[center][img] https://i.imgur.com/JVaQhut.jpg [/img]
(Katya header when I make it)[/center]

"Hope you have a nice day!" Luca gave a slight wave to the young girl who ran out of the small shop he worked in, ignoring the disapproving glances from her parents. He was used to that by now. Many people distrusted the bread and cakes made by human hands, rather than manufactured by robots.

Having worked and help run this place for four years Luca could safely say they made the best baked goods. Most didn't understand it but bread made by hand, fresh out of the oven and nurtured, was just better than the carbon copies robots made. It was the enticing smell of this very shop as he had passed it in his last few years of school that had made him consider it as a career. He enjoyed it well enough if he made himself focus entirely on it. Wasn't exactly lucrative, though. He couldn't even afford his own apartment and had to live with his older brother (his parents wouldn't have him). 

"You can take your break now, Luca," his co-worker, Kieran, walked out to the store front. With the power to manipulate the more useless element of Scandium and being a bit of the odd person the man had decided to be a baker instead of having to find a niche job. It suited Luca to work here.

"Sure thing, boss," Luca gave a slight smile, wiping his hands on his apron as he headed to the back. On his way to the smaller room he checked on the in progress dough just to make sure it was proving properly. With no visible problems he made his way into the break room, humming merrily to himself. Today was a good day. They'd gotten a few customers and he'd finally figured out how to make some fancy bread he'd only seen pictures of before. The new product would be sold from the next week - a very exciting prospect! And he'd only gained a few odd looks when he had been jogging to work. It was looking to be a nice day indeed. For once he could ignore the fact that he was a societal reject.

Not one to sit still, Luca hopped up and went to stretch on the floor. He had always enjoyed exercise - it gave him a great way to channel his near boundless energy. He knew his parents had never particularly approved but, as his brother put it, he was less of a pain and less annoying when he was tired. 

So caught up in what he was doing he didn't even notice someone entering before he blacked out.

[hr]

It had been a slow day for Katya, mostly comprising of reading in her flat. With the job she had she was often left with nothing to do during the day and would only be out in the evenings. It wasn’t something that she liked or enjoyed in any way. Not that she expected to find enjoyment in life. Her chance at that was as non-existent as her ability. She kept herself fit and had always loved dancing, but it wasn’t making her any money.

And there was only so long she could put up with old men trying to touch her while she was performing in bars. 

Sighing softly Katya got up from the chair she was sitting in. May as well go for a walk, what with nothing else to do. Some fresh air might do her some good and clear her thoughts. Making up her mind she grabbed a coat and headed out.

She hadn’t gotten far when someone grabbed her arm, pulling her around a corner and injecting her with something that made her pass out.

[hr]

When Luca came to in an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar people, he couldn't help but look around with a certain amount of fear. Why on earth was he here? Why would anyone want to kidnap him? He doubted it was for his baking abilities. Most people didn't kidnap to get some free bread. He couldn't think of any other qualities he had.

There was something appealing about the room they were in; bright and colourful it was so unlike the drab homes he was used to. He liked it. The colours were energetic and that suited him just fine. Then the woman, dressed in clothes as wonderful as their surroundings, started to move rocks as if it was an everyday occurrence. Luca's jaw dropped as his mouth formed a small o shape. Real rocks were another new thing - nevermind controlled by someone. He took the water gratefully and chugged it with the arms he could just now move, sluggish from being drugged.

[i]Gardenia, huh, that's a nice name,[/i] the dark haired boy mused as she introduced herself and he tried to keep up with the conversation. He didn't get all of it but his mouth only furthered widened, along with his eyes, as he listened. 

He could control air. Not only that, but also plants! He had not one power, but two. It wasn't a normal one but something more exciting. Imagine what he could do with it! The thought of being able to fly appealed to him. He'd always liked climbing and high places, there was a certain thrill to them. Now he had a power to enhance that.

He barely heard one person, a glasses wearing male, agree to join and another. 

"I can't wait to start! Getting to unlock the shards and try out the powers would be nice... you have a really nice theatre here, I really want to try some of your trapeze bars. I really love sport and acrobatics, also climbing, so they look perfect," Luca started rambling animatedly, eyes lit up with excitement. "This is all so exciting. Though dinner will also be good, I can understand wanting to wait until that. Don't want anyone to pass out on an empty stomach. How do you make your dinner? Do you do it yourself. I don't imagine you have any robots around here... I was a baker so I can help with making bread and pastries and cakes! They're pretty good and fun to make. I wonder if I can-"

Luca cut himself off, realising that he had just been talking whatever came into his mind in front of five others who were essentially strangers. He hoped that they would become friendly with each other if they worked together but that was a big step. Most people didn't like to just listen to someone talking about themselves.

"Uh, sorry, I got carried away," Luca sat down, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. "What I meant to say is that I'll take part."

Katya, on the other hand, didn’t seem quite so impressed. She had listened through what Gardenia was saying with a raised eyebrow, then what the two other victims said. While it was appealing, she had always wanted a job on the stage, she wasn’t in a rush to just believe some stranger. She was too cynical for that. 

“I’m sorry, but why should we trust you?” Katya folded her arms, eyes fixed on Gardenia. “As much as it sounds fantastic to be part of something how can I know you’re telling the truth.” She narrowed her eyes. “And if you are, does that not mean this shard thing is the reason we never had normal abilities in the first place?”

If she joined then she could dance – properly, unlike the kind she was doing just now. But controlling fire did not sound like the safest thing. Not to mention that it was the shard for that which had caused her life to be so miserable up until now.