Knock Knock (Judah)

[Walther Ebersbacher]

Walther had never been in the Co-Ed dorms before. There wasn't much of a reason. He ran in to Judah pretty regularly in the lounge, but this time around, noon broke, and he didn't see his friend where he usually did. "Oh well." he first figured. "Maybe he just has class." So he'd waited another hour. Another hour where he watched TV, and adjusted how he was laying on the couch five or six times. Still, he was a no-show.

He covered it up with excuses like "Well, maybe he could be sick." or "Maybe he's just in a bad mood." to dispel his worries that he would be incredibly annoying by doing this. "Maybe I can cheer him up or see if he needs something from the cafeteria." There he was, scouring his memory in the hallways as he came across similar door after similar door, laid in a row with nothing to distinguish them but the numbers on the face.

"Two-fifteen... That's what he said in the yearbook signature... Two-fifteen." Instead of reaching right for the knob after he passed two-fourteen, he balled up a fist, and gave a few strong raps to the door. He shared this room with girls, so it was only proper. Ugh, he didn't need his reputation smeared, being called a little pervert or something to that extent.

But now that he was waiting out here, his mind was going all sorts of different directions. He'd never hung out with Judah in his room, so what if it was just some sort of formality thing when he'd given Walther his dorm room number? What if he was just annoyed by him all along? The tendency Walther possessed to overthink things when it came to friends that were teenagers always seemed to rear its ugly head at moments like this.

Well, worst case scenario, he'd just go back to his room and be lazy with Darian, instead.

[Judah Linn]

Judah... slept through the entire day. Literally, the entire day. It was the end of the semester and he was pretty much sleep deprived to that point. It was better for him to A) avoid class, and B) get lots of rest. It justified him sleeping all day. Maybe. If his roommates ever showed, they probably would have yelled at him for being a disgusting, lazy pig. He wouldn't care. The only thing he truly felt bad about was not meeting Walther as he did almost every single day. Usually he'd come around noon, his lunch period, then go back to class until 2:50 and escape the wave of people headed for the dormitories. They'd get some good gaming in, some conversation, and they'd do the same thing often enough to call it "friends". It was pretty cool, even if Walther is a pipsqueak in comparison in every way possible. 

knockknockknockknockknockknock--

"UGH." Judah groaned in annoyance and rolled off the sofa and onto the floor, wrestling with the one blanket he had curled up under, chucking the pillow that had been over his head at the wall. He stood up and pulled up his jeans - being beltless is tough - and walked over to the door slowly, rubbing his tired eyes. He pulled the door open, and there was little Walther. How cute. He'd actually made the effort to for once come to his dorm. 

"Hey," He answered weakly as he leaned against the door frame, running a hand through his bed head and straightening the collar of his his blue plaid flannel shirt, "What's up, kiddo?" 

[Walther Ebersbacher]

Really, what was he here for if not to just chat. He didn't have a real purpose besides just wandering around, and being completely bored with life. He gave him a grin. So, that's what he'd been doing this whole time. Just passed out, probably on his floor, judging by how messy he looked overall. But no, that couldn't be it, he fell off of something. He wondered now if he should have felt bad for waking him up, but it was one PM. It was about time he woke up.

"Is your alarm clock not working?" He teased, not aware of his full situation. Classes were hard, and he knew Judah hated some of them... But he wasn't sure if his homework had him this tied up. This was Walther's answer, to say the least. Poor guy, he could make out some dark circles and everything.

"Well, I came around so that we could just hang out, I guess." Though his accent was still incredibly thick, his grip on the English language was a lot better compared to when they'd first met. "Talk, maybe play a game with you." On his checklist was to get a laptop of his own so that he could game /with/ Judah, instead of them huddling around one computer.

"How've you been..? You look like a mess." He'd have been willing to leave if Judah needed more sleep. But, that was really on him to say something about it.

[Judah Linn]

"It's working. I just didn't use it, though," Judah had gotten some well deserved sleep. Because it was the end of the semester, he had just recently had tons of exams, which he probably failed due to how much he struggled with them, especially the math one, despite the help he was receiving from Ms Rivera. The extra everything going on was too much, so he shut the door, bolted it locked, and just stayed by himself. It was nice, the time to himself.

"Yeah, sure. We can hang out. I'm not sick or anything.. just really tired," Judah opened his door a little bit more and gestured inward. Walter could come into this dorm whenever he wanted. He had all kinds of stuff to do he might like. He has an XBox 360 and an old DS and a Gameboy... all kinds of video games, and if he wasn't using his laptop, he could borrow it if Judah wasn't using it for class work.

"Gee, thanks. I know I look awful. I really do. Get in here. Don't mind the mess. Usually it's a lot cleaner."

[Walther Ebersbacher]

Walther giggled a bit, and followed him in. "Oh, just brush your hair and it'll all be fine. I don't think there's going to be any escaping those dark circles for a little while, though." He'd looked around the dorm, really, it looked like Judah's space with a couple of extra beds. He knew there were girls living here, but it would honestly amaze him if they were here /that little/. If they weren't even here for sleep...

"Do those girls that you said you live with... Are they really ghosts?" He asked, looking, but not touching the pristine conditions of the beds. "Of course, in the sense that they're never /here/. I've seen them around the school from time to time... Hah, though what a power that would be, the power to just be a ghost like that Nickelodeon cartoon, Danny Phantom. He wasn't a fan of it, but even he had to admit how practical that would be.

He sat on one end of Judah's bed, kicking his feet a little bit. This was going to be a good day, he just knew it. Even if Judah was a mess who'd only now woken up.

"So, despite all that's been happening lately, how have you been? I haven't talked to you since you really started buckling down on your work, and I really miss that."

[Judah Linn]

"Oh god, i'm raccoon-eyes? Jesus Christ." Judah chortled. He didn't usually look in the mirror when he was just hanging around. He wasn't exactly the type to do something like that. He didn't really care how his hair looked or any of that nonsense. It was bullshit to be worried about appearance. It's not useful to care about appearance unless you're appearing on a stage or a model. Or when you work. Judah doesn't work yet, obviously. It would probably get better as he got older, or he certainly hoped his not-so-caring habits would minimize when he went to college, because yes, he'd have to pay for that himself. 

No, his roommates weren't really ghosts. He followed Walther through the common area that he'd been sleeping in and into his separate bedroom, the doors to the girls' rooms were left open. That was probably the reason Walther brought it up. "Not really, Walther, not really. They might as well be, though. It's like.. they are never here. Or they are just really good at making their beds." Judah picked up a pillow from the floor, as well as an old box of Poptarts, which he discarded in the trash can.

"I know. I kind of missed you too. Ha. That sounds really weird coming out of my mouth. And I know, I really had to buck up. Especially in math. I was kind of awake for four days straight. It wasn't fun. Moral of my story: Pay attention in class, Walther. I'm supposed to have graduated already." He sighed gently and flopped down on his bed, laying flat on his back beside Walther. "So what's up with you? I hear you got moved into a room with some of the other younger kids."

[Walther Ebersbacher]

What was up with him... Oh, he had a laundry list of things Judah didn't yet know about. Instead of just rattling them off, though, he combed his recent thoughts for the most important tidbits, things that wouldn't be too uninteresting to hear. The first thing he spoke about was obvious from a mile away, at least to him.

"Well, someone was moved in to our dorm... It's safe to say we've hit it off... We had our first kiss not too long ago, now." Hah, compared to the sexually active sacks of hormones that were most of the people here in Hammel, that was absolutely nothing. But to him, well, that was a defining point in his life, a milestone.

"And I've finally gotten my classes, all of them. I'm doing pretty well in them, so don't worry, I'm taking the opposite of your example." He teased, Judah seemed pretty cool with it overall, and it was never bitter. He couldn't sound bitter if he tried to. Ohhh, that would be the death of him if he ever got angry, here. It'd be too easy to just turn around and belittle him.

"But hey, as long as you get there in the end, being a little late doesn't really matter, does it? You're not the only one it's happened to." People grew up and were ready to enter the real world at their own pace, maybe Judah took a little longer, nothing wrong with that.

[Judah Linn]

"You what? Shut up." Walther kissed a girl. Walther kissed a girl? Judah hasn't even touched a girl in his entire goddamn life and Walther, far younger than he is, and he has already kissed a girl? Judah's lips curled into something devilish as he playfully shoved at Walther, pushing him onto the bed. "You're pulling my leg, huh? Kissed a girl? Walthy is in love? Aha! Ahaha!" He began to laugh, almost uncontrollably. This... this is comedy gold! Walther would never live this down!

"How old are you again?" He managed between snickers, "When I was your age, kissing girls was a huge no still. ...Did you like it, Walthy? Did it make you want to puke and keep going at the same time? If so, don't ask me. I've never kissed a girl." If Judah was a perfect role model for Walther, he would tell Walther off for kissing. He's a young guy. He would probably tell Walther to wait until he's older to make any kind of commitments to a woman... or man. It didn't matter, whatever would make him happy, Judah supposed. 

Well, at least Walther was doing well in his classes. Judah was happy to hear that he had finally received them, and that he was getting decent marks. Walther kind of insulted him, though. Saying he's a slower learner... evidently it's just fine, that a lot of people are like that. Judah would allow it to slide. "Walther, you don't understand," Judah said quietly, as if someone could hear them. "--I wouldn't say those things so casually either." Maybe Judah could give good advice sometimes. "It's because of my pyrokinesis, Walther. It can be unstable... that can't go into the world. That's what Hammel is keeping me for, for the most part."

[Walther Ebersbacher]

A girl -- well, he knew why Judah assumed that. It was just the norm. But he thought that he already told him that he was in the boy's dormitories? It mattered not, if Judah was a real friend, he wasn't going to fly in to some sort of rage over that, being upset at him for his choices. The teasing, though, he took with nothing but a smile. It was kind of affectionate, coming from Judah. A big-brother sort of thing that he'd never experienced before.

"I'm in the boy's dorm." He reminded him with a chuckle. "His name is Darian, he's sort of new to Hammel, like I am. It's really been a lot easier to go through the days. And hah, the only girls I really /know/ are big bullies, from the sound of it." He'd gotten lucky enough, at least one of the Quinn sisters seemed to have a good first impression of him.

"Oh... I'm sorry for saying that, then... I thought that was the only reason they could keep you here, like any other school." It made sense, though. He saw Judah's first demonstration well... Go up in flames. They must have had a fire station really close to here, or else Hammel would be in some REAL danger. "They just don't want you to accidentally hurt anyone, or yourself. Have you been seeing one of the trainers regularly?"

[Judah Linn]

"...Oh. Sorry, I just-- Nevermind. That's totally cool. I'm bisexual, so I get you - I feel you," God honest truth. He'd never really been in a relationship before, but he finds himself having affections for both genders. Not an issue. He isn't open about it, though. He'd practically told Walther a secret. It wasn't a huge secret, really. He's told people before. But they'd have to be pretty close to Judah for him to just outright say that. He wrinkled his nose in annoyance with himself, although it was totally relevant in the conversation. He forgave himself quickly. "Yes, I'm bisexual. Don't go around repeating that just yet." 

Judah really should have seen it coming. Not that it was obvious in Walther, but that he wasn't in a co-ed dorm and was probably not surrounded by many girls, and apparently the ones he was surrounded by are brats and bitches. That's not good, but that was a topic to be brought back later. "So what's he like?" He propped himself up on one elbow. "Is he cute? C'mon, tell me what he looks like!" 

He started apologizing. Apologizing for what he said. Judah was glad he realized that what he said could offend him, which would.. probably be bad. No matter. "No, not regularly since the end of the semester. And I might need a new one. Not sure yet. We'll see. There's a huge waiting list for a trainer. Anyways, just tell me about your Darian." Judah might as well be Walther's curious, annoying older sibling in these kinds of situations. 

 

[Walther Ebersbacher]

He rolled his eyes, smiling coyly. He could have withheld information just to annoy him. It would have been a funny way of doing things. Leave that oh-so-obvious mixture of confusion and want there by giving him the minimalist story. But, no, he'd let him in on it, no problem. "Honestly, you think I'd go around repeating something very personal that you just told me..? There's a reason I told you, and didn't just cover it up."

What to say about Darian... He was pretty enamored with the guy, so it'd be hard to disclose what he was like, what he looked like, without exaggerating... "He's blonde, blue-eyed, and really nice to me, he's brought out a lot of confidence that hasn't really been there. He's got this really neat power, he can basically turn in to a mermaid -- or a merman, and swim with a lot of grace and speed."

"And he's really good at just convincing me to let go and try some things... I have a deathly fear of swimming, well, mostly when the water gets hard to stand in. And he's actually bought me a pair of trunks to go practice in, saying he'd make sure I'm out of harm's way." It was really a sweet gesture, and Darian was really a sweet guy.

He didn't stop to think about how mature their relationship was in comparison to a lot of them. And in a way, he respected Judah for not being in one, yet. Maybe he was waiting for the right someone to swing by, too.

[Judah Linn]

Ooh. A blonde. Blue eyes. Judah wished he had light eyes. It was just a trait he simply couldn't possess based on his parent's appearance. Blue eyes are gorgeous. When he mentioned swimming though, Judah noticeably cringed. Swimming is not gorgeous. Swimming scares the Hell out of him. Water bothers him. Just.. ugh. It wasn't Darian's fault he had merman powers. Judah didn't mention why he had squirmed just yet. He'll explain later. "So, he grows like a tail and fins and scales and stuff? Like legit? Pretty sweet power. I suppose it attracted somebody didn't it?" A laugh forced it's way past him again. 

"I... will never swim in my life, I swear. Scares the crap out of me. I just.. never learned how to swim. My parents weren't exactly water people either." Judah crinkled his nose. He remembered going to the beach once. The first and last time. The ocean was just.. overwhelming. Seriously. And imagine all the shit that gets dumped in the ocean.. it all mixes up. Factory waste, pollution, human waste, fish crap.. ew. Ew. Ew. Again, it made him shudder. "I'm glad he's keeping you safe in the water. I'd be like having a serious panic attack if I was you and I'd be like, I'm drowning! Ahh!" He carries on making splashing and bubbling sounds like the water, as if imagining the sounds water would make when he's drowning. Then it turned into overexaggerated gunning sounds. 

Yeah, he was waiting for the right person. Hopefully they would turn up in his life eventually. He doesn't want to grow up lonely. Ew. That would suck.  

[Walther Ebersbacher]

Judah was so childish sometimes, it really made for an entertaining friend. "Believe me, I would be, too, the moment I have to tippy-toe a bit in the water." Now he had to wonder, he did Sonar Manipulation, and created sounds. So really, his power had nothing to do with the water. Then he looked at Judah. This guy was a Pyro, he made fire, even though it was uncontrollable. When fire met water, hot steam could result, but likelier, in a larger body, or even a bath tub, it must have been scalding.

"What's it like..? Do you make fire in the water, and that's why you don't like it?" From Judah's demonstration, he didn't really have control of such a chaotic power, something so inherently rough to master. "Is it like a tea kettle, where it gets really hot and steamy?"

Hah, then he had to imagine it, Judah sitting in a lake with a load of herbs around him, brewing the water. It was funny imagery, but the fact that he was also scared of the water, not so much. "Yes, though, he's a very good swimmer, and I trust him. Maybe, when you're able to not randomly shoot fire, he could teach you, too?" He had to have told Darian about Judah, at one point. His first real friend, here.

[Judah Linn]

"Well, Walther... --Actually, I'll try to explain, but I want you to also make some assumptions. Scientifically speaking, of course. Touch me," Judah offered his arm to Walther, allowing him to touch his skin. He would notice that it is significantly hotter than most, but Judah doesn't have a horrible fever. No. His internal structure has adapted to allow such an extreme body temperature. "I'm not sick. Because of my power, my core temperature is hotter, thus making the water colder to me. So it's uncomfortable, but it's not horrible. It could be worse, is what i'm saying. I can't do extreme cold or extreme heat. It all has to do with the pyrokinesis thing."

Now, if he was using my power on purpose.. like creating a flame.. yes. Steam, which could ultimately burn him. He explained this to Walther as well. "That, and I never learned how to swim. Never. Nope. I will never be comfortable in the water.. so.. i'm never swimming. Ever." He prodded Walther's shoulder, "It's weird. I know. But yeah, i'm glad you'll get over your fear. It's better than me, psh. I just.. I'm actually unteachable. It's so stupid."

[Walther Ebersbacher]

"Well, I can't guarantee I'll get over my fear, but at least I'll swim in the shallow waters, I haven't done that in too long, anyways. Maybe sometime, we should just go out there for the heck of it, unless it's /that/ cold that your body wont ever adjust to it, then maybe not."

He felt kind of sorry for Judah, he was really the butt monkey of the universe sometimes, it would seem. He could really think of one other person whose power honestly /inconvenienced/ their day to day life. Something as simple as a shower could make Judah really uncomfortable, though? Or any moment he could just set his couch or bed alight? That was really unlucky. People always liked to be the fireball-throwing mage in video games or D&D, but in real life...

"It does sound pretty stupid, though. I wish you could just try without having to worry about all these things."