Annamarie (thebelletolls) wrote,
@ 2013-07-25 01:04:00

Momma was talking to the Tall Lady.

Momma was talking to the Tall Lady because she wanted Annamarie gone.

Momma was talking to the Tall Lady to make sure Annamarie would be safe.

Momma couldn't look at her anymore. Momma loved her very much, but she was in pain, too.

The copper and silver thoughts wrapped loosely around each other.

It hadn't been like this the first time, on the riverbank. The confused, impetuous thoughts of Cody Arnold Frederick had shot through her head like streaks of white on a lousy TV screen.

But Irene Adler had not been an impetuous person. And she had not been taken by surprise.

Annamarie sure had. And still was, as she kicked her feet a little, sitting on the stool outside the room

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	thebelletolls 2013-07-26 02:45 am UTC (link)
	"Okay." Annamarie remembered when she didn't need reassurances like that. When contact was normal. When she was an outgoing little girl. Maybe some of those textbooks with the stuff about, what as it called, continuous conscious identity being an illusion were right. She could remember, but not really remember, being that person. Just one person. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	1man5manband 2013-07-26 03:06 am UTC (link)
	She's right. I won't touch you. Cal promises, via telepathy. He still can't shut off hearing all the major thoughts, though thankfully its much quieter here. "Calvin Rankin." he adds, out loud this time, coming out of his room to meet them as soon as he started detecting the proximity of other mutants. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	thebelletolls 2013-07-26 03:15 am UTC (link)
	Red-gold thoughts brushing in. I know you won't. Nice to know it'll be because you're smart, and not 'cause I had to do something "Annamarie Adler-Darkholme." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

coldestfrost
2013-07-26 03:28 am UTC (link)

Quiet indeed. With Emma's thoughts always shielded there wasn't much to hear around here except the new girl.

She's not too fond of this form of communication darling. Just to be aware. It's not saying don't do it, just pointing out the girl's preference she'd found out before. Which was the whole reason they'd been having the conversation entirely verbally.

"Now that we've all been introduced, a little something about ourselves then? I'd like to hear from you yourself." Because it wasn't always the same as delving into the mind and memories, what people shared, or didn't, sometimes told you just as much about them as if you'd retrieved that info yourself. "Let's go out to the grounds while we do that. A short tour isn't amiss."

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	1man5manband 2013-07-26 03:42 am UTC (link)
	Calvin manages to avoid any physical sign of the message from Emma, just sending back, Noted. Just had to test if I could manage two at a time. First chance I've had. "Sounds good." he responds, starting out towards the grounds, after adding, "Good to meet you." to Annamarie. "That's a lot of name." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	thebelletolls 2013-07-26 03:48 am UTC (link)
	Nodding and following as they go, Annamarie actually smiles at Cal's remark. "Ain't it just? Lotsa handwriting practice, getting adopted was." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	coldestfrost 2013-07-26 03:52 am UTC (link)
	You're doing wonderfully in a short time darling. There was a slight smile of approval before she strode ahead, taking the lead of the small 'tour group' and letting the two chat as she listened in. Mentally listened in too of course. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

1man5manband
2013-07-26 04:02 am UTC (link)

Calvin's transcripts, what there were - which Emma had no problem obtaining, of course - were full of comments regarding how quickly he learned... when he was motivated and paying attention. That was always the difficult part. Too many days of school missed, for one reason or another. Too easily bored by material he hadn't been there to learn. Too little motivation when good or bad grades got the same result.

Thanks. I'm practicing when I get the chance.

"Bet it was." he replies, while thinking how much he wishes he had been adopted. Even if it meant ending up with some weird name like Darkholme-Adler or Worthington.

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	thebelletolls 2013-07-26 04:11 am UTC (link)
	"So, Calvin, if you don't mind my askin', if you do what other people do, what other things have you done?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	coldestfrost 2013-07-26 04:18 am UTC (link)
	It wasn't hard to see why he'd be motivated now either. But it was good to see the comments were accurate so far. We can practice whenever, these things take a bit of getting used to at first. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

1man5manband
2013-07-26 04:21 am UTC (link)

Calvin glances Emma's direction slightly, still getting used to this 'masking telepathy' thing when he's trying to do something else at the same time.

I'll look forward to it. he responds, definitely motivated.

"Not much. I never knew many mutants. So never knew I was in, til this guy who was sort of a friend of friends was able to grow his fingernails into claws and see in the dark."

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	thebelletolls 2013-07-26 04:27 am UTC (link)
	"Fingernail-claws and seeing in the dark. Well. He doesn't have it too coplicated." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

coldestfrost
2013-07-26 04:38 am UTC (link)

It's not a thought she voices or projects past her shields, but it's there. Fingernails and night-vision...

There was a reason it was Cal that got bailed out to join her first class. One had to handpick the most useful. And how would fingernail claws be of use to her? Night-vision was worse if anything. A student who could be replaced by a pair of goggles...Really! A Frost had standards.

"Less complicated isn't always better," was all she said as she stayed ahead and lead them out.

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	1man5manband 2013-07-26 05:00 am UTC (link)
	"No, thankfully. The guy is an idiot." Cal replies, a hint of regret for former friends who didn't get bailed out. But just a hint. Apparently not that close. Just the kind of people you can get into interesting trouble with. "But at least it was an easy way to kind of learn the basics. You two's abilities are much more useful." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

thebelletolls
2013-07-26 03:35 pm UTC (link)

Annamarie isn't in full agreement. Whoever this idiot was, he had abilities that he could use that didn't involve a dead mother kindasorta in his head. but it's not a strong enough disagreement to debate, so she just listens and looks out at the trees.

"There any rules about putting up rope swings, Miz Frost? I know we're a little too old, but, hey, good exercise, right?"

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coldestfrost
2013-07-26 04:18 pm UTC (link)

She hears it all, the hint of regret and the slight disagreement. They were still young, still naive like she'd once been, but they'd learn soon enough. As much as she still hated her father she'd be learning that he had been right about some things. Namely, this world was only for the strong.

And Frosts were not weak, she certainly wouldn't let her students be either.

There's a slight smug smile at the 'your abilities are much more useful' before she looks over her shoulder at Annamarie, curious. "No, no rules on that. We have a training room but of course if you'd like rope swings you're free to have them."

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	1man5manband 2013-07-26 04:27 pm UTC (link)
	Cal considers this, looking between the girls. "I know a thing or two about building." He's not great, but his dad was an inventor and mechanical engineer. He picked up enough he thinks he could build rope swings safely. "I'll help." Good to get in the good graces of people who can teach him to use all these powers. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	thebelletolls 2013-07-26 06:21 pm UTC (link)
	"Thanks, Miz Frost. Training in a room sounds real... responsible and all, and I'm fine with doing that, but I'm a little more used to outside. S'where Momma and I did most of our classes." And Annamarie manages to smile again. "That'd be great. Thanks, Cal." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	coldestfrost 2013-07-27 12:43 am UTC (link)
	She doesn't quite see why they'd need such things, but fine to begin with. Things are still new, crunch time would come later, having them comfortable now was fine. Still, childish things rope swings. "As long as it doesn't distract you from your studies. And there's no need Calvin, we'll get people to do that." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

1man5manband
2013-07-27 02:20 am UTC (link)

He's not sure why he responds the way he does at all. Because of course professionals could build a rope swing. And it is kind of a childish thing.

Which is maybe the point. Where he comes from, he has a hard time even imagining a normal childhood. The playground had swings, sure. When he was there. When he didn't have a black eye or broken arm he was trying to hide from the other kids. And eventually, when he wasn't lookout for some group or other while they extorted lunch money, or smoked, or snuck a couple beers.

That didn't leave much time for swinging. And suddenly, none of those things are here. None of them matter.

"If its all the same to you, Miss Frost, I'd kind of like to see if I can build it. Just to, you know, see if I can do it. Your people can make sure its safe."

Huh.

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	thebelletolls 2013-07-27 02:31 am UTC (link)
	Annamarie just smiles. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

coldestfrost
2013-07-27 02:45 am UTC (link)

She pauses as they reach the bottom of the stairs, almost at the door out, and turns to look over Cal. Whether he realizes she's read those thoughts swimming under his words or not, she still does hear them and consider them as she gives him a long look. She's every inch the headmistress here, tall and powerful and beautiful, so very in control. She tilts her chin up slightly, a sign simultaneously of both power and consideration as she ponders.

They're children still, they can't remain so for long, the world won't let them. But again, she reminds herself this is what her father did, crush hopes early and definitively. She would not be her father, not so completely at least, and not just yet. Give a little concession here and there and she'd have more of their loyalty and affection. It's what she needs, and won't admit she wants.

A slight nod. "If it's that important to you, go ahead. Learning opportunities are fine. But it won't be part of any class time, keep it in mind." Permission given, she turns on her heel again and leads them outside to the courtyard, considering the topic concluded.

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1man5manband
2013-07-27 02:57 am UTC (link)

"Of course not. I'll do it on my own time." Cal agrees readily. He never had a childhood. There weren't many dreams in the household. His father's dreams of becoming a famous inventor were the only ones there was room for, and all the others were squashed with a vengeance.

The concession seems to have the desired effect though. A hint of freedom does wonders for his general opinion of the school, wheras a more totalitarian response would have had the opposite effect.

"I'll find some paper and pencils, start working on some plans."

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	thebelletolls 2013-07-27 03:22 am UTC (link)
	"It'll be great," Annamarie says, then, quietly, "Well, 66% chance of great." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	coldestfrost 2013-07-27 03:29 am UTC (link)
	Emma smiles at Annamarie then turns to Calvin. "And you Calvin darling? Any predictions?" Perhaps these things need a trigger. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)