W.I.T.C.H.E.: Evolution
By: Sokai
Disclaimer: I, Sokai, do not claim ownership to the workings of W.I.T.C.H. - I leave that honor up to Elisabetta Gnone. Nor do I own Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's X-Men series franchise (even though this story isn't even really related to the series, at least not super super directly, anyway. Just don't want to hear law suit claims LoL). However, I can and DO claim to own this story and its inspired ideas FROM both series.
Note: Yayy, I actually found a bit of free time again in order to post another chapter to this story! * Does a kitty dance * =) I deserve a gigantic cookie, as well as a two day 'nap,' for sure. LoL
Anyway! Not really much to be said within this specific 'A.N.,' so please to enjoy Chapter Five!
** Again, another thing to add is that, if you haven't already, please refer to the very top of my profile page, where I explain about my 'Ko-Fi' account, and why it exists in the first place. =) The link to it is also there, as well as right here (minus the spacing, of course): : / / ko-fi DOT com / U6U4FVTM
'Coffees' from any of you after reading this chapter would obviously be tremendous (with EXTREME gratitude if you do), although finally getting a few followers over there would be neat, as well, as it's been a tad 'lonely.' LoL (And if any of YOU create a 'Ko-Fi' page, please do add me there, and let me know in general, so that I could possibly help advertise it within my next 'Author's Note!' =) ) **
Enjoy!
This chapter was written/created in August 2018.
Chapter Five
". . . . Stupid question and all, but . . . are you all right?" Cornelia suddenly heard Irma's unexpected, and personally uncharacteristically concerned voice sound next to her within the midst of her previously private breakdown.
If she had had enough energy to do so, Cornelia would have promptly gathered her wits about her, replace her usual mask of control before then most likely saying something rather dismissive toward the usually goofy housemate; however, given how incredibly trying this Monday morning was already shaping up to be, Irma's company was almost a Godsend.
Almost.
Nonetheless, Cornelia remained uncommonly silent, save her now quieting sobs as she slightly turned her back toward the awkward, yet patiently standing Irma, who was now pondering how next to handle the quite unfamiliar territory.
Pausing a moment, she exhaled gently as she suggested, "Well . . . while I can be as open as the next person, methinks I'd still prefer a bit of privacy during a crying fest, so . . . why don't we at least head back to the room if you don't want to talk?"
It was surprisingly a lot easier than Irma initially thought it might have been to wrangle her new roommate back into their dormitory, as it had taken Cornelia only a brief moment to seemingly think over her options before shakily rising to her feet and followed the brunette inside, almost within a zombified sort of manner.
Irma could only watch with mounting uncertainty as the traditionally confident teenager tiredly settled down onto the edge of the only still made up bed within the room, as Irma's school bag and picked out clothing for that morning were still splayed out onto the other next to it.
Wondering for a few moments whether or not she should leave the visibly shaken girl alone, after all, or at the very least, do so within search of Elyon in order to replace her admittedly weakened efforts of consoling, Irma felt surprised when she suddenly heard Cornelia speak at the same time the door to their dorm room was quietly sealed.
". . . . I-I . . . I bet you didn't . . . didn't expect this when you got up this morning, did you?" she actually managed to jest in between light sniffling, her face still quite reddened and puffy, although the crying had thankfully appeared to have ceased.
Irma could only blink at this a moment, once again feeling quite at a loss for words and personal experience on how next to respond.
Had it been Hay Lin to be within dire need of a pep talk, Irma would have honestly had the generally content girl back on her feet within no time, much as she usually had during their two year friendship.
But because this was Cornelia . . . it was honestly as though Irma was currently grappling with a particularly tricky Danger Room training session, or something just as intense.
Still, she'd made a point to let herself be known to the emotionally wounded girl in the first place, and judging by her last, honestly unrestricted comment, Cornelia was clearly feeling rather vulnerable and willing to listen to whatever it was Irma might say.
And so, she did.
". . . . No. No, I really didn't. But then, I also never expected within a million years that my toothbrush would now be hanging right next to yours from now on, either," Irma replied, hesitantly at first, before managing a light smile as she risked throwing in her patented humor into the mix for good measure. Seeing that doing so didn't turn off the otherwise serious girl as it usually would (at least, not yet), Irma continued. "But, about that . . . look. I'm . . . sorry if my reaction earlier upset you so much that it . . . made you cry, Cornelia. Really. I was just . . . I am still pretty bummed, myself, that I don't get to bunk with Hay Lin, anymore, that's all – And I'm sure you feel the same way about Elyon. It wouldn't really have mattered whom The Prof shackled me to – N-No offense."
As Irma finally found her footing once more and moved toward the open box of tissues resting upon the polished and pristine dresser near their now shared bathroom door, Cornelia shook her head within initial response and frowned within reflection.
"P-Please. . . . We both know the fact that it ended up being me, 'of all people,' is just the icing on the cake, Irma . . . although I guess I can't really say I blame how you feel. Like you said to me earlier: You and I never could really get along," she remarked hollowly as the last of her sniffling died away and she was finally able to lock eyes with the other girl as she approached the bed. "Not at school, not around here at the institute . . . and especially not during our shared training sessions. It's a wonder that you and I weren't put together like this ages ago, really. . . ."
Fighting the awkward discomfort which threatened to return, especially now that Irma apparently completely held Cornelia's now undivided attention, she instead chose to fall back onto her humor a bit more, in spite of the severity of the situation, as she lightly waved a hand within dismissal.
"Nah. I think that if that had happened, you and I probably would have brought the mansion down to its knees during the inevitable all out mutant-versus-mutant brawl we were clearly headed toward," she smirked as she carefully extended the box of tissues toward the other girl as she sat down on the bed.
Cornelia didn't seem to mind the jape, however, as her blue eyes curiously became a bit glazed over and faraway, as though within deep thought.
"'Mutant versus mutant. . . .' You know, this whole time I've been here at the institute, I've been trying my best to . . . well, be the best. That is, the best example of what Kandrakar's School for Gifted Youngsters and its teachings is capable of, so that those currently enrolled and those yet to do so could have something to aspire to, you know?" she revealed within a morose tone, sighing heavily as she slowly pulled a tissue from out of the box now set upon her lap. "But really, I was just trading in one ideology for another, and I never even realized it until now . . . until today, thanks to you, Irma. . . ."
Irma's eyes slightly widened within understandable surprise at this, her previous desire to infuse drollery into the situation in order to make it far less uncomfortable immediately vanishing, as her natural curiosity was now piqued.
"M-Me? What for? I-I mean, since when, sorry, given you've never thanked me for anything before. At least, not sarcastically, anyways," she stated within a matter-of-fact, albeit well meaning tone, which thankfully was not met with offense by the blonde sat at her side.
In fact, Irma's uncharacteristically taken aback reaction actually managed to make Cornelia smile as she nodded within initial response, which only furthered the brunette's utter befuddlement.
"Yeah, well . . . there is that," Cornelia began with another smile, although this one was far more timid than the last, "but I suppose there are firsts for everything. . . . I'm starting to think that, maybe one of the reasons why we – Why I've always had such issue with you is because of the stark differences between us. That is, as students. As mutants. I've . . . I've only ever really opened up about this to Elyon, all right, but . . . my home life, my family, are all about results. All about the bottom line, you know? I guess it probably doesn't help that my dad's an investment banker, and my mom's a Personal Injury attorney, on top of being . . . well, pretty elitist mutants, I guess. And when one of your parents has the ability to mimic anything she sees with instant, expert precision, it kind of puts one at a natural disadvantage, and honestly warps their overall outlook upon life. . . ."
The gears within Irma's mind began to turn as the grand picture suddenly slowly pieced themselves together, and she nodded deeply within reflection.
". . . . Oh, wow. Y-Yeah . . . I guess it kinda now makes sense why you've always walked around campus like some sort of know-it-all princess, huh? I . . . I honestly never did know that you had pre-existing 'motivation' from your folks," she stated thoughtfully with another incline of her head, as Cornelia simply followed suit.
"Yes, Irma . . . I guess. . . . Although, really, I was honestly a lot worse when I first enrolled, obviously before you had and had been able to see me 'in action.' Before I'd properly settled into the professors' teachings, and before I'd met and gotten to know Elyon, I still had the mindset that my parents do: That we mutants are 'The Superior Race,' as they'd always say," she carefully revealed, looking away within obvious shame and renewed bother, before willing herself to continue. "But . . . after I'd learned that that is far from true, and that both mutants and non-mutants are and should always be equal, I . . . I see now that maybe I still held onto a bit of my family's lessons, at least in that I might be better than even my fellow mutants. . . . I think that's the real reason I've been trying so hard to master my Geokinetic abilities, and set a good example for the other students. For you. It really wasn't so that I could be best person I can be for myself, as The Professor's always taught us, and like I'd always believed . . . but so that I could be the best person within the eyes of my parents. . . ."
As Irma watched as Cornelia was clearly fighting back the urge to cry once more, she did so with far more sympathy and attentiveness than she ever thought she could have shared for the girl who was usually rather difficult to be around, and she honestly felt bad when she realized she had nothing to really say to the blatantly emotional confession within response.
A stringent home life was one she'd heard before about from the other students over the years, even hearing about how more than just a few of their own families also fell into the category of mutant superiority as Cornelia's.
However, although she wasn't without her own hardships, Irma supposed she was lucky, as her own family was the complete opposite . . . as far as she'd always been aware, at least.
Perhaps it helped that her father didn't possess any mutant abilities, being 'normal,' as it were, which helped grant Irma a broader perspective by default . . . especially given his knack, even as a seasoned police officer, for believing within second chances, and of the core decency within everyone.
And because of his moral guidance, including what she could recall from her dearly departed mother, there was no simply black and white for Irma. There was always a gray area, a hidden pocket, or kernel of truth and clarity yet to be detected within every situation, which was quite honestly probably one of the reasons both she and Hay Lin were such close friends, as the jolly teenager – Indeed, her grandmother, also believed within the very same.
Nevertheless, seeing that the atypically open girl hadn't any intention to speak again, at least not for now, Irma willed herself to do so, instead, as she continually struggled to find the right words to say.
". . . . I-I'm, um . . . I'm honestly not one to really judge, Cornelia . . . well, usually, anyway. But seeing as I obviously don't know your 'rents – Or you, frankly, I'm not gonna say anything, this way or that, about them," she gingerly clarified, lightly beginning to drag her palms back and forth across her bare legs, as they then began to feel rather clammy. "Everyone has their reasons, right? S-Still . . . now that I think about it some more, and what you're telling me, I guess it kinda makes even more sense that . . . well, you don't really seem to have a lot of companions. At least, not around here, anyway, or anyone you might be as close to as Elyon, right? What . . . What makes her so special, if you don't mind me asking? If anything, given when you'd just told me, I'd think someone of her uber-mutant potential would be 'Public Enemy Number One' for you."
"Y-Yeah . . . you'd think," Cornelia surprisingly concurred with a weak smile, although it began to strengthen as her entire facial expression bloomed into one blatant tenderness toward the girl in question.
Because this was honestly the very first time the two had ever uttered more than just a few sentences toward one another, Irma had understandably never before seen this specific reaction from Cornelia before, especially not regarding the generally kindhearted and milquetoast girl.
Well, no.
If Irma willed herself to do so, she could quite possibly recall at least a few times she had randomly caught Cornelia having a similar demeanor whenever Elyon was around in the past, although she naturally didn't really think much of it.
Of Cornelia.
Now that the cards were all on the table and she was actively doing so, however, it did make Irma wonder a bit.
That is, while she, herself, would naturally light up whenever Hay Lin would enter a room, knowing that their encounter would be mutually enjoyable as per usual, it certainly wasn't the same as what she would witness from Cornelia toward Elyon.
But then, maybe it was just yet another difference between the two of them, that's all, the way each girl regarded her best friend, respectively.
Still . . . if Irma didn't know any better and, had she given enough care prior to now, she might have been a bit inclined to believe that perhaps there really was more to Cornelia's feelings for Elyon than meets the eye. . . .
Perhaps.
And perhaps, one day, Irma might feel invasive enough to even ask her new roommate outright; however, mild speculation aside, she wasn't stupid enough to push anything further with Cornelia, especially given her ongoing candor and vulnerability.
So instead, she simply listened.
"Y-Yeah, I don't . . . I don't know, Irma. I mean, you're right: When I first met Elyon, 'met' her powers, I really did immediately fly straight into competitive mode, you know? Especially the fact that such power was tied to someone so . . . so -"
"- Non-Cornelia like? Well, fine. We'll say, 'Old School Cornelia-like,' to be fair on you and your continued growth," Irma took a chance to inject a bit of wittiness once more into the otherwise heavy topic, the smirk upon her face widening within relief as she saw that Cornelia yet again preferred to let it slide and smiled with her.
"'O-Old School Cornelia?' Hmm . . . I suppose that's one way of referring to my honestly bratty younger self, sure, Irma," Cornelia stated within surprising agreement and a nod, setting the box of tissues down onto the bed. "But, yeah. I was this hotshot rich girl from a 'superior family,' eager to show off my budding abilities to anyone who even gave me a glance. And then, here was Elyon . . . just an honestly down-to-earth . . . orphan with more gifts than she knew what to do with – And counting, most probably – and only wished to hide them away at the time. To hide herself away. A-And, I don't know . . . I guess all of that . . . all of her just really intrigued me. Still does. . . ."
Irma couldn't help but smile warmly at the confession, feeling as though she were now listening to one of Hay Lin's many insightful heart to hearts about their day to day, instead of from one she'd previously believed to be an android of some kind, if she was honest.
Mostly.
But it truly did make Irma feel a backwards sort of sense of honor, almost, to have been in the wrong place at the right time, and continually listen to her (possibly former?) 'Frienemy' open her heart up to her like this.
"And I guess Elyon might have felt the same way about me or something, because the next thing we both know, I'm actually talking to her like a person, instead of some sort of servant girl like I used to. Meanwhile, her confidence is growing bit by bit as I see her managing to hold her own against my . . . at times abrasive disposition, yes," Cornelia continued right along within her tale without missing a beat, looking down at her now clasped hands with a faraway smile and face settling back into the curious expression Irma had witnessed moments before, upon the initial mention of Elyon's name. "We just . . . just ended up challenging one another within completely different ways than I'd originally thought when we first met, that's all. She's honestly the first one, even before The Professor, especially, to get me to finally open my eyes and break free of my family's . . . brainwashing, I suppose, I don't know. With . . . Without Elyon, I don't honestly believe I'd even give this school a chance – This new life a chance. . . ."
Irma felt her own cheeks becoming a bit flush as she then watched Cornelia's do the same, as everything suddenly fell into place.
Cornelia was in love with Elyon.
There was absolutely no denying it now, especially not after having listened to every last word coupled with the honest look of adoration which was continually etched effortlessly upon the blonde's face.
That was it!
That's what that 'curious' look had been, all along.
How someone as usually pretty intuitive as Irma could not have guessed that ages ago, even if the subject had been Cornelia, she didn't know.
Her mind was now completely racing, filled with questions she wasn't even going to attempt to ask out of her newfound respect for the Geokinetic girl, such as: Did Elyon know?
Did Elyon feel the same?
And if she did at least know, had Cornelia told her so outright, or did Elyon's Telepathic abilities take the helm on that one?
After all, she did confess in the past that sometimes she didn't have as tight a handle on her mind reading abilities as she would have liked, especially during times of stress.
It was honestly a wonder to Irma how Cornelia had managed to stay within such close proximity as having been roommates with the girl in all that time up until now, if she really was keeping her feelings a secret.
Although, to be fair, it was frankly a wonder to Irma how any of her housemates could remain mum about any sort of romantic feelings they might possess for another individual as, try as she might, she'd usually crack despite her habitual reminding to play it cool before going right ahead and making the first move toward whichever guy she happened to like at the time.
Needless to say, not a lot of them usually took kindly to 'such a bold gesture,' preferring to remain old fashioned in that way, apparently, and thus missing out on what Irma personally felt to be a wasted opportunity of becoming her would-be boyfriend.
Still, she'd much rather take that chance and get it over with all the same, than walk around like a shaken up can of soda ready to burst at any moment, and all because she never told the person she cared for that she did in the first place.
". . . . Must be rough," Irma couldn't help but let slip out within continued thought, her face growing even more hot as she watched Cornelia suddenly gaze at her with understandable confusion.
"H-Huh? What is?" she asked with a slowly raised eyebrow, as her previously love struck facial expression began to melt away.
Always one to be generally quick on her feet, however, Irma merely shook her head with a faint smile as she said, "No, nothing. Well, everything, actually. You know, everything you just shared with me. . . . Thankyou, by the way, for doing so. Bet it . . . it must be like a weight completely lifted off your shoulders to finally get it out like that – And to your least favorite person within the entire institute."
Cornelia let out a slight chuckle at this, seemingly buying into Irma's given explanation before slowly rising from the bed with the box of tissues back in hand.
"You do realize that there are currently one hundred sixty-six students enrolled here, right? Despite how much you and I really have had our . . . 'oil and water' encounters the last two years, don't think you're special enough to me to be considered my 'least favorite person within the entire institute' Irma,'" she remarked with a put on scoff and roll of her eyes for good measure as she walked toward the dresser and replaced the tissues back onto it, clearly beginning to feel a bit better once more.
Noting this and not wishing to make a big deal out of it, Irma followed suit as she waved a hand within dismissal as she had during the start of their conversation, before leaning back upon what was now to be Cornelia's bed from then on.
"Maybe so, but we both know that no one else can get underneath your skin the way that I can, Cornikins," Irma shot back with a smirk, feeling it grow as she momentarily reflected how that usually correct assertion no longer was to her, not now that she was pretty confident of Cornelia's feelings toward Elyon. "All that aside, though, there's still one very important thing I gotta know. . . ."
Cornelia's forehead lightly wrinkled as she raised both eyebrows within honest curiosity, turning back around to face the now curiously serious looking brunette.
". . . . O-Okaaay. And what would that be?" she asked, her emotions now more or less back in check, although a part of her did briefly wonder if Irma wasn't about to pull the two of them back into the overall discussion both had apparently made an unspoken agreement to close the book on.
At least, for now.
"Do you snore? I'm sorry, but that's a deal breaker for me, as I absolutely need my eight hours – Ten, if I'm lucky enough to get all my responsibilities out of the way during the weekends and Hay Lin gets up before me. As much as I love the girl and having been her roommate, her snoring absolutely drove me insane! So, you know, good luck to Elyon on that note," Irma revealed within typical Irma fashion, a renewed grin painting itself back onto her face at the same time that Cornelia let out a deeply frustrated groan upon being reminded that the pair would now be living together from now on.
"Oh, my Goddd. Help me," she grumbled dramatically, promptly rubbing at her temples within mildly put on frustration as she watched a now giggling Irma hop off of her new bed and exited the dormitory without another word.
Staring at the now sealed door a few moments, Cornelia couldn't help but slowly smile.
She still wasn't anywhere near confident that the two of them would be able to survive one evening together, let alone their mutual remaining enrollment at Kandrakar's School for Gifted Youngsters.
And she was pretty certain Irma felt precisely the same way.
Still, all things considered . . . perhaps Cornelia could have done far worse than now having Irma Lair as her bunk mate.
Perhaps.
"Okay . . . here it is, I think. Room One-Eighteen," Will murmured to herself upon stopping short in front of the sealed, beige colored classroom door about an hour or so after having arrived back to her new home early, and rather unexpectedly.
It was still a rather frightening thought to have realized that the City of Bayville was apparently prone to such natural disasters as earthquakes, and the redhead hadn't been anywhere close to prepared for feeling one during the start of her third period AP Biology class , especially given that she'd never before experienced one.
Back home in Maine, the most consistent sort of weather both she and her mother have had to deal with ever since moving there had been torrential rainfall, having lived so near the coastline, and all.
And while she was still rather sorrowful for having to leave her home behind, there was at least a bit more variety in terms of weather for Will to look forward to, so to speak, now that she was living within Upstate New York.
She simply didn't expect that she'd have to drop to her knees and pray to the Heavens that she wouldn't suddenly be buried alive as a result of this morning's tremor, that's all.
Will honestly thought that a lot more of her peers would have been right there with her in terms of the understandable freak out, and at first, quite a fair number appeared to be – At least, more so the student body back at Bayville High School, anyway.
Because after she'd gotten off of the shuttle bus with Elyon, Cornelia, and a whole bunch of other fellow housemates from the institute she was not yet acquainted with, a lot of them seemed to be much, much more . . . relieved, almost accustomed to the earlier events.
And the longer she was settled back onto the private campus and had allowed herself a bit more time to further explore the expansive mansion, the faster it was beginning to dawn on her that perhaps that earthquake really hadn't been so 'natural,' after all.
"I'm telling you! There is no way that that 'earthquake' was a normal one! The amount of times we've been through moments like that during training sessions, and just living here in general? Please! It was probably Gaveedra using his 'Force of Will' ability he calls it by accident, or something," Will had managed to eavesdrop upon a pair of male students voicing their opinions upon the related event while sat, huddled together at a random table of many within the institute's first floor Study Hall earlier that morning.
"Gaveedra? Nuh uh, dude! For one thing, he's an upperclassmen, and most of them aren't really prone to goofing off like, say, the younger students. And secondly, doesn't using that shock wave power kinda drain him, like, a lot? Plus, I think he said it usually involves the use of weapons, and I highly doubt he'd be able to get any through Bayville's security, man," the unknown blonde had stated within rebuttal.
Will, who had been sitting by one of the room's many elongated windows by herself, suddenly found herself unable to focus upon the lesson plan the institute had provided to her upon enrollment, and had been attempting to study in order to prepare for her first class within its walls.
"Hmm . . . yeah, maybe. So then, it was probably someone not from the institute. You know how a lot of us usually have to play 'babysitter' to some of the less disciplined, like that pick pocketing Tabitha. Too bad she decided to drop out of here, though – She's pretty easy on the eyes, if you know what I mean. Would've enjoyed continuing to share breakfast in the Student Dining Hall with her. . . ."
While Will naturally hadn't the foggiest who either mentioned student was, she nonetheless had found herself becoming a bit more intrigued by the gossip which was being broadcast within an otherwise relatively quiet environment.
The earthquake had been caused by a mutant?
And here Will thought she was now being immersed within an atmosphere where all but perhaps ten percent of the students already enrolled had pretty much everything under control.
Certainly more so than herself, to say the least, anyway.
Still, she couldn't help but feel a mixture of both trepidation, as well as alleviation that she wasn't the only one who'd allowed her mutant abilities to go haywire that week . . . although she did wonder what next was in store for her while living within Kandrakar's School for Gifted Youngsters.
There didn't seem to be a dull moment to be had, and she was only three days in.
Taking a deep, lulling breath, Will carefully clasped the brass door handle before gently turning it to both open and enter the classroom door to her very first 'Mutant Class.'
Or, at least, that was what she was referring to it within her mind, anyway.
In truth, the official name upon Will's class schedule was called 'Elemental Manipulation 101' which she supposed, given her apparent mutant abilities, was a correct class choice to be placed within.
However, given that she presently did not possess any powers at all, Will wondered what she could honestly learn, or what her new professor could honestly teach if she didn't have any lightning to somehow manage to summon all on her own for a change.
Will's admittedly tense mind instead then shifted onto the actual room she was in, momentarily pondering if she had entered the right one, as she had honestly been expecting a typical school setting when she'd walked in.
Instead, however, she appeared to be within what she vaguely assumed to be a parlor or sorts, the décor more or less mimicking that which Will had already seen thus far throughout the rest of the expansive mansion.
It honestly looked more like a room to be seen within a museum than a classroom, with its fancy, royal blue and gold trimmed rug elegantly blanketing the middle of a polished, wooden floor, and matching thick draperies set over a trio of floor length windows which daintily leaked in a bit of that early afternoon's continual sunlight.
Will then slowly gazed up at the sparkling, miniature chandelier hanging directly above the circular and glass coffee table placed within the center of the room, and couldn't help but guess exactly how many times either fixture had to be replaced, if any of the institute's previous students might have also lost control of their powers while being instructed around them.
As she made her way across the relatively large 'classroom' and headed toward one of the identical trinity of golden, and fancy looking sofas spread about the area, it was then that she finally noticed two things.
The first being that, although it was not a classroom within the traditional sense, the parlor room was still outfitted with a roll away whiteboard, which was strategically placed next to what Will assumed to be her professor's desk.
And then there was the second, 'should-have-already-been-obvious' fact that she was not alone.
Patiently sitting within one of the four wooden chairs placed directly in front of the desk in question was another female student – At least, Will believed she was a student, as the other girl looked to be around her own age.
Although not one to usually judge a book by its cover, Will could already get a strong sense that this particular girl was of the studious nature, what with her bright red school bag tucked protectively against the side of her chair, and a large notebook already opened neatly across her lap at the ready.
The girl must have really been lost within her notes, after all, as she too did not seem to be aware that she now had company, an observation Will admittedly found herself feeling a bit thankful of, as it provided her a few more moments to privately take her in.
That is, she didn't really want to spend her first official training session alongside someone who would only end up making her feel the way she had been from the moment her mutant abilities had first manifested, up until yesterday upon speaking with Elyon.
But then again, Professor Lin had informed Will, she now remembered, that because she was a new student, a fair amount of her classes - At least those which considered honing in upon her Electrokinetic abilities - would be shared with some of the newer students, as well as those whom, for whatever reason, were struggling with their own abilities and thus, were not that far ahead of her.
She could only hope that this girl wouldn't do too much showing off or, more importantly, possessed any powers which were of the dangerous variety, much like her own. . . .
Will nearly let out a curse as she felt herself accidentally bump her shin against the coffee table right as she was about to sit down onto one of the sofas undetected, and instead bit down onto her bottom lip in order to muffle a cry of pain.
She'd been so busy watching the unidentified student as she walked in that she hadn't been looking where she was going, which regrettably managed to break the other girl's previous concentration as she let out a startled yelp from where she sat.
"A-Ahh!" she cried out, nearly jumping out of her seat and dropping her notebook onto the floor . . . at the same time that Will surprisingly witnessed the whole right side of it suddenly begin to go from pristine white to charred black. "O-Oh, no! My notes!"
Will naturally couldn't help but feel her feet become rather cemented to the floor at the sight, it being only the third time she'd witnessed another student actively using their mutant abilities, after all.
It almost made her wish that this girl harnessed air based powers like Hay Lin, or even those of the watery variety like Irma, instead of . . . whatever that was.
Almost.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you like that!" Will apologized profusely upon somehow finding her footing again and allowed them to carry her toward their professor's desk whom, for whatever reason, had yet to arrive. "I bumped my shin coming in and wasn't . . . wasn't watching where I was going. . . . S-Sorry about your notebook!"
Will's cheeks became flushed as her mahogany colored eyes met with the similarly colored pair of the raven haired girl sat before her for the very first time, her natural shyness taking over once more.
Despite her property having been inadvertently destroyed by the redhead standing at her side, the other girl did not appear to be vexed within the slightest, as Will had honestly believed she might have been.
Instead, she appeared to look . . . disappointed, although it didn't really seem naturally directed toward the loss of her notations.
"N-No . . . It's okay. I mean, I had most of what I'd written down memorized, anyway, but . . . I'm just mainly upset because I'd lost control, and over someone simply randomly raising their voice, too. And here I thought I was making some actual progress," the girl revealed with a light frown from behind her black framed and rectangular shaped eyeglasses. She then looked down at her right hand a moment, before quickly shaking her head and forced a smile toward Will. "Now I'm the one who should be sorry, excuse me! Hello! I'm Taranee, Taranee Cook. I'm guessing you're here for 'Elemental Manipulation 101,' as well, then? Usually it's just me and another student, but she's come down with the flu, so naturally she's been confined to her dormitory."
Letting out an honestly gruff exhale of relief, more so over the fact that the girl evidently known as Taranee didn't appear as though she'd be a general issue, rather than the added fact that there weren't any hard feelings over her now scorched writings, Will immediately smiled back as she nodded within initial response.
"O-Oh, um, yeah! Yes, I am, Taranee, thanks. Nice to meet you, too - My name's . . . Wilhelmina Vandom, but you can just call me 'Will,'" she stated with another smile, secretly feeling a bit thankful that Taranee hadn't offered up her hand in order for Will to shake it, just in case her abilities would suddenly flare up again . . . literally.
Taranee contently watched as Will maneuvered around the chair placed next to her before carefully sitting down, as well.
She then made a quick gesture toward Taranee's partially ruined notebook before asking, "So, um . . . if you don't mind my asking: What sort of abilities do you have if you can do something like that? I'm assuming, though, that it's . . . fire based or something? I mean, given what you just did, and the name of the class we're in, right?"
Taranee promptly shuddered at this and vigorously shook her head before responding.
"Blech! I hope not! W-Well, I mean . . . my powers are Thermokinetic by nature, which means I possess the ability to manipulate temperatures at will – More or less, anyway. S-So, yes . . . I suppose this also means I could possibly start a fire if I really tried," she hesitantly explained, nervously beginning to ring her palms together as she continued. "And as I understand it, according to Professor Clarkson – The woman who teaches this course, I'm sure you naturally know – my gifts could also one day evolve into full blown . . . P-Pyrokinesis, much like her own. But, to be perfectly frank, although I've been making some pretty decent headway with learning to use my powers in general, I've been praying that they simply stay as they are. I-I'm . . . I'm not a huge fan of fire, you see. Ironic, I know. . . ."
Will couldn't help but grin ear to ear upon listening to the other girl's confession, suddenly feeling as though she'd found her soul sister, or something.
"O-Oh, wow, Taranee. You . . . You honestly have no idea how happy this makes me to hear," she stated happily, before immediately explaining her own backstory of sorts before Taranee could have possibly taken offense, as she did initially appear to. "N-Not that you're afraid of fire – Which, honestly, who isn't, right? If anything, that's more smart than silly, if you ask me. B-But, anyway, listening to you admit what you're afraid of, even though you've gotten a jump on things ahead of me in this class just makes me feel a little less apprehensive to giving this a proper try in front of you later on once my . . . my Electrokinesis comes back."
"'Electro . . . kinesis?' W-Wait, so not only can you actually start a fire, already, but you could also electrocute another person to boot?" Taranee gasped within initial alarm, Will clearly being the first lightning wielding mutant she'd met thus far, based upon her reaction. However, seeing that it wasn't one the redhead was admittedly pleased with, Taranee promptly corrected herself as she flashed her a faint smile. "I-I'm sorry, Will. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I guess that was just a bit of my . . . fear coming back to the surface. But I really am working on it . . . as admittedly slow as it's been. A-Anyway, what did you mean by 'comes back?' Did you somehow lose your abilities? I honestly didn't even know that was possible for us as mutants. Fascinating. . . ."
As Will was about to dive into the admittedly still unbelievable events of the past weekend between Irma and herself, the door which was behind the continually unoccupied desk suddenly opened, widening further to reveal a svelte, and moderately tall blonde female.
Upon first glance, she almost resembled an older Cornelia to Will, what with their similar skin tone, pale blue eyes, and cascading, flax colored locks.
However, this woman clearly was no longer a teenager, appearing to be perhaps somewhere within her mid to late fifties, or so, with varying signs of aging delicately tracing themselves primarily along both sides of her mouth and underneath her otherwise vibrant eyes.
"Ahh. I see you're both ready to begin learning! Good to see you again, Taranee, and – Oh, my! Did you have an incident with your notebook? Spontaneous combustion hasn't occurred with you regarding your gifts for weeks, I believe," the woman whom Will could only assume to be Professor Clarkson openly observed with a concerned glance toward a now deeply blushing Taranee as the older woman approached. "Well, it's no worries, because that's why we're here, right? To learn, to grow, and to understand that even once we've eventually mastered our abilities, we'll still be bound to have accidents, all right? Anyhow! You must be Wilhelmina Vandom, our newest student here at 'Kandrakar's School for Gifted Youngsters,' yes? Pleased to meet you. I am Professor Halinor Clarkson, and during every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I will be your instructor for 'Elemental Manipulation 101.' Professor Lin usually takes over teaching each Tuesday and Thursday, as I'm sure you've been informed."
Will could only nod slowly as her response for the moment, unsure of what to say next outside of the usual "Yes, Professor" typically given to any teacher.
It wasn't because as though this woman was intimidating within any sort of manner. In fact, although her words had sounded rather confident, for whatever reason Will could almost sort of sense a lack thereof residing within her.
Maybe it was simply because confidence wasn't really something she, herself, possessed on a regular basis, and so she was simply better at spotting those 'like her,' she didn't know.
Regardless, the prospect of possibly being taught how to better wield her mutant abilities by someone who, by all accounts, might be secretly second guessing her own capabilities was both intriguing, yet admittedly terrifying all at once.
"Hello, Professor Clarkson. Y-Yes, I am Will," Will at last found her voice a few moments later, smiling lightly at the older woman as the pair then shook hands within continued greeting. "And I'm afraid that it's my fault Taranee's pages are messed up like that. I . . . I accidentally startled her coming in, and . . . yeah. The end result is what you see here. . . ."
Professor Clarkson smiled gently at this as she abruptly raised the same hand she'd just shaken Will's with into the air.
"No, no! One thing you will learn quickly while enrolled here . . . 'Will,' is that accidents happen, just as I've already said. We try not to dwell on things for too long, and simply move forward," her slightly deep voice stated strongly, although her eyes curiously reflected what appeared to be . . . sadness to Will, in all honesty. However, it was gone just as soon as it appeared, as Professor Clarkson flashed yet another smile toward both students before continuing. "Now, I'm sure, knowing you, as I've gotten the esteemed pleasure to these last few weeks, Taranee, you've undoubtedly committed everything to memory, or possess another backup of some sort, correct?"
"Y-Yes, Professor Clarkson, I have, actually. Memorized my notes, I mean," Taranee piped up within reply, finally closing up her notebook carefully before placing it back into her backpack and retrieving another one, this one completely unscathed and perfectly brand new.
"Excellent! Then I'm sure your natural know-how will be a boon to Will, here, as she, too, begins her journey of becoming better acquainted with her gifts! O-Oh, but I don't suppose you'll be able to do anything with them during your first lesson today, now, will you? I had been informed by our headmaster that you've unfortunately been 'Shorted Out,' is this correct?"
Will felt herself scrunching as far down into her chair as possible within immediate embarrassment, as she listened to her new instructor cut right to the chase.
She obviously knew it was going to be brought up, and in fact she was within the middle of explaining everything to Taranee, herself, before the eldest woman had entered the classroom.
She just wished she wouldn't have been put on the spot about it so abruptly, that's all.
"T-That's right, Professor Clarkson. . . . I, um, I currently am unable to use my abilities. I hope that that's okay, though. I-I mean, I don't really know what I could learn here – Today, at least – if I can't summon up any electricity to . . . to 'manipulate,'" Will replied sheepishly within furthered confirmation, peering up at the blonde woman with apologetic eyes, before quickly doing the same toward Taranee for good measure.
At this, Professor Clarkson simply chuckled lightly, not appearing at all disappointed or put off that one of her students was already incapacitated right out of the starting gate within the slightest.
"That's perfectly fine, Will. That is, not the fact that you were previously injured as a result of your 'Short Out,' but that you're unable to utilize your natural endowment. I'm quite certain that, by tomorrow, you'll be back to normal," she stated kindly as she carefully sat down within the third chair placed in front of her desk, which was closest to Will. "To be quite direct, you not having them at the moment is probably for the best, as I'd also heard that having said abilities has been . . . understandably trying on you. I can attest that those with Electrokinetic powers in particular have indeed found navigating through their day to day, be it at the very beginning or even to this day to be quite stressful. So do know that you are not alone in that, Will. . . ."
Will's cheeks were immediately set ablaze as she was forced to politely listen to this woman begin regrettably airing out her emotional hangups about her given mutant abilities in front of Taranee, whom may or may not later become a potential companion to her down the road, but was still a complete stranger within that moment all the same.
It really did make Will wish all the more that she could have been born with any other mutant power than one which was apparently routinely monitored apprehensively by the faculty, and outright feared by students.
Apparently sensing the redhead's ongoing and private misgivings, Professor Clarkson hesitated a moment before reaching out to lightly squeeze Will's now quite clammy hand and smiled thoughtfully.
"Trust me, Will. You really aren't alone in this. If anything, both Taranee and I – Well, I, especially, can greatly understand and empathize where you're coming from regarding your hesitation. After all, next to electricity, fire can be quite damaging, as well," she explained with a slight nod, pulling her hand away from Will in order to raise it, now balled up into a fist within the air. Only a singular moment passed before a small, yet powerful emerald colored flame suddenly came alive within her palm as she slowly unfurled her fingers to show the both of her students. "I know, all too well, unfortunately, how very easy it is to lose control, and suddenly have a simple flame turn into a huge inferno within the blink of an eye. . . . I wasn't lying when I told you that I see a lot of myself within you, Taranee. I really do. And now, perhaps, the same can be said of you, Will. I was just like the two of you, completely terrified of what I could do, and seemingly overnight forty-odd years ago when my own gifts first manifested. I was . . . a bit of a coward growing up – At least, according especially to my two older brothers, that is – so suddenly being able to start a fire by mere thought alone was certainly not the best combination for my waning self esteem. Then, add all that to being a 'typical teenager,' just trying to get through high school without making a complete fool of myself in front of my friends or crushes at the time, and that was a wrap, you know?"
Taranee had more or less given her the head's up that their mutual professor had the ability to wield fire, and so by all accounts Will should have at least been mildly prepared in some way. However, this prior knowledge did positively nothing to calm the torrent of emotion which was presently running through her the instant she suddenly witnessed Professor Clarkson's hand summon up a ball of flame and 'somehow' cradle it without so much as a flinch, let alone sustaining full on burns.
One would think that, perhaps by now, Will would have become at least a little less flabbergasted by the varying mutant abilities of those dwelling within the halls of Kandrakar's School for Gifted Youngsters.
And, in truth, despite the very real danger the other woman's power could cause to not only Will, but even Taranee, whom already confessed to possessing a very real and understandable phobia of the element, it really was at the same time quite an awe-inspiring display.
It was especially impressive that Professor Clarkson's created combustion was not of the 'traditional' orange hue but instead was green, causing Will to momentarily speculate that, in spite of the woman's words, clearly she had managed to get a much better handle over her Pyrokinetic abilities throughout the past four decades in order for them to become that potent.
Will was an admitted science buff, after all.
Perhaps it was because she was so into science and was largely settled within the world of facts prior to that moment which caused Will's mind to still be very much 'human based,' rather than the apparently mutant oriented it now was, and thus found it rather difficult to reconcile what was happening right in front of her.
What continued to happen right in front of her.
Regardless, Will felt her body mimicking Taranee's within that moment, she saw, as both girls promptly recoiled at the sight of Professor Clarkson's ongoing flame, at the same time that she suddenly stood and walked toward the coffee table resting within the center of the parlor room.
". . . . As I said, I do know very well how easy it is to have something as small as this . . . turn into something as large as this," she resumed her apparent lesson calmly, her blue eyes focused entirely upon her inflamed palm as the previously minuscule sized, emerald flame suddenly swelled both within size and intensity, "and how easily it could harm others just like that. . . . However, as understandably destructive as our powers can be . . . they can also be quite nurturing and provide great comfort, like so. . . ."
And just as swiftly as she had created a seemingly uncontrollable ball of flame, Professor Clarkson smiled warmly as she gave a quick flick of her wrist, causing the still quite large fireball to 'fly' away from her fingertips toward what Will only just then realized was not simply a coffee table, but was also an indoor fire pit.
With undeniably impressive precision, the green flame abruptly shrunk back to its original size as it almost simply glided toward the coffee table, before suddenly igniting the tiny fire pit within its center with a modest crackle and whooshing sound.
Will felt her mouth slightly hanging agape as she stared at what now looked like a regular fire . . . or at least one seen during a flame test, like within her old Chemistry class back at Sheffield Institute, given its continually bright green consistency.
She now had a very strong feeling that she was going to get back into the habit of keeping a diary of her daily life from that point on, to be sure. . . .
Will then somehow managed to tear her eyes away from the dancing flames long enough to glance at Taranee, an overwhelming protective urge surprisingly coming over her within that moment, as she was pretty sure that anything Will had been feeling throughout their ongoing lesson paled within comparison to whatever the self-professed Pyrophobic girl might have been.
Amazingly, however, although she did appear to be incredibly pale, and was literally shaking within her seat a little bit, Taranee actually managed to throw a brief smile toward Will once she'd noticed her looking at her and murmured, ". . . . L-Like I said . . . It's a w-work in progress. . . ."
Will could only return the gesture and nod sympathetically, before Professor Clarkson strategically cleared her throat in order to regain her students' attention.
"It truly is, Taranee, although it is one you are handling beautifully, I must say. And as I keep reassuring you, if I can eventually get over my own Pyrophobia, able to do what you both have just witnessed with ease, then you will too," she stated with a firm nod, gingerly tucking both hands into the pockets of her gray colored trousers and turning away from the fire she had created in order to properly face both girls. "But, now, enough showboating from me! How about you both stand up with me, get some stretching out of the way before we properly begin today's lesson, all right?"
As Will slowly followed Taranee's lead, who naturally seemed more accustomed to such a request, as this wasn't her first day within this class, the redhead then had a quick thought spring to mind before shyly raising her hand.
"U-Um, excuse me, Professor Clarkson, but . . . I-I know what you said before about how your fire, and possibly what could one day become Taranee's fire both have the potential to help rather than harm, but . . . how, exactly, could that possibly apply to me and my lightning?" she inquired with honest perplexity upon finishing up the last of her stretches alongside Taranee. "I-I mean, when you think about it, whenever someone even says the word, 'lightning,' immediately their first reaction is to go run and take cover, like say, if a thunderstorm is heading their way. . . ."
Will momentarily felt a bit foolish for even asking such a question, as Professor Clarkson regrettably began to chortle as a result . . . a bit too strongly for her taste.
However, apparently seeing that she might have embarrassed her newest student, the blonde haired woman swiftly shook her head before replying, "Oh, no! I'm sorry, Will! Please, don't ever be afraid to speak up and ask whatever is on your mind, all right? You're in a safe environment, with no judgment. . . . Now, that being said, when you think about it, lightning, or electricity, rather, is life, Will! It's life, every bit as fire, or water, o-or air is! They're all connected, you see! I mean, specifically regarding your mutant abilities, think of how many text messages you might have sent to your friends in the past, or the innumerable trips to the grocery store with your parents you might have gone on, hmm? Without electricity, neither would be possible, much how things grind to a halt during a power outage.
"And it doesn't just stop there, either! What about the electrical pulses which naturally course throughout our bodies on a daily basis? Did you know that right now there is ongoing scientific research in order to help better regulate such pulses within the body whenever an illness, or injury might disrupt its normal flow? You claim that your power is different to ours, Will, and that it could only ever cause pain and suffering . . . but from where I'm standing, like ours, it can do so much more if you let it. . . ."
Some science 'expert' she was, if Will had never honestly stopped to even acknowledge all the many, many ways her electricity really could be of value one day . . . although, to be fair, because of the way it had first manifested, perhaps it was rather understandable.
Still, Professor Clarkson had a point, and a profoundly impressive one at that, unknowingly gaining a great deal of respect from the redhead over how obviously knowledgeable she was regarding her element . . . regarding every element, it seemed.
She was the very first professor to bother going into specific detail about Will's newfound abilities, after all.
It honestly now made Will all the more grateful that 'Elemental Manipulation 101' turned out to be her premiere 'Mutant Class,' active powers or not.
Will felt herself cracking a rather large smile of gratitude toward the older woman before she could stop herself, although she honestly wouldn't have even if she could.
She wanted her to know how her insight helped ease her mind a bit further in regards to her budding abilities, and she said as much, to boot.
". . . . Thank you, Professor Clarkson. Really. I guess . . . I guess I never bothered to try seeing it that way, until now," she expressed with another simper, looking over at a now mutually grinning Taranee, then back toward their instructor standing patiently before them. ". . . . All right, then. I think . . . I think I'm finally ready to give this a try. That is, properly learning to both control and understand my . . . gifts."
Professor Clarkson gazed at Taranee a moment, before giving Will a knowing sort of stare before slowly flashing them both a smile of her own, and nodded.
"Good on you, Will. Good on you," she complimented as she pulled both hands from out of her pockets and took a step forward. "Now, then . . . let's begin."
- End of Chapter Five
(A.N. Yayyy, Will and 'Ranee finally met, and will clearly become the besties they really are later on, yayyyy. LoL And it really IS 'good on Will,' here, since she finally referred to her mutant abilities as 'gifts,' the way everyone else generally does regarding their own abilities. =)
Really IS ironic, as well, like Taranee said, but more so how insecure Halinor, of all people, would be the one to provide such insight for Will that Will is – Say it with me, now LoL - finally, FINALLY all in to at least giving this whole 'being a mutant' a shot. LoL But I did want to showcase some of her strengths as a professor at the institute, while also mildly alluding that yeah, she still possesses some of her own hangups, all the same. But, hey: Halinor's only human, right? =)
And as for Halinor's 'science lesson,' Chemistry within the general sense has definitely always held my specific interest by comparison to Biology, for example. But because, even WITH my usually sleepy-heavy mind, I did manage to recall a rather fascinating article about electricity that one of my teachers had made us read and then write up an essay about afterward, I thought I'd incorporate it somehow into the chapter. Just wanted Will to be reminded of how her powers really aren't ONLY destructive within nature as she initially focused on, is all. =)
I was also going to go ahead and show a bit further of what goes on within that particular class, but then I saw that I was already up to thirteen pages, so thought I'd better stop it there. LoL Which sucks, because I was going to continue on past that and show some of the antagonists, as I'd previously stated I was going to. I suppose that will most likely have to be right at the beginning of the next chapter, instead. Sorry! =) Maybe I'll even shove Hay Lin in there and have her happy-go-lucky self deal with them for starters, seeing as she definitely needs some more screen time, anyway. I love that gal. LoL
Anyhow! I'M just glad I can finally more or less stop writing Will as kinda on the fence as she'd been up to this point, even after speaking with Elyon, etc. I do still plan on primarily using her as the one to present things as they come a bit through our own perspectives as I have been, or trying to, anyway. However, now that she's officially met everyone, had her first day at both schools, methinks it's time for her to just dive right in as best she can, now. =) Good luck, Will. LoL
What else. . . . Oh, yeah! Sometimes it just helps to spill your guts to someone you honestly don't give one flying eff about or what they think, you know? And I think that's kinda what happened between Cornelia and Irma earlier on, for sure. LoL Although, hey. Maybe now, because of this, they'll finally find some common ground and maybe . . . gasp. Become friends? Dun dun-freaking dunnnnn. . . . LoL
But, no. I wanted the two of them to sort of . . . SORT of get some of their ongoing strife out of the way, so that it wouldn't be some super super consistent thing throughout the story, given all the other chaos which will eventually head their way, anyhow, right? :p They'll still definitely clash, to be sure, and maybe even have a few blowups (maybe even literally, who knows LoL), but at least now, like Irma always believed, Cornelia doesn't seem AS much of an android to her, anymore. LoL
Plus, she now knows her super big secret of having feelings for Elyon, so . . . there's that. :p While I definitely could be like Cornelia a lot, back in high school, especially, and would usually keep my feelings to myself if I liked a guy, I did later become more like Irma and was just like, "Eff it. I'm going for it," ESPECIALLY once I ended up falling for one dude in particular from sophomore year to the remainder of high school. 'Fun times,' that. Pfft. . . . LoL And a lot of them did end up feeling a bit intimidated that, GASP, a chick made the first move, and would decline, whether or not they felt the same . . . which was also quite vexing, since it's like: "Okay, you like me, and you now know I like you, but because I asked you out first you're freaking out on me? Oookay. . . ." LoL SO glad high school's over with. Good luck, everybody else who might still be 'trapped' there and knee-deep within the 'lovely' drama which is, well, high school. :p
Uhhh . . . oh. Mmhm. Gotta give another shout out to a few canon mutants mentioned within the chapter, such as Tabitha Smith, a.k.a. Boom Boom, and Gaveedra Seven, a.k.a. Shatterstar. Just used him as a quick example of another student who might have caused Cornelia's earthquake back at 'Bayville High,' although I am mildly aware of how his shock wave ability is a bit different and really isn't used all that much, for reasons that random student had stated.
And then, as for Tabby, a character I'm definitely more familiar with by comparison, I just plopped her in for really no other reason except the fact that I was watching some more "X-Men: Evolution" at the time of writing that scene. LoL So, definitely this version of her is the one portrayed within said series, including her already having temporarily dropped out from the institute. Will she re-enroll within my story, or even be actively featured? I dunno. Featured randomly? Maybe. Re-enroll? Dunno, although I don't suppose I could make her best friends with Amara within my tale, or at least not within the same way, seeing as I'd made Amara a middle school student here, instead.
Buttttt, yep! That's it, I think! REALLY gotta stop editing these chapters at 'Stupid O'Clock' in the morning, but that's honestly all the 'free time' I have nowadays, sadly. So, forgiveness, as always, if I did end up forgetting something! Still, I hope you all enjoyed, maybe bought me a 'coffee' or two over on Ko-Fi, and reviewed! I'd definitely love to 'hear' more of your thoughts, since so far it's usually the same three awesome people leaving active reviews for this story. ;p Thanks for that, of COURSE, by the way!
Anyway! Chapter six will hopefully be out soon! Mwa mwa!)