Studying as I should

[Ember]

Aideen walked through the hallways quiet as a mouse with the stack of books in her arms as well as her food. She had no desire to disturb anyone or run into anyone for that matter. She must focus on her schoolwork. Her senior thesis was due soon since she had enough credits to graduate early since her uncle made her take all the honors courses at the High School. Aideen had already been offered several scholarships for academic achievement, but her uncle told her she was to turn them all down. He never explained his reasons, but after seventeen years she knew better than to question him.

The library was empty when she entered, but Aideen assumed everyone was still sleeping and she doubted anyone would be in there this early in the morning. She walked over to an empty table near the fireplace and placed her stuff down. Aideen reached over and pushed the button to activate the fire in the fireplace. This place could use a little warmth. Fire is always nice. And very pretty.

Aideen sat down and opened her books and began to read them mindlessly, writing down quotes on paper that she would add to her thesis about the ideal just soul and the honorable life. She wanted to finish it before she turned eighteen so she can hand it in and graduate. Then life will be a whole new road. A nice road hopefully. Maybe she'll meet more nice people. the Headmistress and Headmaster were real nice. The first thing she wanted to do was get a grape lollipop. To remember that man who was nice to her.

[Hardlight]

Kevin had gotten up early, even tthough he was awakened in the night by that strange flying motorcycle thing. It actually looked like a snowmobile or maybe, but not with wheels at all. His neighbor next to him that shared his bathroom was not at all nice, even though he was kinda hot. He was the new guy with the dark glasses and her didn't like company in the middle of the night, but who really does anyway?

Kevin had showered and dressed as silently as he could and left out to go and meet up with Guardian, his teammate who'd asked him to help with a surprise for Aqua. He wanted to be as helpful as he could, because she seemed to have something against him a little for that thing that had happened in the TV room with Jumper and D'mnchyld and her and kevin was just there and didn't really have a part in it, but jumper was a jerk and gave him attitude. Kevin wanted to forget that, so he got a fresh start on the day early and wanted to go study some artwork! Sculptures to be exact.

He walked into the library and his hair was still a little damp, so he wanted to sit by the fire and dry it. Walking over he saw a girl he'd never met befoer, but he just minded his own self and sat by the fireplace and dried his blond locks.

[Frostbite]

Lorelai had woken up relatively early, a slight surprise to her, since she normally slept later. Either way, she was up now, so she wasn't able to go back to sleep. Slowly making her way to the bathroom connected to her room, she took a shower that woke her up more, leaving her feeling refreshed. She got dressed, wearing jeans and fitted t-shirt that was nearly as blue as her hair. She slipped on her Converses and shook out her wet hair, brushing through it but not bothering to dry it, and with that, she headed down to the library, in the mood for another book to read.

She rubbed a hand against her arm absentmindedly as she walked to the library, thinking about whether or not she shouldn't have forgotten her iPod in her room. By the time she finally made up her mind that she should've, she was already at her destination. She shrugged to herself and walked into the lovely room with many books.

She saw however, that it was not empty as she might have thought. Two people were there already, one she recognized almost immediately to be Kevin. The second person, however, was a bit harder to discern, though she could see that the person was a girl. Walking inconspicuously closer to her, she saw that it was Aideen, but she didn't look like Aideen would, or at least how she last saw her. She looked blank, frozen, expressionless, like a mannequin. A wave of worry went through Lorelai as she glanced at her, seeing that something must have happened to make her look that much worse.

She debated speaking a word to her, and for now, thought against it. She looked somewhat engrossed in her work, and though it looked as if she worked almost lifelessly, she wasn't going to disturb her. So, she moved away and looked around for a book, though making sure to wave a little at Kevin.

[Ember]

Aideen read over her notes on Plato's Republic when she noticed other people came in. It was that little guy from the Hanger and Lorelai. Well, at least they were being quiet and minding their own business. She moved her hair out of her face and stood up to go to look for some more books on ethical philosophy and political philosophy. She picked up several books from the shelves, happy the school had the updated texts that she could get her work done from.

Wow this sure was a large library. She used to sit in the library down the street from her Uncle's apartment for hours when she was younger and was expected to do school work. Aideen used to finish her work quickly and then spend her time reading. Her uncle would later check her work and quiz her, so she had to make sure her work wasn't half-assed. These books were really well kept too, but they didn't feel as nice as the leather cover of the book Cyclops bought for her. He really was very nice.

In the robotic and automatic movement she seemed to have adopted, Aideen walked back to her seat and continued her work. She opened a granola bar and ate it quietly as she copied down notes.

[Hardlight]

Kevin spent a few minutes drying his hair before he smiled at the girl. She seemed to be a little out of it and he thought she was nice looking, but too distant to be reached. He wasn't sure why she seemed so 'out there' but it was like she was sad and yet she didn't know it, if that was possible.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Frostbite come in, for a minute he thought he might have to start talking to the strange girl, but at least for a distraction he waved back at Loralei and smiled.

'It isn't right to ignore that girl, mabye i'll say hello and let her decide for herself if she wants to be distant. It's not fair to judge her before I even say hello' he considered a course of action before he stood and walked over to her.

"Um, hello. Excuse me if I'm bothering you, but I wanted to introduce myself because I, well, I just think it would be rude not to. My name is Kevin. If I'm buggin you I'll go, but you're that student Team Leader right?" Hardlight asked her as he walked up and stood beside her chair. His hair was almost dry and if she wanted to talk he would and if she didn't then he would go and get his book on sculpting. He wanted to learn more about what his powers could do and he felt it might be a good idea to look into scuplting.

[Frostbite]

Lorelai had been scouring the bookshelves closest to her for something new to read though she saw that Kevin had smiled and waved at her. Though as she kept looking for a book, she couldn't help but notice that Kevin had gone over to Aideen as if he were going to speak to her. Even she knew that wasn't the best idea, considering the state the girl looked to be in. It didn't seem to her that socializing would be something for her to do, for now at least. Lorelai hoped that she would get better, because even though she didn't know her well, she kind of missed the badass Aideen who would roast Ian in a second, even though that was something that could be lived without.

Making up a bit of a plan as she went along, she abandoned for the moment her search as she walked over to the table where the others were, and improvised. Closing the distance between herself and the table, she spoke politely, "Hey Kevin, I see you've found Aideen studying hard. Oh!" she said as if she only just remembered something, "Kevin, do you think you could show me something you can make with the light or something?" she asked with a warm smile, hoping that he would so that the seemingly broken looking girl could be left in peace.

As she awaited an answer, she looked at Aideen sympathetically, though intently, as if she were trying to figure out some way to help her, but decided to just let it be for now. She looked like she'd rather be by herself anyway.

[Ember]

Socrates must have been using too many medicinal plants if he thought that this ideal just city-state would ever work. People were too involved in everything but themselves, so it would never work. Aideen looked up from her notes briefly when the little boy came over to her and began talking apparently to her. She had no desire to talk, not when she had all this work to do and failure was no exception. That and her uncle conditioned her that the only time she was to drop or pause her duty was when a superior requested that of her. Surely this boy was no superior to her. Glancing back at her notes she heard Lorelai come over and address the boy. Good, then she can do her thesis.

"Excuse me, but this is a library and I have my academic duties to attend to, and I shan't fail to fulfill my duties. Libraries are not for socializing and failure is unacceptable," Aideen said softly exactly what her uncle once said to her in an emotionless and lifeless voice. She had failed many people far too much, as well as herself. Failure again was unacceptable and she could not allow failure again and hurt others.

[Hardlight]

"You're right, sorry, I'll leave you to it. Let me know if you need any help, though." He wasn't dumb and he wasn't a little kid, he was short yes, but he was a great student and actually he had read the book she was pouring over just for fun last summer, since he didn't have any friends until pretty much yesterday, he had done a lot of reading and was used to being shut out of peoples circles of friends. He was an outcast, so he took it all with a smile because he knew that now he did have friends.

As for Frostbite he knew she was just trying to give him an easy way out of an embarasing situation so he smiled and said "Sure what should we try for?" He allowed her to take him away from the table with the strangely distant militant girl. If she wanted to be weird and rude that was okay, he didn't want to let it bother him.

[Frostbite]

At hearing the deadpan sound of Aideen's voice, Lorelai had not stopped glancing at her; her face contorted for a split second as she had seen and now heard her like this. The last time she had seen her, she had thought she looked extremely sad or something. Now she looked....gone, but somehow still there, but not really. She wondered what brought it on, but she wasn't about to ask. She merely nodded in response to what had been said.

Turning to Kevin now that she had his attention, she used her head to indicate that they should walk away and leave Aideen to herself, though Lorelai still thought about possibly saying something, though she knew it probably wouldn't have any effect. Leading Kevin to another table, she leaned against one a couple tables away, and crossed her arms over her chest in thought. "What can you do? Like random pieces of art or pieces aimed for a certain style or design, like a little statue or bust or whichever?" she asked, looking to Kevin as she listed off different ideas that ran through her head. She knew a little about art, but not all that much, just pretty much basic things.

[TuneUP]

Gosh this school here sure is big. I'm glad I finally found them stairs though. Why can't I remember where the kitchen is? I was just there yesterday. Oh well, since I'm lost might as explore. I'm sure I'll find someone soon, after all there is no way that I can be lost in this school forever, Sean thought to himself as he wandered through the hallways in the school. He had fallen asleep quickly that night thinking about all the stuff he learned from Ian and Riker about the school and the people. Which wasn't all that much since they mainly discussed the ladies and how pretty some of them were. Jet lag was still hitting him since he woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep.
As Sean passed through the halls, he came upon thick wooden doors that were partially open and he felt the unmistakable warmth from a fireplace. He also heard low voices and his curiosity got the best of him and he peeked inside.

Sean saw Kevin and Lorelai sitting at a table and talking about something or other in a room that had tall shelves full of books. This must be the library, he was told it was mighty big. It sure was, bigger than his town library! Though he had only been to the one in his town maybe three times to look up some stuff about machines that he couldn't find online, he was still sure his library wasn't this big. Sean walked over to the table Lorelai and Kevin were sitting and sat down next to Lorelai. "Good Morning Ya'll, hope ya'll both slept well. Whatcha all up to?" he asked them with a smile as he adjusted his cowboy hat.

Sean looked over and saw a girl pouring over some book. Wow she sure is pretty. Real pretty. Why does she look so blank? Like them models in them shows my mom like to watch. Wonder who that is? Could be that be that girl that Ian was talkin' about?" He looked over at Kevin and Lorelai then glanced back at the girl. "Who's that girl? She sure is real pretty," he asked them as he kept his eyes on the girl. He was trying to decide if she was sad or cold or just indifferent to everybody. That's how Sean was though, he liked knowing people.

[Ember]

Aideen took a long drink of her water after she finished her granola bar. She opened up another granola bar and began eating this one as she needed all her nutrients since she had neglected herself. If her uncle was here he would not be happy at all that she had neglected her health. No not happy in the least bit. He always checked her body fat and weight every two weeks to make sure she was in supreme health. If Aideen had lost so much as half a pound, her uncle would punish her with three times the amount of training and make her drink those disgusting whey protein shakes. She hated those things. They tasted like liquid chalk. Disgusting, but of course her uncle said they were necessary and he was her superior. She must always listen to her superiors.

Aideen finished her outline of her thesis and then began structuring her argument for her paper. She would have to find out who she had to hand it in to. She supposed Emma Frost or Cyclops would know. They were after all the ones who were to issue her high school diploma. Aideen tapped her pen on the desk as she rearranged and put together her paper when she heard that another person had joined. It was a new voice that she didn't recognized, since no one in the school had a western accent. Not that it mattered to her, Aideen knew that he was no superior and therefore didn't bother to turn around.

She scanned her notes and had to agree with her main argument that honor was more important than happiness or anything else. A life without honor is a worthless life. That was what her uncle taught her, and now that she thought about it, he was right. He was always right.

[Frostbite]

Lorelai waited for Kevin to respond when she heard someone else come in. She turned her head to see who it was and saw that it was Sean. She smiled warmly as he greeted them, "Good morning," she replied. "I slept well, thank you and yourself? Oh, and Kevin was just about to show me some of the light sculptures he can make," she explained as Sean adjusted his hat.

She noticed him look past them, at Aideen, and when he asked who that was, she spoke a bit more quietly. "That would be Aideen," she answered simply, looking over to her for a moment only to turn away quickly enough. The poor girl was getting so much attention she didn't ask for and she had hardly said a word. She was sure Sean noticed that Aideen looked a little off, though he looked as if he was trying to figure out what was up with her. All Lorelai knew was that she seemed to be off badly to begin with after the attack, and it seemed to have gotten a whole hell of a lot worse overnight.

[Hardlight]

"Well, geometric stuff is easy, like cubes and pyramids. I made one for him last night, how'd it work Sean, did you feel better with it glowing?" Kevin said as TuneUp approached. "I hope it kept you good company, I myself was woked up in the night with the thing that flew down into the basement. Did anyone else see it?" He asked jumping from topic to topic.

"Good morning to you too Sean. I was just talking to Lory here about my powers." He turned back to Frostbite hoping she wasn't too miffed that he shortened her name. "But, yeah I could use some more practice. Maybe you guys could call out stuff for me to make and I'll try and 'Light-Sculpt' whatever you say as quick as i can? That'd be better practice than that stupid metal Colossus could come up with for me. What do you think?" Kevin didn't like his team leader and wanted more practice.

Hoping Frostbite wouldn't tell on him about how he felt about their team leader he went on to say, "I think our Team-Leader is not too fond of me. He reminds me of my dad who hated me before he ever found out I'm a mutant." Kevin really looked strange for a second, his nose scrunched up and he looked sad, but then he shook his head a little like he was saying 'no' to someone standing there with them and he smiled again looking up at them both saying "So what should I try and make?" there was saddness still behind his eyes.

[TuneUP]

So that's the girl that Riker and Ian were talkin' about. She is real pretty, they certainly weren' lyin' about that. Wonder why she looks so out of it? I bet she would look even prettier if she smiled. I like lookin' at girls with pretty smiles, Sean said in his head as he studied the pretty brunette girl from across the room. Should I go over and introduce myself? My mama always told me I should be polite and introduce myself to everyone. But I don’t reckon she’s up for any visitors right this second. Then again, I don’t know her and how she is at all. Oh, Kevin is talkin’ bout his power there, can’t be rude and not listen. I’ll just ask them when he’s done, Sean thought as he listened to Kevin talk. “Yea Ian pointed it out last night when we were talkin’ in my room. We saw them go into what Ian said was the hanger or somethin’. I reckon it must have been a teacher or a friend. It sure was loud though, and it was real late too,” He added when Kevin mentioned the flying thing in the sky. That sure was a mystery.

He nodded when Kevin asked about the little sculpture too. “Yea thank you for that, it sure is glowin’ brightly. Give off a nice little light in my room. And yea that sure sounds like a plan,” Sean said when Kevin proposed the game. As he thought of something he looked back at Aideen. She was real pretty. “How come she’s all by her lonesome? She looks like she could use a friend, should we invite her too?” he asked his two friends.

[Frostbite]

Lorelai looked at Kevin as he referred to her with a nickname no one used for her, at least nowadays, one she didn't necessarily like since it was once a nice nickname, at least until it was used to mock her after her mutation came up to the surface. It brought back a couple of bad memories, but she shook it off as she heard him mention Colossus and how he didn't like him and how he didn't come up with much for him to do. Well, if you actually gave the man a chance to and not shun him immediately like you did, he wouldn't seem so bad to you..god.. she thought to herself, knowing if she'd said something aloud, something would start, and that was something she could live without.

"Um..how about you make a light-book?" she suggested as she heard Sean speak up and turned to him in response. When he brought up Aideen, she glanced at her for a second before turning back to Sean. She still didn't know the whole story herself, but she knew more than the boys. "I don't think she's in a right state for talking. I don't know the whole story either, but I know what's happened lately hasn't had the best effect on her. I think it's best just let her be," she answered, absentmindedly rubbing her arm with her hand, a half sort-of smile on her face.