Snippet #1332346

Vinh blinked, sort of absorbing the bleak, beige room he found himself in. Beige was such a tacky color to paint one's room in. When he moved in (Well, that actually isn't true - all of his stuff had miraculously found its way into his room before he got there) he peeked into other people's rooms, and they had white walls. Just his luck to get beige. He chuckled, nerves getting to him. He'd never doubted himself in his entire life - he knew the extent of his abilities, and the road of his skills stopped far, far short of getting into this school. He knew he didn't belong. They just sent him a letter one day saying that they'd take him and he had no real say in it. That was, he supposed, how THESIS did things.

The notice on the community billboard in the middle of the hall said that some Level 3's were giving a tour to newbies like him, and Vinh's brain hatched an idea. If he could get some Level 3's, maybe some teachers, and a couple of newbies in his pocket, it'd be easier to fake his way through this school. He could get stronger students to show him how to game the system, and before long, he'd be living in the lap of luxury. Yes, Vinh concluded, this was a perfect idea - of course, geniuses only have perfect ideas. His nervous chuckling turning into laughter of victory, he launched himself into the shower and began his one hour grooming process. Every area of his appearance had to be perfect - hair styled to stretch lazily over one eye, teeth brushed to a shine, dress shirt with its top button strategically popped open, designer jeans, and black shoes. Someone told him that clothes made the man, and Vinh had always believed that.

Vinh strode through the campus, stepping on its wonderfully paved brick sidewalks, brimming with confidence. He looked around, surveying his contest grounds. A few attractive girls caught his eye, laying down on blankets in the grass some ways away from him, relaxing under a tree. He'd have to make time for women in his sure to be busy schedule, of course. He'd never operated in such a small social sphere before, but if he had the social dexterity he knew he had, he should be able to juggle at least three at a time...

"Hey, excuse me, um, do you know where the science lab is?" A student approached Vinh, knocking him out of his thoughts. The boy had a very small stature, and enormous glasses that played to his meekness. Vinh smiled a comforting, inviting smile.

"It's just down the path that way, first building on your left," Vinh said, pointing in a random direction. The student smiled and nodded, thanking him and barreling off. As Vinh passed by, he noticed the student's painfully large backpack and wondered how long he'd survive here.

Before long, Vinh made it to the library and blended into the crowd, taking immediate notice of his surroundings. At the very front, a senior played a trick on a freshman who played the game wrong. He found himself flanked by a rather confident looking boy who came in a bit late, and a cute brunette. She looked as clueless as Vinh should have looked, but she seemed...In a word, fit. Both of these people could be useful, so Vinh decided to work his magic.

"They probably -do- have laser pens here," Vinh whispered, nudging the girl next to him with a smile. "Laser watches, too."