Charlotte stepped off the almost empty bus, the driver quickly cranking the door shut behind her. Her eyes drifted up at the large gates, biting her lower lip as she glanced at the large building placed behind them. She jumped a bit as the roar of the bus's engine started, quickly rolling itself away from her. I've gone this far, can't go back now. She thought to herself, walking up to the set of large gates. Two security guards were positioned in small buildings on each side of the gates, glancing at her as she approached. They both nodded their heads through the windows at her, the gates slowly opening.

She clutched onto her suitcase handle tighter as she walked through the gate. Her heart was pounding, and her breath becoming uneasy. Her feet directed her along the pavement walkway, straight through a large campus in front of the school. Her eyes glanced about, hardly seeing anyone around. The sound of the closing gates echoed through the area, a few crows fluttering out of distant trees, screeching in retort to the loud noise.

"Maybe..I should wait for someone..?" She whispered, stopping at the steps up to the main doors. Charlotte lightly set down her suitcase on the stairs, crossing her arms. She gazed around once more, sighing. Her back leaned against the wall, her eyes begging to find someone, anyone to communicate with.

Ryouta walked past one of the security outposts, returning from a trip to the minimart alongside the subway that was two blocks down the road, holding a plastic bag of a precooked sandwich and a can of coffee. He had a mundane worry that there would be no canteen inside, it also gave him a reason to dawdle and perhaps avoid the sucky feeling of going in alone. He lacked the urgency to know that he was about to begin something very important ...

But at last, he spotted someone at the gate entrance. Quickly, he brushed the hair out of his eyes and pulled his hood backwards and down, walking towards her.

"Hi!" He exclaimed, though not too loudly.

"Are you also a newcomer?" He pointed to the building beyond the gates, as they opened, they revealed cobblestone floors and a fountain situated in the center of a garden-esque entrance before a grand looking establishment. Clearly, he was eager to enter.

Austin arrived at the Academy gates with a lot already on his mind. What was going to happen? Would he fit in? He knew deep down he would, he always seems to. There were already two people there, and the gates were wide open. He walked by with nothing more than a glance in their direction. He went up to the fountain and stared. It was one of the most beautiful fountains he has seen in his life. But it did hold one thing that he hated, water.

Austin's mind was whirring with excitement. He wondered where he was supposed to go from here. Maybe he should have stopped by the two at the gate and came in with them. But he didn't want to draw attention to himself right away. He wanted them to come up to him. So since there was a bench by the fountain, he simply sat down while putting his backpack, full of his clothes from home and his one prized possession, down next to him.

Eva cautiously made her way up the drive to what she knew to be Monteverde Academy. There were two guard towers just outside the gates which set her a bit on edge. She clutched her staff defensively as she was welcomed through. The grounds were beautiful, the lush gardens seemed to radiate life and made her feel just a little bit more secure. She was still uneasy however, it was a feeling that rarely left her.

She walked slowly and deliberately. She could see that there were people already there; people, she presumed, just like her. She felt out of place in the beautiful surroundings with her dirt stained jeans and staff clutched at her side. She took a deep breath and willed herself to relax a bit more. This place promised safety; a place where she wouldn't be judged.

She made her way to a bench that had only one other occupying it. It was a male. around her age, and seeming normal. But she knew that looks can be deceiving and had her guard up. She sat down at the other end of the bench, and fingered the satchel on her back. Inside was enough poison to kill half of San Fransisco, but right next to it was the same amount that would save it. She had made these in case she needed to hightail it out of there, but it seemed like now, they wouldn't be necessary. She turned to the person at the other end of the bench and with a slightly hesitant voice, introduced herself.

"Eva," she said, holding out a hand. "Eva Owens."

The harsh and cold wind born of the mountain's ancient stone and ice howled it's melody. A off key dirge that sounded both mocking and sad to the young man who sat cross legged inside a cave looking out over the mountain and the sea of clouds. The air was cold and thin barely breathable by most standards but that was of no concern to this young man. Shaggy black hair and bronze skin chafed by the sun and the wind spoke of his Japanese heritage while his face reinforced it.

The cave he sat in was a barren place hollowed out by thousands of years of wind. It's dark gray stone paved smooth by the same wind that had carved it from the mountain peak. Here and there where scattered the few items that marked it out as a dwelling.A four poster bed with heavy curtains to ward against the wind when sleeping, it was neatly made as if the young man took pride in such neatness. A few feet away a gas range that wafted faint scents of skilled cooking as if the young man knew how to cook. Beside it was a heavy looking shelf lined with spices,herbs, and dried food. Beside the shelf stood a bin that was at the moment filled with rice. And near the bed was a bookshelf with leather bound books that looked well worn. Such things marked this place out as the young man's abode. A strange choice of living space for anyone this lofty mountain cave so high even birds did not alight upon it.

But this abode had not been entirely his choice. This young man was not normal in the strictest sense of the word, his name was Tobikuma Yukimura. And fate in it's cruel and unfathomable way had decreed he be born gifted. But instead of good looks or a clever mind it had given him control over dark energy, the primal force of creation that was responsible for the expansion of the universe. And while such a gift had it's merits it seemed more of a burden then anything else. All things come with a price and this was no different. The world feared his gift and the danger it represented and treated him as a outcast. Friends became enemies, Government sent agents to monitor him, even his own parents had become wary around him.

Tobikuma had at first endured the taunts, the threats, and the solitude with difficulty. He wandered alone preferring that to the nightmare life was around the people of his hometown. But in the end the taunts, threats, and abuse was simply to much for him to handle and he had ended up snapping under the pressure. And he gave the world a reason to fear him and his gift. When the dust had cleared his hometown of Shibetsu had been wiped from the map along with most of it's residents. The horror of his sin had nearly broken him and so he ran using the very same dark engery that had birthed the sin.

A year and 3 months on the run had given him much time to think. Rationalizations however had failed to truly calm his inner self. Too much blood was on his hands and yet he refused to give into that horror. To let him be ruled by the unspoken fear of what he had become. But neither did he desire to face the world and so he hid in a cave high in the Himalayas spending his time in mediation and study of the traditions of his legacy. Such things kept him from the world he didn't want to hurt or face.

But even as the solitude calmed him it had made him realize that life could not be lived in a mountain cave. So with caution Tobikuma began sojourns into the world outside his hermit's cave. Merely walking along the streets of cities soaking in the words spoken around him. Here at least no one knew of his sin and treated him like any other stranger. And it was here he found the flier that scrap of paper with the words of fate inscribed onto it's faded nature. And a series of conflicting emotions had been mixing inside him ever since.

Hence why he was mediating for he needed to be calm and focused. The dark energy he controlled was a fickle mistress and was given to wild spikes if his mental state changed. And seeing it out of control once was bad enough so this 19 year old sat cross legged calming his inner self. Four two hours he sat in prefect silence and calm unmoving expect to breathe and blink. And when he judged his mental state calm He got up his lanky legs adding inches to his height. At five feet elven inches Tobikuma was much taller then his father although otherwise he was a carbon copy of him. Striding to his bed he reaced underneath it dragging out a plain black case about 5 feet in length. Of simple black leather and brass clasps it looked ordinary and unremarkable but as soon as it was opened it's true nature came to light.

Inside was a Chokutō of peerless craftsmanship with the Yukimura crest set upon it's hilt and sheath. This blade had been custom made for Tobikuma as a parting gift from his father, He remembered the day well. A bright winter morning in Shibetsu The wind had blown then to a harsh and sad melody that suited the mood. His father unable to truly deal with what his con had become had decided to leave his son in the care of the government. But as a way of atoning for this dishonor the Chokutō had been presented to the then young boy with tears in his eyes. The sword was wonderfully light and sharper then anything he had seen before. It's keen edge was no match however for the betrayal of his Father.


It would be the only possession Tobikuma would keep on this journey into the new chapter of his life. Scanning the cave he took in what had been his refuge for his time on the run from his past. At the books that were filled with the wisdom of his family and of the Samurai, at the bed where he spent the sleepless nights thinking about what he had become. As much as it represented safety this cave was also a prison. It kept him from the mobs that hated and feared him but it did nothing to help his frame of mind.

So with a firm grip on the sword case he left this place and headed towards his future. Taking a deep breath he tapped into the dark energy he controlled feeling as usual that slight rush and nausea that seemed to be a side effect of ripping open the fabric of this dimension to step into the void as he liked to call it. A dark world it's only light was stars set into it's sky. The ground dry and cracked nothing grew in it. Although warm it was a dead place and filled with a sadness Tobikuma felt keenly each time he entered this world. Whatever this place was this 19 year old knew it was not a place to linger. Walking a few steps to the right he ripped open another tear using dark energy. It was easier in the void for it seemed this place teemed with dark energy. Stepping through the hole he reappred in a courtyard set with flagstones.

To the casual observer it would be as if he had appeared out of thin air. Normally he would not risk appearing in such a fashion in public choosing instead a more secluded spot but this academy no doubt seen stranger things so he let it be. Walking a few steps forward he took in the courtyard, a few people who sat in ones and twos around the courtyard with it's central feature being a fountain. Some of the people scattered throughout the courtyard bore a haunted look,others still a haughty look as if they where better then everyone else.

"Even among the gifted the bullshit of normal society prevails. Cliques and cliches abound. But then again who am I to speak such thing are bound to happen even here." He spoke softly to himself his English heavy with a Japanese accent that spoke of an unfamiliarity with the English language. In fact he had only spoken English at school as it had been a required course. The surroundings notwithstanding Tobikuma hefted his sword case deciding against introductions until he found out exactly what would be expected of him at this academy. So walking forward with a firm and measured stride this gifted 19 year old made his way to the main building an impressive looking facade set amongst lush gradens.

Austin was shocked when she introduced herself. Most people didn't just see him and say hi right away. It took awhile for his persona of mystery that made them walk up. Maybe she was just very friendly. Her name was Eva she said. He supposed he should introduce himself too.
"Name's Austin." he said to her. "So what brings you to the Academy here?"

She was good looking Austin supposed. But that didn't stop him from noticing other things about her. She was slightly hesitant when she spoke to him. Could it be because she was nervous of the Academy or of him? He didn't feel like he was standing out, although being on a bench by himself probably didn't make him seem less suspicious. He was glad to make a friend right away though, maybe it would make life in the Academy a little more....bearable.

Maiko Mari Makinami strode down the lane that led up to a security post manned by a couple of guards. And past the security post, not much farther--Monteverde Academy. She looked up at it, taking what details of its appearance she could from that distance, before moving on. There were a couple of people already here, some who had grouped together for comfort. That was a trait Maiko did not have; the tendency to try to familiarise oneself with others, to try to befriend others, in an unfamiliar environment. Maiko simply did not see the need; she didn't feel she needed others to understand her environment.

As she neared the security post, the two guards nodded towards her. "Well?" one of them demanded gruffly. Maiko slid a hand into her coat and withdrew it a moment later, with a keycard; this she handed to the guard, who slid it under a laser, looked at the computer for a moment, and then handed the card back to Maiko and instructed her to continue on; she did so without saying a word to either guard. When she got up to the gates, she saw that further people had already arrived at the Academy; she had hoped to get here earliest, but apparently that was impossible. With a shrug and a sigh, she continued past the gates, and sat down in one of the vacant benches. She dug into her bag and withdrew a book, and immediately began reading; her entire atmosphere seemed to declare 'leave me alone'.

Her eyes danced among the new comers, and the new students who began to fill up the campus. Charlotte's eyes returned to the boy speaking to her, raising her eyebrows at his clothing.

"That's quite...interesting attire.." She said softly, her facial expression back to normal. Charlotte thought about what she said for a moment, then slowly tilting her head.

"I do like it though..." A small smile appeared on her face.

Her gaze shifted to the two other students associating around her, the girl and boy. A concerned expression came across her face as she glared at the uneasy girl, then to the boy.

Charlotte slightly shook her head, her normal expression returning. She looked back at the oddly dressed boy, smiling softly.

"So, what're you in for?" She said, slightly chuckling at her joke.

Magdalena tapped her neatly manicured nails against the car door, watching the streets of America pass her by. She had a brother who attended school in America. She hadn't seen him in a few years. That, of course, was her largest concern about her new school. The America part, not the absence of her half brother part. Her experience with the english language was sporadic and entirely conceptual.

Also, it had been a few years since she had attended an actual school, and not just had some skinny, bleeding-heart tutor there to pretend she cared, but really to marvel at the freaks.

The hired car rolled to a stop at the gates of the Academy. Money was the extent of her parent's love these days. Magdalena couldn't say that she minded it exactly. It certainly made things like traveling to another institution more manageable. She slid out of her seat as the driver pulled the door open for her, a new messenger bag slung across her shoulders. She shot a look at him out of the corner of her eye and watched as he cringed back. Hmm. It was possible she was projecting a bit more than usual with her nerves. She took a tighter hold of the pain, pulling it farther inside of herself, though she felt more irritable.

She slid her sunglasses from her hair over her eyes and sighing, began the trek forward into the main courtyard. The bulk of her luggage, apparently, had already been installed. Now, her choices were to socialize now or socialize later. She surveyed the groups gathered before the building and approached a boy and girl standing near the gates.

"Oye, where am I meant to..." she checked the scribbles on her palm of a list of words she continued to forget, "check in?" she finished. She spoke slowly, attempting to form her words carefully. She was sure that she made limited success, but then, english was stupid anyhow. "Por school? I am new student."

Charlotte glanced over at the newcomer, her eyes widening a bit.

She let off a friendly smile, seeing that the girl was having trouble speaking.

Charlotte recognized the language, nodding a bit. I only learned a little Spanish back home, but let's see how this goes.

"Hola chica, me llamo Charlotte, encantado de conocerte." Charlotte spoke slowly, hoping this would comfort the girl, knowing she was troubled with English.

She glanced from the girl to the set of doors.

"Soy un nuevo estudiante también." She admitted, telling the girl she was a new student as well.

Charlotte understood the girls first question, thinking for a few moments. Her herself had not checked in yet, and glanced around the campus, seeing if any other students had gone inside yet. She made her best guess.

"Um.." Charlotte bit her lip, glancing up for a moment. Her gaze returned to the girl, speaking to her best ability.

"Ve...adentro y la mano el papel en la gente de la ...um...recepción." She said slowly, trying to work the accent into the words. She told the girl to go inside and hand the paper to the people at the front desk.

Charlotte glanced down at her flier, indicating her to turn it in inside.

"Ah..Lo siento, mi español es malo." Charlotte admitted, looking down a bit. She apologized for her Spanish being bad.

Magdalena's eyes widened as the girl before her began to speak to her in her own language, and then smiled as she realized that her spanish was just about as bad as Magdalena's english. Still, Magdalena was pleased by the attempt more than anything, especially since everyone at the two airports she had passed through had reduced her to pointing and gestures. It was nice to be able to communicate like a human again. So, she decided that for sacrificing her dignity to struggle through another language, that she liked this Charlotte. She pushed her sunglasses up, over her forehead and into her curly, brown hair once more, brushed a hand absently over the scar on her face, and smiled.

"Mucho gusto, Charlotte," she replied, and as happened rarely was actually pleased to meet someone. "Soy Magdalena. No he visitado los estados unidos nunca," she said sheepishly, and then, realizing that it would help her to at least try the language whenever possible she added, "I never visit here, the America, before now. I am of Mexico." She pursed her lips a bit, puzzling through Charlotte's direction, staring wonderingly at her hand, but it was clear enough that she needed to do something inside the building with her flyer. She probably had to give it to someone...

She laughed a bit, keeping an even firmer grip on the pain. It would be bad if Charlotte felt it and then no longer consented to attempt to translate for her. "Yes, no perfect, your spanish, but my english is no perfect tambien, eh?" She winked. "And a places for learning to be better is a school," she added with a shrug. "I thank you for the help."

Charlotte smiled at her reaction, relieved she didn't laugh at her for her weak attempt to communicate. She slightly giggled at what Magdelena said, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear. She seen the deep scar on the girls face, quickly glancing at it, then switching her gaze, trying not to be rude.

"Well, maybe we can teach each other, right?" She said, scratching the back of her head nervously. After hearing the girl's statement about the school, she nodded.

"Escuela es bueno..me gusta..?" Charlotte smiling, saying the school was good, and she liked it.

"I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary yet, like..." She glanced around, biting her lip for a moment before she continued. "I haven't seen anyone like me yet, or at least they haven't shown anything.."

Charlotte slowly pushed herself off the wall, sighing as she continued to look around, then ending her gaze at Magdelena.
"Y tu? Do you have a unique side to you?" She asked, blankly blinking at the girl.

His steps in their firm and measured stride carried Tobikuma through the entrance courtyard the sound of others in conversation a pleasant background noise. Here at least no one looked at him askew, here the legacy of his sin was unknown to any save perhaps the academy's staff who had no doubt done a background check on him when first he applied. But this descendant of Samurai cared not, everyone here was on equal footing. The rich,the poor, the smart, the stupid. They were all feared and hated by the world around them for their abilities. Mortals with the power of Gods and the ill luck of being born in such a world was what they were. But Tobikuma had come to the realization that perhaps normal people had a reason to fear them. For his time alone spent in study of ancient texts had made him realize an old saying. When a man's actions effect himself and only himself then he is free to do as he wish if not then a man has a sacred duty to those who are effected by his actions. But such sacred duty required a sense of honor and not every single human was honorable. Jerks and Saints abounded and their gifts changed that fact not a whit. In the end their actions by the mere fact their powers elevated them above the rank and file would ensure said actions would effect other people. Even Tobikuma was no exception to this rule his actions even with his desire for solitude. His actions fueled by power and rage had wiped his hometown from the map and killed thousands, their blood had never washed off his hands in the year and half on the run. But in the end this young man decided that his was not a place to preach, merely to seek forgiveness and a reason for his so called gift.

And that was one of the main reasons he was here in Montverdé Academy to seek a reason here amongst others gifted with the curse and blessing of being above the rank and file. The haunted looks of some he passed as he strode through the halls of the main building towards the front desk spoke of tales similar to his. No doubt these gifted had also been shocked by the horror their powers had wrought upon the world. These haunted ones made no effort to meet his wandering gaze preferring to keep their windows to the soul hidden. It was something Tobikuma could understand, something he did himself. After all everyone had their cross to bear. The smooth stone hallways were strode through his light footfalls echoing slightly as he made his way to the front desk.

" May I help you." The woman at the front desk asked her voice a calm yet resonating with a melodious overtone no doubt designed to soothe Her hair done up in a shoulder length fashionable design, her clothes in muted colors that blended well with the overall style of the building she was in. All in and all she radiated a calm and non-judging air that seemed a natural attitude rather then one faked for the sake of her job.Perhaps she was gifted herself as Tobikuma had yet to meet a normal person who was non-judging around the gifted.

" Tobikuma Yukimura, I am a new student reporting for assignment." He replied in heavily accented English his tone a studied neutral. His face schooled into the same neutrality. Pulling out a small folder of documents from a jacket pocket he handed them over to the woman.

" One moment Mr.Yukimura," She replied checking the documents over with a quick efficiency and checking something on her computer. A few moments later she handed him a new series of documents. " Alright Mr.Yukimura present these to the Dorm Manager to determine which room you will get and report to the Directors ofifice to determine everything else."

" Thank you I will do that." He replied with that same neutral tone as if it was the natural speaking tone for him.

Checking over the documents Tobikuma walked back through the halls and out into in the courtyard. The Dorms according to the map of the campus that came with the documents was not too far away. Taking a deep breath he began to walk towards the Dorm passing several other students some of them engaged in conversation their words lost as he walked past them. He thought briefly of introducing himself but the practical part of his brain favored getting the official stuff out of the way.

Charlotte bit her lip, then glancing at the clock in the courtyard. "Oh, shoot we'd better go check in. How about we finish this conversation another time, yes?" She nodded, waving her goodbye to the foreign girl as she grabbed her suitcase, heading in through the doors. She walked to the front desk, smiling at the receptionist.

"Hello." The woman said kindly, extending her hand for the flier. "Name, please?" She asked, slowly tilting her head.

"Uh, Charlotte Sanders." Charlotte replied, quickly handing the woman the flyer, biting down on her lip. The woman returned her smile, glancing down at a paper of students, tracing her finger down the list, clicking her tongue.

"Ah, yes, Charlotte. Here dear." The woman said, pulling out a folder and a set of keys, extending them to Charlotte.

Charlotte grabbed the items with her free hand, nodding at the woman. "Thank you.." Her eyes lifted past the her, gazing around, seeking the dorms.

"The dorms are down that hallway to your left." The receptionist pointed a finger behind Charlotte, towards one of the hallways.

"Ah, thanks again." Charlotte nodded, turning around and advancing down the hallway. She moved past the loitering students, making her way to her dorm. Once she reached the end of the hallway, she seen a boy around her age stepping into his.

Lydia narrowed her eyes, seeing her dorm directly next door to his. This should be..interesting. She thought to herself, slowly shaking her head.

Suddenly, the suitcase she held onto flung open, her clothing and items spilling onto the floor.

"Gah!" She groaned, crouching onto the floor, placing the folder and keys the receptionist had given her next to the suitcase, putting the items back into it slowly.

For some reason, she became embarrassed. Several sets of eyes beamed into her back as she quickly picked up the items. Charlotte wasn't used to this attention never really being around people, unless it was family. Her face flushed a deep red as she heard whispers behind her, continuing to pick up her things.

There he was, watching the two of them converse in an unknown language. It reminded him of the clicks and squeaks aliens made to each other in movies, before they would turn all fugly and start shooting beams out of their eyes. The thought humored him, Ryouta smiled even though no one was talking to him.

She did compliment him on his dressing afterall ...but it was worthless, it was as if he was invisible that she just ran off without waving goodbye.

"So ...." He wanted to ask something of the Spanish speaking girl, Magdelena who was left behind with him, but quickly assumed she probably did not want to anyway. At least he knew their names while they didn't know his ...

"Ah forget it."

Unintending to stand there any further, like some background object or skirt chasing pervert, Ryouta figured it was best to leave them to their own demise and hastily began walking away from the scene.

"Fair weathered friends. You meet people like that in your life, get over it." The teenager chided himself, there were better things to do.

Charlotte finished picking up her things, quickly rushing into her dorm, unlocking it and walking in, slamming the door behind her. Her eyes widended as she heard the giggles behind the door. She lightly sighed, placing her suitcase onto the bed.

Her eyes gazed around the room, it looked well kept, and mocked today's modern fashion. Charlotte bit her lip, pulling out the folder the receptionist had given her, looking at the school map, trying to memorize the locations.

After a few moments she shook her head, placing the folder back onto the bed. "This is going to take some getting used to.." She admitted, crossing her arms.

She knew she needed to get out, for some reason, she felt like socializing. It was her first opportunity to socialize with people around her age, though she was afraid to step back outside, in fear that the same feeling might come over her.

Charlotte rolled her eyes, grabbing the dorm keys and walking out the door. "Oh, I don't care." She admitted to herself, the student's gazes turning back to her.

Charlotte locked her dorm, placing the keys back into her pocket. She strode down the hallway, ignoring the students gazing at her.

That's when she seen the boy from earlier, the boy dressed in the odd attire. "Uh-um, hello." She said quietly, tapping his shoulder from behind.

"Sorry I was so rude earlier, I'm just, not used to so many people talking to me, so I kind of fail at social cue's..heh.."

Hmm?

Ryouta turned around to see someone tapping his back, it was the same brown curly haired girl from before, someone he did not expect to return. He listened to what she had to say, though hardly as cheerful as he was before.

"If many people want to talk to you, you should be flattered. It means you're popular." He said trying to be friendly, though he sounded rather monotone.

"So, why are you here?" The paper only had a vague indication of the Academy's purpose, Ryouta hoped that he was not in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Her smile faded as she read his expression, then taking in his comment.

"Popular..no, not me.." She shook her head, glancing away in thought. Charlotte looked back at him, hearing his question.

"Uhm...well..it's kind of hard to explain." She tilted her head, thinking for a moment.

"Basically..uh..I can't get hurt..at all.." She said slowly, thinking that was the best way to put it.

"And, yourself?" She asked, crossing her arms while beaming up at him.

Can't get hurt at all? Invunerability? A real life Ultraman-woman? Ryouta's brows quirked into an expression of skeptism.

"Me? I perform magic tricks." He said, pursing his lips. Obviously trying to be just as vague as her.

Ryouta shook his head, shrugging and lifting his hands slightly.

"Come on, it's not hard to explain. I'm pretty sure we are all here for the same reason, whatever reason it is you have." Clearly he was not going to say before she did.

"All it takes is for one person to be honest, then we don't need to keep up this game of hide and seek."

Austin saw people getting up to register. He gave a quick goodbye to the silent Eva and went up to register. The girl at the desk seemed nice, so he tried being nice back. She gave him his papers, he thanks her, and he walked away.

Austin's dorms weren't too far away. They were just perfect distance enough to have time to think. Did he want to talk to anyone? Did he want to try and be the fun socialite? He decided yes, and that first person or people he saw in his dorm he would talk to.

Sadly, the first people he saw where two people already in conversation. Now he had to think again, would he interrupt them? Why not? What's the worst that could happen?

"Umm, hi." he said to them. "My name is uhh, Austin. I know you two were talking but, I haven't met too many people here and I-I really would like to meet more. So, umm, what's your guys names?" He decided to seem nervous. Why not? In all honesty he was a little nervous, why not let it show.

Charlotte frowned, glancing around the room.

"I don't really know how to word it, um-uh.." She was interrupted by a boy approaching them, but somewhat relieved he did.

"Oh, hey!" She said, giving him a soft smile. She recognized him from earlier, her eyes gazing over him. I wonder what his 'gift' is, perhaps it's one of those magic tricks this guy is talking about. Charlotte switched her gaze to Ryouta, then back to Austin.

"My name's Charlotte, nice to meet you, Austin, and don't worry about it." Charlotte then glanced back at Ryouta.

"Haha thanks," Austin thought this girl was nice. Maybe he could get along with someone here...

"So, what brings you here? We all have a story. Let me guess, your a fighter right? Superstrength?"

Austin noticed that the girl had odd marks around her knuckles, either from punching or from wearing something weird around them. He decided when he wanted to go here that he would tell anyone his secret. His power. Why be ashamed? He was PROUD to be what he was. Proud to control the fire. He played with his lighter in his pocket. If she asked, maybe he'd give a presentation.

"Hi." Ryouta said unsuredly, looking at Austin. There was something about the way he looked, it was so falsified. The interuption didn't help either ...

Not again ...

Since this Austin was so eager to pounce on the chance to speak to any girl, afterall he looked the sort, Ryouta felt it was better that he leave his name out, l'est he interupts anything himself. Once more, standing on the sidelines anticipating history to repeat itself again.

She gave a worried expression at Ryouta, wondering why he seemed upset, then turning back to Austin.

"Well, the flyer brought me here, obviously." She joked, her eyes looking at the lighter Austin presented.

A pyro..? She thought to herself, glancing back nervously at Ryouta.

"Well, now I think I may be able to answer both of your question's at once." Charlotte said softly, extending her hand to Austin, returning her gaze to his.

"Burn me." She whispered, indicating towards the lighter.

"What!?" Ryouta exclaimed, both suprised and confused.

"Are you crazy? You don't even know what this guy can do!" He wondered if she was over confident or simply tempting fate.

"Even if you weren't hurt, think about your clothes. We aren't in a locker room." He warned, then looked in another direction trying to think of something else. Resuming his usual calm demeanour, no point getting overly riled up and attract too much attention.