She thought about it with a frown. "There's a lot of students with weather powers," she replied slowly. "It's a pretty common field." * * * "No, I wasn't. Are you calling me hot?" * * * He looked down at her for a moment. "Well," he said after a moment, his voice lighter. "You have Theo, and you have me. That's a good start." * * * "I have a couple," she said, gesturing with her head. "Come with me."
He nodded in agreement. "It is.. But how about for lightning and thunder storms of this level specifically?" *** "Yup," she said, popping the 'P' with a smirk. *** She looked up at him with a smile. "That is a good start." *** He nodded, following her.
She frowned, looking very nervous. "There's no one who's exhibited that much power that I know of," she said uncertainly. "This is profound." There was a pause before her eyes widened. "Except..." * ** "Huh. Okay. So you're basically in love with me," he teased, draping his long left arm over her shoulders playfully. * * * He looked down at her with a small, uncertain smile before his phone rang and it fell away. "Give me a moment, yeah?" * ** She led him back outside and went to the Facilities shed, where they kept all the tools.
He tilted his head at her. "Who?" *** She rolled her eyes. "No, that's not how it works." *** She looked curious but stepped away to give him space. "Go ahead." *** "Tools?" he asked curiously.
"Everett Giddings," she said, flipping through her field guide. "He's this... this wiz kid. A genius." * * * "You don't think so?" he teased. "So you aren't attracted to me?" * * * He answered the phone, stepping away. "Hey, Haze," he said gently. "What is it?" * * * "Lock cutters," she said with a small grunt, pulling off a loose board.
Cassian tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Should we find Maverick and Theresa?" *** "Shut up," she said playfully. "Isn't me calling you hot enough?" *** Lilith waited patiently, standing aside. *** "For lockers?"
“Yeah,” she said with a nod. “I think that’s a good idea.” *** “I need constant validation, if you please.” *** He spoke quietly to her before eventually hanging up, returning to Lilith. “Sorry about that.” *** “Exactly.”
He nodded, pulling back. "Alright." *** "Since when?" *** She looked up at him. "That's okay. Should we keep going?" *** He nodded carefully. "Breaking and entering."
She logged out of the computer, standing up nervously. She opened her mouth to speak as the door opened and the lights came on. The janitor stood there, looking first surprised and then angry. "What are you two doing in here?" Fina looked panicked for a moment before stammering out. "I'm sorry, Mr. Barrens," she said, her voice tight with nerves. The man squinted, tilting his head. "Serafina Geller? Is that you?" She nodded, stepping forward and wringing her hands nervously. "It is. I just... Cassian really wanted to work in the office during the spring semester, but interviews were coming up and he was getting nervous and... I'm sorry, sir. I just wanted to give him an edge. I think he'd be a really good worker. Plus, I mean... it's a proven tactic to familiarize yourself with an area before you take a test in it to improve test scores. I'm sorry." He frowned, looking more confused. "In the dark?" "I didn't want to attract attention. I was just giving him the tour as quickly as I could before we left. " He sighed, but there was a kindness in his face. "Well... Fina, although I'm surprised, I appreciate your tenacity and your honesty, as usual. You two should be in here, though. Hurry home." She nodded, taking Cassian's hand and leading him out. * * * "Since always," Monty replied with a grin. "I'm a faerie. I need applause to live." * * * "Yeah," he said, sounding distracted. He ran his fingers through his hair with a sigh. "Good idea." * * * She raised an eyebrow, glancing at him curiously. "Either I'm too invested or I'm not invested enough. I can't win with you."
Cassian didn't say anything. His demeanor was cool as they left together. After they were far enough away, he looked down at her. "Thanks for that." *** "You always have an applause. Remember when you threw a ball at Sylas and hit him square on the head?" *** She looking up at him curiously. "Is everything okay?" *** He grinned easily. "I'm a confusing guy."
She dropped his hand and wasn't looking at him. After a moment, though, he would hear her sniffling. "I'm gonna go home." * * * "Ah," he said warmly, as if remembering a visit to Paris, "my finest work." * * * He looked down at her with a small smile. "God, don't be such an angel," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'm fine." * * * "No, you're not," she replied with some level of humor. "You're just bored and your thoughts have rarely been sewn together."
He looked down at her, frowning slightly. It took a moment for him to speak, squinting. "Are you okay?" *** She laughed, shaking her head. "The finest." *** She folded her arms defensively, though it was playful. "Hm. If you insist." *** "How mean," he said teasingly. "A shame."
She swiped at her eyes hastily. "I'm fine. I'll see you later," she said, her voice cracking slightly as she turned away from him. * * * "That's what did it, huh? That's what made you fall in love with me." * * * "I do," he agreed. "Otherwise, I'll seduce you. I'm very good at it." * * * "A shame? There's no loss here, Maverick. You already knew all that."
"Do you have a ride?" he asked, his head tilted. *** "Absolutely," she teased. "In that one moment. I knew." *** "You can't seduce me. It doesn't work." *** "A shame for you. You have to spend all time with me."
She frowned, looking over at him. There were tears in her eyes. "I'll walk. I'm fine." * * * "Sorry, Sparks. I have that effect on people." * * * "No?" he asked smoothly, lifting her chin with his pointer finger playfully. * * * "Oh. Well, yes."
"I can take you, if you want," he offered. "It'll be quicker." *** She rolled her eyes. "I know." *** She watched him with wide, amber eyes. They were curious and thoughtful. "No." *** "See? I told you."
"I don't... I don't want a ride, Cassian! I'm angry at you!" she said, turning to him in frustration. * * * "Wait, you do?" he asked curiously. "Do tell." * * * He considered her, his face softening as he dipped his head, his nose brushing hers. * * * "You did tell me," she mused, crawling into the hut.
He paused, blinking. "Why are you angry at me?" *** She looked over at him. "What do you mean?" *** She panicked slightly, pulling away. "I don't like that." *** He followed her. "So I was right."
"Because!" she said, sounding like her patience was wearing thin. "I knew we shouldn't have done that and you convinced me!" * ** "How do you know that I have an effect on people?" * * * He raised an eyebrow playfully. "Oh? Why not?" * * * "Yes, fine, Maverick. You were right once."
He watched her, his expression slowly adopting a more serious expression. "Go home then, Seraphina." *** "I can just tell. Is that a weird thing to say?" *** She shook her head. "It feels wrong." *** He grinned. "It'll happen again."
