Liriope "If you're looking for trouble, you've got it." There goes Gabe, again, playing the hero, Liriope thought, smiling wryly. He buddied up next to Gabe in front of the girls. "Good thing you're on our side", Lirirope said without a hint of sarcasm. To the new creep guy, Lirope said, "Can you get on with the explanations before Camille or somebody get into another water fight?" Although I don't mind Gabe's shirt getting soaked some more, heh heh... To Ina and Baley, Liriope said, "After this lets go get something to eat, alright? All this fussing is working up my appetite."
Teddy Jones “Teddy?” His hand slipped and he fell to the floor, squeezing out more electricity. The surge ran narrowly close to the pools of water, only dissipating at the last second. Camille’s voice had sprung him from his perch, and his golden skin felt clammy with embarrassment. “Hmmm... well you see...” His voice hid from him, and all Teddy could do was let out a nervous laugh as he readjusted himself. The group were now gawking, some at Lawrence, and others at Teddy. In his eagerness to come prepared, he had made a mistake. “Could someone... I mean...” Cats clawed at his throat. “Is there any way someone... erm... could get rid of all the water!” The tail end of his words snapped like a whip, and Teddy quickly covered his mouth in fear of something worse.
Camille: Rain Dance “Could someone... I mean...” Cats clawed at his throat. “Is there any way someone... erm... could get rid of all the water!” The tail end of his words snapped like a whip, and Teddy quickly covered his mouth in fear of something worse. Camille stepped out of Ben's protective hold, wobbling precariously as she did so. Ben moved to catch her, but she forestalled him with a fierce shake of her head. She drew in a deep breath, breathing through the pain shooting through her knees. Slowly she brought her hands up to her face, palms pressed together. Carefully she released her breath as she lowered them. Her senses flared hot, rushing through every molecule of water covering the streets. "Never thought I'd be gratefully to Mom for all those years of dance lessons, but they do come in handy." Camille mumbled. Hovering on the brink of existence, Camille went into a graceful gypsy's swirl, her skirt billowing about her bloodied knees. The wild child took possession as she went into her dance, her arms twined out and up in a sweeping arc, pulling the thin glaze of water up in a solid, gossamer sheet. Subtle and delicate as a butterfly's flight, she wove through the steps. Thread by thread and layer by layer, she drew the water in. It cavorted about her like a silken serpent. With the fluid mass contained, she slowed her gyrations and headed for the gutter. A single downward sweep of her arms, brought half the ribbon spiraling down and into the storm drains. The other half, she cast out onto the grass of the little pocket park. Reality returned with a vengeance as the silent song of water faded from her veins. Her legs, now stained crimson from knee to toes, buckled from the effort. The world tilted as her head hit the dewy grass. Her knees burned, but she fought the darkness that sought to claim her. There was too much going on for her to surrender now. Ben dropped down beside her and pulled her into his lap. The two handkerchiefs were once more placed over her knees with firm, even pressure. "You are going to be the death of me, Camille Mae. I hope you know that." Camille laughed, slightly loopy from blood loss. "You and me both, Ben. You and me, both."
Liriope Liriope forgot Lawrence ad Gabriel's abs for a second as he watched Camille's dancing. "Impressive", he said, then shrugged. "Not that I know all that much about dancing, but your moves are dope. To the max." He grinned and winked. Then he turned to the lightning dude, the one Camille called Teddy. "Hey, dude", he said. "I'm Liriope. So, your super hero weakness is water, eh? Pretty lame if you ask me", he joked.
Baley Warsaw Baley had to agree with Liriope about the redhead being impressive. Water tricks sure would come in handy. Like the rest, she turned her attention to the new man who had been worried about the water...and had been sparking. "Hey, dude", Liriope said. "I'm Liriope. So, your super hero weakness is water, eh? Pretty lame if you ask me", he joked. Baley elbowed Liriope sharply like she often did to her brothers. "Hey dude," she mocked. "That isn't very nice, ya know. I'd rather have water be my weakness than the whole world," As she stared into Liriope's eyes, she frowned. "Don't be so plain rude." Turning her back to him, she gave a friendly wave to the man who'd she thought she'd seen before. Maybe she'd passed by him while delivering milk...but never said hello.
Liriope "Don't be so plain rude." "Ach!", Liriope cried when Baley elbowed him. "What's with everyone hitting me lately?!" He rubbed the sore spot and glowered at Baley's back. "I was only trying to break the ice, geez!" To the lightning kid, he said, "Don't mind her, she was raised in a barn." He stalked off to sulk in private. Darn that cowgirl! She's just as bad as the little toddler, he grouched.
Ina Holt "You ok there, Ina?" Baley asked, approaching her. "I'm fine." Ina snapped, not taking her eyes off Lawrence for a second. He caught her eye, and smiled faintly. "Can you get on with the explanations before Camille or somebody get into another water fight?" Liriope said. Lawrence nodded slowly. "Alright, let's make this quick; We need to break this party up, and move it elsewhere. First of all, as I mentioned earlier, I only delivered your letters. My ability let's me turn my body to glass. This makes it easy to get around unnoticed, but, as you can see," He lifted his arms, accentuating his lack of muscle, "It has its drawbacks; though, to correct Ms. Eva, I am actually in fine health, I merely have a high calcium deficiency. I could get pills from the pharmacy, but I like to visit my colleague in the clinic from time to time. Roland, unfortunately, is confined to his wheelchair, so he is unable to join us. He is the one who created your letters. Both Roland and I are a part of a group called Eximius. Our purpose is to protect others like ourselves. Before now, we mostly worked to hide and defend Exceptionals; however, certain events have unfolded, and we have an opportunity to attack our enemy, and expose them to the world." Lawrence paused, examining the alleyways to make sure they were empty. Taking advantage of his distraction, Ina pushed past Gabe and Liriope to retrieve her mallet. Rather than use her power again, she merely held on to it, in case she needed it. As she rose, she felt a hand pat her on the head. "Don't touch me!" She shouted, pulling away from Lawrence's reach. "It's simply a reflex," Lawrence said, opening and closing his palm, "In any case there is a lot to say, but not much time to say it, You're all damn lucky no one has hindered us yet. If they didn't know you all were Exceptionals, they sure know now." He glared at Camille for a moment, "We need to relocate, and I suggest we go to the destination on that photograph you all should have received. I can answer any immediate questions, if you have them, but the story needs to be told away from listening ears."
Shyla and Camille Shy ran over to Ben and Camille as the bookkeeper collapsed. "Camille?" Shy asked looking at her friend's pale face. She looked up at Ben. "The blood packets? Where are they? Are they in the store?" She had briefly noticed the bald and shirtless guy, who claimed to be the one who sent out the letters, but she was more concerned with Camille at the moment. Camille's excessive use of her abilities were obviously taking a toll on her, just as Shy's abilities did her. "Her apartment. The door's not locked. Check the refrigerator in the bathroom linen closet." Ben said. "The first aid kit should be there, too." "Top left..." Camille whispered. "Your apartment is on the other side of town. Too far to walk." Shy sighed irritably. She'd just have to hope her regulator was ready to handle a few more jumps. "Be back in a jiff." Shyla closed her eyes and imagined herself just inside the door of Camille's apartment. She felt a surge of electricty go through her body and sensed the flash of light behind her eyelids. When she opened her eyes she was kneeling inside the aparment. Her watch beeped. The number was down to 20. Shy went straight for the closet and found fridge. She pulled out the same blood packets she'd seen Camille use earlier that day and then grabbed the first aid kit. Wonder how many times a day she can do this before she kills herself? Shy closed the fridge. With the items in hand she teleported back to Camille's side. "Here." She said as she handed the supplies to Ben. Only just the realizing...this was the first time he'd seen her use her abilities. Crap. Well, he must know of Camille's if he's here...so hopefully he's ok. Shyla suddenly grimaced and held her stomach. I swear that was the last time I'm teleporting today. I'm going to have a lethal seizure if I keep this up. Even now these mini ones are making me sick...bleh.[/QUOTE] Ben cast a grateful smile in Shy's direction. "Thanks." He saw the worried look on the teenager's face and grinned. "Don't worry, I grew up watching Star Trek. The beaming thing doesn't bother me. When Cam saved Radish by making the river run backward...That was a whole different story. I thought I had gone mad." "Thank you, Shy." Camille whispered, roused by the rumble of Ben's laughter. Shy gave Ben an amused glare. "I'm not Scotty. I more so consider myself like Hiro from that show Heroes. Traveling through time and space!" She smiled. "Well...not the time part so much." She looked down at Camille. "Maybe you should take it easy on your abilities for a little while." "We need to relocate, and I suggest we go to the destination on that photograph you all should have received. I can answer any immediate questions, if you have them, but the story needs to be told away from listening ears." "How far away is it?" Shy asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Sheena followed along, but she didn't like what this man was saying. "Are you saying you want us to be your personal soldiers?" Sheena scoffed. " I'm sorry but I'm not just going to follow someone blindly." she hissed.
Gabreil Reeve "Liriope -don't you know what happens if you drop a radio in a bathtub full of water? You get zapped." Gabe said carefully, then waved in Teddy's direction, "So if he touched water . . . we'd all be fried." "And as for you!" Gabreil said, glaring at Laurence and his eyes flaring gold as he jumped between the man and Ina, "Who says we can trust you? You could just be leading us to a trap for all we know! We can go somewhere -but I say we go wherever is away from that building-" A wave of pain immediately made Gabe's words stop dead in his throat and he clasped his head in his hands. "Dammit . . . not . . . again . . " his body trembled as he fought against the memories, and he found himself stumbling back to avoid contact with anyone. His eyes pulsed from blue to gold, their bright glow illuminating the sidewalk around his feet. He growled as he pushed back against the memories, the pain, and finally succeeded. "Jesus . . . that hurt more than last time . . ." he breathed, sitting down.
Camille and Ben: Long Haul A wave of pain immediately made Gabe's words stop dead in his throat and he clasped his head in his hands. "Dammit . . . not . . . again . . " his body trembled as he fought against the memories, and he found himself stumbling back to avoid contact with anyone. Camille watched the byplay, a bit more alert now that her central lines were replacing her decimated platelet count. "And I thought I had control problems." She muttered. "The hair trigger sprinklers are an accident, those I can't help." Ben glanced down at her delicate profile. "Just out of curiosity, Cam, what can you control?" "Water in its pure state." She said. "I can meld it into any form or state I want." "But when you do?" He added with a significant look at her rebandaged knees. "It destroys my platelets, triggering a bleeding episode." Camille admitted. Ben's signature scowl returned. "And you didn't see fit to tell me any of this? Christ, Camille, I've known since high school." "You could have said something." She pointed out with maddening calm. "And risk having you never speak to me again?" He expostulated. "Are you insane?" An unexpected smile flowered across her face. "Not insane, Exceptional." Ben began to laugh, deep and heartfelt. Even in the middle of this tangled muddle, he couldn't resist. It was few minutes before he managed to regain his composure and leveled as steely gaze at Lawrence. "So you're with a group called Eximius run by a fellow called Roland, who is wheelchair bound. While you can turn yourself into glass? Excuse me if I have qualms about entrusting Camille into your care. I might be a cop, but I'm not an idiot." "Ben..." The single word hung, tinged in warning. "Stubble it, Camille. There is too much on the line, here." Ben growled before returning his attention to Lawrence. "I know you're not happy about me knowing about this; I'm not any happier about you guys turning my town upside-down. But Camille and Grygla are my main priorities. I want to get to the bottom of this mess and if that means helping this Eximius group, then I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Technically I'm on vacation for the next month anyway. This is all off the record." Like a candle in the darkness, Ben's megawatt grin returned. "Besides, I have one ability none of you guys have." Camille blinked. "What?" Ben laughed again. "A good magician never reveals his secrets." Resuming a small semblance of dignity he leveled his question at Lawrence. "Are we supposed to know where to find the tumbledown place in the picture?'
Baley Baley listened closely to the man, Lawrence, as half of the truth tumbled out. He was part of something or other called Eximius and now he wanted to lead them to the Berkle- place. She shifted her gaze to the town-folks wondering what they thought of this, specifically the Eva lady. Obviously, it was no coincidence that everyone standing on the street had an ability. Almost all of the folks had already used their power freely, like the water twirling redhead. Liriope used his as if it was second-nature to him, like sleeping. She'd even noticed another girl with a streak of blue in her already pretty hair, disappear and then reappear a minute later. They didn't seem to care about setbacks. Baley pulled a gloved hand out of her pocket, wondering if she could ever feel the same; have no worries. "Dammit . . . not . . . again . . " Baley turned to see Gabe clutching his head between his hands, trembling. As soon as whatever disturbed him had passed, the man sat hard on the sidewalk. Watching him suffer reminded her of her own episodes of pain. Concern crossed over her face and she walked closer to Gabe. "Does that happen often?" Baley asked as she approached him. She would sit down next to him, but she didn't know if he would appreciate that after she'd fallen on him. "Oh...and sorry about crushing ya earlier. I'm not exactly the most coordinated girl around."
Gabriel Reeve "Only if i've used my powers recently." Gabe said with a weak smile, "And i've been crushed by worse -if you know what it feels like to have older siblings." his expression went a little sad then when he mentioned his family, but he quickly recovered from it and stood up. "Since i can control people's minds . . . i can see some memories depending on how long i control them." he explained, looking mildly embarrassed as he remembered when he had told Liriope to let him go. No memories had come up as of yet but that encounter had been very brief, "But when i use my power i can't move, so i really have no physical advantage over my opponents other than making them do what i tell them. But then that's usually enough . . ."
Eva, acting her age While the others talked, Evangeline pulled out her version of the photograph. She shut her umbrella and studied the picture by the light of a cellphone. The longer she looked at it, the more familiar it seemed. That was the trouble with being a century old; memories tended to pile up and run together. But the more she stared, she became increasingly convinced that she'd seen this building someplace. Something was a little off, but she definitely recogized it... She'd been so many places in her life, sometimes running and sometimes taking a stand. This time, she would do the latter: fight. If that should fail, she would run some more. That was the cycle she lived in. Run. When you can't run anymore, fight. When there's nothing left to fight, just wait, another threat will come along and the cycle would begin again. She'd been waiting in Grygla for a very long time... "That's it!" Eva said suddenly and many sets of eyes turned to her with the sudden outburst. Her exotic features briefly flushed with embarassment before she returned to her usual composed self. She adjusted herself and lightly cleared her throat before going on in a calm, even tone: "Ahem, what I meant is..." she held up the photo. "I've seen this building before. It's off Highway 89. Used to be an agriculture supplies store. They sold hardware, tractor parts, fencing, animal feed, things like that. When I first saw it, it didn't look anything like this. They shut down years ago and it's probably overgrown and falling apart by now." Of course when she said 'years ago' she really meant almost three decades ago. It was one of the first buildings she'd seen on her way into Grygla for the very first time.
Camille: Ancient History "Ahem, what I meant is..." she held up the photo. "I've seen this building before. It's off Highway 89. Used to be an agriculture supplies store. They sold hardware, tractor parts, fencing, animal feed, things like that. When I first saw it, it didn't look anything like this. They shut down years ago and it's probably overgrown and falling apart by now." "The old Berkley place with the really long driveway?" Camille asked. "My mom wouldn't let us go within a mile of that place. She called it the Berkley Research Institute for the Paranoid. From what my dad said, she really had it in for Berkley." Ben gave Camille a questioning look. She flushed. "Well, I guess that requires some explaining." Ben merely nodded. Camille blow out a breath wondering where to start. "You guys know that my Dad was the primary vet for the Grygla area up until he retired two years ago. My older brothers, Peter and Philip, now run the practice. To keep things concise, old Berkley had a son, who went to school with Dad. Rumor has it that he got kicked out for his involvement in experiments of some kind or another. Mind you, nothing was ever proven, at least that anyone ever heard about. Dad said that the guy just couldn't handle the pressure. With school no longer an option, he came home and took over the store. Where old man Berkley was a little squirrelly, the son was just plain off. Kept taking about how they found him, preformed tests on him. It was the whole alien abduction scenario, but without the aliens." Suddenly Camille's features softened, her eyes dark, with a small pang of empathy. "Dad said his friend would go on endlessly about these experiments. My Mom hated the time Dad spent with Berkley and she started calling the old feed store the Berkley Research Institute. Even after the place went under. The son disappeared not long after and some people claim that the place is actually haunted. I grew up listening to my siblings tales of the Institute and my mom's rantings about the place." "If you weren't supposed to go there, then how the heck do you even know about it?" Ben demanded. Camille shot him a briefly pitying look. "Were you ever a kid, Ben? What is the one thing you did when your parents told you to stay away from some place?" Ben flushed. "Went to see what all the fuss was about." "Exactly." Camille said, a satisfied smile on her face.
Baley "Since i can control people's minds . . . i can see some memories depending on how long i control them." he explained, looking mildly embarrassed. "But when i use my power i can't move, so i really have no physical advantage over my opponents other than making them do what i tell them. But then that's usually enough . . ." "Wow..." Baley muttered. She was surprised Gabe had shared, with her being a stranger and all. Maybe she'd actually done some good in the conversation department? "That must be hard. All these folks here act like their abilities come useful, but mine...sometimes I like it, most of the time I don't. All it's given me is inconvenient hurt." With a sigh, she stared down at her hand, wiggling her fingers. As her skin rubbed against the tight leather, her throbbing pain continued. After two years she'd learned to ignore it, but she knew the truth. It wouldn't be too long before she'd need those other gloves, the normal routine. But how long till the pain grows worse? How long till gloves don't save me? At the sound of voices, Baley stirred from her worries and looked up with a blank face.
Camille: Grain of Truth "Precisely." Camille said, a satisfied smile on her face. Ben looked down at Camille, her head resting trustingly against his shoulder. "Have you ever stopped to consider why your mother didn't want you going near that place?" A shake of flaming curls was the only reply. "There might actually be some truth to the rumors. Haven't you ever wondered if your mother knew about your abilities; it is your maternal grandmother you take after, you know." Camille stared at Ben wide eyed. "You think my own mother might think I'm a witch?" This conversation was going sideways in a hurry. "No! That's not what I meant." He grumbled, running a frustrated hand through his dark hair. "Then what are you getting at, Ben?" Camille demanded, exasperation ringing in her tone. "That you might have more in common with your Dad's missing friend than with your own family." He replied. "You think the lost Berkley man was an Exceptional?" Ben nodded. "But he disappeared nearly a decade before I was born." Camille pointed out. "Why would my mom still be flipping out about the matter?" "Because she always suspected there was a grain of truth behind Berkley's ravings and she didn't want the same thing to happen to you." Ben stated unequivocally. "She doesn't know about my abilities, Ben." She conceded. "It's not something she could deal with. She's too logical and what I can do is outside the natural order of things. My dad has always suspected something and he knows it's connected with my hemophilia. There is no known history of the disease in our family." "Hmmph..." Ben snorted, by way of reply. Camille cast a pleading look in Baley's direction. "Do your folks know about your abilities?"
Baley Warsaw Camille cast a pleading look in Baley's direction. "Do your folks know about your abilities?" "Well..." Baley started. Blatant surprise was written on her face at the question, but she managed to wipe it off. "Nope...at least I hope not. I've tried my absolute best to keep it secret. But, my folks have had their suspicions at how so much dirt gets tracked in the house, why I avoid certain chores, and why I even avoid the family." Baley frowned as she scuffed her boot on the concrete. "Have to dodge more questions too. Like why I always throw a fit when Ma wants to wash my gloves or how my sister finds pain pills in our room." Her usual cheerful tone grew hollow as she locked her blue eyes with Camille. "Only had my ability for two years, but it ain't been fun and games. You really are lucky to have a useful ability...one that can be enjoyed."
Liriope "...Ya really are lucky to have a useful ability...one that can be enjoyed." Liriope buddied up to Baley and gave her a sincere grin. "You just need someone to help you shut off your gift." He chewed his lip. "Have you ever heard of mystokinesis? It's the ability to control mystical energy. In one word, being a witch. Sure, there's some quacks and crazies out there, but I know for sure my Aunt Nixes had that power. Before she, uh...transcended." He cleared is throat. "But she comes back sometimes, to visit me", he said in a lower voice. "Maybe I can ask her to help you, if ya want. I mean, no promises, but Nixes probably won't turn you down--she likes to help people in need." He shrugged and tried to act like it was no biggie. I must be getting soft to tell her my secrets like this, Liriope thought. I just hope I'm not giving her false hope.
Camille: Curiosity Her usual cheerful tone grew hollow as she locked her blue eyes with Camille. "Only had my ability for two years, but it ain't been fun and games. You really are lucky to have a useful ability...one that can be enjoyed." "I wouldn't say my ability is all that handy. I nearly got us all electrocuted." Camille shot back. "Triggering sprinklers and freezing pipes when I get scared or angry isn't useful. If you're a gardener maybe, but beyond that it's more trouble than it's worth. You at least don't run the risk of bleeding to death." Grimacing at the lines running just beneath her delicate collarbones, she added. "In all honesty, I would rather have my water manipulation and the bleeding the goes with it, than pain as a side effect." Her curiosity was now, well and truly, piqued. "You said you came into your abilities only two years ago? Interesting. I don't remember a time I didn't have mine. I've always been a hemophiliac. The latent abilities were there but didn't really begin to manifest with any semblance of power until I started middle school. That's when the sprinklers and random freezing bouts started." Camille's dark blue eyes softened slightly. "You will eventually find your normal, practice and control will come with age. I speak from experience when I say, if you try and deny your abilities, they will find ways to manifest. The usual result of these manifestations. Total chaos." "Tell me about." Ben muttered. "I lost count of the number of times I had to talk teachers out of giving you detention for because of sprinkler episodes." Camille grinned. "Hey, it got us out of more than one unwanted pop quiz."
Liriope Liriope gave Camille a funky look. "Are you for serious?", he snapped. "Listen, your power is hardly useless, so don't even pull that with us." He was tired of her acting all "woe-is-me" about her abilities, when Baley was the one who really had something to complain about. "Sure, you're a bleeder, but if I use my powers to much I could age and die, and little Ina has a gross bleeding eye--no offense, sweetie." He grinned at Ina apologetically. At Camille he snapped, "Don't ever downplay your gift, we all saw what you can do just now, don't act like it's so horrible." "Oh, and about what you said ealier, about your powers being outside the laws of nature, or whatever", Liriope continued to rant. "Newsflash, all our powers are. Gawsh. Just deal with it." Liriope didn't know if it was just Camille's whining or the fact that he was using his powers so much lately, but he was getting cranky. "When are we gonna get a move on?", Liriope said, directing his question at Lawrence. He could use a place to sit and rest, and maybe chow down, too.
Baley Warsaw Baley gave Liriope a grin back but her heart wasn't fully into it. "Thanks for the offer, Liriope, but that's the problem. I already have plenty of energy. Too much in fact. I'd show ya, but it's too dark out here for ya to properly see what's wrong with me. You don't know what more I can do..." Baley said, shaking her head. Camille's dark blue eyes softened slightly. "You will eventually find your normal, practice and control will come with age. I speak from experience when I say, if you try and deny your abilities, they will find ways to manifest. The usual result of these manifestations. Total chaos." Baley found the girl's advice a bit infuriating, but she kept up her fake grin. "Two years ago I got my abilities after a tornado and it's been nothin' but heck ever since. I don't wanna harness and control it...it's too dangerous. Plus my hands hurt like heck when I'm done. If I could, I'd rather ignore and live my life without the worry. But of course that's not gonna happen anytime soon."
Teddy Jones “...I'd show ya, but it's too dark out here for ya to properly see what's wrong with me.” “Erm...I could...” Teddy’s voice trailed off and he hung his head timidly. This was all too much, he hardly knew these people. How could he trust them. Some were locals, others out of towners, all suspicious. But maybe putting the limelight on this group could make the weaker ones crack. Yes. The fibres of his skin twitched and jumped, and Teddy turned once more to Baley. “You want to be seen properly?” His anxious cackle did nothing to ease. “Well here’s your chance.” The orb of lightning split in all directions, webbing towards every street lamp in the square. In one switch the curtain had lifted and the stage was lit, ready for the show.
Liriope "Uh, Teddy?", Liriope said, one brow quirked. "She said it's not dark enough to see her better, and you've just made even more light. You should listen more." He girnned to lighten his words. "So, what's up with all the sparking, dude? Can't you hold that stuff inside, or are you just showing off for the ladies?" Liriope waggled his brows at Teddy. Teasing the kid was lifting his edgy mood.
Camille: Practice "Two years ago I got my abilities after a tornado and it's been nothin' but heck ever since. I don't wanna harness and control it...it's too dangerous. Plus my hands hurt like heck when I'm done. If I could, I'd rather ignore and live my life without the worry. But of course that's not gonna happen anytime soon." "Your grin is making my face hurt, Baley. I know you're mad, I would be, too." Camille said, ignoring Liriope. "I meant what I said about practice. It will help. My mom put me into dance class about as soon as I could walk and I hated every minute of it. Yet I kept at it to keep her happy. Each new pair of shoes I broke in hurt, blistering my feet, but I worked through it, focusing on the music and the motions, not the pain." She sighed, knowing she was better off than many gathered here. "What you witnessed tonight wasn't the work of instinct, but practice. I was your age when I knew it was time to face my demons. I knew I couldn't deal with this alone." Her smile was decidedly bleak as she caught the look of shock on Ben's face. She had never told him what she had done during her first year of college. "As to wanting a normal life without worry, I think it's a dream we all share, but will never happen." “You want to be seen properly?” His anxious cackle did nothing to ease. “Well here’s your chance.” Camille watched the light show with a slight smile. "A light from the shadows." She said, half jokingly. "Now that's a handy ability."
