Medusa Academy

[GamerKale]

"Then you should know we work best alone. Use us as a distraction or something." Robert retorted off-handedly. He nodded at Allen's questions. "Noriko Ito and Zach and I'll let them explain." He sat down and sipped his coffee.

[Helbaworshipper]

"We are the squad leaders for your group." Noriko spoke, addressing without changing her tone. "Both of you barely passed, and just below So-Hee Chang and Zorlo Amarinthe. Despite winning, you risked everyone else's lives in the gymnasium. If this were not a controlled situation, you could have killed innocent civilians."

[GamerKale]

"Essentially, if we're going to be playing with others I can't use two-thirds of the powers the military finds so valuable about me." Robert took a long drink. "I can live with that as long as Allen can. Help yourself to a cup if you like Zach."

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

“No, how did we get lower scores? We won. We beat them both and didn’t get hurt!” Allen shook his head, unable to comprehend reality. “You’re a monster, you being uncontrollable makes you far less valuable than even the lowest soldiers. Your Dad was right.” “I didn’t risk anyone’s life but Zorlo’s and that was because he kept fighting back! I even took a break for him to forfeit! I was in control! I’m not an uncontrolled monster! I can fight just as good as anyone else! So-Hee made a huge water thing! She was way more risky! She put herself in danger and if I grabbed Zorlo he’s have been in danger too! I was in complete control! If I wasn’t Zorlo would have died in my hands.” Allen covers his ears, “Robert make them go away please… I don’t want them here anymore.” “He can’t make them go away. They’re so real. They can’t just… go away. You have to listen to them.” Allen’s phone vibrated and he felt the sun setting. This was too much. “Robert… I don’t feel so good. I’m really close…” Allen whispered, feeling a wave build deep within him.

[Helbaworshipper]

'This team will be troublesome' Noriko's eyes looked towards Allen, but didn't speak. She turned to an area of the wall near him. "As much as your score counts for winning, it also counts for how well the team worked. It also takes in how much damage has occurred." She folded the paper and placed it in her pocket. "I don't want to have to deal with anything I might not be prepared to deal with. I will leave now and return when the situation is less..." She couldn't find the right word, but it was alright this time. "Get proper rest," She moved towards the door, motioning for Zach to exit first.

[GamerKale]

Robert nodded understanding at Noriko and set his coffee down to comfort Allen. "It's not your fault Allen. Topsy-Turvy just made their attacks go wild like when So-Hee knocked my grenades into the stands, if they had been real grenades people would have gotten hurt quite seripusly. Now breathe. You made it through the fight just fine and you had another mind to contend with then. You'll control it now too. In and out. Just like that."

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

“I’m breathing… I’m breathing…” Allen chanted to himself, letting his chest rise and fall with each breath. “She’s being unfair… she thinks we’re slackers…” Allen reasoned. “She must’ve seen our scores in our other classes and she’s just looking at us at cover level.” Allen nodded as he started to feel better. A small light, a birdhouse in the darkness with a lone visitor. “Oliver’s a bit single minded, but I can target what Oliver chases. Zorlo slacked off as Receiver. Zorlo let So-Hee get involved. If I was a different person or if Oliver even laid eyes on her she would have been dead. How did they score higher? She pushed the grenades; she launched the giant waves. I controlled activating. I did really well today. I don’t deserve to have a lower grade then them. Winners and losers. In combat, a loser shouldn’t be rewarded for being stupid and brave. A loser’s only marketable traits are the damage they deal and their compliance with protocol. So-Hee over stepped her role. ” Allen glared at Noriko as she made her way out of their living quarters. “We’ll just need to prove it to them that we’re more than meets the eye.” Allen’s face showed the darker side of Allen’s mind. The selfish, self-absorbed side that wanted nothing but praise for all of his actions.

[GamerKale]

"Allen, I am a slacker. I spent the whole fight thinking about girls and in class I drew pictures rather than take notes. And it was a test, the fight was simply the chosen medium. They didn't tell us what the goal of the test was and after I turned you back I resigned. So-Hee was still capable of fighting and with you bite sized her elementals could have wrecked us. But that's enough talk of that, lets do some studying before bed."

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

“I don’t feel like studying.” Allen sighed, hearing it from Robert made it sound reasonable, but Noriko was still at fault in his eye. “But I promised to do studying.” Allen looked at his phone regretfully.

Code: Select all

Study all you like. Noriko’s at the top of the class and you’re licking the bottoms her shoes. Even your most successful test ended with a lower grade than the loser. You should go off and die. You couldn’t win with your own power. Robert’s power let you win.  

Allen put away his phone. “Um… I-I um…” Allen felt tears well up in his eye. “Robert…” Allen paced back and forth, “C-Can I go to sleep please?” He asked, tears falling from his eyes. He felt a lump in his throat and nervously let his hands jitter. “Good n-night…” Allen walked into his room and fell unto his bed. Sobbing softly, tears filled up his throat. “I-I’m- I really wanted to win.” Lucie smiled and knelt at the foot of his bed. “Allen, don’t cry buddy. Can we talk? You promised me you’d talk with me.” She smiled faintly, placing a hand on his back. “Lucie go away…” Allen cried, heaving slightly, “I don’t want to talk right now…” Lucie withdrew her hand. “Allen you promised me we’d talk!” Allen pulled a pillow over his head. “I’m tired Lucie! I need to go to sleep!” Lucie shook her head adamantly. “Allen I’m sorry I said you just imagined me! Please don’t let me die. Please, you’re my best friend and now you never talk to me.” Lucie stood her ground as Allen bit his lip and wiped his tears, looking at the door, waiting for Robert to come in and save him from this situation. “Allen don’t ignore me! You hate it when people ignore you! I’m listening! Please Allen! Just talk to me.”

[GamerKale]

Robert sighed, Guess it can't be helped. He decided to spend the next couple of hours doing his work before going to sleep. Even Zach's got a cute girl as his partner. What am I the only guy stuck with another guy for a partner?

[Helbaworshipper]

The not so useful energy was gone, So-Hee realized when she woke. She started to sit up slowly in the bed. She was glad that her energy was back to her. She stood up and moved to go and do the usual routine of getting ready. She had to get in the bathroom and then figure out what to do on their day off. It was strange that after the test they'd get a weekend off. She figured with their performance it would be more important to train. Still, she had to figure out what to do regarding to her being a better support. She entered the shower and let the water go over her body.

----

Noriko looked up from her bed for a moment. She had gotten back with Zachary in time to get into bed and possibly take care of any class work they had left. She stood up, walking out in her pajamas as she moved towards the area she had stored the canned coffee. She didn't know what would happen, but with the weekend off she would have to catch up anything that might be coming up. Also figuring out a strategy to even remotely trying to get the three pairs to work together.

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

Allen went another sleepless night. It was not as bad as last night, he and Lucie talked for hours. Or rather, Lucie spoke and Allen listened. She had lost his trust and it was going to be an uphill battle regaining it. Toni sat in the corner of the room, playing with Allen’s things. This was common that the two shared the same time with Allen. Toni walked in wearing a blue and white dress, and a white hairband, long white stockings, and the same black buckle shoes Lucie always wore. To the untrained eye, Allen had two young girls in his room. Light flooded the room as the sun rose, and Lucie yawned. “Sorry about that… I guess I kept you up all night huh?” She stretched and laid down on the bed. “Allen… are we friends again?” She asked; her eyes closed as she began to drift into sleep. “Yeah…” Toni climbed on the bed, wrapping his arms around Allen’s neck, “And me?” He asked in a soft singsong voice. “No no no!” Allen scurried off the bed, Lucie giggled softly and Toni laid on the bed beside her. “You should sleep with us Allen.” Toni teased. Lucie slammed her fist on Toni’s chest. “Leave him alone. He doesn’t sleep, not since he fought with Billy.” Toni whined and brought his hands up to his chest, rolling away from Lucie. “Ow! That hurt! Anyway, he should just man up and sleep! He fought will Billy and now Billy’s gone. Billy’s fault. What he did to me was my fault. So just close your eyes and sleep.” Allen shook his head and closed the blinds. “Just… Just go to sleep, both of you.” Toni whimpered and curled his arms around Lucie. “Off or I’ll sock you where the light doesn’t shine.” Toni withdrew his hands and sighed, “Stupid girl.” Once more Lucie’s hand slammed on Toni’s chest. Allen closed the door behind him.

[GamerKale]

Robert had lost track time and ended up falling asleep on the couch with his notebook in his lap, a pencil in hand, and an empty coffee cup on the table. In theory Robert never had to sleep, but he rarely used lay on hands on himself for such purposes. And while he had claimed to be a slacker the night before when left to his own devices he was surprisingly disciplined.

[Zorolo]

Zachary had never heard any rumors of his own strength. Everyone knew of his partner, so whoever WAS spreading that rumor was clearly trying to make him sound more important than he was. That was what ran through his mind that morning. He quietly tinkered with a piece of ice which he shaped and reshaped it dozens of times until he finally noticed NOriko was there. "Oh, Noriko. Good morning," he said as he waved a hand and the ice began to move about wildly. He smiled before he reigned it back into his control and smiled at her. "Sleep well?"

Zorlo sat atop a nearby building and focused. Sat being somewhat subjective here, as he floated himself about six inches off the ground. A field of psionic power surrounded him. The thin membrane wasn't dangerous… nor strong. It was just a test. He had to learn to control his power completely… even if it was tough.

[Helbaworshipper]

"I don't particularly feel it was bad." She answered, since she hadn't sleep well, but she hadn't lost any sleep. She turned towards him and moved with another canned drink for him. "Is there anything in particular that we must get done today?" She tried her best to show concern, but it mostly showed in the daily tasks. She opened the can she had, taking a sip of the coffee. She would have to change either way. However, what she dressed in usually depended on class and what Zachary might need to do that day.

----

So-Hee dressed in her casual clothes, moving outside the room. As she locked it, she figured out what to do. She adjusted her purse and went out towards to one of the food stalls outside. She purchased what Zorlo liked along with a drink he had learned to like in the past few years. She bought another meal for herself, walking out towards a building that he was currently located. She took the elevator, listening to the music as she adjusted the food. 'I should study with Allen and Robert tonight. It seems like it'll be easier to relax with them today.' She approached Zorlo carefully, sitting down about a foot from him.

[Zorolo]

"You have training to get to. They want to stress test us again. I'm not sure why," Zachary said as the ice turned into the shape of a snowflake, "but I'm not nearly strong enough to help you… and you know how much pain my healing causes you. We should be careful, but I know that won't happen, will it?" he asked with an aggravated sigh.

~~~

Zorlo sat quietly. He couldn't respond to So-Hee. He knew that he should say something, but doing something like that would breaking concentration. On the ground near her, written in the dust were the words, "Thank you."

[Helbaworshipper]

"I understand," She spoke as she placed the can down. "I depend on you to combat properly. I will take any pain that is necessary." She started to stand up to proceed to get ready. "Are we busy in the afternoon?" She asked as she approached the door, waiting for the answer.

----

So-Hee smiled, picking up her drink and a book, reading it. 'Do you want to study with Robert and Allen tonight?' She asked with her eyes closing as she took a big sip.

[Zorolo]

Zachary shook his head. "Nothing for this afternoon. They seemed to understand that we'd need time to regroup before leading a bunch of morons," Zachary stated as he smiled at her. "What were you thinking?"

~~

His mind relaxed. She was trying to reach him. He nodded as the barrier around him vanished and he sat on the ground. "I feel better now," he stated as he smiled at her. "If you want to study with them," he said with a smile. "So… what else should we do?" he asked her with a smirk. "After we're done studying, that is."

[Helbaworshipper]

Noriko opened the door to the room. She picked up one of her uniforms, walking out with it. She placed a flyer for a sale on one of Zachary's favorite desserts. She normally didn't pick them up that often. Still, considering what they would go through, she wondered if he'd need it. It was up to him.

----

So-Hee moved slightly closer to Zorlo, kissing him on the lips. When she finished, she placed the book and drink down and began to eat. "I don't know." She answered, honest in her own opinion.

[Zorolo]

When Zachary saw the sheet, he was gone like a lightning bolt. He was off to go pick up the dessert and begin indulging himself a little bit. He'd but back on indulgence in the past few weeks to make sure that he was in tip-top shape for Noriko, but her giving him that flyer reinforced that he could have them.

~~~

Zorlo looked at So-Hee and adjusted his glasses slightly. Had he missed the part where she transferred energy to him. He didn't FEEL energized. Perplexed, he simply looked at his feet. He began to eat nervously, unable to hold eye contract at the moment. "I don't know either… but maybe… I should tell you… a bit about what I like to do," he said as he started telling her about his hobbies.