Invisible? {Zach}

[Cali Schwa]

Cali decided that it would be a good day to go to the pond. Even though she has been at Hammel for awhile, and has known and trained with her powers, it was fun for her to still play around. Sometimes Cali even amazed herself with her ability because it was like a picture for her. One minute she would stand there and the next gone, but if she walked around you could tell. It was even hard for her to explain about her power. She smiled with a slight snicker as she put her hoodie up as she rounded the bend.

Today she picked a nice spot on the bank of the pond. Sitting down she looked up at the sky. Cali loved to play with her powers. She held her hand up to the sky and squinted her eyes in concentration. The only thing that turned into a camouflage was her hand. Cali held up her other hand and smiled. Just when she did her hand turned back to normal. "Dang it. I guess I came far but not far enough..." Cali spoke to herself. She threw her hands down to her sides with a big huff.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac is one of those people who isn’t really too fond of the chilly Vermont weather. He doesn’t hate it too much to curse the Institute founders for choosing a state that becomes a bit too cold for comfort during specific times of the year to build the only metahuman training academy, but he does find the whole notion of jumping for joy and being all giddy when the first snowflakes fall unnecessary, not to mention extremely childish (what’s so special with a few snowflakes when the school has an awful lot of irritating weather manipulators who can make it hail in a whim?). While he’s all for the fun that snowball fights may bring, he doesn’t like it too much when the 10-centimeter snow begins to melt. Melting involves puddles and Zac has a big, big dislike for such things. Water puddles make mud. Which make his clothes dirty. Not to mention they always threaten to make the Hammel prince slip (he’s no klutz, but they are just darn good at what they do).

But despite his apparent dislike for the outdoors during the cold winter months, the mimic decided he’d take a leisurely walk around the grounds. The wind’s still chilly and the sun hasn’t shown itself yet, which meant no irritating puddles (or those frozen demons people call ‘black ice’) yet. Clad in pastel blue skinny jeans, a matching blue-striped shirt, blue scarf and grey jacket, Zac decided he’d try to enjoy the ‘winter wonderland’ before it becomes a pile of wet and dirty ice. He stopped briefly to grab a handful of snow, forming it into a ball while walking through the grass (thank God for arctic seal insulation). Seeing the pond a few paces away from him, he absentmindedly threw the ball, realizing that there’s someone who conveniently sat in the ball’s trajectory only a few seconds too late.

And as fate would have it, that person was the Queen Bee-tch. “Oh god.”

[Cali Schwa]

Cali sat facing the water until...THUMP! A snowball right in the back of the head. Her eyes narrowed and her fists balled up. She took it that someone had did it on purpose, usually they did. Cali never took that well. Her fur lined hood jacket had clumps of snow on it. The white snow was visible on the black jacket. Soon Cali's face scrutched up as she got up and turned around. Every name of people she knew ran threw her head as who it could have possibly been.

Her eye's got bigger, and her fists tighter. It was "King Hammel" himself. Slowly she walked over to him. Even the way she walked said that she was furious. Cali hated being hit with snowballs, "Zach..." Cali spoke with extreme attitude "What the heck do you think your doing?" Her eyes begain to narrow as she stared at him. Unlike alot of people for her Zach wasn't that much fun to play mind games with. For her being more direct with him was more fun. She figured it wasn't as much fun because Zach did the same thing to people as she did, only sometimes he probably could be crueler, or her depending.

( www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=25436738 )

[Zachary LaRousse]

While Zac roams around the school grounds like he owns it, pushing people around like his little playthings, there are a few people that he does try to avoid at all costs, for various but equally ‘reasonable’ reasons. Cali Schwa, the girl he just hit a snowball with, is one of those.

At first glance, one can assume that Zac would at least try to get along with the chameleon. Knowing his tastes for people, she somehow fits most, if not all, of his criteria. She’s pretty, she’s rich, and she’s got decent control of her power. And while Zac finds her power pretty much useless (‘Invisibility but she can’t bring her clothes? Once she moves she’s all but exposed? How lame is that?’ he was heard saying once), it’s actually her personality that got Zac all turned off and repelled from the otherwise ‘perfect girl’. While Zac loves spunk in a lady, Cali’s got more than enough for a whole world (in Zac’s opinion). She’s extremely sarcastic, manipulative and downright annoying. People say we just hate others because we see our negative attributes in them, and surprise surprise, Zac’s attitude towards Cali is the magical proof. Zac claims he can’t take much of the Queen Bee any longer.

“Cali, Cali, Cali,” he said with a rather calm voice, cocky face on complete with the flirty rolling of the eyes. Normally he’d go, ‘So what if I threw a snowball at you? What are you going to do about it?’ but he’s learned his lesson (so he says) – there’s no reasoning with an angry bee-tch. “Why so angry? It’s a pleasant winter morning; don’t ruin it with all your negativity.” He casually brushed off traces of the snowball from Cali’s clothes, giving her a weak smile in the process. “You don’t want to lose your temper now Queen Bee-tch,” he said, leaning in closer to whisper, “I mean, you wouldn’t want to visit Dr. Neville again, considering you just went there a few days earlier with Kelly.” A smirk formed on his face as he backed away and walked towards the edge of the pond, sitting on the rather moist ground.

“You know you didn’t have to beat Kelly up. She is a pretty cute hamster, though not as good a kisser,” he winked, patting the ground beside him, telling her to sit beside him. “So whatcha’ been up to? Find any new drones for your hive?”

The winter air might be cold and chilly, but at least Zac’s got something to play with.

[Cali Schwa]

Cali smiled with an evil expression as he brought up the fight. "So that was the flea bitters name? Was she one of your kind?" Cali giggled "Did I offend yo, by hurting one of your own?" One could say that it was kind of a game, a straight forward game. Zach disliked Cali, Cali disliked Zach. Maybe it was a top dog thing. Zach was on her truff and vice versa. "Besides, you know that I never mind going back there. I don't mind getting caught." Cali chuckled agian and sighed "I didn't have to beat her up? She got in my face Zach, you would tolerate that now would you?"

Reluctantly she went over and sat down. Even though she wouldn't admit it to herself or anyone else for that matter she had to admit that Zach was good looking, and maybe if he wasn't such a top dog she would maybe think of breaking her rule. The "no flea bitters" rule. Cali didn't know what it was but she hated people who could turn into animals. It was weird. "No I haven't found any yet. You find any robots for you army?" Cali couldn't help it. It was like he started then she would add then she would start and he would add. The never ending battle. Some people even had the nerve to tell Cali that the king and queen should get together. However Cali wouldn't tell Zach that.


The fact of someone saying that migh inflate his head or mak him more srcastic. Zach was a person Cali tried to avoid so she didn't know him that well. So far the only thing Zach was good for was his looks. However if someone even told Cali that she had a crush on him sh would knock them down. "Speaking of trouble I heard a cute boy disrubted your force. What was his name? Jinhai?" Cali spoke as if antagonizing him.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac shook his head in disappointment and simply shrugged Cali’s rather weak retort off. He was actually surprise on how un-offensive her comeback sounded. It was so unlike her. “What have you done with the Cali Schwa I have come to know and love?” he asked, sarcasm reeking from his tone, “The one I knew had a double-edged sword for a tongue, her words like sharp daggers laced with an extremely lethal poison. Rarely do people escape unscathed.” He put his arms on his side and leaned back, jerking his head to the side to remove the unwary bangs from his face. “Seems you’ve gotten rusty Queen Bee.”

“Yup, Kelly’s her name. Kelly Macleod to be exact. Used to be a pretty redhead,” he said, trying to dig up memories of the said shifter. While Zac isn’t exactly the friendly kind of guy, he does make it a point to know the people who comprise the student body. How else would he ‘rule’ properly if he doesn’t know his subjects? “And no, she wasn’t my kind. How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t transform?” Zac actually finds it extremely tiring to explain to people how his powers work. Being an animal mimic doesn’t mean he shape shifts into a particular animal, he can just borrow an animal ability. If he wants to borrow a horse’s powerful kick or an armadillo’s strong hide, he doesn’t transform into one, he just develops rather strong legs or his skin turn temporarily invulnerable. Then again, such confusion about his ability proves how unique his power is. And anything that makes him stand out is a good thing in Zac’s book. “She’s actually more like you Cali. You know, the whole shifting thing.”

“You didn’t Cali. See, that’s the main difference in us. I don’t get my hands dirty if it’s not necessary.” Zac prefers subtle manipulation and self-esteem destruction than physical contact. Not because he can’t hold himself in a fight, cause he can, but because he sees such crushing of one’s confidence more permanent and lasting than a simple bruise. And it doesn’t attract much attention from the higher ups. “You’re getting sloppy Cali. And seriously, a cat fight because of a guy? I thought you’re better than that?” He laughed, making a mental note to reevaluate his outlook on the girl. Seems she’s lost her edge already. “And really, Jimmy Lanou?” Not that he has anything against the boy. He just couldn’t imagine Cali engaging in physical confrontation for a guy who can turn invisible. “Then again, you know what they say about birds of the same feather…”

And there she continues with the weak retorts. Seriously Cali? “I don’t like robots. Too mechanical and creepy. And they usually turn against their master because of some programming glitch. Too risky.” Then the topic of Jinahi came up once more. Would this conversation have happened a few weeks ago, he would’ve been incredibly angry by now. Unfortunately for Cali, Zac’s in ‘good terms’ with the sun-kissed Arab already. “What about Jinahi? We’re cool.” He leaned in closer, whispering in Cali’s ear with a rather sultry tone, “We’re actually very intimate now. Jealous?”

Sorry Cali, but Zac wants to say “Try harder”.

[Cali Schwa]

Cali got up and smiled at Zach. She leaned over Zach and flirtatiously touched his nose with the tip of her fingernail. Gently she traced it down to his abs. Slowly she looked up at him. "Oh Zach, you and I both know that guy is beneath me, just like I know Jinahi is so beneath you. Equal in looks but not as...shall I say conniving? Of course-" Cali stood up and put a hand to her chest. "I personally have never met this Jinahi. According to the girls though he is totally the bees knees." Cali laughed. Taking off her hood, she let her dark hair flow down her shoulders.

"Besides it wasn't for that stupid boy. Gosh those come dime a dozen and my power is not shifting that is so gross Zach." Cali made and appalled face before she sat back down. Sighing she crossed her legs and placed her hand on his thigh. "After all no one is better then the 'king' am I right?" Flexing her fingers gently on his leg she smiled "I'm not a shifter you know that. My body basically just takes pictures of the background and projects it on my skin. What happened if you dare to inquire my dearest is the girl got in my face. I had to remove it from my scenic view."

Cali leaned over and brushed his bangs further from his eyes. "I highly don't my Mr. High and mighty would go for jinahi am I right or wrong? I think the gerbil girl is more your taste but still not there. I'm not quite sure." Cali sighed and put her on hand back on her lap, but leaving her one hand on his thigh. "Although I don't know you that well. If I'm correct we try to avoid each other." Cali watched him closely. Still not admitting to herself that she thought he was rather good looking when he shook his hair back. Cali had to constantly remind herself that this was a game like any other.

[Zachary LaRousse]

It goes without saying that Zac was surprised with the sudden change of heart Cali’s undergone. He praised himself inwardly, telling himself that his taunting has worked. While it wasn’t really the best (Zac says he couldn’t call it ‘seductive just yet – calling it that would somehow put her actions at the same level as his, which, in his opinion, is incredibly superior; he claims the difference between their skills are as immense as the distance between the Sun and the now-dwarf planet Pluto), it was a welcome break from her previous weak retorts and bland comments.

He chuckled when her thin finger traced his abs. How often has he had that done to him? Or maybe the question is, how often has he used that technique already? “While a part of me wants to commend you for your rather drastic change of technique,” he smirked, looking at Cali with half-opened eyes, “A larger part of me wants to tell you to try a bit harder. I mean, this is the master you’re dealing with. Can’t you do something more, I don’t know, unpredictable?” Sure she somehow got his attention with her different approach, but the hype immediately died down with her cliché and tasteless techniques. “I mean, I guess it could’ve worked with a normal kid, but to me, it just seemed like you’re a sex-deprived girl – a lonely woman in dire need of company,” he laughed darkly, hoping to emphasize how pathetic she looked in his eyes.

“No, no, no dear, you’ve got it all wrong,” he snickered, playfully playing with her nose with his right pointer finger, “Jinahi would never be my equal – no one is. But he’s close. He’s conniving and gorgeous. I can’t say the same for you though.” And while he does find the new boy good-looking, Zac certainly wouldn’t admit that the boy is gorgeous (at least not openly). Conniving, he can attest to though, but only when he calls himself ‘Gavin’ (which strikes the mimic as odd and creepy). “You haven’t met him yet? That’s odd, considering that you two are roommates.” Not that he cared about her enough to ‘stalk’ her or anything. Stella just happened to be their third roommate, and seeing that she’s got to Zac’s good side already, he figured he’d go the extra mile to know her. And while the discovery of her being roommies with Jinahi was a good thing (it did help arrange a meeting for the two), knowing that his little Glowworm is exposed to the Queen Bee-tch isn’t exactly comforting.

“Still Queen Bee-tch, don’t you think being sent to Dr. Neville’s office and solidifying the degradation of your public image is worth it? You looked like a raging She-Hulk back then, not like a queen. I highly doubt anyone would still take you seriously now.” He certainly belongs to that group of people.

He gently lifted Cali’s hand from his thigh and put it in hers, giving it a light pat before leaving it there. “You really don’t know me too well to be able to predict who I like and who I don’t.” Not that he and Jinahi are really ‘very intimate’ – they’re in speaking terms, yes, but he highly doubts that’s the other boy’s definition of ‘intimacy’. He simply said that to evoke some sense of jealously in the chameleon and sure enough, it did. It goes without saying that he’s praising himself inwardly now. “Why, do you have any other person in mind?” he teased, holding her chin close to his face. He gave her a weak smile before releasing her, adding a playful pinch on the ear before returning to his spot and once more laughing quite darkly.

Fortunately for Zac, Cali was no empath nor was she a telepath hence she would’ve found out how grossed out he was while he’s doing his thing with Cali. He couldn’t stand her presence before; he still couldn’t stand her presence now. It’s quite refreshing to see Zac with someone who has the potential to be like him – hopefully he now knows how disturbing he seems to other people. “No Cali, I try to avoid you. You on the other hand, can’t keep your eyes off me,” he winked with finality.

[Cali Schwa]

Cali shrugged as she leaned back "I don't really pay much atterntion to who I share a dorm with. I don't think I've met either one of the new kids. I think the glowing girl is in my dorm too. I would like to get to know her and Jinahi. They both seem very enteresting to me." Cali grinned and sighed. "Now who would I have in mind Zach. The only equal I have is you and that is not going to happen." Cali knew she had a crush on Zach she had for awhile now, but still time and again she wouldn't admit it or even show him she had enterst in him.

Crossing her legs she delicatly placed her arms on her knee. Resting them she looked at him. She hated to admit it but he really look good in that outfit today. Infact she hated to admit it to herself so much that she clenched her jaw and looked away from him. "What if I ran out of new material for you Zach? Our little games do get tiring. Besides its funnier to play with someone not like yourself. Even you would probably have to agree. I guess what I'm saying is when it comes to you I have nothing new to try or anything enteresting to try and torture you with." Cali looked down at the ground at her side. She still was avoiding looking at Zach. Apart of her wondered why she was loosing her touch when it came to him. Before she had no problem coming up with new material or snappy come backs.

Cali decided just to fiddle around for a moment until she collected herself. She opened her purse and dug out a hair tie. Pulling her hair up into a messy bun she sighed. Letting a few stray strainds fall in her face she decided to look back at Zach. "A queen can not be a queen unless she knocks down a few imposters. People can't see that I have a soft side or they will walk all over me and claim it for them selves. I have to show people that I'm not afraid to get dirty, that I don't need peole to do that hard work for me. It send such a better message." Cali nodded, her messy bun bounced on her head like a rabbits tail.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac simply smirked as Cali told her story, paying no heed whatsoever when she talked about how has ignored her new roommates. When she did say something about his little Glowworm, he couldn’t help but be a bit too defensive. Jinahi he knows would handle himself well around Queen Bee-tch (he handled Fifi quite well, and Fifi’s more subtle and conniving than he’d ever give her credit for), but Stella definitely won’t. She’s too sheltered and naïve that he fears Cali would easily bend and manipulate her to her wishes, which would only mean Stella’ll get hurt in the end. And that’s something Zac would not want, despite him claiming he has no heart. “Just be careful not to hurt my little Stella Cali,” he warned, his eyes staring at her with much force and finality, “You won’t like it when I’m angry.” He added a low growl at the end to emphasize his point.

Cali not showing interest in him? Then what is she doing right now? Should Zac be worried that he would suddenly be pounced or raped if Cali decided to be open with her feelings? “Did anybody teach you that being subtle is a nice skill to develop?” he chuckled darkly, putting away loose strands of her hair behind her ear. “And for the record, we are not equals. Don’t think too highly of yourself. I may call you ‘Queen Bee-tch’ but it doesn’t mean I consider you my equal. You’re not even close to where I stand.” Seems Cali doesn’t work well with such sarcastic remarks. He should’ve been more straight forward with her before. His fault. “I don’t punch random people in the face. I pick my fights. I know how to control my temper,” he said, his face going closer and closer to hers until they’re only a horse hair’s width apart, “And I know how to use my words beautifully so I don’t sound too desperate to feel another body’s warmth.” Harsh? Yes. Over the top? Most probably. But Zac just feels Cali needed a reality check. He let her go for a bit with the threat to Stella. But calling herself Zac’s equal? That’s too much.

He simply scoffed when Cali said their ‘games’ are tiring. “You? Tired of these games? What about me?” he said, shaking his head, “Cali, I actually think you were a fun gal to mess with before, seeing that you can somehow keep up with my retorts. Seems you’ve been stuck at your current state. You didn’t progress. Don’t blame me for your lack of ability.” Gosh Zac was infuriated. Normally he’d be happy when someone flirts with him and he’d happily flirt back, but with Cali, it just seems so disgusting. He doesn’t hate her really, but he can’t help but feel a bit weird with having her around.

“Whatever you say Cali, whatever you say,” he shrugged. Seems there’s no reasoning with the Diva. He grabbed a nearby clump of snow, made another snowball and threw it to the almost frozen pond. Sure it was shallow, but he could just imagine how freezing it would be. “So, other than you picking a fight and unsuccessfully luring me to bed, what have you been up to lately?”

[Cali Schwa]

Cali shook her head "Looks like I'm not the only one loosing my touch. Do you like this Stella girl? I would assume that you do." Cali bit her tongue. If he said yes she would make a note to go torture this Stella girl. What was it that caused her to want to hurt this girl? Jealous? Cali didn't know. All she knew was if he was to choose a glow stick over her there was going to be a war. Cali put her hand by her side as she flexed her fingers. Her face was mostly blank and emotionless.

"Subtle about what? And if I wanted to get you in bed you would have been there already. Other then 'Senseless' fighting there is nothing to report. Besides the usually 'your on my nerves' But thats it. I'm still mad about that dang snowball you threw at me. It got white snow all over my new jacket. I just bought that jacket. It was expensive. Its not my throw down jacket either." Cali shook her head and look at him. She fought her emotions that way a smile didn't appear on her face.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac frowned in confusion. How was having someone he’s fond of (in a purely platonic way, of course) mean that he’s losing his touch? Has rejection from him got into Cali’s head already and made her incoherent? “Cali, Cali, Cali,” he said as he leaned back to the cool (slightly moist) grass, putting his hands behind his head and stretching his back and abs as he did, “Have you forgotten what our English teacher (what’s her name again? Mrs. Borroughs was it?) told us before? That when you assume…” He trailed off, pausing for a bit for dramatic effect and hoping Cali would fill in the blanks. He waited for a bit but no response. Guess she had completely forgotten about it, hence her rather stupid mistake. “…you make an ASS out of U and ME. Though in this case, it’s mostly U.”

Cali is really getting way in over her head. While he wants the company of others, they’re mostly for temporary flirtatious fun rather than long term commitment. He’s not ready to indulge himself into any of that, especially after his not-so-recent break-up. “I don’t like Stella. She’s never been and never will be.” A lie, since he was attracted to her at first (hence his approach) but then he’s decided she’s a bit too innocent for his tastes so it’ll be better for both of them to just direct his energies elsewhere. She might not do well with him leading her on and in the end simply dumping her. “Just don’t touch her ok?” he shrugged, knowing full well Cali won’t understand. She’s completely intoxicated by his presence that she can’t think straight.

Oh-key. Their conversation was getting nowhere. If she won’t admit that her seductive skills are almost null, she won’t. He’d better be the mature one here ‘cause if not, they’ll go in endless circles. “Fine. You win. I’m just too oblivious and dense, hence your skills not working,” he said, rolling his eyes. Seems it was a good idea to simply lie down after all. Not only did he have an excuse not to look at Cali, the sky is also somewhat relaxing, calming. The last thing he needs now is to lose his temper to the Bee-tch. “Sheesh. You want me to buy you a new jacket then? Shall we go to town and find you a new one? You’d have to thank me for trashing it anyway, that one’s extremely filthy, not to mention ugly,” he added, smirking as he closed his eyes. He may have backed down from insisting that Cali’s flirting doesn’t work with him anymore, but that doesn’t mean he’ll stop teasing altogether.

[Cali Schwa]

Cali made an apalled face. "Zach, I am shock. Are you trying to implicate that I have bad taste? This jacket is couture. Faux-fur. Its a three hundred dollar jacket Zach. Its one of my favorite jackets. Since when Is couture ugly or trashy?" Even though she wasn't one for fashion cali still hated it when people said she had bad taste. "I would like a replacement jacket. This one is getting old anyway. Besides your taste is like a gay guys. Its excellent. No I have nothing against them. I love them. Some of my old friends are gay." One thing Cali felt bad about was feeling as if she was picking on people for being homosexual. That was one of the few things that got to her.

"Bout back on the other subject I asked. I didn't assume anything. Let alone your taste in Stella." Cali had to admit that she hated haveing feelings for Zach. SHe really wished she cold go abck to being her usually mean self towards him but it was if things had changed. Maybe she was growing up. Hopfully soon another guy would come along and take his place.

[Zachary LaRousse]

“Cali, Cali, Cali.” Gosh. How many times has he used that same tone in this conversation already? Normally he’d feel ashamed for repeating such a style of demeaning talk (which to him shows a lack of creativity and flair) but then again, his conversation partner isn’t much of a creative person so why bother? “I am not implicating you dearie, I am telling you,” he chuckled rather darkly, “I mean, all forms of subtlety are lost in you, so why bother? I’m telling you, you have bad taste in clothes. Or maybe you have a relatively good taste, but since you’re the one wearing it, it goes from great to disastrous.” Not that the clothes really look bad or anything. Zac’s just tired of Cali being Cali that he just wants to get out of this ordeal. He should never have sat down and chatted with the Beetch in the first place. “Couture is wasted on you. Why don’t you just by ready-to-wear clothes? At least you won’t waste a whole lot when it doesn’t suit you well.” Big words for a guy who wears clothes once or twice before dumping them all in his huge closet, never to wear them again.

He let out another uninterested laugh when Cali called his fashion sense ‘gay’. If Stephen was here, he would’ve told her how offensive she just sounded. Zac just rectified (hopefully) a mistake about the misuse of the word recently, he’d rather not make one again. “Cali, what if I’m gay? I mean, isn’t my fashion sense any indication of it already?” While Zac loves his admirers, Cali’s just too much for him. If his apparent homosexuality will get her off the trail, then so be it.

“Why do you always go back to Stella Cali? We will never be together. NEVER,” he said with an exasperated sigh. Does he need to speak in French or Japanese for her to understand? “And besides, it’s not Stella dear. There’s this other girl you should worry about.”

[Cali Schwa]

"Zach you have one. The queen is leaving." Cali sighed with a deep breath as her body blended in. Cali started to dump her clothes on the ground so her whole bodoy was un see able." I learned a new trick Zach..." Cali concentrated as her body constatly blended in to the back ground so she appeared invisable. Her hand, only her hand appeared. SHe swung in back and slapped him right across the face. Soon the hand disappeared and cali shook her head "Why I even bother on a jerk like you. I may be mean I may be a handful, but I am nothing like you. atleast my heart still beats for crying out loud. But since you irraitated me I think I might go play with all your new toys." Cali laughed as she started to walk slowly away. Leaving her clothes on the ground.