The Affinities

Ulrich made his way upstairs, searching for a room of his own. He was alone, and it disturbed him. He heard voices in a room nearby. One of the voices he recognized. Fire girl... he thought. With a smile, he glanced at the apple. Magic flowed through him and ensnared itself into the apple, causing it to mend itself. Earth magic was the least recognized talent, for it didn't appear to have much uses... it was least understood, but Ulrich knew its value. The earth beneath their feet, the only substance that gave them support, was meant for creating life and preserving it. Ulrich knew this much. Apples came from the trees, and those trees came from the earth, bred by the earth, and preserved by the earth. This apple was an extension of him, who was an extension of the earth.

As he stopped pouring his magic into the apple, it appeared slightly larger, healthier, and uneaten. He smiled. Ulrich opened the door and tossed the apple to Jo, all of which was a sudden, fluid motion. "Ulrich," he said lazily, wearing a dumb "I'm-At-Peace" smile.

 

"Nice to meet you Jo, I'm Keel." He said.

 

Ariana shook her head once again. "I can't be friends with anyone," she said with her voice, cold. "Everyone who gets close to me ends up dying..." She lept up from where she was sitting and ran away from Caeli. She didn't want to hurt him-by no means did she want too- but it was true-everyone she cared about was dead... and she wasn't about ready to let that happen again...

 

"Two wrongs don't make a right, Jellal. Did you ever think that the current people that do hate us are just brainwashed? They think we're out to get them, because that's what the government's been telling them. What are they supposed to think when a bunch of revenge crazy kids come into town magic blazing? They'll think the government's right. And have greater faith in it. Rather than make them think that this Rebellion is out to destroy humanity, how about trying to convince them that we don't really mean much harm? You really want to put other kids into the same position as us? Where a bunch of random people killed them for no reason? Come on..." replied Andrew getting a little more heated. In a corner of his mind, he was slightly aware that his voice was rising with each exchange, but he didn't care much for the commotion at this moment. He couldn't remember whether the walls of this orphanage were thick or thin as paper.

 

"Brainwashed or not, they hate our guts and wish we'd disappear. There's no changing that. And if we can't change how they think, We change who's on top." He said. He was starting to have anger in his voice, anger at what they did to him and to all his friends.

 

"Wait!!", Caeli called. Seeing that she was just to far away, he just bent his knees and rested his head on it and whispered, "Please... don't go..."

 

Ariana kept running until she bumped into someone. Slowly she looked up to see who she ran into.
OOC: Opening for anyone.

 

"Silly. You think that once you take over, they'll suddenly change what they think? That'll amplify their fear, and- did you even listen to what I had just said?" sighed Andrew frustrated. If his words were wasted on him, what was he supposed to do? "If you're going to be this way, then I guess this conversation is over," growled Andrew as he turned towards the door. Useless brat. WHo does he think he is? God? Only dreamers that corrupt get shattered the fastest.

 

Jo had started to smile but it disappeared as Ulrich opened the door and chucked an apple at her. Snatching it out of the air, Jo examined it. Her mouth started to water, "Apples...I love apples..." She bit into it with haste and made "yummy" noises. Mumbling around the apple, Jo explained to Haley, "Actually, I found this place on accident. I didn't know witches and wizards were here hiding out. I was just tired and had to get away from the military chasing me. Seven cities....SEVEN of them refused to help me and sent even more of them after me. I ran the entire way. I figured I'd die sooner or later, but I guess I'm lucky."

 

"We are all lucky," Ulrich remarked. He was about to finish, but a young woman bumped into him. "Ack!" Ulrich uttered, falling onto his rump. "Er... howdy?" The earth-user greeted uncomfortably, staring at Ariana. "How are you this fine day? I apologize for being in your way." He added with his usual smile.

 

Tears started to slip down Ariana's cheeks before she could stop the. Damn it... She seemed so weak now... She had this feeling... These feelings of saddnes and misery... and hate... If her family hadn't had died then she wouldn't have felt this way... Damn humans... Tears continued to fall down her cheeks as she mumbled "I'm Sorry,"

 

His smile became more genuine as it became a smile of sympathy. He brought himself back up and extended a hand to Ariana. He heard the pain in her voice. "Don't be," Ulrich said lightly. "It was my fault for being in your way. You don't have to beat yourself over it," he added, feigning idiocy. It was not his place to pry, or to lecture her about how she should feel. All he knew, all he felt, was the shared pain between him and the rest of the orphans. "But I will let you deck me if you feel as if that'll make you feel better." Ulrich offered.

 

OOC: Dude your post made me smile xD

Carefully, Ariana took his hand, with the hand that was not carrying the notebook. Almost Everyone-if not everyone- who she had met so far here had been kind to her... Even this boy who she had just met. It hit her head in the heart that she had been so distant to everyone else... It made her feel terrible... and sad... well sadder...
"Thank You," Ariana mumbled.

 

Jo finished the apple and rolled her eyes playfully, "Can I deck you? It would make me feel better!" she laughed, having never been comfortable when someone was crying and she could just hear the tears in the girl's voice.

 

(OOC: lol, I'm glad it made you smile :P)

Ulrich shrugged and was about to speak, but was interrupted by Jo. He looked at the fire-user and began to rummage through his own memory. "No comprende, senorita..." Ulrich said with a flat, inhuman tone.

 

Ariana laughed. It was a soft and kind of quiet laugh,but at least it was a laugh at all... Right?

 

Ulrich turned his gaze back to Ariana. "So... what's the deal with this place?" He asked her, wanting to change the topic.

 

"What do you mean?" She said quietly

 

"Well... what is it? What do you all do for fun here? Any hot gossip about the others who live here? Any cute, single women?" He asked.

 

"I haven't done much here...." Ariana said softly. "Just sit and write and draw in my notebook," She said eyeing the book in her hand.