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[Verona]

Jameson Francis

It had been a peaceful enough breakfast, Jameson thought, with just a few of them sitting together and most of them ones he'd had some sort of words with. Having Ricchon nearby didn't make him comfortable but he'd had to be in closer quarters with someone that made him on edge before and he dealt. It would've been fine, might've even been pleasant I'd he'd managed to give Joa some sort of witty rebuttal. If everything hadn't gone to hell all at once.

Alicia was upset and ran off, and Jameson had half a mind to either make a jab at Joa for doing it or to just go after her and see if he could soothe her, but the general newness of this place and its occupants made him stay. It was only because he stayed that he got to witness everything else going wrong. Eden joining them at the table seemed to somehow knock the others off balance, and then something happened and suddenly there was a cartoon sailor standing next to them, reaching for Ann.

When she ran off with the thing - Jameson couldn't make himself think its name because it was a cartoon and cartoons didn't exist in real life and this place was just getting weirder - he was left sitting dumbstruck and just barely kept his jaw from dropping open. What was going on? Did these things always happen? Was this going to be his life now? He shuddered to think it might even become normal by the time he got out of this place.

Eventually, he rested a hand against his head for a moment, then ran his fingers back through his hair. "I didnt get enough sleep for this. . ." Screw going outside to meet the man with the ironic name, he wanted to go back to bed.

 

[Laivindur]

Ricchon's back was rigid as a plank when he got pulled back up on his seat by the strong cartoon figure. Staring fearfully at Popeye, and concerned at Ann, Ricchon himself could have looked like a cartoon figure, only: he was on pause. When Ann and Popeye disappeared out of the dining hall, Ricchon turned to give Eden a death stare. He was furious.

 

[Wicked]

Suddenly too many unexplainable things seemed to happen at the same time for Joa's mediocre human brain to keep up with. (Though, he had read from somewhere once that sarcastic people were linked to higher intelligence score, so that did still give him hope despite what his academic scores claimed.) Suddenly Alicia behaved like she was deeply upset about something, and dashed off the room with a glimmer in her eyes that Joa was quite sure looked a lot like she was about to cry. He frowned in confusion as he watched the little girl abandon her mighty fine breakfast without understanding why. He was about to get up from his seat to go and find out what the heck he had done to have wronged her exactly, but that seemed to launch some kind of domino effect when suddenly the Brooding Boy (yes, he was naming the ones in his mind that he didn't have an actual name for yet) practically launched himself on Ann who had been in middle of fretting over something. While the two were frozen over in shock and staring at each other intently in the eyes and obviously having some sort of moment, the Ginger Girl scooped up next to the Brooding Boy in the table all casual and greeted them.

You think that was crazy? Now enter Popeye the Sailor Man.

The cartoon character seemed to materialize out of nowhere, fizzing into existence first with static, like a picture in a telly with bad connection to the satellite. But then he was there, and Joa just gaped as Popeye, his childhood hero, picked up the Brooding Boy from the back of his shirt and dragged off of Ann, and uprighted the fair haired girl as well. And then, he broke into a song. Ann got up next, and pulled the singing sailor out of the room with her. The caramel colored eyes of Joa's followed them out of the room, and kept staring in silence until the last verses of Popeye the Sailor Man's theme disappeared down the hall.

Jameson seemed to recover first from the shock. "I didn't get enough sleep for this..." he complained and ran his fingers through his blond locks. Joa turned to eye suspiciously the apple he was still holding that he had just chewed a piece from before all of this happened.

Brooding Boy turned to throw daggers with his eyes at Ginger Girl. Apparently she had something to do with something that just happened, or something-something. He wasn't quite following. Joa settled the apple on the tray, suddenly unsure if he should touch that again or the food in general if it was causing some sort of group hallucinations. "Alright, this is causing me to obviously have some concerns," he starts as he reaches out to scoop some food from Alicia's abandoned tray and shoving some things in his pockets that he could carry out, "First, did everyone else just see that? I seriously hope everyone else also saw that, or I'm gonna need another decade of therapy on top of the one I'm already having. Secondly, why isn't everyone freaking out? Because I am, most definitely, absolutely calm and cool as a cucumber." He pauses, looking at each of them in turn, and then clarifies; "That last one was sarcasm, by the way. I've been constantly screaming in a high pitched note inside my head ever since I saw the cartoon character, and it's starting to sound awfully lot like Macarena!"

Joa's speech had sped up towards the end of the explanation, and the tone of his voice had amplified. He paused again, this time taking visibly a large calming breath. "Sorry, I ramble a lot when I get nervous," he mumbles and eyes each of the still present.​

 

[Sarokhor]

Alicia Winters

The distraught girl manages to make it to her bunk and grab her brush before rushing to the bathroom. With nobody coming to distract her or check on her she manages to take the time to brush her hair over and over to make sure every strand is set in place. She may look pristine but her face is torn with regret at her reaction. She feels as though she just alienated herself from Joa by reacting that way, yet it wasn't entirely in her control. Alicia feels that not living up to the expectations and teachings her mother pounded into her head would disrespect the memory of her mother and that she would be disappointed in her from heaven. With a heavy heart and a sullen posture she slowly walks back towards her bunk and replaces the brush. Her eyes are sad as she proceeds to exit the dorms and head downstairs, not returning to the dining hall but heading outside. She pays no attention to anyone or anything as she proceeds to gather with the crowd around Mr Powers. She would behave and listen to what the man had to say but she wouldn't care. Her mind and heart were distracted by the regret and negativity she was stuck in right now

 

[Laivindur]

Ricchon's look intensified as Eden acted like nothing had happened. Even though he was used to Eden hurtling him about, she'd stepped over the line this time. He could probably be honest with Eden about his feelings for Ann Marie, but he didn't dare say anything in front of an audience. He was forced to let it be for now, and calmed. Picking up an orange to peel, his eyes, dark and sardonic, shooed away anyone who might stare at him. He hid a smile however, as Joakim seemed to cover it all up with humor- drawing the attention towards him instead. Still feeling embarrassed, Ricchon said low to Joakim, and as friendly as he could muster while glancing at Jameson "Don't worry. Shit happens. Deal with it." It was meant as an encouragement, though listening to himself he might have sounded a bit-...gloomy.


Ricchon wasn't looking forward to the trip outside. That was shit happening, but he had to deal with it. In some way, he wanted to overcome his fear. He had no choice, actually. He feared the outside for the same reason he needed to grow stronger quickly. He needed to be able to protect himself against the ones who had killed his family.
Ricchon belonged to a distinct mafia family, who'd risen to power quickly, and fallen quickly. Even though his enemies had only seen his face as a kid, they'd remember him. Should they spot him on the street, they'd know, Ricchon thought. He had motive for revenge, and he knew that caused apprehension among the others gangs- especially now that they knew what he could do. Teleport, become darkness. They could only imagine what beast he would grow up to become.
Ricchon didn't know whether he wanted revenge or not, but he guessed he had no choice facing them. They feared him after all, and fear could make people do horrible things.
Anyway, Ricchon believed they wanted to take him out. His enemies had probably wiped out his whole family, or at least the ones who cared about him. Ricchon was almost certain they'd come for him too.

 

[Verona]

Jameson Francis

He'd only been awake for maybe twenty minutes, and yet Jameson wanted nothing more than to be back in bed where all of these crazy things weren't happening. Joa seemed equally perplexed by everything, but his rambling only made Jameson's mental scramble for purchase on this crumbling environment that much more difficult, and without him really thinking about it annoyance followed. When Ricchon spoke, it only got worse. Jameson was knew to this place, had never even met someone else that had powers, and his only experience with his own was tame in comparison to all that had happened here since he'd arrived not even 24 hours before - and now he was being told things happen, just deal with it?

In one sudden motion, he shoved up out of his seat hard enough to make it screech on the floor, hands pressed down onto the table and a glare on his face. "You deal with it, Ghost." He snapped, pushing away from the table without so much as picking up his tray. "I'm getting the hell out of here."

All thoughts of anyone else were gone. Going after Alicia, sympathizing with Joa - he was done. He'd lost the capacity and he needed to cool down before he did something stupid like try to just leave right now without a plan or any knowledge of security. Frustrated and seething inside, he zipped up his jacket, shoved his hands in his pockets, and followed some of the other orphans out to where they were supposed to gather outside. The cold, at least, would help him settle down a little faster.

 

[Starrnico]

Ann Marie Rayne

Ann stared at her creation, holding his hands then closed her eyes. She would focus only on him, on making him go back to the cartoon world where he belonged. She stood like that for several minutes before cautiously opening her eyes and looking around. Gone. He was gone. She looked down to make sure there were no prints leading away from her then sighed, feeling her legs give under her so that she rather abruptly sat on the ground. The sheer relief of having sent her creation away was just that strong. She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, hiding her face while she tried to regain control of her emotions. At this moment she didn't care about going anywhere, she wouldn't mind going and having a nice lay down and restart the day, but that wasn't likely to happen.

 

[Wicked]

Brooding Boy leaned forward across the table, and spoke with a low voice, which was about just as naturally dark and husky as Joa had imagined would suit him; "Don't worry. Shit happens. Deal with it." Just like that. Advice of the year, people.

Joa just stared at the guy, his expression turning quite stale. "Well, ain't you just a bundle of joy, a ray of sunshine if I've ever seen one." He drawls sarcastically, which was probably the closest thing to snapping at anyone so far. But technically, Brooding Boy wasn't wrong. Being one of the supernatural kids and living most of his life among peers alike himself, he had seen all kinds of things and managed to shrug off most of the weirdness. What Ann had done just now was just something so out of the ordinary and unexpected that Joa had to have a moment where he suspected his own sanity, which was the main reason of his own nervousness. He did have a colorful medical history, and he hadn't been kidding about the off mentioned therapy part. Either way, now that he was aware completely that everyone else had also seen what he had seen, he did calm down considerably. The nervous twitch in his fingers eased.

However, someone else seemed to decide that there was a limit to how much crazy they were ready to deal with. Jameson stood up so suddenly that it made Joa jump a bit at the motion and the high pitched screech the chair made against the floor, only barely managing to avoid toppling over. The blond boy pressed his hands on the table, looming over it towards Brooding Boy, glaring. "You deal with it, Ghost." He snapped, and then made his leave. "I'm getting the hell out of here."

Joa just sat there, watching Jameson go, before turning to look questionably the last two remaining at the table. "What's his damage?" He wasn't exactly expecting an answer to that question, it was more like muttered to himself than anything. And was it just him, or were all of the people he had come into contact with the type who liked to make dramatic exits on a regular basis? Could no one in this institute leave a conversation like a normal person?

He glanced at the Brooding Boy. Well, this one still had hope, but Joa wasn't exactly holding his breath.

He glanced at the old wrist watch he had, perking up. "Ah," the boy vocalizes and starts standing up, "we're gonna be late. We better start legging it. You coming?" He glances at the Ginger Girl and Brooding Boy as he scrambles off the table and tries to zip up his pilot jacket at the same time. After he manages that, Joa picks up his own tray, and Alicia's, to go and get them disposed where they're supposed to be left at. Then he makes his way out of the dining hall, keeping a brisk walk for a while, until he suddenly realizes he has no idea where he is going and stops just outside the room.

"...Uh, mind showing me the way?" He backtracks back into the dining hall, smiling sheepishly at the raven haired boy and red haired girl. "Sorry, new kid alert."​

 

[Laivindur]

When Jameson addressed Ricchon angrily, and with a new nickname at that just before leaving, he punctured any response Ricchon might have had to Joakim's sarcasm. To put it out simply, Ricchon wasn't among the extroverts. Ricchon had wanted to respond and perhaps brighten the mood further with a bit of his own humor, but there was no time. The funny new kid got up, babbling as usual, and Ricchon let out a heavy, nasal sigh. The shadow manipulator appreciated Joakim's attempt to brighten the mood, but somehow the guilt he felt towards Jameson was still strong in his chest. Ricchon got up too, and probably with Eden close by, Ricchon remained silent while carrying his heavy emotions, and the orange he'd been peeling.
The seventeen year old found it a bit funny how the funny new kid backed towards them again, apologizing for his whimsical behavior. "I don't mind," Ricchon said. There was perhaps a smile in his dark eyes as he met up with the boy, and silently guided him towards the hallway were the coats were hanging. Though arriving there, it didn't seem like things were that easy either. "Hm..." Ricchon hummed mildly surprised as he watched the students fuss about the ruined coats and jackets. While waiting for things to calm down, Ricchon took a bite of the orange, and asked Joakim "Did you know that oranges helps against depression?"

 

[Taska Vilna]

♫ Now Playing: 21. 'Waltz in Orphan Major'

​

Eden gave Ricchon an impish smile before crawling up from the table and sauntering off with the others towards the front. Upon reaching the closet, she opted for a sad puffy vest, that looked like it once had sleeves and warmth as part of its features. It no longer had either of these.

"..."

She quietly made her way outside and around to the back yard, shuffling through standing crowds of other kids talking, She came upon the figure of a man whose face dictated only one thing: "I am very cold". Mr. Powers was very obviously waiting patiently for everyone to come to his summons, despite being well warranted to order them all out by now. But they all knew that it wasn't in him to be forceful or mean, and apparently, they took advantage of that.

"Hey."

She chirped, coolly.



========
​

♫ Now Playing: 20. 'Powers'

"Two minutes."

The voice echoed again through the halls, this time, however, a clever child might have noticed one of the inconspicuous loudspeakers suspended up from the tall ceilings. Mr. Powers sounded somewhat more annoyed this time around, likely because it had already been well over ten minutes from the last call.

​

 

[Starrnico]

Ann Marie Rayne

Ann looked up at a sound, seeing Eden rush by her. Slowly she got up and dusted the snow off her dress then headed to join the other kids to wait there so they could go wherever this surprise was. She kept her head down, stopping and standing at the edges of the group instead of going in to join anyone. She held her arms close, folded over her belly to keep warmer. She didn't want to meet anyone's eyes and find any kind of fear or condemnation in them, even if the other kids wouldn't think such of her...but there was the lingering thought that she couldn't push away that she had been able to send her creation back where h came from. She had not hurt anyone even accidentally. Don't think about it, just don't think about it. If you do you will call something else out and there are more people now that could be hurt. She thought to herself then sighed and simply waited to go, trying not to think about it too much.

 

[Wicked]

"I don't mind," said the tall dark haired older boy and took the lead, and Joa could have sworn that this time, for sure, there was a tiny bit of a tilt to his lips that were turning the frown upside down. Or perhaps it was just another temporary cramp and Joa was overthinking things. No one here seemed to be really capable of such human emotions as joy so far other than Alicia and Ann, and the other of them was pissed at him for some damn reason. He should probably try and expand his social circle. But when the options were Jameson who seemed to have a huge mental phallus protruding from his forehead due to his snappy behavior, Brooding Boy who was, well, very brooding and Ginger Girl who was just a tad bit... weird (this was really a pot calling the kettle black, but at least he had some weirdness standards), Joa wasn't entirely sure if he would be able to find or make friends who were on the same wave length as him, seeing how most of the kids around his age seemed quite content in wallowing in their teenage angst and embracing the crap out of it. Not that there were anything exactly wrong with Alicia and Ann, but the aforementioned was eleven years old and the former didn't speak at all. And they were both girls. Joa did crave some guy company, dude to dude, mano y mano. You know what I'm saying? Was it so much to ask to find just one guy to befriend? Just one? No? Okay.

Joa followed after Brooding Boy, who kept silent until they reached the coat closet. The fifteen year old was already wearing his outdoor clothes, as he had cometh prepared (and there really was no way he was going to be putting his trusty pilot jacket into the coat closet ever after seeing that Alicia liked hiding in there), and together they observed other kids fuss over the ruined clothes. He wasn't sure if people already knew it was Alicia, as the decay seemed to be her trademark touch on things, but if anyone asked Joakim, he hadn't seen nothing, heard nothing and knew nothing.

"Did you know that oranges helps against depression?" Brooding Boy spoke up so suddenly that it made Joa jump a bit. He gaped at the raven haired individual in question that was dropping random facts of the day, unsure how he was supposed to respond to it. When Joa realized he had remained silent a beat too long for it to be socially acceptable, he shrugged.

"Nope," he blurted, admitting his ignorance in the fruit's mentally healing properties, "I'm afraid I didn't. Ain't really an orange sort of guy myself." Besides, his doctors had prescribed him medicines in the past to find his willpower to live again after he had been saved from the hands of human monsters, two in the shape of his own parents. It had been a hard, long recovery where Joa had to learn to live with the fact that he would remain looking mutilated for the rest of his life, that he would never see his family again and he would never again be like the other kids. And all of this before his seventh birthday. He was quite sure that no amount of oranges could have lifted him up from that dark place, despite him being now still hooked on anti-depressants. (He had tried to learn to live without them but... the withdrawals were really hard to deal with.) A sort of mirthless smile graced his lips as he stared at the other people throwing around their jackets and complaining loudly how they were ruined, but he wasn't seeing any of them. His gaze seemed a bit clouded, like his mind was somewhere far away as he spoke. "Now, blood oranges, though... that's where it's at." It would take a while for anyone to get that pun, but that was alright. It would remain as Joa's private joke until the time would come around.

He blinked couple of times, and the glazed look was gone again. The tawny eyes turned to appraise the taller boy curiously. "What's your name?" he asks off the bat, "I suppose it really isn't Ghost, is it? If so, I can't quite decide if your parents were being cruel or brilliant."​

 

[Laivindur]

Ricchon was quite the patient type, though as the other boy seemed quite taken aback, he feared he might have said something wrong. Luckily Joakim started to speak before Ricchon could say anything more wrong. Relieved Ricchon listened interested even though the boy didn't share his liking of oranges. He wondered what the boy did like, or dislike. What powers did he have? Ricchon's face could be quite expressive in its calm way. Even though it were no puppy eyes looking back down at Joakim, his concern for the sudden distant boy was evident. Only for a short while however, as Joakim made him laugh. He calmed shortly after, and spoke proudly even though he seemed to think less of his parents. "My parents's intelligence can be discussed." Still proud, however polite in his introduction, Ricchon said "My name is Ricchon. Just call me that or whatever you want. I'll let you know if the nickname won't suffice. I'd like for you to give me an introduction of yourself. I do not believe in rumors, or gossip. I do not judge either. Feel free to express yourself in whatever way you want." Ricchon's eyes had been trailing Joakim's face while speaking politely. Joakim's scars carried stories, and his eyes too. Ricchon only looked away from Joakim when a female his age offered him an old duster coat. "Please, stay in the group, Ricchon," the female said wearily before vanishing into the group again to deliver jackets and coats to other students. Ricchon quickly checked the fabric of the long, dark coat, which seemed to have belonged to a man. Ricchon looked back at Joakim once he decided that the coat would suffice. He waited patiently for Joakim to answer.

 

[Wicked]

The tall boy laughed. He laughed. He thought Joa was funny. Well, it seemed like the time for miracles wasn't over. But where others got one, Joa got two. At the same time. Firstly, it seemed like maybe Brooding Boy wasn't so broody after all despite the first impression. Secondly, someone actually found Joa funny. And not just in the I-Am-Rolling-My-Eyes-At-You-Ha-Ha kind of way, but the Your-Sense-Of-Humor-Syncs-With-Mine-And-Thus-I-Am-Genuinely-Finding-What-You-Said-Funny. No one could really blame the shorter boy for staring at the taller one like he had just grown two heads. He wasn't exactly used to this sort of reaction. Well, there must be a first for everything, right?

"My parents's intelligence can be discussed." The Perhaps-Not-So-Brooding Boy said after he was done chuckling. Joa shrugged again, responding with a brief "Story of my life..." mutter before the other boy went ahead again. "My name is Ricchon. Just call me that or whatever you want. I'll let you know if the nickname won't suffice. I'd like for you to give me an introduction of yourself. I do not believe in rumors, or gossip. I do not judge either. Feel free to express yourself in whatever way you want." Right after that, someone dropped a jacket for the boy, who had introduced himself as Ricchon.

"What's this, a marriage interview? Or perhaps a blind date?" Joa scoffed, but there was a smirk to his tone and adorning his scarred face. He cocked his chin up arrogantly, though obviously joking, and decided to roll with it a bit further. He cleared his throat and gave the most stereotypical sounding dating application one could find in the back of a newspaper where people left their adds. "Joakim Hale, just call me Joa. Fifteen years old, born in August 17th, Leo, atheist. I'm tragically funny and good-looking. I enjoy long walks at the beach and believe in love at first sight." He batted his eyelashes at Ricchon exaggerately. Another impish smirk was on his face again as he dropped the act, and then upfront added. "I noticed you staring at me a lot today. Do you have a crush on me or is it just this devilishly handsome mug that distracts you?" The smirk eased a bit, as Joa grew just a hint more serious. "If you're gonna ask about the scars, like everyone always wants to, let's get it over with and move on. I don't like dwelling on the past or depressing things for too long. Tends to be bit of a downer, ya know?"​

 

[Verona]

Jameson Francis

Everything felt like a hopeless mess when Jameson tried to recap his last couple of days. He'd been dropped in this place, Eden had practically run screaming away from him, Alicia was nowhere to be seen, and he'd probably managed to further anger someone that had already tried to murder him anyway. He'd made a rather messy bed for himself to lie in, and it only seemed like it would keep getting worse. If he couldn't adapt to this place fast that was all it was going to do, and with no prior experience with any sort of powers but his own he didn't see that adjustment going any better than it already had. It wasn't fair. None of them deserved to be stuck in this prison.

He just wanted to go home.

Standing away a bit and by himself, in the cold and with no sort of ally or anything familiar in sight, Jameson felt lonelier than he had in years, and all because he'd been stupid and gotten himself caught by the police. Been stupid and gotten himself hit by a car. Been stupid and picked a fight he'd never wanted to have with someone he barely knew. Maybe if he hadn't been such a hotheaded fool he could've helped keep him and his father from being so violently torn apart in the first place.

When he could drag himself out of his own thoughts, he saw Ann standing off by herself, a somewhat familiar face amongst the slowly growing crowd of teens, and took a few deep breaths to push down the terrible feeling in his gut before walking quietly over. ". . . Hey." He said softly when he was a couple of feet from her still, standing a little away just so he wouldn't invade her space. "You okay?"

He wanted to ask what had happened, what she'd done, but he had yet to hear her speak and really didn't think it was wise to delve back into the subject of strange powers anyway. Questions she could nod or shake her head to would be good enough for now.

There was a pause, and he swallowed a sort of anxiousness in his throat to pull the zipper of his coat down a bit, as if he might pull it off. "Need my jacket?" He really didn't like letting go of it, not really ever, and he was only wearing a long sleeved shirt underneath, but it wasn't as if she was going anywhere he couldn't still keep an eye on it. She looked cold, and it was above freezing so it wasn't like he was going to get hypothermia. Ann seemed like a nice person, the way she'd tried to care for Alicia and always smiled at everyone, and it seemed like her powers had scared even her. He could spend a day cold if it meant someone else could feel a little better for a while.

 

[Starrnico]

Ann Marie Rayne

Ann had been lost in her thoughts so she hadn't seen Jameson walk over to her. She blinked and looked to him when he spoke, a simply 'Hey. You okay?' at first then asking if she wanted his jacket. Her lips parted in surprise that he would come and talk to her and not be scared of her then they trembled as she fought back tears. She took a moment, closing her eyes and dipping her head as she took a breath to calm her nerves then looked to him again, raising a hand to touch his so he wouldn't pull his jacket off. She gave him a smile that was much weaker than her normal ones and shook her head gently. She did have a jacket on despite that it wasn't as warm as her white one had been. She took her hand back and started looking in her pockets for the little notepad she had earlier so she could write for him but she couldn't find it on her. That brought a frown and she looked to Jameson again, using her hands to make a paper and pen with a questioning look as if to ask if he had seen where she lost them.

 

[Verona]

Jameson Francis

Oh god, how had he messed up this time? Jameson could admit he panicked a little when Ann started to look like she might burst into tears at any second, and he floundered for something to say or at the very least to figure out what he'd said wrong. He'd only asked two questions, said less than ten words, how had he messed up so firmly already? Seeing such a nice and gentle person look so watery-eyed had a sort of sympathetic fear curling around his throat.

"Wait - no, don't, please. . ." He managed, trying in effectively to get her to stop with the lower lip trembles, and only quieted when she touched him. It was gentle and brief, and gave her a hopelessly confused but somewhat relieved look when she didn't actually begin to cry. He still didn't understand what had just transpired between them, but good god, as long as she didn't start to cry things were okay. He didn't know what to do with crying when he couldn't really talk with her.

"Hm?" He looked at the gesture she made, patted at his pockets a bit and held up his hands as if to show he didn't have anything with him. "No, I . . . I don't have anything to write with." He glanced around, looked back towards the doors they'd come from to see that there was still a relatively steady flow of orphans coming out. "We might have a minute. . . Did you want to go find something?" He would go with her, if she needed something to write with to communicate. He didn't mind being late to whatever this stupidly cold meeting was for.

 

[Starrnico]

Ann Marie Rayne

Ann nodded and glanced around as well before heading for the doors to go back to the dining room. She had to see if she had left her notebook and pen there before she would check the coat closet or out by the tree. It was a good distraction from her feelings and her fears as she avoided hitting others on her way in then looked around and went over to the table they had been at before. The top was clear but a look to the floor had her stooping and kneeling down to reach under and fish out the notepad then looking around for her pen. She didn't see it as she looked around and under the nearest tables, clutching the notepad close.

 

[Verona]

Jameson Francis

When Ann turned to go inside Jameson hesitated, then just followed after her. The trip back inside and to the cafeteria was mostly familiar and he kept his eyes on Ann's white hair as they went so they wouldn't get separated, bumping shoulders with a few people as he went but offering nothing more than muffled pleasantries to excuse it. It was better when they got to the more open, empty space, and Ann got down to the ground to look for something. Maybe she'd had paper already and lost it?

The silent girl found a notepad and kept looking, so Jameson moved around the other side of the table to help look too despite not really knowing what it was he might find. After a minute or so of searching he found a pen hiding next to a table leg a few feet away, and picked it up to show her. "Is this it?" He asked, unsure but thinking pen and paper probably went together. It wasn't as if she could have told him it was what she needed beforehand, so he hoped he was at least being somewhat helpful.

 

[Sarokhor]

Alicia Winters

Alicia turned to see what was taking everyone so dang long to get out here. She was irritated to see people lazily coming this way but what really made her narrow her eyes was seeing Ann and Jameson heading back inside. She stomps her foot on the ground and huffs with mild irritation as her mind races "What in the world are they doing?! We were all supposed to be out here in ten minutes and it has surely been longer! And now they're going back inside?! There had better be a good reason for this... Though it IS Ann, she has never seemed like a delinquent to me. Maybe she needs help with something..." With her mind made up she too made her way inside, chasing the two with a prideful and determined stride. She enters the dining room just as James finds Ann's pen, the small girl clearing her throat and folding her arms "Ann... we were supposed to be outside already. Did you lose something besides your notebook and pen?" Alicia is understanding of why she would want such a thing, for communication and for note taking. Alicia herself always kept two pens and a small notepad on her at all times in case she needed to write something out to understand it better. She liked taking notes and helping people learn using her written material... She looks to Jameson and smiles brightly "Thank you for helping her by the way. At first I worried you might be influencing her to skip what Mr Powers had to announce to us" She shakes her head and seems rather happy to see she was wrong "Though I see now that I was mistaken and I apologize..." She felt kind of bad for imposing on the two of them but felt a sort of right to be here, seeing as she was trying to encourage them to return to the gathering