Too Similar But Also Too Different (Zac)

[Derick Mitchell]

Cloudy, an adjective that could be used to describe the sky's current condition and the condition of Derick's head. It was Derick's second day at The Hammel Institute, and he was spending it outside in the courtyard, laying in the grass. Derick was wearing his usual red hooded jacket, but wasn't wearing a shirt under it, it was a little warm out and he was wearing black jean shorts. The young psychic was trying to focus on... anything, but he just couldn't. His head was hurting and it was cloudy, so he was just stared up at the equally cloudy sky hoping the pain would cease.

Derick sighed, he did not like that his headaches were causing him to miss out on on things he would normally be doing. If it wasn't for this headache, Derick knew he'd be all over the campus checking out everything he could and meeting as many new people as he could, but because of the terrible pains in his head, he didn't feel like moving. He was amazed that he was able to make it outside. before dropping to the ground.

Just as Derrick's migraine headache was reaching it's peak and Derick thought that he couldn't take the pain any longer his eyes looked glazed and started to glow. Once that happened, the pain disappeared and Derick could see clearly. He could see himself sitting, in the exact same spot where he was just laying. He was turning his head looking for someone. Then he saw who he was looking for, a boy, about Derick's age, was approaching him. Then Derick could see the cloudy sky again.

Derick had just experienced another premonition, and it gave him a glimpse of the near future. Derick sat up and looked around just as he had done in his vision. He knew to look for someone approaching because it was all there in his vision. He saw the boy just like he knew he would and watched as he approached. The wind began to blow and the sky started to get a little less cloudy.

[Zachary LaRousse]

“Screw it! What a way to start the week!” Zac grumbled as he stomped his way through the school halls. He was in Hammel long enough for people to know (or tell them) that they’d have to stay clear of him when he’s having one of his temper tantrums angry. Sure a few people stood up to him when he was new around town (upperclassmen, mostly), but not all could take on an enraged and rampaging 5-ton bull elephant (of course he didn’t shift into one, he just increased in density, making him quite heavy and strong). It wasn’t exactly good publicity (the clan leaders repeatedly reprimanded him for that, forcing his father to temporarily cut his allowance for a week) but he could really care less; his multiple fights with the upperclassmen somehow established his place in the school hierarchy as a force to be reckoned with, even though he’s just a freshman. He’s got the wealth and the power, as well at the attitude and ego to back it up. Quite a combination, don’t you think?

It was quite interesting to see how the hallways parted once he passed through them. It’s as if it was a déjà vu of Moses’ parting of the Red Sea. He marched his way through the lovely receptionist, asked for the list of new arrivals with the sweetest smile he could produce at his current move, but was sent off immediately (of course, what do you expect from Nykohl?). “B*tch,” he grumbled, albeit a little more quiet than usual, then tried his way with Dr. Campbell. He asked why his hands were bandaged (“A little roleplaying with Mr. Kilbourne gone wrong?”) but was asked to immediately cut to the chase (“My, grouchy are we?”). He tried asking for the latest list of new recruits but when he couldn’t give a definitive answer as to why he wanted them, he was sent away immediately. “So much for asking the authorities,” he grunted. It seems he’s now left to his own right now.

After a couple of hours waiting for his drones, he was mighty glad that they returned to him with good news. He needed to see if this new kid, who apparently is rich enough to have a butler follow him around school, would be a possible rival to his ‘throne’. If he is, Zac figures he needs to shake some sense into the fool now, tell him of his place in Zac’s pretend kingdom. If not, Zac then needs to brainwash the kid to make him one of his noteworthy pawns. Or if Zac deems him respectable and rich enough, he might even make him a ‘general’ in his army.

Finally seeing the boy, Zac slowly approached and was actually surprised that the boy seemed like he was expecting Zac’s presence. “Nice,” he whispered to himself, “He doesn’t look half-bad.” He squatted beside the boy and said, giving him a sly smirk, “So, you’re Derrick? Or should I say, Master Derrick?”

[Derick Mitchell]

Derick wasn't sure what to think of his powers yet. So far they had been pretty cool, he enjoyed knowing things before they happened but what he had seen lately had not been very interesting. He had only had a few premonitions since his power manifested and they had been pretty dull and they hadn't shown him anything that far into the future. Derick might know how he felt about his powers a little more if his visions occurred more often and if they occurred without the horrible headaches.

It would have been nice if Derick's last premonition would have lasted a little longer, that way he'd know what to expect from the boy that was approaching him so fast. He looked like he was on a mission, and Derick knew that mission was to find him. When the boy got to Derick he crouched down beside him.

Derick didn't like the sly look the boy had on his face, it made him feel uneasy. He wasn't sure what to expect. But, Derick wasn't one to judge and was about to introduce himself and strike up a conversation, maybe he'd find out what the kid wanted but before he could say anything the other boy said something that left him shocked and confused.

"Uh, er, what did you just call me!?" Derick was taken back. Why did some strange kid he had never met before know his name, and why did he know that he was sometimes called Master!? Derick didn't know what to say, he didn't want people knowing that he was extremely rich and it seemed like this kid knew quite a bit.

Derick Frowned and zipped up his jacket that was exposing his bare chest, it had gotten a little chilly with the wind blowing. He wished his head would hurt again so he could get another premonition and maybe find out what was going to happen within the next few minutes. Derick had a bad feeling about this kid. "Look, I don't know who you are or who you've been talking t but you've got it wrong, my name is just Derick!"

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac almost laughed when the kid jumped up upon hearing what Zac just called him. Derrick’s shocked look was just priceless, even more was his denial. ‘I love this boy,’ he thought, smirking ever so perfectly, trying to make Derrick so uncomfortable that he’ll spill the beans himself, ‘So innocent, so pure. It’ll hardly be a challenge.’

“Oh come on, no need to deny it,” Zac continued, closing the distance between him and Derrick, their face nearly inches from each other, “I mean, half the school already knows. And you haven’t even been here a week, am I right?” He exhaled in front of Derrick’s nose, making sure the younger kid feels his breath. After staring at the kid in the eye for a few seconds, he went back a bit, still smiling like a fox. “And bringing a butler is by no means subtle dear,” he said, running a finger through his left cheek, “So really, there’s no point in denying.”

He positioned himself just beside Derrick, puffing the grass out a bit to make sure his cream pants wouldn’t get dirty. “Mind if I sit beside you?” he asked, though judging from his tone, it was more of a command than a request.

Derrick wasn’t at ease around him, Zac is sure of that. And unlike others, he wants his drones, especially the ones he’s just trying to know, uncomfortable with him. He wants them anxious and nervous, that way they can’t think clearly. With their senses and logic going awry, he could break them easily and enforce his rules easily. This would’ve been easy if he had mind control like the other members of his family, but this would have to do. He might not be a mentalist like most of the LaRousses’, but he does know how to control someone.

“Why d’you close your jacket, it isn’t that cold yet?” Zac asked innocently, running a finger through the jacket’s zipper, “And dearie, if you have it, flaunt it. You look mighty fine to me.” He winked at Derrick, giving him an innocent yet, at the same time, dirty smile. He wasn’t really interested in Derrick romantically, but he knows how fragile teenager’s sense of self was (his sexual identity to be exact) and Zac wouldn’t think twice about crossing that line if it means getting this rich kid wrapped around his finger. “I have something behind my shirt too, but unlike your jacket, it takes much too hard to remove it. But if you want, I can take it off to prove my point,” he said, his tone as sweet as Snow White’s poisoned apple.

“So, just Derrick, care to tell me all about yourself?” he smiled, getting closer once again to Derrick, “Now worries dear, I’m no golddigger. I’m pretty loaded too. I’m just curious, that’s all. Heard of LaRousse Enterprises? Well that’s mine. Technically it’ll be mine after Dad appoints me and all, but yeah, same banana.” He leaned in to whisper to the boy, “How about you?”




ooc:
In behalf of Zachie dear, I just want to say I'm sorry. I tried stopping him, but he just couldn't help himself. I pity Derrick, really. -__-.

[Derick Mitchell]

Derick's head was starting to hurt again, but it had nothing to do with his powers, it had everything to do with the weird kid who knew to much about things that weren't any of his business. Derick's expression hardened, he was starting to get very upset. What was this kid talking about? Did the whole school really know about the humble rich kid's background? That wasn't his intention, and Robert hadn't been following him around. At least not to Derick's knowledge, he was just with him on his first day!

Derick did not move when the weirdo got all up in Derick personal space. He usually got along with people, but when he didn't he usually knew how to handle the people that tried to push him around or manipulate him. This kid was looking for Derick to freak out and break under the pressure and his weirdness, and yeah Derick was uneasy and upset, but he did his best not to let it show anymore than it already did.

"He didn't come as my butler, he's just here as my friend!" Derick was infuriated with himself the second those words left his mouth. He had confirmed that Robert was his butler while trying to defend himself. His nostrils flared and he continued to glare at the kid that was causing him so much distress. Derick didn't get the chance to tell the kid that he definitely minded if he sat beside him, he had already done so and Derick doubted that he actually cared if he minded or not.

When things started to get even weirder and the other boy started to touch and attempt to seduce Derick he had crossed the line. (Derick couldn't believe that his first seducing experience was from a guy ) The young psychic reached out and pushed the weird kid as hard as he kid while sitting on the ground and then he hopped up. "Look! I don't know what your playing at, but cut it out! I don't know how you know what you know, but whatever you do know about me is none of your business..... and don't touch me again!?"

Derick wanted to high tail it back to the school, but he also wanted to know exactly how this guy knew so much about him. He was sure the arrogant weirdo would explain himself eventually in the form of gloating. "I don't care how loaded you are, and I don't care about your dad's company! Your one of those guys who thinks that because they have money they can do whatever they want! Well your wrong, guys like you make me sick!"

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac chuckled. He tried to suppress his laughter but he just couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t believe how things are getting by perfectly, the fluidity of their conversation, the ease in which Derrick gives out the answers Zac wants to hear, everything. It’s as if Zac had the ability to control luck and used it to its full potential. But it wasn’t enough. Zac needs to know more, he wants to know more. And he will, even if it means pushing more buttons and crossing more lines.

“He didn’t come as your butler, he came as your friend,” Zac repeated, albeit in a slower, mocking tone. He smirked for a while, enjoying the information he got, then continued, “Fine, just Derrick, he was just your friend. Whatever you say darling.” He leaned back, using his two arms as support, “So, where is your friend now? Is he lurking around? Is he a meta-human too?” His butler may prove to be a problem, Zac thought. If he could somehow catch Zac with whatever he’s doing, his butler might suddenly interrupt Zac and Derrick in the middle of their conversation, stopping Zac’s brainwashing.

Zac noticed how Derrick squirmed and shifted as he sat down beside him. Clearly he was not liking the invasion of his personal space. While shifts and all were expected, what Zac didn’t account for was Derrick suddenly standing up, almost eager to leave immediately. While most of his ‘subjects’ dislike his methods, rarely do they have the will to stand up. Clearly, Derrick was cut above the rest. He smiled.

/Gorrilla./

“Oh I’m sorry, did I offend you?” he asked, trying to sound as if he didn’t mean anything he had said previously, “Please don’t leave, I just wanted you to be comfortable with me, seeing as you’re new here and all.” He grabbed one of Derrick’s hands and pulled him down, forcing the kid to sit beside him again. “I am so sorry,” he said once more, smiling, “Did I pull you too hard? Forgive me. I still have trouble controlling my strength at times, so shameful really.” His tone was as tender as a child’s; he even employed a puppy pout to soothe the young kid.

He was about to continue his imploring when Derrick suddenly started talking and boy was he surprised. It’s as if Derrick knew exactly what was on his mind. Is Zac really that predictable, or the boy’s just a mind-reader? His pawns will get a beating later for forgetting to tell him about Derrick’s gift. Doubt aside, he should just trust his seductive abilities he’s honed through the years and try to wing things out before they spiral out of control.

“I am offended kiddo,” he said, even putting his right hand over his opened mouth to emphasize his shock and disappointment, “How can you think of me as that kind of person? Are you really that untrusting?” Clearly the boy was at the edge right now, and if Zac wanted him to return to his old, easily manipulated self again, he needs to turn the table around, to make the boy think he’s done something wrong. “I just wanted to help you, seeing that you’re new here. We both have similar backgrounds so I thought I can connect to you better than most,” he said, his tone changing from hurt to motherly-concern, “You know, like a big brother of sorts. I’m sorry if I went overboard with my words earlier, I assure you that they were all done in good faith. But if you won’t open up to me, I can’t do anything.” He turned away for a bit, doing the ever-dramatic look-to-a-far-away point gaze.

He then turned back and held Derrick’s chin close to his and said, in a soft voice, “Want to start over?” He winked at him and released Derrick’s chin, looking at the sky now, “I’m Zac by the way. So, what’s your ability?”

Derrick, you’d better prepare for the worst.

[Derick Mitchell]

Derick did not like the current situation he was in, not one bit. Why couldn't he have seen all of this coming and then try to avoid it. He wondered if he could even avoid what he saw in his visions. Was the future set in stone, or could Derick alter the future when he was aware of it before it happened? He had so much to learn about his powers,he really should talk to somebody soon. Unfortunately, at the moment he was stuck talking to....Rich Weirdo.

Derick didn't like being mocked and that's exactly what the other boy was doing by calling him "Just Derick", he knew what Derick meant when he said that's what his name was. The young psychic would have said something about the mocking, but he was speechless once the boy started asking questions about Robert. Derick was extremely good at keeping secrets, and he was an OK liar, but for some reason Derick wasn't able to lie very well at the moment and he wasn't sure what to say. "Er, uh, no he's... that's none of your business!" Derick wasn't even sure if Robert was lurking around or not, but he thought that Robert had gone to stay in town, he knew he hadn't gone back to his parents yet but with his power of invisibility he could be anywhere nearby. Derick also didn't know if he was supposed mention that Robert was a meta-human, he couldn't see why it should be kept a secret here but Derick thought it'd be best to just say nothing about it.

Things had not gotten any better and Derick quickly decided that the older boy was not worth his time, he was just to strange. Derick was completely ready to leave but somehow ended up on the ground again. "What the hell!" Derick stared at the boy in shock, he didn't look as strong as he was. He had managed to pull Derick to the ground with amazing force against his will. Maybe he was super strong or something.

It was absolutely amazing, what Zac could do with words. He was able to get Derick to sit and listen to everything he had to say, and beside pulling him to the ground, he had used nothing but words. Derick didn't realize yet, but Zac was very manipulative. He made Derick start to rethink what he had said before. "Maybe I overreacted." He thought. "Maybe this guy really did just want to help. Maybe I was being judgmental."

Derick still wasn't sure what to think of Zac, he still felt extremely uneasy around him. Derick wouldn't have even answered his question if he didn't feel a little bad about what he had said before. "Sure Zac." He said slowly. "I don't know how you know, but you do already know that my name is Derick and my power is...." Derick really didn't think he should tell him what his power was, it just didn't feel right but he was still feeling guilty for possibly pre-judging Zac. "My power is Precognition." Derick was amazed he said that word right. "I can see things before they happen. I knew you were coming before you showed up." Derick made sure to stay on his guard as he spoke, he was really tense, and ready for anything. "What's your power? Super Strength?" He guessed.

[Zachary LaRousse]

And he did it again.

Judging from Derrick’s agreement, Zac can say that whatever he may do from this point on, Derrick wouldn’t go away. He figures his ‘older brother speech’ bore its way into Derrick’s mind deeply that Derrick would just shrug off anything he will do as an action of care and concern. He wasn’t expecting Derrick to be naïve and mindless just yet, but he does know that he’ll be a bit more tolerating of Zac’s touches and whispers, something that Zac just does so well.

Zac eyed his target closely as he begun to talk about his butler. He was expecting that Derrick would get on with it and reveal everything there is to know about his friend, but it turns out that he’s wrong. He couldn’t help but frown when Derrick disclosed nothing about his butler, giving Zac nothing to work with. ‘Dang it,’ he thought, ‘Let’s just hope he isn’t a meta who can fry me in an instant for touching his master in places he shouldn’t be.’

Hoping to know more about the enigmatic butler, he leaned in closer to Derrick, invading his personal space once more. “Really? Why? Is he more than just a friend?” he whispered, his speech being a bit more breathy than usual, inciting that there’s something more going on between the two, hoping to induce more tension between them.

After watching Derrick for a bit, he backed off a bit and continued, revealing little facts about himself. “I too, have a butler myself. Well, he isn’t really a butler, he’s more of my personal nanny,” he laughed, “Actually, he’d kill me if I call him any of those names. Or if I make him wear those filthy white gloves and uniform. I envy you.” It was a bit weird, shifting from a seductive darker tone to a more casual one, but experience has told him that using extremes to toy with a target’s emotions make for a more effective brainwashing, just like how hot metals become brittle after sudden cooling.

He smiled as Derrick agreed to ‘start over again’. He leaned back, brushing his hair up with his hand and shaking his head from side to side for a bit then looked at Derrick as he began talking about himself. Derrick wasn’t really that bad for a kid, despite his average height and not-so-stunning looks (Zac thinks of himself as the ultimate standard for handsome-ness, hence no would one be as good as him). If Zac wasn’t hell bent on ensuring that Derrick won’t snatch his throne later on, he would’ve found Derrick as an attractive guy (even though he tells himself that he’s straight). “How old are you again?” he suddenly blurted out, hoping he isn’t committing that grave of a sin for being attracted to seducing a ten year-old.

“A precog huh, nice,” Zac mumbled, “And you actually saw me coming? That’s amazing!” Well, amazing for Derrick, that is. Not so much for Zac. If he could see what might happen within the next few minutes, things wouldn’t be too easy for Zac. He just hopes Derrick’s gifts aren’t that good yet. “My father was a pretty powerful precog. Helped him a whole lot in running the company, oh yes it did.”

“Yup, I’m somewhat the modern day Superman: super strength, super hearing and invulnerability. Though flying is something I have yet to discover,” he nodded, remembering the tragic fall he once took when he tried tapping into avian species. Sure he didn’t really tell Derrick his actual ability, but it was a close description. He was already revealing too much about himself, no need to make things more complicated.

“So, is there a name to follow after Derrick?” he asked, hoping to know more of the kid’s background, “Like, I dunno, maybe a Wayne, a Stark, or even a Tipton?” He just hopes that this kid is really something, else he wasted his effort on someone so trivial.


ooc:
Yep. Somehow, I feel Zac's enjoying this more than he should be. Shame Zac, shame. >.<.