already bore its fruits. [color=9e0039]"Yeah, but look on the bright side. You were so hell-bent on destroying that thing that you probably didn't notice how improved your technique now is."[/color] Angel started lecturing the girl. Not to console her from her failure, but more like a teacher giving their opinion to their student's growth. [color=9e0039]"Each time you kicked, you felt something off. It wasn't powerful enough. So you changed your stance gradually to better absorb the energy from the ground, increase that momentum and release it into a better exploding kick."[/color] No doubt, Zoe now had sufficient technique to her kick to rival Angel's strength, probably even best her in terms of power. [color=9e0039]"If you were to actually kick someone like that, you'd break more than a few ribs. The impact on the ribcage could potentially affect the vertebrae as well."[/color] Angel finished explaining, offering the redhead brawler a genuine smile. [color=9e0039]"So I'd say that counts as a success, no?"[/color] [color=palevioletred]"Really?"[/color] Zoe looked at the dummy, contemplating what the other girl said. She had gotten pretty focused back there, so it'd make sense. Definitely hadn't hit it that hard before, although kicking that hard probably wouldn't be necessary for her of all people. Once she was in range to kick them, she was in range to... No, not right now. Raising her head, she nodded. [color=palevioletred]"Now I think about it, I guess that did feel stronger. Fancy that. Probably should've tried hitting it first before I opened my big mouth, though."[/color] She took a step back from the bag. [color=palevioletred]"You're an alright teacher, anyway, if this is anything to go by. Even if you [i]did[/i] sucker me into making that bet."[/color] Zoe smiled, obviously joking with the last part. It wasn't like Angelique had been the one to bring it up, Zoe was just a bit too competitive for her own good sometimes. All the singer had done was finding a good way to motivate her. [color=palevioletred]"Think I'm gonna take a break after that, though, so this thing's all yours if you want it."[/color] Angel offered Zoe a cocky grin, suggesting that she knew exactly how this was going to be. [color=9e0039]"I've learn that sometimes, you learn more quickly when challenged to do your best." [/color] Accepting Zoe's offer, the fallen idol returned to the dummy's side, launching series after combinations of punches and kicks. While she did not want to show-off, Angel practiced with more complex moves, such as high kicks, spinning kicks, palm strikes, uppercuts and the like. A few of those moves seemed to carry far more power than what she showed previously, but a few of those looked unnecessarily flashy. After a while, Angel was winding down, the pace of her strikes slowing. By now, she had a peaceful, but concerned look on her face. [color=9e0039]"Say, Zoe... do you remember that time we've talked at Ground Zero?"[/color] Obviously there was more training involved with the fancier stuff, Zoe reflected as she watched the attack on the dummy. Had mixed opinions on all of that, although some of it looked useful. Still, she was pretty happy with sticking to the basics - Better to do one thing well than try and do too many and be mediocre, at least where she was concerned. As it was, she was pretty happy with what she'd had so far. Her smile faded slightly as she was spoken to, and surprised by the change of topic she looked curiously at Angelique. Yeah, there it was. At the very least, she didn't appear confrontational. Bringing up the past could bring their conversation to dangerous places, but she was relaxed enough that it didn't get her guard completely up quite yet. After a pause as she tried to recollect the conversation, she spoke. [color=palevioletred]"Ground Zero... Yeah, of course I do. What about it?"[/color] [color=9e0039]"I've been thinking for the past few about what you told me back there. And then with what I heard from back there at Wisford and La Plata. I..."[/color] Angel trued to look for the right words, trying to not mess up too horribly. She was hesitating to ask. Hell, she feared speaking about it. But Angelique was always one to seek out to truth, even if it hurt. She took a breath, and then sighed. [color=9e0039]"Just what were you thinking? Was it the stigma, or something else?" [i]Regrets.[/i][/color] [color=palevioletred]"Is this why you asked me here''?"[/color] False security, the hope that nothing would come up. Of course it always came back. Never just calm, peaceful. Always something to remind her of what a pathetic specimen she was. Bad places. Zoe couldn't help the hard edge that entered her voice. [color=palevioletred]"You mean the way I hurt Callan? Or when I tried to..."[/color] She frowned, squeezing her eyes shut. Too fresh, the memories too fresh. Images, voices, so much screaming. Hatred. Maybe Angelique would hate her too. What was one more, right? That sentence scared her to think. How much suffering had she inflicted that it was even a consideration? She'd start with the easier part. Maybe the other girl just wanted to understand what had happened there. [color=palevioletred]"I thought the others would die. In Wisford. When I got there, they weren't winning the fight - I didn't trust them to finish it before someone else died, and there wasn't time to give them a chance. I couldn't reach the first one I killed, but I could reach Callan. Underestimated how fast my ability would work on her."[/color] She scowled, annoyed at the difficulty she was having in keeping her voice level. [color=palevioletred]"But it let me destroy the gargoyle's brain. And that meant Callan could toss me towards the other one. I killed her too, ripped off her head."[/color] Trying to sound detached, but failing. Self-loathing and confusion creeping in. [color=palevioletred]"And then I threw the corpse's hand and killed the last one through it. Only took a few minutes for all three, from what I remember. I couldn't focus on what I'd done, then. I just told myself I had to finish the fight, no matter what that took. No matter what I had to do. Thought it was worth the trade if it meant keeping anyone else from dying before we could find a healer. Won't pretend I didn't know what I was doing."[/color] As Angelique listened to Zoe's story, she had kept a surprisingly serene expression on her face, despite the would-be outrage of having used Callan's body to propagate the flesh-eating disease. While it was hurting to know about the details of the story, Angel had mentally prepared herself for the worse, just as she still had a shred of hope left in Zoe to have taken that decision based on her wits. And indeed she had. She proved how ruthless she was by taking this kind of initiative. [color=9e0039]"And at the motel? Did you do it because of what you did to Callan?"[/color] Angel asked, still keeping an oddly calm and collected behavior. Her voice exuded something peaceful, perhaps even sympathetic. [color=palevioletred]"Not exactly."[/color] Zoe was silent for a long moment, blue eyes fixed on the floor. Hard to talk about, frightening even, but her classmate still seemed willing to hear her out somehow. Had to wonder why the black-haired girl even cared to know. She'd seen as much as anyone what Zoe was capable of, and the fact that she kept trying to help was almost bewildering. There wasn't anything for her to gain, not really. [color=palevioletred]"You mentioned Ground Zero. I told you I'd take the burden of killing anyone that was a threat, and I wasn't lying."[/color] Felt strangely guilty as she made the admission. [color=palevioletred]"Guess I forgot to mention that included me. I was trying to make it stop, needed to hurt something, and..."[/color] Quieter as she continued. Still couldn't face up to her own cowardice, but she forced herself to look at Angelique. [color=palevioletred]"It was me or one of you, so I chose to hurt me. Fuck, I don't know what you expect me to say. I never wanted to see you guys hurt, but I just keep doing it, and at least... At least you can be prepared for a fight, ready to look out for each other when the time comes. You can't be prepared if there's always a chance of me snapping, right? Fact is, I don't have a place here, and I've proved it again and again - I'm a danger to all of you. My life isn't valuable enough to risk any of yours for."[/color] Angélique kept looking at Zoe’s eyes, a stare that would seemingly pierce the soul if it wasn’t for the fact it was once more concealed behind a pair of stylish sunglasses. The peaceful face she had maintained faded more and more into sympathy. Finally, the fallen idol had gotten the answer she was waiting for. It was worth every last bit of courage she managed to gather to ask the redheaded Aberration those questions. [color=9e0039]“Thank you. It’s all I wanted to hear.”[/color] Angel finally spoke, letting a soft smile form onto her lips after sighing away the built-up anxiety. [color=9e0039]“I’m really sorry to put you through my interrogation out of the blue like that, but that was something that I needed to know for myself.”[/color] She added as she removed her shades, revealing her sincere forest-green eyes to Zoe. [color=9e0039]“Truth be told, I wanted to talk to you about this for a while, but I never found an appropriate timing. You may think that I’ve set up this whole stage to wring the truth out of you, and you wouldn’t be wrong. At least, not entirely. I wanted to talk to you about what happened in Wisford and La Plata, but while I can’t claim to know about how you feel, I know this: We both are Aberrations, and we both have urges to destroy, whether it is flesh or stone. Punching and kicking shit in an environment where we can’t use our powers is the best thing I could think of to sate if only a bit of my Stigma. So I thought you could use some of that therapeutic too. It’s been almost five days since we left USARILN, without being able to go to Ground Zero, denied the chance to sate our curse. I can feel it too. My patience slowly eroding, the rising restlessness, the urge to let my voice loose and destroy stuff."[/color] Angel paused, wondering if she wasn’t boring the girl she used to think as a woman of action. But still, after having let Zoe speak for so long, explaining herself about her earlier actions, so did the raven-haired rockstar. She wanted to explain why she was so adamant about knowing the truth. [color=9e0039]“I brought up what we discussed at Ground Zero because I wanted to know your will was still in there. I could rant and scold you about how wrong it was for you to do what you did to Callan, but in the end, you are the one in the right. I couldn’t bring myself, if I had your powers, to hurt others like you did so as to eliminate all threats, but that’s exactly why we need someone like you, pulling the trigger. Many more would have probably died if you wouldn’t have been there. You said it then, and you confirmed it now. So don’t go spouting shit like you aren’t needed on this team. Instead, in the future, just hope you won’t have to do this again, or if it makes you feel that bad, then think of another solution. I know it will sound hypocrite because I wish what you did to Callan will never, ever, happen to me. But I’d rather see one of our own injured and still being able to be healed than have them dead like Savannah and Alexis while we’re fighting our ass off out there.”[/color] There was a sense of fierce conviction in Angélique’s voice, contrasting the cold but partly ashamed tone Zoe had when she was explaining herself. Despite the Aberration’s roughness, she firmly believed Zoe was someone looking out for the well-being of others under her ruthless methods. She held on dearly onto the hope that Zoe wouldn’t cross the line and continue protecting the others. [color=9e0039]“But I’m glad that you think of us that way. It still gives me hope that you haven’t fallen out of the conviction you showed me at Ground Zero. I won’t pretend I’m not scared of what you can do. I’ve always been, ever since we trained together a week ago. But as long as you think that way, and keep looking out for others, going so far as put yourself in danger from your own powers, then I’ll still believe in you. And for fuck’s sake, even if you are willing to shoulder it all, then I’ll at least be the ear to listen to your worries, or the hand to put on your shoulder.”[/color] Angélique sighed, winding down from her monologue. [color=9e0039]“Really, just tell me to shut up if I’m being annoying. I know I talk way too much sometimes.”[/color] Angel chuckled as she gave the girl a friendly grin. So that was it. Sympathy or reassurance, Zoe wasn't quite sure how to describe it. But it was accepted, what she'd done - Though the admissions of fear stung slightly, they made sense. And despite them, Angelique hadn't run away, like they all had every right to. It was confusing, but Zoe smiled despite that. Brent had said something similar, when she'd been bleeding all over the room. [quote][color=B0C4DE]"...you still killed three of those rogue subs that made everyone else go through hell. We aren't better off without you."[/color][/quote] Maybe they were right. Maybe it really was necessary, after all, to have her around. Strength which had been faltering renewed, just a little. There was no question about it - Some part of Zoe was fundamentally broken, to make her capable of all this even after building herself back up. But then, they were fighting monsters. Maybe... Maybe they needed one on their side. As long as she was in control. For now, she just nodded. Something about all of this had to change, but they were right. Her resolve couldn't be what she lost in this place. [color=palevioletred]"I can't say I wasn't expecting you to bring it up. And I don't know about all of this myself, really, but it had to be said. No point in letting it eat away at either of us, and I could use someone to talk to, so thank you. I mean that."[/color] Perhaps an appropriate choice of words, considering the circumstances. [color=palevioletred]"But there's something I don't get."[/color] There was an easier way to get through everything, at least for Angelique. And yet the other girl kept giving her a chance, after their first fight, after Gregory, and now here. Blue eyes met green as she levelled her gaze at the other aberration. [color=palevioletred]"Why do you keep trying to understand me?"[/color] Zoe’s question took Angel a little bit by surprise. It’s true that she was trying to understand just what kind of person Zoe was. But to pinpoint exactly why? Angélique never tried to think too deeply about it. [color=9e0039]“There’s… something about you that is familiar to me. We are polar opposites when it comes to how we do things and how far we are willing to go.”[/color] Angel paused, giving the question some more thought. [color=9e0039]“And yet, we share that same passion: to protect and look out for the others.”[/color] [color=9e0039]“There’s just this confidence and that will to see things through that reminds me of what I was, that I could have identified myself to. I suppose you can call me envious of how you are down-to-earth.” [/color] There was a genuine smile on Angélique’s face as she recalled one of Zoe’s words during their last discussion. [quote][color=palevioletred]“Hold on to that. Caring.”[/color][/quote] [color=9e0039]“And… well… obviously because ‘caring’ is the job you gave me.”[/color] The obsidian-haired Aberration chuckled. [color=palevioletred]"You really did listen to me."[/color] Zoe looked surprised, but faintly pleased. She didn't disagree with Angelique - The sentiment was half the reason she'd given that speech in the first place. Yeah, she saw herself in the singer, a her that was less broken. Perhaps that was why she'd been so determined not to see her let go of her humanity, back at Ground Zero. [color=palevioletred]"When you put it like that, who am I to argue?"[/color] Like they were two sides of the same coin. She smiled, though there was something wistful about it. Part of her wanted to argue that she wasn't someone to be envious of, but at least Angelique had struck on one of her more redeeming qualities. Few and far between, as far as she was concerned. [color=palevioletred]"I... think I might've needed that. Thank you."[/color] She didn't know why there was a lump in her throat. Sadness she could deal with, but Zoe found it a lot harder to keep her composure when someone actually seemed to care. So long without letting the cracks show for the sake of everyone else. Still, she tried to ignore it and forced an unconvincing smile, mind fixed on some deep-rooted lesson about showing weakness, hiding emotion. [color=9e0039]"Don't mention it."[/color] Angel brushed a loose strand of hair aside, keeping up a bright smile. It would appear that she was right, in the end, to give in to her inquisitive side and ask Zoe about everything. Somehow, she suddenly felt closer to the girl. Closer than she ever thought was possible, or that Zoe would have allowed to. If only she could manage to give Zoe back a bit of her 'humanity'. But for now, the fallen idol was content with having convinced Zoe she was there to look out for her, to listen to her worries, to care for her when others wouldn't. [color=9e0039]"Girl, this sure is getting sappy over here. C'mon! Let's hit this thing 'till it breaks so we can call it a day."[/color] the martial art enthusiast called out to the brawler, hoping to enjoy this moment a bit more before they each went their own way. [color=palevioletred]"Back to the dummy?"[/color] After a few more seconds of quiet, Zoe's expression brightened and she nodded. [color=palevioletred]"Sounds good to me."[/color] [/hider] [hider=Chapter V: No Strings Attached] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4357601]Read up “Ernie and Angelique: No Strings Attached”[/url]. [/hider] [hider=Chapter VI: Popularity Talk] [center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Fb1UXSA.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/jzzw4on.jpg[/img] [h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=33ec06]Marcus[/color][/h2] [img]https://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] [hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟠𝕥𝕙 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘 / / 𝕎𝕒𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕥𝕠𝕟, 𝔻.ℂ. / / ℝ𝕠𝕪𝕒𝕝 ℙ𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕊𝕦𝕚𝕥𝕖 / / 𝟙𝟟𝟘𝟘 [/color][hr] [sub]Collab with [@Chasers115][/sub] [/center] One thing that had left an impression on Angelique yesterday was the news coverage treating her experimental unit. It was interesting, to see that not only they were demonized, but also hailed as misunderstood and mistreated kids. The interview that had thrown the internet into chaos had been Marcus'. Intrigued, Angelique had been reviewing and analyzing what others thought of Time Scar, or Marcus for the members of her classroom. She even dared looking at the footage, and he was impressive on camera indeed. After finishing lunch, Angel spotted the lonesome form of the Time Mage, wandering about after he himself had finished eating with his lunch crew. Ever since she watched the news and how the footage from her class affected the social medias, the obsidian-haired fallen idol wanted to speak to Marcus about the whole situation. [color=9e0039]"Zip Zip Boi! How are you doing today? Preparing yourself for another interview?"[/color] Angel playfully teased Marcus, wondering if he knew about the nickname the internet started giving him. Marcus, who was doing an excellent job of minding his own business, was currently wandering too and fro. He was still reeling a little bit from the spa treatment Siena had dragged him too, having been one of the fancier things he'd ever experienced. He saw Angel coming before she opened her mouth, giving her a slight wave before it was evident that she was actually approaching. With the nickname spoken though, Marcus was slightly confused. After giving Angel a puzzled look and checking behind him to make sure she wasn't talking to someone else, he paused for a moment. "[color=33ec06]Zip zip boi?[/color]" he asked, hesitantly. He knew about 'Time Scar', but this new, dumber sounding name was one he had only heard once; Emma had said it back in the limosuine, but he had passed it off as some dumb joke. Why was Angel making the same dumb joke? [color=9e0039]"O-oh? You didn't know?"[/color] Angel stiffled a laughter, apparently in a good mood. [color=9e0039]"You must not have read the news on the internet, or what people started taking a liking to the nickname on the Death and Taxes chatroom."[/color] she added, trying to regain her calmed composure. [color=9e0039]"I'll try not calling you that in front of the camera though."[/color] She chuckled again. "[color=33ec06]Oh god.[/color]" Marcus said, sighing and looking to the cieling. "[color=33ec06][i]Please[/i] tell me that one didn't actually stick. I'll be so upset.[/color]" Angel smiled whole-heartedly at Marcus' reaction [color=9e0039]"Nah... I'm just fucking around with you. Well, the nickname really does exists, but it's just to make fun of someone popular. Time Scar is actually the one that is most likely to stick with you."[/color] Angélique comforted the Arbiter's distress on a more serious note. "[color=33ec06]Well, at least that's the one that is kind of cool.[/color]" Marcus said, shaking his head and grinning. "[color=33ec06]And I'll have you know,[/color]" he added, his tone immediately becoming playfully sassy, "[color=33ec06]I didn't prepare to do the original interview. The lady literally threatened to have me disappeared at USARLIN unless we talked, and I wasn't really in the mood to risk it.[/color]" Angélique quirked up an eyebrow, curious at what just happened before the interview. [color=9e0039]"She what? A news reporter just straight up threatened you? Man, she must be either crazy or have some goddamn balls of steel." [/color] "[color=33ec06]Probably a little bit of both, in all honesty. She said 'blah blah, reputation, blah blah toss up between silencing you or the media'. And after the way I've seen Zhang handle some of this shit, I certainly didn't want to get on her bad side because I didn't talk to a reporter for five minutes. Seemed like a real dumb reason to be executed to me.[/color]" He paused here for a moment, mulling it over in his head. "[color=33ec06]But in all honesty, it probably needed to be put out there. [i]Someone[/i] needed to try and help us out in regards to the public eye.[/color]" Angel's playful look turned into something more serious as she heard Marcus speaking about the necessity of this interview. Truthfully, when Angel watched the interview and read the turmoil spreading over the social medias, the Aberration young woman felt thankful, if not prideful, to have a classmate that stood up to the interview and offered a piece of his mind. It did helped the public opinion immensely just by those few minutes of camera time. [color=9e0039]"Yeah... actually, that's what I meant to see you for."[/color] Angélique started on a solemn note. [color=9e0039]"I think what you did was pretty cool. Not only answers you gave, but also your honesty. Everyone could see how nervous you were, but they also saw what's lying behind your eyes, your intents and those words that came from the heart."[/color] Angel fidgeted with her hair, thinking she was getting sappy all of a sudden. But it was something she felt like sharing to the younger teen. [color=9e0039]"I wish I had the same resolve and courage to face those cameras.[/color] "[color=33ec06]Oh, don't think of me as some big hero - I certainly wouldn't have done it if there were literally any other option for me.[/color]" Marcus said, sighing slightly. Revealing the intents and words and things behind his eyes had been exactly what he had been worried about. There had been too much going on back there when the interview had happened. "[color=33ec06]But if you'd like, I can probably introduce you to Mari. She seems nice enough once you get past the death threats, and she'd probably be tickled pink to get another interview![/color]" Marcus said, giving Angel a small grin. [color=9e0039]"Perhaps..."[/color] Angel replied with a faint smile, tinged a bit with sadness. [color=9e0039]"It's not really about the whole 'interview ‘deal though. It's just...."[/color] she paused, searching for her words. Marcus didn't seem to know about whom she was before coming to USARILN, and even though Brent did tell her that the whole incident wasn't entirely her fault until proven otherwise, Angel still couldn't find the strength of will to admit the blunder she made back then. [color=9e0039]"Did you ever felt like you fucked up badly enough to get THAT much bad reputation, and because of it, you wouldn't want to show your face to everyone because of it?"[/color] "[color=33ec06]Me personally? I can't say I've ever experienced something like that, no.[/color]" he said, staring off into the distance while he thought about the situation. There had been times when he'd wanted to distance himself from people because of things he did, but he was honestly having a hard time remembering some point when he had any type of reputation, bad or otherwise. "[color=33ec06]That sounds like more than a hypothetical question, Angel...[/color]" Marcus said, leaving the thought hanging. [color=9e0039]"Did I? I got nothing on me! With a name like Angel, I can just be as perfect as my name implies!"[/color] the fallen idol gave a fake, exaggerated laugh. God did she suck at lying. Marcus gave her a look that clearly indicated he didn't believe her, before speaking up. "[color=33ec06]Angel. I can usually tell when people are hiding things from me, but this doesn't even feel like you're trying to hide it, and frankly I'm considering being offended that you think I'd actually believe [i]that[/i].[/color]" He crossed his arms while giving her a mischievous grin, before shrugging and adopting a more legitimate tone. "[color=33ec06]But if it's something you don't want to talk about, just say the word and I'll drop it, no questions asked.[/color]" Angel gave Marcus a disappointed look. [color=9e0039]"Crap... to be honest, I'd think you'd fall for the joke and add more to it."[/color] she sighed. She really didn't know if she should confess to Marcus about what she did in Montréal. Brent gave her all the reasons to not be ashamed of it anymore. There was still the guilt panging out at her though. And she didn't want to bother him with her own worries. [color=9e0039]"Let's just say... I've had an issue in the past."[/color] Angel confessed with a half-truth. That was the best compromise she could offer to Marcus. Accepting to tell him she did made a mess, without revealing exactly what she did. Hopefully he'd take the clue and leave it at that. "[color=33ec06]We’ve all had our issues.[/color]" Marcus said, spouting the wisdom with a striking nonchalantness. "[color=33ec06]I don't think there's a single one of us here who [i]hasn't[/i] had issues at one point or another.[/color]" He could tell that it wasn't exactly a comfortable subject for Angel, however, so he added a clarifier: "[color=33ec06]But, if it's not something you want to talk about, I'll go back to making fun of your horrendous attempt at lying to me. Last I checked, lying was a sin; not fit for angels of your caliber.[/color]" [color=9e0039]"Now I can't decide if you're praising or insulting me."[/color] Angel gave the Time Mage a faint grin to his comment, slowly assimilating the wisdom offered by Marcus. He was right. Ernest was right. Brent was right. Why is she so stubbornly holding herself back like that? She won't be able to move forward if she kept looking back and regret her part. Angélique took a deep breath, as if to assimilate whatever shred of courage the air could offer her. [color=9e0039]"Before coming to USARILN... I was a professional singer and musician. I don't know for you, but I'm still very new to this whole Mage thing. I had that dream a month ago. I've kept it a secret from my fans, my family and my band, holding concerts and jamming as if nothing happened." [/color] Angel paused, hesitating but mentally steeling herself for what was to come. Images of the visions she had, memories of the massacre that happened in Montréal, they all came rushing in as she dwell on the subject. [color=9e0039]"I tried to harness the power of my voice to impress my fans... but I fucked up, badly."[/color] By now, a small tear had managed to sneak its way away from Angel's concealed eyes. [color=9e0039]"I was told the intensity of my voice blew a speaker, sending shards of plastic showering onto the crowd. Many died; many more got permanently deafened and much more got sick from sound dizziness."[/color] The fallen idol wept the stray tear from her face, sniffing a bit. [color=9e0039]"I was sent to jail for two weeks after that, until the trial charged me guilty of 'accidental manslaughter', sentencing me to USARILN as a dangerous and unstable X-marked."[/color] Marcus stood for a moment. No words came to him - he was just slightly stunned. What do you even say about a thing like that? He put his hand up to his mouth, moving slightly towards Angel to try and reassure her. "[color=33ec06]Oh my god, Angel. I'm [i]so[/i] sorry.[/color] He wasn't exactly sure how to console her, ending up awkwardly placing his hand on her shoulder. "[color=33ec06]If it was an accident like that, though, you can't put all the blame on yourself. You had no way of knowing.[/color]" While the comfort of Marcus' hand was bringing a bit of consolation, Angel brushed it aside. Yet again, she made herself out for a weak and pathetic girl. She swore she would stop being this way, and yet there she was, brooding and shedding tears over this incident once more. Worse, she got someone worrying over her. [color=9e0039]"No, please. It's okay. I'm still trying to move past that incident. I promised myself to be strong. To not look back. But..."[/color] Angélique wiped another stray tear from her face. [color=9e0039]"It's just so hard to move on from something like this, even if Brent told me that it was unlikely that I did all that by myself."[/color] [i]Trying to move past that incident. To not look back.[/i] Maybe he and Angel weren't that different after all. "[color=33ec06]Well hey, the rest of us are here if you need us. It's...hard to move past those things without a little bit of help.[/color]" he was speaking from experience, but that wasn't exactly something he wanted to make known. Even though Angel had told him her story...he wasn't sure if he was ready to tell people his yet. [color=9e0039]"I... I know. It's just... that I've never wanted for others to hear about the worries and the pain I feel. I always wanted to be that strong person, for others to look up to and be inspired by. I know it sounds a bit arrogant, but spending so many years being an idol, a role-model even for some people, I've learnt to shoulder my responsibilities and lead by example. I wished to remain that same person, even as a Mage."[/color] Angélique confessed, deciding that she might as well pour her heart out to the young man who was willing to listen to what was plaguing her. It felt good, to open up to someone that way, even if Marcus was barely more than an acquaintance. There was just something about Marcus that made her feel at ease. This was all starting to hit a little close to home; he was doing his best to not let everyone else worry about his well-being, just trying to play it off as. If the funny, seemingly level-headed guy was starting to lose it, then what hope did everybody else have of not getting swallowed up too? He'd built up himself as being the thing that Angel had started out as; someone who could lead others, who could command respect and admiration. And yet, here they both were, fighting against the same psychological enemy. "[color=33ec06]Hey, you can't always play the leader though. You're a human being; you make mistakes, you gotta sit back and at least accept [i]that much[/i]. Don't pile everyone else's feelings on yourself before your own.[/color]" he said, the hypocrisy threatening to make him ill. Angel stood silent, giving herself some thought to Marcus' wisdom. [color=9e0039]"I... suppose you are probably right. It's just that I've spent so much time in my life trying to build a perfect reputation that I'm not used to simply being... me."[/color] While Angel was known to be a girl true to herself throughout her career, there were times the girl would have abstained herself from being too crude or breaking out into a total mess. [color=9e0039]"I'd like to say that I would quit being a leading figure, now that I have no reputation to maintain, and let others take the spot. At the very least, someone from out unit is surely a more competent leader, able to take difficult decisions and go through with it for the sake of others."[/color] [color=9e0039]"But that would be lying to myself. You just proved me with that interview that there is still a reputation I can still work on. If not for me, then it would be for the others. For the Aberrations, for Mages, for you guys."[/color] "[color=33ec06]There you go![/color] Marcus said, giving her a confident grin. "[color=33ec06]That's the kind of spirit I like to see![/color] He shifted gears, deciding to bring an end to this line of conversation. It was good to get these kinds of things off the chest, but dwelling on it too long simply brought forward a whole slew of nastiness. Plus, every word he said threatened to spill more than he wanted it to. "[color=33ec06]Now let's back this up a little bit. You said you were a professional musician? Like a rockstar? Is there Angel merchandise out there that I can hang up in my Suite back home?[/color]" he said, giving her a devilish smile. Angélique didn't expect the discussion to turn a dire turn into who she was before. Well, now that the cat got out of the bag, she might as well tell him what exactly she had been previously in her life before coming to USARILN. However, the last four words Marcus spoke strangely hit Angel like a brick. [color=9e0039]"Ah... yes. I have been singing and playing hard rock for a long time, before turning to metal a few years ago. I suppose my clothes give off that metal head impression, huh?"[/color] Angélique mused, fidgeting with her dragon earring. [color=9e0039]"You probably could have bought merch in every music store before, but I wouldn't be so sure they'd be selling anything now..."[/color] the fallen rockstar added solemnly with a hint of shame as her eyes stared at the ground. "[color=33ec06]I am going to track down an Angel bobble head, and I am going to stick it right in the windowsill when we get home.[/color]" Marcus said, chuckling at his own devious plan. It was clear that she wasn't happy with everything that had happened; probably rightly so, but he hated seeing the usually confident one down in the dumps like this. "[color=33ec06]I appreciate you trusting me enough to tell me that, by the way. I know it can't be easy.[/color]" he said, lightly scuffing the ground with his foot. A thought of his occurred, a plan of action that hadn't served to make anybody feel better yet, but which would have to work eventually. "[color=33ec06]C'mere, bring it in, rockstar.[/color]" Marcus said, opening his arm for a hug and beckoning her. Again, the word 'home' struck into Angel. Had Marcus already resigned to his old life and adopted USARILN as his new home? The raven-haired singer couldn't blame him; even she had started to grow a routine out of her current life and was actively using its facilities as if it was a familiar neighborhood. Still, there was a part of Angélique that yearned to regain the freedom she enjoyed before, and that was one part of why she had enjoyed the time spend outside the institute, even if she was yearning to return to Ground Zero and give that Stigma a good smack down in volume. The sight of Marcus' open arms was enticing to Angel. Maybe it was because she yearned for those close moments as she barely had any of those when she was younger. She was one of the friendliest people someone could meet, and yet when it came to physical contact she was one of the coldest out there. Accepting his offer, Angel stepped in and wrapped her arms around the younger boy. The warmth of his embrace did felt appeasing, combining with the kind and generous words he had been telling her from the start. [color=9e0039]"Yeah... there's something about you that just makes me feel like I could trust you with my inner demons. Perhaps it's your... joie-de-vivre? Kindness? I don't know. But still, thank you for hearing me out."[/color] "[color=33ec06]D'awww, stop that. You're gonna make me feel all tingly inside.[/color]" Marcus said, giving Angel a quick pat on the back. "[color=33ec06]And I don't speak French, so I'm just going to assume you're calling me mean names or something.[/color]" [color=9e0039]"Hmm... I totally meant 'lousy joker'. Google it up sometime."[/color] Angel chuckled as she enjoyed the hug for a few more seconds before pulling herself free from the embrace. [color=9e0039]"I guess I should go back to god knows where I was heading before seeing you."[/color] "[color=33ec06]Mmhmm, and I'm going to be [i]very[/i] offended when I look it up.[/color]" Marcus said, standing back and crossing his arms, his grin never fading. "[color=33ec06]That's fine, I've got more of this place to explore anyway.[/color]" He gave her a slightly concerned smile, saying one last thing before he moved to go. "[color=33ec06]If you ever need someone to talk to whenever you start getting hard on yourself, my door's always open. You don't even have to schedule an appointment or anything![/color]" [color=9e0039]"Heh... that's my line. Well, I suppose it won't hurt to have two open doors, right?”[/color] Angel chuckled slightly [color=9e0039]"I'll consider the offer. Might do me good to have a talk from time to time, and see if Siena is still holding up well from all of your antics."[/color] the raven-haired girl gave a the boy a teasing grin as she started to walk on the opposite direction. [color=9e0039]"By the way, Marcus."[/color] Angel called out to the young man [color=9e0039]"Stay safe out there, you hear? Washington ain't a safe place for us Mages. Best if we lay low for a while."[/color] God knows she knew that very well personally. [/hider] [h3][color=9e0039]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟡𝕥𝕙 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘[/color][/h3] [hider=Chapter VII: Wild Girls] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4360580]Collab here![/url] [/hider] [hider=Chapter VIII: Confession Of Two Girls Over A Wet Mattress] [center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Fb1UXSA.png[/img] [img]http://i68.tinypic.com/mhf02b.jpg[/img] [h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=a187be]Allison[/color][/h2] [img]https://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] [hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟡𝕥𝕙 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘 / / 𝕎𝕒𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕥𝕠𝕟, 𝔻.ℂ. / / ℝ𝕠𝕪𝕒𝕝 ℙ𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕊𝕦𝕚𝕥𝕖 / / 𝟚𝟚𝟘𝟘 [/color][hr] [sub]Collab with [@VarionusNW][/sub] [/center] After that ‘successful’ attempt at throwing a party with the class’ girls while the boys were gone, Angélique made her way clumsily back into her room. While the party was over, the smashed rockstar still had half-a-mind to keep the party going. But the others probably couldn’t handle more of her antics than what they’ve witnessed already at this time of the night. So instead, the raven-haired girl opted to do what rockstars were known for when they had a good party, throw chaos in the house. Having brought most of the empty liquor bottles with her, Angélique entered her room and lined them up on a night table. She had an idea that was going on in her mind. She wanted to emulate all those pro shooters at the range, breaking down bottles of beer from a distance to prove their marksmanship. For some reason only a drunken mind could think of, Angel had the brilliant idea of testing her own marksmanship with her ever-growing precision over her powers in the same fashion. Backing away from the night table, Angélique giggled stupidly, muttering something about ‘looking how improved she had become’. Taking a deep breath, Angel tried to focus her alcohol hazed mind and pictured her target before releasing a loud “BOOM” from her mouth. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, Angélique was too drunk to actually focus her mind to have that much precision over her voice. While the initial sonic wave was indeed concentrated, it quickly spread out by the time it reached the bottles. The suppressing cuff combined with her hoarse voice from all the drinking and talking dampened Angel’s power enough to not actually break the bottle it hit, but it send it flying into the expensive-looking mirror behind the night table. In a loud crash, the mirror shattered at the same time the other bottles fell on the ground from being shaken off violently as the night table was hit by the sonic wave with a force equivalent to someone shoving the table backwards with a light push. [color=9e0039]“Whoopz.”[/color] The drunken Aberration giggled [color=9e0039]“At leazt I did hit only one bottle.”[/color] Loud crashes broke at the door until two guards pummeled their way into the Aberration's room. Their rifles were aimed dangerously at the girl, fingers poised to squeeze the trigger at any time. The taller one, a woman with a brooding gaze, glared at Angelique. [color f7976a]"The hell is going on here?"[/color] While the situation would have been infuriating to the normally defiant Aberration, Angel was different from her usual self, party still going on in her mind. She did got startled when the door broke down behind her, but Angelique simply turned to face the two guards, seemingly unfazed by the guns pointed at her. [color=9e0039]"Oh... hello? Zorry, d-did I wake you up? Didn't mean to..."[/color] Angel let out a drunken giggle escape her lips. [color=9e0039]"Juzt tezting something."[/color] The lead guard glanced at the lines of bottles and the shattered mirror, piecing together the extent of the drunken mage's antics. The point of her rifle didn't let down. [color f7976a]"Start a nuisance like that again and we won't hesitate to taze you down. This is your last warning. Understood?"[/color] [color=9e0039]"Ma'am yez Ma'am!"[/color] Angel exaggeratedly saluted, chuckling [color=9e0039]"Gee, chillax, doods. S'not like I wanted t-to hurt anyone, ya know?"[/color] [color f7976a]"The real concern is getting yourself hurt,"[/color] the woman said as she took her leave, [color f7976a]"We better not catch you pulling this nonsense again."[/color] The door shut behind them. While the words sounded somewhat empathetic to the Aberration’s mind, she did not find the tone of the woman’s voice to be reflecting that much empathy. They surely didn’t care about her well-being, more likely concerned to bring one of their weapons back to the institute in one piece without hitch. Newsflash for those fuckers, she could not give a fuck about what they thought. She’d just do what she pleases without causing a commotion. [color=9e0039]“Yeah, right…conzern my azz.”[/color] Angélique stood silent for a bit, and then redirected her attention to the room. The smell of alcohol was intense from the broken bottles having emptied themselves what was left inside onto the floor. Glass littered all around the night table and the broken mirror. Perhaps she caused enough trouble for one night’s worth? God, she really needed to clear that drunken-addled mind of hers. Figuring she might as well clean herself up before turning in for the night, Angel went to the vast bathroom inside her luxurious suite and turned on the water. But as one thought led to another, a stupid plan blossomed in her mind. Grinning from ear to ear, the party animal returned to the bedroom. Once back inside, the singing Aberration flipped the blankets and pillows out of the bed. When the matress was clear of everything on it, Angélique pulled the mattress with all of her might. It was tough as hell to drag the queen-sized thing, but her naturally conditioned body combined with the physical training she received from Brent and USARILN mandatory training classes had made her sufficiently strong enough to move around with the hulking mattress. Eventually, she made it back into the bathroom with the mattress. While she was taking her sweet time bringing the huge thing inside, the bath was almost filled to the brim with hot water. A stupid grin plastered on the Mage’s face, she went to close the faucet before dragging the mattress to the circular bath and dumping the heavy mattress right into the bath. Unfortunately for the Aberration’s amusement, the mattress was too large for the bath, only managing to cover the whole bath’s area. Still, with the bath filled to the brim, when the mattress fell down, it made a huge splash and spilled the bath’s content all around it, wetting the bathroom’s floor severely. Fuck, and here she thought she could experience what it was like to sleep on a water-floating mattress. Well, looks like she’ll have to settle on sleeping above a water-filled bath. Angel returned to the bedroom to remove all of her clothing, simply scattering her pieces of clothes all across the room before taking the blankets and pillows and bring them to the bathroom. There, the drunken Angel threw herself on the mattress with the blankets and pillow, creating another splash from underneath the mattress and spilling more water on the floor. The bed was now uncomfortably damp, but the alcohol-induced numbness that took over Angel made the girl simply not care. Drunken sleep would claim her anyway, no matter how weird the spot she picked for sleeping was. Allison Revel stumbled into the room in a drunken stupor. Angel had left the couch at some point after Allison had accidentally dozed off, what a jerk. As well, it seemed that Angel had the nerve to cause enough commotion to wake Allison up, and alert some guards, who Allison had seen walking away from the room. Allison stared at the destruction which filled the room, glass was everywhere, it smelled like booze, and the mattress was gone. Upon closer inspection, Allison found that her friend had pulled the mattress into the bathroom, trying to sleep on top of a clearly full tub. The barefoot aberration carefully avoided the glass shards on the floor, as carefully as one could when drunk anyway, and made her way to the bathroom, where she promptly slipped and fell onto the mattress, right on top of Angelique. [color=a187be]"What're ya doin, silly?"[/color] She asked the girl beneath her. [color=a187be]"Ya got the mattress all wet, and covered the room in glass. I could've hurt myself, ya know?"[/color] She made no attempt to remove herself from her place above the tired, drunken Angel. Half-asleep, Angel was caught by surprise as she suddenly felt someone fall on top of her, causing the bed to further sink into the bath and spilling even more water onto the floor. In a haze, Angel could barely register Allison’s words, but she frowned at the possibility of hurting her best friend. [color=9e0039]“I-I’m zorry. I… waz being stupid, again.”[/color] The young woman apologized, concern clearly overtaking her slightly sobering voice. [color=9e0039]"Are you okay?"[/color] [color=a187be]"I'm perfectly fine. though..."[/color] Allison looked around the bathroom. The wet mattress reminded her of something... [color=a187be]"Ah! I never got to go swimming!"[/color] Allison exclaimed the sudden revalation, pushing herself off of Angel, and furthering the mattress's partial decent into the water. She had put on her bikini just for that reason, and she had yet to jump in the water. Plus, she was still wearing a shirt over it. Had she really not flaunted her goods the whole night? How boring. [color=a187be]"Angel, to the pool!"[/color] She struggled to stand up as she spoke, pointing awkwardly to the doorway. When Allison had found some semblance of balance on the wet bathroom floor, she added [color=a187be]"Oh, let's bring the mattress too."[/color] It was already wet, so why not? [color=9e0039]“G-Going for a late zwim… Z-zounds fun, I’m in!”[/color] Draping herself in blankets as to cover her nudity, Angel managed to return to the bedroom after much effort to not slip onto the wet floor, recovering only her underwear as her drunken mind thought it was useless to wear that much clothes for a midnight swim. After Angel was (lightly) clothed in her black and blue underwear, the duo of Aberrations struggled to bring the queen-sized mattress out of the wet bathroom. But once they managed to get it out of there, it was no problem with their combined strength to sneak it out of their suite and bring it to the penthouse’s pool, much to the guard’s disappointment as they stared at the not-so-subtle scene unfolding in front of them. While Angel tried to be sneaky, still minding the warning the guards gave her earlier, it quickly changed once she saw the guards’ disappointed looks on their face, but issuing no threat from what they were witnessing. As if to taunt them, she pulled a pierced tongue in their direction with a smug grin. Once in there, Angélique dropped the wet and heavy mattress onto the room’s floor, letting a giggle escape her mouth as she looked towards Allison [color=9e0039]“So… whaddaya have in mind?”[/color] [color=a187be]"Well,"[/color] Allison removed her shirt as she spoke, throwing it to the ground, [color=a187be]"let's see how well this thing can float, and then we'll jump on top and have some fun."[/color] A devious smile stretched across Allison's face. It was pretty obvious what Allison meant. She was quite riled up, Angel's near-nakedness was tempting, a bit too tempting for the drunken aberration to avoid. [color=a187be]"I'm not takin' no for an answer!"[/color] Allison started pushing the wet mattress into the water. Sounded fun, very fun in Angel’s mind. Finally, she’d get to see if the damn thing can float and have a water bed. Following Allison’s lead, she pushed the thing into the water. It made a disappointing splash, as the soaked mattress wasn’t designed to float on water, instead absorbing it. But forgetting all that in her drunken haze, Angel still threw herself on top of it while it still remained afloat for the few seconds it remained on the water’s surface. Her landing on the mattress gave it a final blow. Her weight combined with the water soaking into the mattress made it sunk slowly at the bottom of the pool. First, the raven-haired singer laughed, but frowned disappointedly afterwards when she noticed the thing sunk instead of remaining afloat. [color=a187be]"Awwwww!"[/color] The disappointment was palpable. It looked like there would be no lovemaking on a floating mattress that night. The dejected aberration sat down next to the pool, her legs resting in the cold water, watching Angel float in the water just above the now-sunken mattress while she tried to think of a plan B. Now the pair didn't even have a bed. [color=a187be]"I guess we could go in the jacuzzi instead then, unless you just want to swim around for a bit?"[/color] Allison sighed. Angélique floated aimlessly on her back, looking at the room's ceiling then back at Allison with a confused stare [color=9e0039]"I thought you wanted to have a swim?"[/color] Angel asked as she weaved her arms and legs in the water, moving freely around in the water as she enjoyed the cool temperature of the water surrounding her body, surprisingly sobering her up a good deal by now. [color=a187be]"I guess I did say that..."[/color] A sudden idea hit Allison. [color=a187be]"Let's make this a bit more fun."[/color] The Aberration slid into the pool, and after a moment of fumbling, tossed the two pieces of the purple bikini onto the groud near the pool. Angel quirked an eyebrow up as Allison took off her bikini and threw it away. Damn, the girl sure was being bold, was she? Guess she did wanted to feel to coolness of the water everywhere on her body, isn't she? Angélique only smiled at her sudden lack of clothing, but generally looked unfazed by this development. [color=9e0039]"Don't you fear someone will run off with it? Trust me, I know from personnal experience just how uncool it is."[/color] Angélique laighed, remembering her last naked swim just a little less than a year before. [color=a187be]"It'll be fine,"[/color] Allison assured her friend, before swimming closer to Angel. Allison couldn't tell if Angel was uninterested, or just being dense, though considering the girl's track record, Allison assumed the latter. [color=a187be]"You should do the same. It feels pretty good."[/color] For the first time during their whole encounter, Angel's face blushed, at least redder than before, contrasting on her pale light skin. [color=9e0039]"Oh... uhm... I-I know it feels good. It's just... ever since that time I don't feel quite comfortable leaving myself exposed like that."[/color] While seemingly unfazed by naked people, Angélique exhibited a different reaction concerning her own lack of clothing. She was fine with her underwear on, feeling it acted just like a bikini. But being naked was a whole other matter. [color=a187be]"Oh, come on!"[/color] Allison swam up directly behind Angel, loosely wrapping her arms around the girl, Allison's chest pushing against Angel's back. [color=a187be]"Don't be such a tease, Angel."[/color] Woah, this was becoming way closer than Angel anticipated. Was Allison finally making her move tonight? The fallen idol was at a loss of words, remembering each and every word from Allison's love song. A song she shamefully kept reading over and over again until she memorized it completely, as if she was trying to find revelations in the brunette's written words. Shit, there was no way she could get out of that embrace without fucking things up royally. She prized her relationship with Allison very dearly, but she did not know how to feel about knowing the girl loved her. "A-Al..ice. I... I do... can..." Angel's words only came out in an incoherent mess as he mind and heart were racing like they never would before. [color=a187be]"Hmm? Are you Alright, Angel?"[/color] Her words were soft, and slightly less drunken than those earlier in the night. What could he possibly answer to a question like that? Her blubbering mess just dug her grave even deeper. There really was no escape from this, isn't it? Unless... In a last ditch effort to catch Allison by surprise and actually make her move on from the subject, Angélique shuffled her hands in the water, undoing the straps of her underwear before seizing them swiftly and slinging them far away in a nervous and very tensed fashion, leaving herself naked inside the pool as well. She did not dare to look at Allison's face afterwards, her face growing redder than it ever had been. Instead, she giggled nervously as her gaze lowered to water-level. [color=9e0039]"S-See? I... I-I guess I f-feel better... now."[/color] She realized a bit too late she probably fell into Allison's trap after discarding her underwear away now. [color=a187be]"I told you that you would!"[/color] Allison pushed away from Angel, and swam around so that she was facing the girl. She swam closer to the girl, embracing her again. [color=a187be]"I have no idea what I'm doing..."[/color] Her senses were starting to come back to her. This was a bad idea. This was the point of no return. This would probably ruin their friendship forever. [color=a187be]"But I love you."[/color] There is was, the dreaded and yet welcomed words Angélique was anticipating. While her silence now may have seemed cold in face of such confession, it was rather the opposite. Angel's mind was fumbling over what she could say to answer that. Her heart raced like a thousand-horses engine. She did not know what to feel, what to think, what to answer, what to do. She wanted to remain a friend to Allison, preserve the harmony and the memories they've had so far. As a matter of fact, Allison was probably the best thing that could have happened to Angel ever since they arrived at USARILN, from the very first night. And yet, she had trouble realizing her feelings towards Allison. Was she her best friend, a soul sister, a lover? [color=9e0039]"A-Alice... I..."[/color] she paused, her mind still trying to think of the right thing to say. [color=9e0039]"I've... read that song you wrote the other day. Not the one you gave to me. The one you forgot throwing away."[/color] Angel confessed, deciding to let her heart do the talking instead of her mind. Maybe Allison would understand her feelings if she spoke so openly about her emotions, just like they had always understood each other so far. [color=9e0039]"I don't know if you left it there with the hopes I'd read it, or if it was an accident... but I've read it. Over and over again, until the words were engraved in my mind."[/color] Another pause, another sigh to let anxiety out. [color=9e0039]"I've... never felt this way towards someone before. I've never felt attracted to anyone. People started nicknaming me 'The Cold Bitch' because of that."[/color] Painful memories, disappointment towards her fans as they came up with the title. [color=9e0039]"I...I'm sorry if I seemed cold or ignoring you. It's just... I don't know..."[/color] Angel wrapped her arms around Allison in turn, hugging her tightly against her being. [color=9e0039]"Ever since we met on the first night at the institute, there was something between us. I just stood there crying, while you appeased my pain by holding me in your arms. Ever since then, I considered you more than a friend, or best friend even. I thought of you like a sister. The sister I never had..."[/color] Angel trailed off, her emotions once again clashing against each others. [color=9e0039]"B-but ever since I've read that song you left out... I got confused. I was... happy that you felt like this towards me? Genuine love like no one ever expressed to me before. But at the same time... I got scared. I'm scared that we'll lose it all. I don't want to lose you or the great memories we've made together, Allison."[/color] Tears started welling up in Angélique's eyes, signs of stress panging out in her mind. [color=9e0039]"I... I don't know how to feel about you, Alice..."[/color] Lifting her head to gaze upon Allison's face, Angel's eyes met with her friend's in a most sincere gaze. [color=9e0039]"What... do you want me to be?"[/color] Allison reeled back, though she did so without letting go of the naked girl who clung to her. Everything hit much to fast for the still-sobering to comprehend. Angel already knew about Allison's feelings... and Angel didn't feel the same way, or at least, didn't know if she did. This was the worst case scenario, or maybe it wasn't? Allison had no clue, everything was blowing up so suddenly. Why did she do this? Why did she think skinny dipping was a good idea? Why did she let herself get drunk? Why did she confess? It didn't matter anymore, it was all in the past. Allison's secret was out, and had actually been out for quite a bit. She had to be sure of her own feelings. She loved Angelique Lachance. Now that she was sure that was a fact, she had to decide what to do about the naked girl in her arms. What did she want out of Angelique, her best friend, and the girl who wasn't sure if she wanted them to be more than friends. [color=a187be]"I think it's pretty obvious what I want. I love you. I want you to love me too. You're my best friend, and the first person I could actually connect with in a long time. I don't want to lose that. Fuck, if I lost that, I don't know what I'd do."[/color] Allison stared into Angel's eyes, though they kept wanting to dart towards the water's surface. [color=a187be]"I want to be more than friends, but I can't make you love me. I can't force you into something you aren't sure of. I can't decide for you. I can't control you. If you don't know how to feel, you don't have to choose now. I can wait. We're still friends. We will always be friends, no matter what happens."[/color] Allison let out a deep sigh before continuing, [color=a187be]"You know, I never thought I would be able to love again after being sent to USARILN, but here I am..."[/color] Allison smiled, a genuine smile, not one of the drunken perverted ones that plagued her throughout the night. [color=a187be]"You are the best thing to ever happen to me, Angel. So... even if things don't work out, even if you don't feel the same way that I do, I think we could still be friends, I would be happy no matter what."[/color] Conflicted emotions took over Angélique again. But this time, it was guilt clashing against relief. She felt relieved that Allison understood her emotions and was fine with it, as sad as she looked from the revelation. She gave her the freedom to choose what would be best for their relationship, and seemed to be okay with whatever decision the fallenh rockstar idol was to make. However, Angel felt guilty for making the girl suffer like that. After hearing her love tale, it wrenched her heart to disappoint the girl that had placed so much hope in love into this pathetic and weak person that was the raven-haired Aberration. Why couldn't she properly return that love to someone who genuinely felt good around her, and vice-versa? [color=9e0039]"I...I'm sorry, Alice. I just wish... I wasn't this way."[/color] Angel pulled the girl back towards her, her lips reaching out for Allison's forehead. [color=9e0039]"I know I'm being selfish, but.." "Please, give me more time to think about it, okay?"[/color] [color=a187be]"Of course. I wouldn't want you change anyway."[/color] Allison's face flushed as Angel kissed her forehead. [color=a187be]"Take as long as you need."[/color] Allison floated silently in Angel's arms for a few more moments. The two of them were still naked in the middle of a pool, rather awkward to say the least. Allison probably had some explaining to do. She broke the embrace, as much as it pained her to do so. [color=a187be]"I should probably explain something, it's best that you know, for future reference..."[/color] It was uncomfortable to mention, but Angel already knew about Allison's feelings, she might as well know about the stigma, especially since she had read something mostly devised due to that stigma. Allison swam to the edge of the pool and grabbed her swimsuit, putting it back on before climbing out, walking to where Angel's underwear had been flung, and going back to hand them to the still-naked girl. Allison sighed, then started her explanation by pointing to the X marking her as an aberration, [color=a187be]"My stigma... it, well it makes me... really, really horny, I guess you could say? Basically, that song, and all of... this,"[/color] She said, referring to the skinny dipping and rediculous flirtation, [color=a187be]"is mostly due to that. If I haven't sated it, I can probably come off a bit strong..."[/color] She let it hang in the air for a few moments. [color=a187be]"It doesn't mean I don't actually love you, that I know for sure is all me. I'm just... well, the exact opposite of you, I guess you could say?"[/color] It was funny in a messed up way. Allison was forward and sexual, and Angel was cold and not really interested in those sorts of things. [color=a187be]"I'm sorry, that's probably a really weird way to follow a confession of love... it's just, kind of important that I get it off my chest..."[/color] Reassured by Allison's words and the sudden warmth of no longer feeling exposed, Angélique seemed to be just as receptive as ever, sitting on the edge of the pool as she listened to Allison's revelations about her stigma. Wow, it sure must be quite... inconvenient to feel that way all the time? Angel couldn't really tell. That concept was unknown to her. She never really felt in that state of mind before. Perhaps as a result of a faulty sex drive teenagers usually experiment through their younger age. But that would explain all the playful games of seduction Allison had been putting on show for a while. Still, it did not dampen her love towards her, even though most of her actions were driven by the Stigma. [color=9e0039]"It's okay. I'm... actually happy that you trust me enough to share this... darker side." [/color] As a reciprocal symbol of the current discussion, Angélique took off the leather choker hiding her X-mark she always seemed to wear no matter where she was, an even more recurring piece of clothing than her usual shades. [color=9e0039]"I've always wore shades before because of how sensitive to light my eyes are. But recently, with all the battles happening and my sunglasses end up being destroyed, I've come to realize by the way people stare into my eyes that my own Stigma is showing through them..."[/color] Angel trailed off, her tired eyes looking over Allison [color=9e0039]"Ever since I became an Mage, I've never had a good night of sleep. Every night, I'm constantly having the same nightmares. The vision that made me into an Aberration. The... massacre that happened during my last concert. They just keep replaying every night. And when I'm awake, I'm hearing voices... whispers constantly in the back of my head."[/color] It was tough to reveal the inner workings of her Stigma to someone else. She'd usually refrain from talking about it, out of concern to not worry the others. But that just showed how much she trusted Allison. She was probably the sole person she could confess such details to. [color=9e0039]"Is there anyway to sate your... urges?"[/color] [color=a187be]"Just the same way as everyone else."[/color] Angel's words stung Allison. And the brunette thought she had it bad? Allison's stigma was only a nuisance that ruined sex, Angel's was constant torment. Allison didn't comment about what her friend brought up, instead simply throwing a towel over her shoulders. Angel was a professional musician, and she had seen an entire massacre... that wasn't something Allison was going to pry into, especially if it haunted her every night. And despite Angel's words about being unable to sleep well, the two of them definitely needed rest. The problem was that their bed now sat at the bottom of the pool.[color=a187be]"I think that's enough talking for right now. You look exhausted. Let's dry off, and go to the couches or something."[/color] [color=9e0039]"Y-Yeah, you're right."[/color] After making sure they dried themselves properly, the two girls returned to their suite, getting a change of clothes for something dry and appropriate for sleeping in the penthouse's public living room. Scavenging what few blankets, pillows and cushions that were spared from Angel's drunken antics, they returned to the living room and laid down to rest on the spacious couches. [/hider] [h3][color=9e0039]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟚𝟘𝕥𝕙 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘[/color][/h3] [hider=Chapter IX: Healing Through Music] [center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Fb1UXSA.png[/img] [img] http://i67.tinypic.com/2pzxlvr.png [/img] [h2][color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=lightcoral]Lilianna[/color][/h2] [img]https://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img] [hr][color=silver]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟚𝟘𝕥𝕙 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘 / / 𝕎𝕒𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕥𝕠𝕟, 𝔻.ℂ. / / ℝ𝕠𝕪𝕒𝕝 ℙ𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕊𝕦𝕚𝕥𝕖 / / 𝟙𝟘𝟘𝟘 [/color][hr] [sub]Collab with [@Kyrisse][/sub][/center] Boring. Who knew the last day of the weekend would be oh so boring ever since Angélique was brought to USARILN. Not just today, but the past few weeks as well. Somehow, it was just as if everybody vanished or locked themselves up in their room every Sunday. It was strange that she would happen onto a lot of her classmates throughout the whole week aside Sunday. Being bored and lonely didn’t suit the Mage-turned rockstar, neither before or now. As a matter of fact, it was worse now that she had a Stigma. She didn’t want to be left alone to her own thoughts. She didn’t want to let her thoughts drift to her inner demons. Fortunately, salvation would come in the form of a familiar blonde-haired girl with golden eyes. She didn’t look very busy, so Angel walked up to her from behind in an attempt to playfully surprise her. [color=9e0039]“Boo!”[/color] Angel’s displaced voice came inches away in front of Lilianna while the raven-haired Aberration suddenly put her two hands on the other Aberration’s shoulders. [color=9e0039]“What’s up, Lilianna? How are you doing?”[/color] Lily was trying to think of something to do when a voice said 'boo.' The small teenager jumped in surprise, her eyes wide as she scanned the area for the source of the voice. Hand on her shoulders made her jump the second time. She whipped around and glared at the person behind her, ready for a pounce attack if need be. But when she saw that it was her rockstar friend, the glare turned into a grin. [color=lightcoral]"Oh, hi, Angelique. I'm...uh... fine. Just surprised,"[/color] she grinned. She really had to get used to how the girl's power worked. Unless she wanted to keep getting surprised. She threw back the question. [color=lightcoral]"How are you?"[/color] [color=9e0039]"I'm doing good, considering how wrecked I was this morning after the party we threw."[/color] Angélique answered back, offering the girl a mischievous but heartily grin after laughing off the surprise on Lilianna's face. [color=9e0039]"Hey, are you busy? I thought we could hang out, find something interesting to do to shake off that boredom that seems to be taking hold of Sundays."[/color] [color=lightcoral]"No, not busy at all. I was actually trying to decide what to do today... It's nice being in a place like this but it can get borning too. I mean, not that USARILN is a fun place but at least there's a library and a pool and places to go,"[/color] Lily said. When she thought about it, She really did miss the school, It really was her home now. [color=lightcoral]"Maybe you can let me hear you play?"[/color] she suggested. [color=lightcoral]"I guess you were one of the people making music the day we got here, right? I would have joined to listen but..."[/color] a sheepish smile appeared on her lips. [color=lightcoral]"Sophia and I got hungry and just headed straight to the buffet."[/color] [color=9e0039]"Oh. Certainly. I wasn't the one playing, but I can handle myself on the piano."[/color] Angelique answered, leading Lilianna to the music room. Once inside, she took out a booklet or two and began looking over the melodies they offered. There were a few good classics, while there were also a lot of complex ones. Angel opted for the classics her teacher had taught her. Simple melodies, but beautiful to the ear nonetheless. Angel sat on the bench and gave Lily a smile before turning to the piano, her fingers started dancing on the massive instrument to the rhythm of Mozart, Bach and Beethoven. Lily peered over Angelique's shoulder as her fingers moved on the piano keys. [color=lightcoral]"Wow..."[/color] she commented reverently. [color=lightcoral]"I don't think I know anyone who plays like you do,"[/color] she commented, a relaxed smile on her lips. [color=lightcoral]"I bet it would be nice if my brother was here. He's good with the guitar,"[/color] she added, not really realizing that she remembered something from her past. [color=9e0039]"Guitar is my favorite. I have one back at the institute. I often play it during the evening to relax and occupy my mind."[/color] Angel replied, barely registering that Lilianna just said something about her past that was presumably forgotten. It wasn't the first time it happened. It had occurred at the hospital too, exactly when Angel had spoken to her about being a musician. Maybe music triggered her memories? Taking mental note of what her golden-haired friend just said, Angelique decided to prod a bit further, see if she could get selective memories out if asked passively. [color=9e0039]"So I'm not the only musician you know of, huh? Was he playing in a band?"[/color] Angel asked as she flipped a page to continue playing the undergoing song. Distracted by the music, Lily automatically responded. [color=lightcoral]"He used to have friends over who would play with him. But when he got his mark... I supposed Regulars really don't like Aberrations,"[/color] she said, looking back from Angel's hands to the sheet music and trying to figure out which part she was playing. [color=lightcoral]"I think if I were to choose, maybe I'd play the flute. Maybe. Or the violin? It must be so nice creating music."[/color] Incredibly, it worked. Hearing Lilianna speaking, it was just as if she had suffered no memory loss. And to think that her own brother was an X-marked as well. Truly, there was a saying that went along the lines of [color=9e0039]"Music is therapeutic."[/color] and Angel could start believing it did not only heal the soul of broken men. [color=9e0039]"Composing music is hard work, but it definitively pays off. I always took great pride whenever I was finished and hearing over what I created."[/color] Angel said, nostalgic as her hands slowly danced on the keys, reaching a slow-paced part. [color=9e0039]"I wish I had friends playing music too back then. I got stuck with strangers that I didn't really appreciate when I began working for producers."[/color] [color=9e0039]"What kind of music was your brother playing with his friends?"[/color] Angel continued experimenting on Lily's memories, to see if she could get something interesting out of them. [color=lightcoral]"Maybe you should ask our classmates to form a band or something. And we could have concerts in USARILN,"[/color] Lily spoke excitedly as though they really were in a normal school and doing normal teenager stuff. Her head moved left to right, still following the movement of Angel's hands. [color=lightcoral]"Oh, he played all sorts of music, he composes too and let's me be the first to hear it. He really played well."[/color] [color=9e0039]"Perhaps... that's something we could do, in the future. For now, I think I'll stick to playing solo in my room."[/color] Angel mused, still feeling a bit uneasy about going full-blown on her musician past. But with all the others playing music and Lily appreciating what she was playing, it brought Angel's old passion slowly back to life. [color=9e0039]"Your brother sounds like someone fantastic. Who knows, perhaps I know of him, if you say he was talented. What was his name?"[/color] [color=lightcoral]"Maybe I should try playing too. It looks really fun...and...'[/color] Lily paused. [color=lightcoral]"Whose name?"[/color] she asked, confusion on her face. [color=9e0039]"Your brother's?"[/color] And the string of memory was broken as Lily focused on Angelique's question instead of the music. [color=lightcoral]"I have a brother? You know him?"[/color] she asked, golden eyes wide. Angel's hands stopped, her focus now directed to Lilianna. The way she couldn't recall things directly was creepy. It seemed as if only in certain situations, music for example, triggered latent memories. The fact she suddenly forgot about everything she had just told her made it really weird. [color=9e0039]"You... really don't remember? We were talking about him just now. How good of a musician he was. That he composed all kinds of music and let you hear them first. You even said he was an Aberration, just like you and I."[/color] Lily stared at Angelique, her mind scrambling to remember exactly what she's been talking about. She remembered the music and vaguely chatting about musicians. But a brother? Did she actually remember something and unconsciously narrated it? She furrowed her brow, trying to piece things together. Maybe that blonde boy she's been seeing once in a while in her head was the brother Angelique was talking about. Could it be possible? [color=lightcoral]"No... everything's a blur. Except for the music. But if I said it then it must be true..."[/color] she said slowly. There was no other explanations for it. [color=lightcoral]"I'm trying to remember but every time I try, there's just that wall that always seem to be blocking the way...But... how did you do it? How did you make me remember?"[/color] she asked. [color=lightcoral][i]A brother. I have a brother?[/i][/color] [color=lightcoral]"An Aberration brother that composes music..."[/color] she repeated her words. [color=9e0039]"A wall?" [/color] Now that sounded like something that sort of made sense, as unbelievable as it was. Could it be someone, or something, was preventing Lilianna from remembering her past? There were so many movies and stories of characters that had their memories erased; Angel thought maybe Lily's story could be one of those. It seemed like the only logical explanation to the raven-haired Aberration why the blonde girl could not actively remember by herself but would gain insight unconsciously. Was USARILN behind that, or was it genuine memory loss? The whole situation made Angélique curious. It was definitively a case the Aberration singer was willing to look further into. [color=9e0039]"I'm no psychologist, but I saw a pattern in your flashes of memory. Whenever we speak, they always happen right when we start talking about music. And if you say there's something blocking your memories whenever you think about it, then I'm assuming you get those flashes unconsciously. Maybe when you are not focusing into actively remembering?"[/color] Angel explained the mental notes she was taking since earlier. [color=9e0039]"Whatever's in your past, I believe music is a large part of it."[/color] [color=lightcoral]"Probably..."[/color] Lily looked thoughtful and at the same time a little hopeful that she hadn't completely lost her memories after all. She was just having trouble remembering them. But if her subconscious still remembers then that means that she'd eventually be able to remember as well... [color=lightcoral]"It makes sense... Maybe I played an instrument before too?"[/color] she asked, looking around the room and its meager collection of instrument. [color=9e0039]"Perhaps. You said that you would like to play flute or violin earlier. Perhaps those were instruments you used to play back then?"[/color] Angel voiced the possibility, getting up from the piano's bench to grab one of the two violins not far away. [color=9e0039]"How about you try playing it? Doesn't matter if you don't know how to play it now. Just get the feel of the instrument. Maybe it will jog your memory. If we're lucky, you might even reveal yourself to have been a violin prodigy in the past."[/color] the musician young woman added as she handed the fancy instrument along with its bow to Lilianna. Lily looked at the instrument being handed to her, a skeptical look on her face. Did she play the violin? Can she remember playing it if she did? She reached out and took the violin and the bow from Angelique. She didn't exactly know if she was holding the instrument correctly but she places it on her left collarbone and rested the left side of her jaw on the chin rest. She gently rounded her left wrist and then placed the bow on the strings. For a second, she wondered what she would play or if she even knew any pieces to play. She thought of how Angelique played the piano minutes earlier and focused on that. Her fingers and the bow moved slowly at first. A tentative sound. And then she began playing the exact same melody her friend had just played. [i][color=9e0039]Wow, so Lily was indeed a musician prior to losing her memories.[/color][/i] A soft smile appeared on the young woman's lips as she returned to the piano's seat, letting Lilianna's melody guide her fingers on the large instrument's keys. Together they played the same song in near-perfect synchronized duet. Music filled the room with the sounds of violin and piano for a while. Angel did not stop Lily, for she wanted to know if she could remember anything else while playing. She simply was satisfied as she followed her blonde friend's lead. There were no notes or music sheets in Lily's mind. She merely focused on what she had heard earlier and replicated it on the instrument she was holding. It seemed natural, almost automatic. The smooth glide of the bow, the positioning of her fingers and the melody that came from it. And with the melody came a single clear memory. A boy with short blonde hair the same shade as hers and golden eyes that sparkled with mischief. While Lily was short, he was tall and towered over her. He was handing her a sheet music but she remembered shaking her head. [color=lightcoral][i]"Just play it and I'll listen to it,"[/i][/color] The music aburptly stopped and the X-marked blonde looked at Angelique, a mixture of wonder, surprise and gratitude in her eyes. [color=lightcoral]"Sebastian. His name was Sebastian,"[/color] she announced triumphantly. [/hider] [hider=Chapter X: Mutual Understanding] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4358945]Read up “Emma and Angélique: Mutual Understanding”.[/url] [/hider]