[center][h1]Mathew Frakes & Daniela Steele[/h1][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/f71c5398-0c94-424f-9c80-522516f974a1.jpg[/img][/center][hr][center][h2]Location: Ashford Istitute Grounds[/h2][/center][hr][center][h3]Interactions & Mentions: [@chev][@Brioko Jobe][/h3][/center][hr][hr]



[hider=New Friends]
Daniela walked out of her new Dorm room with a faint smile on her face. It had been a while since she had a room and she was happy to have one now, even if she had to share it with someone. Maybe it would be fun to have a roommate. She had already decided to take a look around the campus. It was an impressive looking campus and the more she looked around the more interested in the school she became. It looked amazing. As it continued to get darker outside she decided to check out the grounds. As she continued looking around and admiring the state the grounds were kept in she saw one of the gentlemen from the cafeteria laying on a blanket...apparently talking with himself.

Daniela looked around quickly and didn’t see anyone near and he didn’t appear to have seen her. She could just walk away and pretend she hadn’t seen him but would that really be the best thing to do? He had at least spoken with her in the cafeteria along with the others. She took a deep breath as she made a decision that had part of her brain screaming how foolish she was at her.

“Hi.” She said quietly as she approached Matt.

Matt jumped up startled, he had been so wrapped up in his self beratement he hadn’t noticed her approach. [color=orange] “Uh...Hi...I don’t always talk to myself just figuring things out..uhmm is that weird? Oh hey you’re Daniela from lunch right? I hope you’re not mad at me it seemed like you wanted to talk about something but I wasn’t ready to deal with anything else and I tend to talk a lot when I get nervous but there’s usually no one around so I just say what’s on my mind and…”[/color] 

He took a deep breath, realizing he was babbling, and calmed his face. [color=orange] “Hi nice to see you again. I am kinda foolish sometimes. Not used to having people around. Can we start over?”[/color] He looked truly ashamed of his rambling on.

[color=orange]"I have some snacks from the machines and I would enjoy someone to talk to if you want to join me?”[/color] He tried smiling but was so nervous it looked off.


Daniela sat down next to him. “I’m not mad at you or anything.” She said quietly. “Just a lot on my mind I guess.” She looked at the snacks and saw him trying to smile and she smiled herself. “I’d be happy to join you. I’m sorry if I came across as weird or anything when we first met. I’m just not used to being around people.”

Matts shoulders relaxed. He hadn’t even realised how tense he had been. [color=orange]”Well then that makes two of us. All I have had for people company since my abilities first popped up were my parents and they’re great and all but they are parents. That was like 2 or 3 years ago. So anyway, let’s see what we have here.” [/color] He started rummaging  through the snacks and sodas. For a moment he looked even younger than he was; like a kid in a treehouse who had decided this was their treasure. He started dividing all the snacks evenly.
 [color=orange]”I’m new here and you're actually the first person that has really acknowledged me. So whatever you want to to talk about. I never even thought anyone would have problems. I just did whatever my parents told me because as they put it...No one can know. It’s too dangerous...and other stuff like that. Am I rambling again, I really have to work on that. That halves yours.”[/color] he said, the last pointing to one of the stacks of snacks. He seemed more comfortable now, relaxed even. 

Daniela looked down at the stack of snacks and grabbed one of them. “This place is pretty much a fresh start for me. I can’t go back home and I’m pretty sure I’ll be recognized if I ever go back to New York, I figure If I have the opportunity to make friends here I should take it.” She looked over at Matt and smiled faintly. “I’m just glad to be here and I’m just glad to make new friends. The last two months have pretty much been a living hell for me. So far the people here seem pretty nice.” 
 
Matt’s face took on a concerned look.[color=orange] “I feel like I might have messed up my chances at having friends at lunch. I came across as a know-it-all show off.”[/color] He paused not sure how to ask his next question. [color=orange] “You had asked if we had hurt anyone and I am afraid I passed out before the rest. Did your abilities come out violently? I won’t think any less of you but you seemed to want to talk on that earlier. If you don’t want to now that’s ok.” [/color] He looked her straight in the eyes, face calm yet concern shown in his eyes.

She quietly looked at the ground for a moment. “I had just graduated High school and a few friends and I went on a roadtrip across the country. I was in New York when my powers first manifested.” She took a deep breath after a moment. “A battle broke out in New York between a bunch of metahumans. A few of my friends were killed in the crossfire along with a few other people...and I was next. One of the metahumans was looking down at me and I...I just felt this insane amount of terror. I thought I was about to die when a loose wire hit my back. The last thing I remember before blacking out was a flash of light erupting from me. When I woke up there were four bodies next to me...my would be killer, one of my friends and two people I didn’t know.”

She looked over at Matt. 

“I’ve been running since. I actually was trying to hide in the snack shed when Una found me this morning.” She looked sad for a moment. “It got worse when I tried to go home...but I’m not quite ready to talk about that yet.” She looked over at him. “No offense intended.”

Matt sat back and grabbed a soda. [color=orange] “None taken. I am just happy you felt comfortable enough to share that much with me. I just got here this morning as well’ although my circumstances are a little different. I can’t go home because my Dad got involved with politics and I am kinda a shining beacon to those that would try to bring him down. My first experience was jarring to say the least. Nothing like yours but basically my uncle had made me a new bed for my 12th birthday and when I touched it that night I witnessed him and my aunt...well christening it. I couldn’t let go and my Dad had to pick me up and break my contact before the image stopped. Kinda ironic when you think about it too much, which I have, that the first thing my abilities showed me is an act I will never be able to do.’[/color] He took a sip of his soda and let out a sarcastic chuckle. [color=orange]”So basically, we are both new here and discovering the wonders of this place. Let’s make a deal to have each other's back no matter what, deal.”[/color] He held out a gloved hand towards Daniela. [i]Well maybe it’s not to late to make friends.[/i] 

Daniela smiled faintly as she shook the offered hand. “Deal.” She said quietly. She thought back for a moment to her parent’s reaction when she had arrived home...their reaction to what they had found in her room. She shoved that memory to the back of her mind and reached for a soda. “Gotta say, I liked the food in the cafeteria. It was the first hot meal I’d had in a while. I wonder if it’s still open.”

Matt smile the most genuine smile he had made since arriving here. [color=orange]”Shall we find out?”[/color] He said as he stood up gathering everything together. Today had turned out alright in the end. [color=orange]”Besides one thing about L.A. I don’t like is you can’t really see the stars unless you squint reeeeeal tight, and that just gives you a headache. Do you think they’ll have pasta? I love pasta.”[/color] He had finished gathering up what he could and gave the place a once over for trash. [color=orange]”So do you have any hobbies? I like video games and painting and history and stars and apparently I ramble when I am happy as well. Really gotta work on that.”[/color]

Daniela nodded. “Truth be told, I wouldn’t mind some pasta as well. Used to love eating at Olive Garden back in the day. Unlimited soup and salad was awesome.” She looked thoughtful for a moment as Matt asked about hobbies. “Believe it or not, back in school I was one of the science-fiction nerds. Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5. I loved them all. I used to have a collection of video games when I was younger but I eventually couldn’t find time for them. High school really took up a lot of my time. Used to have a massive collection of Science Fiction books as well.” She took a sniff of the air as they began heading for the cafeteria and a moment later she grinned. “I smell something good. Come on, let’s find something to eat.”
[/hider]