Awake in Prefeton (Superpowers Char RP|IC, Signup, Open)

[Union Princes]

Alis in Maine

“We got company, Alis.” Cheshire chuckled as he finished eating his food when Luna came over to sit next to his owner.

Alis looked over to take a peek at Luna’s lunch. She immediately noticed the bacon and ham in her sandwich. Cheshire noticed too as he got up from his spot to walk over to Luna. He began to sniff at Luna’s lunch bag and then her hand.

“He’s friendly.” Alis informed Luna as her cat gave a few licks on her knuckles. “He won’t scratch.”

The Welsh girl was about say more when someone new appeared at her side. Alis turned around and saw Jack crouching so he could be at eye level with her.

“Oh,” Alis stuttered, taken aback that Jake came all the way here to talk. Cheshire only looked the boy in mild curiosity. “Y-yeah, I think I’m fine. Why do you ask?

[Lessoni]

Alis in Maine
“Oh,” Alis stuttered, taken aback that Jake came all the way here to talk. Cheshire only looked the boy in mild curiosity. “Y-yeah, I think I’m fine. Why do you ask?

Jack Brekker

Jack almost blushed at her question; indeed, he felt the heat rise into at least his neck.

"It's just, after that party last week, I never really got a chance to talk to you, and I'm guessing you know how busy school can keep you. I'm gonna be honest, you intrigue me. ...That came out wrong. Let me try again. I just wanna be friends, yeah?," said Jack, now actually blushing.

[Talchyon]

Lunch
Rashaad Pennel

Today was a day to go simple on the wardrobe. Jeans and a plain black t-shirt. Rashaad could care less. That was one thing he was never going to be - someone who spent hours on his look. Just throw on a shirt (that hopefully doesn't stink) and some pants, holes or not. Then just head out.

Since the beach party that wasn't much of a party in his opinion, things had gone paranoid. No one could leave the island. That sucked, since there was a skateboard park on the mainland. Now Rashaad couldn't try to practice any more of his moves. The news were saying that the body at the party that Cecil had spoken of was spreading some disease, so they were stuck. Things could come in. But no one could come out.

His dad had also been busier. Hadn't been around much since the party. Work. At least that's what Rashaad figured. He was tired when he saw him, if he saw him. Gone before Rashaad got up. And usually didn't come back until late. Yet his mom was pretty nonchalant about the whole thing. "He comes home at lunch when you're at school and takes a few hours sleep before he goes back," was all she said.

School had turned just as paranoid, too. Seething annoyance raged inside most students. Annoyance at being stuck on the island, having football and volleyball matches cancelled, and a whole host of other more normal things. Like teachers trying to pester him to raise his science scores or creative writing. "Who cares," Rashaad thought. "Like I'm going to be a scientist or a writer."

He actually didn't know what he was going to do with his life. And it wasn't only because of his disability. Or his low test scores and general apathy about school in general. It was more to do with things that had come out, more or less since the party. Like a clearish-blackish arm (?) of some kind jutting out from his head, starting out from about a few feet away. Rashaad had been able to reach out with that a ways. He didn't know what it did or what it meant. He couldn't "grab" anything with it, not that he thought it really was an arm. Like some kind of energy thing? Like an arm, but no hands, only curlies at the end like you get on the top of soft serve ice cream. Rashaad had no idea what it was. Only that it wasn't normal. And it probably wasn't good.

That day at lunch, Rashaad got his stuff and wheeled over to a table. He was still getting to know people. The first few weeks were a little different, but not quite for him. Being an army brat, it wasn't the first new school he had attended. But it did give him an idea of the kinds of people to look for that might welcome him in.

Problem was, the people he'd normally sit by were either at the other lunch the school had scheduled right after this, or they were with people he didn't want to sit by. So he sighed, and wheeled himself up to the end of the table where Atalia was. Put his stuff down and smiled at her. Ran his fingers through his hair. Said, "Hey there. You want to go to that dance comin' up with me?" Couldn't hurt.

---

Kristen Lane

She was living in her own nightmare. People who used to be her friends were all looking at her funny. Teachers had stopped her in the halls to ask her if she was having problems at home or with others. They suggested she see the guidance counselor. And it wasn't a one-time suggestion from a teacher who had his student alert on super sensitive. It was from three teachers. And it all started because of that mouthy freshman Ascot at the party.

Him blabbing about super powers and conspiracies of government agents had started the ball rolling. The football team who had been there, plus some of the runners in cross country with her, had made Ascot the brunt of their jokes. And because Ascot had motioned to "his friends" on the beach, calling some of them out by name, and she was one of them, Kristen had gotten her fair share of being picked on. Some of the guys had purposely weighted her bookbag down with weights from the gym so that she could "prove" to everyone that she had super strength. Some jerks on the football team splashed her with water to see if she could create a force field and repel it. And on it had gone.

She tried to explain her way out. "Like, I just told Ascot that I was a machine on the track, and he got all crazy like." "I just told Ascot that when I run, others eat my dust and he concocted this weird idea in his head." But they wouldn't listen.

Her only release so far had been cross country practice. Her coach was the sort that could care less about quarantine, fully expecting it to be lifted and that they would be going to some meets that year. So he had the whole cross country team still running. And because she had been feeling more alone than ever, often went off running by herself.

And that's when she discovered what those exhaust pipes on the backs of her calves did.

She had been running, just as normal. But that run was nothing like normal. Kristen had never gone so fast, so far. Her mouth was open the whole time - it was like four times faster than normal! And then when she stopped, she wasn't tired. Her muscles didn't ache. She felt like she could keep doing that for hours. And the smell! Carbon monoxide! Like she left her car on in the garage, and then went into get something, and came back out. There was actual smoke! Smoke coming out of those exhaust pipes! That's what those pipes did!

Her life was never going to be the same.

She slumped through the next few weeks, trying to be normal and realizing it was hopeless. She found the table where the people at the party. Ascot wasn't there, which made her thankful. So she sat next to Steve and picked at her food. And didn't say anything.

[Union Princes]

Jack Brekker

Jack almost blushed at her question; indeed, he felt the heat rise into at least his neck.

"It's just, after that party last week, I never really got a chance to talk to you, and I'm guessing you know how busy school can keep you. I'm gonna be honest, you intrigue me. ...That came out wrong. Let me try again. I just wanna be friends, yeah?," said Jack, now actually blushing.

Cheshire scoffed at the notion. "Were you not already friends?" he hissed.

"Shush!" Alis scolded her cat before stroking his fur to calm him down.

"Just friends?" she asked Jack, looking at him quizzically, "You're not here to be more than that?"

[Dragos Bee]

Ascot Rider

Ascot got his food and sat down beside Jack, his face frowning and glum. Noticing that he was sitting near ‘Tali’ and Kristen, Ascot’s first actions (besides holding Jack’s hand) were to say to the young ladies, “I apologize for my actions in the party. I...majorly embarrassed the partygoers and myself.” He then looked around and noticed Ian Beaufort’s presence. Well that negated any plans he might have had to talk about superpowers - Ian was not in the party, as he recalled. So Ascot felt the need to be oblique with what he was going to say next. “Either way, I’m going with Jack to the dance, so that question is settled for me. I’d also like to announce that my family’s restaurant is angling for catering services for the ‘Harvest Ball’, and that if it gets approved, my family will also require help organizing said catering services.”

A pause. “If you guys help me, I will personally guarantee that you can have a discount in meals and snacks in the restaurant premises and a nice place to meet.” Nice, not safe, even though it was that too. He shouldn’t alarm Ian. “Not only is the ambience decent but we can even get my parents’ permission to throw a miniature version of the ‘party in the woods’ anytime we want as long as we’re discreet about it.” Okay, that stretched the truth a bit - Ascot’s parents would not allow the kids access to alcohol. Coffee, however, was well within their tolerances. Also lots of cake. He then looked at Allison and said, “Also, my parents won’t ask questions as to a growing girl’s need for extra food. Either way, I’m offering a place to hang out with me and Jack and I would want you guys to come even if there weren’t… Other things to talk about.”

Then he looked at Ian, saying, “You’re invited too - Our food isn’t quite haute cuisine, but it’s pretty good and the companionship will be exceptional if the others join.”

[Bingellia]

In spite of how crowded the lunch room always seemingly got, Luna always seemed to find the quietest corner. Down the table from Alis, the white haired youth blinked in surprise at the presence of the cat, but decided ignoring was better than trying to socialize.

Blushing lightly as she began pulling out the lunch she had packed, she remembered how even now, so many weeks later, the Tweedle brothers were telling people she and Maurice were an item. The fact they regularly ate and spent so much time together didn’t help the rumor mill.

Blushing again as her stomach rumbled, Luna took a bite of her sandwich. The taste of the tomato slices, bacon, tomato basil bread, turkey, and sauce on her tongue made her smile in delight. A glance to the side at what she had brought for Maurice still in the container, she mulled over what else was circulating on the grape vine. Luna had to thank her lucky stars she had stayed in the car instead of wandering onto the beach.

Arriving in the lunch room, Maurice took a seat with Luna. This was a still new environment for the girl and the idiots on the grapevine were an ever present factor in his mind, giving him another burden to bare for the sake of the girl but Jack and the Welsh girl were not a problem. He had more pressing concerns, this whole thing about powers and the dead body bringing plague to the Island had seriously bad implications for normal life. On top of that, Maurice could have sworn that some of his miniatures have been moving on their own while he had been focused elsewhere since the party more and more often.

Still, he had to try to keep things relatively normal, right? "So," he grabbed the container he knew was set aside for him, "let's see what Mamma Macleod made for me?" Opening the container, he couldn't help but smile at the sandwich. Luna's Mother knew how to prepare food, and Maurice was starving. Taking the first bite from the sandwich, the crunch was probably loud enough for Luna to hear. The wonderful mix of flavors lifted a weight, however slight, from the boys shoulders.

Swallowing the bite, Maurice chuckled slightly, "Remind me to thank her, Luna."

[Lessoni]

"Just friends?" she asked Jack, looking at him quizzically, "You're not here to be more than that?"

Jack Brekker

With a simple question, Alis seemed to have done the impossible. She'd put Jack at a loss for words.

"M-More than friends? Nah, th-that's ridiculous!," said Jack.

"Noit'snotIthinkyou'rereallycuteandIwouldtotallydateyouifIwasn'talreadyinarelationshipokaybye," said Jack as quickly as he could, walking off as soon as he was done.

Well, that went terribly, thought Jack as he sat next to Ascot.

[Nachfolgia]

Ascot Rider

Ascot got his food and sat down beside Jack, his face frowning and glum. Noticing that he was sitting near ‘Tali’ and Kristen, Ascot’s first actions (besides holding Jack’s hand) were to say to the young ladies, “I apologize for my actions in the party. I...majorly embarrassed the partygoers and myself.” He then looked around and noticed Ian Beaufort’s presence. Well that negated any plans he might have had to talk about superpowers - Ian was not in the party, as he recalled. So Ascot felt the need to be oblique with what he was going to say next. “Either way, I’m going with Jack to the dance, so that question is settled for me. I’d also like to announce that my family’s restaurant is angling for catering services for the ‘Harvest Ball’, and that if it gets approved, my family will also require help organizing said catering services.”

A pause. “If you guys help me, I will personally guarantee that you can have a discount in meals and snacks in the restaurant premises and a nice place to meet.” Nice, not safe, even though it was that too. He shouldn’t alarm Ian. “Not only is the ambience decent but we can even get my parents’ permission to throw a miniature version of the ‘party in the woods’ anytime we want as long as we’re discreet about it.” Okay, that stretched the truth a bit - Ascot’s parents would not allow the kids access to alcohol. Coffee, however, was well within their tolerances. Also lots of cake. He then looked at Allison and said, “Also, my parents won’t ask questions as to a growing girl’s need for extra food. Either way, I’m offering a place to hang out with me and Jack and I would want you guys to come even if there weren’t… Other things to talk about.”

Then he looked at Ian, saying, “You’re invited too - Our food isn’t quite haute cuisine, but it’s pretty good and the companionship will be exceptional if the others join.”

Allison was woofing down food as the rest of the table engaged in conversation. The rate she was eating made anyone around her question if she had eaten I the past few days. Oddly enough, she hate a big breakfast this morning of mostly eggs and was now hungry again. She didn't particularly like this crutch, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Allison was halfway through a chicken leg when Ascot addressed her. She stopped mid chew to look at him and then back down to her trays of food. She quickly swallowed her bite before speaking.

" Yeah. In light of recent events, I might need a restaurant to keep me going." She said with a light chuckle before taking a swig of water.

[Union Princes]

Jack Brekker

With a simple question, Alis seemed to have done the impossible. She'd put Jack at a loss for words.

"M-More than friends? Nah, th-that's ridiculous!," said Jack.

"Noit'snotIthinkyou'rereallycuteandIwouldtotallydateyouifIwasn'talreadyinarelationshipokaybye," said Jack as quickly as he could, walking off as soon as he was done.

Well, that went terribly, thought Jack as he sat next to Ascot.

"Well, that went well." Cheshire chuckled as he watch Jack flee from the area. "A scratch behind the ears, please?"

"I wonder what scared him off.." Alis pouts as she moved her hand to scratch the itch behind her cat's ears.

"If you weren't so horny and wet between your legs, mayhap he would've lingered longer to chat more." Cheshire groaned as he enjoyed the sensation.

"Cheshire! D-don't say that!" Alis was flustered at what she had heard. "It's not true, you know!"

"Whatever you say." Cheshire purred, "Besides, it's not like you have the charm to make a gay man straight."

[Dyelli Beybi]

Atalia Bayer

Lunch
Rashaad Pennel
...

That day at lunch, Rashaad got his stuff and wheeled over to a table. He was still getting to know people. The first few weeks were a little different, but not quite for him. Being an army brat, it wasn't the first new school he had attended. But it did give him an idea of the kinds of people to look for that might welcome him in.

Problem was, the people he'd normally sit by were either at the other lunch the school had scheduled right after this, or they were with people he didn't want to sit by. So he sighed, and wheeled himself up to the end of the table where Atalia was. Put his stuff down and smiled at her. Ran his fingers through his hair. Said, "Hey there. You want to go to that dance comin' up with me?" Couldn't hurt.

Atalia was just coming up with something funny to say to Allison, preferably something that built up Nikolai a bit, when a voice next to her broke her concentration. She turned to see Rashaad had wheeled along next to her. She'd been wondering who might work up the nerve to ask her to the dance and had idly fantasised about one or two. Rashaad hadn't been one of them, she didn't really know him all that well, but if there was one thing that Atalia really liked in a boy it was when they were willing to take some initiative and chase after what they wanted (which in Rashaad's case was, hopefully, 'Atalia' and not 'any old girl'). She smiled brightly. This could be fun, "Yes! But on one condition."

She leaned across to him conspiratorially, "We're going to practice dancing together so that we kill it on the dance floor. Also, because it's fair to warn you about these things in advance; I am going to spike the punch when nobody is looking. It's practically expected of me."

[Ezithea]

Ian Beaufort
Preferton High - Cafateria

---

Ian allowed a faint smile to spread across his face at Atalia's comment, which grew a little wider as she declared her approval for what appeared to be a sad looking chicken nugget. Ian wasn't entirely sure if she was joking or not but he attempted to follow suite. Hesitantly he skewered one of his own nuggets and raised it up to his mouth. He stopped and winced in disgust as he observed the small piece of chicken. Its outer breading layer appeared to be sagging slightly causing more doubt in Ian's mind. Nonetheless he allowed his fork to partially press the chicken into his mouth. Almost as soon as he took a single bite he retched at the taste of it taking a swig of his milk to wash out the foul flavor of the meat.

“Ewww, gross! I thought you said it tasted good?” Ian whined aloud. He dropped the fork with the other half of uneaten chicken back onto his tray and pushed it away from him decidedly refusing to eat anymore of it. At least the milk is okay enough he thought to himself taking another drink from his carton. It was then that Jack remarked about Ian's usual habit of bringing his own food.

...
"Surprised a guy like you doesn't bring your own lunch, Ian,"
...

“Ah...well, yes actually. Our house maid usually prepares my meals for me. She makes the best mushroom risotto you've ever had! Have you ever had ris- wait where are you going?” Ian began seemingly delighted to discuss cuisine that was up to his demands in quality. It was then that Jack promptly decided to leave to visit another student, causing Ian to huff in annoyance.

When Ascot and some others arrived Ian flashed him a faint smile figuring that since they would be spending the better part of the next year together it was worth the effort to be friendly. He listened for a while as the group gave their thoughts on the recent events about some club, the upcoming dance, and also the body that was found on the beach. That last part piqued his interest, causing him to add his own thoughts about whether the others thought it was a terrorist attack or not. The conversation then shifted toward Ascot who talked about some party and then made an offer to redo said party. Ian initially was going to reject him. After all why would he want to partake in any sort of labor let alone playing cater set up, but after a moment he reconsidered.

“Well, I hardly have any use for a discount nor does physical labour really sound that interesting, but I guess I don't really have anything else better to do so.... Sure Ascot. You've got a deal. I suppose it would be nice to have a place to just hangout too.”

[Theyra]

Connor Vale

Things in Preferton have taken a turn that Connor would not have expected. First, the dead body that was found at the beach party and the military coming to remove it. Then the news that a disease is spreading around the world and now the island is quarantined because of that dead body carried the same disease. It was almost like something out of his father's books and he was honestly scared. Though the CDC said that things are under control... he still felt scared. It sounds almost like there is a new plague on their hands. At least he had a chance to hang out with his friends at the beach party before the military came. Even if it took a while to find them and that silver lining feels weak when he thought about it.

Connor was waiting in line, thinking about current events and about his powers. He had used what he calls the sight or Aura sight based on the research it did on the computer. It is still a guess to what the colors that came off from people are. Souls? Auras? Connor did not have an answer for it only that the colors that people have fixed they did not change and his aura seems to be blue. If only his eyes did not glow a bright blue when he uses it, Connor would have rather have it be more discreet then having his eyes glow in the dark. Any thought about the coming Harvest Ball was not on his mind at the moment. Chances are he will not go and just stay at home.

After getting his food tray, Connor looked around the cafeteria for his friends. Quickly spotting them and walked over to sit down at the edge of the table. At least he's got his friends to help make him forget about his current troubles even for a short while.

[Puranas]

Luna was honestly startled when Cheshire came over to her. Though having issues with people, a cat was nonjudgmental and usually only cared about it’s own self interests. Only half hearing Alis, she was about to give him a scratch behind the ears when the animal turned to hiss at Jack. Flinching back, her red eyes peeked through her bangs as Maurice arrived.

“Maurice,” she scowled at the boy, her irritation likely what he was aiming for, “you say that every time and know I don’t like it. I made lunch today, just as I have every day so far.”

Luna had long figured Maurice only teased her like that in order to get her to come out of her shell more, but didn’t mean she cared to hear it anymore. Additionally, the phrase ‘Momma MacLeod’ hit a little to raw at moment, what with the current rumors and all. She was fourteen, though her mind wasn’t in the gutter like some of the kids she had seen in town, she was well aware of the facts of life.

[Asardia]

The last few weeks proved rather interesting for Mukami Jemiriyah. The beach party, the revelation that it was likely that many students most likely had powers, along with the bizarre and premature ending to the party had caused Mukami to feel rather spooked. She already had anxiety problems, but when a corpse straight up appeared out of nowhere on a small little island off the coast of Maine, those issues became more profound. It didn't help that there were reports that the disease that killed that person was spreading around the world.

Mukami paced outside the lunchroom. Her mind was racing - no - scrambling to piece together the events that unfolded with countless scenarios that played one after another. A feeling of isolation and helplessness threatened to devour her at any time. It was like an invisible spirit trapped Mukami in a cellar and locked all exits. In fact, the hallway she was in felt like it was slowly closing in on her. Mukami quickly pulled out her stress ball and began to slowly breathe as she squeezed the ball. She leaned back against the wall, and allowed herself to sink to the floor.

After a few minutes of trying to remain calm, Mukami was finally able to angle her head back towards the lunchroom with a face full of disgust. The food, like all high school "meals", were atrocious. Sorry excuses for food that was delivered to students because the school couldn't be bothered to spend money to follow the government's nutrition guidelines in the way they were meant to be followed. The substances that were being served was a mockery of all edible provisions. Mukami actually believed that the ants she passed on the street ate better food than Prefeton High students.

This brought Mukami down another line of thinking: She absolutely hated Prefeton. The town, the school, everything about it. Why did she even join the baseball team? Why would she waste her time trying to give this building more relevancy when she had issues she struggled with in silence?

Once again, Mukami took a breath and began tossing the stress ball across the hall, catching it when it ricocheted back. The baseball season would begin the following spring, but until then, the only thing Mukami could look forward to was the dance. She wasn't going to attend anyway. Her anxiety caused her may problems, but she did feel particularly worried right before the beach party...

[Khasinkonia]

Annie O’Cassidy
Lunchtime

I was really glad I’d heard those police officers in time, and managed to once again get away with doing my own thing. I played it safe for the week after, but now that things in my personal sphere had slowed down, I was back beating to my own drums and vibing. Classes were what they were, but of course the beginning of the year was easy, and so my primary concerns were making sure theatre paperwork was ready, and making the most out of the last few days of summer aesthetic.

Today, I was wearing an admittedly simple outfit that I was quite pleased with. I had on a mint-green crop top that fit snugly, but really gave me that extra bit of warmth with its sleeves to keep the summer mood going a little longer than a short sleeve top would have allowed. I wore high rise black three button fitted jean shorts, with fishnet stockings underneath. My belly button was covered, and, though the shorts broke the fingertip rule, none of my teachers cared to fight me on it, as I technically was covering my legs. Some of them didn’t like that I did it, but I was otherwise a good student so I always got away with it. It was nice not having to worry about such things. I always told my cousins that the school disciplinarian is the first person you should befriend.

Of course, a top and shorts was not the end of an outfit. I wore black suede bootie heels, and had my great grandmother’s diamond ring on my right ring finger. For makeup, I had minty eyeshadow that matched my top, and of course eyeliner wings, mascara, a hint of blush, and shiny black lipstick. I really did like matching the colours of my outfits with the colours of my makeup. The parallelism gave me a bit of perfectionistic joy. For my ears, I just had studs in, as although I liked being eccentric, I didn’t need to do everything. Hoops made my ears sore after a while anyway. For my hair, I’d considered straightening or curling it this morning, but ultimately time demanded a ponytail. It actually worked out well, as I had my bangs out, then delicate locks of hair on either side of my face to frame it, and then the black scrunchie held my long ginger hair up into a nice voluminous ponytail. Just a little teasing with the brush had convinced the mauve tips to come together into a decent point. Another wonderful day for Annie’s Aesthetics. Eight months since the last fashion disaster!

Bubbie had packed my lunch for me, and even left a little note in Yiddish that I read while walking to the cafeteria.

Bubalah,

I just wanted to let you know that I love you with all my heart, and I’m so proud of what a strong and confident young woman you’re becoming. Keep up the good work in school! You’ll make some man very happy one day!

With love, your Bubbie!♡♡♡

It was sweet, if a bit dated. I wasn’t really sure if I’d ever made one of the folks I dated really happy. Not that I ever had made myself happy either. She praised me being strong and confident. Maybe I was, but had I ever really taken direct initiative with my interpersonal relationships? All I ever did was dress how I wanted, and stuff just fell into my lap. Stuff that I didn’t always even want. As I heated up the roast beef that she’d sent me with, I thought about it. Why not try something new? Maybe I could ask someone out myself, and take someone who seemed nice out to the dance. As I leaned against the counter where the microwave sat, I scanned across the room, and picked out a few folks who I held in a generally positive light. Cute ones, of course. If I was going to actually do this for myself, I should do it for myself.

The microwave beeped, and I grabbed the pyrex with my sleeves. I thought for a second, and decided to just pick one and stick with it. I strolled over towards Connor Vale, who was seated at a table with some friends and a few seats, and said, “Mind if I sit here?”

[Oppermenia]

Malcom Jule

Malcom was in his own head, thinking about everything that had been going on. He needed to figure it all out, but he couldn't. They were all just teenagers. It made him uneasy, until Kristen arrived at the table, sitting next to Steve. He smirked.

Not much had happened between them since the beach. He hadn't gotten the chance to get together with her, though he wanted to. He hardly knew her, but there was something about her that he liked. This was perhaps the first person he really liked, that he wanted to actively talk to. He shot her a smile. "Hey. How's it going?"

[Europa Undivided]

Atalia Bayer

Lunch
Rashaad Pennel
...

That day at lunch, Rashaad got his stuff and wheeled over to a table. He was still getting to know people. The first few weeks were a little different, but not quite for him. Being an army brat, it wasn't the first new school he had attended. But it did give him an idea of the kinds of people to look for that might welcome him in.

Problem was, the people he'd normally sit by were either at the other lunch the school had scheduled right after this, or they were with people he didn't want to sit by. So he sighed, and wheeled himself up to the end of the table where Atalia was. Put his stuff down and smiled at her. Ran his fingers through his hair. Said, "Hey there. You want to go to that dance comin' up with me?" Couldn't hurt.

Atalia was just coming up with something funny to say to Allison, preferably something that built up Nikolai a bit, when a voice next to her broke her concentration. She turned to see Rashaad had wheeled along next to her. She'd been wondering who might work up the nerve to ask her to the dance and had idly fantasised about one or two. Rashaad hadn't been one of them, she didn't really know him all that well, but if there was one thing that Atalia really liked in a boy it was when they were willing to take some initiative and chase after what they wanted (which in Rashaad's case was, hopefully, 'Atalia' and not 'any old girl'). She smiled brightly. This could be fun, "Yes! But on one condition."

She leaned across to him conspiratorially, "We're going to practice dancing together so that we kill it on the dance floor. Also, because it's fair to warn you about these things in advance; I am going to spike the punch when nobody is looking. It's practically expected of me."

Nikolai and Nikita

Nikita had already finished half of the tray when Nikolai pulled out a metal container out from his sling bag. When he opened the box, a beautiful aroma wafted out of its contents. It was pirozhki.

"Did babushka make that?", Nikita asked as he forked a small piece from the pirozhki. "It tastes... Different."

"I did.", Nikolai answered even as he set a tea cup and saucer in the lunch table. He then set a steel box, and pulled out a tea bag from the cardboard.

The box read "Russian Caravan". It was a traditional type of tea imported by caravan from China to Russia in medieval times. Apparently, this was the last thing that their Eastern relatives sent over to Prefeton before the entire planet went down to lockdown mode because of that DAMN plague. Quickly, he poured cold water from his water bottle and began to stir the tea cup's contents.

Just like a stately gentleman.

"I am issuing a challenge to all those who consider themselves to be gentlemen in this school.", he quietly said as he stirred the tea. "Whoever does the Cossack dance on the tune of Polyushke Polye with satisfactory aptitude, I will give him 50 dollars."

Nikita silently took another bite off the pirozhki. "So what is the hashtag that I will place for the challenge in Facebook?"

"Let's do... #CossackDanceChallenge4Pay. How's that? Allison? Atalia? Ian?"

Then... Rashaad came in, wheel and all. Nikolai faintly remembered him from the class registers. "Not one who can do the challenge.", he thought.

Rashaad asked Atalia for a dance, and it seemed that she responded in kind with a "yes", and it appears she had a mischievous whisper with him.

"Tovarisch Rashaad.", Nikita suddenly said as Atalia finished her whispering to Rashaad's ear. "It would be better if you eat with us, da?"

As this went on, Nikolai took a sip from his tea, smiling in satisfaction to his own mastery of tea brewery. "Nikita, can you hand err....Maurice one box of tea?"

Nikita looked around, searching for their diminutive friend until he spotted his telltale dwarven form. Then, the glow of his eyes faded. He saw something, no, someone.

"Nyet, nyet, brother.", Nikita said suddenly. "I don't want to get near that table."

Nikolai was flustered, not knowing who Nikita saw. "What? Why?"

"The one who broke my heart is on the path.", he answered.

"Oh... Annie...", Nikolai trialed off. "Still hurts, eh?"

Nikita shook his head. It still hurts.

No one else in the table knew about what happened between Nikita and Annie, how they came to be and how they broke up.

"Should I explain?", Nikolai asked Nikita. His brother responded first by eating the rest of his beef. Then he bowed his head... And wiped his hand on his eyes.

"I'll take that as a yes.", Nikolai nodded. "So... Yeah. They had a thing during the summer break. And, uh, well... Annie tried to get him to..."

Nikolai made a universally understood gesture, making an 'O' with one hand and hovering his index finger near it. They (probably) nodded in understanding.

"You all know that my brother and I were raised in conservative values. The sanctity of marriage and family, the whole shabang. So when the girl invited him to... You know what... Well, it's obvious."

"I loved her with my whole heart.", Nikita sadly said. "But to know that I am just another stop in an endless trail..."

"Hush, moy dorogoy.", Nikolai said to Nikita while rubbing his back. "Ah, you're still such a cry baby... Hey! Don't snot!"

[Theyra]

Annie O’Cassidy
Lunchtime

I was really glad I’d heard those police officers in time, and managed to once again get away with doing my own thing. I played it safe for the week after, but now that things in my personal sphere had slowed down, I was back beating to my own drums and vibing. Classes were what they were, but of course the beginning of the year was easy, and so my primary concerns were making sure theatre paperwork was ready, and making the most out of the last few days of summer aesthetic.

Today, I was wearing an admittedly simple outfit that I was quite pleased with. I had on a mint-green crop top that fit snugly, but really gave me that extra bit of warmth with its sleeves to keep the summer mood going a little longer than a short sleeve top would have allowed. I wore high rise black three button fitted jean shorts, with fishnet stockings underneath. My belly button was covered, and, though the shorts broke the fingertip rule, none of my teachers cared to fight me on it, as I technically was covering my legs. Some of them didn’t like that I did it, but I was otherwise a good student so I always got away with it. It was nice not having to worry about such things. I always told my cousins that the school disciplinarian is the first person you should befriend.

Of course, a top and shorts was not the end of an outfit. I wore black suede bootie heels, and had my great grandmother’s diamond ring on my right ring finger. For makeup, I had minty eyeshadow that matched my top, and of course eyeliner wings, mascara, a hint of blush, and shiny black lipstick. I really did like matching the colours of my outfits with the colours of my makeup. The parallelism gave me a bit of perfectionistic joy. For my ears, I just had studs in, as although I liked being eccentric, I didn’t need to do everything. Hoops made my ears sore after a while anyway. For my hair, I’d considered straightening or curling it this morning, but ultimately time demanded a ponytail. It actually worked out well, as I had my bangs out, then delicate locks of hair on either side of my face to frame it, and then the black scrunchie held my long ginger hair up into a nice voluminous ponytail. Just a little teasing with the brush had convinced the mauve tips to come together into a decent point. Another wonderful day for Annie’s Aesthetics. Eight months since the last fashion disaster!

Bubbie had packed my lunch for me, and even left a little note in Yiddish that I read while walking to the cafeteria.

Bubalah,

I just wanted to let you know that I love you with all my heart, and I’m so proud of what a strong and confident young woman you’re becoming. Keep up the good work in school! You’ll make some man very happy one day!

With love, your Bubbie!♡♡♡

It was sweet, if a bit dated. I wasn’t really sure if I’d ever made one of the folks I dated really happy. Not that I ever had made myself happy either. She praised me being strong and confident. Maybe I was, but had I ever really taken direct initiative with my interpersonal relationships? All I ever did was dress how I wanted, and stuff just fell into my lap. Stuff that I didn’t always even want. As I heated up the roast beef that she’d sent me with, I thought about it. Why not try something new? Maybe I could ask someone out myself, and take someone who seemed nice out to the dance. As I leaned against the counter where the microwave sat, I scanned across the room, and picked out a few folks who I held in a generally positive light. Cute ones, of course. If I was going to actually do this for myself, I should do it for myself.

The microwave beeped, and I grabbed the pyrex with my sleeves. I thought for a second, and decided to just pick one and stick with it. I strolled over towards Connor Vale, who was seated at a table with some friends and a few seats, and said, “Mind if I sit here?”

Connor was in the middle of a conversation with one of his friends when he heard a voice behind him. At alert, he turned to see to it was Annie. Annie... that was someone he did not expect to see today and she wanted to sit near me? Connor had heard things about her, good things and he was surprised that the senior approached him. Connor stared at her for a second before he mentally slapped himself and remembered what she asked. He said calmly and motioned to the empty seats in front of him, "Yeah, sure I do not mind".

This is out of the blue, Connor thought as he went to drink out of his water bottle. Though she is attractive and this means she maybe wants to talk to him. He wondered what she knew of him and before he continued that line of thought. Connor felt nervous and then he mentally reminded himself, Just play it cool like he always do and you should be fine, relax. Even if this is just a minor thing just calmly handle it. Connor started to relax and took a deep breath. He waited for her to sit down before he talked again.

[Khasinkonia]

Annie O’Cassidy
Lunchtime

I was really glad I’d heard those police officers in time, and managed to once again get away with doing my own thing. I played it safe for the week after, but now that things in my personal sphere had slowed down, I was back beating to my own drums and vibing. Classes were what they were, but of course the beginning of the year was easy, and so my primary concerns were making sure theatre paperwork was ready, and making the most out of the last few days of summer aesthetic.

Today, I was wearing an admittedly simple outfit that I was quite pleased with. I had on a mint-green crop top that fit snugly, but really gave me that extra bit of warmth with its sleeves to keep the summer mood going a little longer than a short sleeve top would have allowed. I wore high rise black three button fitted jean shorts, with fishnet stockings underneath. My belly button was covered, and, though the shorts broke the fingertip rule, none of my teachers cared to fight me on it, as I technically was covering my legs. Some of them didn’t like that I did it, but I was otherwise a good student so I always got away with it. It was nice not having to worry about such things. I always told my cousins that the school disciplinarian is the first person you should befriend.

Of course, a top and shorts was not the end of an outfit. I wore black suede bootie heels, and had my great grandmother’s diamond ring on my right ring finger. For makeup, I had minty eyeshadow that matched my top, and of course eyeliner wings, mascara, a hint of blush, and shiny black lipstick. I really did like matching the colours of my outfits with the colours of my makeup. The parallelism gave me a bit of perfectionistic joy. For my ears, I just had studs in, as although I liked being eccentric, I didn’t need to do everything. Hoops made my ears sore after a while anyway. For my hair, I’d considered straightening or curling it this morning, but ultimately time demanded a ponytail. It actually worked out well, as I had my bangs out, then delicate locks of hair on either side of my face to frame it, and then the black scrunchie held my long ginger hair up into a nice voluminous ponytail. Just a little teasing with the brush had convinced the mauve tips to come together into a decent point. Another wonderful day for Annie’s Aesthetics. Eight months since the last fashion disaster!

Bubbie had packed my lunch for me, and even left a little note in Yiddish that I read while walking to the cafeteria.

Bubalah,

I just wanted to let you know that I love you with all my heart, and I’m so proud of what a strong and confident young woman you’re becoming. Keep up the good work in school! You’ll make some man very happy one day!

With love, your Bubbie!♡♡♡

It was sweet, if a bit dated. I wasn’t really sure if I’d ever made one of the folks I dated really happy. Not that I ever had made myself happy either. She praised me being strong and confident. Maybe I was, but had I ever really taken direct initiative with my interpersonal relationships? All I ever did was dress how I wanted, and stuff just fell into my lap. Stuff that I didn’t always even want. As I heated up the roast beef that she’d sent me with, I thought about it. Why not try something new? Maybe I could ask someone out myself, and take someone who seemed nice out to the dance. As I leaned against the counter where the microwave sat, I scanned across the room, and picked out a few folks who I held in a generally positive light. Cute ones, of course. If I was going to actually do this for myself, I should do it for myself.

The microwave beeped, and I grabbed the pyrex with my sleeves. I thought for a second, and decided to just pick one and stick with it. I strolled over towards Connor Vale, who was seated at a table with some friends and a few seats, and said, “Mind if I sit here?”

Connor was in the middle of a conversation with one of his friends when he heard a voice behind him. At alert, he turned to see to it was Annie. Annie... that was someone he did not expect to see today and she wanted to sit near me? Connor had heard things about her, good things and he was surprised that the senior approached him. Connor stared at her for a second before he mentally slapped himself and remembered what she asked. He said calmly and motioned to the empty seats in front of him, "Yeah, sure I do not mind".

This is out of the blue, Connor thought as he went to drink out of his water bottle. Though she is attractive and this means she maybe wants to talk to him. He wondered what she knew of him and before he continued that line of thought. Connor felt nervous and then he mentally reminded himself, Just play it cool like he always do and you should be fine, relax. Even if this is just a minor thing just calmly handle it. Connor started to relax and took a deep breath. He waited for her to sit down before he talked again.

Annie O’Cassidy
Eating with the Juniors

“Cool,” I responded. I sat down across from Connor, and began to fix my lunch. My grandma had packed my roast, which I’d already heated up, a portion of baguette, and some pickles. I didn’t speak for a bit, instead fixing my po’ boy as I wanted, and then took a bite out of it to test it. It was good; just the way I liked it. Now that I was settled, it was time to ask the question.

“So Connor,” I said, “Do you have any plans for the dance?”

---

Cecil Leopold Nevverling-Wijgaants
Another Day At the Rat Races

“I dunno Dad, I still don’t like this idea of a quarantine…”

“It isn’t as if we have any choice. I know you were looking forward to visiting Portland over the weekend with your stepmother, but there’s no way for it to happen.”

“I know, but it’s still frustrating. How do they even maintain the quarantine if they’re still shipping?

“I’m no expert on international shipping, but my understanding is that all products are thoroughly vetted.”


“I still can’t believe this is happening.”

“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me you went to that party where you saw a corpse, but here we are.”

“I’m gonna go to lunch now, Dad. Love you.”

“Love you too, kid.”

My conversations with my father had been a bit strained for the past month. It made sense of course. He really wasn’t happy about the whole course of affairs with the party, but naturally he couldn’t really blame me for there being a bloated diseased corpse on the beach. He was really just worried. I was sure of it. After all, I had dumped my drink and stomped on my cigarette before the cops arrived, so there was no trouble to be in. He knew I was going to a party.

Whatever, really. At least he hadn’t misgendered me this week. Yet. It was probably overdue, really. But I didn’t really wanna think about that. It’d get me down. I opted to get lunch instead of thinking about it. Yes, that would work out. I got a tray with all the things, though I wasn’t sure how hungry I was, and opted to sit by my friend Maurice.

“This seat taken, friend?” I asked him.

[Theyra]

Annie O’Cassidy
Eating with the Juniors

“Cool,” I responded. I sat down across from Connor, and began to fix my lunch. My grandma had packed my roast, which I’d already heated up, a portion of baguette, and some pickles. I didn’t speak for a bit, instead fixing my po’ boy as I wanted, and then took a bite out of it to test it. It was good; just the way I liked it. Now that I was settled, it was time to ask the question.

“So Connor,” I said, “Do you have any plans for the dance?”

Connor watched her sit down as he took a bite out of his food, so she knows his name. That is a good sign, and as he looked at her food. He had to admit it looked good, especially when compared to the food that the schools give. It would be nice to have something like that for lunch sometime. Maybe he could convince his parents to pack some food for him one of these days.

Then Annie asked the question, “So Connor,” I said, “Do you have any plans for the dance?”

So she knows my name, that is a good sign, though as he Connor froze a second to think. He did not plan on going to the dance mainly because he has no idea who he would go with. But, why is she asking him that? The dance is coming up and maybe she is just being curious. He assumed that Annie would be going to the dance, probably with some senior. Still, he replied, "I would maybe go to the dance but, I have no idea of who to go with". He took a sip from his water, "What about you? What are your plans for the dance?

[Bingellia]

Maurice Williamson

“Maurice,” she scowled at the boy, her irritation likely what he was aiming for, “you say that every time and know I don’t like it. I made lunch today, just as I have every day so far.”

"Right, right," Maurice laughed softly at Luna's expense, but the scowl did have intended affect of dissuading any further barbs from the boy as the humor faded from his face, "I'm sorry. It's quite good Luna."

Another wonderful day for Annie’s Aesthetics

Admittedly, he should have been focusing a bit more on Luna in front of him, but he couldn't help but steal a few glances out of the sides of his eyes at Annie as she made her way to the microwave to heat her food up and then to the table she decided to sit at.

“This seat taken, friend?”

"Wha-- huh?" he blurted out, as Cecil's question caught him unaware while he was lost in his own head. "Oh, yeah," Maurice finally looked over at the source of the voice, and pleasantly smiled at him, "you can sit there no problem, Cecil." Maurice looked puzzled as he looked at his friend, his shirt seemed to be hanging slightly different than normal.

Shrugging it off, Maurice gestured to Cecil with his hand as he turned his attention to Luna, "This is Cecil, Luna. He's friend of mine, and a persistent rival for top place in history class." He paused for a second and pointed an exaggerated accusatory finger, "It helps when his father is the damned teacher though."

[Khasinkonia]

Annie O’Cassidy
Come to Momma, Connor

I took a bite of my po’ boy, and smiled at Connor as I swallowed. Was he playing dumb, or did he legitimately not get the plot? Maybe he was more interested in other matters at the moment, but of course I was on the asking-out end, so I needed to shoot my shot rather than dancing around it.

“Well, I haven’t really found anyone yet. Usually folks ask me after school, but this dance is really early and all, so you know, hasn’t really been much time for that to happen. I like to have my dress picked out about a week early in case I need to dry clean...which means I’m hoping to get a date today,” I paused for a second after that winding introduction, and finally was straightforward, saying, “Anyway, that leads me to say, would you like to go to the dance with me?”

---

Cecil Leopold Nevverling-Wijgaants
Cheeky Buddy

“Thanks,” I said in response to Maurice’s statement about the free seat. I set down my food, and was about to sit down when Maurice introduced me. His introduction certainly was on-point.

I chuckled, and elbowed Maurice light-heartedly with a big smirk on my face.

“You like telling people it’s a mutual rivalry,” I chuckled, then looking at Luna as I sat down, “Cecil, glad to meet you.”

[Theyra]

Annie O’Cassidy
Come to Momma, Connor

I took a bite of my po’ boy, and smiled at Connor as I swallowed. Was he playing dumb, or did he legitimately not get the plot? Maybe he was more interested in other matters at the moment, but of course I was on the asking-out end, so I needed to shoot my shot rather than dancing around it.

“Well, I haven’t really found anyone yet. Usually folks ask me after school, but this dance is really early and all, so you know, hasn’t really been much time for that to happen. I like to have my dress picked out about a week early in case I need to dry clean...which means I’m hoping to get a date today,” I paused for a second after that winding introduction, and finally was straightforward, saying, “Anyway, that leads me to say, would you like to go to the dance with me?”

This was unexpected, a senior asking him out for the dance and he froze. Connor would normally guess that someone like Annie was out of his reach really, though that could be his low self-esteem talking. Stil it is happening and this would be the second a girl has asked him out, the first being his girlfriend who he has broken up with. He enjoyed what time he had with her but, it would not work out in the long term. They were just too different of people.

After a moment he collected himself and spoke, "sure I would like to go to the dance with you". Guess now he needs to find a suit to wear now and he felt kinda happy. He was actually going to the dance now and with a senior no less. Things seem to be turning up good for Connor despite what is happening around the island.

[Christian Confederation]

Atalia Bayer

Malcom Jule

Malcom was looking for a place to sit when he saw Atalia wave him over. He was surprised. Usually, he didn't really hang with her crowd that much, but they were now linked through the beach. Everyone that had been at that beach that night were connected now, and they now had to figure out what that meant for them.

Malcom sat down a bit after Jack sat down. "Hey, guys," he greeted. "How are we doing with the... mutual hobbies?" Awkwardly, he alluded to their powers. He whispered, "Things have been so crazy."

"Ooh... I might be joining the club as well!" Atalia declared excitedly, "Do you want to meet up after class and take a look?" she asked, "I can pretend I'm going to your place to work on my... physics homework? Or something?"

Which was when they were joined by two other people, Steve and Ian Beaufort. Although why Ian Beaufort wanted to sit down with her was anyone's guess; she'd never got the impression he particularly liked her though she gave him a smile anyway. Maybe he was warming to her.

Ian Beaufort
Preferton High - Cafateria

...

“How can anyone eat this trash?” Ian idly thought aloud.

"Hold your nose, close your eyes and imagine it's something else," Atalia advised, leaning forward and doing just that, making a show of savouring what appeared to be a slightly soggy chicken nugget. She swallowed it, a slight smile forming on her face, "Mmmhmmm, delicious!" she declared, sounding for all the world like she had just eaten something from a Michelin Star restaurant.

Lunch
Steve got his food and joined everyone.
"Why would the military show up and destroy that body?" He asked in a hushed tone. "Now there's a plague across the country? Something isn't adding up!"

"We were all there we need to figure out what's going on!" He recommended.

"What's not adding up?" Atalia raised an eyebrow at Steve, "Seems perfectly logical to me. There's a plague. A plague riddled body washed up on the beach. This area is plague free. The military guys made sure we stayed that way."

She didn't think Ian had been at the beach party though she was sure she'd invited him. If he'd chosen not to come it wouldn't be too awkward talking about it in front of him, "Have you been hanging out with Ascot Mulder?" she asked Steve, "I swear he's been watching too many X-Files reruns. What do you think is going on? And what do you think we're going to be able to do about it?" she asked rhetorically, "I don't know what we're even trying to find out. These are big questions, for well paid people to answer."

"There is, however, one mystery that you can, collectively help me to solve," she continued, turning her attention to the table as a whole, "Which is 'who is going to ask me to the Lets-Forget-There's-A-Deadly-Plague-On-Our-Doorstep Dance?'"

"How would the Military know about the body unless they have someone watching the police communications?" He asked. "And if they are we can't trust the police for help!" He Suggested. "Unless it's a basic call I don't think we should involve the 5o."

[Lessoni]

"How would the Military know about the body unless they have someone watching the police communications?" He asked. "And if they are we can't trust the police for help!" He Suggested. "Unless it's a basic call I don't think we should involve the 5o."

Jack Brekker

Jack had been silent, mostly trying to stop blushing, when Steve spoke up. He was actually glad that the conspiracy theorist had spoke; gave him a chance to get his wit back.

"I'm thinking maybe, just maybe, if a plague ridden body infected with what may be the Black Death 2: Electric Boogaloo turns up, the wonderful elected officials of this town might just call the CDC. CDC calls the military, tells 'em to make sure the plague stays where it is, yeah? And besides, what possible reason could we have to not trust the military? I may not agree with all their operations, but I doubt we're gonna get disappeared, so as long as we keep our powers on the down low."

Jack almost laughed, until he remembered his boyfriend probably agreed with Steve. That stifled the coming laugh in his throat.