on thin ice (open)

[Noah Wilde]

Fall was quickly drawing to and end. The once luscious trees had shed their last remaining leaves leaving them looking delicate and frail. The air smelt like coming winter snow warmed up by the distant scent of burning wood. The temperature had finally dropped cold enough for the shallow pond to freeze and the grass to crunch beneath Noah's feet frost bitten by the chill of fast approaching winter.

Noah couldn't believe how quickly the months seemed to be passing, Thanksgiving had already passed and Christmas was only a few short weeks away. Soon she'd be home in Nebraska with her parents and her brother, safe, back where she knew every soul that past and knew what to expect. Back where people lived in simpler ways and where being sheltered didn't just mean you were in a house. She had mixed feelings about going home. Yes, she loved it.... but she knew that there she'd be expected to act even more passive then she did at school.

She'd been working so hard to try and come out of her shell. She had gone out of her way to talk to at least a few other people and even managed to talk in class without her voice shaking out of control. She didn't want to revert even farther back into herself. Into where she felt trapped and blind... but it was so safe there.

Noah gripped the laces of her ice skates tight as she reached the pond hoping that it was still frozen enough from the recent cold front to be able to enjoy. She'd wanted to come down to it earlier but her studies had gotten in the way. Ice skating had always been something she'd loved. She could vividly remember her first time when she was 3 with her father at Tomani Lake, only a miles walk from her house. His big hands holding hers carefully as he lead his little girl over the frozen water never stopping the loving words of encouragement. The memory met her like a warm hug on Christmas morning making coming out of it only that much more jarring when she wasn't with her warm supporting father but rather alone with the bleakness of the dying season.

She plopped down on the grass and slid off her black boots, replacing them with her white ice skates. She carefully surveyed the pond. It looked frozen, she could see ice from the corners to the middle, no pools of water. Once she had her skates on she got up and picked up a rock throwing it hard into the ice and watched it slide down. Seemed safe enough.

Noah carefully stepped onto the pond, putting only half of her weight on and holding her breath listening for the sound of cracking or her foot to go into the freezing water. When no sounds of terror met her ears she dared to put the rest of her weight onto the ice. Letting out a sigh of relief when she found herself standing, above the water, safe.

[Verill Mathias]

The day had passed by with nothing to show for it. The classes, the professors, the assignments. Dull. Dull. And dull. Verill was a social creature. He needed people to talk to, even if he harbored an unnatural hatred for them all. Just someone to get to know. Someone he could easily get under his thumb. Oh, he should already be plenty occupied with a scheme still turning in his head. But he had a talent - no, a need - for multitasking.

So when he happened upon a girl cautiously approaching the iced-over pond, his little black heart practically leapt out of his chest. Already he could tell she was an innocent young lady; a delicate little flower not yet familiar with the cruelty the world had to offer her. The kind of person that drew Verill in like a moth to the flame.

He was dressed in a black seude, button-up coat that covered all but from the knees down, which were shielded from the biting air by dark grey Dickies, and some form-fitting black boots. A fuzzy, salt-and-pepper color scarf wrapped tightly around his neck, ensuring that everything but his face would be immune to the weather.

But he was a patient person, and lingered on the shore much like a shadow. Calm yet eager. Serene while malcontent. The eyes watching her were as cold and hard as the ice she was upon, callously devouring her form. But his smile, one that was practiced into mastery, would reassure any observer that he had only the kindest of intentions. And if Noah happened to catch a glimpse of him as he stood there, his lips would only stretch further in appreciation of her grace.

Sooner or later, she would have to acknowledge his presence. The brunette would give her a nod, putting on his best face for her. "It's nice to see someone taking advantage of this brisk weather. I'm Verill." And he would hold out his hand - purposefully gloveless - to shake hers should she accept it.

[Noah Wilde]

Noah continued to test the ice completely unaware of the menacing boy who watched her. She was innocent and unaware too excited that she wasn't falling through the ice to pay much attention to anything but that. She was starting to gain confidence when she felt his piercing gaze upon her back. She didn't want to look. She didn't want anyone to be there and if there was someone there she'd want to leave. She wasn't good with new people. She could feel her heart racing just at the thought. SHe would probably fall or not be able to catch a handle on her voice or shake like a leaf or all three.

She carefully glided over the ice. She could ignore the eyes she dreaded making contact with. If she ignored them they'd go away wouldn't they? Seconds dragged on like days and the tall blonde girl's ice blue eyes glanced over and saw the boy. She was like a dear caught in headlights. She stopped moving completely and locked eyes with the boy across the water still at the shore, his smile growing which only made her more nervous. She had no idea who he was or his intentions and honestly it didn't much matter. He could be the devil or a carebear and she'd still have the same reaction upon first meeting. Absolute chaos and if he did end up liking her enough to be his friend she'd be a puppy. She knew this and she was working on it but she knew herself well enough to know how she normally acted. She hated that about herself.

Noah stayed frozen until he spoke and took a long moment before responding. It wasn't because she didn't want to, but rather her passiveness made it difficult for her brain and her mouth to connect enough to make words. "I.... I'm Noah." She finally responded just hardly loud enough for him to hear. Her voice was shaking though she prayed he'd think it was just because she was cold and shivering, which wasn't untrue.

Noah waited a moment. It seemed like he wasn't going to leave and was rather going to stay. Perhaps she should leave. No. That'd be weird. She shouldn't leave. She took a breath and continued to skate but not for long. She couldn't handle him watching. "Do... DO you want to skate?" She asked not sure if it was an invitation or not. She'd rather him be skating too if he was going to be there. Then at least he wasn't just staring.

[Verill Mathias]

Such a shy thing. She was practically cowering at the very presence of him. That would be such a power trip, if Verill was the type to indulge in those. Sadly, narcissism had a tendency to really screw up a guy's plans. He'd read his fair share of books to understand the consequences of hubris.

It took a minute or two, but eventually the girl was coming over to meet him. The junior put on his most welcoming face, trying to reassure her that he was here on good intentions. It was a lie, of course, but she didn't need to know that. The girl introduced herself as Noah. Luckily for her, and to the disappointment of Verill, she did not accept the offered hand. It was tucked back into his coat pocket without any fuss. No matter, another chance would present itself.

Noah's offer earned a raise of the brow. Did he want to skate? Not particularly, no. He didn't indulge in such frivolities. "Oh, well, if you're okay with that. I'd love to, Noah." Damn it all, anyway. Verill took off his backpack, unzipping one of the larger pockets to reveal a pair of skates of his own. He didn't really like skating, but he always came prepared with his great big backpack of everything. While he sat down to put on his skates, he decided to continue the conversation with shy little Noah.

"So, do you normally come down here by yourself? I'd think that would be rather dangerous, myself."

Though, to be honest, if he caught news that some student skating by herself sunk into the frozen lake and drowned, not a lash would be bat for the idiot. At least now if Noah here fell through, her dying would be somewhat of an inconvenience. Verill would probably save her. Probably. The brunette finally stood, and stood upon the ice with all the grace of a drunken giraffe. "I'm a little out of practice," he chuckled.

[Noah Wilde]

Noah nodded. "Yes... Yes of course you can join." She told him. Something about him felt rather odd and she truly wished she could read minds right now. He seemed friendly... seemed. But something.... confused her. Perhaps she was paranoid. He was a handsome guy who looked as if he had no trouble with people and she was a tall awkward bean poll with no social grace. She tended to blend into the walls and he looked like he quite liked attention.... or it seemed at least.

Noah didn't really wait for him to get back to it. She started skating again contemplating practicing a few spins she used to know. "I guess so... I normally do a lot of things alone." She told him her voice still soft. "But i know its stupid... to do this alone but... i just...." She shrugged. She just wanted to but she figured he didn't much care anyway and this chit chat was just to be polite.

She paused for a moment to watch him get onto the ice nervous that there'd be too much weight. She listened carefully for a shift or a crack finally breathing again when it seemed solid. Ok. That at least was good. She then looked over at the boy having to keep herself from bursting into laughter. He looked ridiculous and off balance.

She didn't know what came over her but she was skating over to him. "You're going to hurt yourself if you don't at least find your center of balance." She told him. "Let your legs bend a little... only a little."

[Verill Mathias]

"Well, you seem to know what you're doing. Still, you should keep care." The caution sounded genuine, most likely because of the aforementioned inconvenience her demise would be now that he was becoming familiar with her.

On the subject of hubris, Verill was quite certain that he wouldn't have to worry about that now. It took all his concentration to not fall flat on his rear. In his head he was making a list of things he wanted to damn: the ice, this girl, his own compliance just to get on her good side, life in general. Noah's repressed amusement was not missed. Verill frowned at that. Looking like a fool was not on his list of things to do today.

Thankfully, taking her advice was quickly working out for him. His legs began to shake less, and his arms were slowly lowering as he gained more confidence in his balance. The technique was gradually coming back to him. Now with that out of the way, he could get back to work. While Noah was practically skating circles around him, the boy began making small, sure shuffles.

"You don't always go around campus alone, do you?" The inquiry wasn't meant to be offensive. He was attempting to ask it in such a way that sounded as if, should she say yes, it would be such an unfortunate thing.

[Noah Wilde]

Noah nodded at his instruction but continued really wishing this boy wouldn't stick around. His vibe just didn't feel pleasent and though that wasn't anything that her powers detected Noah still just got a weird feeling about him. But she wasn't going to be pushed around, not today. She was determined to for once not be so passive and shy and such a push over. She wasn't going to be used or hurt by this boy.... that was unless she saw one of his memories... then all bets were off... she hated that about her power the moment she saw or felt one of their memories... experienced them... she became so emotionally involved.

"I... Yes... I tend to." She answered his next question skating to a stop and looking straight at him. "Does it matter?" The question came out with a surprising bite that surprised even her. She looked down and started skating again. "Sorry.. Yes. I do tend to keep to myself." She said then looked over at him again. What did he want? He looked ridiculous trying to skate. Why did he even have skates if he didn't know how to properly use them? What a strange character.

"I'm sorry.... You don't look like this is your thing. What are you doing here exactly?"

[Verill Mathias]

Even Verill was caught off-guard at the sudden snap at him. So, this little flower had thorns, did she? For once, he didn't know what to make of that. Was it merely entertaining.. or a threat? His face only smoothed over again after Noah apologized and rephrased her answer. "It's okay. I always seem to rub people the wrong way." A small, unsure chuckle followed after. If an extroverted demeanor wouldn't work, then he would simply have to change his strategy.

The boy continued his laughably bad skating/shuffling across the ice, until his fellow skater pointed out how bad he really was. He displayed a hurt expression for a moment, only to give the same embarrassed laugh while rubbing the back of his head.

"Well I guess I couldn't keep that up forever." He sighed, shoulders slumped in defeat as he skated over to sit down on the safety of land. Bravo, Noah, you're figuring the manipulator out. Your prize is more lies. "To be honest, I'm not exactly much for making friends. The 'rub the wrong way' thing, and all." The explanation came out as nothing more than a soft, sad murmur. 'Shame' was the right emotion being conveyed here. "I thought I'd give it another shot down here. Am I really that bad?"

For added effect, the brunette shot her his puppy dog eyes - a talent reserved only for the most dire of situations. Mentally, the junior was kicking himself in the ass for having to drag himself down so low just to make this girl trust her.

[Noah Wilde]

Noah found herself frowning deeply disappointed with herself. She saw what her little snap had done to the boy and perhaps she had really misjudged him. Sure he gave off a weird vibe but she was sure she did too. When he spoke about having issues making friends her heart broke. She could sympathize. How dare she snap and be rude! How dare she not welcome someone who actually noticed her for once. She spent so much time complaining about how she might as well be a wall and here he was treating her like someone important and she pushed him away.

Though on the other hand a part of her was very proud of herself for being able to snap at all.

"I'm sorry... I do too... I'm not very good at making friends and i promise you're really not that bad... I'm just.... weird i guess."

His puppy dog eyes really were helping him. All worries she had seemed to melt away. "Lets start over." She couldn't believe the words were falling from her mouth. "I'm Noah."

[Verill Mathias]

He saw it all - how her face instantly melted with sympathy, how ashamed she now looked. So that was her Achilles heel, was it? Playing the pity card might have been one of the more demeaning roads to take, but if it worked, Verill would gladly use it. Especially now that she was practically grovelling at his feet.

The manipulative little bastard could have laughed when she began apologizing for the error of her ways, and what's more, rectifying their meeting. Leading the horse right into Troy. But he kept up his masquerade and instead gave her another thankful smile and even threw in another quiet chuckle at their absurd new greeting.

"Well then, I'm Verill Matthias, and it's a great pleasure to meet your acquaintance!"

Though he was standing again, the boy did not bother to tread upon the ice again. Now that there was nothing to prove from it, there was no need to further humiliate himself. So he kept himself firmly planted upon the safety of the snow.

"So what brought you to Hammel? What's the.. thing you do, I guess?" Verill was always curious about what everyone here could do. It helped to know who to be wary of, as well as who to have an interest in. Though he was keen to not let slip his own ability. If she didn't ask, he wouldn't tell.

[Noah Wilde]

Noah let out a sigh of relief when he accepted her idea to start over. Good. At least now things were going in a positive direction instead of a negative one. She noticed that he wasn't on the ice anymore. The day was starting to warm up more and she knew the ice was starting to get dangerously thin. She looked down. it looked wetter, it was melting. Within an hour it probably wouldn't be safe to be on anymore, quickly melting. This winter so far had been so pathetic.

Noah skated over to the edge of the pond and hopped off taking a seat on the hill. She was shocked with herself. She was actually going out to talk to this boy. Well didn't this feel.... odd? She couldn't help but smile though, she was proud of herself and even if this was as far as the conversation went today she still knew that she'd made progress and that was huge.

She looked up hearing his question and the smile quickly dropped. She didn't particularly like talking about her abilities. Most people didn't really like to be around her after, afraid she'd know too much or change something. "Oh you know.... just... you know." She shrugged. "i'm a meta like everyone else." She told him her voice shaking a bit as she became more self conscience.

"What about you?"

[Verill Mathias]

So it was all downhill from here. The gate was opened just a crack, allowing the roach to skitter in and begin its work spreading the plague. It didn't matter if it took a few days or weeks or months - sooner or later their "friendship" would grow, and the strings would come down on poor Noah. Why, already she was coming over to tell her whole story.

Or so he though.

Though outwardly the brunette nodded at her half-answer, there was an spark of fury within. She would dare to refuse him a decent response, and then return the question to him? The little weasel...

"Oh, me? I'm, ah, sort of a past-reader. I'm not exactly the best at it, so it just sort of happens from time to time. That... may contribute a bit to why people aren't too keen on talking to me, sorry."

It couldn't be helped. Verill had once attempted to lie about his ability, when he was still new to the school. He'd quickly found that such deceit was impossible to pull off at this institute, and it had cost him the trust of the one he had lied to. That was a mistake he wasn't willing to make again. So Noah got the truth, as begrudging Verill was to relinquish it. But perhaps all was not lost yet. Another twang of sorrow was painted upon his face.

"If... you're not comfortable talking to me after knowing that, I understand. I can see how someone can be offended with the idea of their past being looked at without consent."

[Noah Wilde]

Noah smiled when he said he was a past reader. Maybe he was like her then! Maybe he'd understand her and get her powers. She only got more smily when he talked about how people didn't seem to trust him after hearing that. SHe was like a bunny starting to hop around all excited for what must have seemed like the strangest of reasons.

"No no!" She said her small voice growing a bit. "I understand." She said having to calm herself down. "I do something like that too... i... well... i dont read pasts but i see memories." She told him and shrugged. "I know... sometimes people... don't tend to like those of us who deal with the past.... but i'd never stop talking to you because of it." She looked over at him locking eyes. She felt hope. Like maybe she'd finally met a friend.

Perhaps that feeling that she'd gotten before, the bad one, was just something else. Maybe she already knew that he was like her. Maybe that's why she didn't trust her... maybe other people sensed that feeling about her. No wonder it was so hard to make friends.

[Verill Mathias]

Her sudden excitement from his story took him back for a moment. A thrilled reaction was not what he was gauging for. But all became clear when she offered her own explanation. Unlike Noah, though, Verill did not initially meet it with smiles and good nature. His eyes flared wide. She could look into memories..?! Instinct demanded for him to abandon what use he may have had for her and make a run for it. He would have, too, if she were any other person. But not Noah. Not poor, innocent Noah.

His expression quickly adjusted from shock to joyous surprise, as if the fact that she was somewhat like him had overwhelmed him with his own hope. No, even if she had the potential to see his history, Verill would not forsaken his cause. She must not have seen anything yet. Otherwise, she would probably take a much different attitude towards him. Perhaps her ability worked like his, where physical contact must be made in order to trigger it. It was incredibly lucky for him that she hadn't accepted his handshake, then.

"R-Really? That's so amazing! I mean, coincidental anyway. Is that why you're always so distant? You don't have to be, you know..."

Honestly, if he wasn't so dedicated to keeping a low profile, he would have considered going into acting.

[Noah Wilde]

Noah wouldn't tell him how it worked, she'd never tell him that if he was thinking of a certain memory or around a certain object that triggered it she'd see. She never did that because really who could control their thoughts? He'd yet to have a moment like that though. Yet to have an overwhelming feeling that brought him back to a certain place or time. Noah did enjoy her abilities, sometimes. Living through other people's memories sometimes made her feel like she wasn't so alone, that their loved ones loved her too... but it was all an illusion really.

She couldn't help but smile feeling like she had something in common with him. Like he wouldn't judge her. Her smile faded when he said she didn't have to be so distant. Was he retarded? She could even see in him that for a brief second her confession had made him uncomfortable, the stutter, the change in his eyes before settling back into comfort. No no, most people didn't understand.

"I'd like to think that but.... you know how it is..." She sighed. "Most people just... don't understand." She sighed. It wasn't as if she'd change anything good in their memories or had a big mouth. "Usually... letting people in isn't... the best idea." She'd been hurt before. The innocent girl while guarded still wasn't the best at knowing which information to keep to herself and which to expose and was even worse in dangerous situation.