Tension Rising - Main thread [Fight or Flight]

[Gobbo]

Gray blinked a bit at her suggest, looking sheepish for a moment. "Sure, I'd love that. The more we practice, the better." he said with a little grin. "Maybe some time after lunch?"


He glanced over as another guy sat down, and smiled warmly. "Thanks. I did the best I could... This course is unbelievably hard." he admitted with a light chuckle.


"I don't think we've met yet. I'm Grayson." he held out his hand for a shake. It was then that his phone beeped quietly, causing Gray to jump a bit. He shook his head a bit and checked the message, smiling before deleting it and putting his phone back in his pocket. "I've got a package waiting at reception, remind me to pick it up after class?" he asked Sen, turning his teal eyes to the girl with a light smile.


@SkyGinge @Shura

 

[SkyGinge]

"Well, I haven't broken anything so there's that," Jon smiled wryly. He attempted a small chuckle, but it sent him into a minor coughing fit. "Although when I can unweld this dried paint from this top, I wouldn't be surprised if my chest looks like someone's gone at it with a cheese grater." He moved a stiff arm to the paint around his jacket-neck and picked slightly at it, as if to prove his point. "Still, that'll all heal, there's not much to worry about. I'm more concerned for you. You were very brave to try that given how your leg is." He gave her a caring smile, but turned away to face the arena as he remembered that she also hadn't wanted him fussing too much over her last time.


"It's a little harsh of them to put us through all this though," he mused aloud. "I mean, I've just come from some private tutoring with another teacher, and that was exhausting enough. You think they'd have a little more care when it comes to pain and stuff. I guess it just shows where we have to improve, hey? We can't rely on powers alone, and that's probably the point of the exercise."


He stretched stiffly as he made the process of turning back to the others look a hundred times more difficult than normal. He accepted the other boy's handshake with a stiff, trembling arm, smiling droopily when he realised the guy was pretty much named after the colour of his hair. "Nice to meet you Gray," he beamed, "I'm Jon, Jon Byrd, transferred over from England." He watched, a little amused, as he asked her to remind him about something. Then he realised that it was the same boy who had taken his place after he'd left for the infirmary the previous day. He relaxed back on the chair, as much as he could anyway, and sighed loudly.


@Shura


@Alex Phalin

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Without opening his eyes, Alec smiled, and verbally said "Thanks.." to Brittany, as she eased the pain in his arm. How'd you do that? What else can you do with telep... I'm Sorry, I shouldn't inquire so much. Thank you.


His smile faded as she talked about how she'd been mute from birth. It all sounded rather sad to him. He personally wouldn't be very happy if he lost the ability to talk. He's pretty reliant on it to communicate.


That's very altruistic of you. I thank you, again. He opened his eyes when she inquired about his powers. I'm sorry, I'm not really in the shape to show my powers off, but I have control over psionic energy. I can either create solid objects, or bolts of energy. He looked at her with an excusing expression, and then shone up. Actually, I can do this.. He looked at her, and then his eyes flashed purple for a second, then he leaned his head back again and closed his eyes.


@Kharmin

 

[Shura]

Sen Harper


Sen nodded slightly to Grays request hoping she would remember. "Sure." She looked over to jon unstuck in and brushing her hair back from her face, she honestly wanted to shower and get the paint off as well. She shrugged slightly, "Rogues won't just wait around for my leg to get better... better to see what I can do while injured then just sit around and watch." She smirked slightly. "Still I won't be trying that again until I'm better." She looked over to the grid. "Eh.. given the incident at the gym..." She muttered remembering how much of a similar situation it was. "it harder cause of the graduate but.. about on par with difficulty. Bonus is its only paint and not knives."

 

[Kharmin]

<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2014_09/Kiara.jpg.905886f3b46115d01889972516c32fad.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="29306" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2014_09/Kiara.jpg.905886f3b46115d01889972516c32fad.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> Kiara closed her tired, sea-green eyes as Teru stroked her hair. The sensation was soothing and compassionate and she sighed. At Teru's comment on matching count with him, she almost allowed a smile to cross her lips. It was a small consolation to a task that was specifically designed for their failure.


With Teru's affirmation on her muttered statement, Kiara did finally smile which to most was a very rare thing. That he appreciated her without reservations warmed her heart in a way that no one had before. She hoped that she would be paired up with Teru for any team-centric drills. Kiara knew, without question, that she would protect him at any cost.


With a quick move, Kiara leaned up and pecked Teru on the cheek. He deserved more than her simple, brief display, but given the circumstances Kiara decided it best to be saved for later. She hoped that her quick kiss would suffice.


@PicaPirate

 

[Kharmin]

<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2014_09/Brittany_originalcrop.jpg.cd2a61e1d9a902bfc151dcf68d156e5d.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="29307" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2014_09/Brittany_originalcrop.jpg.cd2a61e1d9a902bfc151dcf68d156e5d.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> Brittany chuckled in their mental communication. It was light sounding, charming and totally matched her jovial green eyes. {{That's ok,}} she said, {{I don't mind the questions. We can't learn from each other if we don't ask. Basically, I learned where certain pain centers are in the brain and I can block those receptors, for a time, which makes the brain think that the thing that hurts... well, doesn't. I've left a little pain, though, as a reminder so that you won't aggravate it and make it worse. However, your mind will re-set these pain receptors when you sleep, so in the morning the blocks I have put into place will be gone.}}


She smiled as Alec described his talent. {{It's good to meet you then, Alec,}} she said, {{I've never met a psion like you before. I look forward to seeing your full talent when you've recovered. Is there anything more I can do for you? I should probably check some of the other test-subjects and see if they need anything.}}


@Prizzy Kriyze

 

[Gobbo]

Gray smiled a bit, scratching his head. "You two are making me feel bad for hiding in the bunker like a coward now..." he said with a half-hearted chuckle. He turned his eyes to the floor and sighed a bit, before quickly changing the subject.


"So Jon, you're from England? I've always wanted to go there. What's it like?" he asked cheerily, his mood shifting back to normal fairly quickly.


@SkyGinge


---


Zach came out of the clinic, a huge smile on his face. Having metas with healing abilities this close was amazing. He was still exceptionally sore, but the wounds were all closed up and scarred over. All except the stab wound in his side, but with the work they had done it would be healed up in just a few days.


He walked through the hallway back towards the gym, unwrapping the bandages around his neck and arms. It was nice to let his tattoos show again, he felt awkward having to cover them up. As he walked he noticed a shape in a tree just outside and tilted his head a bit curiously. As he made his way over he noticed it was a student. She didn't look like she was doing so well.


"Hey, you alright?" he asked, looking up at her from the base of the tree.


@theunderwolf

 

[SkyGinge]

"Don't think of yourself of a coward," Jon exclaimed earnestly, "you were the one doing the sensible thing really, instead of going out there and nearly murdering yourself like we did." He tried to chuckle again, but once again ended up spluttering. He clutched his side, clenching his teeth. In all honesty, Jon didn't think any less of Gray for not being involved in the battle. After all, it really was the most sensible decision, and Jon understood why people would want to go and hide. Even if somebody had been a completely selfish coward and immediately fled screaming for their life, Jon wouldn't have thought of them any differently, because they were only doing what was best for them.


"Well, it's a lot smaller than the States," he chuckled/winced, "and probably a whole lot more crowded. A lot of fields, couple of mountains, coasts, and a heck of a lot of rain." This time he attempted, and succeeded, in a successful smirk. "Probably a lot less tea around than people expect too. You still wanna go there now?" He grinned playfully.


@Alex Phalin

 

[Gobbo]

"Well... I was in my room when the alarms went off, and I just never left. I dunno, I just feel like I could have done some good if I had helped." he said solemnly, shrugging a bit. Running a hand through his hair he grinned a bit. "Still, it's good to know that I'm not going to end up being ostracized for not fighting. I mean, it's my first year here, and I really don't want people hating me forever just because I was hiding."


He smiled and tilted his head a bit, listening to Jon's description of England. After a few moments of thought he nodded. "Yeah, still sounds pretty awesome. I love rain, and I've seen some pictures of the countryside there. Plus, I'm not too big on tea myself. I've got a whole plan to travel the world when I'm done with school. I just hope I can actually end up doing it." he said with a wide grin.


@SkyGinge

 

[theunderwolf]

Fox flinched when she heard the voice. She was still shaking from her ordeal and wasn't sure if she wanted to talk with people right now "I'm F-fine." She stuttered out, tone clearly indicating that she wasn't and Fox knew it. "Ok no I'm not. Can you keep me company up here? I think I need someone nearby."


@Alex Phalin

 

[Gobbo]

Zach scratched his head a bit, looking up at her. "Yeah, sure..." he said, stretching a bit. He was still in a moderate amount of pain, but he figured he'd be able to at least climb a tree.


After a short while of struggling he made his way up, sitting on one of the branches near her. He had nearly lost his eyepatch because of a twig, and spent a few moments fixing it.


"What happened in there? I wouldn't think the training would be hard enough to send someone into a panic attack..." he said, his voice sympathetic.


@theunderwolf

 

[SkyGinge]

"If you like rain, then you'll love England," Jon laughed quietly, "And probably Ireland and Scotland even more so. It's kind of a trope that we talk far too much about the weather in the UK, but it's actually completely true. We probably just complain about the rain because we're not somewhere like Spain or the like. But that is quite the cool ambition, and I hope the current rogue meta crisis doesn't foil your plans. Suppose you'll be able to cut to the highlights a little quicker than most with your super speed ability. Would certainly solve those long boring motorway drives."


"I wanted to be an actor before I realised I was a meta," Jon explained distantly. "Now I don't know. It'd be a shame to put in so much training here and then let it all go to waste."


@Alex Phalin

 

[theunderwolf]

The girl flinched and sighed, "It wasn't the training," She said slowly and tightly, "It was the guns." She grabbed a nearby branch for support and gripped it hard enough for her knuckles to go white, "One shot grazed me and it was Like I was back in the forest running from hunters again. I took a hit and I bolted ." She finished as she rolled up her hoody sleeve revealing a severely scarred arm and a streak of red paint.


@Alex Phalin

 

[Gobbo]

"You know, I think I wouldn't mind long drives... Speeding around is cool and all, but I end up missing a lot of stuff." he said with a little shrug.


"An actor? Well... I don't see why you can't do it. It's not like you'll be wasting all this training or anything. If it's your dream, go for it. You'll only regret it more if you don't try at all." He grinned a little. "Plus, English actors are all the rage right now. You'd knock 'em dead, I guarantee it. Plus, if there were any major problems, you'd be able to help."


@SkyGinge


---


Zach winced sympathetically, seeing her arm. He reached over and touched the scars lightly, frowning.


"I see... I'm sorry." he said, scratching his head. "If it helps at all, any time I see a glass bottle I get pretty nervous." he said, tapping his eyepatch with a little smirk.


"I'm sure if you talk to the teachers, they'll understand. They could help you out, if you wanted." He felt bad for the girl, and though he knew he had to get back to class he felt that this was more important. She needed someone to talk to, and he couldn't just leave her by herself.


"You can shapeshift, right?" he asked, changing the subject. "I'd have loved to see you training, I'm sure it would be awesome to watch." He grinned a bit, hoping he could get her mind off the guns if only for a little while.


@theunderwolf

 

[SkyGinge]

Jon couldn't help but break out into a smile. He's even more of a smooth-talker than me. Gray was proving himself to be a very polite and considerate man. Yet unusually, Jon found himself slightly annoyed by the other boy. He hated the feeling; after all, Gray had done nothing against him so far. But he couldn't help it. He couldn't put a finger on what exactly had annoyed him, but it was there, and now he was fighting mentally to get it to go away. "Thank you, that's very nice of you to say," Jon nodded, finding himself lost for conversation once more. It was almost as if when something pierced his confidence, he lost all trains of thought regarding conversation, and that seemed to be what was happening here.


Thankfully, he quickly remembered something to bring up for conversation. "I've been thinking, actually," he began, "You use blades, don't you? What are they like to fight with?" Jon was already thinking of trying to master a much more unconventional form of weaponry, but first he wanted to hear from somebody who actually used weapons.

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

It's alright, thank you. If you could only wake me up in case I fall asleep, that'd be great. He yawned. Sleep seemed so inviting. He hated being this tired. Just take care of the other people.. I'll be fine.. He said before fainting. (Stupid short, sorry)


@Kharmin

 

[Kharmin]

<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2014_09/Brittany_originalcrop.jpg.0cd67b5bcb744b91b16af47c3eaabb2c.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="29316" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2014_09/Brittany_originalcrop.jpg.0cd67b5bcb744b91b16af47c3eaabb2c.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> {{Rest easy, Alec,}} Brittany said. {{I'll make sure that you'll be fine.}}


But the contact with the boy's mind was severed as he lost consciousness. Brittany frowned as her pain-block would be lost upon his waking. Still, she managed to give him some comfort and that's why she had returned to the academy.


She left Alec and moved to the bleachers. Brittany scanned the assembled students with just her soft, green eyes. It was easy to discern which ones had already had their run at the Grid by the pain that adorned their clothes. Not knowing whom to engage first, Brittany let her gaze pass from student to student as she used her triage experience to determine which students needed her help.


Brittany spied Jon sitting with a couple other students. All of them seemed injured in some manner, but Jon winced more at his condition. She approached the trio with a gentle smile and to Jon, she presented her laminated card to him: "I am a telepath and a mute. I can only speak to you in your mind. Will you allow me to do so?"


@SkyGinge

 

[theunderwolf]

"Yeah i guess, but I only really know Mr.Wilson and even then I don't even know what he teaches." Fox said hesitantly, a little scared to show her weakness unnecessarily. She smiled a little bit, "Yeah training was fun I don't think I've switched that much or that often in years. You wanna see, I can turn into almost any animal you can name!"


@Alex Phalin

 

[Gobbo]

Gray smiled widely. "You can thank me when you call me from a movie set." he said with a smirk. At his question he reached under the back of his shirt and pulled one of the knives out, the long blade speckled with bits of paint he still hadn't cleaned off.


"Well... Fighting with knives is interesting. You don't get the range that a sword has, so you really have to put yourself at risk while you're using one. But if you can find a good blade, it really gives you an advantage in combat." he said, flipping the knife and catching it by the blade. He held it out to him, handle first. "These are just loaner daggers my dad gave me while my personal ones were getting fixed. I'm pretty sure that's what the package at reception is. If you want, I can let you borrow these and teach you how to use 'em." he offered with a smile.


@SkyGinge


---


Zach grinned a bit. "Mr. Wilson's a good teacher. He'd listen if you needed to talk." He found the girl's scarring a bit worrisome, but figured that it wouldn't be a good idea to ask, at least not until she felt more comfortable.


"That's something I'd love to see. I've heard about shapeshifters being really awesome in combat." He smirked a bit, holding up his hand for a moment. Electricity crackled between his fingers, and he could already tell he was feeling much better after the visit to the clinic.


"I use electricity. It makes owning a phone pretty hazardous." he joked with a little grin. "What's your name, anyways? I've seen you around, I just don't think we've actually met. Then again, my memory's pretty bad..."


@theunderwolf

 

[theunderwolf]

"Don't worry, we haven't met, I'd remember you." She leaned in, catching his scent (the boy smelled like the air before a storm)," You have a very distinct smell about you. Oh and I'm Fox, Fox Redtail." She introduced herself as she flicked between her fox and Red-tailed hawk forms after which she leaned in close to his hands, trying to figure out what h had done, Unable to figure it out she looked out at him and asked, "and um, Whats electricity? Is that like lightning?"


@Alex Phalin

 

[SkyGinge]

"Your own personal daggers, my gosh," Jon smirked, "Health and safety would have nightmares over that." He relieved the over boy of his knife, looking at it as he supposed you were supposed to admire blades. It didn't really mean a lot to him though, and he wouldn't have been able to tell what condition it was in, or if indeed it was actually any good as a blade. Concluding his scanning, he swung the blade dramatically forwards and pulled a dramatic expression, only to hurt his arm and have to pull back, chuckle/croaking. After a brief moment, he handed the other boy's weapon back. "Thanks for the offer, but with how I think I'm going to end up fighting, I'd prefer something with a little more range."


"Although... actually, no, I will take you up on that." He took the weapon back, searching himself for a moment as if trying to find a place to put it, but having to give up and rest it carefully on his lap. A knife would certainly make his tactic of suddenly appearing and attacking a little more easier, but after seeing what devastation the cloning guy had caused with a knife, he didn't think he'd be able to stomach stabbing it into an actual human being. Besides, he liked to think there was a certain grace to using a weapon, and he wanted to find something that he could well and truly use as his own. Something unique, that the rogue meta's certainly wouldn't expect. He'd already decided; he would design a new, unique weapon for himself. He would talk to the robot guy about helping it out, or maybe ask about where to get a custom made weapon. But until then, he would study general weaponry, to make himself a decent all-rounder. That way, he'd be prepared for anything. And in the mean time, he would keep the knife for self defence.


"A dad who trains you in knives, hey?" Jon smirked. "I wonder if my dad would've been like that." At that moment, an older student, presumably a graduate, appeared and handed him a card. He scanned the card, and then looked back to the girl. She seemed friendly enough, though he did wonder why exactly she would want to go in his head out of all the people sat there. "Go on then," he smiled, wondering what would happen next.


@Alex Phalin


@Kharmin

 

[Gobbo]

Gray couldn't help but chuckle a bit at Jon's exuberance. "Don't push yourself too hard. I can start teaching you when you're healed up enough to swing that thing." he said with a smile.


"Plus, a knife is a good stepping stone to longer blades. You're much less likely to severely injure yourself with a knife. At least, that's what my dad taught me." he explained. "He gave me my first pocketknife when I was seven. I've been around blades my whole life, so handling them is just second nature to me now. They're easy to learn, though." He tilted his head a bit, watching as he rested the knife on his lap. "You know, I might have spare sheathes in my room. If not, I've got some leather, I can just make you one. Better than shoving it in your belt, at least."


He glanced over at the girl that had walked up, tilting his head curiously. He wondered what the card had said that she handed Jon, but figured it wasn't his place to ask.


@SkyGinge


---


Zach smiled a little at her remark about his smell. "Thanks..." he said quietly, unsure whether she meant it in a good way. At her comment about electricity he blinked, staring at her for a moment.


"Uh... Yeah, it's basically lightning." he said, arcing a bolt between his open hands for a moment. "How do you not know what electricity is? I mean, it powers the school... Lights, air conditioning, the vending machines..." he said, watching her for a few moments. She was definitely an odd one, that much was for sure.


@theunderwolf

 

[Kharmin]

<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2014_09/Brittany_originalcrop.jpg.784ccc4d27e6eb342394dd947fab7939.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="29318" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2014_09/Brittany_originalcrop.jpg.784ccc4d27e6eb342394dd947fab7939.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> {{Thank you,}} Brittany said in Jon's mind. Her mental voice was kind, soft and compassionate. {{My name is Brittany, but you may call me Britt or Bree if you want. I am a graduate student and a nurse who has come back to help however I might.}} She paused to allow her thoughts to collect in his mind.


Her green eyes shined as she glanced over him looking for obvious injuries.{{I know that the Grid can be a difficult trial. I noticed your wincing and thought that I might help?}} she said. {{Or perhaps your friends, here? I would appreciate it if you would let them know who I am so that I don't have to repeat myself as doing so would unnecessarily tax my talent.}}


@SkyGinge

 

[theunderwolf]

"Oh okay. I've been trying to figure out how everything works in this school for an age honestly, I just assumed magic for all I knew." Fox looked at him for a moment then comprehended his expression of sheer confusion, "I should probably explain, i grew up in the "backwoods" the people seem to call it so a lot of the more heavily human parts are mystery, I can count on my fingers the number of people I've shared more than a couple words with. So sorry in advance if I have to ask weird questions like that."


@Alex Phalin

 

[SkyGinge]

Jon almost jumped out of his seat as he heard an alien voice in his head. It was quite the discomforting experience; he literallt felt as though seombody were planting thoughts in his mind, and his initial impulse was to repel the voice as soon as possible. Thankfully though, he mental voice was kind, soft and friendly, and Jon could almost imagine it were an angel communicating with him. He soon grew accustomed to it and untensed (at least as far as his body would allow), listening intently. That she had a mental voice that held something other than just thoughts made him wonder: does everybody have a mental voice? And if so, what would they sound like? He found himself grinning in interest, looking up at the gentle girl as if she were speaking to him normally.


"You have a very beautiful voice," he said honestly, no doubt to Gray and Sen's confusion. "So can you read my thoughts? Or do I need to still speak out loud for you to understand me? In any case, I'll do as you say now." He turned to the other two. "This is Britany, or Britt, or Bree, and she's mute. But she communicates through telepathy; she can speak inside your mind. It all feels very thrilling. Anyhow, she wants to know if you two wouldn't mind her coming and speaking to you." He waited for her responce in regards to thought readings before answering or mentioning her question on help.


@Kharmin


@Alex Phalin


@Shura