Part of a complete breakfast
(continuing from the Front Hall)
A welcome breakfast was in order if she was to welcome a new student properly. Sadly, no muffin basket miraculously appeared to simplify things. No problem to the young mutant as Isaura led the way straight to the kitchen, soccer ball tucked under one arm. Holding the door open for Allan, Isa took a quick look to find the place empty.
“So what are you up for, Allan?” the girl dropped the ball on the floor. “We have a ton of sugary cereal, but then again, this is a school.” This was something to think about. Rarely did she have more breakfast than some grab-and-go fruit or a granola bar. It made her appreciate her father’s cook that much more, preparing breakfast that didn’t come wrapped up and sealed.
Coffee seemed to be an option. A rare treat for her, it seemed appropriate when she was awake and in the kitchen this early in the morning. Approaching the coffeemaker confidently, Isa hopped up and sat on the counter.
Making breakfast, taking a wild guess of how much coffee was needed, it made her a little homesick for a cozy kitchen nook and baking cheese rolls. But this was her home now, and she was trying to make her new housemate comfortable. Brushing the feeling out of her mind, she concentrated on the task at hand.
“Allan,” Isa spoke up as she read the back of the coffee bag. “You happen to know if we’re supposed to just dump the beans in?” Peeking into where the water was supposed to go, she tried to recall the last time she’d watched someone brew coffee. Her father only allowed her cups on weekends, and her mother had always avoided the stuff, claiming it was unhealthy. Examining the settings on the machine revealed that this was a little more complicated than those powdered types, but it tasted a lot better. With a shrug, she opened the bag.
Coffee, and what else would be appropriate? Distracted by the thought, four eggs were retrieved from the fridge and the coffee left abandoned. Frying was easier than dealing with a machine. Humming to herself as if she understood what she was doing, she flicked the stove on.
“This is great. I never get to cook,” Isa spoke over her shoulder. Playing the part of a busy chef was fun. She’d watched this part enough, at least, to rummage for a pan and drop a pat of butter in. Soon, that was melting and greasing the pan while she cracked the egg in with a flourish. She was proud of her progress, watching the pan as she tucked a stray lock behind her ear. All she needed now was one thing from Allan.
Allan followed Isa into the kitchen glacing around once he found it to be set up very much like the kitchens of his childhood, efficiently organized but still with a sense of warmth and family. “So what are you up for, Allan?” the girl dropped the ball on the floor. “We have a ton of sugary cereal, but then again, this is a school.” Allan watched Isa amusedly, not even really registering what she asked. "Allan,” Isa spoke up as she read the back of the coffee bag. “You happen to know if we’re supposed to just dump the beans in?” Allan stepped up beside her and took the bag. "I'll handle the coffee, you make something else." He said with a smile and looked inside the bag, the beans were already ground, making it that much easier. He reached instictively for the filter and applied one to the top of the machine, measuring out four cups of grounds and applied 2 and a three fourths cups of water. The coffee wouldn't be bland but it wouldn't be too strong either. He then activated the machine and turned to see what Isa was doing.
“This is great. I never get to cook. “Fried or scrambled?”
"Fried," Allan said as whirled around her in an overly dramatic spin to the bread basket, he peered into it searchingly, "Hmmm..." He looked in the fridge and found exactly what he was looking for, removing the bag from the fridge he tossed it onto the counter and closed the door, moving over to the counter he grabbed a knife and began cutting lumps out of the pre-made bread dough. Taking another frying pan he moved to the burner next to Isa and started melting some butter in the pan, but he didnt let it reduce, tossing the two lumps of dough into the pan he watched as they fried, "I learned this from a renowned Georgian Chef, they're called dough boys, they're great."
He cut the half fried lumps in half and put salt, ground black pepper and another slice of butter onto two of the halves, waiting until they were fried completely, but the middle was still softer than the outside, then then put the buttered halves on the non-buttered halves and took the pan off the heat, "We need to wait until the fried dough seeps up all the melted butter." As an after though he asked, "What do you want to drink?" He looked in the fridge again, and returned the dough, "They've got anything you could possibly want here..." He said more to himself than to Isa. Memories of the change he went through when he ran away passed through his mind, this place reminded him a lot of 'home', except there was no one pretending to care about you. Allan felt pretty sure that the people here were open and honest with one another, something Allan admired greatly. He just hoped everyone was as happy and upbeat as Isa.
Edited by: Illidan Ryer at: 4/25/08 7:30 am
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
((OOC: Ah, I’m sorry, it’s my fault this time for never noticing this until…hey! Exactly a month later! So sorry…))
How often did she ever get to entertain new students? Well, not very, considering she hadn’t been here that long herself. Still, there was a nice feeling that came with playing host as she studied the bag of coffee grounds. If only the staff around here were the type to settle for the instant type, she could have been finished with the task with some hot water and the powder. This stuff was better anyway, even if she had to search the small font on it for any sign of brewing directions.
"I'll handle the coffee, you make something else."
What, Isa wasn’t qualified to make coffee? About to take offense, she ended with a grin of relief at that duty handled. “Okay then, I’ll handle the eggs.” She’d watched that plenty of times, and her powers left her with little worries of being burnt. Isaura pondered about the possibility of playing in the kitchen more often. There was something amazing about being able to take a few ingredients and transform it into a meal. With a glint in her eyes, she thought of making the task even more impressing if she managed without a stove.
Two minutes later, her eyes still shone slightly with her powers as her hair fell over her face in frustrated golden strands. With a spatula, Isa scraped two black spots from the pan and made a mental note to work on temperature control. So much for trying to impress Allan with mutant culinary skills. She’d been hoping to give him that first-day at the Institute shock, but all that was left was for her too literally cool down. Acting as casual as she could, Isa returned the pan to the stove to begin anew.
"Fried,"
“Fried it is,” Isaura broke a few more eggs into the pan, settling into her precarious but excited nervousness at the action of cooking. From here, things went a little smoother. Eggs began to cook, resembling the final product, as she waited and flipped them. Adding a little salt, she finally began to feel like a chef.
"I learned this from a renowned Georgian Chef, they're called dough boys, they're great."
“Oh, they look great!” They really did, putting the necessary pastry part for the breakfast. She’d never seen anyone make something like that, her fascination nearly making her forget the eggs. Flipping them onto a plate before beginning a few more, the smell mingled with the frying dough to fulfill the homey feel that was missing in the kitchen.
"What do you want to drink?"
“Juice will be fine,” Isa wiped some splattered oil from the stove. “And one day, remind me to make some pao de quiejo for you. There’s few things better than them in the morning, except maybe your…Dough boys?” She was sure she had an instant mix package left in her room, part of the care package the cook from home had sent with her. It wasn’t as good as made fresh, but the cheese rolls were still delicious.
Smells invoked the strongest memories, and standing in the kitchen as food sizzled to perfection while coffee permeated the air, she almost felt at home. Not only at home in Brazil, watching breakfast be made as she was asked to call down her father, but breakfast years ago when it was just her and her mother. Really, it had been a while since she last was allowed to cook a makeshift breakfast and not simply served. She wanted to make it well. Switching off the stove, Isa placed the eggs on the counter as she decided what else was needed. Fruits, that was right. With that, she began to wash and slice a couple apples.
“You know,” Isaura spoke up to strike a conversation. “This is a lot better than Frosted Flakes, don’t you think? Ah, how do you like your coffee?”
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
((Dammit, I have a really good post and then I clicked back by accident. This one prolly wont be as good, so don't hold it against me.))
Allan smiled, "I've always been more a coco puffs man myself, but this is nicer. I had almost forgotten how much fun it can be to cook." He paused pensively, "Much like a bird forgets how to sing if caged for too long." He shook his head with a laugh and changed the subject, "Pao de queijo, brazillian cheese bread. That would make you brazillian, right?" Allan looked at her again and he could see it, the way she moved, the way she handle a soccerball, he should've noticed sooner. Allan had always envied the way latin american races lived, the relaxed and fluid movements, the way life was a party, and the food! He bit into a dough boy to stop his mouth from watering. Allan made a small cup with his hand and hid it under the table, a blue liquid pouring into it, two thin strands coming out either side to meet in a loose circle around his hand. The molecular structure of silver... the formation of pigments so the color change is right... tamper techniques so the chain won't break. After about half a minute of silence Allan had, hidden under the table, in his hand a chain of silver with a deep red, almost brown stone set in it, when put up to the sunlight the stone would turn an almost golden color. Allan smiled, "Here." He offered her his closed fist.
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
((OOC: Naw, it’s okay, I’ve done that a ton of times. Very annoying! You have my complete sympathy, and hate for the pesky back button.))
It was hectic at breakfasts in a mansion full of adolescents. She tended to try avoiding the crowd by grabbing something to go. Sitting down like this, fork at hand with juice and coffee at hand, it was a rare thing that she hadn’t had in a long time. It was a somewhat refreshing start of a day for a girl who tended to always be on the move. Her mouth began to water, belly aching in hunger as if preparing to savor every bite of the sit down breakfast with every bite.
"Pao de queijo, brazillian cheese bread. That would make you brazillian, right?"
Placing the pan into the sink, Isa looked up with a raised eyebrow and small smile as he recognized the name of the roll. He was right without having to hear of her surname, guessing her home easily.
“Right, on my father’s side at least. I was born there.” Then lived in the States, then moved back to the warm country, but who wanted to hear her boring life story? It did bring a longing for a place where it didn’t get absurdly cold during parts of the year, and people chattered in Portuguese instead of the everyday English she’d heard a good part of her life. Her father’s large house wasn’t exactly home to her, though, enormous and empty while here she was surrounded by others. No, this was her home. It would just be perfect if it were a little warmer.
Retrieving the cups of coffee, the cream, and the sugar, Isaura returned to the table with the retrieved caffeinated part of the complete breakfast. Allan seemed preoccupied with something and yet nothing at all. Watching curiously, she slid into a chair opposite of him with a little grin. “Cream and sugar?” Isa offered. “What do you have there?”
"Here."
If it were a bug, she would just laugh, however immature the prank would be. Somehow, she had flashed back to a grade school trick, expecting a ladybug or an aunt for a strange reason. It was hard to trust a closed fist. Still, Isa leaned forward with an intrigued grin to peer into his hand. A flash of silver…oh…Remembering his created soccer ball from earlier, the source once again hit her as she met his eyes with an honest amazement.
”Oh, wow, you made that?” It wasn’t round like a ball, and therefore, it held the intricate feel as if it had been molded from clay with skillful hands. Her lip twitching slightly, Isa had to smile. The new boy was a interesting one for sure.
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
((I couldn't tell if Isa took the necklace or not so...))
"Yeah," Allan smiled, "I made it for you. The stone, its like your hair, sunlight changes its color." He placed the necklace on the table near her and bit into his food hoping to avoid continuing what could be an awkward converstation as to why he would make a necklace for someone he had just met, a girl no less. Allan shrugged as he chewed slowly, his smile turning more into a half grin as he seemed to get lost in thought. He looked down at his food and continued to eat. He sighed, "Sometime I wish I had been raised differently," he muttered to his food, "I mean, I feel like I ruined your offer by already knowing what pao de queijo was." his accent when he spoke portugese was nearly perfect in comparison to someone who was fluent. He laughed, "Most people would die to be educated as well as I am, but my knowledge came at the loss of my childhood. I'm just lucky I like learning. I'm hoping it can be different here, ya know? Where I don't have worry about being able to take over my parent's business." He looked at her, "Is it wrong to be unhappy about having to inhiert a multi-billion dollar corperation when there are so many others who have to live on barely anything?" He tried not to look at Isa, "I uh, I don't mean to be a downer, but I need to know what someone else thinks. I've been alone with my thoughts for too long and can't figure out which way is up."
He shook his head, "Nevermind, pretend I didn't say anything," he knew that wouldn't be easy, "I'd rather not ruin the enjoyment of our culinary adventure. Hey, I know, after breakfast how about I show you something really cool?" The thought of his hoverboard cheering him up almost instantly, he was all smiles now, of course, that might make Isa think he's a little unbalanced. So he stopped smiling long enough to say, "I'm not crazy, its just that what I'm gonna show you is totally awesome!"
Re: Part of a complete breakfastI made it for you. The stone, its like your hair, sunlight changes its color."
Funny enough, no one ever taught others the proper technique in dealing with a situation right like this. Her smile melted into a look of surprise, then an awkward silence as she found herself staring at the stone without a thanks. There was gratitude, if only Thanks didn’t sound so mundane.
Well, it had been a little demonstration, the least she could do was fulfill his intention if she couldn’t think of anything to return the favor and impress him. Slowly, Isaura reached out, palm above the stone as the beginning of one of her flash balls formed, lighting it like a mini sun. Her eyes and small smile were turned toward the table, as if hoping she hadn’t ruined expectations. Returning her hand to the side of her plate, the silence returned as the stone returned to the normal color.
"Sometime I wish I had been raised differently," he muttered to his food, "I mean, I feel like I ruined your offer by already knowing what pao de queijo was."
A return to the subject of food, that was a good way to break the silence. Giving a nervous chuckle, Isa managed a shrug, as if it wasn’t too important. “Oh, it’s just fine. I’ll still make some one day, only because they’re that good.”
"Most people would die to be educated as well as I am, but my knowledge came at the loss of my childhood. I'm just lucky I like learning. I'm hoping it can be different here, ya know? Where I don't have worry about being able to take over my parent's business."
The loss of a childhood? It sounded so sad. Her eyes widened in sympathy at the words. She’d known those like that, many of them who had also been home schooled like her. Some parents, especially her mother in the beginning, had been adamant in assuring she received a good education. In fact, it hadn’t been until she’d began going to a normal school that she began learning bad habits such as skipping homework. And by that time, her mother didn’t care anymore.
"Is it wrong to be unhappy about having to inhiert a multi-billion dollar corperation when there are so many others who have to live on barely anything?" He tried not to look at Isa, "I uh, I don't mean to be a downer, but I need to know what someone else thinks. I've been alone with my thoughts for too long and can't figure out which way is up."
Ah, right, so he hadn’t heard of her last name, and she his. Who was this Allan who believed that he was doomed to live feeling guilty for not being appreciative of his fortunate life style. Her mouth twisted in a smile. There had been plenty of times she’d wished her family hadn’t been among the wealthy. Her parents could have stayed together, her father might have known her better than as the teenager who occasionally lived in his house.
"Nevermind, pretend I didn't say anything," he knew that wouldn't be easy, "I'd rather not ruin the enjoyment of our culinary adventure. Hey, I know, after breakfast how about I show you something really cool?"
“No, no!” Isa wanted to fix his guilt, help him out. “If that’s wrong, then I’ve been wrong plenty of times.” Isaura offered. Her eyes trailed towards the window. “Isaura da Costa. My father works for da Costa international, and not only in cubicle. Cousin of the CEO, and one of the corporate officers, I’m not really in line to inherit anything, but I’ve known what it was like to feel unhappy but guilty.” There’d been a reason she’d grown up with her mother instead of her father. He wasn’t there. At least now, she had Xavier’s, a new family, to be around instead of coming home to school simply to the staff around the house. She was more than glad now, seeing as Emilio da Costa had plans also to leave his mark in the government. There was a reason she chose not to follow Brazilian politics. She just didn’t want to know what he planned to do now.
Sipping at her coffee, Isa had long ago decided she’d rather have lived with her mother, traveling around and living out of apartments and suitcases despite being able to choose any time to return to Brazil. It probably wasn’t exactly what he meant, but they still held something in common.
“So don’t worry about it. You’re not the only one who feels that way.” Her assurance seemed more light hearted as she began to loosen up once more. “Now if your father is also trying to become President or something of Brazil, then we’ve got more in common than I thought.”
"I'm not crazy, its just that what I'm gonna show you is totally awesome!"
He claimed it was totally awesome, and anything like that was worth a look. Her eyebrow raised in curiosity, wondering what it was. She lived among mutants, few things were “totally” awesome now, so anything with that claim had to be amazing. “Really? What?” Isa challenged playfully. “You’re going to prove that you’re more than a world class chef?”
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
((You've waited long enough, do your best to reply to this and I will give you a super awesome post after it.))
Allan smiled, he reached into his backpack pulled out his hoverboard, at the moment it only looked like a square of metal the size of a plate and about as this as a tile. He chuckeled and pressed a small button on the side, it began to expand out of itself until it was finally a board. He lifted it up, as high as he could reach, directly above his head and then let go. The board droping for just a second before a small humming sound started up and it floated above his head. "Viola."
Edited by: Illidan Ryer at: 11/7/06 12:20 am
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
He said awesome, and Isa believed him, resting an elbow on the table as she raised an eyebrow quizzically. What else did he have up his sleeve? It was like watching a magician, only more exciting because she was a simple table's length away from him. Abracadabra, Isaura joked in her head. And then his hand emerged.
It was...a metal plate. Simple, but Allan had described it as "amazing." Her impatient nature almost jumped conclusions until a couple buttons grew along with her eyes. It looked, well, like something from a futuristic movie. The difference was it was more than a prop. It actually floated
"Viola."
"Wow...is that a..." Things were advanced, but technology now still compared to the lazy hovering of the board above his head. Her eyes flickered from boy to board, finally returning to meet his own orbs with a grin. It had already been said, but it needed to be said again.
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
Allan smiled, and took hold of the board with one hand, the metallic feel of whatever it was the composed the board was familiar and comforting. He brought the board down from above his to float contentedly above his lap.
"It creates a small gravity field around your feet to keep you on it. It also connects directly to the mind of the rider, so it reacts as fast as you do. You can still crash, without practice because a violent and sudden dodge of one tree can send you unknowingly into another one," he smiled ruefully, clearly, he knew first hand. "all in all its easy enough as transport, it's when you wanna get fancy that things get more difficult."
He got off of his chair and tossed the board towards the ground, it landed a few inches off the ground, Allan hopped onto it with a practiced ease. He ascended and descended, he did a small spin that left him upside down smiling at Isa. He let one arm and hand drop down over his head, reaching towards the ground. There was a sudden silence as the quiet hum of whatever created the gravity stopped working, Allan was only falling for a moment before the board was beneath his hand and he was preforming a lazy hand stand, Allan seemed to just lean to the left and suddenly he was upright again.
He stepped down off the board and picked it up, placing it on his back where it clung, waiting from him to take it from its resting place. "Wanna give it a go?"
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
Just looking at the board told her it was plenty more complicated than he made it seem. This board made a skateboard look like a prehistoric artifact. Needless to say, she was impressed, watching it bob above his lap like a content silver cat. Catching his smile at the mention of a tree, she returned it with a grin. Ow…{/i] Isa couldn’t resist a wicne. Everyone ran into a tree at least once during some point of their life, and each had their own special way.
“It can really fly?” Of course it could, she could see that, but she couldn’t help stating the obvious. “I mean, how high can it go?” Flight was something so many dreamed about, and some mutants were lucky to be able to experience it. She’d overhead one time of someone who also had sun-based powers and could take off, but she had yet to find herself floating happily above her bed.
Well, wasn’t he a showoff, but it was an entertaining one. Propping her elbow on the table, Isa gave a silly grin at the acrobatics. A gasp was startled from her as the board suddenly dropped, but the hand stand earned a laugh. Giving her one person applause as he reunited with terra firma, she felt like she needed a card with a big number ten.
“That was great! And they tell us not to board in the house,” Isa teased him playfully. “You can’t tell me you only use it for getting around.” Reclining in her chair, she hoped her amazement didn’t make her look too pathetic.
"Wanna give it a
Raising an eyebrow, she sat up slowly, hiding her excitement with a smug grin. “Intriguing, tempting,” she spoke slowly, giving her best thoughtful look. He made it look easy, but so had her friends when they’d taught her to surf. Hopefully the déjà vu didn’t mean a big splash at her first overconfident attempt to stand. Considering they were in the kitchen, it didn’t seem likely, but the same thought was there.
“Is it hard?” Rising to her feet, she tilted her head, examining the board. Meeting his eyes with a mischievous glint and a trusting grin, she gave as casual of a shrug she could manage. “You’ll have to help me though. I’m not the best at things involving boards.”
Allan watch bemused as she considered his offer. Her smug grin matched his own prideful smile. Allan's smile widened as she stood. She asked if it was hard, he shrugged, it was different for everyone who had tried. “You’ll have to help me though. I’m not the best at things involving boards.” Allan blushed a little when he thought about the touching that helping would entail.
"We should probably, go outside." He tossed his prized possession towards the ground and then hoped on it. He extended his hand, "It'll be faster this way, plus you can get used to the sensation of moving on it, just be sure not to let go once you're on, I'm not sure how effective the gravity is with two riders." He blushed again when he realized how close they would be. He hoped he didn't smell bad, since his shower had been a few hours ago and there hadn't been much deodorant left, on the flip side he hadn't done much physical work. He waited patiently for her hand, he figured he go slowly to the door then shoot off and upwards. He tried not too look to excited as he waited for her to take his hand.
((Feel free to describe the flight to the door and then outside and around the mansion.))
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
Outside did seem ideal. This board wasn’t going to destroy any flooring, but she saw the inappropriateness of boarding in the hall. Hey, she’d been the one with a soccer ball indoors! She would know of all the rules. She’d also know when she was breaking them.
“Just maybe,” Isa laughed. “But just so you know, in case you do board around the mansion, you’ll want to slow on one of the corners on the second floor. There’s a badly placed table and vase that’s only intact still out of luck.” It looked like somebody had tried it for herself. Her mischievous smirk was enough confirmation.
Then there was the hand, offered out to her. The corner of her mouth twitched just slightly, as if she was hesitating, and she didn’t know why. She was making a new friend, helping to introduce the new boy to the crazy life of this institute. And suddenly she felt uncomfortable. It was a fleeting feeling, though, when he gave a warning about he board’s gravity, and she eased.
“Well, I’ll have to remember that. Thanks for letting me play guinea pig.” Of course she was joking. That unsure feeling would make it more fun. Taking his hand, her touch was light and hesitant, then more firm as she stepped onto the board with him. She didn’t hesitate on holding on anymore, not when she was flying tandem on a hover board through the hall.
It wasn’t like anything she’d been on before, that was for sure. It was smoother, it felt freer, and it made her want to see what it could do outdoors. Out of the kitchen, it felt wobbly and unsure, but that could have been her adjusting herself until she was more comfortable. Suddenly, it was up and out of the mansion. At the first touch of the sun on her skin and the rush into the sky, she tightened her hold and laughed. So flying was the best feeling in the world.
((Ah, sorry I’m sort of sick right now, but I can edit in a couple days if you want))
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
Allan was visibly excited when she stepped up onto the board, enjoying the sense of apprichiation she had for his work. The board moved swiftly, but far from out of control, through the school and out the door and then up, not tilted at an angle ascend, just straight up, spining to face the door, far below them though it was, the board took off again. Now tilted downward, Allan reached back with his right arm, holding Isa more securely, as they approched the ground at break neck speed he leaned of the side of the board, the board itself tilting with him, with his free hand he brushed the ground lightly, before they took back off towards the open blue of the sky. Letting Isa go he took a risk, and did a simple, if a bit slow, back flip. Thankfully Isa did not fall.
He turned around so he was no longer watching where they were going and faced Isa. He smiled, their hair whipping in the wind, and the hopped off the side of the board, grabbing it with one hand, he began to show off. The board didn't even shake, some form of memory had taught it to remain stable even when he did things like this. He swung himself back on, but behind Isa, he said into her ear. "You steer." The roar of the wind allowing him to clear his mind, if Isa didn't start giving commands immeadiately the board would begin to fall, it would catch itself automatically before hitting the ground, but it would still be quite a fall.
Allan, however, had already zoned out, his mind wandering with the clouds. He had never been the passenger before, this was nice. He wished for a moment that he would never have to land or steer or live, really, just stay here, with the clouds, but the thought passed quickly as he remembered the joy his board brought him, and how fun people and life could be. He just wished that there was a way to have both, keep your feet on the ground, but your head in the sky, kind of thing. He leaned closer to Isa once more to ask, "Having fun?"
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
Flying really was the best feeling in the world. This weightlessness was incredible, she couldn’t keep a wide grin from her face. She felt breathless and exhilarated and thrilled, checking her grip on his shoulder as they flew. And as the board whipped forward then back up in a back flip, Isa gasped and threw her arms around his neck. Swallowing a scream, she squeezed her eyes shut uneasily until she felt the spin reach it’s climax and finished its twist. This was a true one of a kind sensation, defying gravity with nothing but a board under her feet.
“Meu deux, oh my god, that was awesome,” Isa laughed between gasps, grinning as he turned to face him. “I don’t see how you’d ever want to land.” Her eyes met his, glinting in excitement, then widened as he suddenly disappeared. Loosing her balance for a split second, her arms wind milled until she caught herself, looking wildly for Allan. Startling as he reappeared behind her. Giving him a good natured glare over her shoulder, she couldn’t help but laugh.
"You steer."
Wasn’t he a showoff, and a daredevil if he was offering her control. For a moment, her breath was snatched from her as they dropped a few feet until Isa twisted the board hard to take a sharp swoop upward. As impressive as it was, she surprisingly didn’t find it too difficult if a little shaky under the control of a foreign mind. There was less fear when she realized the commanding movements that gave her a boost of bravery. With a mischievous laugh, the two of them shot upwards in a twisting spiral.
Now was her turn to show off a little. Choosing among her abilities, she held out her hands to the side with her palms toward the sun. As her powers normally did to her eyes and hair, they sparked with activation as she trailed harmless, bright flashes behind them. Steering toward the shadow cast by the mansion, her little trick was more evident.
"Having fun?"
“You have no idea how much ,” Isa smiled over her shoulder. “You’re incredible.” It was one of the rare time she felt too warm, heat rising to her face. That came out wrong. Turning her head away to hide it, she spaced enough to not notice a slight drop in altitude. “The flying, it’s awesome,” she attempted. He was so nice, and sort of cute, but she always hated when those hormones or emotions or pheromones, whatever it was, planted seeds of childish crushes. At least one thing was sure, she felt that they could be friends. Gathering herself once more, she did a simple weave on the grounds.
“I’m glad you’re joining us, Allan.” The words were sincere. “Thanks so much for this.”
Re: Part of a complete breakfast “You’re incredible.” Allan smiled at her, he was glad he wasn't the only one who felt a little awkward around the opposite gender, and there was no denying her beauty, but he had a girlfriend elsewhere, or at least, he thought they were still boyfriend and girlfriend; his disappearance might have changed things. He felt the board weave as they came closer to the ground.
“I’m glad you’re joining us, Allan.” The words were sincere, he could tell. “Thanks so much for this.”
"It's nothing really." He was then struck by a sudden most insidious idea. If he had created the board, then perhaps he contained an over-ride command, one that granted him control, even if he wasn't the one steering at that moment. He reached out for the board with his mind and felt it connect with him instantly. He hid his smile as the board began to pick up speed and head in a straight line for a tree. "Isa, what are you doing?" He asked, his voice full of panic. He waited and hoped she wouldn't panic too much before the board launched straight up into the sky, doing a large loop before returning to the ground and hovering there quietly so they could dismount. Once the shock had warn off he apologized, "Sorry, I have that stupid teen-age boy tendency to pull pranks." That made him think of home, he loved to play jokes on the staff, who were always good natured about them, and would sometimes prank him back. The thoughts of wealth reminded him of Isa's last name.
"I don't know if I told you my last name, it is Sharr. My parents own a Nanotechnology company." He paused and realized that there was no real reason to say that so randomly out here in the beauty of the grounds, with the sun shining, life surrounding them, and just a general sense of warmth emanating from the whole scene. He sat down with a contented sigh, "Is it always like this?" He asked, gesturing to the peaceful grounds.
Re: Part of a complete breakfast"It's nothing really." Nothing? They were flying! Well, she supposed it was “nothing” in the same way she sometimes cheated when she wanted to warm up some coffee, but in her eyes, it definitely was “something.”
God, was it good to believe she was making a friend. She’d been here how long by now? Either way, she still was getting around to meeting people. All she wanted was a friend, and she hoped she found one. Yes, he had looks, and he was nice, but she refused to let herself believe they could possibly become good friends. Considering her record for keeping people at a distance, that was a feat itself.
What was another feat was keeping herself from falling as the board suddenly refused to obey, a small problem if only someone hadn’t decided that the space before them was a good place for a tree. Frowning, her forehead creased in worry as Isa tried to shift her feet and cause some movement to no avail. This wasn’t going to be good.
"Isa, what are you doing?"
“Just having a little trouble…” Isa tried to cover. “Okay…a little trouble. Alla…” Closing her eyes, Isa half considered trying to incinerate the tree before they hit. Singeing a few of the top leaves in a panicked attempt, her stomach felt like it dropped out when suddenly they shot away. Along with her stomach, a startled squeak made it out of her mouth as gasped.
And then they were safe on the ground, where she jumped off the board and caught her breath as the ground threatened to pull out from under her. On unsteady legs, Isaura was wide eyed as she tried to calm her self, she watched a few blackened leaves fall from the tree almost comically.
"Sorry, I have that stupid teen-age boy tendency to pull pranks."
Well, she did what most girls would do. She sent a backhand to his arm, her temper flaring up for a moment. Por Deus, scare the daylight out of her. Until she could breath again, she couldn’t find it funny.
As her breath returned, a small smile of disbelief shook on her face. A prankster, was he? Part of her wanted to slap him again, at least until she felt calmer. The other part was thinking of revenge involving leaves and whipped cream. “You are…ridiculous,” Isa finally managed, shaking her head. Boys…
"I don't know if I told you my last name, it is Sharr. My parents own a Nanotechnology company."
“Allan Sharr? Isaura da Costa. Shall we discuss stock secrets or business management?” Isa mocked the dry discussions that would heard over breakfast as her father was on the phone, first thing in the morning. She still prayed that she wouldn’t be encouraged to take up business and someday work for her father’s cousin’s company as well. This was why she preferred the less wealthy, simpler life she used to have with her mother.
"Is it always like this?"
Taking a good look around, the sun eased her temper. It was one of those times where you needed to stop and smell the roses. Legs folding under her, Isa took a seat beside him, leaning back on her hands as she turned her face to the sun.
“Usually.” Isa murmured, closing her eyes. Cats had it good, basking away in the sun all day. “You should see it at night with all the stars. The last time I accidentally caused a blackout, I was out here with my telescope in ten minutes flat.”
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
Allan's smile did not diminish as the sting of the slap, and then reddening of his cheek persisted. “You should see it at night with all the stars. The last time I accidentally caused a blackout, I was out here with my telescope in ten minutes flat.” He chuckled softly.
"That's good time, are you sure the blackout was an accident?" He fell silent while he enjoyed the day, he could hear many birds singing, and yet, much like humans, what you perceived was not always accurate. It sounded like there were just making beautiful music, but there were fights, mating calls, maybe even small talk, but he doubted there was a Sam Cooke in there. He lied down flat and closed his eyes, hands resting idly on his shirt, the fabric felt hard and nonliving compared to the soft life of the grass. Each blade caressing him, he could feel the subtle movements of the few blade that were not completely under him. They danced to the music the birds made with a freedom that he had never openly wished for but always wanted. Maybe I'll find it here. He was glad to be sharing this moment with Isa. He felt tempted to reach out and take her hand, it was just one of those times when physical human contact was the only thing that could really enhance the experience. He restrained himself for the sake of both their respective comforts, for all he knew she hated touching.
He allowed his social paranoia to leave him, this would be an excellent time to meditate. He didn't though, he rather enjoyed the focus, the swirl of emotions, the closeness he had shared with someone not so long ago. These were all things that had been denied him for so many years and in a matter of moments he had experienced them all. Things were certainly looking up, he only hoped that it would always be this way. He opened his eyes, everything was tinted blue for some reason, he didn't mind, he rather liked it, but it wore away slowly. He knew with teenagers going to school while dealing with aspects of puberty the rest of the world could not imagine would give some people a bad attitude. Allan remember what his parents did when his hair changed color. It had been a hard time for him, and that was before raging hormones and mood swings. Of course, looking at the situation critically was easy for him, he had not been thrust into it fully, yet. He had a feeling that once he was there would be subconscious biases that blinded him to the truth.
"Isa, do you have a boyfriend? Or a click, someone I should get to know if I wanted to hang out with you more?" Nice save Allan. That could have been disastrous, good thing I didn't stop to ponder the awkwardness of asking about a boyfriend. Yeah, I'm smooth like that. He was tempted to laugh at his own thoughts, but kept a straight face lest his fragile save shatter.
Re: Part of a complete breakfast"That's good time, are you sure the blackout was an accident?"
“Pretty sure. I don’t usually like blackouts when I’m almost finished typing an essay, and I haven’t saved.” Isa liked the lazy atmosphere, not only because of the sun warming her from the inside out. Even without her solar-related powers, she would have enjoyed being out here, feeling the slight dampness of the grass and the earthy smell of the soil as she lay down, one knee propped up and an arm supporting her neck as the other fiddled with a blade of grass behind her. Having someone here with her didn’t hurt too.
When was the last time, she’d taken the time to waste part of the day, or even a few precious minutes, just laying here without first being exhausted by a run or a game of soccer? It was an unfamiliar, but strangely nostalgic experience, Allan’s presence only baffling the emotions and spinning it like a kaleidoscope. The light was tainted pink as she blinked, staring absently into the sun with no discomfort at all. That white disk seemed more than ever than a beacon to better things, creating a teaser down on earth with its few rays. Empowered but calm, she didn’t hurt inside, for once. It was a rare thing for her to be still for so long, but this moment was nice. Slightly drunk with the rays, her mouth hinted of a thoughtful smile.
"Isa, do you have a boyfriend? Or a click, someone I should get to know if I wanted to hang out with you more?"
“Hm?” It took her a moment to register what he was saying. A boyfriend? She remembered, once upon a time, of having one of those things. Delving into her memories, she remembered dark hair, deep eyes, and a face that she would see whenever she summered in Sao Paolo. He’d been a friend since she was about ten, one of the few sons of her father’s associates who weren’t as snobby, and they’d kept in touch. A couple summers before, they became more than that, for a short time as they became curious of their feelings. And then what happened? She remembered him at her mother’s funeral, and then little else as they drifted apart. He was just a nameless face now, one that she had nearly forgotten.
“Nope, not anymore.” Isa gave a small sigh. “I decided when I came here, new life, new everything.” She’d let a lot of things go, the past year or so, that she hadn’t left much behind. Returning to the present, her face reddened slightly as she glanced his direction.
“Well, you’re here now, so we can hang out anytime.” The words felt awkward, uncomfortable in both a bad or good way. God, it was good to have friends. She just didn’t want to get too close in case she lost anyone else.
Re: Part of a complete breakfast“Nope, not anymore.” Isa gave a small sigh. “I decided when I came here, new life, new everything.” Her face reddened slightly as she glanced in his direction. Allan gave her a smile, he knew how that felt. He had less of a choice though, it was a pack and leave four in the morning thing, rather than a pick you up tomorrow kind of thing. He hadn't really wanted to leave everyone, but he had made himself acknowledge the advantage of it and move on. He hadn't really moved on of course, and as a playful wind tossed his azure hair by his face his smile faded, into a look of thought. The shine in his eyes fading to a mist of the past.
In his mind he was replaying all the ways things could have gone. Take the chaperon through a complicated route that eventually led him to his friends rooms, beg him to stay until breakfast. Create bindings around his feet, just strong enough to hold him, it wouldn't have take too long. He sighed and returned his gaze to Isa again, his look more enamored than anything else. He liked this girl, he just didn't know how much yet.
He remembered reading in a book, by an author that later turned out to be a child rapist, that children, including teens, didn't really understand there feelings, the author had also mentioned bodies, and it was up to the adults to help him. That had prompted him to see if adults really were sure of their emotions. He remembered his conclusion with a small smile. He hadn't been able to decide, they either did understand their emotions or were better at hiding than lack of certainty than teens. At the time it had bothered him tremendously, but now he rather liked the idea of at least some level ground between his generation and those before him.
“Well, you’re here now, so we can hang out anytime.” Allan nodded, that made him think of his favorite children's story, Peter Pan. He remembered the envy he had felt when he heard that Pan got to play whenever he wanted, and whatever he wanted for as long as he wanted. He remembered the way his eyes widened when he learned that Pan could take to the skies by sheer force of will. Later on he had tried to find the metaphors and ironies, it killed the story for him. Only recently had he begun to combine the wide eyed awe and the focused analysis of the book to create a completely new and far more rewarding experience.
"Isa, I don't know if you've ever heard the story of Peter Pan. It is a children's story, but like most children's stories, if you read carefully there is a lesson to be learned. For instance, when Peter ends up in Wendy's bedroom, what drove him to leave Neverland? He missed his parents, it is only natural of children to want independence and yet still want to receive their parent's love. He got to be a boy forever, but he would never know the love of another. Neverland presents this great surface of fun and games and yet, the name alone reveals the darker truth, Neverland. Fraught with pirates and battles. Neverland, never love. Never experience a hard day's work. Never see things from a new perspective. It's so...humbling, to live with grays, with a middle ground. I mean, if there is a middle ground compromise is possible, and while you may not always get everything you want, something is better than nothing. Or maybe, sometimes, a book is just a book."
He lay there quietly for a few moments and then shifted his whole body on it's side so that he was facing Isa, his head resting on his hand. "What was your favorite children' story?"
Re: Part of a complete breakfast
Ever since she’d arrived, she hadn’t taken deep consideration of whether she liked it here or not. She’d simply tolerated it, going about her day in her usual, impatient behavior, but not giving it much more thought than that. And now, a new boy came along and had her reevaluating her stay. There had been so many changes the past few years, she supposed she’d let this move meld in with the other ones. It was a bad habit of her, staring into the sun because it didn’t bother her sight by more than whitening her vision, seemingly damaging to her eyes if an outsider witnessed her, but she was lost in thought with a faintly peaceful smile on her face.
It seemed long ago, in reality only a few of months ago, that she was coming into her powers. It was less than that time that she had been here. What would her mother have thought of her now? A bittersweet thought, Isa could only hope that she approved. As much as she loved her father, and vice versa, it was easier to be away at school than to face the reality that he was a busy man who spoiled her silly enough when she was at home. She enjoyed the independence, even refusing to let herself be pampered in his way to make up for his absence in her life, because the simplicity was more similar than the life she had with her mother, and it still allowed enough challenges to keep things interesting. A soccer ball seemed much better when she saved up for it for a couple of weeks.
"Isa, I don't know if you've ever heard the story of Peter Pan. It is a children's story, but like most children's stories, if you read carefully there is a lesson to be learned. For instance, when Peter ends up in Wendy's bedroom, what drove him to leave Neverland? He missed his parents, it is only natural of children to want independence and yet still want to receive their parent's love. He got to be a boy forever, but he would never know the love of another. Neverland presents this great surface of fun and games and yet, the name alone reveals the darker truth, Neverland. Fraught with pirates and battles. Neverland, never love. Never experience a hard day's work. Never see things from a new perspective. It's so...humbling, to live with grays, with a middle ground. I mean, if there is a middle ground compromise is possible, and while you may not always get everything you want, something is better than nothing. Or maybe, sometimes, a book is just a book."
How many children hadn’t heard of the tale of the boy who never wanted to grow up? Isaura even recalled a long ago role in a short grade school play as Wendy. As Allan detailed the stories, Isa rolled on her stomach, pillowing her head on her folded arms as she watched him with bright eyes. Peter Pan? Allan was an interesting one, bringing up what seemed like a random topic and picking up the hidden meanings in the famous story. She paid attention, more than she usually did in class, as she sensed a familiarity in his words. Humbling was a good word for it. It had been the reason her mother had refused to let her ex husband spoil their daughter after the divorce, raising her more or less middle class despite the ease they could have had. Looking thoughtful, her mouth twitched.
“Sometimes a book is just a book, or maybe it’s a middle ground,” she half teased. “Both a lesson and a bed time story. I think every book has a lesson. It just depends on how you apply it.” It was neither an agreement nor a mocking, simply her own interpretation. There were just some books, she had long ago decided, that was best left to less examination. Peter Pan was one of those stories. While the meanings were there and did little harm, she rather liked the fantasy idea or staying young forever. She’d lost a couple years of childhood with all that had happened that it would be nice to enjoy youth and simpler times while she could.
"What was your favorite children' story?"
Besides Harry Potter? Which, while she liked, she really wasn’t an obsessed fan. But a children’s story of long ago came to mind, one that had baffled her through her first reading but enchanted her still. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Isa knew the full name, uncompressed by Disney. She loved the complicated meanings, rolled into the satirical and whimsical tale. There always seemed to be some tiny, amusing fact that she had missed before, every time she had read it. She’d especially enjoyed the nonsense and the way that everything really pieced together, especially Alice’s attempts to define her identity. Life really was just a big puzzle in the end after all.
“Down the rabbit hole, through the looking glass and all that. Crazy story, but it’s fun. I can see how some are convinced that it’s about a psychedelic drug episode, but really…the girl is seven!” Hearing that theory, when she was still young and gullible, had almost ruined the story for her, as did the claims that the author had been a pedophile. Isa was one that refused see it as a pro-drug novel. In her mind, it was still a layered, bizarre world that tempted her adventurous spirit. Saying little else about her thoughts, she avoided excessive interpretations of her favorite tale and also kept from wistfully blabbering too much about her embarrassing seven-year-old attempts to dig into a rabbit hole in a field, only to get bitten by an angry hare. Other worlds always seemed possible, but they were always so far away.
“Favorite…color?” Isaura grinned. “You started with books, I get this topic.” Her simpler topic was a hint of her wishful, child-like mood at the moment, blended with something that she hoped would lead her to not accidentally share things too deep. Twirling a blade of grass around her finger, she watched Allan for a response with a slight tightening in her chest. He was nice. She did like him, though the extent of it was blurred with her need to limit it. Suddenly uncomfortable, she turned once more on her back, one arm under her head as the other lay across her stomach. A strangely shaped cloud was her distraction from his face. She was happy, in a taste of Wonderland at the moment, as she chatted here comfortably with him. Unfortunately, Alice did wake up. If she did as well, she couldn’t bear to be barred from Wonderland again.
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