Baley Warsaw “You want to be seen properly?” His anxious cackle did nothing to ease. “Well here’s your chance.” Baley shielded her eyes as the streetlamps lit up like fireflies in the night. That darn electricity...her parents enemy. She clenched her teeth as she came to the realization of what the man in overalls was tempting her to do. Reveal herself; show what she was made of. "Fine then, if ya'll wanna see the problem then I'll show ya the problem." Baley said. Her anger and frustration had crept to the surface, swiping away any warning signs and leaving her blind to the consequences. "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." Baley heard Camille say as she tossed her knapsack down and knelt on the concrete. With her heart thumping in her chest, she opened the flap and took out her spare gloves. Gently, she placed them on top of the bag. Just in case. "My demon is anythin' in my reach," Baley said as she stood to face Camille. "It's not right...not even bein' able to do simple tasks without the worry." After a few tugs on her gloved fingertips, she flicked the gloves on the ground in one slick motion. She grimaced as the summer night air brushed over her skin and the familiar tremor pulsed within her veins. "If ya have any valuables, I'd pocket them." she stated. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to one of the streetlamps and placed her bare right hand on the metal. Pain coursed through her arm and tears stung at her eyes as the lamp vanished, disintegrating, crumbling into clods of dirt. The substance easily snuffed out the fire, swallowing it whole with the rest. Baley felt some debris land in her hair as she took her trembling hand from the pole, to lift her arm into the air. With her movement, the dirt followed its mistress, swirling above their heads. Fighting back the pain, Baley made a fist and a miniature funnel formed; a mouth ready to devour. "This is why I'm dangerous!" Baley cried out as the pain intensified. Before she could cause any real damage she released her hold, letting the particles fall to the earth as she did.
Camille: Apples and Oranges, both are fruit... "This is why I'm dangerous!" Baley cried out as the pain intensified. Before she could cause any real damage she released her hold, letting the particles fall to the earth as she did. Camille studied Baley with interest. "So you convert matter into earth." She observed. "That takes a lot of power. It is little wonder your hands hurt all the time. You're an element warper. Not all that different from what I do, except one of my mediums is water, which is much easier to work with. What happens when you come into contact with unadulterated soil?"
Baley Warsaw "So you convert matter into earth." She observed. "That takes a lot of power. It is little wonder your hands hurt all the time. You're an element warper. Not all that different from what I do, except one of my mediums is water, which is much easier to work with. What happens when you come into contact with unadulterated soil?" Baley remained seated on the ground, too sore to walk over and get her gloves. While waiting for the pain to lessen, she glanced up at Camille. "Ya actually understand?" she said in surprise. No one had ever understood, but that might only be because she'd never showed anyone before. "All it takes is one touch and I'm forced to uphold the power, which is why it's such a burden," she continued. "Don't even know what would happen if I touch humans...and I don't wanna find out." Baley sighed, shaking her head. "Unadulterated soil. Well, anykind of soil I can manipulate...or whatever science-y folks call it. I probably could make the next dustbowl happen, but doin' that might kill me. And like I told them guys over there, I'm not the usual risk taker so don't ya expect me to repeat what I just did."
Camille: June Bug Baley sighed, shaking her head. "Unadulterated soil. Well, any kind of soil I can manipulate...or whatever science-y folks call it. I probably could make the next dustbowl happen, but doin' that might kill me. And like I told them guys over there, I'm not the usual risk taker so don't ya expect me to repeat what I just did." Camille slowly pushed herself up with Ben right behind her, two warm hands on her elbows. "What are you doing, Camille?" He demanded. "Sit down before you fall down, you little fool." She ignored him and plucked a June Bug off her sandal. Her steps were still a bit unsteady as she walked toward Baley, gathering up the younger girl's gloves as she did so. She set the bug on the pavement in front of Baley and then laid the gloves down beside her. "You wanted to know the effects on a living thing. Better to know and be prepared than to not know and be taken unawares."
Liriope Liriope sprinted to Baley's side after her extravagant display of power. "That was...something else", he said, meaning it as a compliment. "Are you all right, though? That looked like it took a lot of energy..." His hands hovered over Baley's shoulders, not knowing whether it was okay to pat her on the back or not. In the end he just gave her two thumbs' up. "You wanted to know the effects on a living thing. Better to know and be prepared than to not know and be taken unawares." "Listen Baley, you don't have to prove anything to any of us, don't put your health at risk just to show Camille, or anyone, what you can do. Especially if it's that dangerous." He shot Camille a sharp look. That little booger was becoming a major thorn in the side. To Baley, he said, "Do you need help standing up? Or are you okay down here?" He chewed his lip, uncertain what action to take.
Camille: Reflections "Listen Baley, you don't have to prove anything to any of us, don't put your health at risk just to show Camille, or anyone, what you can do. Especially if it's that dangerous." He shot Camille a sharp look. Camille shot a fulminating glare at Liriope. "I didn't ask for a demonstration of her abilities. Baley did that entirely on her own. We all have skills and risks we take each time we use them, but half of the danger comes from not fully understanding our talents." Plonking down on the curb beside Baley, she couldn't help but empathize. She had been in the exact same place not all that long ago. The major difference was she had gotten the help she so desperately needed. She had learned how to listen to her body, the whispers of her abilities and the songs of the elements. Normal people might think her mad, but it allowed her to function in day to day life. Elemental abilities were strong manifestations, not meant to be ignored. Baley admitted the energy seemed like it was almost too much. Camille knew what the ramification of her own talents were if she ignored them. Hopefully, Lawrence and the Eximius group could help.
Liriope Liriope gave Camille his patent sardonic grin. "You might as well have asked for a demonstration, little nugget", he said. "And don't forget, you brought a bug over here for her to try her power on. If she doesn't want to use her gifts all willy-nilly like you, you should respect that, not pressure her into using her abilities. And unlike your powers, her's are way more deadly. It's stupid to use them for no darn good reason--this ain't show-and-tell, missy." For a little one, Camille sure does like to act like a grown-up. Plus, how does she know Baley's power is gonna go haywire if she doesn't use it? Heck, I've never heard of that before. Seems like something Aunt Nixes would have brought up. Maybe I'll ask her next time she visits...
Ina Holt "You might as well have asked for a demonstration, little nugget", he said. "And don't forget, you brought a bug over here for her to try her power on. If she doesn't want to use her gifts all willy-nilly like you, you should respect that, not pressure her into using her abilities. And unlike your powers, her's are way more deadly. It's stupid to use them for no darn good reason--this ain't show-and-tell, missy." "I agree," Ina said, "If what that creep-" she wouldn't call him by his name "told us is true, we shouldn't be having such giant displays." She frowned at Camille, "Stop getting Baley all riled up." Ina joined the girls on the curb, pushing between Baley and Camille, then glared at Lawrence. "A lot of questions have been asked," She said coldly, "You said you'd answer them, so why've you been so quiet?" Lawrence gave her a sarcastic look, "You were all sharing your life-stories, I thought I'd let you talk. It builds trust, something we all seem to be lacking." Ina glared at the man, "Though," He continued, "You've remained awful silent throughout this whole thing. How long are you going to hide your powers and story." "What's it to you?" Ina snapped, quickly wiping her eye clean with her palm, "My life's no-one's business but my own! Besides, I thought you said we didn't have time for stories." "Quite right." Lawrence said, "Answers then. As far as trust goes, it's just my word. I could show you my abilities," He lifted his arm, and it turned a transparent blue, shimmering in the electric fields of light, "I could tell you my life story," He said, as his arm returned to normal, "But how would you know that's true? It's all just trust. I'm only asking for you to come with me to the old Berkley house, and let me inform you of our situation. Roland will be there, as well the person who gave us our information. After that, do what you want. We have an opportunity to help others live peaceful lives, and not have to look over their shoulders. I'm sure you're all aware of the disappearances and murders here in the last few years here in Grygla, imagine what it's been like in the big cities. Only two Eximius bases remain, out of the seven we had." Lawrence raised an eyebrow at Sheena, "You asked if we wanted you to be our personal soldiers. No. We aren't soldiers, we are Exceptionals; and we'd like you to fight alongside us. If you don't want to, no-one's making you stay here, you're free to go, and we won't hold it against you. If you want to hear more, we should probably go soon. Lightning, and lightposts turning to dust will definitely attract attention. We can take a special route to Berkley's. First, though..." He turned to Ben the policeman, "I need to know what your powers are policeman, I also need to see your neck please." He lifted his head, revealing his neck and throat, "Most all Exceptionals are able to detect each other in one way or another, that's how Eximius finds them. Neither I, nor my colleagues have detected anything in you. The enemy is capable of manufacturing bastard Exceptionals, that don't give off any signs, by giving them injections through their necks. If you don't have a scar on yours, not another word will be said about it." Ina found herself rubbing the back of her neck, unconsciously feeling for any inconsistencies. She was about to ask why Lawrence hadn't asked the rest of them to show their necks, when she remembered the strange feeling she'd gotten the first time she'd met Liriope. She had felt a similar feeling for all the others present, except for...
Ben: Influence, a Mitigating Factor He turned to Ben the policeman, "I need to know what your powers are policeman, I also need to see your neck please." He lifted his head, revealing his neck and throat, "Most all Exceptionals are able to detect each other in one way or another, that's how Eximius finds them. Neither I, nor my colleagues have detected anything in you. Ben unbuttoned the collar of his uniform shirt, rolling the collar under to reveal his neck. "I knew the magic trick comment would come back to bit me in the ass. No offense." He said with a rueful grin. "But sometimes with Camille, it takes superhuman patience to deal with her. She's tempermental and high strung. Sometimes she's hard to understand, but for whatever the reason, she listens to me. I know it's not what you call Exceptional, but for me...Well, it is kind of like a superpower. There is no one else in the world who has been able to do that with her." Having proved he was no bastard creation, Ben rebuttoned his shirt. He face was now somber and stern. "She needs me." He stated bluntly. "And I need her as much as the air I breathe." There was a hint of latent rage, not untouched by fear in his dark eyes. "Camille wouldn't even be here right now if I hadn't checked on her this afternoon. She thinks she knows her limits, but when she's running on emotion those lines are blurred, taking her down hard and fast." "She has too much heart for so small a package. All courage, fire, and foolishness. She doesn't want for brains, but she doesn't have the common sense God gave a radish." Ben said with brutal honesty. "If there is any chance in hell of getting her out from under this threat you can bet dollars to doughnuts, I will help you. I know Grygla and its folks better than just about anyone. People around here trust me, including Camille." Having said his piece, he drew Camille to her feet and whistled for Radish, who he quickly stashed back inside the Grammar Hammer. Reaching the Jetta he called over to the others. "I have room in the backseat for three more people."
Liriope Liriope almost started snoring as Ben raved on and on about Camille. Gawd, the way he talked he had some kind of creepy werewolf imprint on her, or something. Finally, Ben's mile-long story came to a end. "I have room in the backseat for three more people." "Oh, no, no no", Liriope burst out before he could stop himself. Being trapped in a car with Ben and Camille felt like a nightmare come true. "Er...I mean...no thanks, dude." He looked around real quick and saw a fresh ride. "That's one super rad motorcycle...just give me a sec." It was across the street by the hotel. Liriope jaunted across to the sleek black motorcycle that was parked by the curb. He placed his hand on the key ignition and there was a blue flash, the he kicked. The engine gunned and roared, and the whole vehicle vibrated. "I can have one more passenger", Liriope called to the others.
Eva, being scientifically scientific Doctor Albrite listened and watched in silence, determined to maintain her tactical advantage, as she jotted page after page of notes in her head. She knew their abilities. They didn't know hers. She kept a mental dossier on each member, their abilities and temperament, and methodically calculated their effectiveness, individually and as a whole. 'Teleportation makes Shyla an ideal infiltrator, but the chronic seizures make her... unreliable,' Eva thought. 'Level-headed, thoughtful, not prone to unexpected behavior. Individual effectiveness: moderate. May need to discuss what medication she is taking for her seizures, if any. This could potentially boost her usefuless to the team...' 'But her connection to the widow is... problematic. That woman is dangerous, unpredictable. Must be watched closely. Poses a threat to herself and others,' Eva decided. 'She is useless to us until her trust or cooperation is gained. Shyla seems to be working on that. I may also pursue this route... but convincing her to leave is also a possiblity. Perhaps I should err on the side of caution...' 'And then there's Teddy... an unknown,' Eva thought, folding her arms. 'Charismatic. Masks his feelings well, which makes him a wild card. I've known him for years, but don't really know anything at all. His power makes him incredibly dangerous, especially to me. The lights... damn him.' Her glasses slipped 22.674 millimeters down her nose as her brows furrowed in frustration. 'Further observation required.' 'Liriope? Useless, though his ability has great potential and his level of control is higher than most. Could potentially be of value if he could take anything seriously,' her mind wandered for a moment, before coming to a decision. 'I am tempted to give this one further attention and mold him into something of value... though he might misinterpret my affections. Is he homosexual or bi? Hmmm... this requires further observation...' Her attention slowly shifted to the muscular one, whose eyes had gone gold on more than one occasion. 'Hmm... Obvious rage issues, possibly schizophrenic. Appears to be highly protective of others, which is a plus in a group setting. But that mind control...' she paused, to reconsider. 'Dangerous... but can only be used on a single target. If it comes to that, he's nothing Gehenna and I can't handle. Overall effectiveness: unknown. He must master his own demons before I can turn him loose on our enemies.' 'The girls, I like,' Eva thought, resisting the urge to smile as she watched Ina and Baley. 'Wise beyond their years. The farm girl fears her power. This is good, lest hubris be the death of us all. Someday she’ll have to embrace it, in the name of progress… but these things take time. As for the other girl… she’s done plenty of 'embracing' of her own. Makes me wonder what else she’s hiding in that pocket dimension.... More mallets? A small fortune? A few dead bodies? She exhibits a distinct lack of parental supervision. Reminds me of myself at that age.’ Eva finished musing just as Ben finished stating his case and Liriope balked at the idea of riding in a car with the redhead and the cop. For once, Eva nearly agreed with him. ’Camille Perrie.. problematic,’ the doctor concluded. ‘If Hanson can’t keep her in line, I’ll be forced to step in… and that won’t be pleasant for any of us.’ As the motorcycle roared to life, the doctor turned toward her own car, while thinking of one final person of interest:. ‘Lawrence… he has the most to gain if this group trusts him... and the most to lose if they turn on him,’ Eva thought. ‘This 'Eximius' sounds like a failing organization. Having lost five of their seven bases, if they were a company I would not buy stock. However… hostile takeover? No, of course not, but I look forward to seeing how this organization is run... and why it is being run into the ground. I owe it to myself and every Exceptional to turn this company around.’ She paused, took one more look at the ragtag group she was stuck with, and sighed. ’God help us…’ “I have room for four. The front seat is first come, first serve -- no squabbling,” she declared, gesturing to the silver Audi as the doors unlocked and the interior lit up at the push of a button on her keyring.
Camille: Blind Eye "I can have one more passenger", Liriope called to the others. Camille glanced over at Liriope from the open passenger door. "Do you do anything that doesn't border on stalking and grand theft auto?" She asked. Ben opened his mouth to say something, but Camille shushed him. "You're on vacation, Hanson. So, shut up. You knew going into this, things were going to get messy. Well meet the first mess." "But I thought we were trying to avoid notice." Ben protested. Camille dropped her head into her hands. "Baley disintegrated a streetlight, Teddy is saving the city a ton on its electric bill and I just watered the greater downtown area. We aren't exactly flying under the radar here. One missing motorcycle isn't going to raise to many eyebrows. It will just be attributed to the crime wave." Ben dropped into his seat, fuming. "You really are a brat some days, Camille. I hope you know that." "You also know I'm right." She said. "Besides do you want to be stuck in this car with Liriope for any amount of time?" Ben shook his head. "That guy gives me the willies." "And what I can do, doesn't?" She asked, slightly bewildered. Ben shrugged. "It's a part of who you are, Camille. I know you. I don't know, nor do I care to know, what was his name...Liriope."
Baley Warsaw As long as it took the police officer to tell his tale, it took Baley to slip on her gloves. Using the tip of her boot, she nudged the gloves in front of her and got them into her lap. She couldn't risk losing them as well; not until her hands were safely out of the carbon dioxide would she be fine. Biting her tongue in concentration, she eased her right hand inside. She found the process similar to the game Operation she'd once played at a friend's house, touch only the inside not the outside. Finally she finished the routine and took a deep breath as she lifted herself from the curb. The throbbing pain lingered, but she managed. Crossing her arms, Baley stood watching everyone sort out vehicle arrangements. Liriope had found himself some sort of bike that roared like the average vehicle. But it looked like a deathtrap, so she didn't get a hankering to go with him. She decided to wait. Her boredom soon drifted to the bug still on the pavement, now several inches away from where Camille had first put it. Slowly, she walked over and let the June bug crawl onto her finger. "Don't ya worry little guy, I'm no killer," Baley whispered. As she watched it stumble on its tiny legs, the nagging temptation was brought again to the forefront of her mind. What if...? Nah, not worth tryin'. Shaking her head, she gently set the bug back on the ground and swung her knapsack over her shoulder. "Ya'll are bein' generous with all the rides and whatnot, but I can't help wonderin'..." Baley said to the group as her eyes shifted briefly to the bald man. "Are we gonna be out all night?"
"Do you do anything that doesn't border on stalking and grand theft auto?" "I'm trying to avoid sitting in a car with you, a future psychomaniac", Liriope said dryly, "and Ben, a stuffy, babbling cop. No offense, but you go on and on about that girl, like she's a earthbound goddess--it's annoying to the max. I don't know whether to call it creepy, or what. And I don't stalk people, I'm too lazy for that." "...I don't know, nor do I care to know, what was his name...Liriope." Liriope guffawed, clutching his sides. "'I don't care to know him!' Classic!", he mocked. "Listen pig, I don't need any feds in my social circle, so you ain't got a thing to worry about. Ha!" He shook his head, still smiling. Oh wow, Ben and Camille are made or each other, he thought, wiping away an imaginary tear.
Ben: Common Ground "Listen pig, I don't need any feds in my social circle, so you ain't got a thing to worry about. Ha!" He shook his head, still smiling. Ben ignored the sneer at his profession and laughed. "You stay away from me, I'll avoid you. Something we can agree on. Don't let it be said we have no common ground." He slammed the car door and started the engine. Camille fastened her seat belt.
Eva, the mediator "You-" she turned her attention to Liriope, who was doing his best impersonation of a motorcycle-riding 'badass.' "Stop bickering with them. You're making enough noise as it is, sitting on that... thing," she frowned at his choice of transportation. "FYI, Ben's a bicycle cop. The mailman is more of a 'fed' than he is." Eva strolled back toward the group, slowly shaking her head as she went, and trying to clear all thoughts of Liriope from her mind as she approached the milk girl. "Baley, if it comes to that, I'll explain things to your parents," Eva said, with what almost accounted to a smile. "I doubt they'll like it either way, but better I take the heat than you. How does that sound? Or, you could call them now," she added, offering her cell phone.
Liriope As Ben talked back, Liriope revved the mortocycle so that the roaring engine would cover up his words. "Can't hear ya, sorry, dude!", he called over the noise, smiling fiercely. Why does a cop need to come along, anyway? He's just gonna get in the way, and if it comes to a fight, he'll probably be taken as a hostage... Liriope decide to bring up his concerns later, but he had to admit, at least with the cop there someone could hold Camille's leash. Then Eva started yelling at him. "Stop bickering with them. You're making enough noise as it is, sitting on that... thing," she frowned at his choice of transportation. "FYI, Ben's a bicycle cop. The mailman is more of a 'fed' than he is." "No prob, Miss Eva!" Liriope sat rail-straight and gave her a military salute, a serious expression on his face. Despite his foolery, he probably respect Evangeline the most out of everyone. The fact that she kind of scared him a bit was also a factor. "Are we gonna be out all night?" Liriope turned his attention to Baley. "I hope not", he replied. "I can't miss my late night crime shows. I just got into The Mentalist last night. Did you know Robin Tunney was also the main character in The Craft movie? She hasn't aged a day." A boyish grin split Liriope's face. "Baley, if you're so worried about getting home nefore nighttime, I promise I'll make it happen. But I don't think you should worry..." He looked around at the empty streets. "It looks like someone put the whole town to sleep."
Camille: Droll "FYI, Ben's a bicycle cop. The mailman is more of a 'fed' than he is." Camille burst out laughing at the Doc's observation. Who knew Doc Albrite had a sense of humor? Ben slouched down in his seat, his male pride considerably dented. "The mail man?" A tide of merriment drifted from the passenger seat. "Stow it, Camille." Camille continued burbling with laughter. "I'm sorry, Ben...But, she's right...You are too good hearted and honest. Mr. McCreedy on the other hand, he has that harsh 'fed' edge from all those Minnesota winters. One look is enough to make you think twice about skimping on postage."
Baley Warsaw "Baley, if it comes to that, I'll explain things to your parents," Eva said, with what almost accounted to a smile. "I doubt they'll like it either way, but better I take the heat than you. How does that sound? Or, you could call them now," she added, offering her cell phone. Baley returned the smile, hoping with all her heart her embarrassment didn't show. "Thanks, Miss Eva, but we...don't do phones. Well, we got one, but it's not used unless there's an emergency. Actually hasn't rung since it was installed, so if I called that would probably give my Ma a heart attack. Then you'd have more than just me on your hands." Despite, the less-than-funny joke, she laughed. "I'll just have to suffer the consequences later." She pointed a gloved finger at the shiny silver vehicle, better looking than any she'd seen on the streets earlier. Maybe if it looked nice, it would be safer. "I'll take the front seat, if ya don't mind." Baley said casually, but her excitement was still prominent as she took a step nearer to the car. "Baley, if you're so worried about getting home nefore nighttime, I promise I'll make it happen. But I don't think you should worry..." He looked around at the empty streets. "It looks like someone put the whole town to sleep." At the sound of Liriope's voice she looked over her shoulder. "You're right. I think I'll be fine...for now." Just hope my family don't send a search party of cattle after me, she thought.
Shyla “I have room for four. The front seat is first come, first serve -- no squabbling,” Eva declared. "I'll take the front seat, if ya don't mind." Baley said casually. Shyla grumbled inwardly. She was going to call the front seat, but she didn't argue and jumped in back seat of Eva's car. She liked Camille and all but she wanted to learn about this new person, Baley. Shy buckled up and leaned forward so she could talk to the strange country girl. Her blue highlight accentuating her smile. "So, Baley right? I'm Shyla but you can call me Shy. That's a cool ability you've got. Sorry it hurts you."
Eva, feeling old again "Thanks, Miss Eva, but we...don't do phones," Baley said. "Well, we got one, but it's not used unless there's an emergency. Actually hasn't rung since it was installed, so if I called that would probably give my Ma a heart attack. Then you'd have more than just me on your hands. I'll just have to suffer the consequences later." "Well... okay then," Eva said, trying to conceal her puzzlement. Of course it's not ringing. No one has your number, she thought as Baley looked toward the car. "I'll take the front seat, if ya don't mind," Baley added casually, pointing at the high-tech, newfangled auto-mobile, as if it were a spaceship. "Perfect," Eva said and led her to the car, after a few more words from Liriope. "Don't mind the buttons," she said, holding the door open for the girl, "most of them don't do anything." She could still remember the days when cars were hand-cranked, so the idea of having air conditioning and heated leather seats and power windows and safety alarms and seatbelts and airbags such was still a little... odd to her. Still, she went all out when she bought the Audi a few years ago. She didn't need any of that stuff, but... when in Rome. This is 2013! Get with the times. Besides, she liked the moon roof. Suddenly, Shyla bounced into the backseat. Eva hid her disappointent as she headed around to the driver's side. If the Anderson girl is coming, the widow can't be far behind, she thought, as she tried to formulate a plan for dealing with being in an enclosed space with that woman behind her back. She thought for sure Shyla would go with Camille. Then again, this could be an opportunity to help the woman and gain an ally...
Camille: Loaded Questions Camille studied the remaining Exceptionals. Ina, the girl with the drippy eye, who could pull things out of thin air, the other guy from the hotel...Gabe, she thought she heard him called. She had no idea what his power was, but it looked even more painful than Baley's. Teddy was still hovering near the edge of the group. Sheena, the black widow. And Lawrence, the man of glass. "This could be an interesting trip." She said as Ben turned on stereo. Vanessa Carlton's album Rabbits on the Run drifted through the speakers from his iPod. Camille smiled. "I didn't peg you for a Carlton fan. Airborne Toxic, Greenday, Bowling for Soup, Everclear, R.E.M....Those I know you like." Ben returned her smile, pulling out of his slouch. "She has her moments. I listen to her when I can't sleep." "You still have the insomnia?" He nodded. "The nightmares, too. I don't know why." "Have you told anyone about it?" "Only you, Cam." Ben replied, frustrated. "What do you think the department shrink would say if I told him about the dreams? He would write me off as a whack job. I'd be off the force." "In all honesty, would that be such a bad thing?" Camille asked, her tone soft.
Ina Holt Ina frowned. She had wanted to ride with Baley, but she didn't want to ride with that Eva woman. There was something off about her, and the look she gave them was concerningly deep, and calculating. She made Ina uncomfortable, almost as much as Lawrence did. She'd been thinking about what he'd said about feeling an Exceptional's presence. Why hadn't she, or apparently anyone else, noticed him; even though he'd been standing right in the middle of the lot of them? Her mind turned back toward the ride situation. Was there a way she wouldn't have to ride squeezed together with others in a car? She wasn't quite claustrophobic, but the thought made her uncomfortable. "Who are you riding with?" She asked Lawrence, trying to maintain a frown on her face, "I see no-one's invited you." "I said there was a special route, didn't I?" Lawrence said, "I'm not riding with anyone. The roads around these parts give me awful motion sickness." "Poor you," Ina said, curious despite herself, "Uh, we wouldn't have to take a car, would we?" "No." Lawrence said, not looking at her. He was staring at Eva. Slowly, he pulled his gaze away, and lifted an eyebrow at Ina. "Ready to go?" "N-no..." Ina said, "I don't want to go with you by myself."
Liriope Liriope overheard Ina and Lawrence's conversation. "Hey, dudes", he called. "Ina, you could hop on the back of my ride. You don't have to go with him if you don't want." Liriope didn't have an opinion of Lawrence, but he didn't like the idea of sending off a little girl with a complete stranger. "Are you scared of motorcycles?", Liriope asked.
Sheena sat beside Shyla quiet casually glaring at the glass man. She wanted to leave, and she would of. But an empty town was almost too good to be true and if anything, her staying in the town would put her life in danger. So she went with them begrudgingly. Unlike everyone else she new about the existence of other exceptions, she even knew a bit of the strange man organization. He late husband studied exceptionals extensively. Indeed she actually knew more about what was going on then all of these people. "This can't end well." She mumbled, then she realized something, she was now sitting dangerously close to people. "Eva, make sure we have some ac it is important that I don't sweat and or breath on others at while sitting this close, some ac and windows would be nice."
