"If the balloon pops, the angels cry."

[Nikolai Campbell]

It could be said that Niko hardly understood English most of the time- if Isabelle threw French his way, he was screwed. He knew that French people said 'la' all the time, and he knew that they had cool hats, but that was about it. Niko wanted one of those hats that the painters wore whenever he saw them, even though he'd never taken an interest in painting, and though he'd never be a painter. In the way of a child, he didn't often think about things that weren't displayed in front of him or kept from him. If Isabelle spoke French, he'd assume she was a painter, which really wouldn't be so bad if you had a friend to paint with. Unfortunately for Niko, she seemed done speaking in a foreign language long before he approached, making the assumption that she must paint impossible.

In one way, Isabelle's hope for an uncorrupted person at Hammel was not in vain. One of the youngest students in Hammel did appear. He was wearing his favorite tan khaki pants and a black t-shirt, and he was precisely who she'd meet. It wasn't her, though, that seemed to draw him in. It was the pink papers he was gathering on his way to her- some crumpled, some just tossed. He gave them a quizzical look, seeming confused each time he picked another up. When he finally reached Isabelle, she wasn't facing him, but he spoke anyway, clutching his red bag of skittles in one hand and the papers in the other.

"Are you throwing these papers for a reason? I mean- if you are, pink's a cool color and everything."Niko questioned, his nose scrunched up in what would, essentially, be a look of disapproval despite his 'save' at the end. He hadn't actually read the pink paper, and he didn't have any intention to do so yet, but he was curious. Seeing someone with pink papers, standing in the courtyard, it just didn't happen. And meeting new people was something Niko found himself doing often. It wasn't hard when there really wasn't anyone in the school that was shorter than you, as it turned out. He stood out for that reason alone, something he resented. But girls were a safe bet, they'd be kind for the most part. Niko had to watch out for the girls who wore so much make-up that they were scary, though. Those ones were bad news! Most teenagers were bad news, so ultimately it wasn't saying much.

[Nikolai Campbell]

Niko smiled when she told him not to be silly. He knew littering was bad, but now that he knew she knew it too, they would both be better off. Still, she was the one holding the papers, still. Niko glanced down at the papers in his hands. Oh, wait, he was holding them too, now, but he wasn't throwing them! What if he people thought he was, too? Niko raised his gaze again, watching the girl. She introduced herself, asking for his name, so he gave it.

"Nikolai,"he answered,"But, if you want, you can call me Niko or Nikki or something." Actually, he'd prefer if she did use an abbreviation, but Nikolai wasn't a bad name by any means. It was just so long and somewhat awkward when you got to the 'o-lie' part. Not that Niko would ever dream of changing his name- not a chance.

"If you're not throwing them, are you picking them up, too?"Niko questioned curiously."Because, I can help you get the rest, if you want." Niko offered. After all, if she didn't like littering, he'd gladly pick them up, even though it wasn't his mess, and even though the papers weren't hurting either of them. In fact, he'd probably enjoy running around. He'd feel accomplished, like he was doing something useful- which, in a way, he was. But he wasn't about to do it if Isabelle would prefer to leave them where they were.

"Why would anyone throw them? Did they already read them? Did you read it?"Nikolai could read. He'd learned to do so in second grade. Still, saying he was in third grade wasn't exactly saying much. He certainly didn't have a lot of experience. And while he probably could have sounded out 'ch-a-st-it-y', the word looked a bit daunting anyway, so he continued to avoid actually reading it.

{Mads threw Justin's name into one of Chase's posts, too XD *makes me giggle every time*}