DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Alternate Reality PHX: Phoenix Reform Academy Parlor room

Lamar

"Yes."

Was the succinct and entirely unhelpful answer, left hanging there, backed up by a mischievous, eye-glinting smile. After just enough of a beat, he clarified,

"In truth, I couldn't accurately tell you what my actual, chronological age was. A consequence of my power is certain biological processes really haven't had a chance to get much of a foothold. At the same time, I was raised and intesively schooled from my earliest days with no real regard for whatever the norm would have been, my mind continually tested and pushed to seek its level, which it turns out... Well, you've heard me speak. the face I wear and the words I say aren't a good match for most onlookers, as you just alluded to. I'm used to being pushed, I enjoy the challenge, and there's no real good indicator as to what age appropriate might actually be in the first place. So yes, a pretty advanced load is about right."

Peri

She’d seen it once at a friend’s place a few years back, but not more than that. Definitely not enough to know the lyrics or the choreography. For some reason her Dad had really not been a fan, and he’d change the channel every time it came on at home.

Despite that, Cadence’s energy and enthusiasm were contagious, and soon she was smiling and bobbing her head along.

She headed into the bathroom, then immediately headed for a sink. Turned the water on, watching it drain away for a moment before leaning in to splash her face a few times.

Cadence

Cadence followed Peri, allowing the door to close itself. She went to the nearest stall to the sinks and accomplished the task for which she declared her departure from the parlor room. While sitting there, and hearing the water splash, she said one word aloud, as if calling it out to be heard over the running water.

"Cadence."

Carver to Ben and Lamar:

"It's different, Lamar. But not as much as you might think. You aren't alone in having aging irregularities among those here. Part of the reason the curriculum to some degree is going to have to be individualized here. There is a vast diversity of experiences."

Ben

"Not so bad then, You can study what you want. But that does bring up a question though Mr. Carver. What happens when we turn 18?" he asked.

Peri

“Perdita,” she said, “but don’t tell anyone.”

It was such a prim, fusty, old-sounding name that it earned her weeks of torment after the start of every school year.

“My dad was blocking my powers, maybe on purpose, maybe on accident. It’s why I didn’t know.”

Carver:

“Well, Ben, at least partly that is decided by one individual. You. Everything in life including this eventually comes down to your choices. Only you can make those, in the end. Hopefully you are prepared for a place in the world, which is ... mutually beneficial. Like our Mariel, for one. Still very much her own person. I would not want to try to tie her down. But her energies are directed and productive.”

Ben

"Yes sir, I understand that. What I meant was are we free to move on. To attend university or whatever we choose?"

Carver

“Your choice. If you prove to be ready, I am sure you would receive a recommendation to whatever university you are ready for. It is Grey’s motto, but it applies. Choice will make, or unmake you. And if that choice is education, then that is a choice to be supported.”

Ben

"Good, then when I turn 18 there is no longer any more legal hold on me than any other American citizen. Thank you. I needed to know to be able to plan."

In return from the older man Ben received a long studying look but no more.

Ben

"No need for that look. I plan on attending Harvard when I leave here and that would be difficult to do if there were ongoing legal entanglements."

Cadence

At the last statement of Peri's reassertion that she didn't know she had powers, Cadence flushed the toilet and exited the stall. She didn't comment until she reached the sink. "It's all good, I'm the last one to share secrets. Not even my own..." The mirth was gone and shewas back to that neutral state of existence.

"We should be getting back... otherwise someone's gonna think we're escaping or something. Ya'll good now?"

Peri

“Yeah, I’m good.”

She smiled a little.

“Let’s get back before they send out the search dogs.”

With that, she walked out of the bathroom, holding the door open for Cadence to follow.

Cadence Marie Weathers

And follow she did, just off Peri's shoulder.

"Oh, since you mentioned it, I am looking out for her... and you too."

When they reached the door to the parlor room, Cadence reached out to keep it closed a moment longer to the parlor room, and she added, "Be careful with a couple of those boys... Bullies don't like to be called out. Best to ignore them until you have to take them out. Right now, they know the house rules better than us and you've poked one of them in the eye... They might try to get you to do something that the warden won't like. Don't let them make choices for you. I've got you. Okay?"

Carver to Ben:

“Get to know Mariel if you have eyes on Harvard. She did some of her postgraduate work there and knows some people. Meanwhile, eat, the two of you.”

Ben

He nods politely to the man and heads over to fill a plate for breakfast. Ben had questions about if there was an exercise room but that could be addressed later.

Lamar

With Ben heading over for food, the boy gave Carver an appraising look, foregoing a poker face, not that his expressions were innately trustworthy either way.

"If slash when I am free to go, I intend to make full use of that freedom. Which, ultimately, boils down to trust, and a mutual understanding of lines not to be crossed. Might even be inclined to help out if the situations warrant it, but being hunted, being in a position where I would deserve to be hunted, is not something I want on my agenda."

Carver

Then we are in accord Lamar; That is not something I wish on my agenda either. I much prefer friends. I have had my fill and again of hunting.”

Peri

She looked a little surprised, not really used to having other people look out for her. She didn’t respond verbally, just nodded a couple of times, then took a breath before re-joining the other students.

Cadence

Cadence responded with a thin, crooked smile. She pulled her hand from the door, even though she wasn't really keeping closed. Peri entered first and Cadence followed her into the parlor room.There was another set of doors on the other side of the room, but no people.

"Ummm... This ain't creepy at all," she said warily. Of course her use of sarcasm was a mask. "I feel like I've had this dream before though... walking around school, and there's nobody there... and then suddenly I'm surrounded by people laughing at me... but usually I'm naked in those dreams..."





OOC- Art GM-posted that everyone was going to the next room over to eat.

Ben

He had a plate of food in his hand and turned to look around the room at the people that he would be spending the next six or so months with and noted the absence of the cute girl and the younger one she had gone after. Ben went back over to the door and opened it up into the parlor, poking his head inside.

"Hey girls, breakfast is in here." he said with a smile.

Anne

She looked at Mariel with an honestly baffled gaze, eyes wide and lips slightly parted. "I know things, having learned from tutors over the years. I can't honestly say what grade level I am at. Probably advanced from normal, but I am not sure that all the possible types of instruction were covered. I learned a lot about anatomy and biology. It tends to run in line with how I affect the world around me. That is possibly why food hasn't been a really big deal. I can eat, and do enjoy it, but I can also go without when it suits me. I assume I draw energy from other sources, though I haven't killed anyone with it, much to my mother's chagrin." She let the last slide out. Evidently she didn't want to keep as many secrets as she initially thought.

In the breakfast room though she obediently went over and got a plate. She wasn't shy about the food choices. If it was true, she would need to replace the energy she got in other ways with food. A little bit of everything ended up on her plate. Mostly she wanted another cup of hot tea.

Peri

So much food. It looked great. She took a bit of everything, but with lots of fresh fruit - a luxury that she had access to only rarely. As she went, she surreptitiously squirreled away packs of jelly, the odd slice of toast wrapped in a napkin, and other shelf-stable food, in the pockets of her jeans.

Cadence

A muffin and a glass of milk, but first she had to make sure the milk was cold, really cold. and then sniff it. For all she knew it had already gone past its expiration date, or gone bad, or just smelled off. Cadence was particular about milk.