[center][img]https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7UrwLUraI4/WAIxdvWATKI/AAAAAAABKTk/_PRgTnowzq4WF3ochP0ndtXsHuqtYa6QACLcB/s1600/Felicity_Jones_foto_friki.jpg[/img]
[h3]Kaylee Everose[/h3][/center][hr]
[center][h1]Charles Gannon [/h1][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/f7a52924-45f7-4461-9cc1-2da203722ff6.jpg[/img][/center][hr]
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[img]https://i.imgur.com/r0kQiuz.png?1[/img][/center]
[hider=Part 1]Raising an eyebrow at Charles' speech Kaylee understood his frustration. He was scheduled for a placement test as soon as Ashford returned. Ashford normally met all the students. 

Aya piped up and Kaylee glanced over at the girl. Kaylee thought she saw something defiant flash through the girl's eyes earlier. Good. Something told Kaylee that Aya was going to need the defiance later. Call it a foreboding. Whatever it was Kaylee didn't like it.

[color=palevioletred]"I'm not opposed to outings on your own time but keeping your word…"[/color] She looked pointedly at Aya.[color=palevioletred] "...and showing up in class, no matter how monotonous is something I [i]do[/i] expect."[/color] She pointedly looked at Charles.[color=palevioletred] "I do however owe you both an apology. Mr. Gannon I apologize that your preliminary placement test was pushed back. Dean Ashford likes to administer the test and get to know his students. As you know he is currently away but will be back by the end of this week. My apologies that your classes were...boring."[/color]

Turning to Aya and pushing her sunglasses off her face up into her hair Kaylee made a much more personal apology.[color=palevioletred] "I'm sorry Aya that I didn't warn you as to what was on the test. Frankly I don't know what is on it. Ashford asked for me to administer it in a specific way and without reading over it. I have no idea what you saw but I wish I had done my job and protected you from it."[/color]

A puzzled look crossed Charles, as he stared from Professor Everose to Aya and back. [color=yellow] "Do we plan on talking about this here?”[/color] He said gesturing to the mall clerks who were obviously too bored with their own lots in life to even hide the fact that they were listening in. Probably, hoping for some small bit of excitement to tell their friends later.[color=yellow] “I have a lot of questions regarding what you have just said though I fear the asking may raise questions none of us are prepared to answer.”[/color] His voice was direct with the slightest hint of fear. His eyes glanced back and forth at the onlookers.  

[i]So Aya was taking a test? What kind of school is this that the teachers would administer a test without knowing the contents themselves? Our powers make things potentially dangerous to others and quite likely to ourselves. A Professor admitting to a student that she was unable or unwilling to protect them from such testing suggests something else...but what?[/i]

Something small and hissing still sat in the back of Aya’s mind, its forked tongue flicking in and out, tasting Professor Everose’s [i]reprimand[/i], muscles coiled, curved fangs unfolding, ready to spit venom about [i]who’d broken their word[/i] — 

But then she met Aya’s eyes and offered an apology. The angry hissing thing quieted. Aya was just [i]tired[/i]. She didn’t have it in her to be mad anymore, didn’t have the energy to carry the weight of other souls, other emotions. Aya didn’t think she could even manage her own. She felt as fragile as an apology, as hollow as a regret. 

She wished she could go back to simply being a teenager at the mall, helping a new friend.

She looked away from the professor.

[color=aquamarine]“He’s right,”[/color] she said softly. [color=aquamarine]“We should go.”[/color] Aya couldn’t stand to be there any longer, in this exhausting moment. She stepped around the professor, not looking at either her or Charles, and began walking back towards the entrance of the mall.

Lips pressed together for a fraction of a moment Kaylee inclined her head as Aya stepped around her.[color=palevioletred] "I parked out front. We can discuss your, no doubt, numerous questions there Mr. Gannon. I doubt you can be put off for the length of a car ride."[/color] She indicated for Charles to proceed before her. She raised a brow, her eyes barely discernible behind the glasses.[/hider]

[hider=Part 2]The mood had changed and Charles did not know what to make of it. He had been on the attack in the conversation and expected the Professor to "knock him down a peg" but instead she apologized. Then there was Aya who moments ago he thought had been happy, although given the circumstances of having been caught Charles could understand at least part of her behavior. No one liked being caught doing something they were not supposed to do. As for himself, he was as guilty as could be and could do nothing more for it.

Charles followed Aya, staying back to give her some space. It was not until they arrived at the car that he turned to her.[color=yellow] "I hope you are not in too much trouble."[/color] Then as they got in the car.[color=yellow] "Professor, is it common practice to let students test on their own at the school?"[/color] There was no bite in the question and not even a hint of attack in his voice. It was as if he were asking a waiter if the restaurant had Coke or Pepsi. Then in the same casual. voice.[color=yellow] "It is just that given the nature of the school that does not seem safe for either the student or facility."[/color] He looked on, curiosity on his face. 

Aya didn’t acknowledge Charles with more than a quick glance and a weak smile that didn’t meet her eyes. She sat in the back seat of the car, looking out the window as she quietly listened to her new friend. The words swirled around her - the unnamed topic of the conversation.

Starting the car Kaylee glanced over at Charles.[color=palevioletred] "You said you had questions Mr. Gannon. Well now is the time to ask? Or you can ask Aya."[/color] 

Moving into traffic and slowing down Kaylee tapped on the steering wheel. She waited for that shoe to drop. Someone was going to talk, and her bet was Charles.

A determined look fell on Charles' face. There were so many questions he wanted to ask and she had not answered the ones he had just presented. He gave a quick glance at Aya, she appeared resolved to a forgone conclusion. What that was, Charles had no idea, what that might be, although he was sure he did not like it. 

[Color=yellow]"What is going on at the school? Are they all powered people? Where do the ones that are not mutants get their powers? Should I be more discrete with my questions? Also, why did you personally come to find us and not some truancy officer?"[/color]

Charles leaned forward, swiveling his head so as to see both Aya and the Professor and gage their reactions. He often found that body language changed the meaning of answers. Even more so when the question was avoided all together.

[Color=yellow]"Are we in danger?"[/color] He posed the question to both of them half expecting two different answers.

Blinking at the rapid fire questions Kaylee wondered how Charles breathed. She theorized through his pores. She held up six in sign language.[color=palevioletred] "Define danger. I came because I can find you better than a bloodhound. Yes, be more discrete but don't not question. That varies. Juggernaut got his power from a crystal shard. Define powered. And why learning of course."[/color] Kaylee put down a finger each time she answered a question. She smirked knowing it would drive Charles crazy that she didn't expand on some things. 

It was obvious to Charles that the Professor was being purposely illusive. He closed his mouth from a gape of indignation and steadied himself. She had asked for definitions and so he would give them. [Color=yellow]"Where to begin? Well I guess it would be best to start with the definitions. Danger… The possibility of suffering harm or injury... A person or thing that is likely to cause harm or injury… The possibility of something unwelcome or unpleasant. Three distinct definitions yet any could apply as my query was of a general sense. As for my interpretation of the word powered, I differ more to my abilities as I can sense things on a molecular level. There are some at the school whom do not feel like what I would associate as well...human. Do not ask me who directly as I do not know them directly. My question was more of a discovery if you were aware that the school had nonhumans or perhaps I might be mistaken. Geneology is not a strong suit of mine. I do not imagine I have to provide a direct definition of powered being given the nature of the school."[/color] Charles paused there considering his next words. A mixture of amazement and confusion shown clearly as if it encompassed his very being. He truly seemed to enjoy the puzzle before him. [Color=yellow]"I have heard of this Juggernaut although I was led to believe he was a mutant? As for the school being for learning that is all well and good, but is the intention to teach the students or study them. I apologize if I am speaking out of turn but I get the impression Aya was more being a test subject than testing on one."[/color] Charles let his words fall, he needed to see a reaction from Aya to know if he had the truth of it. The fact that everyone was choosing indirect or elusive answers made him worried he had misstepped.[/hider]

[hider=Part 3]Masking the irritation that Charles' speech conjured to the surface Kaylee let him prattle on until he was done.[color=palevioletred] "Mr. Gannon let me elucidate to you that Aya’s progress is her own and it is considered the height of rudeness to question whether or not a test designed for her is an experiment. We are not your former; how should I put this, handlers? Ergo we do not experiment with our students. All basis of fact and fiction aside, don't misconstrue our objective here at the Academy. As for powered, there are plenty of ways to define that. Social, political, mutant and otherwise. Everyone within that building is in some way fitting of that title, some in more ways than one. Let's just say you can solve that mystery on your own. Now danger. We are always in danger Mr. Gannon. From the moment we are conceived till our death. Hence the definition. Currently there are multiple types of danger you are in. Danger of a car accident. Danger of becoming a casualty of a drive by shooting. Even in danger of a sneeze. So tell me which danger are you hypothetically speaking of?"[/color] 

Glancing over Kaylee cocked an eyebrow at Charles prompting him to answer. She glanced in the rear view mirror to see what Aya’s expression was. Concern and self loathing welled up in Kaylee as she again turned her attention to traffic. 

Aya’s eyebrows twitched as she looked out the window. The professor’s words washed over her, as they spoke in circles around each other, never actually [i]dealing[/i] with anything. She felt frustration bubble up in her as she listened to Professor Everose speak. 

‘[I]We are always in danger.[/i]’ What an… entirely inadequate answer. It was a deflection of the actual issue, a sidestep, a philosophical sleight of hand to avoid dealing with her responsibility as [i]their teacher[/i] to inform and protect them.

[color=aquamarine]“Yes, we’re in danger.”[/color] Her voice was flat and distant. But clear. Aya didn’t look away from the window, watching office buildings flit past. [color=aquamarine]“Sena Yüksel killed Professor Pierce days ago. It’s not just a school.”[/color] Finally, Aya turned her gaze to catch Professor Everose’s in the rear view mirror. [color=aquamarine]“And it wasn’t just a test.”[/color]

Looking at Aya’s expression made Kaylee more than a shadow of a doubt certain that things were going on that she wasn't going to like one bit. The idea that the doctor had murdered Adam was almost unthinkable. 

Unsure about even wanting to know the details of Adam's murder Kaylee asked something else.[color=palevioletred] "What is in those envelopes? What did you see? I thought something was up, I was too naïve to think he wouldn't involve you kids."[/color] She slapped the steering wheel and swore viciously in her head. She felt like a player in Clue that was behind.[/hider]

[hider=Part 4]Aya held her gaze, a wave of guilt washing over her, misplaced blame for causing her teacher distress. She looked back out the window. Something in the back of her mind told her to push away the guilt, but it was like a stain that wouldn’t quite leave the fabric, mixing with patterns of frustration and hurt and exhaustion.

[color=aquamarine]“The envelopes had whatever information the dean thought he was missing, but didn’t want you to have too. Professor Pierce. Avalon.”[/color] Her voice was softer, but it still carried. Her eyes flicked back to the professor’s. [color=aquamarine]“Mr. St. John. It’s why he needed me.”[/color]

[Color=yellow]"I get the impression you were unaware of what has transpired. It is certainly more than I expected."[/color] Charles was visibly rattled. The question was a shot in the dark; he had meant only to gauge Aya's reaction. A loose variable, that might help him understand a little more of what she was going through. Charles understood all too well what people that felt they needed to know for the sake of discovery could do to a person; or at least he was beginning to understand. He never knew there was a difference before.

Turning to face Aya, [color=yellow]"I do not know any of the people you spoke of but if you need someone to talk too, I am here. For that matter I do not know anyone other than you so who would I tell anyway."[/color] Pausing briefly to steady his voice. [Color=yellow]"I trust you, but I have to ask. Are you certain of what you saw?"[/color] The last word was more of a question than the question itself. [Color=yellow]"If so do you know why or who else is involved. I do not mean to pry but we need facts."[/color]
Turning back to the Professor. He shook his head as if just realising what he was doing. [Color=yellow]"Should we pull over somewhere safe or figure on talking more later? Aya has had a rough day already, apparently. It might be best to let her process it before trying to put pieces together."[/color]

He shot a look at Aya hoping she would notice. He still was not sure he could trust the Professor and tried to express that without saying it where she could hear. Still he tried to put on a brave face to reassure Aya and started to sense the molecules around them just in case.

Keeping a blank face Kaylee saw the rather obvious distrust of her flash across Charles' face. This one was getting on her nerves. Really getting on her nerves. She stayed quiet looking at Aya questioningly. 

Aya’s jaw tensed for the barest of moments as she felt tensions sparking around her. She squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed at them with the heels of her palms. 

She hadn’t asked for any of this to be her responsibility. Charles’ question gave her pause, though. How much of her visions could she trust? She knew almost nothing about this sudden new ability, the flashes of the past, the emotions, the [i]lives[/i] that seemed to graft themselves onto her. Some of it had been vague - confusing. Overwhelming. But other parts… it’d been like the first time she’d entered the astral plane, an alien world of starlight and shadows. It had never been a question of [i]how[/i] she knew to read the constellations that made up the world. She simply… did. The visions were the same, carrying a bone-deep honesty that she couldn’t explain. 

Perhaps parts of them hadn’t been real. But they’d been [i]true[/i]. And dangerous. 

[color=aquamarine]“I’m tired,”[/color] she finally said. [color=aquamarine]“I need to sleep.”[/color] And think. 

Still sensing the molecules around them, Charles held ready for anything. Oxygen to cushion them in case of a sudden stop. The metal ribbing in the tires in case he had to cause that stop. For now though he hoped that would not be necessary.
[Color=yellow]"Well Professor, I am ready to accept your apology from earlier if you are prepared to accept mine now? It would seem we have all the answers we are going to get for now."[/color] He then turned his attention to the road ahead of them. By his estimation they should be getting to the school soon.[/hider]