Fast Forward (Open.)

[Alice Halifax]

Alice had no idea how Odion's meta ability worked, nor did she understand the concept of the several fields of science which pertained to the idea of time. Alice was graced with an astounding intelligence, however, that intelligence rested in other areas of life. Art and the understanding of how it influenced and was influenced by history was where Alice laid her claim to brilliance. Of course, Alice was also rather gifted when it came to understanding people and their motivations. She was a mistress of persuasion and manipulation and as such, knew how to play the game Odion was so adept at playing. His charm, his looks and even his well chosen words all played a part in the decision Alice had made. She was taking incredible risks in recruiting someone she knew little to nothing about, but opportunities like this were few and far between.

The feeling of time remained the same for Alice. For here, Odion never moved and everything seemed to be right with her world. The only thing which set off any signs of Odion using his ability was the sudden lurch in Alice's stomach, as if something didn't sit just right. Her skin tingled for a mere moment and then she had a feeling of nakedness. Not in the sense of literally being nude, but as if something was removed from here, something so very personal. With a few blinks of her eyes, things then began to come into focus and play. Odion had removed her necklace, a clear violation of personal space. Normally Alice would punish someone for violating her this way, but Odion garnered a different reaction. She allowed him to place the necklace into her hand, curling her fingers over the jewelry. This show of his powers and the curiosity he expressed by tempting Alice to put him to use was taken as an agreement to her invitation.

Holding her necklace tightly, Alice studied Odion for a moment, a coy little smile on her face. "Consider yourself a member of our happy little family Odion," Alice said almost a bit too oddly. The term 'family' indicated deep bonds and emotional ties to others and coming from Alice, that might not be the best of things. It wasn't like Alice had the same definitions of certain words as the rest of the world did. For her, the rules of normalcy didn't apply. Alice was a young woman who took what she wanted by whatever means were the most productive and lucrative. Then again, if you were someone who shared similar interests, Alice might have been the super star you were looking for. Luckily for Odion, Alice seemed to have taken a small liking to him. It was still far too early for her to form any real lasting bonds, but if Odion continued to impress as he had thus far, who knew how closely the two would become.

[Odion Martins]

The look which flashed across Alice’s otherwise pretty face was very dark. Odion didn’t think it would be the end of the world to remove the necklace, only to give it right back. The boy felt like he was capturing the blonde’s attention only because he was interesting prey. Like cat and mouse, Odion kept squirming around instead of playing dead. Playing dead would have resulted in the ‘cat’s’ loss of interesting in him, and that’s not what he wanted. Yes his move had apparently been bold, but it seemed to do the trick. The right amount of manipulation, technique, and skill.

Family, it struck him like an unsuspecting gong and rendered his face looking as such. He quickly rearranged his face into a thankful smile, still curious as to what Alice meant by what she said. “I’m honoured, truly,” Odion said simply, glancing at the clock. He had lost track of time, like he so often did. He didn’t want to cut their encounter short, but they would have to leave at some point.

“I’m afraid I have to get to class Alice, may I walk you to your next destination?” He offered. Even if he was shut down it didn’t matter. He would surely be seeing the girl again, and hopefully next time, she would bring the rest of the ‘family’ with her for him to meet. Really he just wanted to have a few more moments with the girl to set up a time to meet again. He knew he’d be checking the clocks more often because of her now. He had a feeling she wouldn’t appreciate him being late for anything she had planned for him.

[Alice Halifax]

The group which Alice had been so intent on growing and establishing was getting off to a very nice start. The numbers of the group was small, but that was the design. A smaller group meant tighter relationships between the members and it also made it easier to conceal and hide their movements. Of course, the group no doubt would draw some curious eyes and minds seeing how none of them really shared any readily seen common connections. Each was part of a different social status and their personalities seemed to vary greatly as well. However, that was the outside appearance of the members. On a more personal level, each one of them really weren't that different. Power, success and money was the main driving factors of this group, along with a sense of belonging to something truly great. Each member seemed to have a want to find others with which they could establish deep emotional ties with, but that was a need which really wasn't spoken aloud.

Odion was growing on Alice more and more as the conversation went on. He was charming and seemed to have the proper respect and manners when in the presence of a lady such as Alice. It was refreshing to see that there were some males left in the world who knew the fine details when it came to social etiquette. Alice had to admit she was surprised to see such manners coming from Odion as he just didn't look the sort. Appearances were deceiving sometimes and Alice was thankful she was able to get to know this charming young man before her.

As Odion expressed his acceptance of Alice's proposal, Alice smiled, her mind already formulating the perfect time and place for Odion to meet the others of this little family. None of them had officially met in a group manner yet, but the time for that was drawing near. One recruit remained and once she was dealt with, then a meeting would be arranged for all to meet one another.

Odion offered to escort Alice to her next destination, an act which made her smile broaden. "Yes you may," she replied, stepping closer to Odion, reaching out to take his arm for him to lead her by. "I'm meeting my dear Isabella in the library. Maybe you would like to meet her?," she asked Odion, still smiling.

[Odion Martins]

Odion held his arm out for Alice to hold, which she did. He drew his arm towards him, the blonde becoming his escort as they left the room. It was a fine art, accompanying a woman while still letting her lead, as she was the one who knew where to go, but Odion did so with grace, something that came with practice. Girls like Alice seemed to like being pampered, shy and mysterious people being their fancy.

‘Dear Isabella’ hmm? The ginger kept a small, rather pleasant smile on his face as they walked through the halls. “I would love to meet her, but I wouldn’t want to impose if you had other plans,” he said, his voice collected and strong. Odion was anything but weak, and although he would run in the presence of true danger, he could handle just about any situation with a suave nature. So long as there weren’t any distractions.

The redhead couldn’t help but notice the many stares they were receiving, and he held his smile, people quirking their eyebrows. It was like they had never seen a display of chivalry before. He glanced at Alice, his dark blue eyes almost laughing with mirth. Odi had a way of saying much without a word, and this was one of those cases. He had a bit of pep in his step, unsure of what else to say to the exquisite creature beside him, so he decided to hold his tongue, letting her have control of the situation.

[Alice Halifax]

Each choice had been calculated in Alice's recruitment of members for the group. There were certain powers which were a must and then there was Odion and his ability. Time manipulation hadn't really crossed Alice's mind as she had never really encountered anyone with such a grip on it as Odion had. While his ability was the chief factor in her hasty decision to offer an invitation into the exclusive group she was forming, it was not the final selling point. Odion had style, class, and most importantly manners. He knew how to properly treat a young woman and while he was a bit flirtatious, Odion wasn't pawing all over Alice. He was subtle and knew how to play the game and that was just the sort of thing the group needed.

As Alice took Odion's offered arm, she allowed herself to be pulled in closer to him. Alice didn't feel any reason to not trust Odion in this matter as he had shown himself to be a gentleman. Trust needed to be established and so, this was the best time to start establishing. "Its nice to find a young man with manners," she said softly, flashing an enticing smile to Odion, taking the lead. Odion did a good job of looking as if he was leading her and Alice allowed him this small favor. While she liked being in charge and the center of attention, she also knew what roles to play and when. She was still drawing many looks and so, she was content enough to let Odion take the traditional role of looking as if he were the one calling all the shots.

Alice walked slowly, taking her time as she gently pushed and pulled Odion's arm this way and that, silently indicating which direction he should go. While they walked, several on lookers murmured and pointed. Alice could not help but smile, quickly looking down to hide her excitement at such attention. She knew the reputation she had among the other students and had worked hard to establish that reputation. To the others, Alice was nothing more than a vain social climber who was only interested in money and the material things of life. This of course was true to some extent or else Alice wouldn't be able to properly pass herself off as such. However, Alice's obsession with wealth and power went far deeper and was more intricate than anyone could ever dare guess.

Alice glanced at Odion, noticing how he sort of puffed up a bit at the stares. This caused Alice to giggle some, which led to her putting the back of her hand to her mouth to stifle the giggle. "This isn't something they get to see often. Me being escorted I mean," Alice said, clearing her throat, and holding her head higher as she had been trained to do as a little girl. "I am very selective of whom I hold company with you see. My family holds a rather elite status out west. I don't waste my time with lazy unambitious fools, so get ready for some rather tasty rumors about yourself to begin floating their way about the school," she said with another smile. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you the importance of reputation Odion, so please use caution when the question cats come pawing at your pant legs."

[Odion Martins]

Odion found Alice very, controversial. First she was saying that not many could find their way into her presence very easily, and yet, here he was. If she was anything like him, and he assumed that she was, manipulation was a tender thing, something that needed to be handled with care. Maybe it was pompous for Odion to be thinking this, but he thought that he would make a good wingman for Alice, so long as they both weren’t trying to manipulate one another. Alice may have let him into close proximity but Odion was allowing her to take advantage of him. It was a strange complex, but he sort of enjoyed being taken advantage of.

“I’m enjoying the presence of a classy lady,” he said, agreeing with the blonde around his arm. They would make a fine pair, and an even better group. Odion just hoped that she knew what she was doing, and that no one would rub the other the wrong way. He followed her movement and they walked elegantly through the school, something that didn’t happen every day. He looked at her when she started to giggle, finding her all the more charming. Approachable even. The way she referred to the rest of the student body as ‘they’ made the ginger wonder exactly how she viewed those around her – and at what point he, would become a ‘they’.

Cringing visibly, followed by a sigh, Odion wasn’t completely sure he liked all the attention he would be receiving from the student body. He had managed to keep a relatively low profile since being here, coming from Europe and all. He looked at her, managing a smile. “I suppose it comes with the territory,” he said, a small shrug given. Hopefully she would be able to see the sacrifice of privacy he was taking on for her. If she didn’t appreciate him properly, he would retreat back into the shadows. “I’ll be careful,” he said reassuringly, feeling Alice stop him at what he assumed to be the place she wanted to arrive, looking at her for instructions.

[Alice Halifax]

Stopping, Alice turned and looked at Odion with a smile, assured that he knew the value of silence and privacy. If she hadn't felt some level of trust with Odion, Alice would not have offered him a spot within the group. Membership was very exclusive and wasn't given to just anyone. True, Odion hadn't been under observation like others had, but he was a rare exception. Alice went with her gut on this one, a dangerous gambit but one Alice took a risk on and won.

Slipping her arm from his, Alice took a long slow breath. "I'm sure you won't disappointment me Odion. You've got such raw talent and a very gifted tongue," she said, smiling at the last part, perhaps hinting at something rather intimate. "The others will be rather eager to see you I think, if they haven't already," she said with a wink, hinting that Odion might have crossed paths with the others and not known their paths were so intertwined. "I'm afraid I'll have to leave you now my dear. Isabella gets a bit irritated when I'm away from her so long," Alice said, blowing Odion a kiss before leaving his side, heading off toward the library to meet her sweet angel.

(figured it was time to end this thread.)