Snippet #1701865

As Memory turned violently to him Charlie let her arm go and stepped back, feeling surprise and fear through the short contact. He was uncomfortable with the physical contact and the attention he brought to himself for the brief moment. He got a better look at the girl he caught, almost as tall as he was with cascade of light golden hair against terribly white skin. Her eyes were a piercing mix of blue and green and Charlie felt uncomfortable as he met them. He hardly ever made contact with another by his own choice and something about her gaze enhanced this discomfort. Perhaps it was a slight uncertainty that he could feel behind the carefully guarded orbs or simply the embarrassment that he was hardly bigger then her. Whatever the cause he couldn't draw back now, going so far as to get her attention and offer the temporary. Once they were free of this threat then he hoped to avoid her, not aware of the strange connection of battling back-to-back with another encourages.

He looked out over the battlefield as Memory inquired, it felt odd that there was a time of relapse while combat raged so close. It felt odd that they would join after the pause, considering that fleeing or remaining apart would be the safer option. Charlie knew that he couldn't settle for safety at the cost of the loss of the one place where acceptance was a possibility. There was more to the academy then simply teaching, it was something of a place of peace and protection. Something Charlie had never known and no doubt was alien to many others like him. It was something worth fighting for, although his own survival was paramount. The thoughts were different from his usual train. Perhaps a hang over from the emotions from those around twisting not only his feelings and his thoughts. Not that he consciously noted the change.

He looked to Memory again, "Can you use your power from here?" Again finding it slightly odd that he could talk about powers without the fear of condemnation. He didn't know if he could use his power from where he was either, he had never tried. Before she could answer he winced as a fresh bout of pain lanced into him, this time it lingered and grew. Almost as if it was amplified intentionally, shortly after it started a scream from the distance ripped through the air. This wasn't unusual except for the cold laughter that followed. It caused a involuntary shudder to run through for he could feel the cold emotionless mind behind it. The pain slowly faded, although already it had brought Charlie to his knees, with a second light slice in his arm. The previous wound from Vanille crisscrossing and both dripping small trickles of blood. He ignored the light burning and stood. He couldn't detect any concern from the blond girl although he hadn't looked up and enough filled his head. He moved his damp hand away from his right arm, thoughts following how he could turn his power back upon itself.