02 [Action]

[exsuperman]

[In the days following the lifting of the Mist, the school had been chillingly quiet. Everyone was still feeling the pressing effects of the Mist's wake, and many students and staff had left... The academy was uncomfortably silent.

Mr. Trent hadn't been very well off, either... the Mist had taken a heavy toll on him, scrambling his mind in ways only

Comments

[neveradamsel]

[Roxanne has purposefully been avoiding two specific people since the Mist had decided it was going to make life a living HELL for everyone, and while she's pretty sure this isn't the healthiest way to go about things, she has decided that, after much consideration, it is for now her way of handling things.

Of course, she's bound to run into one of them here or there, considering she DOES live on campus. It hasn't been a problem so far, since each of those said two people have been fairly scarce as of late.

Except for now, when she recognizes a voice and it startles her, and she manages to drop a box of film canisters to the ground not terribly far from where he was playing.

So much for going unnoticed. The crash alone would startle anyone.]

[exsuperman]

[Truthfully, he'd been avoiding them too, but fate seems to enjoy their conflict. At the sound of the crash, his playing immediately stops and he gets up, rushing to see what happened.]

Is everything alright?

[He stops in the door frame and catches sight of Roxanne.
He's frozen for a moment, guitar in hand and mind reeling as memories flood back. He frowns and shakes it off, stepping a bit closer.]

Roxanne? Is.. w-what happened?

[neveradamsel]

[She'd hoped he wouldn't come investigate, but that had been ridiculous thinking. This was Metro Man, former defender of Metro City. Of course he was going to come check out a clatter outside the door.

She dropped to her knees, purposefully not looking at him as she gathers the scattered canisters. There were a lot, along with several rolls of film that had managed to escape.]

Everything is fine.

[Just fine. Perfectly fine. Nothing to see here. Her hands aren't still shaking from the whole experience at all.]

Just dropped something, that's all.

[exsuperman]

[Of course, he kneels down and picks up a few of the film rolls that had managed to roll away.]

Here, let me get that..

[Once he's picked them up, he walks over and hands them to Roxanne, noticing the way her hands are trembling. He wants to ask if she's alright, but the answer is obvious...]

[neveradamsel]

[She has to pause in her gathering and grip the cardboard box - she's afraid she's going to drop something else. She's already made enough of a fool of herself today by scattering film canisters all over the floor. She doesn't need to do it again.

She takes the offered items without looking up at Metro Man, and carefully organizes them back into the box.]

Thanks. [She stands, and bends to pick it up again. Time to make an escape.]

[exsuperman]

It's no problem, Roxanne..

[He steps back, frowning a bit.] I.. I guess I'll see you later.

[This is ridiculously awkward, but he isn't sure what to do.. He wishes that he could help, but knows he's part of the problem.]

[neveradamsel]

Would you...

[She paused, looking at her hands. She clenched one into a fist.]

Would you mind helping me carry this?

[exsuperman]

Oh-!! Absolutely, here..

[He sets his guitar down nearby and quickly takes the heavy box from her hands, carting it easily with one hand.]

This is for your class, right?

[neveradamsel]

...Yes. One of them. I was thinking about opening a photography session...I took a few classes on it in school.

[She is starting to slowly relax.]

Could be fun.

[exsuperman]

[He isn't exactly at a calm state yet, but he works up a bit of a smile.]

Interesting. What's the other class you teach, then..?

[neveradamsel]

Principles of Journalism.

[She hefts the bit that's in her arms, then starts to walk. This is awkward - and it's obvious that they're both feeling the same way. They're going to have to discuss this, eventually.]

[exsuperman]

[Oh, eventually.. But not now...]

That sounds like the perfect subject for you.

[neveradamsel]

[She nods vaguely, shifting the box in her arms.]

And...you're...teching music, right? How's that going for you?

[lalala small talk]

[exsuperman]

[At least small talk means this conversation isn't as awkward as it COULD be.]

It's going really well! I'm still trying to sign students up, but.. I love it so far.

[neveradamsel]

Me too.

[Roxanne finally gives him a genuine smile.]

You'll have to...let me sit in on a class sometime.

[At least they're getting along. Maybe the whole Mist thing wasn't ALL bad?]

[exsuperman]

I'd be glad to.

[He smiles back, adjusting his hold on the box. This.. is actually going better than he thought it would.]