Camille: Sprinklers All across the town center sprinklers went off as the sun dipped low on the horizon. From the little walled garden seating area of the Java Speak to the lush swaths of lawn leading up to the Grammar Hammer. As if synchronized, the sprinklers responsible for the verdant blankets of lawn flanking the numerous B&Bs also went off. The old fountain in the pocket of a park sputtered to life, gushing and gurgling like a happy torrent. The smell of cold water against sun warmed pavement filled the air. Ben bit back a curse as water poured down between the leaves of his bush. Radish buried his soaked head in Ben's lap and whined. "I know." Ben muttered to the dog. "She needs to be soundly paddled for that stunt." Ben shot a furious glare up at Camille, whose bright head was almost impossible to miss among the deep green leaves. She merely grinned back and clammered higher as one of the window guys approached her tree calling, "Hello?" As soon as he neared the base of the tree the sprinklers surrounding the old maple triggered, flooding the air with a rush of cool mist and shifting rainbows. Camille bit back an impish giggle and ducked between the leaves. Her knees began to seep, ever so slightly.
Alan Alan finally got tired of laying restlessly in the bed, and got up. He paced around the room for a minute, then picked up the note and looked at it again. No more games. Town Center. Sundown. That hadn't been there a few minutes ago, what the hell was going on here, Alan wondered. The sun was just sinking outside, and he pulled on his work boots and headed out his room and down the steps. "Have a good evening dear, try and stay out of trouble!" Martha called as he passed. "Thanks!" he replied, then headed outside, and towards the town center.
Had they finally found her? The messages that somehow appeared in her journal, where did they come from and by who, what did they want. No more games, town center, sundown "Oh yes, because following the advice of some sort of stalker is exactly what I'm going to do." Sheenas scoffed as she packed food water, and weapons. Hallowed knife, hallowed darts, and several other sharp implements went into her bag. She had been chased before, it ended up in several FBI agents dead and missing, her power was dangerous on its own, and doubly so when she was using it on purpose. "I don't know who you are or what you want, but I just want to be left alone." She held up a butcher knife staring at her tired reflection. "Whoever I find at that tower, is going to answer to me." she said coldly and with malice in her voice. and with that she set off dressed in black clothing.
Camille: Waiting Game The misty sprays of sprinkler water leapt higher into the air, casting soaking rainbows across the sidewalks. The baked pavements and dusty ground swallowed the sudden surplus of moisture like a sieve. A few stars peeked out as the summer sky slowly surrendered to night's hold. Camille's eyes glimmered in the darkness, a bright golden light rimming the cobalt blue. If anyone had seen her, she now more closely resembled some wayward sprite than an actual human with her glowing eyes and bright hair. From her vantage point, she identified the Doc's car. If Albrite was here, it meant Mr. Herrings was all right. The door of the hoarder woman's house opened, its owner emerging for the second time in as many hours. Further down the block, the front door of Martha's inn opened, revealing the roast beef guy stepping out into the ever deepening gloom. Off to the east the edge of a nearly full moon shone, huge and coppery red just above the horizon. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was a silent, almost primal world balanced on the brink. Camille's heart thundered in her chest as her tension began to mount. The back of her neck itched and it had nothing to do with mosquitoes or bats, both of which, had begun to put in appearances. The group that had emerged from the window of the motel seemed edgy. The sprinklers continued with their hissing cadence. Water fell in waves only to mingle with gathering dew. A deep, silver shimmer hung across the grass, unmarred by a single footprint. Muffled music drubbed from a side street. The Lucky Clover, seemed to be doing a brisk trade.
Teddy Jones Teddy stepped out of the bar, only to be greeted by the blustery wind skipping along the edges of the curb. Loose trash jingled together in a haunting echo across the tarmac, and the evening black merged with the treeline towards the edge of town. Nothing would dare move in Ted’s gaze down the road, save for a single, lonely street lamp, flickering while its cousins slept. “Where... is everyone?” He muttered to himself, clenching the collars of his overalls tight. It had been the same in the bar; the lights were on, but nobody was home. Dread coursed down Ted’s spine like a cold bead of sweat snaking over every vertebrae. The only warmth he could find came from his pocket. Came from the note. No more games, town center, sundown. The words came uneasy, tying a knot in the mechanic’s stomach as the ink danced teasingly along the paper. His mind screamed trap, but his heart scratched for answers. The games were indeed over, and Teddy would not enter the fray unprepared. The crumpled paper dived back into it’s pocket home. And the Exceptional turned back to The Lucky Clover. “Hiding’s no longer an option.” Every light in the bar began to flutter and shake, their connected pulse flooding to Teddy. They burst, crackled and fizzed as his outstretched, fleshy conductors gleamed golden, and his eyes shone coolly like a blue moon. Soon enough the bar blackout was complete and the pale skinned wrench turner now stood supercharged. And then the sprinklers came on. Like a crescendo they bolted into the air, one after the other, pouring towards Teddy. He froze, the shear panic slapped across his face. Whoosh. The inverted waterfalls marched onwards, closer and closer. “Err...I... I think I’ll take the scenic route.” The humour did little to reassure himself, and with a quick turn he faced more water heading towards him. With one final burst, a sprinkler just outside of The Lucky Clover misted the dry pavement, where Teddy had stood not five seconds before.
Gabreil Reeve "I don't see anything but -yahh!" Gabreil jumped as the sprinklers went off, backing away to the others as his eyes quickly went back to crystalline blue. He looked down at his shirt in disgust, which was now clinging to his torso -easilly worthy of swooning over. "Can this day get any more hectic?" he mumbled, swiping water out of his eyes.
Baley Warsaw "I don't see anything but -yahh!" When Baley saw Gabe's reaction, her gritty laugh echoed throughout the deserted road. She hadn't laughed so hard since the time her younger sister got scared by her own shadow, but this...this was way funnier. Baley held her sides just as a burst of water slapped her in the face. Laughter disappeared into surprised squeals. Quickly, she brought up her hood and shoved her hands into her kangaroo pocket to not get her gloves wet. Underneath her hood Baley's ash blonde hair fell in damp strands over her shoulders. "Do sprinklers usually go off at this time?" she asked. She'd never stayed in town long enough to know. "Sure is...weird."
Camille: Rhythms Underneath her hood Baley's ash blonde hair fell in damp strands over her shoulders. "Do sprinklers usually go off at this time?" she asked. She'd never stayed in town long enough to know. "Sure is...weird." Camille's eyes flashed with molten blue fire as the sun disappeared below the horizon. All across the town square the sprinklers had triggered. There were a few on timers, but for the most part they answered to Camille's mere presence. She felt the throb of each droplet as it fell, painting a minutely detailed picture in the fading light. Heartbeats drubbed in her ears. A dozen different patterns...Yet there were more coming, closing in... Deeply and evenly, she forced herself to breath, slowing her own pulse, which allowed her to focus. The leaves whispered in the night wind, their voices filled with curiosity and dread. "The knife's blade..." She murmured. "So it comes at last." Elemental and possessed of a delicate balance between chaos and power, she waited. Many people, including those of her own family had wondered what she done during her year of study abroad. It was something she had spoken of to no one, not even Ben. That had been the year she had finally chosen to confront her demons, to seek help for a condition she feared and hated. It had been a hard road to hoe, the lessons long and bitter. She had learned her limits, pressed beyond them...Stretched her abilities until she was on the point of total collapse, but always he had pulled her back from the brink. Restlessly she shifted her shoulders, acutely aware of her surgically implanted central lines. They were a large part of why she was even still alive. Her power came at a price, which made control essential. The Preweitt mess was a result of a loss of control, a spurt of furious temper gone awry. The sprinklers continued their fluid refrain...
Meeting again Shyla appeared on the site as the streets of the town seemed empty. But not completely, behind her stalking the shadows was Sheena. Sheena couldn't quite make out who the girl was. As the girl reached the place of the gathering she felt a sudden nick of cold steel against her throat. "Who are you and what do want from me?" A voice behind her sounded stern and cold. "Talk!" Shyla stiffened as raised her hands in surrender. As much as she was tempted to teleport away, she didn't. It wouldn't have done much good considering whoever had the knife to her throat was touching her. The person would just teleport with her then probably slit her throat reflexively. When her heart slowed as she realized she recognized the voice. But from where? "I just got a note...it said, "No more games, Town Center at sunset or something like that. I was curious so I came over here to check it out. Guess what they say about curiosity killing the cat is true...huh?" Shyla chuckled nervously. "You know nothing then? Don't lie to me!" Sheens snapped her hand trembling some what. "Don't you people get it? I just want to be left alone!" "I have no idea what you're talking about!" Shyla exclaimed. This woman is nuts. Wait a minute, her voice...I do know it. "Wait a sec, you're the lady I saved this morning right? You thought I was some guy...then you destroyed my phone! You still owe me for that you know...and you can start by putting the knife away. Please..." Sheena went silent for a moment, then her other arm came up, in her hand was a brand new phone. "So it's you, in truth I did get you a new one when I went to the market earlier." Sheena put her knife down her arm with the phone still outstreched. "S-sorry, but I couldn't have the police tracking your old phones signal back to my home, so I had no choice but to destroy it." Sheena's voice had grown soft and apologetic, all the while she kept her head down not looking directly at Shyla as if she was talking to the girls shoes. Then Sheena went quiet still holding out the phone to her, eye's now looking off to the side. The definition of socialy awkward. Shy took a step back and rubbed her neck before cautiously reaching for the phone. "Uh, thanks. I guess." She looked down at the phone in her hand then back up at the strange woman. She cleared her throat while shifting from one foot to the other uncomfortably. Finally she stuck out a hand, "So, I'm Shyla." Sheena didn't answer, she looked slightly uncomfortable, a minute of awkwardness passed when suddenly Sheena blurted. "Why did you save me!?" She looked straight into her eye's then looked back down quickly slightly embaressed. "I mean...you don't even know me." She mumbled. "Well, I couldn't just stand there and watch you kill yourself. I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I'd just stood there and done nothing." Shyla tried to make eye contact but the woman was looking down again. "Why...why were you trying to...um...kill yourself?" "It's a long sad story one I cannot share." Sheena stared at her hands, thinking to herself. "In short, I am a danger to everyone and everything, what use am I? If I can only harm, then I would be better off dead. You shouldn't of stopped me, I wanted to go, why did you stop me. Now I can't drum up the courage to do it again, now I am truly trapped." "You're not trapped. You just need to find something to live for. Find a way to help people. There are tons of ways." Shyla thought for a moment. "So If you're here...then that means you got the note too right? A bunch of people in town got one too...I thought at first it was a prank...but words don't just randomly appear on a page." Sheena nodded, "I am worried that this may be a trap, perhaps, you should stay back Shyla. I don't mind if I die, but you shouldn't put yourself at risk for a note." Sheena still hadn't lifted her gaze even as she walked past the girl. "My name is Sheena." "Don't worry. I can handle myself if things get dangerous." Shyla replied. "I came to figure out what was going on...and there's no way I'm leaving till I find the answer." "Fine, but stay behind me, I, I know how to fight." Sheena responded unsheathing a dagger
Eva, taking charge The group further down the road seemed to think this was all in good fun. Some of them even laughed, as if a little water was all they had to fear. The magical slide had vanished, but they still seemed to think this town was their playground and took great pleasure in their unique gifts and the freedoms it afforded them. They feared nothing. Didn’t they get the memo? Playtime is over, children, Eva thought, watching the bumbling teenagers like a hawk, even as the streams of water trickled down her windshield from the activated sprinklers. She had no doubt this was Camille’s doing. The little redheaded imp was probably quite pleased with herself right now. Two more people emerged from a side street. One was Shyla --her blue streak stood out like a night light-- but Eva didn’t recognize the woman she was following. They were walking together, a true pair. It’s the shut-in I saw earlier, Eva realized. So, she’s one of us as well? Yes, of course, she wouldn’t come out twice in one day for nothing. Whatever the letter’s purpose, it had succeeded in drawing them all together. People she hardly knew, people she’d never met, and people who weren’t even from this town had all answered its call. But to what end? Satisfied, Eva finally decided to join them. She’d watched from the shadows for long enough. Her heels clicked on the damp pavement as she walked the half block between her car and the gathering of Exceptionals. In one gloved hand, she gripped a black umbrella to shield her from the spray as well as the light of the half-moon. Her other hand was buried inconspicuously in the pocket of her white labcoat, tenderly caressing the loaded pistol hidden there, with its safety off. She strode right up to them and stopped, her pleated skirts swaying gently in the summer air. The black leggings beneath revealed she was fit enough to run or kick someone’s ass -- whichever was necessary. The past 111 years had been good to her. Evangeline paused to drink in the coming night before turning her gaze to a nearby tree, and stared daggers at the tuft of red hair lurking in the branches. Come down from there, Perrie. What are you, 12? With a sigh, she turned her attention to the others. “We’re all here for the same reason,” Eva said. “I have very little tolerance for shenanigans, foolery, and asinine behavior, so let’s cut to the chase. Which of you sent the letters and who do you work for?”
Sheena, not acknowledging Eva taking charge “I have very little tolerance for shenanigans, foolery, and asinine behavior, so let’s cut to the chase. Which of you sent the letters and who do you work for?” Sheena out right ignored her, not out of spite, she just had been talking to strangers way too much lately and she honestly coudn't be bothered to speak to another one, Beside this person seemed rude. So Sheena just looked the other way mumbling.
Camille: Observations The sprinklers began to ratchet even faster, their water arcs climbing even higher as Camille's feet hit the ground. Her eyes glowed with an eerie inner light as she passed through the spray, utterly untouched by the billowing cloaks of water. Even in the deepening gloom, Camille's hair was as bright as hellfire. “We’re all here for the same reason,” Eva said. “I have very little tolerance for shenanigans, foolery, and asinine behavior, so let’s cut to the chase. Which of you sent the letters and who do you work for?” "None of us sent them, we merely received them." Camille said, her sandals squelching on the soaked grass. Pulling her own copy of the note from the pocket of her green and gold sundress, she pointed to the final written line. "I can only assume it was you, who wrote that." Suspicion flashed in Camille's dark blue gaze. "We know nothing more or less than you. And also, please note that you are not my parent, so you have no say over what I will or will not do." Her lips suddenly quirked up at the corners. "If I want to climb trees, then so I shall." The faint half smile faded as quickly as it was born. Surveying the mottled crew gathered, a wave of unease race up her spine. "I don't want to sound paranoid, but something seem off to the rest of you? Take a look around. There are no tourists, no bystanders, no life with the exception of us. We are presenting a rather obvious target." Camille disappeared back into the shrouding silver sprays of water as she spoke. "I don't know about you folks, but there are still too many unknowns in play for me to trust any of you. No offense, but this whole situation is screaming set up."'
Liriope "...No offense, but this whole situation is screaming set up." Liriope shrugged. "'Bout time something happened in this boring little town. Things need a good shaking up, if you ask me." Liriope yawned broadly and casually flicked his fingers. A faint blue shield, barely perceptible in direct sunlight, blocked the sprinkler's wet spray from soaking his person. "I should've taken a long catnap before we left", he mumbled to himself. His laziness was starting to assert itself. "So, lady, what do I call you and what talents do you bring to the table, eh?", Liriope said, grinning sardoncially. He tapped the blue shield over his head with a long finger. "As you can see, I'm pretty good at defending myself, so I'm not worried about anyone setting us up. I'm Liriope Vangeorge." He winked, but his heart wasn't in it. He was getting bored, nothing seemed to be happening. Then he saw Gabriel's soaked through shirt. "Sweet god and Jesus", Liriope breathed, his tongue practically lolling out his mouth.
Evangeline "I don't know about you folks, but there are still too many unknowns in play for me to trust any of you," Camille said, backing away. "No offense, but this whole situation is screaming set up."' "All the more reason to stick together," Doctor Albrite said calmly. The girl was in a feisty mood tonight, but it would take more than stern words to get a rise out of Eva. She had to convince Camille to stay. She knew the girl's limits, her strengths and weaknesses. Trust was born of knowledge and Eva knew almost nothing about these other people. She was about to go after the redhead when one of the others spoke: "So, lady, what do I call you and what talents do you bring to the table, eh?" the lanky one said. He used his power again, confirming that he was, without a doubt, the one who'd conjured the magical slide a few minutes ago. "As you can see, I'm pretty good at defending myself, so I'm not worried about anyone setting us up. I'm Liriope Vangeorge." "Evangeline," she said. "You may address me as 'Eva,' 'Miss Albrite,' 'Doctor Albrite,' or any permutation thereof. My talents are-" "Sweet god and Jesus", Liriope breathed, his tongue practically lolling out his mouth. "-not worth mentioning," Eva concluded. "Anyway, the final message was mine and I'm glad you all came. Someone else wanted us to hide, but I felt it would be better to draw us together. In hiding, we could each be picked off individually. Here, together, we stand a better chance." Lastly, she turned to Camille, whose distrust was palpable: "isn't this what you wanted, Perrie? No more running away? No more hiding?"
Liriope "In hiding, we could each be picked off individually. Here, together, we stand a better chance." Liriope scrunched up his face as if he'd tasted something sour. "That makes sense, I guess...but what if the person's just tryin' to help. Something to think about, eh?" He put a hand on Evangeline's should and gave her his signature smarmy grin. "You strike me as an elusive type, Evahhh..." He stretched out her name, as if tasting it. I wonder if Gabriel is looking?, he thought giddily.
Camille: Tentative Lastly, she turned to Camille, whose distrust was palpable: "isn't this what you wanted, Perrie? No more running away? No more hiding?" Camille, all but invisible in the spray, wrinkled her nose. "My last name might be Perrie, but I answer to Camille, Doc. And yes, I think we should take a stand, but something about this current situation is off. I feel like I've been marked. While we'll probably do better together than apart, we also make an easier target. There are still too many unknowns in play. I will do what I can to help, but don't expect me to present a convenient target. I know I'm new to all of this, but I'm trusting my instincts. And those are screaming at me to proceed with caution. Some of you I know, or thought I knew. Others, I've seen in passing and a couple of you are total strangers. You've had a glimpse of my abilities, and that is more than most people can say. Even my family doesn't know the whole story. Anyone else feel like sharing?"
isn't this what you wanted, Perrie? No more running away? No more hiding?" "Better to hide than to get killed, better to run than to have your life taken." Sheena said quietly. It's only by doing these things do I now breath, although now that I think about it maybe it would have been better to let them end me. Regardless....what now?" Sheens twildled her thumbs looking at the ground, her face was a slight seriouness to it. "If it's a club you want to start I'm not intretsed, tell me what you want so I can leave."
Liriope Liriope glowered at Scheena. He rarely got riled up, but this Scheena person was rubbing him the wrong way. "If you don't want to be here, then go", Liriope said plainly. He rolled his eyes and turned away from her, sneaking sly glances at Gabriel's bod.
Evangeline "That makes sense, I guess... but what if the person's just tryin' to help. Something to think about, eh?" Liriope said, and placed a hand on her shoulder. Eva looked at his ashen mitt as if it were diseased and the warning in her eyes couldn't be clearer. "You strike me as an elusive type, Evahhh..." "I haven't struck you yet," she remarked, swiping his hand off her shoulder and taking a step back. "And my name isn't a toy, so stop playing with it, please." She paused a moment before turning her gaze elsewhere to let him know she was through speaking to him. "If anyone wants to 'help,' they know where to find us. And if anyone wants to hurt or capture us, they'll think twice. Eight gifted individuals, teamed up and ready to defend themselves, isn't my idea of a 'convenient target,' but to each their own." Her composed facade seemed to falter for a moment and something akin to sadness crossed her face. But it was gone as quickly as it'd come and when Eva spoke again her tone was unchanged. She glaced at the reclusive woman. "If any of you want to hide, so be it; there are plenty of trees about. All I want is answers. Whatever we're supposed to be hiding from will come, soon enough. This, I know."
Camille: A Foolish Fear "If any of you want to hide, so be it; there are plenty of trees about. All I want is answers. Whatever we're supposed to be hiding from will come, soon enough. This, I know." Camille stuck out her tongue at Eva's subtle gibe, her gaze fixed on the hoarder widow. "If it's a club you want to start I'm not interested, tell me what you want so I can leave." "If you're so keen to leave, what are you even doing here in the first place?" Camille demanded. "Rumor has it you tried offing yourself this morning. It certainty explains your window." Her shimmery blue gaze flipped back to Eva. "You honestly think we stand a fighting chance in whatever this is? It wasn't all that long ago, people like us were tried and condemned as witches." Self-consciously, she ran a small hand through her close cropped cap of flaming curls. "Several of my grandmother's ancestors were burned at the stake or drowned..." Scuffing the toe of her sandal through the wet grass, she smiled, a little sheepishly. "It is a fate I would like to avoid, if at all possible. Times might be modern, but people are still just as ignorant and superstitious as they ever were."
Evangeline "You honestly think we stand a fighting chance in whatever this is? It wasn't all that long ago, people like us were tried and condemned as witches," Camille retorted. "Several of my grandmother's ancestors were burned at the stake or drowned..." "It is a fate I would like to avoid, if at all possible. Times might be modern, but people are still just as ignorant and superstitious as they ever were." "That's rich coming from someone who paraded her abilities in front of the whole town today," Eva replied. Hell, she was over a century old and could count the number of people who'd seen her 'gifts' on one hand. This girl was barely 25, but and had an entire town of witnesses. It was laughable. "Oh, dear, there's just no reasoning with you, is there?" Eva said wearily. "Where's Ben? You're no more sensible when he's around, but at least he keeps you in check. I find it tiresome."
"Rumor has it you tried to hang yourself this morning. It certainly explains your window." The speed of which Sheena pulled out a sleek black dagger from her coat pocket caught everyone off guard, suddenly the situation had become hostile as the recluse seemed to go from timid and quiet to almost psychotic. She was gave the murderous stare of a predator stalking injured prey, merciless and slightly crazed, the dagger pointed at her chest. No longer staring at the ground Sheena was now looking directly at her. "Why do people insist on provoking me? Tormenting me?" She said in a shaky voice. "There is a reason I keep my self away from people, and it's not because I fear for my safety!" She hissed getting angry, the sudden and dramatic out burst causing some of the others to step back. "Who has been talking about me? Who told you that? answer me!" She said suddenly advancing towards her, teeth gritted, fist clenched, dagger still outstretched.
Camille: Reasoning "Oh, dear, there's just no reasoning with you, is there?" Eva said wearily. "Where's Ben?" Camille's temper flared. "What was I supposed to do? Let the Ixer explode and injure goodness knows how many people? That fire was no accident, the damage would have been catastrophic. It was Exceptional in origin. Believe me when I say I can tell the difference. And keep Ben out of this. He has nothing to do with it." "Who has been talking about me? Who told you that? answer me!" She said suddenly advancing towards her, teeth gritted, fist clenched, dagger still outstretched. Camille disappeared into the distorting mists of the sprinklers. Her voice carried clearly in the still air. "This is a small town. Rumors flow like water. Like a rain drop in the ocean it is almost impossible to trace. Your window was shattered, indicating a serious event. Speculation rises, whispers swirl. The truth distorts. But, it would seem that this time the rumors are true."
Shyla "Who has been talking about me? Who told you that? answer me!" She said suddenly advancing towards Eva, teeth gritted, fist clenched, dagger still out stretched. There was a flash of light and suddenly Shyla was standing between Sheena and her prey. "Calm down, Sheena. Please." She said stretching out her hands. "And Camille, maybe you should stop talking...just for a little bit." Shyla tried to catch Sheena's eye. If she didn't stop advancing forward she had no problem teleporting the angry woman out of there.
Teddy Jones The blinding light traipsed through the alley, with his every step coughing up a cloud of dust. Teddy had pretty much circled the entire town just to avoid a gushing sprinkler or puddle. But he made it, finally. The bell tower stood tall in the middle of four compact streets, each littered with commercial shops on the outside edge. They were dormant now, and only the lights of Martha’s Inn were visible. And Teddy. An odd assortment of people had formed together in front of the hotel, but their stances suggested they weren't a group. And while they stood, subtle as clear day, their words began to reverberate louder. “Who has been talking about me? Who told you that? answer me!” Teddy skulked closer, pressing to the concrete blocks of the bell tower. It didn’t help, considering his skin crackled with gold. The surrounding water had made him nervous, and now cursed himself for charging so much at the bar. “Err.. erm... I” The group barely noticed the squeak. But the lightning may have caught their attention.
