Not all that shines is gold. [Anthy]

[Anthy Blacksmith]

He was pulling away, causing her to be able to keep from worrying as much, but as he was apologizing, his smile had dropped and she felt a bit bad about that. Anthy shook her head when he had told her he hadn't meant to, her head shaking being something for her to tell him that he didn't have to feel like she was accusing him of doing this on purpose. She hoped he didn't think that.

As he told her that he'd pull out in time, she offered a small smile. It was nice of him to help her try not to worry about burning him like that, but the glowing was unpredictable. She couldn't trust her power, and neither should he. But he was going on to telling her about how she needed to learn to control her power rather than it being the other way around. The thing was though, she did control it sometimes. Just not nearly as much when it came to turning it on than when she was trying to keep it off.

Anthy did a shy tucking of her hair behind her ear when he talked about hugging her daily if she learned how to control it enough. Then, she went back to focusing on trying to dim down more than she already had begun to after he had stopped holding on to her.

"It..... it isn't as bad when.... well... for example, if I knew you longer and we had built up a bit more of a comfort level, then I probably wouldn't have lost control like this because I wouldn't have gotten so shy." She told him.

The glowing flared up a little again as she realised how that could have been taken.

"I don't mean I'm uncomfortable with you though. I... I was more of talking about... well.... When I'm more used to you I... I probably wouldn't have as many accidents around you because.. well.. I wouldn't be as nervous and all...."

She sighed, trying to get rid of the tension that was trying to build in her. Then, she took a slow breath to try to calm down further. After a moment or so, she managed to get the glowing to finally stop. But, now she was fighting back a yawn from the tiredness that was seeping in.

[Lucas Blacke]

She had made it pretty clear that there was no need to apologize, judging by how she shook her head when he told her he was sorry. Well, if shhe wanted him to or not, he still would.. Making people feel nervous, although he could easily make anyone feel nervous, was not all that high on his list of ''how to make a friend'' or rather, not all that high on his list of ''make Anthy be your friend''

He did suppose they were friends now.. He had opened way more and let much more of himself be seen than anytime before. She deserved a medal for that. Though maybe that feeling was due to her being a girl.. Looking at his time at the school, he had made no friends. None at all, no male ones at least and his female friends were scarce. He mostly just flattered them to death and either prodded them to go away from him or he ended up fucking up anyway. Best to have no friends than to have friends and scare them away, right?

But not her. She stayed around him even if he needed to completely break down for a moment. In a way, he had used a cheat, but whenever she had the option to walkn away, she stayed. He wanted to thank her for that.

''No need to take back yer words.'' He said with a smile as he looked at her trying to bend her words into what he assumed she meant. And when she did finally say what she had to say he laughed silently and shook his own head briefly. ''Look, where ya any other girl, I'd tell you that cute girls don't hafta apologize. But seeing as yer you, I'm going to say that cute glowing girls don't have to apologize. If I were to take back my words whenever I said something I didn't mean, I'd say a helluva lot less, take my word for it sweetcheeks.'' He added a wink.

As the glowing on her died down he saw her muscles try to contain a yawn -something he had seen so many times that he could recognize it on everyone, certainly those he focused on. SDhe did state earlier that the glowing took a lot of her, and this was probably her limit. He wasn't too sure about those cookies anymore, maybe not today.. Maybe he should just give her some time to recuperate.. Maybe he should invite her to stay at his place or something.. though that would probably just make things more awkward.

''Tired, are ya? Can't really blame ya.. Also, it wouldn't be a complete lie if I were to tell ya I felt pretty yawny also.'' He pointed to the dummy behind him. ''Pretty satisfying though, hitting it over and over again. Maybe ya should try it sometime.''

''Seriously, it'd be fun to have someone to practice with.''

[Anthy Blacksmith]

He laughed silently after telling her that there wasn't any need to take back her words. She didn't meant to seem like she was taking them back, she was just trying to correct herself... But saying so right now would likely cause her to seem like she might have been doing just that. So instead, she just listened while he spoke. Though, she giggle a little at him calling her another petname, finding it a bit silly. Well, she did after she finally dimmed down.

As much as she had tried to stifle the yawn, he had caught it, seeing how he didn't take long to bring it up. Well, not the yawn but her tiredness. But then he went to telling her that he was feeling a bit tired himself. Anthy wouldn't really be surprised, though she doubted it was all from the training he might have been doing. Emotions, especially when let out some, sometimes took a lot out of a person.

"Just a little tired, but I'll be alright. Especially once we start chowing down on those cookies." She said with a bright smile.

"As.. as far as me hitting something.. I don't know. I've never hit anything in my life. Well, unless you count spiders and mosquitoed and such. But, yeah, spiders and mosquitoes, need I say more?" She commented.

[Lucas Blacke]

Oh right, cookies. They were gonna eat cookies. He had totally forgotten about that despite it having been mentioned multiple times. Seems like she had that effect on him.. Like he had told a certain someone before, he got a bit forgetful when around beautiful people. Not that he'd tell her, she'd just shine the day away or something. Luke couldn't even fantasize about her suddenly getting and returning anything he said with a kiss or something without her lighting up like a jet engine. But it was just a fantasy if even that, there was no way in hell Luke even wanted something like that to happen so soon. Not only would he fuck it up, he'd end up going too fast too soon.

Questions raced through his mind. One of them asking him why the hell he was even thinking about her like that, she was shy as fuck.. Why was he even still around her? Why had he opened up to her? Even if he wanted to be a bit more shy he could do better than her, right? But, did he want to..? He wasn't really sure he could do better.. He could get lots of girls, but he wasn't sure any of them would be any better.

''In no way am I going to force ya, but you showed me your power.. I at least need to show ya something to do with mine.. putting aside the fact ya have seen plenty, I feel like ya have plenty more questions to ask me.. I'm open to questions, certainly so since I asked you so much..''

''So, fire away! If ya want, that is. Or we could do those cookies now? If yer up for it? Don't wanna rest some? I know what powers do to ya, but I just don't show it. Powers 'n shit.'' He shrugged while throwing her a smile. God was she beautiful..

[Anthy Blacksmith]

Well, she was glad he wasn't going ot push the issue of her training. As, she couldn't even imagine beating on anything, not even a doll. People needed a certain degree of anger to do that, right? She couldn't really remember a time she had gotten angry. Sure, there had been times when she had felt hurt or disappointed or uncomfortable... but actual anger? No. She couldn't remember a single moment of feeling that. Anthy was sure that she was capable of feeling it though, it wasn't like she was immune. It just hadn't come up yet, and she hoped that it wouldn't as she wouldn't even know what to do with herself.

"Well, we could do both. Talk and bake cookies, that is. And I appreciate you not pushing me to train, I can't imagine ever really needing to throw a punch at anyone. Well, Maybe I can, but I can't imagine actually doing it." She commented with a somewhat sheepish smile.

"As far as questions... well, I guess I do have one. Do you pick things up on the first try, or does it take a couple of times of seeing it for you to do it?" She asked him.

[Lucas Blacke]

Only one question. Only 1. It was way less than he had asked, but if she was okay with just asking one question Luke would be too. He shot her a smile and pondered briefly as he mulled over what it was that he did. He knew what he did, ofcourse, but not the part about picking it up, that part needed some think work. ''Oh, good one.'' He replied with a smile.

''I guess it's a first try thing. In fact, I know it is, I've done so multiple times now that I think about it. Playing the guitar and such.. even cheerleading routines.. some people may call it cheating but I just think of it as me using what has been given me. But it does have its limits.. like, I have to see the movement clearly while copying it. Like, with playing the guitar I have to see what fret is being played when, or just the placement of the hands..''

He paused a moment and realized that he was answering way more than what was asked of him. He had never been so okay with talking so much. Why was it that he talked so much right now?

''People have asked me if I can teach them stuff. Guitar and such. Truth is, and I've not yet told anyone this, my ability allows me to copy, not slow down. I can't teach anything as I don't know what I'm doing, it just happens to be what I need to do at that moment.'' He continued.

'''Cept for the piano though, that one I know how to play legitimately. So I could potentially teach someone to play the piano. But we all know that's an easy instrument to get a hold of, right?''

He tilted his head slightly and smiled at the girl.

[Anthy Blacksmith]

She listened as he spoke, taking in what he was telling her. So he could learn something from the first time of seeing it as long as he saw it clearly, and it was kind of like an auto-pilot situation, as he couldn't slow it down if he wanted to. Anthy found that interesting and kind of wished she had had that power instead of the glowing, if she had to have any power at all. Sure, his powers had their down sides too, but she would rather put people at risk of unexpected kisses than to accidentally blind them or burn them up.

But then again, his impulsiveness might have to have done with his power too. But that wasn't something that was set in stone either because there were people who were just impulsive and such. Also, it seemed like it was a deeper part of him. Layers. He had a lot of layers. And he was the most confusing person she had ever met even if she was understanding him a bit right now.

"I don't know... Piano does seem a little complex, with the foot pedals and needing to know right where to put your fingers amongst all those keys." She commented when he spoke about the piano being an instrument that was easy to learn.

[Lucas Blacke]

''Trust me, playing the piano is pretty easy.'' He replied with a nod. It wasn't the easiest instrument, but the one he had known how to play without using his power. Sure, he had times where he did use it, but he had known how to play one even before his powers appeared since his uncle bought one for him. And just like that, his smile had vanished as he thought of his uncle. Sure, they were happy thoughts, but losing the one person you care about and not even being told? Even after they had done so much for you? It wasn't fair..

His thoughts, while talking to Anthy, shot all over the place, making him think of his uncle, his parents, all the way over to what his power actually did. Seeing as how her power was something you saw on the outside made him wonder, could you notice his power from the outside..? There was his whole deal with caffeine, but even that was just about the control of his body, not about glowing or shooting lasers or growing a third arm. Though given the chance, Luke would say he had a third leg. As a joke.

With another smile plastered across his face, another upside of his ability, he could tell himself to smile even in the most difficult of times, even if he felt like shit. Not that he did, not around her. He looked at the girl, almost biting his lip like he had seen her do, it was the first time he had copied someone on that level, done it consciously. He never did figure out what that conveyed, what feeling it held. ''There is a piano in the auditorium. Probably for school usage or something.. Bet I could teach ya if you wanted. Seems like a fair trade, no? Seeing as everything yer doin' teaches me if just on a level you can't see.''

He tilted his head just barely and felt the need to do something rise.. perhaps it was time to shower or something. ''I'll show ya where to put yer fingers and all.. and have ya seen any pianos lately? Might be helpful to have a second person play along. Just sayin'''

[Anthy Blacksmith]

He assured her that playing the piano was easy, but she had to wonder about it. It had so many keys, and like she had said before, those pedals. She couldn't even imagine what those pedals could have been for. And was there even any way to control the volume on a piano like there was with other instruments? With the wind instruments, you could blow more lightly, and with the string instruments you just stroked the strings softer. And with the drums you tapped lighter. That was how it went, right? But the piano had hammers and strings going on inside.

She was brought away from her thoughts when she saw his smile drop. Anthy wondered what might have gone through his head to cause that. Though she didn't know his past, she could tell that it was likely a pretty rough one. He wouldn't be hurt like this if it hadn't been. Yes, she thought of him as hurt. As injured. But it didn't make her look down on him or anything. It just made her want to help him somehow.

He was smiling again soon enough, but Anthy wondered how real it might have been. Lucas had smiled before without it being a genuine one, it had been something he had put on earlier, so she had to wonder if it might have been the case at this moment. She wouldn't say anything about it though. Why? Well, she was guilty of doing the same thing sometimes. She was sure plenty of people were. He was just likely better at it.

He was speaking again, bringing up that there was a piano in the auditorium and that he could teach her if she wanted him to. As he told her he would even show her where to put her fingers and everything, she smiled some.

"I've seen pianos, but I just haven't ever sat down at one. And, I think I'd like that. Learning how to play one. I mean, there's no rule that says you can't learn more than one instrument at a time or anything." She stated somewhat cheerfully.

[Lucas Blacke]

More than one instrument at a time? Luke thought. What was she- ''Oh, right. Matt. Guitar.'' He suddenly said, genuinly having forgotten about him for a moment. He didn't really know why but the dude struck him as annoying.. he knew judging people without knowing them was wrong, but in the time they shared in the auditorium for their band Matt struck him as a bit.. too perfect. He wasn't used to the idea of a man being so 'normal' not even his own uncle, while a nice guy, wasn't completely normal. In time he was sure he'd find something about Matt to potentially annoy him with, no reason for him not to have some skeletons in the closet.

..how old was Matt again? The dude seemed pretty open in the brief time they talked, and he sure as hell had lots to do with music. The singing was great, slightly annoying, but great. Sadly Luke wasn't one for singing though, grunting maybe, but singing, nah.

''There's not really a rule.. not that I know of anyway.'' He finally said as he tried to keep on smiling. How was the thought of Anthy with another guy making him feel this way? They were just friends, she'd done nothing to deserve this. ''But I kinda think it's better to focus on one instrument for now.. I'm not going anywhere, and Matt was first.'' His smile died down and now his face showed no signs of happiness or sadness, it was neutral. ''So.. I guess.. you wanna continue using your fingers with him, yes? Don't mind if ya do, just askin'.''

[Anthy Blacksmith]

Yes, Matt. He probably hadn't remembered like she had, seeing how there was a chance that they hadn't talked much.... But the two of them were in a band right? Or did Lucas just focus on the people he was speaking with to where he forgot abut other people for that time being? It was possible. As Lucas went on to speaking about how it wasn't a rule to only learn one instrument at a time, she smiled. But then, he followed it up with how he thought it was good for her to focus on one instrument for the time being.

Anthy tipped her head slightly to the side and bit her lip as she thought. And of course, she went on to missing double meanings as she had the habit of doing.

"I think my fingers can handle multi-tasking." She told him in a bit of a joke, smiling at him again.

"Anyways, I've got a lot of free time, seeing how I don't really go into town or anything like that. I don't have any big hobbies either, so I'm usually just spending my time wandering around Hammel and the grounds, or reading my books, or cooking when I'm not doing school stuff."

[Lucas Blacke]

She mentioned that her fingers could handle the multi tasking. She said it in a joking manner even. And normally Lucas would appreciate a joke like that from a girl, but not this time as it meant sharing her. But that was probably not what she meant. ''I'm sure ya fingers can, I'd be happy to train them.'' He replied in a joking manner of his own as his smile slowly returned as the whole Matt-fit was over.

Then she continued talking about how she had a lot of free time seeing as how she didn't go into town and that she didn't have any big hobbies.. ''Dude, let her make a hobby out of you!'' He slapped himself mentally and tilted his head slightly as if he had not just thought of Anthy like an object. ''That needs fixing.. Reading books is not just for on school ya know? Can do that pretty much anywhere.'' Like in a public library, they were bound to have lots of books, more than Hammel had to offer he assumed.

Other than that.. ''Uh.. ya can read in a coffeeshop or something. I know for a fact starbucks has a quiet corner for people to just sit and relax. Maybe ya'd meet some new people there.'' He thought of something, or someone, and raised his index finger.

''Speaking of, if yer up for it I could introduce ya to someone with pretty much the same issue. Ya know, shyness and all that shit.''

[Anthy Blacksmith]

When Lucas told her that he was sure her fingers were good at multi tasking and that he would be happy to train them, she smiled brightly. Maybe he was coming around to the idea of still teaching her? She felt like it might be fun.

When Lucas began to speak about going to public places to read, and naming some off, Anthy shifted a little nervously even if her smile didn't drop all the way. whe rubbed the side of her neck a little, even as she continued to listen to him. It wasn't until he was finished, that she said anything.

"Well.... I don't really leave because... you know, my lack of control and all. It'd be kind of obvious if I slipped and started glowing in the wrong place. I mean, I wouldn't be as worried if it only happened in places people wouldn't be able to see on my body, but it decides where to shine and when to." She told him.

"Who did you want to introduce me to? I think I might be up for it. I mean... I'm trying to make more friends and all, so meeting people is included in that, isn't it?"

[Lucas Blacke]

Luke scratched the back of his head as she asked who he wanted to introduce her to. ''Eh.. that's pretty complicated..'' Her offered. It wasn't that the one he had in mind couldn't be contacted with ease, but it was more the fact that he kind of had a reputation being a dick around the school, and he was sure a multitude of people would have heard about his misadventures by now. He was glad it hadn't reached the newest circle yet.. though he knew that was only a matter of time.

''I kinda.. think I need ta tell ya somthin'..'' Was he really going to risk their friendship by telling her this? He hadn't told anyone before, though maybe, he figured, it'd make a good enough change to tell someone before they had to figure it out on their own. ''Promise me yer not gonna avoid me when I do, okay?''

His gaze dropped off of her and landed between his feat out of embarrasment. If he could glow he'd be a christmas tree by now. ''I kinda.. made the wrong choices in my past.. as in..''

''Uh..'' He stammered as he tried finding the correct words as his eyes slowly laddered upwards to meet those of the cute girl again. ''I mean..''

''I was a huge dick. And I think people hate me for that, so contacting people isn't really all that easy for me anymore..''

[Anthy Blacksmith]

When Lucas brought up that the introduction might be complicated, Anthy tipped her head to the side a little out of curiosity. Complicated? How so? Was the person he had in mind off campus? If that was it then she could definitely see where the problem might lay. It would bring not just awkwardness but potentially a lot of attention if Anthy got too worked up. She rarely glowed when she was calm, unless she had absorbed way too much light or something. But that wasn't too often, seeing how she had learned how to kind of measure it.

Her attention went back to Lucas as he told her he needed to tell her something. And when he asked her to promise that she wouldn't start avoiding him when he told her, she became more curious.

"Alright. I promise I won't avoid you because of what you tell me." She said.

He seemed to be having trouble getting it out. He mentioned that he made some wrong choices before, but everyone made bad choices sometimes, right? Anthy was patient, and just waited as he got himself together enough to get himself to tell her what was on his mind.

"People might be mad at you, but I don't know if anyone might hate you. I mean, you don't seem like a bad person to me."

Well, he didn't. He might have had his issues, but she didn't think he was bad. Injured, maybe. But not bad."[/b]