[Ed Reynolds]

| Keaira Matthews | Melody Newton | 314 words |

[attr="class","edreynolds"]There was definitely an anti-ballet agenda beginning to brew at the table. “I’m gonna try my best to just have a laugh with it but, just saying, if someone started a petition to make ballet classes optional I’d definitely sign and then never set foot in that studio again.”

It was true – as humiliating and torturous as the whole experience had been to Ed, he’d managed a few moments of laughter through it and that was how he planned to continue to endure the classes. People like Ivy may genuinely enjoy it for the dancing, but Ed was going to have to make do with clowning his way through.

Eyes still wide, Ed listened intently as Keke went into more detail about her power. She seemed very happy to talk at length about it, a smile lighting her features delightfully as she spoke. Ed hung onto every word. “That’s mad! You could just send people texts with your mind.” He scrambled for his phone. “Go on, try me. I’ll give you my number.”

The ploy was agonisingly transparent and yet… Ed managed to convince himself that he was just being fun and friendly with a new acquaintance. Was it a crime to exchange phone numbers? Please.

He laughed heartily at the idea of the two of them colliding with Melody – that definitely needed to happen eventually.

Suddenly a gold credit card entered the equation, and Ed joined Melody in staring in surprise at the sight of it.

“Okay, yeah, no, honestly – this midnight feast definitely needs to happen.” Now that he’d seen the means of payment, it had been upgraded from a snack in his mind. “And if I don’t demolish everything then… yeah, I suppose we could have the rest for breakfast.” Ed laughed. “We should sneak out with it somewhere so nobody grasses. Might be risky bringing it into the boarding house.”

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[Keaira Matthews]

❝ There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark ❞

---

---

While Keaira had always made every conceivable effort to maintain a positive disposition even in the most dreary of circumstances, the brunette had to admit that her perpetual optimism had been tested when she had been informed of her enrollment in the Evergreen Metahuman Boarding Academy. Making friends had never been difficult, it was maintaining the friendships that she'd made that was challenging. Especially, when it started to become painfully clear that she was hiding something from them. Indeed Keke's secretive nature in terms of her ability had ruined many a platonic relationship and quite likely would have wrecked any potential romantic relationships. Well, assuming that she should ever one day become visible to the opposite sex in that manner, the brunette mused.

The teen's deep ocher gaze flitted across Ed's face as he explained his stance on the seemingly inescapable ballet course. Laughing one's way through seemed to be a fairly solid plan. After all, it was often said that laughter was the very best medicine and if his performance in the class was anywhere as dismal as her own then much medication would be needed. Still, Keaira could appreciate a positive outlook. " While, I am certain that there will be alot of laughs to be had. Particularly, at my expense, I wouldn't object to signing or even starting a petition to have the class offered as an elective, " Keke replied.

Generosity was a trait that had been instilled within Keaira from childhood that she still practiced in her adolescence. The lack of exposure to kids with economic backgrounds that differed from her own had in some ways skewed her perception of income inequality. A fact that was quite evident by the bewildered expression that crossed the sixteen year old's face as she took in the combined astonished reactions of both Melody and Ed. Blinking innocently, Keaira inquired tentatively "Doesn't everyone? I mean I am probably not supposed to have it here. My grandparents would likely flip if they knew, but honestly I think my mom jyst gave it to me because she is still feeling guilty for sending me away in the first place."

Feeling a bit awkward, Keke shifted uncomfortably in her seat. To her relief, the topic soon shifted back to her ability which Ed appeared to be quite fascinated with. Much to the teen's delight. Requesting a demonstration of her virtually hands free electronic usage, Ed fumbled for his phone while offering to provide her with his number. Reaching for the pocket of the duffel that She'd just drawn the credit card from, the brunette placed her hand on imprint of her cellular device. Glancing back towards Ed to insure that he had managed to get a hold of his phone, the technopath closed her eyes and proceeded to clear her mind focusing only on what she desired Ed's phone to do.

After about a minute, the device in Ed's hands began to pulsate forcefully indicating an incoming text message that read:

So, I am thinking pepperoni and mushroom. How about You? Oh, by the way, this is my number. 

Slowly opening her eyes, the teen lifted her gaze to meet Ed's as she explained " The cool thing is that I really don't need a number. I just have to focus on the connection between my phone and yours." As the acquisition of cheesy goodness once again made its way to the forefront of conversation, the teenager's dark orbs dropped to her half eaten lunch as she responded " Well, I certainly have room for more and even if I didn't it surely wouldn't be the first time that I had pizza for breakfast. Probably a good call to not try to eat it in the dorm room. You never know who to trust. Come to think of it, I noticed that the ballet studio isn't locked at night."

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Notes: 
credit to Laura of Adox

[Melody Newton]

[attr="class","nikki98"]

[attr="class","nikki99"]

I NEED TO COME DOWN

[attr="class","nikki100"]

[attr="class","nikki101"]SEEMS LIKE THE WHOLE DAMN WORLD WENT AND LOST ITS MIND

[attr="class","nikki102"]AND ALL MY CHILDHOOD HEROES HAVE FALLEN OFF OR DIED

[attr="class","nikki109"]The conversation moved away from Keke's apparently vast reserves of wealth. And Melody noticed that Keke seemed relieved. Obviously self-conscious about her money then, especially considering this boarding school was pretty generous with scholarships it wouldn't be unusual for most of the students here to be rather less than well-off. Melody was not amongst that group, but her father had made it quite clear that he was cutting her off while she was here. Not that he ever would have given her a gold credit card even if they had been on speaking terms when she'd left.

She peeked over Ed's shoulder as his phone buzzed, then stuck out her tongue in disgust. "Mushrooms? Gross. Pepperoni is a good idea though." Although since it was Keke's card she wouldn't complain any more than that.

Melody seized on the next idea. "Oh my god, she'd be sooooo mad if she went in there and it stank of pizza. We have to get in there."

Melody eyed the trays, each strewn with a few scraps of the school food. It hadn't been the most appetising of meals, but school food never was, it was just rich in calories. With how stuffed she was feeling they would definitely have to hold off on the pizza until midnight. Although it was only lunchtime, and she could just go without dinner. She doubted it would be much better than this anyway.

She pulled a sheet of paper out of her back pocket and smoothed it out, showing that the paper was covered in small squares. There was a pill in her pocket, and she needed to take it soon, but she wasn't going to do it in front of these two, nice though they seemed.

"Anyone else got math next?"

[attr="class","nikki103"]264

[attr="class","nikki103"]Ed Reynolds

[attr="class","nikki103"]Keaira Matthews

NOTES

Where are we going?

PHARAOH LEAP.

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[Ed Reynolds]

| Keaira Matthews | Melody Newton | 464 words |

[attr="class","edreynolds"]Keke was completely in agreement with his outlook on ballet classes. “An elective, yeah, that’s a thing! Right?” Ed wasn’t exactly knowledgeable when it came to the American education system, but he wasn’t so thick as to be unable to deduce the optional nature of an ‘elective’. “You could set one up and then broadcast it to everyone’s phones – we’d have a full house in minutes,” he said excitedly, exaggerating somewhat in his eagerness.

He shrugged at Keke’s naïve confusion that not everybody had a gold credit card. “My parents have made sure I’ve got enough to survive, but I don’t think I’ve ever even seen one of those in real life.” Ed laughed, trying to dispel any tension that would arise from Keke thinking he was jealous. “It’s fantastic that you have one! We’ll keep your secret,” he added, nudging Melody conspiratorially.

It was incredible to watch Keke’s power in action – he’d never met a technopath himself – and his delight was clear on his face. Members of the Families were surprisingly few and far between, especially in the UK, so he just hadn’t had the opportunity to encounter someone with Keke’s power. There was a light thrill that started in his stomach and twisted up softly into his chest as he read the text message before quickly saving the number into his contacts.

Melody obviously had no shame in reading over his shoulder.

“You’re such a wimp, what’s wrong with mushrooms?” he teased her, before turning back to his phone and sending a quick reply. He spoke aloud as his fingers flew across the keyboard – his speed not quite matching the instant nature of Keke’s ability.

I’m a big Hawaiian fan, but that’s not everyone’s cup of tea ☕ Meat feast is always a good shout!

He looked up at both girls, seeking their approval in his taste in pizza.

Keke’s ballet studio idea was so inspirational and so perfect that Ed half-rose from his chair, gasping in over-enthusiastic joy. “YES we have to go there, it’ll drive her mad and she’ll have no idea!”

Melody’s question brought him back to earth as he pondered his timetable. “I don’t think so… I think I might have history of some kind.” He pulled a face. “I think it’s US History though because in my last lesson I had absolutely no clue what was going on.”

It wasn’t Ed’s fault – he hadn’t even taken GCSE History, so he was playing a lot of catch-up. Unfortunately for Ed’s grades, he wasn’t exactly in the mood to exert the effort required to achieve said catch-up, so he would remain confused and silent in the back of every class until he inevitably failed his way out. Or passed by some multiple-choice miracle, he supposed. Stranger things had happened.

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[Keaira Matthews]

❝ There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark

---

During her time in private school, Keaira had met her fair share of teen aged elitists. Surprisingly, even among social circles with families whom shared a similar tax bracket, she and her mom didn't quite measure up. As such, she could only imagine what her former classmates would have thought of some of the kids here. Not that their opinion really held that much weight with her. Which to be honest, was likely one of the many reasons that she didn't get on so much with the popular crowd back home. While Keke was a far cry from the type of person that was comfortable flaunting her wealth, the sixteen year old had never been dishonest when specifically questioned about it either.

However, there had always been a fine line between being informative and being boastful, the latter of which she had always tried carefully not to lean towards .Being a braggart or even the appearance of being so seemed a rather foolproof way to alienate potential friends and that was the last thing that the brunette wanted to do. Much to her relief, at the moment Ed was was preoccupied with the idea of campaigning to have ballet turned into an elective course. An idea, that certainly had merit in the teen's eyes and not just because it had been partially her idea. From her personal experience, students just seemed to fare better in subjects that they had an interest in. As far as she was concerned, if she had it her way, a student would be able to create their own schedule entirely.

Of course such a concept had been far too progressive for the likely of any faculty that she had presented it to thus far. An adorable expression of perplexity settled upon the teenager's face as Ed seemed to be inquiring about electives. As if he had never heard the term before. Several minutes passed before it occurred to Keke that it was quite likely that he had never heard the term before. Elective was quite likely an American term and Ed was definitively British. Grinning, the brunette eagerly volunteered "Oh, yes electives are definitely a thing. Most of your core subjects are still selected for you. You know your math, science, and english classes and the like, but usually there are at least two classes you can choose yourself to supplement your education. Like a foreign language ,computer classes, or maybe even a music class".

As the idea of creating a petition began to take root in the sixteen year old's head, Keaira's bewilderment gradually faded into excitement as she replied "Well, it has been a while since I created one, so I may have to do a bit of research to make sure that I get the wording right, but I should be able to come up with something by tomorrow. If the plan is to get it into peoples' hands via their phones it will probably make more sense to do one of those online petitions. They have tons of sites for them nowadays." While it still felt a bit awkward to Keke to be the only one among her peers to possess a credit card, Ed’s joke about never having even seen one in real time coaxed both a smile and a corresponding giggle from the brunette. Particularly, when she considered that it was merely a gold card whereas several of her friends owned platinum ones. Ed’s assurance that he would keep her secret prompted a sly grin to spill across the sixteen year old’s face as she once again allowed her hand to wander over to the pouch on her bag that held her cellphone.

Within second Ed’s phone buzzed with the following text message :

Now that you know one of my secrets, it’s only fair that I know one of yours.

Melody’s repulsion to mushrooms as a topping wasn’t quite unexpected as the brunette had come to realize that mushrooms were very much an acquired taste in general. Ed, while not necessarily opposed to the idea seemed to prefer Hawaiian style leaving Keke with the daunting task of selecting pizza that would best suit all their tastes. While her mother’s numerous attempts to persuade her to adopt a vegan lifestyle had failed, the teenager still only consumed meat in moderation. After several minutes of silent contemplation, the sixteen year old responded “Ok, so I figure that the best way to make sure that everyone gets something suitable for them is for everyone to get their own pizza.” With both Ed and Melody onboard with sneaking into the ballet studio for their midnight pizza party, a glint of mischief lit the teen’s typically dark orbs as the wheels began spinning wildly in her mind prompting her to answer “Well, I am fairly sure that I can make sure that we aren’t picked up by security cameras or any alarms for that matter. We just have to figure out how to get past our respective roommates.”

Leaving that for the pair of them to sort through, Keaira dug out her own schedule from her bag and studied it for a few minutes before adding “Actually, it looks like I do have math next.”

Tag

Word Count

Notes:







credit to Laura of Adox

[Melody Newton]

[attr="class","nikki98"]

[attr="class","nikki99"]

I NEED TO COME DOWN

[attr="class","nikki100"]

[attr="class","nikki101"]SEEMS LIKE THE WHOLE DAMN WORLD WENT AND LOST ITS MIND

[attr="class","nikki102"]AND ALL MY CHILDHOOD HEROES HAVE FALLEN OFF OR DIED

[attr="class","nikki109"]"Hawaiian? I don't get why that one is so controversial. I mean, I can take it or leave it. But it's not my favourite."

She shrugged to show how on the fence she was about Hawaiian Pizza, "As long as it has meat on it I'm there. Although it's better if it's spicy."

She grimaced in response to Ed's realisation of what he had next. "History, ewww. That sucks."

Not that math was any better, but Melody had never been that bothered about history, who cared what a bunch of dusty old men had done in the past? It wasn't like it meant anything now. The fact that it was compulsory and not elective annoyed her all the more. She really couldn't see the point in Ed doing it, especially since he was over here from Britain and therefore wouldn't know much. At least she wouldn't have thought so.

She glanced over Ed's shoulder again when his phone buzzed once more, and raised her eyebrows at the flirtatious tone of the message. With a grin she leaned back, resisting the urge to be extremely childish and announce it to the cafeteria that Ed and Keke were in love. Not that anyone would care. She was sure that the school would eventually develop all the gossip and drama that came with High School, but everyone was too new here right now for it to be active yet.

"Three pizzas? Damn, we can mix and match then as well, although you can keep your mushrooms you weirdo."

She stuck her tongue out in disgust once more, just to drive the point home, "They're so slimey."

She mused over the idea of sneaking into the studio. "I mean surely it won't be that hard with your ability? Can you like, talk to the cameras and the door locks or something? Or does your power not work if something is encrypted?"

The studio might not be locked at night, but the main doors of the dormitories were. Ostensibly to discourage the migration of boys or girls between dormitories, but also Melody thought to keep track of them at night.

[attr="class","nikki103"]WORDS

[attr="class","nikki103"]@tag

[attr="class","nikki103"]Eau de Resistance

NOTES

notes here, i guess?

PHARAOH LEAP.

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[Ed Reynolds]

| Keaira Matthews | Melody Newton | 427 words |

[attr="class","edreynolds"]An online petition in the face of enforced physical activity was the perfect example of millennial student democracy. It was funny, Ed had never been involved in the goings-on of the school curriculum back in the UK, but apparently now that he was on American soil he was some kind of budding revolutionist. It could have had something to do with impressing his new, very beautiful friend, but Ed liked to think that maybe it was a sign of him starting to settle into his new home and make it his own. Or perhaps a bit of both.

“If you need some help putting it together, sign me up,” he said cheerfully. As though he had any experience in the matter.

Keke’s reply to his text message took a sudden turn, now demanding secrets from him. He struggled to keep the mildly panicked expression from his face, taking a half-second to smooth it over with his best challenging grin as he racked his brains for a secret that wasn’t ‘I was covertly rushed out of my home country thanks to my links with the Families to avoid persecution when my powers recently developed, having known about their existence my entire life’.

“Hmm.” He glanced to Melody, as though that would inspire him somehow, but was instead taken aback by the shit-eating grin on her face. What was that about?

Okay, something mundane. Got it! I used to have my ear pierced. You can still see the hole if you look closely. He pressed send and looked up at Keke, waiting to see if that was an acceptably interesting secret to offer. Remnants of your “edgy” phase at 14 were a great secret in Ed’s book.

Melody wasn’t overly excited about the prospect of Hawaiian – but at least she didn’t actively object to it. “Of course you would like a bit of heat, laser eyes,” Ed teased, not surprised in the slightest that she preferred a some kick to her pizza.

“Three pizzas sounds great,” he said in agreement, practically salivating at the prospect as though he hadn’t literally just finished his lunch. “At least you don’t have to worry about Melody stealing yours, Keke.”

There was a delightful sparkle in Keke’s eyes as she considered the school security system.

“You don’t have to worry about me sneaking past anyone,” Ed declared. “Being able to hover off the ground makes for veryyy quieeet footsteps.” He beamed proudly.

He nodded sadly at Melody’s grimace, also apparently not a fan of history. “Still rather that than maths. My condolences, ladies.”

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[Keaira Matthews]

❝ There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark

---

From a culinary standpoint, Keaira had always prided herself on being rather open-minded. Particularly, when it came to junk food as her mother's commitment to healthy eating didn't allow for such indulgences. Keke had always found it rather amusing how relatively simple things such as pizza toppings could spark heated debates between friends. Not that their current discussion constituted as a heated debate of course. With a casual shrug, the brunette replied to Melody's pondering " It's the pineapple more than anything. Some just find the concept of pineapples on pizza disgusting. One of my friends in particular found it to be absolutely revolting. Of course she didn't like cooked fruit in any capacity. No apple pies or turnovers, or peach cobblers. She was a really interesting girl."

While it had never been the sixteen year old's intention to be a troublemaker, the teen had never been shy about speaking her mind. Especially when she determined something to be unjust. As such protests and petitions had always been in her wheelhouse so to speak. Initially, Keaira had been rather disappointed to discover that her classmates were completely disinterested in activism. Particularly, if it didn't impact them directly. Over time, Keke had ceased expecting any interest to be garnered in any of her projects. Which was likely why the brunette was a bit floored when Ed offered to assist her in putting it together.  Shooting Ed a dazzling smile, Keaira responded "Come to think of it, I could use some help with the research portion. Maybe we could meet up after classes just before dinner."

As Melody declared that her primary prerequisite for pizza to simply be that meat was included an image popped into Keke's mind as to how Melody would survive dinners at her house. The thought alone was enough to prompt a chuckle from the brunette. Keaira had actually be pondering inviting Melody over for dinner perhaps during a break when her phone buzzed. Shifting in her seat, Keke dug her phone out of the bag and glanced down at the text message that Ed sent. Having known quite a few boys that had pierced their ears as it was actually a common fashion statement in the US, Keaira was a bit puzzled as to why Ed considered it a secret. Still, if it was something that not many people knew or that he hadn't told anyone at all it could be classified as a secret.

Nodding in acknowledgement to Ed, Keaira answered with a smirk " That will do.... for now." The idea of ordering three pizzas seemed to go over rather well with Ed and Melody as Melody seemed keen on mixing and matching save for her own of course which would likely be consumed by her alone. It wasn't the first time that Keke had been referred to as a weirdo and likely wouldn't be the last. Not that the term bothered her as the sixteen year old delighted in her eccentricity. Laughing softly, the teen countered " Your loss. More for me then. I might just get a pizza with only mushrooms. Cooked mushrooms aren't slimey. Spoiled mushrooms on the other hand...."

Bringing the conversation back to how they were going to pull off their pizza party, Keaira mused over Melody's inquiry. " Talking to the security cameras so that they won't pick us up wandering down the halls should be a breeze. Unlocking the doors could be a different matter entirely depending on distance. With any luck the cameras and locks are linked which means I will just have to take down one instead of both. I can get past encryptions. It is trickier and may take more time."

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Notes:







credit to Laura of Adox

[Melody Newton]

[attr="class","nikki98"]

[attr="class","nikki99"]

I NEED TO COME DOWN

[attr="class","nikki100"]

[attr="class","nikki101"]SEEMS LIKE THE WHOLE DAMN WORLD WENT AND LOST ITS MIND

[attr="class","nikki102"]AND ALL MY CHILDHOOD HEROES HAVE FALLEN OFF OR DIED

[attr="class","nikki109"]"It's got nothing to do with my eyes, I'm just not a pussy."

She pulled a face once Keke's pizza was brought up again. "Yeah, no worries about that, no way I'm going near mushrooms. Maybe you can just sit the other side of the studio or something."

She waved at Ed, "Yeah but we can't hover dumbass, so we're still relying on klutz over here not falling down the stairs."

She gestured in Keke's direction with her thumb, while smiling to show that the comment was meant in jest. She would give them shit, she just hoped that they realised it wasn't meant seriously, and that she could take as much as she dealt out. Fortunately Ed already seemed to get that, and Keke didn't seem to be taking any offence at Melody's indelicate comments.

She regretted having missed the text that Ed sent Keke, and wished she'd stayed looking over his shoulder. It probably wasn't super embarrassing, Keke's response had been too muted for that, but she certainly wouldn't be complaining if she got something else with which she could tease Ed. Especially since it was obvious that Ed already had a thing for the dark-skinned girl. Never let it be said that Melody was a merciful wing-woman.

Glad to hear that their pizza eating plan seemed to be possible, she sat up, leaning forward over the table a little to make it seem even more conspiratorial. "So when we have dinner tonight, we can plan it out properly right? After you guys have finished with your…" Here her voice took on a sly tone, "study date."

She looked up, sitting back guiltily as though they'd already begun planning when the bell sounded. She grabbed her bag from the floor and glanced at the crumpled sheet of paper again. "Come on then, we've got a really fun lesson to get to."

Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

[attr="class","nikki103"]318

[attr="class","nikki103"]Ed Reynolds

[attr="class","nikki103"]Keaira Matthews

NOTES

I'm just joking, honest...

PHARAOH LEAP.

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[Ed Reynolds]

| Keaira Matthews | Melody Newton | 469 words |

[attr="class","edreynolds"]Ed was a bit baffled when Keke shot him a rather overwhelming smile, blinking slowly as he realised she was now saying words. He tried to focus on them, rather regretting not tuning into the sentence at an earlier point. He could only deride that it was something about the petition and his offer of assistance – acceptance, it seemed? Which was great, he was very very pleased to have the opportunity to help out a new friend.

“Of course, just send me a text when and where,” he said keenly. He hoped whatever he was agreeing to was good. Nothing bad could come out of that smile, right?

She seemed satisfied by his admission to past edginess, although it was heavily implied that she’d try to pull some juicier secrets out of him over time. Ed was perfectly happy with that so long as it didn’t jeopardise his position here at EMBA – it would be rather unfortunate to get sent back to the hostile environment for metahumans that was his home country.

Melody was eager to prove herself as a tough kid – dismissing his jokes swiftly. As much as the pair got along reasonably well, Ed was still adjusting to her blunt nature and adjusting his banter accordingly. So far, so good. She’d managed to make detention fun, after all – a solid quality in a newfound friend.

He didn’t really appreciate the weird looks and suggestive tones of voice that were creeping in on her part, but if she’d managed to convince herself that there was something going on then so be it. Obviously there wasn’t anything going on. Between Ed and Keke? He glanced up at the technopath. No, no, she was just smart and pretty – why wouldn’t he want to spend more time with her as a friend?

“Plan seems solid so far,” he confirmed with a grin. “And I know it’s a metahuman school but, honestly, I doubt the security will be too much of an issue. I think they’re relying more on the fact that we’re out here in the middle of nowhere than on any crazy security systems. You’ve got this in the bag.”

Ed rapped his knuckles on the table. Touch wood.

“Enjoy your maths lesson, hope it’s not too brutal.” Not that he imagined either of them had too much trouble when it came to the actual work. Melody definitely knew what she was doing in science and, despite her sarcasm, probably found maths a breeze compared to Ed. Being good at the subject tended to make it more tolerable, even if it was maths of all things.

“See you later, pizza squad,” he added quietly, just in case anyone happened to be eavesdropping. The grin on his face said it all – he was definitely looking forward to a gentle evening's rebellion.

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