The Sins of Our Hands (open)

[Lani Hunter]

Lani slipped toward the auditorium. It was his best bet for getting out of this place. Close enough to the wall that he could catch it land on the side. Lani felt so suffocated here he needed to get out. He wouldn't ask permission, he was nearly of legal age and he would not be told to stay somewhere when he didn't want to. The window was easy enough to open, it wasn't like they usually had to keep students in. He had found a new use for his power, locks. There was nothing that he couldn't get himself into or out of anymore. Though... with the extent of how often his control had been so focused that he had been able to deal with locks had been far and few between, he had been practicing and though he had little to no control for short spurts he found he could focus it and it was getting seconds longer with every time he did it. Granted his record was a minute of control that was followed by an explosion of chaos and a wicked headache.

He slipped on his flexible black shoes and pulled on his gloves that had just a little bit of extra grip on them. He wore a combination of black and dark gray that he had learned blended better with the shadows. Lastly he pulled a black hat over his ears and pulled up his collar so it touched his chin. He slipped out his window and balanced on the thin ledge pulling himself up and pushing his window closed again. Mentally he pushed the lock closed which thankfully took mere moments. He sidled toward a particularly rough place on the building and finding finger and foot holds he slipped down to the dark ground. It was a good thing he wasn't very high up or else he would have had to climb to the roof. He had been planning this for days and he slipped into a dark classroom window and opened the lock manually this time. And manually with a small supply of tools he kept up his sleeve.

He probably would have looked comical if he had been seen in the light. But Lani was dressed for night stalking and a shadow himself he moved like the breeze through the hall barely stirring and air around him. He nearly ran by a security guard. He blinked shocked and moved in the opposite direction. He hadn't know that there had been guards here. He would have to be more careful. He went back through the halls finding his way to the auditorium. This was the perfect place full of hidden corridors and dark passages. He slipped past the chairs making his way to the stage where he could get to the roof with ease and out over the fence. He didn't care if they would find him on the other side he just needed to get out. He felt like a eagle with clipped wings. Grounded, caged. It was suffocated. His life would be him. He jumped when the door to the auditorium opened and instinctively dropped below to the ground between the chairs and out of site. He silently prayed whoever it was wouldn't take it upon themselves to come inside. Slowly he pulled down his hat making a mask of it. If anything at least they wouldn't see his face...

[Emma Hayes]

It had started yesterday, when Emma received a phone call from her mother. It had been short, neither of them knew enough about the other to say much. Basically, her mother confirmed what Emma's father had already said. The divorce was finalized, Jane had moved out with her new boyfriend. Oh, and Emma was invited to the wedding.

Emma had been in a state of shock ever since. She had never thought of herself as an emotional being, and she was having difficulty deciding what to feel about the situation. Around one in the morning, she had gotten up out of bed and began dressing. Pulling on a pair of khakis and a navy jacket, Emma had slipped past her sleeping roommates.

Before Emma knew it she was climbing out a slightly opened window in the common room. She keep walking with no destination in mind, letting the cold air numb her. She didn't feel like thinking anymore and the walk was helping to clear her mind. She saw a guard nearby but didn't change her path. Instead Emma just threw up an illusion of an animal on the other side of the guard, making him turn away from her.

As she came closer to the main building, she noticed more guards hanging around. One of the doors opened as a guard came out, chatting on a phone, and Emma slipped by him and into the building's warmth. Again she found it easy, having the ability to trick the mind made sneaking a breeze.

However, the use of her powers had caught up with her and a nasty headache was brewing. Emma leaned back against the doors to the auditorium, rubbing her temples, then jumped in surprise when they gave way from her weight. Turning she peeked into the room and seeing no one around, went in. She sat down in the front row, bringing her legs under her chin. Playing with her fingers, she conjured up a few soundless and small soldiers to act out a battle on stage. Sitting back, Emma began watching it like a play, unaware of anyone else in the room.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani had no idea that this place was so strict about the students staying put. Either way he would go where he pleased and if he wanted to go elsewhere he would do so. Even if they came looking for him, if they had the ability to force him to stay here they were no better than those creepy experimental places he had heard about. He felt like a sparrow with clipped wings looking out the window longing to flee this place and never come back. But then again he knew that they were helpful in that they taught people how to use their powers but they didn't need to be taught. Like Ann had told him, he wouldn't have these powers if he couldn't control them. And already little spurts of control were starting to show. Yes partly because of his teachers but also someone out there had to have learned how to control their powers without help. Who's to say he couldn't do the same?

He hissed a little bit when the footsteps approached. Then pass. He lifted his head a little bit to watch the woman walk by him and to the front row. He pushed back his mask and folded the seam into a hat again. He peeked over the chair in front of him curiously. He had no idea there would be another person up at this hour. He didn't think it was a teacher or guard. She didn't seem old enough and the guards would have been searching around not just gone and sat down. Curiosity urge him closer and he army crawled under the seats finally came up a few rows behind her, making no more sound than a cat would he slipped into a seat and watched the image created on the stage. It was interesting. He wondered slightly what her power was, obviously something to do with images but he couldn't tell if it was illusion or if she had really created those people.

Lani frowned and reminded himself of the goal for the night: Get out. He sat up a little bit and crossed his arms over the seat in front of him and rested his chin there. He couldn't tear his mind away from the vision. "Why are they fighting?" He asked suddenly and nearly tore out his own tongue for his carelessness. He took a deep breath and kept his cool. He could get his curiosity satisfied and move on out. He was not going to go to classes he just needed a few days to not feel monitored or lectured. Just stay for a little bit and move on. Up the back and over the fence.

[Emma Hayes]

Emma was letting herself get lost in the illusions. She was concentrating hard, making all the details just just and fighting off the impending headache. So hard was her focus that she didn't realize that anyone was behind till the spoke.

Emma jumped, then stiffened at the sound of the voice. Her first impression was that she had been caught. She made a face at the stage, clearly displeased, and turned in her seat to plead her case.
She was surprised to find that it was not an official ready to whisk her to the office, but instead someone who dressed like a robber.

The illusions had faded off the stage by now, Emma's focus to far gone. She studied the other occupant for a moment-he didn't look much older then her, but why on earth was he dressed like that?- and shifted into a better position in her seat.

"Why does anyone fight?" She asked, resuming the action on stage. Emma couldn't tell a stranger that she made this war so she wouldn't have to think about her own problems. "They fight because they can, to prove that they are more right then the other side. It's human nature."

"Why exactly are you dressed like that?" She asked lightly, glancing at the boy from the corner of her eye. Normally she wouldn't question someone like that, but today wasn't for normal circumstances. "You look like you're about to rob the place." Emma thought he wouldn't though. She couldn't imagine someone so easily getting in to Hammel, so he had to be a student. She was just ignoring the little voice that reminded her of what Jared had said. Someone had attacked here before, and it could happen again.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani didn't look down at the girl knowing that he had startled her. He watched the illusion fade and looked into the blackness of the stage behind the curtains. He knew he wasn't dressed for conversation and probably looked like he had less than honorable intentions, which was half true. Though no one had ever said he couldn't break out though they had certainly showed that he was not going to be allowed to just walk out the door whenever he wanted. He looked back down at her analyzed her face. She looked familiar like a student he had just seen around a few places. Which means he had tested right and she was a student not a teacher who will turn him in and keep him here for another night.

He cocked his head to the side at her as she answered him. He hadn't really expected an answer and even then he didn't expect something like this. He nodded a little bit, "That's interesting." He commented but didn't elaborate. That was a fairly accurate assumption. Most declared that people fought to save the innocent, protect their family, and all of those were true as well. It seemed to Lani that she was describing an argument more than a war. Lani usually wasn't very good at seeing what people were feeling but somehow it was pretty clear to see, with the war illusion and all the negative aspects showed very clearly that there was something else going on. However, it wasn't Lani's place to pry, especially when he was probably just as if not more dysfunctional life than she did.

Lani winced little bit when she commented on his dress. He shook his head a little bit. "On the contrary, the opposite." He admitted, "I'm sneaking out. I can't stand it here any longer." Lani had no idea about the history of Hammel, like he had said he couldn't stand it here. He felt suffocated he had done little more than slip out windows and pace along the roof. He needed to be free and rob someone just for the rush. He had done that before. Broken in and robbed taking money for his own use and then taking some china or silver and leaving taking it just to prove he could and leaving it somewhere the family would find it. He certainly wasn't a normal thief he did take his fair share of things to sell at the black market and he had gotten a few texts from his the man he used to sell to asking what really happened and Lani had yet to give him a straight answer. That was where he was headed. To talk to his employer in person and explain. It would require all of his skill to reach him, just the thing he needed right now.

[Emma Hayes]

Emma kept her eyes on the stage, watching as one side began to overtake the other. She heard his comment, and nodded slightly. At least he wasn't asking any further questions. Emma didn't really want to go into that right now. She was still having difficulty talking about it with her close friends, she wouldn't be able to tell someone she had just met. Besides, Emma didn't know anything about this boy. Not even his name.

She tilted her head to him, regarding him with a open, thoughtful expression. "Sneaking out?" She asked. Emma had once felt like running away from everything, long before she came here. But right now, she couldn't even think of leaving a place like this. To her, this place was more welcoming and safe then back home had been. Besides, coming here had practically been running. She had to wonder what kind of life the boy was living to want to leave. But she also knew it was not her place to ask. So instead she quelled the urge to question him, and left it be. "I see. That explains the getup." She said, looking away feeling comfortable that she was not about to be turned in.

Emma bite her lip, wondering what to say to the boy. She watched the stage and sighed. "Emma." She said lowly, not taking her eyes from the action. "I'm Emma."

[Lani Hunter]

Lani nodded standing and stepping around the rows to lean against the stage in front of her. He could keep a better watch on the door that way. It probably like to everyone else here baffled her completely as to why he wanted to leave. But also unlike most everyone here he hadn't gotten his powers young and he had a life and a future ahead of him on the outside. He had already established a life outside of these walls and he was not ready to give that up. He knew his 'employer' was getting agitated so he had better stop somewhere and get a few things. He needed to explain the lapse in 'merchandise' and tell him why one of his best was going to have to lay low for a while. He was just glad that meta-humans were not common knowledge and he could just say his parents shipped him off to military school in Vermont or something. Anything but admitting to having telekinesis and being a freak at a school for metas.

But that wasn't all he was worried about. If his employer knew about his power he would see dollar signs and want to compromise Lani's control of his power and training in order to use it to steal. Which Lani couldn't lie he had already done but he knew he needed training. Bad. Lani shrugged to himself and nodded at her. "Yep, don't tell anyone." He said just the tail of a threat after that. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate what Hammel was doing for him, he just felt suffocated. He needed some time to be alone and away from the prying eyes. He looked down at his 'getup' and smiled a little. He did look like quite a character. "What? You mean you don't normally dress like this?" He joked spreading his arms and making a show of examining his outfit.

He nodded, "Pleasure Emma, I'm..." He trailed off. If a teacher caught up with her and she knew his name... It wouldn't matter. At that point someone would have connected the dots and known it was him anyways. "I'm Lani. Do you know if they check rooms?" He bounced on his feet eager to be on his way but intrigued and wanting to stay and learn about this girl as well. If she knew when and if they checked the rooms he would know when not to be here. At this point all was quiet and it seemed that no one had noticed empty beds. At least not yet.

[Emma Hayes]

Emma herself hadn't had her abilities for many years. She had actually received them only a few months ago. So she could understand the complications that came with developing them later then everyone else. And like Lani, Emma had a life on pause back home. Though unlike Lani, she wasn't in any hurry to get back to it.

Emma watched the boy come to stand in front of her. She let the illusion drop. Obviously he had something to say and it was easier to focus on him then try to look over him to the stage. Besides, the headache was roaring in her skull and shutting down her powers helped ease it.

Emma stiffened at the slightly threatening tone. Emma might look like a pushover but years of working with veterans at a mechanic shop had given her 'moxie'. She wouldn't respond well to any attempts to act on that threat. Luckily for the boy, Emma had no such plans to rat him out. She wasn't the type to get involved with business that didn't concern her or her friends.

She lightened up at joke. "It seems I left mine in the hamper." She gestured to her wrinkled clothing. "I suppose it makes sense to dress like that for what you're doing." She commented, stretching in her seat.

"Nice to meet you as well, Lani." Emma said politely, nodding to the older boy in acknowledgment. She watched him fidget and wondered were someone could get all that energy at this hour. "Um, not that I know of." Emma rarely slept, so she felt that she would have known if room checks were done. She figured that some one with a psychic powers was checking to make sure everyone was on school grounds. She wondered if they would notice them gone from their rooms; she hadn't tried to leave before. "But we're at a school for metas, so nothing would surprise me."

[Lani Hunter]

Lani nodded absently at her and looked up at the doors. He glanced back as the violent scene behind him vanished. He was very curious about her power illusions would be very helpful at certain times. At least he could move stuff around. He could play some nasty haunted house tricks and people would genuinely freak out. He smiled a little to himself Ann really should have never given him the idea.

He smiled gently at her to make up for his harsh comment. He just knew how things around here were different there were mind readers and people who could see what had transpired in the past. It was really humiliating when he got called out the first time he had left his room and made a break for the walls. He had made it outside but decided against it that and gone instead for a snack in the kitchen. They had seen his intentions in the kitchen and come to find and confront him. He never wanted that to happen again.

He shook his head and made a disappointed face at her, "Such a shame. I thought they taught you better around this place?" He grinned at the joke and shrugged, "I suppose. It's the best and it hasn't changed for the past hundred years... though... the hat is new." He smiled pulling it closer to his eyes.

He nodded contemplating this fact. "Too true." One really was never sure around this place. He heard the door up at the back of the theater buckled and swing open and he dropped to the ground and gestured for Emma to do the same. "Anyone in here? I know you are." Not good. Not good at all. He approached her, "I have an idea," he whispered. "Can you cast a shadow by the door?" He would have to time it right and it was far away but it just might work and they would think they had gone out the other way.

[Emma Hayes]

Emma made herself relax when Lani sent her a smile. There was no use getting worked up; she didn't know his situation and he didn't know hers. Fighting over a misunderstanding would be stupid. Besides she didn't know what his powers was. He may have a reason to be on edge.

Emma smiled gently at the joke. "Seems that they don't." She commented, ready to say more but was stopped by Lani's sudden dive. She slipped from her seat to crouch behind her chair, listening the guard call them out. Emma froze, cursing under her breath. They were caught.

"Yeah." She whispered back, bracing herself on the floor and taking a deep breath. The little play she'd put on earlier had left her tired, but she could still manage a diversion. She rose a hand towards the wall, focusing heavily. A dark figure slowly appeared near the guard, running along the wall to the door. "Anything else?" She asked, wondering what Lani's plan was.

(ooc:Sorry it's so short! Emma's just not working with me tonight)

[Lani Hunter]

((No worries ))

Lani didn't have time to laugh at her reply he was too busy scheming. If this worked they would be the best partners in crime ever. He glanced at her and edged out to watch the shadows himself being a shadow with eyes under the chair. He shook his head, "That's good have him disappear when you hear the door open." He edged out a little bit to watch the person through slivers in the darkness.

He watched the shadow one eye on the person. The had noticed it and were moving in that directions. Lani reached across the auditorium his mind's fingers reaching out to the door. He resisted the urge to close his eyes for who knows what he would hit if he closed his eyes. The shadow reached the door and Lani stiffened his body as his mind stuck the door and it swung open perfectly as the shadow came upon in.

He heard the other person shouting and chasing after the shadow. How upset he would be when he found his chase to be of no use. But this was a school of Metas as Emma had said, he wouldn't know if this thing he was chasing was an extension of power or a person with some power of darkness, or invisibility or any number of things. He smiled back at Emma, "Nice job. I feel you would make a very good partner in crime." It was whispered in the tone of a joke but Lani's mind was not joking if only he would feel alright manipulating the younger girl he would persuade her to leave and partner with him. That wasn't fair just because he hated it here didn't mean she did and she could really want the security Hammel provided.

[Emma Hayes]

Emma watched curiously as Lani did something to close the door. She thought that he must have a telekinetic power or something close. In any case, their combined talents led the guard to run out of the auditorium, shouting at the illusion to stop. For good measure, Emma sent the shadow around the corner in the hallway. After a minute, she broke her concentration and turned to grin at Lani.

"You bet." She said, winking at his joke and sitting up. It took a few moments for her heart to calm down. Emma's powers might come in handy for such excursions, but Emma was too much a stickler for rules to actually do anything. Even sneaking in the auditorium was begging to make her nervous with the near sighting by the guard.

Emma got back up into her seat with a sigh, rubbing her temple. She'd used her powers more today then usual and it was taking its toll. "Looks like we're safe for now." She observed, giving Lani a glance over. She wondered if he'd leave now, like he had been planing. If he did, Emma wouldn't stop him. But the anger she'd felt earlier had burnt out and now she just felt melancholy. It'd be nice to keep the distraction Lani provided rather then simmer in her thoughts. "You're telekinetic, aren't you?" Emma guessed, trying to keep the conversation going.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani beamed at Emma, she was indeed someone to be trusted. Anyone with eyes would think he had less than honorable intentions once he left this place but she still didn't want him to get caught. He wasn't sure if that was her own self preservation or if she really was kind like that. Not every person was a betrayer, he had to realize. He blinked suddenly realizing the full extent of his actions. He had actually placed his trust in another person and it hadn't ended up in flames.

He smiled at her feel a little lighter and wondering if he really wanted tonight to be the night he was going to leave. He nodded silently to himself, yes he would but not quite yet. This person deserved his gratitude and he would give it. He nodded and sat up. He crossed his legs easily and adopted a false relaxed pose. "Yeah I'm a telekinetic and you are a illusionist?" He pointed out.

He cocked his head to the side and looked at her. "Why are you out so late at night? You seem bothered by something." He observed, he was pretty sure Ann rubbed off on him a little bit and he was starting to be better at reading people.

[Emma Hayes]

Emma smiled at the question, nodding slowly. "Yes, you could call it that." She also had the power of dream projection, tied into tightly with how her powers worked. But she particularly hated that aspect of her abilities and didn't like to think about it. "Telekinesis." She repeated wistfully. "That's very interesting."

Emma was taken back by his blunt asking of her state. She knew that she wasn't hiding her emotions very well, but she didn't expect to be called out over it. "I needed to be out." She said, looking away from Lani. "I wanted space to, well, not think about anything."

Emma knew she was being confusing, but it was the best way to describe how she felt. The news of the impending wedding had shook her to the bone. It was something she really needed to focus on and sort through, but for now Emma didn't want to deal with it.

"Why exactly do you want to leave?" She asked, still staring a the far wall. "I haven't seen you around here before. You haven't been here long, right?" She paused, shifting. "You don't have to answer, if you don't want to." Emma said after a moment, thinking she may have went into something to personal.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani shrugged, "It seems to be around here. Is there really no one else here that has telekinesis." Lani was brand new here, he still sometimes forgets what his power is even called. He smiled, "So illusions, are they actually real or is it something that you cast over peoples eyes?" He asked curiously leaning against the wall in front of the stage. He winced a little when he realized he caught her off guard. Perhaps he wasn't as good as he thought.

He nodded at her answer deciding not to press on. "Sorry," he said ducking his head, "I'm unnaturally blunt... like all the time. Sorry." He gave her 'forgive me' doe eyes. "But I understand how you feel, jsut space. This place is suffocating I think. I hate that I can't just leave when I damn well please." He shrugged but then of course that was obvious considering his current state.

He shrugged it off, "No I have only been here a few weeks a month and a little bit." He thought a little bit before he answered her first question, "No its ok." He gave her a smile, "I've never been so monitored in my entire life and I can't stand it anymore. I just need a little time... away to be alone and think. I hate feeling trapped and I just feel suffocated." He told her half the truth. It wasn't a lie that he felt that way. He really hated the constant monitoring the suffocating 'we're here to help' motto. But his real quest wasn't to get out and think it was to get out and do what he loved. Get a good dose of adrenaline and maybe make a few bucks. It never hurt to have money in ones pocket... even if that money wasn't yours. He didn't really think of himself as bad. He never took too much and never stole from those already hard off. That would just be cruel.