Kryptonite (Jack)

[Luxanna Viera]

Set on August 22nd

It was a little chill outside, but Lux didn't really mind. She could need the time away considering everything that had happened lately. Lux really needed some time away from the school to just chill out and clear her head. There had been way too much drama and too little fun. Okay, so she wasn't exactly the type of person who went out of her way to have fun, but that didn't mean she didn't like it. Either way, she was sick of all the drama and wanted to get away. Far away.

She walked through the forest leading to the lake, keeping her arms wrapped around her waist, hoping to the Gods above that nothing would come jumping through the trees and kill her. Dying on your sixteenth birthday didn't really sound all that pleasant. Not that Lux was much of a birthday person to begin with, but that didn't mean she wanted to die on it either. Not that she wanted to die in general, but whatever. Point was; Dark woods spooked her. Even if there was a trail leading all the way to the water.

Finally reaching the water, she sighed. So far, so God. She was still alive and she had reached her destination. And no one had jumped out to kill her yet. Score.

[Jack McCarthy]

Jack loved it when a master plan came together.

When Jack first came to the institute he was horrified when he first discovered the rules. No Alcohol? No drugs? No fun as far as Jack was concerned. If he didn’t do anything about it, he would be looking at nine solid months of….blah. Of course Jack could have easily have waited until after school hours to drink to his hearts content…but where was the fun in that?

Fortunately Jack found a most elegant solution to his woes.

The day before he arrived at Hammel , he had packed a bag completely with alcohol, weed and of course his porn collection and on the day of his arrival he went into the deepest darkness part of the forest. Where no self respecting teacher or authority figure would be suspicious and hid his stash in the hollowed out inners of a oak tree beside the lake.

Not only was this the perfect hiding place for Jack’s collection, but it allowed Jack the ability to add to it wherever he could, by just going to the local store and topping it up whenever possible. Sometimes Jack was too smart for his own good.

…and that night Jack certainly needed one hell of a stiff drink. He may have been only in the school for a few weeks but already he had managed to make himself an enemy of seemingly half the school. It wasn’t Jack fault if the school didn’t take a joke, so don’t hate him because he’s beautiful. But the bad feelings of the last few days seemed to evaporate as he began to approach his own personal perverted narnia. He liked to think he was flipping out Professor. Neville and all the rest of the teachers at the school by ignoring their rules. He felt like a modern day cha Guevara only with a lot more sex appeal. Viva la Revolution!

“Come on…come on…come to daddy.” Jack muttered as his reached into the tree.

[Luxanna Viera]

''Come on…come on…come to daddy.''

What. The. Fudge.

The words made Lux's body freeze in an instant before she turned her head to look around, taking a step back towards the woods. No wait. If there was a pervert out there, he's probably be hiding behind a tree, right? So, she stood still, scanning the area, listening for something, anything. Out of all the things that could happen, she had to run into freaking Albert Fish? God. She just had a thing for getting herself into trouble, didn't she?

BUT. What the pervert didn't know, was that little Lux could shift into a large cat and tear him to pieces. Or run. She'd probably run. Yes. Shift and then run. Okay, good. She had a plan.

Not that having a plan made her feel any more secure. Heck, if the pervert decided to come out and molest her, she'd probably be so terrified she wouldn't even be able to move. Let alone shift. Shifting usually took some time, and it was rather painful. And it wasn't like she could run into the water and swim away. After all, she'd end up drowning since swimming wasn't in her list of abilities.

Nope. She was doomed. Goodbye life with 27 seven cats, hello life filled with anxiety attacks and people who have to change her diaper. Over dramatic? Just a tad.

[Jack McCarthy]

Funnily enough, Jack was blissfully unaware of any terrified 16 year olds, as he currently preoccupied with his problems, namely a Stubborn bottle.

It appeared that the Oak tree enjoyed having on manner of frowned apon materials tucked away in its bowls, as it seemed that it didn’t walk to let go of Jack’s precious bag of goodies, No matter how much Jack tugged and pulled, his bag remained stuck in the tree.

“Uhhhhhh….Ahhhhh”

Jack face contorted and he groaned in an almost comical way as he did his utmost to pull the bag out, to the point where he was grabbing the bag with both hands and pulled with all his might.

“Oh come on, you beautiful bitc-Wahh!”

Suddenly Jack tumbled on his back as the tree finally relented and released the bag causing it fly out the hole and landed slightly behind Jack causing it contents to spill.

Jack smiled his victory as he turned behind him to collect his hidden treasure…only to be met with the frightened eyes of young woman standing over him seemingly debating whether to run or not.

“…Shit”

Busted.

Jack internally cursed himself as he recognised the girl as the annoyed girl that hammered on his dorm room door only a few days previously (Jack somewhat remembered her saying her name was “Luxanna” Or something to that effect)…and she was certainly a fan of his. He looked from her and back to the clearly visible pile of booze, drugs and dirty books.

Well this was awkward.

“…This isn’t what it looked like.” Jack stammered stumbling to his feet going to grab his bag.

“I just happened to be on a late night stroll, when I came across, this dirty…disgusting bag of booze…smut and drugs…so I…was just…Ummm….just…bringing it to one of the staff, so that they can dispose of this…awful…bag properly, I was just doing my civic duties and…shit”

[Luxanna Viera]

The sounds continued and Lux process of thoughts went deeper and deeper into the bottomless pit of exaggeration. There was quite the few scenarios pressing themselves through her mind, even if most of them seemed unlikely, she wasn't exactly making herself less frightened. Which was probably a bad way to go about it all. What she really should have done from the start was to run away the second she heard the noises. But nope, dumb as she was she just stood there like a prey waiting to be gobbled up.

The sudden thud of something hitting the ground made her jump and she spun around towards the source of the sound, blinking slightly as a boy about her own age came into view.

Oh God... Not him.

With narrowed eyes, a few shakes of her head and the corner of her lip twitching into a smile she watched as the poor thing rambled on and on, and on about how he was innocent and hadn't done anything wrong. Lux might have been innocent at times, but she wasn't dumb. She picked up the bag, looked at it with a amused smirk and held it out to him. ''Sure you were.'' Yeah, no. She didn't believe him for a second, but heck. If this was how he wanted to spend him time alone in the woods, she wasn't going to stop him. She was just happy her Albert Fish turned out to be Dory the fish instead.

''Trust me, I'm the least of your problems.'', she said, her amused smile only growing broader by the second.

[Jack McCarthy]

Oh, this was trouble.

She didn’t really need to remind him that things looked so very bad for Jack at this particular moment. Jack realized the severity of the situation.

Contained in that bag was every single banned item from Hammel, Jack didn’t just break the rules, He smashed it into little pieces with a jackhammer, all Luxanna needed to do was turn that bag in and faster then Jack could register he’ll be kicked out, then where will he go? Crappy or not this place was the only thing keeping him out the streets, there was no way his father will take him back, so he was kind of out of options.Add that to the fact that Lux was no fan of Jack’s and he was practically out of the school already.

Plus he really didn’t like the Chester-cat look on her face…she controlled Jack’s faith…and they both knew it.

Trying in vain to hold back the sweat collecting on his forehead, Jack laughed nervously as he reached for the Celtic chair around his neck.

It was time to turn on the old Mccarthy charm.

“Ok look, Lux... I know we kind of got off to a shaky start with the whole loud music incident, but that’s all in the past right? I mean there’s no need to do any rash now is there? Maybe we could reach some kind of deal, or-Hey wait! What are you doing out here anyway?"

[Luxanna Viera]

Even as much as this amused her, she wasn't mean. She would never purposely get him or anyone else in trouble. It didn't matter if most of the things in the bag were stuff she didn't agree with, if this was what he was interested in, then it was none of her business. Each to their own. And really, she wasn't that much of a petty person that she'd turn him in and ruin his future because they had disagreed on a small matter. She was better than that, and if she had known he thought that low of her, she'd feel a little hurt.

As he started speaking again, she tilted her head to the side and shook her head. ''You don't have to sweet talk me, Jack. I'm not going to get you into trouble.'', she said with a sigh and gave him the bag. Nope. He could think that lowly of her all he wanted, but she wasn't that kind of a person. ''And I came here to get away from the drama.'', she said, her smile reappearing, a little less amused this time.

''Besides. I don't really care what's in the bag, and if it contains something that'll get you into trouble, that's your business, not mine.'' She knew how it felt having nowhere else to belong, and she could easily understand the fright of getting kicked out and being left with no one or nothing. She wouldn't wish that upon her worst enemy - if she had one. ''So, you can relax.''

She stepped back, giving him the space and the time to collect himself and calm down. With her hands folded behind her back, she turned her head to look at the water. It looked really beautiful. So peaceful and...serene.

[Jack McCarthy]

Well that was unexpected…

You have to understand, Throughout Jack’s life he was constantly surrounded by hardened manipulative people who would take any and every opportunity to get ahead of everyone else. If Jack learned one thing from his father, it was that this was a “Dog eat dog world” and if someone asks you for a knife? They’ll most likely stick it in your back. This would explain Jack’s own attitude.

So you could imagine Jack’s surprise when Lux handed him back the bag when she have easily just handed it in… that was pretty much the first kind act anyone has given him since he first arrived in this school….Hell the first kind act in years!

Jack looked at the bag in his hand blinking unsure how to react to this random act of kindness.

“Ummm…Well…Thanks.”

Jack took a moment to enjoy the silence of the lake. That was pretty much the main reason why he came down here all the time, to escape the constant and never ending drama of the school, so he could sympathize with her on that score…Plus he had to admit; that was one awesome view.

“Yeah…The bullshit does get exhausting after awhile doesn’t it?”

[Luxanna Viera]

Well, Lux wouldn't know how Jack had it, seeing as her own life had been growing up in a closed up community, never really getting the chance to socialize with people or experiencing anything. That was the one and only reason to why she seemed to innocent as she did. And also why she was so awkward socially and why she was wary of letting people to close into her personal space. So far, there had been only three people who had come that far, and it had taken her almost three years. These people were Oriel, Evony and Kodah, who had pretty much gone MIA.

If Jack wanted kindness, Lux was a fine example. Sure, she had her moments of sassy and annoyed behavior, but her intentions were never to cause any harm on people. Whether she liked them or not.

''You're welcome.'', she replied with a smile and nodded. Yup, he sure was an odd little thing, this one.

She turned to look at him again. Yes, the drama grew tiring after a while, and she wasn't a big fan of it. But somehow she almost seemed to be dragged in the middle of it all. Whether it was a crying girl on her shoulder with a broken heart or people fighting. She seemed to be there. ''Yeah, it really does.'', she agreed and looked away. Oh, how true his words were. God, she really needed to relax and unwind.

[Jack McCarthy]

Now that Jack had narrowly avoided disaster, Jack felt a damn shade calmer now that he knew that Lex was going snitch him up or sing like a canary…or other 1920’s terns for turning him, and the whole bag of porn seemed to be a surprising effective ice-breaking now that Lux and Jack seem to be friendly for the first time ever, which suited Jack down to the ground.

He had originally planned to spend this time but the way Lux answered the question sent alarm bells ringing in Jack’s ears. The poor girl seemed to been struggling to deal with issues of her own. If it was something else Jack would ask straight up what was troubling her…but this was Jack Mccarthy we were talking about, the man had no knowledge on how to deal with emotional issues directly whatsoever...so he choose to comfort her, his way.

Jack reached into his bag and pulled out quite a large bottle of vodka and held it out for Lux.

“Here, In my professional opinion nothing solves a problem like getting really…really pants shitting drunk”

[Luxanna Viera]

Lux wasn't the type who was well with emotional confrontation either, and she wasn't exactly keen on discussing what she felt, or why she felt that way. In her opinion, it was a little too private to discuss with just anyone. Not that she really discussed her feelings with her friends either, and they all just assumed she was this weak little girl who needed protection against everyone. But really, she knew how to handle herself, and she knew how to speak her mind if the situation needed it. But, if people wanted to view her as weak instead of actually getting to know her true self, then that was their decision to make. Either way, she preferred people not stepping all up in her personal space-bubble, and it was a good thing Jack didn't, because he'd easily make this a lot more awkward than what it needed to be.

She sent the bottle a skeptical gaze, before shifting her eyes to his. Was he serious? Alcohol? ''Uhm...'', she began a little uncertain. Of course, she was curious, like any other teenager would be, but she wasn't sure if it was such a good idea. But heck... What was the worst that could happen? ''Sure. Why not.'', she said and took the bottle, looking at it once more.

Opening it and taking a mouthful of the liquid, she made a grimace before shaking her head. Man, this thing burned like hell.

[Jack McCarthy]

Ahhh, now this was the type of social interaction that Jack was more then comfortable with. Nothing like getting rip-roaring hammered to discover what made a person tick, not to mention establish a positive bond with someone. Jack enjoyed the company of Lux, she seemed like one of the good ones, she could be a little be quiet but asides from that Jack enjoyed her company. Jack smirked at her reaction to the vodka hitting her system. Clearly, she wasn’t as use to booze as Jack was.

“Don’t worry you’ll get used to that” Jack reassured her as reached into the bag for a beer bottle and took a mouthful with a satisfied gasp, clearly in his comfort zone.

“Ahh…yeah this is a pretty nice spot isn't it? I was thinking of maybe bringing a armchair here, just to make the place just a little more cosy. Don’t ask me how I’d drag a big armchair from town to here. I’m working on it. Whatta think?”

Jack took another sip of his beer enjoying the taste while he slowly sat down on the grass Indian style looking like a man without a care in the world.

“So what’s your power? Besides from being super sensitive to heavy metal first thing in the morning I mean”

Jack joked gesturing to the patch of grass beside him, inviting Lux to sit there.

[Luxanna Viera]

Oookay. This was way out of Lux's area of expertise, and she didn't really know what alcohol did to people or what it would do to her. She hadn't really been around a lot of people influenced by alcohol, and the times she had, a fight had usually been the results. But Lux wasn't a violent person, so she was pretty sure she wasn't a violent drunk. And dear, what was that warm, fuzzy feeling? And why did she feel so warm? Man, did the effects come this easily?

She gave him a sheepish smile. ''If you say so.'', she said with a slight chuckle and took another sip. Nope. Not used to it yet. Maybe the third would do the trick? Or the fourth? Nope and nope. Gosh, this was horrible.

''An armchair?'', she asked and chuckled. Maybe not the thing she'd pick to bring out here, but heck. ''Why don't you just get an old log or something? Sounds easier.'' Mmm, her tongue felt weird. She smacked it a few times and made another grimace. Really weird. ''Ooooooor. You could find some old wood and build yourself a chair.'' God, her cheeks felt as if they were burning. She wasn't blushing, was she?

Lux laughed. Oh yeah, his taste in music. She had almost forgotten about that. Lux wasn't used to people asking so up front about powers, but she didn't exactly mind it either. In her opinion, it was sort of weird how people didn't ask. That's why they were all here anyways. ''I'm a shapeshifter.'', she began and smiled. ''I can shift into large cats. Like a tiger or a panther, and stuff like that.'' She found it a little ironic how she had ended up with that kind of power. It didn't exactly suit her. ''And you?'', she asked before sitting down next to him, taking yet another sip of the horrible whatever it was.

Whatever it was, she could feel it already. Sheesh, what a light weight she was.

[Jack McCarthy]

Ahh this was the life, cool beer, nice view, pleasant company. What more could you ask for? Jack was somewhat amused Lux’s reaction to the booze, the stuff Jack gave her was pretty damn strong and she was downing it seriously fast, odds are she would wake up with one hell of a hangover….that’ll be one hell of learning curve Jack thought as he took another drinks starting to feel warm and fuzzy.

“Dude, a log would a bitch to seat on, why sit on a hard piece of wood...” Jack paused unable to stop a fit of immature giggles at that comment. “When you sit in a soft armchair feeling like the King high shit of world. Built a chair? Who has time for that shit? I mean I-I could totally do it because as you can see I’m all man baby.” Jack exclaimed as he mockingly shoved his arm in Lux’s eye sight and tensed it up revealing a less then impressive amount of muscle. “Boom! Hope you brought tickets to the gun show!”

Jack leant back down on the grass slipping his drink, noting with mild interest that he’ll be needing to get other one pretty soon.

“Oh, Cool!” Jack signed impressed with her power. “So’ll your like half lady-face half warecat lady-face? that's awesome! Bet that must have been a shock when you found that out!”


“Me? I just happen to be like…super lucky…like good shit just clings to be like fly’s to shit, life is good.”

Jack leaned up groggily before speaking again.

“I’m getting another beer, you want one?”

[Luxanna Viera]

''Oh, right, I forgot. Every king needs his hair, huh.'', she said and rolled her eyes. Well, she didn't blame him for wanting a softer seating, but Lux wasn't really the picky type. She could sit on a floor all day for all she cared. All man, huh? ''Right.'', she said, her eyebrows slightly raised and she nodded slowly, clearly unimpressed. ''Aaaall man, yup.'', she said and grinned. Well, she had seen worse attempts of guys proving their manlyness. At least she could give him that.

Calling it a shock was just the cherry on top of the cake. It had been rather traumatic, and it didn't really help quite a lot that her parents was really religious and thought she was possessed, and in the end, they abandoned her because of it. But it didn't really bother her as much anymore. She had a home here and she was fairly happy with the way her life had turned out. ''Something like that.'', she answered with a laugh.

Super lucky, huh? Well, there was worse powers than that, she imagined. Though, no one could ever say no to having a little extra luck in life. ''Beats having a tail when you get embarrassed.'' Oh, how true wasn't that. God, she hated how she'd grow animal parts when she least wanted it.

Lux took another sip from the alcohol and put the bottle down, slowly nodding. It couldn't be any worse than this, could it? Because really, whatever was in this bottle made her feel weird and god, could it be any hotter? ''Sure.''

She folded her hands in her laps, blinking a few times before finally managing to focus on Jack's face. ''Do you do this often, sit alone here and... Drink?'' And read porn. But she wasn't going to get into that.