((don't know if this is up to par or how you like it, but if not let me know, I'll try something))
Chapter Six
"So you can speak French? As in... baguette-French?" Axel took his eyes off the blue sky overhead and the food laid out in front of him and turned his attention back to Lexi sitting on the seat beside him, at the same table. He thought of motioning to a basket of baguettes on the table next to theirs at the mention of the bread, but held back.
"Oui, monsieur Axel." Lexi replied, wrapping her index and middle finger around the straw of her own glass, which she had specifically requested for, looking into the refreshing drink inside. She hadn't sampled a quarter as much food as Axel had, but it had been stuffing enough for her. "Je suis etonne de votre appetit lourde..." she added.
"Not bad... Though it's all the same Greek to me." quipped Axel, glancing to the others around him once to see if there were anyone else he'd find interesting. Lexi had already been one of them, including Garm and that "Cerebus" guy.
"If you'd like me to, I can teach you a bit." said Lexi, playing around with some leftover vegetables on her plate. She picked a single green piece up with the fork she held and put it into her mouth, turning to face Axel again.
"Hah! Axel Grimnom? Speaking French? Never!" replied Axel cheerfully.
"French is the language of love, you know. It'd do wonders if you, say, wanted to find a date in here." stated the brunette, as if she was an expert in the matters of the heart.
"Oh yeah, I heard the kids here are from all over the globe, right?" Axel looked at the other residents of their table, but they mostly ignored him and Lexi, chatting in pairs mostly.
"Your point...?" Lexi tilted her head to the side a bit, taking a sip from her drink with a half-quizzical expression on her face.
"That means your language of smitten can't do much, then!" Axel leaned back and chuckled after a minuscule period of suspense, and his glass almost slipped out of his grip.
"Just you watch then. I'll get myself a nice date for the prom (if this school even has one, that is), and you'll be left reeling on the sidelines when the music starts." though Lexi's face leaked confidence, she was still her usual friendly self, evident in her tone.
"Yeah, well... I don't think that's the kind of thing we should be worried about now." he leaned over closer to Lexi's face and peered over her shoulder at a group of other students mingling, then turned around to look over his own shoulder. "We should be worried about staying safe right now, Lex. I mean, small fry in a pond full of people carrying their own weapons... And then there's those Users." he turned to her, peering into her emerald eyes.
"So you're saying.... you're scared, then?" she asked innocently.
"I mean, this place comes with the usual stuff the package of a school comes in. Bullies, thugs, perverts... The higher-ups from before didn't say anything about how to keep them from growing tails and horns. I haven't heard of any specific measures to keep Users from abusing their powers, either. Detention won't keep human torches from lighting other people's hair on fire." said Axel, leaning back against the backrest of his chair.
Lexi sighed, but it was almost non-existent against the background chatter. "Axel, the school's administration doesn't just pick kids from off the streets." she said that, but in truth she was worried too.
"I know, but still... We can't really read how a person really is like from the get-go can we? How were you enrolled in here, Lex?"
"That... well..." Lexi found her tongue going numb. She can't really tell Axel she ran away from home and her estranged parents, can she now? He had been so affectionately telling her about his family back in Ohio ten minutes ago. "...Hmm? Wow, looks like he's got an admirer already." she quickly changed topic, looking over to her left, across the crowd.
"Who?" Axel asked.
"The guy with the katana." Lexi motioned to Garm quite some distance away with her gaze, and it took some time for Axel to follow her. "He's reading some kind of small parchment in his hand." she added
"What- How can you possibly see that far away?" Axel asked bluntly.
"My Chrono Gear is a bow, remember? Why else would I pick it as my weapon of choice? I've got the eagle's eyes." Lexi declared. "Axel, I don't think there's be a reason we need to be so scared. We got to know the guy that took out a group of advanced upperclassmen in one blow. On our first day, too. That kind of flaunt can be useful." she added.
"...I don't like him, though. Did you see the way he talked to us earlier? He thinks he's all high and mighty and all, just because he's got a sword." Axel crossed his arms and retreated into his seat, definitely not feeling like eating anymore. He wondered what else would come after this. He's never passed through a meal like this before, so he had no idea or clue what it would entail. Maybe a show, he thought. Or karaoke? Let's hope not.
Lexi watched the boy settle into his seat, and giggled lightly.
"Day one, and I've already found a friend. And he's probably found a rival, too." she thought. Axel noticed bits of her giggling and turned to her, arms still crossed.
"You know what? I don't think we need that kind of flaunt or whatever. We're pretty strong too, right? You're handier with the bow than anybody else I'd met up until now."
"Right." she replied. "And you're not half bad with your gauntlet."
"Yeah well, anyone who's in our way should watch out!" Axel declared, and as great as his spirit seemed to burn at that moment, Lexi couldn't help but giggle again. "What's so funny??" he asked her.
"It's your family name... It's just... Grimnom. It sounds like Grim. The Grim Reaper." Lexi said to him, wiping her eye. "I think that's a pretty good title for you, don't you think? Now all you need is a harvesting scythe." as she spoke, she can see Axel's face light up
"That..." but Axel couldn't finish when a black figure suddenly appeared behind their two seats, and its entrance seemed so sudden and ominous that everyone at the table stopped chatting and turned their heads, their eyes opened wide. He didn't know why, but Axel instinctively reached for his Chrono Gear in watch form, when the figure became more pronounced.
It was a young man, in his twenties, that looked to be of Asian origins. His hair was black and cut short, while his eyes were a hue of darkened blue that seemed as empty as his expression. That is, until he spotted Axel going for his Gear.
"Wait, wait, what are you doing? Slow down, do I look like a chimera to you?" the young man seemed to panic a bit, pleading at Axel to stand down with both hands, though his tone of voice still stayed soft and did not increase in loudness.
"Oh! Mister Strauss! Axel, cut it out! He's one of the teachers!" hissed Lexi.
"Him... a teacher...? But he looks like a student!" Axel lowered his arm.
"Can't say anything about that then. I get that a lot, actually." the young man formed a sincere smile at Axel after heaving a sigh of relief. To Axel, he looked funny. Jumpy and all sorts like that. He still doubted this Strauss was a teacher. "I'm Donovan Strauss, pleased to meet you students."
"Mr. Strauss, this is Axel Grimnom, my friend. Axel, he's one of the teachers that helped us with Anne and Sam at the infirmary, remember?" Lexi said to Axel.
"Huh? I... Well..."
"It's fine. You were pretty distraught at the time. Took down a two-headed snake, was it?" Donovan asked, turning to look at Lexi then turning to Axel. By that time the other students had already returned to their own company, leaving Axel and Lexi in conversation with the teacher alone. "Really great job, guys." he added. Donovan jutted out his thumb in a show of support with a lively smile. Axel's doubts and opinions about him seemed to vanish at that time. Donovan felt really warm and kind, and Axel was sure that's how Lexi felt too. She seemed to be showing a great heap of respect and gratitude towards Mr. Strauss despite the school sessions not even started yet.
"Uh... Well, thanks, Mr. Strauss." he flustered a bit
"I'm not that old, well not yet. Call me Donovan, guys. Don's fine too. Then again, you can call me 'head honcho' either." Donovan joked, keeping his elbows rested atop their two chairs still. "I'm in charge of teaching students how to properly control and expand the potency of their powers. For User students, that is." he added. "For human students, I teach you slick moves to use with your respective Gears, as well as learning how to use them to maximum effectiveness in a variety of situations. For both, I teach you guys physical education. So remember to pay attention, alright?" he continued smiling, then glanced behind him once.
"How do you know you'll be teaching us, Donovan?" Lexi asked.
"I haven't exactly been doing well in my promotion exams..." Donovan grinned guiltily, scratching his head. "I always get stuck with the first year students... Eheh... But that's not a problem, though. I'm actually happy, because I get to meet new talents like yourselves. I mean, it's a surprise you actually got put into first year..." he added. "Well, now that we got to know each other, I look forward to a great year helping you guys progress. I just came forward to tell you that your two friends are doing great recovering. It's thanks to their teammates. I should probably go find the other two. Jake Marcel and Aron Vargas, right?" he asked, to which the two nodded.
"Thanks, 'head honcho'." Axel slipped in another joke, watching Mr. Strauss let out a small chuckle and wave to them as he left and waded through the crowd and tables of the garden.
And for the first time since arriving on the island, Axel and Lexi actually look forward to their lives as students of the school.
"That's right... It wouldn't be that bad. It'll be great, with these two around." thought Axel and Lexi simultaneously, referring to each other and Mr. Strauss, and should they have had telepathy for their abilities, they would've known.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Donovan proceeded to free himself from the revel of the feasting students and had his hands tucked into his trouser pockets as he walked past a man dressed in a black suit. Despite his prominent appearance, most of it all the eye patch that covered his left eye, a veil seemed to be covering him, and he escaped the notice of the students.
"So...Have you delivered the Principle?s letter?" the man asked, keeping his arms crossed as he continued to watch the students.
Donovan let out a short snigger. "To tell the truth, it was hardly the letter, was it now? A note would be more suited." he replied, walking further away.
"I don't believe I need to remind you not to get smart, Strauss." spoke the suited man. "Especially not with anything regarding the Principle."
Donovan let out an amused smile. The suited man turned to Donovan as he walked away, angered at the latter's conduct.
"
She will arrive on the island the day before first classes begin. The Principal wants her put in your class. For starters, at least. Don't try anything funny..." the suited man warned, to which Donovan halted his steps.
"Hers could be the reason you hold the power you have now, along with the rest of us." Donovan's smile grew.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Spoiler: Name : Donovan Strauss
Age : 22
Sex : Male
Height/Weight : 6'5" / 190 lbs
Appearance : A tall person, Donovan is a young man with black hair and dark blue eyes. Most of the time he keeps his face shaven clean, but sometimes, most often after sleepless nights, he would have neglected shaving for the entire day. Sometimes he even shaves during class, using none other than his 'novelty'(what he says it to be) knife, another quirky trait that makes him the strange, but likeable person he is. On usual days he wears a white shirt and trousers, even during class time, but on rarer occasions he dresses up in a tracksuit or clothing similar to it.
Personality : Described to being quirky by most, on the outside Donovan is a good-natured, even timid individual who tries to help others but otherwise generally keeps to himself. As a physical educations teacher, he has good amount of knowledge on the matters of health and fitness, both physical and mental, for both normal humans and Users. He may even seem klutzy to some. However, his true persona is hidden by the smile he portrays often. Donovan is in truth a calculating person, and more or less holds the typical alluded personalities of an assassin/terrorist, something he is notoriously thought of to be, though he denies it. Despite this, he more than often expresses a wide range of emotions and acts upon them. He truly shows respect and great care for the students, either those under his wing or not, though at the same time despising any figure of authority, such as the Student Council, and ironically, the other teachers. However, Donovan can be stern with the students, as he in nature dislikes disrespecting individuals. Donovan has a massive appetite, and possesses strange traits such as wearing a pirate hat into class for no apparent reason, wearing anything he was wearing the night before into class, confiscating sugary food from students, and exhibiting great enthusiasm for action figures. Purportedly, he would kill without a second thought, but has held back from doing anything of the sort yet.
Bio : A few years back, he was reportedly apprehended by the authority for apparently reducing the population of a small town located above an underground oil reserve to zero in one night. Wearing a mask and a black trench coat, he was dubbed the 'Joker of Light' for his ability to cause explosions on a varying degree, from molecular levels to explosions matching atomic detonations. He was tried in court, and though present proof material were no more than a few, he was sentenced to death for acts of murder and terrorism. However, intervention by the figure known only as the Principal of the Regalius Private Boarding school would have Donovan serve the academy instead, although more than unwilling, with teaching its students, as he was noted for his exceptionally high degree of skill in controlling his dangerous User ability. However, from time to time... he's shown that perhaps he has something else in mind...
Type : User
Chronos Gear/Ability : Although his ability is listed as causing molecular detonation, Donovan actually creates an unstable imbalance of energy in whatever matter he touches, causing it to explode violently. He is also capable of causing that instability to flow from one place to another at his will, essentially directing localized explosions from long range. Due to his nature of ability, many theorize that his potential is limitless, due to detonation being a level in alteration of matter. However, this has only remained a theory in the past years.
Name : 'Black-Suited Man'
Age : 30+
Sex : Male
Height/Weight : 6'3" / 213 lbs
Appearance : Dressed in a smart black suit, his hair is short and combed back neatly, and his left eye is covered by an eye patch. His hands are covered by black leather gloves.
Personality : Stern and serious, the man shows great respect and loyalty to the Principal. A follower of righteousness and keeper of peace, he usually intervenes in unruly conduct by the students.
Bio : It is unknown what his role truly is in the echelon of the Regalius Private Boarding School, but he has shown to be in connection with the principal, and knows many that goes on in the upper ranks.
Type : User
Chronos Gear/Ability : Manipulation of Light. He can completely cloak himself from others' sight by shutting off the light that reflects on him, temporarily blind people completely, creating fake images, creating fake copies of himself. He can also alter his appearance (visually only) by altering the light that is reflected into other people's eyes. In combat, fights with his bare hands and his multitude of martial arts skills.
Name : 'Girl'
Age : ?? (looks 16)
Sex : Female
Height/Weight : 5'6" / 132 lbs
Appearance : Blonde hair that flows past her shoulders, green-yellow eyes, plain appearance. Dressed in a tacky robe, underneath is a worn outfit usually seen on archeological researchers.
Personality : Quiet, prone to resisting to attempts at confining her, secretive and perceptive to others. She possibly has a sharp tongue and a cynical attitude.
Bio : A strange individual to be sent to the Academy by ship directly from Tasmania, where she was said to have been found.
Type : Unknown, presumably User
Chronos Gear/Ability : Unknown
click to reveal
((if the characters are accepted, you're free to name the man and girl anything you like))
« Last edited by 1 : 2 on Jun 5th 2012 »