Moments Forever Faded

[Sebastian Bolstad]

The letter had arrived that morning. The letter Sebastian had been anticipating since he had sent his own off to his parents in mid-November. In truth Sebastian had expected a reply much sooner. Yes his parents had been rather... intense when he had been taken away to be brought to Hammel. Hurtful words had been said that had cut into him like knives, but he had understood. His 'ability' made him a freak, something that did not belong in normal society with healthy, happy people. Sebastian had been able to rationalise their hurt and actions.

But... it had been so long now. He was still mostly a good person, so they should have gotten back in touch rather quickly, right? Maybe he wasn't going to turn and become evil like all the others he had heard about. Maybe he wouldn't kill and murder and flatten entire buildings. Maybe he would be able to live a normal, happy life. Sure maybe a few months was a bit too early to tell, but... besides eating a few naughty things and using the typewriter he was still good, right? Surely if he was going to go off the edge, he'd have at least started to step towards it by now.

His parents quite clearly disagreed.

Sebastian had gone to the library to try to distract himself, to stop himself re-reading the damning letter over and over and over again. Any hope he had held of going back home was gone. The people here said this curse would never leave him, and his parents said they would never take him back while he was still an abomination. He was stuck here until he graduated, but then... what? He had no money to buy a place, no other family to turn to, no real hopes or prospects... and he couldn't go home again.

Blue eyes stared blindly at the pages of the book as Sebastian methodically flipped them over. One by one the pages passed by unread, the young teenager too wrapped up in his pain to be able to focus on them. He would never be able to go home. He would never see his house again, the room where he grew up, the garden he used to play in. And he would likely never see his parents again.

A hand reached up, quickly brushing away the tears once more welling in his eyes, and delicate fingers tucked an unbrushed strand of long blonde hair behind his ear.

[Appoline Meian]

Appoline was not a confrontational person. She wasn't even much of an outgoing person, and to say that she started conversations regularly was practically an outright lie. But there were times when the small, shy girl would open up to someone because she felt that it was right. That she might be some sort of comfort if a person was down even further than herself. It was one of the few good qualities she had, and her empathy towards others ran deep.

After all, she was more of a freak than most of the people here, wasn't she?

So it was that when she returned a book to a shelf in a not-oft used portion of the library, the sound of flicking pages drew her attention. Dual toned eyes of blue and brown saw the curled form and white-blonde hair, then caught notice of the glistening that was hurriedly wiped away by one hand. The Japanese youth didn't know this boy, but... clearly he was upset. Maybe... he needed to talk to someone.

Moving closer, quietly, the tiny girl held out her hand, hesitated, then placed the small pale fingers lightly against the boy's shoulder. "E-excuse me?" she murmured, her fingers jumping away at any sign of reaction. "Would you... um, a-are you all right?"

Clearly he wasn't, but she didn't want to intrude if this was a private moment. But, if her being there had worked for Cam, maybe it could work for someone else.

[Adaryn Breslin]

The library was a safe haven as of late, it seemed. Books were always written one way, never changing. Images formed, and Adaryn could live the life of someone different. She was able to get away from the horrors of her own life. If she wanted to choose to live in a book where family was everything, she could. And that was exactly what she did, mainly to get away from the pain that ensued with her parent's recent act of abandonment. But instead of temporary, like sending her to the dorms in Hammel instead of living at home was, it was permanent. Her parents were the state of Vermont now. Her stomach twisted at the thought.

Adaryn had already explored so much of the library and its inventory already, so she started moving into the far corners. Some of the books found there were older than her parents, which was astonishing to say the least. The sheer fact that they had these types of books, namely about meta-humans, in stock was sort of encouraging. It meant that for years people were different, and for years, these people still continued to live. She rested her right arm on her midsection.

The further she went into the library, the more a sense of depression and longing started to hit her. At that point, Adaryn should have left right then, but Vincent had taught her plenty about mental shielding. She'd take herself to the depression, and then shield so it wouldn't overwhelm her again. Anybody who could made the inside of her stomach flip from such a distance was obviously in need of /someone/. But when she reached the individual, familiar blonde locks greeted her.

Is that Sebastian?

A girl was greeting him nervously. That much was evident at the sort of light, yellow-green that wrapped around her. Should she walk up? Or should she just leave them be? The second was not an option at this point. Sebastian was Monroe's friend, and despite the fact that she was mad at him, if he found out she left him alone in the state of depression he was in and something happened, Monroe probably would be devastated.

Instead, she started browsing the books nearby until she felt she could approach him without scaring the him and the girl off.

[Sebastian Bolstad]

The written words had cut like knives, and Sebastian would never before have been able to believe just how quickly he could go from quiet anticipation to flat-out misery and heartbreak. In truth he hadn't expected the letter to be full of kisses and hugs and loving praise, but... in all his worst nightmares it could never have been so awful. It wasn't simply abandonment; it was a flat out rejection. Quiet clearly as far as his parents were concerned, Sebastian was no longer a part of their lives, nor would he ever be again.

The truth of that settling in was as terrifying as it was agonising. He belonged to the government now, and he had grown up surrounded by horror stories of what happened to children who got sent away from their parents. Likely once he had graduated from Hammel he would become homeless; he had no work prospects and his upbringing had hardly prepared him for life in the world. His future was a wreck waiting to happen even if he did somehow manage to stay good.

A touch on his shoulder tore Sebastian away from his internal wallowing, and he blinked at the girl for a few moments before wiping his eyes with the heel of his hands. He saw absolutely no point in lying to her. “No... No, I am very much not all right.” Blue eyes were heavy with unfallen tears, and he gently closed the reference book that was resting on the desk. “I'm sorry, am I in the way of something? I didn't mean to disturb you.”

[Appoline Meian]

"N-no, not at all," Appoline stammered back, pale cheeks flushing slightly as she pulled her hand back to her chest and twisted it with its counterpart. "I... you just looked, um... like you could... L-like you need s-someone to talk to." The tears that shone so brightly in the blonde's beautiful blue eyes gave truth to her statement. Sebastian looked miserable, and even though it was none of her business the Japanese girl would have felt wrong just letting him sit there and wallow.

One benefit of living with her parents was that the small girl had heard stories growing up about the strength people could have even when there was no ground to stand on. No background to claim, no parents to support you, no past that could help you prepare for the future. Now, given that, Appoline fully believed her parents to be amazing people for this, even if she resented the fact that she'd always be in their shadows despite their love. But those lessons, those stories - those could help. Maybe.

"I, um... I-I wouldn't mind listening, if-f you... w-well..." Blue-brown eyes darted to the floor, and black hair shaded the petite face as her chin ducked shyly. "If... you w-want to t-talk."

[Sebastian Bolstad]

Sebastian was at a complete loss for what to think. He kept flitting between terror, agony and heartbreak, and yet deep down there was a part of him that kept saying he should not be surprised. His parents had been disgusted when he had been taken away; why would the months since then have made anything any better? It didn't lessen the pain, not at all. It just made him feel stupid for having thought maybe things could have changed, that maybe they could have rethought their harsh words. Stupid, stupid stupid. Why had he not seen this coming? He could have avoided the letter then and carried on in ignorance.

Blue eyes looked over to the pretty Japanese girl and he managed to force a small, faint smile to curl the corners of his lips. “You are very kind, thank you.” Sebastian shuffled around the table slightly, making sure there was plenty of space should she chose to sit down. He was, however, quick to clarify. “Whilst I would much appreciate your company, please do not feel compelled to talk to me if you do not really wish to.”

The truth was that Sebastian did want to talk, but he had no idea what he could say. He wanted to shout and cry and let all the pain flow out, but likely the girl would think he was mad and, despite all they had done, Sebastian did not wish to speak ill of his family. “I fear I may not be the best of company right now, and I would not hold it against you should you wish to go.”

[Adaryn Breslin]

The girl was stumbling over her words, nervous as could be, while Sebastian's frustration and depression was becoming very powerful, which was something Addie couldn't deal with. Adaryn had been taught well by Vincent, being able to actually put up a mental shield and still be able to distinguish emotions now. The brunette noticed if it got any worse, there could be fear of the depression consuming the boy, and that never ended well. Adaryn should know, she had to deal with it on a daily basis.

The boy's words were sullen, though they tried so hard to push away. Addie wondered if that was how she sounded when trying to reassure Travis or Monroe that she was fine, when she most obviously was not. With a deep breath, she made her way over to Sebastian and the girl, hoping not to scare either of them away.

"Sebastian? Hey." Her voice was soft and kind, treading on thin ice, really. She had only met him once, and the fact was that neither of them knew anything about one another. But underneath all of that fear of human interaction and rejection, there was a girl who legitimately wanted to help the world.

She also turned to the stranger girl and introduced herself. "Hiya... I'm Adaryn."

[Appoline Meian]

Her heart jumped a beat when he said she was kind, and pale features flushed in shyness. She wasn't heartless, no, but... this was simple human decency, wasn't it? Didn't people have the right to feel comforted when they were hurt and sad?

For a moment, she wavered, but a sort of resolve steeled her motions and Appoline slipped into the offered chair, shaking her head. "If I... if I didn't want to, I-I wouldn't have offered," she stammered, fidgeting with her small hands. "I know... it hurts t-to just be all alone. If I c-can help b-by just... just being here, l-listening, then..."

She didn't finish the sentence, but looked up and gave the boy a shy smile. She'd stay here as long as he needed her. "Um... Good company or n-no... I'd rather be here. If that's all right."

The girl that walked up didn't startle the older girl, but she did glance up suddenly as if she had done so. It was a pretty brunette, and... she swore she'd seen her before. But she didn't know her name, so not a classmate. But as the taller girl introduced herself, the demure artist straightened and bowed in her chair. "Appoline Meian," she stated formally. "A pleasure to m-meet you."

With a glance between the two that was interested but not condemning or frightened, she asked, "You kn-now one another?"

[Adaryn Breslin]

The girl was stuttering even still, but it wasn't overwhelming. Her shield was up, all thank's to the instruction given to her by Mr. Meian. When she heard the name, her ears perked up. Appoline Meian, hm? "So you're Mr. Meian's daughter?" Adaryn knew he had children, but looking at the girl, there was a point where she was like 'how did I not see it?'

She did look like Vincent, after all.

"And, well, not too much, no. I met him once at a mutual friend's Halloween party." Adaryn admitted sheepishly. She didn't know how to really say that she came over because she sort of felt that he was upset, in fear of going farther than where she was wanted.

"But I figured I might as well come by and say hello," She directed a concerned gaze towards Sebastian. "How have you been?" Adaryn asked quietly.

[Appoline Meian]

Appoline's eyes grew wide, unintentionally exposing the different colored orbs to more careful scrutiny. This girl knew her father? It shouldn't have been that shocking; he was a trainer, after all, and kind of hard to miss around campus. But still, it was... strange. Being identified like that. "Um, y-yes. How...?"

Almost immediately, she flushed, dipping her eyes to her lap again and shielding them partially with her long hair. It wasn't any of her business - she probably was one of her dad's students. If that was the case, then of course Addie would know about her. And her sister. And her mother. It wasn't like her father even considered not relating everything he could to personal experience. Granted, that wasn't a bad thing, she supposed, but... it did make situations like this a little awkward.

Looking to Sebastian (such a pretty name, and very refined), Appoline gave him an encouraging little smile. Even though her fears and shyness kept her from speaking aloud, she did at least try and non-verbally nudge him. See? People care. Go on and tell us - we won't bite.

[Adaryn Breslin]

Of course Addie would say the wrong thing.

But instead of freaking out and running this time, she simply lived up to her mistake by making a quick apology. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I'm sorry Appoline," The brunette attempted to give her a reassuring smile. It was faint, but it was the only thing she could muster at the moment.

Adaryn was worried, herself. She was worried about Sebastian.

At that, she turned back to Sebastian and kept her arms to her side. There was no familiarity between them, so she wasn't sure if he would react well to a hand on the shoulder. Addie knew that she didn't, anyway.

"Sebastian, are you alright?"

She wanted to give him the opportunity to tell her, rather than her say 'I know something is wrong. I can see it.'

[Sebastian Bolstad]

A small smile curled the corners of Sebastian's lips, genuine even though it was edged with a bitter sadness. The girl was honestly trying to help, even he could see that, and Sebastian gave a soft nod of his head as she spoke. “Thank you. I very much appreciate that. It is difficult, being alone...” The blonde's voice tapered out, Sebastian swallowing hard against the knot in his throat. Thankfully his moment of sudden crushing sadness was interrupted by the appearance of another girl.

“Hello Adaryn, it is good to see you again.” Sebastian offered her a small smile but mainly sat in polite silence as the girls interacted, listening to them on the edge of his hearing but really struggling to pull himself out of the gloom that he was encased in. He'd only met Adaryn once before, at the little Halloween party thing that Monroe had organised, but his first impressions of her had not been bad ones. Of course she was still a freak, just like everyone else in here, but she hadn't been openly mean or manipulative to him, and that counted for a lot.

Upon hearing Appoline say that she was related to Mr Meian, Sebastian tucked a long curl behind his ear and looked to the girl. “I met Mr Meian a little while ago. He seems very kind. He introduced me to pickled vegetables.” Sebastian rather fondly recalled that day by the koi pond, even though it already seemed like half a lifetime ago.

As the girls kept gently pushing Sebastian rubbed his eyes, eventually giving a soft shake of his head. “No... I am afraid I am not okay. My parents-” the word came out choked, the blonde breathing deeply to try to settle himself. “-My parents... have said they do not want me to contact them any more. I do not exist to them while I am like... this.”

[Appoline Meian]

Oh dear. "N-no, it's all right," she stammered, flushing red. It wasn't like Adaryn had done anything wrong, really - she just wasn't used to people identifying her by her parents. Granted, she was one of the few Japanese students at this school, and though her accent was less noticeable than her father's, it still showed. A much higher number of the Asian students and here were born here or at least lived in the United States long enough to mask their heritage by speaking - their family would be a little unique, even without their general physical oddities.

Sebastian mentioning her father made the small girl flush even more red. Had he met everyone at this school? Still, the compliments made her smile just a little through the embarrassment, and she nodded, black hair shifting as she did so so that a pale hand reached up and tucked the straight locks behind her ear. "H-he is," she answered softly. "I'll, um... I'll tell him you said so. He d-doesn't normally take c-compliments on his cooking."

She considered asking if he'd like more of the vegetables, since they were made fresh at least once a week, but decided to wait until... well, another time. Right now, she was focused on the pretty blonde, waiting to see what he had to say.

The news of his parents... oh no. Sympathetically, Appoline's eyes stung with tears, and her hands fluttered to her mouth to smother her small gasp. She may have hated being a meta as much as a person could, but she couldn't even imagine... What could she have even done if her parents had rejected her like everyone else? What was it even like to have no support from family and home?

The very thought was painful, despite her lack of experience. If only she weren't so... perhaps them she could have comforted him, but...

[Adaryn Breslin]

The realization of what had happened to Sebastian hit her heart, hit it with a spiked bat and twisted. Adaryn had gone through the same, and that ended very tragically for her; all she had to do was look at her right arm to remind her. Oh no, Adaryn wasn't going to leave him like this. She couldn't allow it.

Her gaze moved to the Asian girl, taking notice of the shift in her emotions before she saw the tears in her eyes. She was crying... for him? That small gesture comforted her immensely. The Meians were caring people, which gave her hope that others could be the same. Not everyone was like her parents, and now in this case, Sebastian's parents as well.

"There isn't anything wrong with what you are, Sebastian." Addie didn't know that he came from an Anti-Meta family. All she knew was that, from what she saw, Sebastian was a kind and quiet boy, just trying to make his way through this world just like the rest of them. But she said it not to make him feel better, really. She said it because it was what the blue-eyed girl deemed true.

"But I know how you feel. My parents... did the same not too long ago." Mr. Meian knew, and so did his wife. She figured one more who knew in the family wasn't going to hurt. "You can't let them take away what happiness you had at one point, even if you only held a small amount."