[hr][hr] [centre][h1][color=DimGray]Jayla Blaze[/color], [color=FF0049]Ky’ vie Jones[/color] and [color=firebrick]Kalinda Roth[/color][/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/wlunYPS.gif[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/NCYpfpd.gif[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/T7ZCWVP.gif[/img] [b]Location:[/b] The Courtyard; The Academy. [sup][b]Interacting With:[/b] Each other, and [color=C85E7D]Simon Jones[/color] .[/sup][/centre] [hr][hr] Kalinda bit her lip as someone approached Ky’ vie, sighing softly to herself. She glanced about, deciding that she ought to just slip away, and yet she thought that that might bring more attention to herself. Which wasn’t what she wanted- she didn’t want to feel people’s emotions and know who they belonged too… it was hard being in any sort of social situation, but the closer she was to people the worse it was. It hadn’t been too bad to deal with the baby and Ky’ vie, but she knew it would get worse if more people joined. Did she want to be known as a social pariah? Isn’t that why she came here, to learn and let her live a somewhat normal life? She still hesitated as the new girl approached Ky’ vie, shuffling her feet slightly. She realized she couldn’t leave anyway, she still held one of Ky’ vie’s bags. Nevertheless, she tried to hide a bit behind Ky’ vie. [color=firebrick]”A friend?”[/color] [color=FF0049]“..Jayla…”[/color] Having turned towards the voice, her bright red lips parting slightly from one another in simple surprise, Ky’ vie stared almost dumbfoundedly at the woman she never thought she would be seeing again in a million years. What was she even doing here..? [color=FF0049]“..bloody hell; I never thought-... W-What are you doing here..?”[/color] A smile spreading out over her lips, her body relaxing further now with the knowledge she knew someone else (other than Kalinda) at the academy, Ky stepped forward, her hand breaking away from around her son so that she could reach out, motioning towards the woman in question as she allowed her eyes to roam clearly up and down her figure, [color=FF0049]“..damn, I’ve missed you... Ya lookin’ great; how the hell have you been..?”[/color] [color=dimgray]"I'd imagine that I'm probably here for the same kind of reason you are... more or less..."[/color] Jayla replied, sounding a bit reserved in her tone and her eyes still on the child Ky' vie shifted around in her arms a bit. She had known Ky' vie from before... or at least she thought she did. Not once did she have any reason to believe that there was more to her than... well just a normal girl who liked to street-race, swear and do body shots. So many body shots. Kalinda stood there, feeling more than a little awkward as the two talked. She once more thought about leaving, but that would be rude. And she didn’t want to be rude. Hesitating she clasped her hands, twisting her fingers slightly as she tried to figure out what to do. She opted for staying quiet, at least for the moment. Ky’ vie had a right to greet an old friend, and Kalinda envied her that. [color=FF0049]“..yeah; I’d say so…”[/color] The smile lingering over her lips, taking a moment to relish in the thought of having Jayla back in her life, Ky eventually shook out of it, her eyes following her friends gaze down to the sleeping child still curled up in her arms, [color=FF0049]“..o-oh… God, yeah, uhm…”[/color] Introductions were seriously in order. How the hell had she managed to forget something like that..? Guess it was just easy to lose yourself when your past came back to haunt you. Lifting her attention a little higher, her eyes moving to the other woman who had fallen silent, Ky gave them both a rather sheepish smile, using her free hand to motion between the two women as she spoke, eventually bringing her hand back to her son, [color=FF0049]“..Kalinda, this is my mate Jayla… Jayla, this is Kali- this sheila’s a lifesaver; dunno how I woulda managed without her help this morning, honestly… and, uhm… and this is my son… Simon…”[/color] Son? The prior introduction went in one ear and out the other after the startling revelation. Ky' vie had a kid? Jayla blinked, her mind trying to process the strange fact. She didn't have the kid before when she visited Australia with her father, did she? The memories were a bit fuzzy - admittedly she tried to forget them as quickly as possible once she returned to the states. Why waste time on happy thoughts when it was a for-sure thing they couldn't happen again? At least, that's what she thought until now. It was clear that there was a lot about Ky' vie that she didn't know, the fact that she was even here said that loud and clear. And for some reason that stung Jayla a bit. [color=dimgray]"Wow. Um... how did-?"[/color] Did she seriously just ask without asking on how it happened? Well she knew [i]how[/i] it happened... but... why? And then it hit her. Ky' vie had a dick of a boyfriend that she had mentioned a few times while they had been running together - even saw the wreckage second-hand after one of his temper tantrums. She never met the guy... and she didn't want to. But... judging by how old the kid looked... the timing might have just been right. [color=dimgray]"Ky..."[/color] She didn’t need to hear more… she already knew what Jayla was asking. Hesitant, shifting slightly over being put on the spot, Ky’ vie dropped her head, her smile fading; features showing her shame over the matter as she nodded, the action light as she confirmed what she knew the woman already assumed, [color=FF0049]“..yeah…”[/color] [color=dimgray]"So... you back with him, then?"[/color] Jayla asked, obviously struggling with trying to put any enthusiasm into her voice. [color=FF0049]“..not since I told him I was pregnant… about two and a half years ago…”[/color] [color=dimgray]”Ah.”[/color] The fucking bastard. [i][color=dimgray]No… don’t get angry. Not here…[/color][/i] Kalinda shied away from the emotions from both girls, grimacing slightly. She knew she had to get use to it, but… she didn’t particularly enjoy it. At the spark of anger, she flinched, her own hands curling into fists- whether because of the anger or to try and remain in control, she wasn’t too sure. She let out a somewhat shaky breath, before clearing her throat, [color=firebrick]”Sorry… I didn’t mean to interrupt… “[/color] Her attention drawn back to Kalinda for a moment, her body once more shifting, Ky’ vie cleared her own throat, her hand lifting to gently brush a few stray strands of hair from her face, [color=FF0049]“..no… no, don’t be... I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to put a damper the mood like that…”[/color] A small whimper came from Simon, a very tired and fussy sound that indicated that he would soon be waking on not very pleasant terms. His hand bunched up the leather of Ky' vie’s jacket, his head turning from one side to the other as he fought waking up. But sleep lost, and Simon began to cry. As the boy began to fuss, Kalinda turned away slightly as if that could stop the influx of emotions from the toddler. She had hoped that he would stay asleep… but that hadn’t happened, and now the rather potent emotions washed over her. With horror, she could feel tears pricking her own eyes, and she hurriedly sought for something that she could do. [color=firebrick]”um… “[/color] She didn’t think she could do anything, not without risking harm to the boy. It was a practiced movement- instinctual. A loving expression taking over her features, her eyes softening, quashing any sign of awkwardness from moments before, Ky’ vie lifted a hand from his body, holding it in front of them both, giving him the chance to watch as she curled her fingers slightly; a gentle spark passing between them before her hand caught ablaze, the flames dancing about for a few moments until eventually, they began to change in shape, taking on the form of several kangaroo’s. [color=FF0049]“..shh… shh, it’s okay… mummy is here…”[/color] Lips pressing gently against the crown of his head, her body bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet as she rocked soothingly back and forth, Ky turned her focus to the fire in her hand, her fingers moving like the strings on a puppet as she caused the small animals to move about over her palm. Lifting his head, hearing his mother's soothing voice, Simon's whimpering slowed. His big, blue eyes focused on her face, head tilting slightly though keeping it pressed against her chest as much as he could when his attention was then drawn to the fire kangaroos. He put the tip of his finger into his mouth, not really doing anything with it, and watched, sniffling. Jayla's eyes were also focused on the flames. Fire. Ky' vie could control fire. She knew that she had to have some kind of ability to be here, but she wasn't exactly thinking along the same lines of one of her abilities. [color=C85E7D]"Owce cweme?"[/color] the small boy asked after a few moments, tilting his head back as far as his big head would allow so that he was looking back up at his mother. As the child seemed soothed by Ky’ vie’s actions, Kalinda let out a slow breath, relieved. She still stayed where she was, and didn’t make an effort to move away, watching the scene. As the boy seemed to ask something, Kalinda hesitated once more. Would the boy become emotional again, if he didn’t get what he wanted? [color=firebrick]”Is he okay?”[/color] Nodding her head in response, her answer directed towards Kalinda even though she never once removed her gaze from her son, Ky smiled softly, the kangaroo's still hopping lightly about in her palm as she spoke, [color=FF0049]“..no ice-cream; we don’t have any, sweetie. But I will let you have a bikkie. Do you want a bikkie..?”[/color] Sniffling, Simon sat up a bit in his mother's arms, his hands pulled into his chest where he could fidget with the tips of his fingers as he looked to the strangers he seemed to just realize were there. His lower lip was sticking out, quivering, the boy right on the verge of bursting into tears at the tiniest of things and rammed his head back into the nape of his mother's neck, turning his back to them and wrapping his little arms around Ky' vie's neck tightly. Then... he nodded. She tried not to focus on the boy, but she just couldn’t help it. With no control over what she could and couldn’t feel, Kalinda sought something to take her attention away from it, hoping it would help [color=firebrick]”Which bag are they in?”[/color] she asked softly, clasping her hands in front of her. [color=FF0049]“..the batman bag.”[/color] Nodding, Kalinda sought the right bag, shuffling through the accumulation of child things, brushing aside toys, colouring books and crayons before retrieving the cookies, figuring that that was the only thing that could be what Simon wanted, standing up to hold them out for Ky’ vie, pausing a moment as she realized the other girl had her hands full with the child and her flames. She opened the zip-lock bag, taking out one of the cookies out, sure it was one that she hadn’t seen before, holding it out for the boy. Seeing one of the strangers handing him one of his favorite treats, Simon tentatively let go of his mother to reach out for the biscuit, taking it from the woman and attempted to shove the entire thing into his mouth. As Simon took the cookie, Kalinda let her hand fall back to her side, brushing the crumbs absently from her gloved fingers. She gave him a smile, before she retrieved the bags she’d set down, putting them over one shoulder once more. Mouthing an appreciative [color=FF0049]“..thank you…”[/color] to Kalinda, her attention turning back down to the boy in her arms, Ky lightly bounced him in her arms, [color=FF0049]“..slow down… you don’t have to eat it all at once, sweetie…”[/color] As the child seemed sated, Kalinda shifted, feeling a little awkward. She had stuck around to be social, but how did one be social? Watching both girls, and the child that seemed intent on inhaling the cookie, It was clear that they knew each other, even if it seemed like they hadn’t seen each other in a few years. It made her feel a little intimidated even as she recognized she’d have to start from scratch with everyone here at the school. She swallowed, [color=firebrick]”Uh… so, um…. What do we do now?’[/color] that seemed like such a stupid question, and she shook her head at herself, [color=firebrick]”Uh. I mean… What classes are you guys thinking of taking?”[/color] [color=dimgray]”I…”[/color] Jayla tore her gaze away from the child she still couldn’t fathom existing to look at the young woman talking with them before shifting a glance over to Ky’ vie. [color=dimgray]”...I’m not really sure I’m even sticking around that long yet.”[/color] [color=FF0049]“..you’re not staying..?”[/color] Turning her head, her gaze locking with her friends, Ky’ vie felt her heart sink slightly. It had been years since she’d seen Jayla; and for a moment, the thought of being able to have one of her closest friends back in her life again-... She should have known better than to get her hopes up… [color=dimgray]"I.. don't really know. I mean... my dad kind of just, dropped me off here without listening to what I had to say about it. He needs me right now and..."[/color] At this point, Ky' vie was literally the only thing holding her back. But... things would just be even more complicated with a kid in the mix, wouldn't it? [color=dimgray]"He's afraid I'll fuck something up... so he got me out of the way..."[/color] [color=FF0049]“..still doesn’t think you can handle helping with his gigs..?”[/color] A flicker of understanding crossing over her features, Ky nodded her head. Johnny was… a strange one in her eyes. He was a great father from what she could see; and well, she couldn’t deny that she felt a slight tinge of jealousy towards Jayla for it, but it was clear that while he was there for her, he never really took the time to actually [i]listen[/i] to what she wanted, [color=FF0049]“..I don’t get why he won’t let you; I’ve seen your skills, you’re a bloody legend on the roads…”[/color] Jayla shifted awkwardly. Even now, fully-knowing that Ky’ vie had some kind of “super” thing about herself, she still didn’t exactly want to open up about the Ghost Rider bit. [color=darkgray]”...something like that, yeah.”[/color] [color=FF0049]“..ah… so things haven’t really changed then…”[/color] Unable to hide the flicker of disappointment that crossed her eyes, disappearing as quickly as it came, Ky forced her lips to turn up in a small smile, [color=FF0049]“..well, if you go… I mean, it would suck; but… I understand. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do…”[/color] Kalinda listened to the two girls talk, unable to help but put emotions to the words as she felt them. She couldn’t help but feel like there was, almost, an underlying conversation just in the emotions alone. As she tried to sort it all out in her head, and actually say something, her mind latched onto something and before she could think on it too much, Kalinda said softly [color=firebrick]”But… why would your father drop you off here? Do… Do you have abilities?’[/color] it seemed like such a personal question, but it also didn’t seem like one, given where they were. [color=dimgray]”Sometimes…”[/color] Jayla responded to the young woman vaguely. [color=dimgray]”It’s… complicated.”[/color] Feeling like she was doing poorly with this social thing, Kalinda hesitated before nodding. [color=firebrick]”I see… “[/color] She tried to think if she could say something else, mulling it over for a few seconds, [color=firebrick]”Maybe he’ll come back when it’s not so… complicated.”[/color] Jayla laughed albeit dryly and shook her head. God what she would do to have a normal life again. [color=dimgray]”Then I’m here for the rest of eternity, it seems.”[/color] [color=FF0049]“..her dad’s rather… overprotective…”[/color] The flames dying in her palm, her hand returning back to her son, Ky’s smile faded slightly, her gaze flicking over to Kalinda for a minute before she brought it back to Simon, her touch gentle as she lightly wiped the tears away from his little cheeks. [color=dimgray]”’Controlling” is the better word for it.”[/color] [color=FF0049]“..[i]attentive[/i]…”[/color] [color=firebrick]”Well… then… “[/color] Kalinda thought on the words, a little trepidatious. Eternity? Was that even an option? She shook her head, then shrugged, [color=firebrick]”Isn’t attentive just another way of saying controlling without actually saying it? You can be attentive to detail, but when it comes to people… it can be controlling… “[/color] She trailed off before she could ramble on, pausing a moment to make sure she wasn’t going to do so, [color=firebrick]”Sorry… Kind of why I’m here, my mother is… attentive… “[/color] [color=dimgray]”He’s just special… and I’ll leave it at that.”[/color] Jayla wasn’t even sure if this was arguing or not. Her social game needed some serious work. But that meant practicing interaction and… Jayla very much appreciated her own little fortress of solitude that was her bedroom. [color=firebrick]”Fair enough.”[/color] Kalinda looked down at her clasped hands, trying to think of anything else she could say. She couldn’t even blame her hiatus from people for her lack of social skills. [color=firebrick]”Well… You can stay, and if it doesn’t work, you can leave. Not like they are going to force us all to stay here against our will.”[/color] [color=dimgray]”I know…”[/color] Her jaw clenched as she turned her head to look back towards where she had parked her car, and then to her bags and Mephisto's cage where she had left it before spotting Ky’ vie. No one was keeping her here but herself - she had already come to terms with that before getting sidetracked. After a soft silence, Jayla turned to look back at Ky’ vie, lifting her hand to rub the back of her neck, the action causing her already small frame to look even thinner than before. [color=dimgray]”What did [i]you[/i] come here for, exactly?”[/color] [color=FF0049]“..a second chance…”[/color] Hand falling back down from her son’s face, her gaze tearing away from him to instead once more meet with her friend, Ky’ vie sighed softly, thinking over her situation before starting to explain, [color=FF0049]“..when I had Simon… I dropped out of high school to raise him… started working full time at the garage; and everything I earn from racing go straight to helping make ends meet. When mister Stark reached out to me, inviting me to the academy… it was a chance at being able to provide him with a better life than what we had… sold a few bikes… a car or two... packed everything up, and took a chance… just hope it pays off…”[/color] Jayla nodded, understanding. If, for some unknown and highly unrealistic reason, she was in Ky’ vie’s shoes, she probably would have done the same thing. [color=dimgray]”They got a little babysitters club here for him?”[/color] she asked, curious as to how Ky’ vie could continue her schooling while watching Simon at the same time. [color=FF0049]“..I’d assume so… would mister Stark really send me an invitation if he wasn’t aware of my situation, as well as my, uh… unique skills..?”[/color] Shifting slightly, clearly now worried by what she had brought up, Ky’ vie glanced down at Simon, unsure now if this had been the right choice for them. Kalinda stayed silent in the conversation, watching both girls. She hesitated on speaking, before saying [color=firebrick]”He might be aware, but would he have told anyone else? He seems the type to thrive on that sort of thing.”[/color] She said, shrugging [color=firebrick]”But they seem very accommodating here.”[/color] Jayla shrugged her bony shoulders. She wouldn’t know. A sharp announcement overhead cut through the crowded and noisy students, the female voice seeming to come from everywhere. [color=darkgreen]”Will students please gather in the main courtyard. Headmaster Wayne has some important messages to deliver.”[/color] Looking up at and around where Jayla thought the sound was coming from (though not seeing any speakers anywhere), Jayla eventually looked back to Ky’ vie, stuffing her hands into her pockets. [color=dimgray]”Looks like that’s your cue…”[/color] [color=FF0049]“..I guess…”[/color] Gaze flicking about the area for a moment, Ky’ vie brought her attention back to Jayla as she spoke. She wasn’t staying… once again, she was losing someone she cared about- but in this case… it was the second time she’d lost her. And she knew from their past experiences that there was usually no changing Jayla’s mind once she had made it. She was stubborn… it was just one of the reason’s she loved her. Hesitating, though making her choice, she crouched down, placing her son back on his feet before she stood back up, closing the gap as she lifted her arms, wrapping them tightly around the back of her friends neck in a long overdue hug, [color=FF0049]“..wish you could stay, but… I get why you can’t… guess I’ll see ya ‘round…”[/color] Fixing the strap of the bags on her shoulder as she pulled back, her hand reaching out to take a gentle hold of Simon’s; Ky’ vie gave it a gentle squeeze before she began to lead him away and further into the courtyard, giving the girl a small and slightly sad smile from over her shoulder before she turned her attention to Kalinda, and then, eventually brought it back down to the boy at her side, [color=FF0049]“..come on, Simon… time for us to go…”[/color] Kalinda made sure she had everything, before she followed after Ky’ vie and Simon, towards the growing crowd of students and wondering if she’d regret it. Swallowing her words of goodbye for the second time, all Jayla could do was nod. Hesitant, she finally willed herself to turn around and walk the short distance back to her things where she picked up her bag and cage and headed back towards her car.