C'est La Vie (Open)

[Jasper Stone]

Jasper was sitting alone, per usual.

He sat alone because, in essence, he didn’t care for striking up conversations with any other students, and he enjoyed being alone. If there was something that was the polar opposite of a social butterfly, Jasper would be classified as it. He had been at the Institute for three years, and could count on one hand the number of students he‘d said more than a few words to in his time at Hammel. Some of the others probably thought of him as an outcast or as an ass for not socializing, and they were partly right; he was a bit of an ass, and he did act like an outcast.

He didn’t try to be a prick to people, but his mouth seemed to work before his brain could sort through what he wanted to say. It was his glib tongue that had gotten him into numerous, fun scenarios back in Chicago, and little had changed in that aspect of his life here at the Institute. Jasper had learned that he could keep incidents to the minimum if he kept his sentences clipped and his teeth gritted afterwards, he could get by without trouble. Beside his glib tongue though, Jasper also wasn’t overly fond of people in general. They always had their own agendas and if the gain was large enough for them, they’d stab you in the back; the assassin’s blade coated in the trust you had previously placed in them.

Jasper sat alone because he could be a bit of an ass to anyone around him, and that he didn’t trust anyone at the school as far as he could throw them. He knew that rationally he was being imbecilic in thinking those kind of thoughts, but he also knew he couldn’t change how he felt. His philosophy was that you could trust in only three things; yourself, your abilities, and your family. Forming any other bonds with people was, essentially, useless, as eventually they would turn on you. If his tribulations in Chicago had taught him anything, it was that. Don’t rely on anyone but yourself, that way you won’t find yourself up the creek without a goddamn paddle.

It was these happy thoughts that danced through the forefront Jasper’s mind as he sipped his drink, debating on whether to head to the training room or his dorm after lunch. Maybe he’d go out for a walk; he always felt better when he was outside and close to nature. He was pondering this idea further as he heard footsteps approaching in his direction. Jasper closed his eyes and mentally sighed. This ought to be good.

Words: 444
Music: Daughtry - There and Back Again
Notes: C'est La Vie means 'Such Is Life' in French

[Braxton Carson]

Braxton was free of his school, but laws stated that even though he was in fair control of his powers, power training had to continue for a little bit more, and thus Hammel had to be a frequent destination for him for at least another year. It was ok, it was like once a week or so anyway, and today was that one day. Yes, it was Sunday, but it worked for him and his trainer.

One of the hardest skill a straight man can ever learn is how to tell if a guy is attractive or not. Of course, it's easier with highly acclaimed idols of beauty such as Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, but how to do it with normal guys around you? Almost impossible, but there were times when perhaps luck was all he needed, and so scouting in the cafeteria, he approached the most decent-looking guy nearby. Well, there were only two above-fifteen guys around anyway, but one looked too creepy to be asked what Braxton was going to ask.

As he approached the guy, he scanned him. Good clothes, good hair, nice looking face. Oh, but his cellphone rang. Mika. The man answered screaming 'honeeeeeeeey!'. Crap. Braxton turned around and walked up to the second option. It had to be him or nothing, and he did not want nothing.

"Hey," He said after standing next to the very serious-looking guy. "I need your help. See those two girls up there?" He pointed at the two cuties who initially called Braxton's attention into the Cafeteria when he was in his way back home. "Be my wingman, what do you say? I call the blonde, though." Braxton then offered the man his hand to shake. "I'm Braxton, you?"

[Zoe Autumn]

"Hunger.. we meet again."

Glaring hard at the tray of food in her hands, her lips quivered ever so slightly at the delicious meal before her. It had been hours since Zoe had consumed much of anything, and after burning nearly four hours in the pool today, the girl needed a good hearty meal. Another loud grumble was heard, it sounded almost painful. This was at the point where she seriously needed to take a seat and chow down; and here was the dilemma. Standing near the entryway with her tray in hand, the hapless young girl looked oddly around the room, as if searching for a specially marked seat. This cafeteria was huge, there was roughly a few people around, but nobody Zoe really knew well enough to sit with. It was shameful, that she'd been here almost three years and yet now here she was; standing completely dumbfounded in a room of barely antiquated students, taking her time choosing a seat to plunk her butt down in. Odd, right?

Looking around, there was a few strangers, some people she'd known just days before, and then again; most of the tables were empty. She could easily take a seat alone and stuff her face, but that would more-than-likely ruin her mood. Why would Zoe bother to travel to a public place just to sit alone? Would she? No, of course not. Starting off, pacing slowly to the long row of tables lined up through the hall, Zoe's gaze bounced around the room in an almost desperate fashion. Her stomach growled again, urging her to quickly decide. 'Arrgh.. Gotta just pick somewhere!' Finally she overheard someone, a guy who walked over to another, the two guys she hadn't had much of a chance to talk to in the past. "Bingo." Zoe smiled, wandering over in their direction with a little more spring in her step. Getting closer to the table, Zoe suddenly felt that nervous first-meeting vibe kick in. It was like stepping over a line of barbed wire to get into another room, like entering a conversation was really as dangerous as she thought. As many times as she'd done it before, the shy feeling never really went away at first.

Stopping for a moment, freezing up, she failed to summon the right words in time, and instead stood there for a moment with her lips barely parted. "Err.." 'Don't freeze up!' "Umm.." 'Oh god, say something, quick!' "..Eheh.." 'Awkward! This is so awkward!' "HI." Sitting down quickly, perhaps a chair or two between the boys and herself, Zoe lowered her head for a moment, thinking over quickly what she needed to say. Quickly looking up to the boys, a sincere but awkward-masking smile on her face, she greeted the two guys as best she could. Given the shyness barrier at first. "Hey! The name's Zoe, I'm gonna sit here if you two don't mind! 'Kay?" Sitting for a moment, unsure of how they'd react exactly, behind the smiling face she began to wonder if she'd screwed up already. 'Crap! It's awkward! Ahhh! Panic!'