[center][color=#40C4FF][h2]Belladonna[/h2][/color][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/yFxsiGh.png[/img][/center]
[center][color=#40C4FF][b]Time:[/b][/color] [color=#CFD8DC] Afternoon, Day 2
[color=#40C4FF][b]Location:[/b][/color] By a spring, closer to River Port
[color=#40C4FF][b]Interaction:[/b][/color] [@princess] Malachi & [@helo] Valok
[/color][/center][center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/610964561553522698/610975307410964510/3388c70460524d0a49fb42fda3041dea_snow-divider-clipart-1-clip-art-vector-site-_709-132.png?width=400&height=44[/img][/center]

[color=silver]Belladonna considered Valok’s statement to give it a strong name as his words pulled her out of her head finally. She had flashbacking during most of their conversation. She was at a loss for a moment, before she finally stated, [color=#40C4FF]”Okay. I’ll name it Avenger.”[/color] She had been a big Marvel fan and of Iron Man specifically, but she knew naming it Iron Man would raise a few eyebrows. Superheroes had always been idols for her. After having no strong parental figures in her childhood, she always yearned for a protector or to be strong enough like them. She had enjoyed sneaking into theatres to watch the movies. Even more enjoyable was the free food Gaia had provided for them. 

Malachi’s voice made her look over her shoulder. Belle turned to face him and hadn’t realized she’d been expressing her pain visibly. [color=#40C4FF]”Peachy,”[/color] she replied and looked at the owlbear. She tried to set it down but it whined. She sighed and gently moved it beside her. The owlbear clawed at her and raised its arms, but Belle ignored it and beckoned it to walk with her. The owlbear huffed and began to walk alongside her. [color=#40C4FF]”I have some friends I made in Roshmi. I’m hoping to reunite with them. I can describe them to you when we get there I suppose.”[/color] Belle attempted a smile, though it never reached her eyes. 
[color=#40C4FF]”Thank you.”[/color] 

She glanced down at Avenger and watched him waddle. She managed to snicker and ruffled his head like Gaia had done to her. Avenger looked up at her and pecked her hand gently to show affection. [i][color=gold]You’re definitely not going to be used in war, little Avenger. You’re going to have a long, happy life from now on.[/color][/i] [/color]

[hr]
[hider=Belle’s Flashback][color=silver]Belle sat in her classroom quietly drawing on a piece of paper. Her eyes were glued to it. If there had been a bomb, the girl wouldn’t have flinched. She bit her lip in concentration. How did people make flowers look nice? She didn’t understand. What was the point of drawing something she could see outside? Why couldn’t she draw something else? Her mind wandered to the fantasy tales she’d heard in English class. They had been reading a fantasy novel, depicted with warriors and demons. She had been fascinated by it and had gone to the library to find the other books in the series. Though Belle drew the damn flowers outside, she found it boring and her mind wandered, no longer caring for the stupid rules in this dumb art class. She hadn’t seen the teacher, Ms. Booker, step out briefly.

While her classmates learned how to draw stupid plants and faces, she was learning how to shoot, steal, and the art of martial arts. Gaia, the ever kind leader who took her in and Belle’s savior, had started teaching her something called “parkour.” Belle hadn’t understood what it meant, being four years younger than the crowd, but had become determined to learn it anyways. 

[i][color=tan]”It'll help you evade the bad guys, Blue. Can't let them get cuties like you can we?”[/color][/i] The tall-haired brunette with vivid brown eyes had ruffled her hair and walked away. Belle had giggled in agreement. [i][color=tan]”Do well and blend into school, Blue, and I promise you, you’ll go far. A bright mind like yours can’t go to waste. We need smarties like you. And think of it, you could afford to keep the dog you love huh? We could make it a member of our group! Our mascot if you will.”[/color][/i]

Belle grinned at herself and hadn’t noticed she zoned out; not when Tommy, the annoying class clown, took her paper. Belle gasped when she hit air and turned to see him running away with it. 

[color=yellowgreen]”Loook what I found!”[/color] Tommy yelled obnoxiously, waving around her drawing. It featured a dog and vague stick figures with the names Gaia, Embry, Louise, and Samuel - all the leaders of the Hunters. There were little hearts around Embry’s name. How could someone not like the dark hair and blue eye mix? Her eyes widened and she ran after him.

[color=#40C4FF]”Hey! That’s mine - give it back!”[/color] Belle angrily chased him as the kids began laughing. A few of them passed around her paper, having been taller than her. Her expression was wild with anger as she watched helplessly. Tears filled her eyes. 

[color=yellowgreen]”Who are these people, Belle? Are they your imaginary friends? And Embry your crush? What kind of name is that![/color] Tommy taunted as his friends, Billy and Jean looked over. They began laughing. [color=yellowgreen]”I bet these are her imaginary friends she talks to when she goes home and cries herself to sleep.”[/color] 

[color=red]”Yeah! Probably imaginary. Don’t tell me these are real people, Bell, no way someone’s your friend.”[/color] Billy taunted as he continued to hold it out of her grasp. Belle kept jumping for it and her frustration was becoming palpable. Finally, Belle lost her temper and kicked him in the shin and punched Tommy in the face. Both of the boys cried out while Jean jumped away with shock. Ms. Booker walked in and stared with shock and indignation at the scene. 

[color=orange]”BELLE![/color] She yelled as she came over. Belle hastily took the piece of paper and shoved it into her pocket. She was red in the face from anger and humiliation. [color=orange]”Say you’re sorry to the boys. You keep acting out and it’s becoming troublesome to have you in class.”[/color]

Belle glared at her and put her hands on her hips. [color=#40C4FF]”Why should I lie?”[/color] She snapped as she pointed at them. [color=#40C4FF]”They keep bullying me and nobody will do anything about it. So I’m not sorry.”[/color]

The class was watching with fascination as the scene had played out. A few ‘’ooos’ were made which made her grin inside. The teacher glared, reddening with anger. Belle glared right back and held her ground like Gaia had taught her to do. [i][color=tan]”Stand up for yourself Blue, or nobody else will, ya hear me kiddo?”[/color][/i]

Then the unexpected happened: the teacher slapped her.

Belle had fallen back a little from the impact and shock. As she processed what occurred, tears filled her eyes. The bullies roared with laughter as the teacher smeared, [color=orange]”Don’t make me discipline you again, Belle, or Mr. Burns will have to talk to your mom again. Didn’t go well last time did it? Now go sit down and don’t make any more fuss.”[/color] She sat back down at her desk while Belle stood there, frozen.

Had that really happened? Weren’t teachers supposed to protect her from the bullies? The kids settled down and began to continue drawing. The trio of bullies were sitting together and snickering. Belle hadn’t moved. Kids kept peering at her and whispering, but none of them came to aid her. The teacher had tried to ignore her, but finally couldn’t do it anymore. She glared at her. [color=orange]”I told you to sit down, Belle.”[/color] Her voice was exasperated and cold. 

Belle glared at her and contemplated her choices. Sit down and let the bullies win, tell Gaia later; or, face a possible discipline from the principal and get kicked out. This meant she wouldn’t have any more regular meals; breakfast and lunch were often missed. Warmth; although the school was a shitshow, it had heat. Her studio apartment didn’t, and she was tired of sitting with other residents, sometimes overly friendly ones with heat in their apartments. She wasn’t sure how the cockroaches managed it either. With tears in her eyes she sat back down and didn’t look back up. She tried to ignore the stares and giggles from the other students. 

Her mind kept racing over the incident throughout the school day. She hadn’t spoken a word after that and had sat by herself at lunch as usual. She couldn’t wait to go home and leave this dump of a school. [/color] [/hider]