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unending foolery

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i like to rp. that's really all there is to say.

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In X-Men: The New Era → 8 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
Danny Reid
&


Collab with @almalthia & @c3p-0h


Danny pushed his bright red hair off his forehead and looked around a bit dazed. "Did I just see a guy chug apple juice then milk then strip?" He looked around and his blue-green eyes landed on the girl that the "stripper" had been talking to.

He was a bit on the tall side about six foot he smiled absently thinking how she was tiny like Lily his best friend since he came to the school. Lily was always telling him he needed to talk to people. Well here he was trying it out. He'd see how it fit.

Aya jumped, startled at the voice to her side. She looked up to see a tall boy with a shock of red hair. Her eyes widened, her cheeks warming even more at being caught staring. She blinked, trying to get her mind back into gear.

"He, um..." Aya looked back to the entryway, trying to figure out how to explain the situation. "He had a bad night." Aya wanted to melt into the floor.

Danny chuckled. "Seems so. I'm being rude my name is Danny." He didn't hold his hand out then blinked and belatedly held it out. "Sorry don't do this often. Plus the display was a bit distracting."

Distracting. Aya's mind drifted to the image of his back again; muscled, dripping --

"Aya," she said, like she was surprised at her own name -- or like she was scolding herself. She snapped her hand out into Danny's and shook a little too quickly. "I don't really do this either," she said with a shaky smile. She pulled her hand back, fighting to get control over herself. "Nice to meet you, Danny."

Danny smiled serenely. "Lily tells me the next line of conversation should be something like 'Nice to meet you' or something like that. But I think since we are practically drooling at the same sight I'll ask...Who was that and where can I get one?" Better to let on that he preferred the opposite sex as friends and the same as partners now. He'd had that awkward conversation before it wasn't pleasant.

Aya's eyes widened. "I wasn't -- no, he's --" Aya was fairly certain she looked like a tomato. God, just let me die. At a loss for anything else to do, Aya buried her face in her hands. Maybe if she couldn't see anyone, she'd just stop existing. She looked up at Danny between her fingers. "I don't know his name," she finally said, her defeated voice muffled from behind her hands.

Danny's eye widened at Aya's reaction and he muttered. "Shit..." He wasn't good with people and this proved it. He'd reduced Aya to tears with a few sentences. He shuffled his feet awkwardly he wasn't good with girls crying plus he was responsible for this now. He really didn't know what to do now. He leaned down and moved her hands from her face. "Hey I don't know his name either. Maybe it's something really silly like...Butch...or Amberose...or Blaze something like that." He smiled weakly at the implication. Still holding her hands he tugged Aya gently to the stairs. "Come on I'll make up making you depressed by showing you something really cool." He grabbed a couple of apples and laid a couple of dollars on the counter. He rolled her apple down his arm and popped it into the air with his elbow and caught it very reminiscent of the scene in Aladdin. "I promise that wasn't it. Something cooler."

Aya could only follow after Danny in quiet mortification. A smile cracked as he listed the possible names. "He introduced himself last night as Professor Plum," she supplied, her nerves beginning to calm. Aya watched as Danny got fancy with the apple. "I'm sorry, I'm really fine," she said. "I'm just..." a thirsty idiot "an embarrassment."

Danny grinned. "What a coincidence me too." He gently lead her outside into the sunshine and he tilted his head to the light and took a deep breath. He let it out slowly and blushed a little then leaned down and swept his hands in a flourish and suddenly where he passed his hands flowers sprung up. He looked up and gave the Peter Pan stance grinning.

Aya couldn't help the delighted laugh that bubbled out of her at seeing the flowers. She crouched down, reaching out to touch them with the tips of her fingers. Soft petals brushed at her skin. She smiled up at Danny. "That's amazing," she said. She looked back down at the delicate flowers. As scary as mutations were... sometimes they could be something beautiful. Aya stood back up. "Thank you. Have you been at the school for very long?"

Danny rubbed the back of his neck. "Well all this summer really. That's the extent. Haven't seen you around much. How long have you been here Aya?"

"A day," she confessed. One day, and she'd already made an ass of herself. "I missed the first day of classes. You're the fourth person I've even spoken to."

Danny nodded. "That would be why I haven't seen you around. Well other than in classes you're the third person I've spoken to. I keep to myself. Easier that way. No one expects too much then. Lily saw me out here pampering the flowers and pretty much strong armed me into talking to her. I don't mind so much. She's always on to me about getting to know people. Don't get me wrong I like people it's just getting to know someone is...well awkward. Plus I'm a chatter box once you get me outside or really get to know me." He smiled sheepishly knowing he'd said more than he normally did but she seemed so excited about his powers and more comfortable now that they were away from that weird scene in the lounge.

Aya raised an amused eyebrow as Danny babbled. "I haven't met Lily yet. She sounds like my friend from high school." Aya's smile faltered as she thought of Christina. She hadn't spoken to her in months. "I was never really the social type either, though," she said, forcing her thoughts back to the present. She closed her mouth then, looking up at Danny and trying to find the proper words. "Thank you, though. For talking to me, and showing me the flowers, I mean. I'm sorry I was so weird at first."

Danny genuinely smiled. He was rather pretty when he did. He lost the uncompromising emo look and gained a Peter Pan like quality. "Well we'll just have to correct that oversight and you'll have to sit with us at lunch. I won't take no for an answer. Oh you're welcome and you weren't as weird as Professor Plum chugging juice then milk then doing his impression of Magic Mike."

Aya laughed at Danny's description. "I'd love to sit with you," she said. Aya was surprised with how much she meant it. She wasn't normally the social type, but she was in a new school... a new state. It was nice to have someone she could call a friend. He hadn't even asked her about her own power, though she knew that in all likelihood the question would come up eventually. But until then, it was nice to feel normal.

Aya's stomach chose that moment to growl. Loudly. Her cheeks heated.

"I uh, haven't had breakfast yet."

Danny laughed softly picked some flowers and held his arm out like a gentleman to Aya. "Shall we then?" He lead them to the cafeteria minus the hand holding. As they got inside he seemed a little more guarded. "The cafeteria. Better than the lounge. Come on we can find the cereal at least."

Aya glanced up at him, feeling the way his arm tensed under her own. She gave him a light pat with her hand. Giving him an encouraging smile, she said, "Cereal sounds perfect." Aya looked around as they made their way to the counter, the cereal dispenser showing an array of options -- cornflakes, wheat squares, and colorful bits of sugar sat beside a stack of bowls. Unlooping her arm from Danny's, Aya grabbed two bowls and offered one. "So, what's the school like? Anything interesting happen so far?" Aya poured herself some cornflakes with almond milk.

Danny smiled. "I forgot you didn't get here till after the crater was made. Some guy taking exception to another one talking to his girl about tutoring in Calc of all things." He looked disgusted and shook it off. "So yeah not much really important. No much gets past someone who fades into the background. I can't complain too much about it though. When do your classes start today? I'll keep track of time and get you to class on time."

Aya did a double take when Danny said crater. Though, she supposed she really shouldn't be surprised. Teenagers with super powers were still gonna get into stupid fights... just with more collateral damage. At least Aya was typically one to keep her head down. Maybe she could avoid getting involved in any drama for the school year.

She smiled up at Danny when he offered to get her to class on time. It was sweet that he wanted to look out for her like that. Actually, everyone that she'd spoken to at this school so far seemed to want to help in some way. Maybe there was just something inherently nurturing about this school. Aya felt something in her chest warm and relax a bit at the thought. Reaching into her bag to look for her schedule, she began to shake her head. "Oh, I can..." Aya trailed off. Her eyebrows pulled together. She turned her head down to look in her bag.

"I... think I left my schedule in my room." She gave an embarrassed laugh. "It's fine," she said. "I think I start a bit later on Tuesdays. We can eat and I'll just go back and grab it after." Aya closed her bag, grabbing her bowl of cereal. Together, the two found a table to enjoy their meal.
In X-Men: The New Era → 8 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
@RumikoOhara the link to the discord is in the first post of the ooc :D
In X-Men: The New Era → 8 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay




Aya blinked up at the person she'd run into. She recognized him -- it was the man from last night. But he wasn't the charming, clumsy drunk from the night before. His mismatched eyes were panicked and he was covered in sweat. Aya took an involuntary step back from his intensity.

"Um, yeah I have my wallet," she answered, eyebrows pulling together. Aya realized then that she could feel heat radiating off of him like a stove. Eyes never leaving him, Aya reached into her bag, fingers grasping for her wallet. "Are you ok?" she asked again. "Do you need help or something?" She took a step towards him again, concern and confusion mixing in her blood. Her hand found her wallet and she began pulling it out of her bag.

She distantly realized that she still didn't know his name.
In X-Men: The New Era → 8 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay




A soft groan escaped Aya as she drifted back to consciousness. Her eyelids pressed tightly together against the morning sun. It was early. Why was it so early?

Aya cracked her eyes open to see an unfamiliar room. Confusion drifted through her mind.

This isn't my--

Mutant school. She was at mutant school. With something that sounded suspiciously like a petulant whine, Aya squeezed her eyes shut again.

Twenty minutes later Aya was up and presentable, if not fully awake yet. Aya hated jet-lag. A quick look at her phone told her that at least she wasn't late for class yet. She even had time for breakfast. Looking over her shoulder at her bed, Aya sighed wistfully. But no. She'd committed to this school. She couldn't just sleep through classes as much as the idea appealed to her.

Her roommate had apparently already left for the day. Aya supposed she should count her blessings that there hadn't been any dream-power scares. Than again, maybe it would've given her an excuse to miss class.

With a yawn, Aya rubbed at her eyes. A pang shot through her stomach, letting her know it was time to eat. Aya gathered her bag and headed out the door.

She looked up, squinting at signs to tell her which way to go. The school's layout was simple, but still unfamiliar. Eventually she figured out which way the lounge (and hopefully the kitchen) was. Aya yawned again and blinked through the drowsiness as she turned a corner--

And walked right into someone's back.

Aya stumbled, suddenly alert.

"I'm so sorry," she managed, "I wasn't paying attention. Just... looking for the kitchen. Are you ok?"
In X-Men: The New Era → 8 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
Drake “D” Edwards
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Location: Dorm Room

Drake stared at the number for longer than he cared to admit. Sally Hendricks... 555- He could barely make out the rest. His vision was far too blurry at this point. Drake forced himself to put the phone down. It was a bad idea. He needed to get his mind off of it. Laying in bed wasn't going to help things. He pushed himself back to his feet, tucked the refilled flask into his back pocket and slipped his phone into his front one. Maybe a stroll would do him some good. It was better than nothing, he concluded.

Drake left his room and shut the door behind him before walking aimlessly down the hall. He didn't even have a destination in mind. It was time to go wherever his feet decided to take him. As he made his way down the hall, the color scheme changed. Perhaps he was in the women's dorm area now. As soon as his mind snapped to this, he paused. This was an even worse idea than the phone call...

After another moment, Drake tried to turn around much faster than his body was prepared for. His equilibrium was not in a cooperative mood and his feet suddenly forgot how to do their jobs. Drake managed to trip over his own leg during the spin and, in an attempt to not fall flat, he started forward in a mini-sprint before colliding with one of the closed doors that lined the hallways. With a massive THUD Drake did his best impression of a bull versus a matador, only it was his head versus the heavy wood of the door. The door won. Drake landed flat on his butt on the opposite end of the hallway, his eyes wide in disbelief, unable to accept what had just happened. You tripped... on yourself, you friggin idiot?! He looked left and right. It did not appear as though anyone saw it. What little was left of his dignity might still be intact.

Aya was nearly done putting her clothes away when she heard a loud noise that seemed to rattle her entire room. She jumped, letting out a high pitched yelp before slapping a hand over her mouth. Eyes wide, she spun, trying to figure out the cause. Her room appeared to be intact. Aya crept towards the door, not sure what to expect. Fingers curling around the knob, she turned it and pulled the door open --

The door that a man had apparently been leaning against on the floor.

Drake's back support instantly vanished and he fell to the ground. Looking up he saw a pretty, upside-down lady. "Uh... heh..." He was at a loss for words. Any sort of explanation was bound to sound stupid. "Soooo... I'm Drake," he said, still lying flat on the ground. He then raised up a hand as if offering to shake, even though it would be impossible from this position. "You're pretty cute. I don't even care if you're backwards."

Aya jumped back to keep from getting her feet smashed when the man fell. Laying there was a bearded man with different colored eyes, who reeked of alcohol and smoke, holding his hand up to her to shake. Aya could only stare, perplexed. She looked up and down the hall, as though an explanation would just appear. The door across from hers had a crack spider-webbing out from a space in the middle.

She looked back down at the man. At a loss for anything else to do, she reached down and hesitantly took his upside down hand.

"Are... are you alright?" she asked. "Do you need help or something?"

"Oh wow, you must use lotion," Drake said, feeling the softness of Aya's hand. He kicked his legs and tristed himself up, having to release his grip of Aya to put himself on all fours, belly down. Alright, on three... one... two... Drake pushed himself up with his hands and tried to straighten his legs at the same time. He managed to spring to an upward stance, but it was a little too fast. He started leaning backward and his eyes went wide again. He grabbed for Aya's shoulders and pulled, hoping to use her to stabilize himself. In all the effort, he succeeded in not falling, but ended up putting Aya into his torso and instinctively wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug to keep from falling.

"Nah," he eventually said, responding to her offer to help. "I think I got this now. Thanks, though!" He released his wrap on her and pulled out his flask. "Any chance I can help you," he said, giving his flask a wiggle.

Aya gave a strangled yelp when he yanked her into his chest, arms locking around her, only to release her just as quickly. Aya was still trying to orient herself, a hot blush already making its way up her neck when a flask was waved in her face.

"I'm eighteen," she blurted instinctively. She clamped her mouth shut, fighting to get her mind in order.

She realized she was still standing very close to him. The blush had reached her ears.

Taking a step back, out of the hall and into her room, she said, "I'm sorry, are you a teacher, or?..." she trailed off, because of course that was a stupid question. The beard made him look older than a normal student, but he was also drunk off his ass, offering her alcohol.

Drake laughed, overly amused with the question. "Yes," he said finally. "Professor Plum, at your service," he announced with a goofy bow. "I never did catch your name, though," he noted as he straightened up again. While he waited for an answer, he twisted off the top of the flask and took a quick swig before resealing it. "What do I call an upside-down eighteen year old lady who doesn't like a drink?"

Aya cracked a smile, despite herself. "Professor Plum" was... oddly charming, for a drunk. But then, she supposed most drunks were.

"Aya," she answered. "I'm new. And it's not that I don't drink -- I mean, I do, sometimes," she babbled, before clamping her mouth shut. "I just... don't think you're supposed to be offering me any." Her gaze moved from his flask to his odd eyes to the crack in the door behind him.

"So, Professor," she said, her smile growing ever so slightly, "there a reason you're stumbling around the girls' hall?" Aya could guess the answer.

"Is that where I am?" Drake looked around, feigning stupidity. "I knew I took a wrong turn somewhere..." His eyes then reset on Aya. "I've been here a week and I'm sure I would have remembered seeing that face. New, I take it?" He looked Aya up and down, trying to get any clues about her. "You're in a special kind of school with special kind of people. What special kind of thing can you do?" Please don't say telepathy...

Aya quirked an amused eyebrow when he asked if she was new just after she'd introduced herself as such. But then he asked about her mutation and she stiffened.

Giving a quick shake of her head, she said, "Nothing special." He was the second person in a row to ask her that -- it was like the go to ice breaker question here, wasn't it? Dread filled her stomach. She'd be dodging that question with every new person she met. She knew intellectually that the simple thing to do would be to just tell people her power. But... she'd never said it out loud before. And she never wanted to. "I don't really belong here," she added with an awkward smile. "Just... didn't really have anywhere else to go."

"Huh..." he said thoughtfully. "You sound like me, only yesterday." Yesterday, he was just fireproof, embarrassed of his 'ability' and wanting to keep it a secret for as long as possible. Today, however, Drake had the potential to command an inferno. "Look," he said as he broke personal space and wrapped his arm around Aya's shoulders, his hand still gripped on the flask. "Don't ever be ashamed of who you are, because who you are today might not be the same as who you are tomorrow. Sometimes you gotta get passed the awkward shit to get to the good stuff." He gave Aya a one-armed squeeze. "You don't gotta tell me," he said then, "but know that you can. Anytime. It'll be cool, I promise." He then looked around the hall again. It would be awkward as hell if a certain someone happened to come out.

"Well, Aya, it's been a pleasure," he said as he released her from under his arm. "Anything else I can do for ya before I mosey?"

There was something hard and tight curling around Aya's chest at the sudden show of compassion, and a lump caught in her throat. She gave a small nod as his words passed through her. He released her and Aya felt a burning behind her eyes. She blinked up at him.

She opened her mouth to say thank you, to tell her how much that meant even if she didn't understand why she was getting so emotional but instead what came out was --

"Your eyes." She stopped, her mind catching up with her mouth. Aya looked back up at him. "Were they always like that?"

Drake huffed lightly through his nostrils with a crooked smile. He then drew his face in close to hers, their noses nearly touching, as he attempted to give her a better look. "Ever since I was born," he said, his tone much softer than before. After that, he let the silence permeate, studying her eyes as much as she was studying his. They were dark, looking nearly devoid of an iris. "Yours are a little extraordinary, too, eh?" he said.

Aya was barely breathing, caught in how close he was. His eyes were vibrant, bright crimson and blue -- the blue one had a sliver of red in it, she noticed. At this distance she could see the small landscapes that made up his irises, the detailed hills and valleys as his pupils shrank and grew.

”They used to be green,” she finally answered, her voice just as soft as his.

I miss them...

Aya snapped back into herself and took a step back.

”Umm... thank you. For talking to me, I mean. I’ll let you get back to your...” drunken stumbling “evening. It was nice meeting you.” She cracked a wry smile. ”Try not to break any more doors.”

"Mmhmm," he said, amused. Drake didn't have a hat to tip, but he dipped his head in a similar manner all the same. "Don't be a stranger, Miss Aya." With that, he turned and started walking back the way he came, with his free hand waiving in the air as he walked. "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine," he started singing obnoxiously. "I keep my eyes wide open all the time..." he then took a turn out of sight. I think I like her, he thought to himself.

Aya watched as he all but sauntered away, singing all the while. She listened as he turned the corner, his voice filling the hall when she couldn't see him anymore. A bemused smile found its way to her face and she let out a small huff of laughter.

Finally, Aya moved back into her room, closing the door softly. She turned, leaning her back against the door. Aya tilted her head back and looked up at the ceiling. Her smile grew, a warm feeling spreading in her chest. Maybe mutant school wouldn't be so bad. She wasn't certain it was the right choice yet, but...

"Don't ever be ashamed of who you are..."

Her smile drifted away. Aya pressed her lips together and looked down. Kainoa's face flashed through her mind and Aya gave a harsh intake of breath. She tried to exhale but it was shaky and forced. She squeezed her eyes shut, as though she could block out his face if she just blinded herself to the rest of the world.

But he lingered.

Aya opened her eyes and pushed herself away from the door.

Look busy.

She moved back to where her suitcase was, laying at the foot of her new bed. Aya blinked down at it. It was empty. Turning her head, she saw the closet filled with her clothes, all hung neatly. She hadn't realized she'd finished already. Reaching over, she pushed the closet door shut.

Aya was officially moved in to the Ashford Institute.
In X-Men: The New Era → 8 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
Collab: Dr. Kaylee Everose & Aya Lynn Germain





Kaylee’s eyes roamed her office as she held the phone up to her ear. She hadn’t talked to her mother in weeks and knew that there would be a lot of her listening in the conversation. That’s how her mother was; talkative, intent on sharing every inconsequential detail to every story she told. Kaylee was used to it by now, but as much as she loved her elderly mother it made phone calls a chore. She let out the occasional uh-huhs and forced chuckles as she listened to the story about mishaps at the local grocery store. She remembered hearing this same story before. Her mother’s mind hadn’t been what it used to be for awhile now, but there was definitely a progression in the wrong direction. It saddened Kaylee to think of her intelligent mother losing some of her faculties, but it was part of life. Just as her mother got to the midpoint of the story there was a knock at her office door.

”Mother...I hate to interrupt but I have a visitor at my office. I’ll have to call you back.” She watched as the student entered, recognizing her as Aya. “I love you too Mom. Talk to you soon.” Kaylee heard the students request to chat, and smiled at her as she placed the phone down on the desk. ”Absolutely Ms. Germain...come on in and make yourself at home.

Ala blinked, surprised the teacher knew her name. Slipping through the door, she closed it behind her, pulling her suitcase along.

”I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you,” she said. ”I just came to say…” what? That she was bailing the school without even giving it a chance? After they’d been so accommodating? Aya closed her mouth and swallowed. ”I’ve decided to not attend Ashford this year,” she forced out in a rush. Aya’s grip on her suitcase handle tightened, the nerves tensing her up.

Kaylee’s smile transitioned into a look of shock as the girl’s words left her mouth. She wanted to leave already? Kaylee understood that things could be overwhelming but desperately believed that all of them were better off here than trying to walk through life alone.

”Oh no...I’m sorry to hear that you’ve come to such a decision. Let’s talk about this for a bit before deciding anything. Her smile returned along with a beckoning gesture. ”How about you come in and sit with me and we can chat. I would never stop you from leaving, but if we can work this out it’s worth the time.

Guilt at the professor’s concern was already coursing through Aya. She hesitated before stepping forward, leaving her bag where it was by the door. Perching on the edge of the chair, she said, ”I just… think maybe coming here was a mistake -- for me, I mean. And I haven’t been to any classes yet, so it’s not like leaving would really have any impact.” Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, her explanations feeling inadequate. ”I’m sorry,” she tried again, ”I’m grateful to the school, I just…”

”Too overwhelmed?” Kaylee looked the young lady in the eyes, still wearing her gentle smile. “I get it. Trust me. This whole process can be intense. Growing up in this world is hard enough without the extra layer of being a mutant on top of it.” She placed a friendly hand on Aya’s arm in hopes to comfort her. “You’re technically right. You could walk away from here without much impact on your education. However, the education that you could receive here goes far beyond what is available to the rest of the world. I don’t want you to feel any added pressure here. No one is expecting you to dedicate yourself to a life of fighting crime. You aren’t required under oath to become a member of the X-Men. You are here to learn, to grow as a person, to be among people that understand the struggle that our kind faces every day. Of course things here are different, but at least we can be ourselves. At least we can be safe.”

Aya looked down, shrinking away from her words.

X-Men.

Our kind.

Her kind.

Tight coils wrapped around her throat, constricting. All the pain her mutation had already caused… Aya just wanted to be human again. ”I never wanted this,” she whispered, more to herself than to the professor.

“I understand. None of us asked for the cards we were dealt. However, if we keep running from them they will only keep catching up with us.” She let the right words come to her before continuing. “I know that sometimes things would be easier if we were all just normal like the rest of the world. However, that’s not the case. Our gifts make us different, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If I remember correctly from your files you can do some form of Astral Projection….is that right?” She smiled at her again. “That means we have something in common because a part of my mutation allows me to do the same.”

Aya glanced up at her. Some part of her clung to this new connection, this shared experience that made her feel a little less alone.

”How do you… control it?” Her eagerness was tamped down by her nerves. How do you turn it off was what she wanted to ask, but she didn’t think that would be well-received.

Kaylee understood the weight of Aya’s question. She remembered saying those words herself once. She lived it.

“I wish I had an instant answer for you, but I don’t. It took time. It took practice. However, I didn’t have a place like this to help me control it when I was asking that same question. I was alone. You don’t have to be alone. I can help you.”

Aya was quiet for a long moment, the professor’s words washing over her. She didn’t want to be here. She didn’t want to be in this situation… but if she didn’t have a choice, if she was stuck with this ability no matter what, then… well, she’d chosen to come to the Ashford Institute for a reason.

Without looking up, Aya nodded, a quiet acceptance of Professor Everose’s offer.

Ms. Everose leaned back with a bit of relief seeing Aya’s nod. She could see a lot of herself in the young woman. She remembered the days of such doubt and confusion. Holding a gentle smile Kaylee stands and walks over to her desk. She searched through her desk quickly and returned with something in her hand.

“When Charles Xavier first found me I was a mess. I could feel the presence of other mutants for miles and miles. I was projecting in my sleep not knowing how to come back or what anything I was seeing meant. He took my hands and he gave me this.” Unfolding her fingers she revealed an old, weathered, wooden butterfly. It was painted beautifully but had faded over time. “It helped me remember that I wasn’t alone. That there was someone out there that cared for me. I know it may seem a bit cheesy, but I would like you to have it. If you ever feel overwhelmed or afraid I hope it reminds you that I’m here to help you.”

Aya took the butterfly in her hand and looked down at it. Her fingers passed over the smooth wood, worn from being handled over the years. Coils tightened around her throat again. Aya tried to swallow around it. She looked back up at the professor, hand curling around the butterfly. Silence hung in the room as she tried to find a voice for her chaotic thoughts.

”I…” Aya closed her mouth and tried again. ”Could you help me? Between classes, or something? When you have time?” Her heart thundered in her ears, nervous anticipation building.

She wanted help. She didn’t want to struggle through this alone, and the realization struck her with a force that was almost physical.

Kaylee’s eyes widened as she listened to the desperation in Aya’s words. Again she found them all too familiar. Her smile fell into a caring, but serious expression.

“Absolutely. We can find times to work together. Even if you just need someone to talk to I’m here.”

Aya gave a small nod, looking back down at the butterfly. She was quiet for a long moment. She knew it was time to leave, to get on with her day and let the professor get on with her’s. But that would mean leaving this small bubble of safety and moving forward. It meant going to school, being a mutant...

Aya took in a deep, slow breath, her fingers tightening around the butterfly. She forced herself to stand from the chair.

”I’ll let you get back to your day. Thank you, Professor.”

Ms. Everose watched with a smile as Aya looked down at the small butterfly. She nodded at her words and stood up from the chair with her. Her hope was that she provided some comfort to her students, but to be able to truly relate to one and help guide them a power that she understood was something she hadn’t expected, and that made her feel so grateful to be in this position.

“Anytime Aya...don’t hesitate to stop by.” She stepped forward and offered a friendly hug. “Oh, and before you leave I actually have something I needed to inform you about. Your room assignment has changed a bit and I need to give you the new documentation.” She stepped over towards her desk and grabbed a piece of paper before returning and placing it in Aya’s hand. “You’ll be rooming with a young woman named Uná, she’s a sweetheart and I think the two of you will get along wonderfully. Other than that I hope you can get some rest and we’ll talk soon.”

Aya returned the hug, first out of politeness. But the feeling of another person’s arms around her… something cracked. Aya closed her eyes, her own arms squeezing a bit tighter.

But then she forced herself to pull back. Aya took the offered piece of paper and looked down at it, reading the new room number. She nodded before looking back up at Professor Everose.

”Thank you again.” Hand clutched tight around the wooden butterfly, Aya turned, grabbed her suitcase, and left the room.
In X-Men: The New Era → 8 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay




Aya stood in front of the school, feeling small. What.... what was she even doing here? Aya was already regretting this half-baked idea. In her desperation to leave her island and without any other viable options, she'd picked the Ashford Institute. Mutant school. The plan had been to take the year to get her grades good enough for a scholarship at a decent mainland college, get a handle on her powers so she never had to use them again, and then carry on with her life like nothing ever happened.

Regret and unease mixed into a queasy sensation that traveled through her body. This was a terrible idea. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to go to school with mutants or train or go through high school again, especially if she'd already missed the first week of classes.

The wrought iron fence loomed in front of her, cutting lines through her vision like prison bars.

Nope.

Aya's fingers tightened around the handle of her suitcase. She'd get back in her cab, find some motel to spend the night in, and call the school saying thank you very much but it's just not a right fit. She squeezed her eyes shut, taking in a slow breath. It didn't feel right leaving so unceremoniously. But she'd technically never really been a student anyway, so it was fine, right? Aya clenched her jaw, steeling herself. Then she opened her eyes, and spun on her heel to walk back towards the --

The car was gone.

Aya dropped her head back, looking to the sky. A small, sound (that was definitely not a whine) escaped her throat. She'd have to call another cab. Who knew how long that would take? And then she'd be stuck standing out in the hot Southern California sun, awkwardly existing with a suitcase and looking to all the world like a mutant running away from mutant school as she waited for a cab to get lost at least three different times as they tried to find the one section of LA that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere.

God, but she missed humidity. And clouds.

If she waited out here, someone was going to see her. Someone might talk to her. And then she'd have to awkwardly explain that she wasn't a student, but she was and now she was chickening out.

Aya closed her eyes again, face still pointed towards the sky. A light breeze brushed past her, tugging at the strands of her dark hair.

She was fine. She'd just... call the cab, head inside, go talk to the headmaster or dean or whoever, explain that she wasn't going to be enrolling after all, and then be back out to meet the cab when it arrived. Activity was good. Activity made you look like you belonged. No one would question her if she just looked like she had things to do and places to go to.

Aya opened her eyes and pulled out her phone. With a few quick taps, a request was put into her ride sharing app. She forced herself to turn back towards the school. She glanced again at her phone. Searching for drivers... Aya sighed.

Then she put one foot in front of the other and walked through the gates, suitcase rolling behind her.

Searching...

Aya watched as the school became bigger and bigger, growing closer with each step. She tried to ignore the students around her. It seemed that classes had been released for the day.

She reached the front door of the school. Aya looked down at her phone again.

Sorry, no drivers found. Please try again.

Of course.

She slipped the phone into her pocket. She'd just call it later. Aya pressed her lips into a thin line and pushed open the (obnoxiously heavy) door. She stumbled when the wood finally gave way and fought to right herself before anyone could see. Aya looked around, trying to not pay attention to the grandeur of the school now that she was inside to see it. Of course, the fact that it was called Ashford Manor probably should've been her first hint that it'd be so fancy.

Her eyes fell on the sign that read Offices, leading down a hall. Remembering her mission, Aya moved towards it, pulling her suitcase along. She passed by doors and names, searching for one that sounded promising.

Professor Kaylee Everose: Educational Director

Bingo.

Aya stopped in front of the door. She straightened her hair a bit and fiddled with her clothes. She didn't know why she was trying to make herself presentable when she was just going to leave. Maybe it was the embarrassment that she was having this conversation at all that made her want to try and compensate.

Taking a steadying breath, Aya put her hand on the doorknob.

No, no, wait that was rude. She couldn't just barge in. Aya lifted her hand to give a few light knocks on the door. She waited a moment. Then she turned the doorknob slowly, as if by making as little noise as possible she could make this somehow less awkward. Aya opened the door just enough to slip her head in.

"Professor Everose?" she said in a tentative voice. "I'm sorry, but are you available to speak?"
In X-Men: The New Era → 8 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
In X-Men: The New Era → 8 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
In LANTERN (redux) → 8 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
i should also... probably write. i'll work on getting something up in the near future.
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