Ian Horne's Story

Waking up had always been Rose's least favorite part of the day. Normally, it involved shocking herself out of bad dreams so that she could drag her aching body out of her cheap, lumpy bed and into a cold shower. She'd dress in clothes that weren't too nice, but also weren't too tattered so that she could spend eight hours bartending at some ratty strip club downtown and fend off the creeps who were constantly trying to follow her home.

For some reason, though, today was different.

Rose found herself fading back into consciousness gradually. For once, she hadn't had one nightmare, or at least she couldn't remember any of them. Actually... she couldn't remember much of anything. She remembered leaving the club early after having a fight with her boss... she remembered making it to the corner right before her apartment building when a pair of hands reached out of the shadows...

Rose wrenched upright with a hoarse cry, her power flying out in all directions, but she was alone in the room. Details from the night before were filtering back to her. She'd struck out with her power as soon as she'd felt the hands around her upper arms and they'd fell away. She'd started running, but three more shadowy figures emerged. She'd poured as much energy as she could manage into her power, she'd struggled as hard as she could, but they overpowered her. One of them hit her in the face while the others piled on top of her, covering her mouth and nose...

She scrambled out of the overstuffed bed she'd been tucked in, surveying the room she'd been put in. She didn't understand. She'd been sure when they grabbed her that this was it. The Bleeders weren't known for playing games. If they had found her, they would have torn her apart right then and there. She wandered hesitantly around the room and her eyes settled on a thick piece of cardstock propped up next to a glass of water and a pair of white pills.

Morning to you all,
I’m sure you’re all wondering what the hell is going on. I can answer all your questions if you join me in the dining hall for breakfast. It would not be wise to run or try and leave. I would greatly enjoy your company.
Yours Truly
Arthur Ford Sayco

A second note was scrawled in tidy handwriting underneath that note.

We apologize for the rough treatment you suffered. Please accept this aspirin with our apologies.
Elizabeth Victoria

Rose narrowed her eyes. She was confused and confusion exacerbated her already unpleasant temperament. No matter how nice the note seemed, she didn't like the veiled threat in the second line. She had no clue what to make out of the second note. She ignored the pills and crept out of the room, fully intending to find her way out of the manor. She stumbled from room to room woozily, still suffering from whatever they'd given her. She didn't even notice the voices until she had burst into the full dining room. Rose hovered in the doorway for a second, taking in the scene. She considered taking a seat and finding out what exactly was going on, but she suddenly caught sight of the man with dark hair sitting near the head of the table. In a flash, she recognized him from the night before. He was the one who'd smashed his fist into her face. Rose turned on her heel and sprinted from the room, hoping she could make it to an exit before anyone could catch her.

She passed three different forms as she ran and she didn't pause for either of them. She was barely thinking. All she knew was that she wasn't safe here, she didn't like it here, and she wasn't staying, Sayco be damned.

---

Ian was already awake and snooping around by the time he started to hear footsteps going up and down the hallway. He'd found his note and honestly wasn't very worried. He'd seen just a taste of what his kidnappers had been thinking when they touched his skin and while he wasn't quite clear on what was about to happen, he was pretty sure no one was going to hurt him. Plus, everything he'd seen so far was top of the line, nicest of the nice. He definitely didn't have a problem hanging around here for a while longer.

He combed through his hair with his fingers as he wandered through the mansion. He was relieved when he finally could make out some strains of some sort of classical music. He followed the music and voices to a set of huge double doors. There was a girl in the doorway, but suddenly she spun around and dashed from the room. Only a few moments later, another girl took her place. Ian slipped around her while she started raving and grabbed a piece of toast off of the table. He threw himself into a seat and turned to watch the new girl curse.

"Huh," he said when she was finished. "If she leaves, can I claim whatever free stuff she was gonna get?"

The warped world of Keira’s nightmares slowly solidified into darkness and then, into consciousness. With a thunderous head ache and a pair of sore, swollen eyes the young girl came to. She awoke from violent dreams that were no more than shards of memory.

Keira bolted from her lying position and after a moments pause, vomited over the edge of the bed. Once her throat had finished burning and her stomach had emptied she propped herself up on her elbow and stared down at the mess. She looked past the bile to the nice flooring and struggled to comprehend everything that had happened to her in the last 48 hours. Her brain throbbed, her eyes swelled and watered in the daylight and her heart hung heavily in her chest.

Jacob was gone. 48 hours ago her life had been as close to perfect as an Active could expect and not a minute had passed before it was gone. All gone or at least most of it. Keira looked down at her body before looking up at the ceiling quickly with tears in her eyes. She wiped them hastily and sat up properly, the last thing she remembered was running.

She had been running for her life and the Bleeders were hot on her trail like a pack of hungry wolves. She remembered stumbling her way through old turf, buildings and neighbourhoods that had been left untouched from the war, just foundation shells and rubble, she remembered hearing them calling out to her, hearing their heavy footsteps…someone grabbed her, a cloth went over her mouth…

Keira held her head in her hands and rubbed vigorously in an attempt to wipe away the drowsiness she was experiencing from whatever drug had been forced upon her. She couldn’t remember anything else. What happened back at the house dominated her memory, everything led back to that moment. The moment she lost the only person she had left in the world.

A male scream sent Keira staggering to her feet. Her eyes darted around the room she was in, it was a bedroom, luxury sprang to mind as she surveyed the fine bed and utilities; she had no idea where she’d been dropped off. Bile threatened to rise in her throat once again but she swallowed it down as best she could. This could be the situation she had been dreading for a long time. Someone had found her and if she wasn’t dead already, there was no doubt in her mind that she was here to be used. More focused now on the severity of the situation Keira noticed the note left on a desk, she snatched it up and read carefully.

Morning to you all,
I’m sure you’re all wondering what the hell is going on. I can answer all your questions if you join me in the dining hall for breakfast. It would not be wise to run or try and leave. I would greatly enjoy your company.
Yours Truly
Arthur Ford Sayco

Her first initial thought was there were others. “All” meant there were probably others, like her, who had also woken up and found themselves in this situation. Arthur Sayco was the next thing she registered, the name sounded familiar and after a moments thought jogged a memory of Jacob mentioning him. He was an Active that had never suffered the hunt. He lived in harmony with the Saviours. He was to her knowledge…on tier with the humans.

She screwed up the note in her fist and threw it at the bed room window over looking the grounds. Her mind clocked on to the window and she moved swiftly over to it. Keira tried to squeeze her fingers under the frame in an attempt to open it. The damn thing wouldn’t budge an inch. She stood back, took a deep breath in and out and turned her efforts to studying it. As quick as a whip she realised she wasn’t escaping from this particular window.

She turned around and lent up against it, frustrated and admittedly scared. She was still riddled with drugs, confusion and hopelessness. Everything had gone so unpredictably wrong, she wasn’t sure where she stood anymore or what she should do. She could stay in this room but no doubt someone would come and fetch her. She could try to escape but this was obviously Sayco’s estate. If he was equipped enough to find her what was the likely-hood he’d premeditated how to detain her.

Keira listened to people moving around outside the bedroom door, people who sounded just as confused and angry as she felt. Walking over to the bedroom door she opened it a crack and watched the back of a girl storm out of view. There was no point in remaining where she was, as a sitting duck.

Keira followed the stampeding girl in front of her all the way down to a set of doors. A young maid was knelt down with broken cutlery in hand, a girl was sprinting down the hall, another (the one she’d been shadowing) was bulldozing through the double doors with no precautions. Hearing no gun-fire, screams or the distinct click of a silencer Keira walked over to the double doors and peeked inside.

A dining room sat prominently in the centre of a grand, well lit room. The table already had a fair few individuals seated, those who obviously lived at Sayco manor, those who could live here and those who had noticeably been living it rough for quite some time. Keira saw both men and women and in response hoisted one of her vest straps back onto her shoulders before folding her arms consciously over her bust. She was dressed in a pair of dirty grey track-suit bottoms, a vest top and socks. She’d been caught unawares by the Bleeders and these people, thus she was as good as wearing her pyjama’s.
She shuffled in cautiously behind the ranting girl and stood just behind her. She wasn’t sure if she should be standing here or running like the other girl she’d seen a moment ago.

Janne Jenesen

Of course, his initial plan didn't work for long.

Two pairs of hands pulled him out from under the covers and dragged him into the hallway, protesting and legs flailing underneath boxershorts. "I'm not even decent!" he tried to say, but was shoved into the dining room anyways, the two butlers' grip strong to prevent him from running away. He had seen another running towards and then past them in the hallway. Someone must have already tried to escape.

He arrived in time to here the end of Mr. Sayco's speech. He didn't pay too much attention, too busy taking in what Mr. Sayco actually looked like, along with the dozen other random people in here, most of whom he didn't know. Then again, he didn't go outside, so, surprise surprise.

In an attempt to get back in bed, he turned invisible, but the men's grip didn't slacken. Disappointed, Janne stayed invisible just to spite them. And because he figured two grown men holding so tightly onto nothing might be a humorous sight.

Arthur Sayco had a way with words that caught and held the listeners. He was passionate about his cause, that much was perfectly evident. But, even as Sayco made eye contact with them all, Aniko couldn't help but think of her misgivings.

Aniko thought she had misheard at first, it sounded like Arthur Sayco intended to train her - and the other Actives gathered - to fight with their powers. Sayco had obviously got the wrong girl. She couldn't fight, her power was to travel through people's dreams. Perhaps, given training, she could turn those dreams into nightmares but, really, how could that possibly defeat the bleeders? A few skittish, sleepless bleeders running around wouldn't have much effect on Sayco's grand plan.
Aniko also couldn't help but wonder at the ease with which this man had kidnapped this number of Actives. Aniko herself had thought herself below the Bleeders' radar, but obviously she had been traceable. It worried her that she had been found so easily, was her family safe? They would, no doubt, be worried about their daughter... unless of course they already assumed that the bleeders had killed her. Her heart sank at the thought of her parents and brother believing her dead.

Aniko held her tongue as another captured Active spoke, pointing out logically that if they could leave why hadn't he just let the girl storm out without pursuit? Aniko found herself agreeing silently and then, before she could stop herself she blurted out,
"What use is walking through people's dreams against the bleeders?" It was the first time, outside of her family, that she had spoken of her gift, but if they really were all Actives - and she knew that at least the boy standing invisible between the two butlers was - than there was little point in pretending otherwise.

The other question that she wanted to voice, but lacked the confidence too was in regard to this 'Active age'. Not all humans were bad, not all of them were like the bleeders. How many innocent people would be caught between the Bleeders and the Actives? That isn't to say she wanted the Bleeders to continue, she loathed them. If she did join Sayco, and she hadn't completely decided yet, it would be purely to see the bleeders downfall.

Keira stood back and let the speech and questions unfold. She turned in on herself to think once Sayco had, had his say on why he'd brought them all here. She couldn't argue with the fact he'd already saved her by kidnapping her, to her knowledge she was being actively hunted at the time one of Sayco's handy men slipped a cloth over her mouth. She couldn't disagree with his cause either, he was offering her his hospitality, a chance to hone her abilities (something she'd been tackling all her life) and a chance to free her kind from the oppression they'd been suffering.

Most importantly though Keira highlighted one word she'd heard in his inspiring speech. Safe. He said she'd be safe here. For the first time in her life she'd be well and truly safe. It wasn't something a girl like her could comprehend, she'd been looking over her shoulder for so long, the idea of a place that offered sincere security, it was sanctury. A sanctury that came 48 hours too late.

Part of her wanted to run, she'd known loneliness and self dependance for so long it seemed such a risk to place her welfare into a strangers hands, yet Arthur Sayco had something about him, whether it was his image or his deep southern voice, there was confidence, honestly and safeness in his representation. Keira had more than herself to worry about now, she had to make the right choice.

Stepping forward, past the other Actives that still lingered uncertainly by the door Keira aimed a stern, serious look at the hot tempered young man who had recently entered and backed Sayco's speech. She then turned her attention to Arthur and tried her best to smile. It came out as a grimace but it was close enough.

"If this place is really safe. I will stay. You'll need me if you're going to bring down the saviour empire, but I will not promise my participation. I will not risk my neck for this dream, not yet."

Julia had to fight back a grin as Beck goofed off. Sure it was probably inappropriate given the circumstances; but Beck was Beck, and what Beck wants she gives. Turning to look back over the gathered Actives, her hint of a grin quickly sobered away. They had just been offered a ‘safe’ place to stay. To be able to sleep under a roof with food and a bed. Train and learn more about their gifts. Perhaps even find out why Beck lost his sight; maybe even get it back. And she could learn to better defend them and fight; she wasn’t going to deny her abilities were raw at best. But it all sounded too good to be true.

“Seriously though, Beck. What do you think of this whole haven offer? Do you want to stay, or get out of here. I want to know what you think.” She said quietly, grabbing a glass and tilting it to swirl the water inside of it.

Julia was one of the few people that Beck was able to read like a book despite the fact that he couldn’t see her face. He knew everything he needed from the tone of her voice and from her tone now he knew it was time to be serious. His face straightened and his eyes drifted to look towards the table as he thought. “Well, I think of it this way. We stay here with the possibility of Mr. Sayco being an extremist bound on killing all humans but on the other hand we’re given safety and training which we both desperately need. It could be a trick and we could be biting off more than we can chew but if we leave then we’re going right back to our old life, if you can even call it that. So I guess I’m saying we either take our chances here or run and hide for the rest of our lives. I’d rather take a chance. What about you? I want you to feel safe Julia.” He reached out for her, missing his mark a couple of times before his hand finally came to rest on her forearm. “You’re my main priority so if you want to go then we’ll go.”

Staring at the glass before setting it back on the table, Julia placed her free hand on top of his. “As much as I think this is likely to bite us in the butt; it’s not like our other options are any better. We can stay here long enough to get some training; heaven knows we both need it. But if things start to go south, we walk. Maybe we can work something out about the human part; but the bleeders can go to hell, and I’ll be happy to give ‘em a boost myself.” Grip tightening, Julia looked at her brother despite the fact he couldn’t see her. “And no worrying about me, that’s my job. You just keep your girlie tail out of trouble if we’re staying.”

‎ Beck’s familiar smile crept back to his face at the playful jab. “You’re just jealous because I’m more feminine than you.” He chuckled and raised her hand to his lips to give it an affectionate peck. “Love you pussycat.”

“You’re only feminine because you hit like a girl.” Julia returned the jab before once again leaning back into the chair and resuming her watch of the other Actives, wondering who else would stay or who would choose to go. Taking another look at the girl sitting across from them, Julia couldn’t hold back the smirk as she thought about the stranger’s question. Surely if these people could train a state 2, then there had to be something they had in mind for state 1’s.

Aurora cautiously sat down as Mr. Sayco was talking. He just had a way of talking that made everything make so much sense. Even though they had just met, she felt like he was trustworthy. At the words "my family", Aurora felt her chest constrict. He was talking about them. Her. Then and there, Aurora knew she was staying. No one else had ever accepted her like that before. The questions that most everyone seemed to be concerned with flew right over Aurora's head. This was the place where she belonged. And, as a special bonus, she would be trained in her power. [i]I'll finally have a use for my other half[i] she mused. "I'm staying," she announced to no one in particular. The people in charge would probably get a head count later.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard twelve year old wanting chocolate from a girl nearby. Aurora chuckled to herself. People always thought she was younger than her age, but they had never been five whole years off. She called from a few seats over, "For your information, I am seventeen," she couldn't keep a grin off her face. "But you were close!" Aurora giggled and walked up to them. She held out her hand. "I'm Aurora."

---

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---

Dante sighed and leaned back in his chair a bit when, just as he'd expected, not a moment after apologizing for her, Kila barged through the door in an earthquake of anger and temper. "Would somebody care to tell me exactly what the fuck is going on before I kick somebody's ass?!" She screamed, seeming frustrated by the fact that she was the only person in the room not wandering around calmly. She then turned her eyes on him and he only raised an eyebrow, letting her talk. "Dante." She hissed at him. "Care to tell me why the hell you're just sitting there. This man is known for dealing with Bleeder's you moron, why do you think they don't touch him? Get the hell up. Vacation's over. We're leaving now."

Dante rolled his eyes. "Kila, stop making an ass of yourself, and at least find out why we're here." He said back, eyes on hers, letting her know he meant business. That he had no intention of leaving until he found out what was going on.

That seemed to shut her up. Dante didn't exactly know why. Maybe she'd come to her senses, or maybe she just didn't want to argue, though neither scenario was very likely, but seeing as, Dante could never make her shut up if she didn't want to, he chose not to question it.

Kila refused to sit. Dante wanted to stay and listen to whatever Mr. Sayco had to say, so she'd stay, but there was no way she was sitting down. Instead she leaned up against the wall behind Dante's chair, half shooting daggers at the back of his head, half watching everyone around her, listening to their conversations, and taking in their faces and expressions.

Finally, Mr. Sayco decided to speak up and her eyes locked on him, as did Dante's, watching as he stood. “I realize that all of you are confused, I also realize that most of you do not trust me and I understand Why. I would like to start first by saying all of you are safe here, no one will harm you here, I will not allow it.” Kila just rolled her eyes, refusing to believe that some random stranger would offer them safety, while Dante blinked and listened intently. “I’m sure you are all aware of who I am, but if you are not I am Arthur Ford Sayco, the owner of Sayco Manor and Sayco Wheat Co.” Yeah, we all know who you are. Kila thought bitterly to herself, and instantly deciding to distrust him more, just because of his smooth, charming tone. She dind't trust people who could draw people in with words, for she did it often herself, and so did Dante, so, when she glanced at him in his chair in front of her, and saw him nodding his head slightly, Kila grew angry and kicked the back of his chair hard, causing him to turn and glare at her, to which she merely smirked and shrugged.

“I’m sure you’re asking yourself why in the world was I kidnapped, but be honest with yourselves, had you simply been asked to join Mr. Sayco “The Selves bastard, in the mansion on the outskirts of the city” you wouldn’t have come, you would have thought it was a setup a trap. There for kidnapping you was necessary.” Dante chuckled slightly under his breath at this, knowing very well that there was no way in hell he would have come, and even less of a chance that Kila would have.

“As for the reasoning behind why I have gathered you all, I intend to train you all help you better control your gifts, then when the time is right we will make the Bleeders pay for what they have done to you all and your families, We are going to make the New Age an Active age, I will no longer allow my family to be treated as a pest a lower class.” Kila's mind had begun to wander off, glaring at Dante, clicking her tongue, tapping her fingers, figuring this man had nothing useful to say. But those words made her head shoot up instantly, and her eyes narrowed on Sayco. He wanted to train them? And had he referred to all Actives as his family, or merely his literal family? Either way, she was not his family. Her only family was Dante, and they weren't even related by blood.

She stood and gripped the back of Dante's chair tightly, knuckles white, jaw clenched as she watched Mr. Sayco make his way to the door. As much as she wanted to see the Bleeders suffer, she didn't want to join forces with anyone, She was perfectly content with her and Dante's little duo, and wanted to keep it that way. Besides, what Mr. Sayco was talking about was more than making the Bleeders suffer. He was talking about a revolution. About taking over completely. How many innocent humans would get caught in that? No matter how much Dante hated the humans, Kila refused to believe they were all bad. He father had been human, as had her older brother, and they'd died trying to protect her.

Dante felt Kila's movement behind him, and reached up to hold one of the hands she was using to grip his chair with while he listened to Sayco wrap it up.“If you do not wish to stand with me and fight for the freedom that is rightfully yours, you can leave, I am not holding you hostage, nor will I force you to put your life on the line if you are not willing.” He said in a way that felt sincere. “But, I promise for those of you who do fight I will protect you with my dying breath."

When he was done, chatter then ensued. Questions were blurted out, but, for the most part, people chose to join Sayco, and Dante couldn't say they were wrong, however, he felt Kila moving again behind him.

"Nice place, really," Kila said sarcastically, "but you'll have to enjoy it without us. Dante and I are good on our own." She then turned to Dante. "Dante, get up. We're leaving."

This made Dante leap out of his seat suddenly and place a tight grip on her shoulder just as she was about to stalk out of the room, forcing her to stay. He shot an apologetic glance at Sayco before whirling Kila around. "Micky." He said, eyeing her. "I think this is real. As much as I like to work alone, and you know I do, I think this is sincere."

Kila rolled her eyes. Dante was the only person, (aside from those with official records on her), who knew her real name and gave her nicknames other than Kila. "I didn't say this wasn't real, dumbass. What I said was that I want no part of it." Her eyes were hard on his. She didn't want to live comfortably in a big mansion filled with people. She wanted to be alone with only Dante. She didn't want to be bothered or pampered. She wanted simple. Okay, not simple seeing as they were on the run, but she had a feeling that if she stayed here, she'd be driven mad by sheer lack of adventure. She already felt like she was going insane, the last thing she needed was to lose that tiny bit of sanity she was clinging to.

"Don't be stupid Kila." Dante said, practically reading her. "We're staying. For the cause. The two of us on our own aren't doing shit. I know we thought we were, but this is bigger." He tightened his grip on her shoulder, and glanced around, eyes once again catching the gaze of the dark-haired girl he'd seen before, having a hard time tearing them away. He had this gnawing feeling that he should stay. If not for what Sayco had said, then for this girl he hardly even knew, and it was crazy, but he was going to follow it. His instinct had never steered him wrong before. "If you leave," he said, eyes once again on Kila. "You leave without me."

Kila caught the way his eyes roamed and hesitated on the dark-haired girl, and an angry fire rose up in her. "You're kidding." She said, shoving his hand off her. "Please tell me you're kidding me?" She hissed so no one could hear her but him, though as she talked, her intensity and volume rose. "You're staying for a GIRL?! You're staying because there's a girl here you think is hot, aren't you?" She shoved him back hard. "You're unbelievable. I'm sooooooo going to kill you!" Kila knew he wasn't only staying for her, but she had no trouble giving him shit over it. If she was going to stay, she was going to make it as big a deal for him as possible.

With a groan, she flopped down in a chair, signifying to Dante that she was willing to stay with him, crossing her arms over her chest and kicking her feet up on the table, which Dante then pushed down as he too sat again. Kila flipped him off and then propped them back up again.

"Look at the bright side," Dante said jokingly to her. "Maybe we'll be able to figure out why you're so certifiably insane."

Dante laughed, but Kila didn't. That struck her. He meant it as a joke, and she knew that, but what if he was right? What if these people knew why she felt like some days everything was so clear she was suffocating, and others, she couldn't figure out what was real or not? Maybe they would know why she was always running in fast forward, and maybe they'd be able to fix it. However, Kila immediately put the thought out of her head. That was crazy.

Sophia heard the name 'Sayco', and felt as though she had been kicked in the stomach by a mule. Sayco. Her head reeled and her world went black.

What had happened last night? She had been grabbed. Chloroform. Sayco. Her mind reeled as she lapsed into one of her minor blackouts. Her head fell back against the chair she was sat on, and her knuckles turned white as she clutched the table.

What the hell happened last night?

So she had been taken, and stolen. It was like the opposite of when she had left home. Mother. Father. Sister. Stranger. They were all connections. Friends. Family. Stranger. Her mind was a whirl as she thought this through. Stolen. Escaped. Trapped. As always. Nowhere to run. He claimed that she was safe. Was she? Red lights. Don't walk. Don't run by the side of the pool. Pool like luxury, like this manor. Like Sayco. But it hadn't been Sayco to catch her. Dark figures. Shadows. Alley. Dirty. Not clean like this table. Not like Sayco. Different people. One rich, one poor. Rich, is money. Money is payment. Payment for capture. Kidnapped. Stolen. Why? Sayco says training. Training. Sister was bound. Black. Black memory. Years passed. Aged. Darkness. Active? Active needs training. Like football. Like sports. Train to get better. To be safe. Black. Pain. Headache. Wrong. This darkness is wrong. Needs safety. Training. Sayco. Trust. Other people. Trust. Training.Stay.

And with that headache causing blackout, she found herself gasping for breath, after an unknowable time had passed by, but she had made her decision. Sophia wouldn't risk going into another bout of that blackout by changing it now.

Jessica stood close and simply stared as the events unraveled, she waited and watched as the others arrived to the dinner table.
She saw a boy with a long dark hair arriving at the scene, demanding for answers and apologizing for his friend beforehand, moments later a blonde girl stormed in like a mad woman, “"Would somebody care to tell me exactly what the fuck is going on before I kick somebody's ass?!", Jessica rolled her eyes in annoyance and laughed 'Well this is going to be fun. It seems like we've got a loud one in the group…' Soon after, another woman passed through the same doors Jess had minutes before. She seemed on the high alert, 'just don’t be another loud one please…' Jess thought as a silent petition, the girl ran like crazy, to the nearest exit or who knows where, while Jessica’s eyes followed her in surprise 'Yup, there’s going to be no room for boredom here' she finally smiled at herself. A girl followed after, wearing a grey track-suit bottom that made Jess wonder what she was doing before she was abducted.

Minutes passed and another girl appeared, a shy girl that moved in hesitation speaking almost as if in fear, “Excuse me...Mr. Sayco? I'm Sophia Hart...Am I in the right place?". Jessica smiled, 'and we have a shy one as well…' she thought, making another obvious observation.

It was then when Mr. Sayco had finally decided to explain himself, “I realize that all of you are confused, I also realize that most of you do not trust me and I understand Why. I would like to start first by saying all of you are safe here, no one will harm you here, I will not allow it. I’m sure you are all aware of who I am, but if you are not I am Arthur Ford Sayco, the owner of Sayco Manor and Sayco Wheat Co.” Jess listened carefully to every word as he continued, “I’m sure you’re asking yourself why in the world was I kidnapped, but be honest with yourselves, had you simply been asked to join Mr. Sayco, you wouldn’t have come, you would have thought it was a setup a trap. There for kidnapping you was necessary. As for the reasoning behind why I have gather you all, I intend to train you all help you better control your gifts, then when the time is right we will make the Bleeders pay for what they have done to you all and your families, We are going to make the New Age an Active age, I will no longer allow my family to be treated as a pest a lower class.” Jess was pleased and kept calm at Sayco’s speech, 'He sure lives up to his name I suppose'. Jess felt at ease, after all she could use any help she could get to finally use her powers and be able to gain her revenge. 'Indeed they will pay the double of what they actually deserve. Lower class huh?… you can say that again.'

Jessica expected someone to talk or to give other response before she ever did, but was caught off guard when a man spoke with concern, “A very warming speech. But if you really meant that you won't keep us here, why did you send that man after the girl who thought it best to run? I don't mean to step on your hospitality but I don't think you would go through all the trouble to bring us here, then say if we want to we can leave even though you just sent someone to go after that girl. You may just want to tell her what you just said yourself, but if she can leave of her own will, why chase her down?” 'Good point stranger, but don’t forget their on our side…' Jess finally thought to herself secretly wishing that Sayco would answer efficiently.

Later on a young male entered the room with two older butlers grabbing each an arm of the young guy. She chuckled at the sight of the boy who suddenly turned invisible, he somewhat reminded her of her brother who had the same ability, if he would have been there with her he would have joined him showing off being the cocky lad that he was. And then a girl spoke, more like abruptly blurted out “What use is walking through people's dreams against the bleeders?" 'another dream walker!' Jessica felt a jolt of joy travel through her body, almost making her jump out of her seat, knowing that she had the same power. However, she felt hurt hearing her unrewarding and taking for granted her own power in such way, almost as if she was also offending Jessica herself.
Before Sayco had any change to talk either to the boy who had a good point, or to the girl who questioned her own skills another man walked. He began by introducing himself first saying that he had lived there for a while and explaining his point of view, “It's really simple, if you want to be treated like a second class citizen and hunted for the rest of your life, just walk out that damn door. BUT! If you want to be free, if you want to be able to live your life without looking over your god damn shoulder every five minutes, well then you better stay. So you over there, mister, 'question everything' ya got two choices, you can leave or you shut the fuck up and start being grateful for the people who are gonna give you your god damn freedom." 'Finally someone talking some clear sense', Jess remembered her father who wanted the same thing, nothing else but freedom and equality for everyone.

After the speech of the outspoken man sunked in with everyone, the girl with the comfy clothes took her turn and spoke her mind up, "If this place is really safe. I will stay. You'll need me if you're going to bring down the saviour empire, but I will not promise my participation. I will not risk my neck for this dream, not yet." Her voice was somewhat covered by the friendly fellows that had to be brothers, it seemed like the boy was blind and his 'sister?' was helping him figure out what was what, or more like who’s who. Jessica heard their conversation confused at their strange scoring, 'so I’m four huh?'.

Another female voice could be heard… barely, "I'm staying” apparently it was the young girl, or as the strange/fun brothers would say, the “twelve year old wanting chocolate”. She spoke a bit louder now explaining herself, “For your information, I am seventeen. But you were close!” 'Cute' Jessica thought for a moment smiling at the sight of her playful grin. "I’m Aurora". Jess smiled at the young girl realizing that her name was the first name she had heard of the newcomers.


It was then when her eyes turned back to the boy she had seen before. Wishing she could decipher his name, and wishing that she had the power to read minds not only to discover his name but what was going on his mind. She turned her gaze at the boy with the beautiful eyes, noticing him stuttering with the girl that he had hugged before, fiddling and playing with his spoon. Jess chuckled finding the boy to be distracting and amusing. Her cheeks turned red at the sight of his smile, she starred into his eyes and for a moment it seemed as if his eyes reflected hers, his gaze was on hers now after he spoke enthusiastically, “Welp, I dunno about you guys, but that seems like more than enough questions, concerns, and general malarkey for now. We can all chat and learn stuff and begin the new age later. All that really matters is that you're safe here and... I'm hungry! Mr. Sayco can we eat now? You promised there would be breakfast and I've got a craving for waffles like nobody's business.” It was then when Jess stomach growled angrily, for a moment she had forgotten all about her hunger, embarrassed to the core she hoped that nobody, specially not her lovely blue eyes, witnessed her stomach’s loud cry.

Without a doubt this whole magical reunion was by far one of the most entertaining things that Jessica had witnessed in a long time. Knowing that she would spend time with other active’s made her feel joy deep inside, although she wouldn't admit it to herself. Even better, the idea of learning more about the boy whose eyes met hers briefly made her feel feel anxious and exited.

OOC: Oh Wow, was that a big post.... sorry about that, I wanted to do a recap of everything that has happened so far and I wanted to give my character's point of view on everyone. Hope that's ok (:

As he spoke, Jayce couldn't help but lock eyes with the blonde girl from before. Her eyes were the perfect combination of blue and green. Her eyes reminded Jayce of the sea. He'd only been there once, a brief moment in the time between when he'd left his own home and when he'd come to Sayce Manor. Still, he would never forget that precise shade, that playful mix of blue and green. As he finished speaking, he smiled at everyone, making sure to wink at blondie across the table from him, a playful smile blinking into existence before his expression was replaced with a more respectful one. As he sat, Jayce turned his attention to Mr. Sayco, his eyes alone speaking novels of his respect for Arthur Sayco.

Arther Sayco stood almost perfectly still as questions were shouted and accusations were thrown in his direction. He never wavered from his calm, stoic posture, he was like a statue. His will was iron; unbreakable. As the chatter died down, and people began to follow Jayce's example of quiet attention, Mr. Sayco finally moved. Though he stood still, his eyes inspected the room. His head barely moved as he looked at every individual in the room; studying each and every one of them with utmost scrutiny. Then he spoke once more. “I will no longer spend any more time on this matter, I have answered the question of why you are here, the way you feel about me I cannot control. I will not justify myself anymore today.” His thick accent was stern and fatherly, but it held no disrespect for the people who sat before him.

"For those of you who have made up your minds and are going to be staying, Sayco Manor is your home, the room you awoke in is yours. The grounds of Sayco manor are completely safe, you may use your gift without consequence. But, I cannot protect you off of the grounds. I will be in my office, please make yourself at home, you are no longer a stranger." He gave one last smile before he promptly left the room, heading off to, from what Jayce could make of the sound of his footsteps, his office. He must have had a lot on him mind.

As soon as Mr. Sayco finished speaking, Ayda stood up and left the room. She had a look on her face that was all too familiar to Jayce. It told him not to bug her and to give her a hug once she was finished playing her piano. Jayce sighed and dug into his breakfast. The others might have wanted to run around like chickens with detachable heads, but Jayce wasn't having any of it. Waffles came first, everything else could wait four minutes. Luckily for everyone else, it did take only four minutes. Though he ate quickly, his trademark smirk showing through hurried bites of delicious mapley goodness, Jayce did not eat sloppily. He was in a rush, because he had some things he'd like to discuss with blondie, but that didn't mean to turn into a slob to get there quicker. Jayce ate with nearly flawless manners, oft utilising his napkin and handling his fork and knife with utter surety and poise. Once he was finished, he picked up his plate, walked through the doors to the kitchen and bussed his dishes so chef wouldn't have to. "Thanks chef!" Jayce called over the general hubbub of the kitchen clatter, "Those waffles were delicious!"

As he exited the kitchen, instead of walking to his own seat, Jayce had a better idea. His smirk split his face and he clapped his hands together, loud enough to make a solid smack but not so loud as to be overly disruptive. As he walked over to the chair where blondie was, Jayce's face took on a new expression. He smiled wide, like a child, and kneeled down as he approached her chair. He rested his arms on the arm rest, and his chin atop his arms. He smiled once more, catching her attention. He smiled wide, getting her to giggle. She was so pretty. "It should almost be criminal, I can hardly focus... remember... your lines are..." Jayce's inner voice screamed as he opened his mouth and spoke.

"Hi! So, you're new here, huh? I've lived here for a while, and since you're new, I figured I might do ya a favor. Once you're finished with your breakfast, because it's an important meal and waffles are delicious, would you do me the impeccable honor of accompanying me around the grounds? I feel like talking a walk and you're new so we both get something out of the deal. Sound good?" Jayce asked, the wide, childlike smile still beaming off of his face. Once she was finished, Jayce stood and offered her his hand, to help her out of her chair. "Shall we?" he asked suavely, making a silly face and gesturing out the door.

Though Jayce appeared calm, collected, and entirely in control, he was sweating bullets. 'What if she hates me? What if she says no? I'll look like such an idiot! Calm down, calm down, you're in control here. The fact that she might deny you in front of all these people means nothing. You're a big boy. You can take it. Hopefully..." Jayce mentally panicked.

Jessica remained quiet in her seat, observing everything with outmost detail, almost as if she was studying everyone and everything around her, trying to discover as much as she could without getting a headache. However, her perfect concentration was shattered as soon as her eyes meet the stunning blue eyes, mixed with a beautiful green shade of the boy who was able to make Jess forget what she was thinking of in the first place. She starred at his eyes for a while in wonder, somehow his glare was able to make Jess feel alive and excited. Jess was somewhat fearful of his revealing eyes that made her feel strange, yet at the same time curious.

His eyes moved from hers for a moment as he smiled at everyone, meanwhile Jess couldn't stop starring at the boy with eyes full of wonder and was caught off guard as soon as he winked his eye playfully and soon after changing his expression to a more respectful one. She moved her eyes suddenly in embarrasment realizing she had been ogling the boy far more than needed and was caught off with red cheeks boiling in red color. What is wrong with me? she asked before she scolded herself for a brief moment. She shook her head for a moment as a reprimand to herself but was distracted again by none other than Arthur Sayco.

Once again, the man with a perfect composure remained calm even when people were throwing him accusations and understadably, untrusting looks. Jessica stood even more quiet this time, studying his every movements, and waiting for him to make his next move. Mr. Sayco finally moved, not his body but his eyes instead. His eyes moved carefully eying everyone in the room, he spoke again. “I will no longer spend any more time on this matter, I have answered the question of why you are here, the way you feel about me I cannot control. I will not justify myself anymore today." He said with his thick accent that sounded most fatherly, and Jessica couldn't help but remember her father, seeing this man's eyes that told he was speaking nothing but truth, yet she wondered if he was holding something out as her father did more than once.

"For those of you who have made up your minds and are going to be staying, Sayco Manor is your home, the room you awoke in is yours. The grounds of Sayco manor are completely safe, you may use your gift without consequence. But, I cannot protect you off of the grounds. I will be in my office, please make yourself at home, you are no longer a stranger." he said before he left the room. Jess had so many questions, and the one that mattered to her the most was whether if Arthur knew her missing father, and if he knew where he was. Even so, Jessica observed as some of them left the room and without second thought she decided to wait for the right moment to speak with him, after all she didn't want anyone else to know of her personal matters.

Jessica decided to wait despite her anxiousness and only focus on her breakfast. Even though her head was still a mess because of the drugs, and she was not as hungry, her stomach growling told her otherwise. Finally she thought to dig in the breakfast planning on eating everything except the juice, somehow she was not feeling like drinking orange juice and instead asked for some water. Before her water arrived though, she turned her eyes once again to the boy with the dark hair and saw him leaving his seat moving towards what seemed to be the kitchen. Jessica remained in her seat, distracting herself by once again observing everyone else at the table. The fierce girl from before was not there, and some others had already headed out... somewhere.

Suddenly she heard a noise, more like a clap, and turned around to see the same boy coming towards her. She starred at him and saw him smiling with a wide smile that made Jess feel all warm and fuzzy. He kept smiling at her and she couldn't help but to smile back, and then he kneeled down resting his wide arms on the arm rests letting his chin on top of his arms. She was speechless at his carefree demeanor and at his charming smile, he had all her attention, suddenly she couldn't help but to giggle at his captivating smile. Now that he was even more up close, she adventured into his eyes. so... handsome her mind slipped a thought.

"Hi! So, you're new here, huh? I've lived here for a while, and since you're new, I figured I might do ya a favor. Once you're finished with your breakfast, because it's an important meal and waffles are delicious, would you do me the impeccable honor of accompanying me around the grounds? I feel like talking a walk and you're new so we both get something out of the deal. Sound good?" the boy asked smiling like a child, she giggled once again before she answered changing her face to a serious one "Actually..." she paused for a moment, "I already finished eating" she said smiling, even though she had barely eaten anything as she was waiting for her water oh well, I suppose if they bring the water, they'll just leave it here. Truth was she could care less about what was on the menu for the moment being, "And walking sounds good, I guess I could use some fresh air." She said trying to sound cool.

He smiled offering his hand, "shall we? he asked after making a silly face that once again brought a smile to Jess face. She grabbed his hand carefully, sending sparks through her fingertip as his hand felt warm and reassuring. Please don't fall she begged to herself. She looked at his eyes standing up carefully without leaving his eyes she finally said "lead the way" giving him a tempting smile.