Ribbon Dancing ( Open!)

[Avinea Jale]

Why was Avi in the gym with bright blue ribbons? Well it might have something to do with Leila's advice and it might have something to do with an old memory. Avi remembered how she felt when she had gotten into Rhythmic Gymnsatics as a kid. It was her mother's last ditch effort with an exasperated attempt to make Avi more of a 'young lady'. Avi had found her niche in the Ribbon part of the gymnastics, much to everyone's surprise.

When she was little she just liked chasing the ribbon. Even now she liked that part. Smiling she turned on her Ipod, plugging it int the speakers, and waited until the right sort of song came on. In her bare feet, a pair of shorts, and a light blue tank, Avi was dressed for this. She had stretched before she started, making sure to do all of the same she had when she was little.

It had even been the foresight of her mother to send chalk and the proper ribbons. Her mother was a bit surprised, yes, but it was a pleasant surprise as it meant Avi was going to become a little more refined. Her music in Avi started to move, trying to get back into the habit of the movement needed. Starting with a few simple twirls Avi smiled ad slowly began to stretch with the ribbon, it extending out as she did, making herself elongate.

There it was, the feeling she wanted. The feeling of becoming one. A smile on her face, eyes intent Avi began to do more of the advanced moves that she had known. After a few fails, she finally got up on her toes, leg straight up in the back, her hand barely touching it. She slid the ribbon around in circles, keeping herself in tune to the music. Avi looked at the ceiling and thought.

Maybe it was time to try that.

Thinking hard as she moved and leaped about Avi finally got into it. She was so lost in her ribbon chasing, a genuine smile on her face she really wouldn't know if anyone came in, not expecting the normally always moving Avi to be lost in a world of ribbon, her face as happy and concentrated as can be, literally twirling her body in a circle, the ribbon dancing along.

[Ellison Eisenstein]

Black and white again. One blink, and the colors of the world ceased to exist for Ellison. It was never a flare, only a moment where his mind would wonder, allowing the almost self-aware power to stretch its reach, its ability to manifest itself. Forcing it back to color would take more willpower than he wanted to exhibit at the time, so he allowed himself to accommodate with the temporary change. For once, letting changes occur was easy for him.

Ellison loved the Institute but it was so greater than him in size, scope, and intention. He had hardly traded more than formal greetings with his roommates, and most of his personal belongings were still locked in his suitcase, too nervous to place them anywhere. Eventually this may become a new home for Ellison, but it still remained alien to him for the time being.

At least they had a gymnasium, Ellison thought. The signs directed his brisk pace, his eagerness propelling his legs forward. There was something enticing about a gymnasium. Not at all one that was occupied by other students. It was in the silent, emptiness of an especially large gym that he found solace, the great industrial rafters and echoic melodies of the sounds of his singular existence that grounded him in the real. So often was his senses altered, that true sensation was an abstract thing. Only in that great spacial silence that he could equalize, and reform his mind, cleanse himself of the outside abstracts that morphed his senses.

He passed quickly through the changing room. There was no need for a change in wardrobe, just a quick drop off of his backpack in one of the lockers. The metal door leading out into the gym yielded silently to Ellison's hand press. And there, just as he opened the door, did he see Avinea Jale, and the color in his eyes returned, as instantaneously as it left before. The music was as light as her form, the waves of audio like flighty creatures of fancy that surrounded her like so many ribbons.

For that brief moment, he was frozen in place, and a flurry of emotions and thoughts crashed against each other in his mind. At first he was wary of going in any further, the prospect of a silent meditation now gone. But color had returned to his eyes, a sign of equalization, and all his senses were calm and placid. The state he was trying to find for himself was found for him, unbeknownst to its finder. Now he almost felt obligated to thank her, keeping that thought locked up. Too often did he try to convey the malleability of his own senses to his peers back home, to no avail.

Ellison found his seat in the gym on a flight of bleachers. He watched the invisible forces dancing about the ribbons in Avinea's hands. His mind painted the winds a soft blue for his eyes to see clearer, standing out against the gym's orange and brown. To his surprise, the winds were surrounding her, bidding the ribbons to dance, seemingly by her intention.

Not to be rude or seem too silent, Ellison made his presence known by coughing into his closed hand, the sound reverberating through the gym, briefly droning out the music.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi was moving with the wind, going into that state that allowed her to just think clearly. Honestly you wouldn't think it was so hard for someone to think clearly, but when you had so many thoughts and ideas running through your head it was almost impossible to think clearly. Sometimes Avi just wanted to tell everyone to shut up and let her think. It didn't often work and she was often scolded for her “smart alec” behavior. This was different. Here she could focus.

Avi loved Hammel, there was no doubt about it, she felt she belonged, but it was sort of easy to get lost in. not physically lost no, but lost in the crowds. Everything was so big and there was always something going on, be it the clubs, power training, classes or anything else for that matter. She had to work to make herself stand out here. There were so many talented, amazing people here that Avi was almost lost in the crowd. It was part of the reason that Avi was so loud. Losing herself here wasn't an option.


Avi's mind was filled with only the ribbon, where it would go next and when it would go there. She had everything timed out and ready to go, matching it in step and perfectly. She couldn't afford to miss a step, that would get her a penalty and bring down her mark, oh wait... she wasn't competing any more. She smiled at the thought and marveled at how quickly she fell back into step with the competition. It had been a long time coming, but it was kinda sorta awesome to her that she was able to completely immerse herself in the thought and attitude required of her.

She smiled as she chased the ribbon, he mind thinking of only one thing, of making so sure it happened. She was getting back into the hang of things and she could feel the wind building up around her, moving with the wind. It was just the right amount building up. She felt as if she was finally getting something right and this was the result. God this whole thing had done so much more then her trainers had. Sure they had helped, but it felt as if she had gotten stuck, and no one would or could help. Smiling she made sure that the wind was keeping up, in tune, propelling the ribbons in the right direction.

She was flying. She wasn't sure what was going on but she was flying. All was going to be fine. She was sure of it The ribbons were sure of it. Everything was just perfect. She was so happy she finally got it. Avi kept the ribbons going, twirling and seemingly letting them float on air. Her intention was to make them seem as if they weren't being controlled by her. It was the ultimate compliment to have someone say so, especially if they knew when she had just restarted it.Everything just felt perfect and she was just going to enjoy the moment while it lasted.

As the song changed Avi smiled even wider as it picked up, a hard rock song coming on. It was a great contrast from the normal music that normally accommodated the ribbon dancing she was used to. It worked well for her though and she suddenly wished she could make it dark in here, maybe get a few strobe lights and just dance that way. It would be easier for her to get what she needed done if it was dark in here. Maybe that could be something else... Sounded like a good plan if she knew one.

She was going good, keeping up and making use of the entire gym when she head a cough. “Ack...” The voice seemed to come out of nowhere and it messed her up. As suddenly as the cough sounded over the music and the trance into her mind Avi tripped. The thing was though she was in the middle of a complicated turn that just happened to have the ribbons dancing in circles around her body. When she tripped, well lets just say Avi was now a living present. Complete with bows and everything. Smiling she blinked then started to laugh. “Little help here please?” Avi couldn't get the smile off of her face. “That was so much fun!” Smiling she shook her head and tried to wiggle out of the ribbons. “It appears I am stuck.”

[Ellison Eisenstein]

The dazzling form fell, its ribbons cocooning it self, as if preparing for some metamorphosis. Ellison watched as the girl tumbled down, in a beautiful display of descendant form that amazed him as much as it frightened him. The serenity was disturbed by his presence, but he couldn't blame himself. More often than not it was simple, small little things, that would disturb his ability concentration, unsettling his senses like a snow-globe freshly shaken.

The thud from the fall resounded realism into Ellison, his response quick and genuine. “Oh!” He exclaimed, almost leaping off his seat. He ran over to Avinea, stopped just before her. “I'm so sorry, let me help you. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean too...” He started loosening the ribbons. They were long, and seemed to have a mind of their own in the devious nature of their entanglement.

The ribbons had their agenda, unwilling to unravel too easily. There was an awkward silence. Ellison eyes darted left and right, away from the situation and unsuccessfully trying to alleviate his own tension. “My name is Ellison. It's uh... a pleasure to meet you.” His concern concealed the humor of the situation, his lips slightly pursing hiding a smile, conflicted with his own guilt.

“I'm new here, still getting use to everything. If it's any, uh, consultation, you were great.” The ribbons started to give way, releasing themselves to the tenacious handwork of Ellison.”I uh... do like the bows.”

Her laughter was a quick remedy to his nervousness, and soon a smile broke through the anxiety, and he began laughing too.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi just sort of lay there as the guy rushed over to help her. "Pfft it's totally not your fault. I was just surprised that's all." Avi had to smile as she was attempted to become untangled. "Don't worry about it."

Avi grinned as the awkward silence ensued. She had better fix that hm? Well she didn't have to it turned out. The guy went and did it all on his own. "Ellison hm? Nice to meet ya. I'm Avi." Avi grinned as she gave her name. It was easier to pronounce then Avinea and it was easier to spell as well. "Though it would have been nicer if it wasn't such a tying situation."

That my friends was Avi's attempt at humor. Was it working?

OH so he was new! That would explain why she hadn't seen him around that often. He had looked familiar but she couldn't place him. Oh well she would figure it out eventually. " Really? I was good?" Avi had to smile. It had been a while since she had done this and to know she was good to someone who just happened to see her, well lets just say it gave her ego a huge boost. OH so he had a sense of humor! That was good! Avi grinned and gave a response back as the ribbons came undone. "I think I work them well hmm?"

Avi laughed along with him and sat up looking him over as he laughed. Awkwardness gone, was a mission complete.

[Ellison Eisenstein]

“You were great, and even falling was, uh, graceful!” The last ribbons gave way, releasing her from her crimson prison. Oh, that tying pun was bad, but he didn't care. For something that seemed to alien before, having a simple conversation with someone seemed so natural, so easy.

“Yes, you worked the ribbons perfectly. Actually, it seemed you like you weren't working the ribbons, but the wind around them. It was, well, beautiful!” A far cry from any performance Ellison had seen. Hammel was an interesting place, growing more so every day, and this girl was no exception to that rule.

At some point in this conversation, Ellison completely forgot why he came, why he was wrapped up in such stress. In time, he powers would most likely flare up, and he would need proper training to refine his outbursts and control deficiency, but for now, none of that mattered. For this time, he was just Ellison, separate and distant from the meta in him.

“I was just trying to get this big school memorized, then I found this Gym. I'm glad I found it.” Ellison smiled contently. “Ok, now you have got to tell me how you did that! I mean, not the falling part, that was, well, kinda my fault.” He chuckled. “But the dancing, I mean your amazing dancing, and that... I guess I'd call it wind controlling? Just incredible, how did you do that? Could you show me how?”

[Avinea Jale]

Avi giggled as Ellison stumbled over his words. "No it wasn't don't say it was." Ah! She was free!

Smiling and stretching, Avi sat down on the gym mat and began to untangle the ribbons. "Thank you." Was it really working?

This new person was interesting. He seemed to have a knack for making Avi smile, even if the situation was awkward in the first place. "I always have a knack for getting myself in situations that require a little un-fumbling, just glad that I have someone to untangle this situation with"

"When you have been here as long as I have its pretty simple where everything is. " Avi gave a grin towards Ellison."Ah uhm, I'm an Aerokinetic." Avi smiled up at the still standing boy. "I was put into gymnastics when I was little... that was just nostalgia."

[Ellison Eisenstein]

“Yeah, maybe one day you can teach me where everything is, I mean like the hierarchy of students. I still feel like a stranger in a strange land. Well, not so much now, but you know what I mean.” The notion of destiny's ties never meant much to Ellison, but he was at least grateful for the ties of the ribbons. Talk about your ice-breaker.

“If you have a knack in getting stuck more times than not, you'll need someone around to get you out. Like, an escape artist. Except, not like an escape artist... where was I going with that?” Ellison was stumbling in thoughts now, but he didn't care. He giggled through the verbal hiccups, and he didn't seem to care.

He mouthed the syllabus of Aer-o-ki-ne-tic silently. “Aerokinetic? I've never heard of that. Granted, I didn't hear about this place until they decided I was right for it. I'm not sure about that yet.” There was a pause, a momentary reflection on personal thoughts, from the quiet times in his dorm room alone. “In any case, I can say that I was right for this moment. Whatever that means!” He laughed along with her, forgetting the worry and self-conscious tendencies he so often would carry.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi grinned at Ellison and nodded towards him. " It would be my pleasure to show you around." At the stranger in a strange land she had to grin. "I've been here for a while and i still feel like a stranger.Yes, I know what you mean." At least they had that in common hmm?

Avi grinned and smiled at him as she stretched herself out, once the ribbons were gone. "are you volunteering?" Smirking Avi tilted her head and watched him blunder through his words. Grinning she looked at him and giggled before raising her eyebrows. "Though I have a feeling that said escape artist would just get into more trouble with me then without."

Smiling Avi nodded. It was a weird word. "I control the wind." Thus she was an aerokinetic. "They do keep this place pretty under wraps didn't they? She was surprised it had been kept such a secret after all this time. Though with how many meta's there were she was sure that it would be wise to reveal the location of where the kids were trained. That would lead to a lot of discrimination. Smiling she looked at Ellison. "Well in a way you are right."

[Ellison Eisenstein]

The more time he spent with Avinea, the most Ellison opened up. Ice-breaker conversations opened an honesty in Ellison. “One of these days I could use an honest tour guide around Pine Ridge. Before I feel at home here, I should take some time to check around down there. Maybe I can try to be Ellison the human, not Ellison the Meta.” There was a sting of disdain at his voice, the tone of a larger issue he wished to leave unsaid, as not to sour the moment.

“You control the wind. You can fly, and you'll probably be doing a lot more when you get older. Far as I know, I just play tricks on people's ears and eyes. So if trouble should come, I think you have yourself covered. I'll just amuse them for a few moments, then get the beating of a lifetime! I'm still getting use to training. Good days, bad days, you know? Some days I feel like a different person. Side effects, I suppose. Hopefully I can make some good out of it. I mean, I didn't have a choice coming here, but I can choose what I become after the fact.” A period of thought suspended Ellison with an unsure look on his face. His own words were compelling him to new ideas in the moment.

But he had to refocus again, enjoy the moment. Other thoughts, for other times. “Anyway, how long have you been here? Are you enjoying yourself? I was never much of a scholar but, the history classes seem interesting. Maybe English too, not sure about that yet. What about you?”

[Avinea Jale]

Avi blinked as he continued to talk. Slowly she let out a giggle. "I know there are a lot of pine trees but its called Pilot Ridge, not Pine Ridge." Avi had to smile and shook her head at the thought still laughing. " But sure, I can give you a tour." Smiling she looked at him again. "No, not Ellison the meta, nor Ellison the human. Your just Ellison, the one who helps get girls out of ribbon situations." Avi giggled and patted his back. "You get used to it after a while."

" Ah no, I can't fly." Avi grinned and shook her head waving her hand in front of it. "I just was in gymnastics when I was little, that was nostalgia." Avi nodded at him. " but I'm glad i was made to come here. I would never want to hurt anyone. Not intentionally, if i went untrained I would have had trouble with that." Giving a grin she looked at the other student and smiled. "We always have a choice, it doesn't matter if we think we do or don't"

Avi smiled at Ellison and nodded towards him. "I've been here since I was eleven, and I'm seventeen, so six years?" grinning she looked at him and wrinkled her nose when he mentioned English. "I am much more of a Math person myself. That and Phys. Ed."

[Ellison Eisenstein]

Sooner or later it was going to happen. Best laid plans, the best string of luck, the highest rolls will only last for so long. So did the dichotomy of luck enforce itself, where in after a point of great luck should then follow a point of terrible luck. From a high then a low.

Pine Ridge. Stupid mistake, right. But as Avinea corrected him, the “pilot” was muffled by a buzz. His eye twitched for a half-second, and Ellison watched for her reaction, wishing she could hear it too. It would mean it wasn't him alone, that it wasn't the side effect. A side effect that must be alive or aware, with a cruel intention, the ruination of this perfect moment in time.

But it grew, insidiously so, drowning out her words. He kept a controlled face, eyes intent on struggling to hear the traces here and read the lips there, stitching a patchwork of her words. It didn't work, and no relenting of his side-effects all the while.

He hoped she could forgive him for this moment, for not explaining why he cut her off at “math person,” and for screaming at her that he had to go. As his hands, barely kept from clenching into fists pushed the Gym doors opened, he would hope that she might want to understand what happened. At a later time, at a better time. He thought of blaming himself, a lack of training, a fear of what could happen to others let alone himself. Maybe when he concealed himself in a place, in solitude and quietude, he could also think about the simple happiness he took from a conversation that didn't go completely wrong, or competently and inadvertently insulted the recipient.

Maybe he could think of how easily she danced with the ribbons, or how she more importantly handled herself after failing. It wasn't about failing, that happened for reasons beyond her control. But that she could laugh it off, so easily, could mean Ellison could do the same.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi was perfectly fine with correcting him. It was a good idea for her anyway and she felt perfectly natural at it. In fact correcting people was one of her best achievements. Not that she was bragging or anything. Nooooooooo Avi would never brag. You must have the wrong person.

But it grew, insidiously so, drowning out her words. He kept a controlled face, eyes intent on struggling to hear the traces here and read the lips there, stitching a patchwork of her words. It didn't work, and no relenting of his side-effects all the while.

She kept on talking, keeping herself entertained but she felt he was getting uninterested. She wondered if she was boring him.Then the explosion happened.

For a while she stood there dumbfounded.

She wasn't used to people running off screaming at her. Well then that was interesting. She supposed she would have to find out what that was about later. Right now it was back to practice.

Standing up she turned the music back on and began her routine again.