How Much We've Grown (Nick Black)

[Marissa Chancely]

Marissa Chancely,
Volume One
Chapter One: Knowledge

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"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand." -- Frank Herbert

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[/i]

The Blonde had bumped into something hard, avoiding, narrowly, spilling her coffee over herself, as well as the dark man before her. "Watch it, will you?!" she snapped, though it was only then that she realized who she'd bumped into exactly. How long had it been? At least ten years![/ul][/color][/font]

[Nick Black]

Nick's morning had been a pleasent one but he knew that he couldn't stay in the apartment all day, as much as he would've enjoyed doing so. He dug through his room for soemthign to wear, being blind and all he found it was difficult to pick out outfits. He had actually invented an ingenious way of knwoing what something looked like and what it would look good with. His pants and shirts hung in his closet on hangers, each hanger hada small strip of metal protruding from it, accented with several bumps. These bumps were nick's own form of textile language, they told him what the clothes were and he could recall what they looked like from what he was told. Nick's idea of color and shapes were rather abstract so instead he was rather told what they went good with. It was pretty much the same method he used for all his clothing, and feeling along the metal tabs he decided what he would wear today.

A yellow t-shirt witha broken record on front, some dark blue jeans, a pair of white high top nikes, a black jacket, his sunglasses, and his white cane later Nick was ready to go. He had already had a rather delighful breakfast of crepes and was actually lookign forward to th day, dealing with idiots and people who were just plain stupid. He felt his way out the door and used his tychokinetic sense to guide him out fot eh apartment building. Everythign appeared rather blurry and gray with several things accentuated in blue and some more primary colors. Nick passed through the halls, being sure to give a profuse frown in everyone's direction, them unknowing if he could see them or not. What better way to start your day then making others uncomfortable.

Nick made his way down busy Miami streets, today he was off from work but he was really curious about this new project they had going on at the facility. A strange device to say the lest that no one could find the problem with, yet there it was. It was just the perfect puzzle for Nick to wrap his mind around, and he did plan on solving it. He could smell coffe in the air as he walked along, it was the morning and this was to be expected. Nick did enjoy coffee from time to time but he detested people who absolutley needed it to function. He thought this while popping a coupel Vicodin pills, to stave on oncoming migraine. It was as the smell became stronger that he suddenly rammed into somebody. Time seemed to slow as he could make out the hot liquid flying out on hsi tychokinetic sense. The stochastic fields shifted and the coffee landed ina puddle, not doing any harm.

"Watch it, will you?!" a woman snapped, her voice vaguley familiar. Some people were good with faces, Nick was good with voices. When he heard one it was ingrained in his memory, of course in some cases it took longer to recall than usual. as he could not conjure up an immidiate image of who it could be, he instead decided to snap back.
"Oh I'm sorry, I'll try and watch where I'm going next time," he said sarcastically as he lowered his sunglasses, revealing his paled irises. He winked, an action some found disturbing considering his smoky, paled eyes. It was often just the feeling he wanted to conjure when he did do so. "i'm not sure what type of education you have down south but the white cane," he said lifting his own up. "is a symbol of blindness. But it seems, I may not be the only blind one here," he finished.

[Marissa Chancely]

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"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand." -- Frank Herbert

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[/i] There was the sarcasm, she'd heard it on him before, when they'd been younger and spending time together in the same group of friends back in New York. She would have laughed if they wouldn't have been apart for an entire decade, and if she wouldn't have made him angry at her. Instead she just waited, knowing that something else was coming, another witty comment of his.

She placed the newspaper under her arm, sipping at her coffee once, not making any noise while she did so. She wanted to give him the impression that he had her full attention. While he talked to her about being raised in the south and other nonsense she didn't quite get, she bit on her lip, holding back laughter, or even a comment of her own. She should probably hint that she was Marissa Chancely, a friend from so long ago. Though, it really didn't matter, did it? It was, like she'd said, long ago. "Sorry, sir." she retorted, deciding to wait a bit and hope he remembered her instead.

Maybe that was her plan, or maybe she was just in a really bad mood. Putting as much sarcasm in her tone then he had, she continued: "For your information, I know very well what a white cane is for." she paused, "One of my old friends...One I haven't seen in years...is blind. I wonder if he remembers me," she paused, grinning wickedly at him, knowing fair well that he couldn't see it. He had hinted that he was blind before, she hadn't forgotten already. "Marissa Chancely, do you think he'd remember?" She hoped she wasn't making a fool of herself. She was sure this was Nicholas Black though. [/ul][/color][/font]

[Nick Black]

As the day went on Nick often found himself getting grumpier. The reason for this? People in general, those he found the most irritating were just the people walking the streets. Having lived in New York and visiting quite frequently Nick couldn't remeber the amoutn fo tiems soemone had bumped into him or spilled something on him. It seemed to be the same ina ll big cities, Miami being no exception. Now here he was, literally just out of the apartment and narrowly missing getting scalded with hot coffee by this person who obviously couldn't understand what being blind meant. Yet all the same... the person did seem to be awfully familiar, that voice seemed to be one that nick should be recalling, even though he surely wasn't.

The thing about being blind is, your other senses seem to compensate. Normally considered to be soem urban myth it did have some truth to it. Now, this isn't daredevil level of sensory perception but just a higher than normal level. Along with his tychokinetic sense Nick could percieve things that he wouldn't be able to normally. For example Nick heard a slight rustle of some sort of papers being moved (he assume dnewspapaer due to the time of the morning) and the slight echoy slurpy sound that came with drinking. Nick went on with hsi sarcastic tirade anyhow, give this person somethign to chew on next time they're alone and thinking to themself.

"Sorry, sir." she retorted. Nick chuckled, it wasn't the normal sorry he got when he accused someone of being insesnitive to his blindness. Normally it was a sort of grovelly apology, that came with the person feeling as if they had done a great wrong. This woman though... her apology seemed to be simply a response, by her tone of voice Nick assued that this was either someone he knew or someone who quite frankly didn't care. Nick was less inclined to believe the latter as there would have been a light lilt, or more monotone, but he couldn't see how it could be the former. And that voice.... her had the answer ont he tip of his tongue...

"For your information, I know very well what a white cane is for." the woman replied sarcastically. Nick almost grinned, finally a negative reaction! She then told him about a friend she used to know who was blind, one she hadn't seen in years. It was then that the pieces seemed to line up, and Nick was almost ashamed of himself for not realizing earlier. "Marissa Chancely, do you think he'd remember?" Nick cocked his eyebrow and faked a confused expression.
"Honestly, I don't quite care about your life story," he told her. "You don't hear me tellign you about this girl I used to know in elementary school who would always hang out with the boys. A little girl that I haven't seen in years," Nick said with a coy smile. "How ya doing Mar? You know it's not nice to tease us blind folk."

[Marissa Chancely]

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"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand." -- Frank Herbert

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[/i] she thought, biting down on her lip. This guy may not be Nick Black! She was suddenly unsure of herself, but it wasn't as if there were many men in the United States who resembled a younger version of her childhood friend, not to mention walked with that white cane and had the cocky attitude. Yes, he was probably just fooling around with her, he had probably figured out who she was when they'd first bumped into each other... He was good with remembering voices.

"You don't hear me telling you about this girl I used to know in Elementary school who would always hang out with the boys. A little girl that I haven't seen in years." Honestly, Marissa didn't know how to react to this. He did remember her, that made her feel...remembered? Most of the friends she'd made, either in Elementary Schoo9l or High School, had forgotten about her and moved on with their lives by now. She couldn't really blame them though, she wasn't always the most cheerful or the nicest person around. In fact, the Basketball playing Artist was nothing like those two traits. That, amongst many other reasons, was why she did not have girl friends.

He spoke again, this time she did let herself chuckle once. "Oh I've been..." she paused, wondering what exactly she should tell him. Oh, my life totally sucks right now, I found out that I can jump fifty feet in the air and have to hide out here in Miami... No, that wasn't going to work, nobody could know about her little...secret. "...alright. I'm really glad I'm outta High School though...It was complete hell! How about you though? How have you been?" She paused, feeling herself blushing. She hadn't seen Nick in ten years and no9w she was going on as if they were best friends.

Remembering his other comment about teasing the blind, Marissa rolled her eyes, "I was not teasing the blind." she pointed out in a matter-of-fact tone that was on the edge of humor. "I was teasing my old friend. Man it really is good to see a familiar face around here...By the way...What are you doing in Miami?"

[/ul][/color][/font]

[Nick Black]

Nick was used to just picking up and moving, it had often been the case involving his father's work. It seemed the further you climbed up the corporate ladder the farther you climbed away frm your friends. Nick had been used to first losing all his little friends in New York and then his friends in Atlanta. Now though he was in charge of his own fate and for the time being at least he planned to stay in Miami. Well at least until AuraFiz drags him off elsewhere to do his work... Point being it was always nice to run into an old friend, quite honestly Nick never expected to hear anyone from elemntary school again, he felt all grown now and that was so long ago.... Yet hear he was, and in front of him was Marissa, one his close friends when he was a kid. It seemed lucky but of course Nick knew luck.

Nick liked to think he had a great memory, he clung to facts and memories like nothing else. Voices would always stick out in his mind and nearly every person he met he remebered. There was something special though about some of his friends, he could remeber them no matter waht, among them was Mar. He wasn't too surprised she remebered him, it wasn't everyday you went to school with a blind kid. He just remebered her as sticking out, she wasn't like all the other girls who were more concerned with what they considered "gender appropriate." From what he remebered Mar liked to draw and she was apparently good at playing basketball (Nick himself never played, most of the time he had his "special" classes during recess.)

Nick revealed that he did remeber her and then asked how she had been. She began to respond, "Oh I've been..." she began, Nick noticing a slight pause. "...alright," she concluded. She then went on to tell him how high schoolw as complete hell, Nick couldn't relate as he spent most of his later years working in the AuraFiz building then in any school. It was the gift and curse of being the son of a corporate career-man and having such inane talents. Mar then asked him about himself.
"Nothing much going on, I work for AuraFiz if you've heard of them. I'm a troubleshooter for products," he told her. "i've been keeping myself busy."

"I was not teasing the blind." she said in a matter of fact tone. She told him that she was teasing an old friend. After which she asked him what he was doing in Miami.
"Job's here. We get relocated as AuraFiz see's fit. Well I guess more me now that my Dad has moved out of middle management," he informed her. "So what are you doing here?" he asked as he stepped out fo the way of oncoming people.

[Marissa Chancely]

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"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand." -- Frank Herbert

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[/i] Indeed Marissa had heard about that, everyone and anyone that weren't living under a rock knew about it by now. "That's awesome!" she said, genuine interest in her voice.

She was glad for him, glad he had found himself a good job, that he was doing rather...okay. Looking at him again, she couldn't say he was doing well, because he looked tired as hell, even more than she'd first believed when laying eyes on him earlier. Before she really remembered just who he was. It was as if he was having a migraine or something, she couldn't be too sure though, she'd never been the kind of girl with Medical knowledge, no matter how much she loved Science and Science Fiction. Oh well, she was sure he wasn't that bad, if so he wouldn't be out here in the September air...Or would he? Was he like her? The kind of man who was too stubborn to admit that he was too weak to do something or uncapable or whatnot?

He then mentioned that he'd been relocated here because of his Job. Marissa nodded, and then remembered he hadn't seen the simple gesture that meant she was listening. "I see." she said to cover up her slip, but still felt that it was wrong. Could she say things like 'I see' when talking to a blind? Was it insulting to him? Man, she couldn't remember it ever being so awkward talking to him... When they'd been kids, she considered him like anybody else, just Nick Black, her friend. He was still just that, of course, but now that they were grown, and she'd been away from him for so long...Things had changed. She hoped that they could see (Well, hang out being a better word, since her old friend couldn't technically see...) each other a few more times before he had to relocate again. Maybe she should schedule another meeting once they part ways?

What was she doing here? She had to think about the answer she was going to give him for a split second. She decided on the half-truth. "I had to get away from New York for a few years and I always liked hot weather and the ocean." she told him, grinning as she glanced around. The ocean wasn't in view, but if she was to jump on the building they were standing in front of, she wouldn't have a problem. She wanted to add a little more, but then decided against it. Honestly, she was here because of her controlling father and the crazy powers that had just manifested. "Um, yeah...I don't plan on staying here forever though, but it's home for a little while." she said. "So, have you had breakfast yet? We could grab something, you know, catch up on life. I'm sure you have amazing stories to tell me." She was changing the subject. Typical of her. Things were getting a little personal, anyway.[/ul][/color][/font]

[Nick Black]

For Nick seeing a long lost friend was a thing that didn't happen quite so often, when it did he wasn't quite sure what to do. he had never been a huggy, touchy, feely type of person. For him the greatest display of affection may be a short hug, and even that was unlikely (unless there were more sexual connotations to it.) He kept people at a distance, all the same he had that coy grin on his face as he and Mar talked. Elementary school was ages ago, Nick had been learning different ways to cope with his blindness, it was definitley a challenge for him. It was probably the rudimentary tactile challenges that led him to a love of troubleshooting and solving puzzles. Despite his disability he did prove to be bright and his firends helped him balance a social life as well (well as much of a social life a syou can have in elementary school.)

When Nick told her of his work for AuraFiz she responded rather enthusiastically "That's awesome!" Nick raised an eyebrow, curious of her enthusiasm over it.
"Not really. Of all the other interesting and perhaps questionable things that that coorporation does I doubt my job is all that noteworthy," he told her rather matter of factly. Nick's head pains began to rise up, he clutched the bridge of his nose, and reached into his jacket pocket for the familiar orange bottle with the white childproof lid. He popped off the cap and popped a couple fo the pills inside. Ont he sticker of the orange bottle one could clearly see his name writeen out,a nd in bold letters Vicodin. Heavy duty narcotic painkiller but Nick felt that he truly did need somethign that strong.

"I see." Mar said, Nick sensing a little uncertainty in ehr voice. His grin coiled a little as he decided to mess her again.
"You see? Funny I don't," Nick said, putting on the facade of genuine insult. "You know, most people would have the common courtesy to respect a person's differences and disabilities!" Nick said, his voice growing louder and actually beginnign to attract attention. "You see..." he scoffed. He paused a few moments to let it sink in before leaning forward and whispering, "Just kidding," to reassure her. He never much cared for political correctness, leave that to the politicans and brownnosers.

When Nick asked her what she was doing in miami she responded by telling him that she needed to get away from new York and she had always been partial to hot weather and the ocean. She told him that she didn't intend on staying there forever though. Nick cocked an eyebrow, he doubted the answer was so simple as she liked sunshine and oceans. Many people did but they didn't just pick and move, everybody lies... even old friends it seemed.
"What are you really doing here," Nick asked, her answer was too simple for his tastes. Now he was curious, he didn't really think that was the whole answer.
"So, have you had breakfast yet? We could grab something, you know, catch up on life. I'm sure you have amazing stories to tell me." she asked him, rather hastily.
"I could eat," Nick told her. "Anyplace you had in mind?"

[Marissa Chancely]

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"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand." -- Frank Herbert

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[/i] she thought, biting on her lip. She decided to be optimistic about this, convincing herself that it was just because of a headache. He was perfectly fine. Yes, that's exactly what she told herself, and being as stubborn as she is, it isn't hard for her to convince herself...but she is pretty optimistic most of the time...She couldn't be wrong though. Just let it go Mar... she thought, mentally shrugging it off. Him popping pills wasn't any of her concern, but what he said next definitely was. He grew defensive, and so did the young Blonde. Why should she care that this may raise attention? It wasn't as if she had never raised any attention. All you had to do was go back a few weeks ago and see her hopping all over the place uncontrollably.

"You see? Funny I don't," There was pause where he grew a little insulted. "You know, most people would have the common courtesy to respect a person's differences and disabilities!" She opened her mouth to snap back, the perfect argument in her head. She was also a little bit frustrated. "Just kidding," She closed her mouth again, glaring at him. "Son of a bitch." she muttered, "You are very, very convincing though. I got to give you props for that." She chuckled once more, glaring at a few people who were still looking. It seemed they were glaring at her and not the man who'd raised his voice. What? Because a blind man had raised his voice at her, she was to blame? She sighed, staring at the people as they finally caught the hint and walked away. "People are being idiots." she told him simply, so that he knew why the sigh, and what was going on around them.

"What are you really doing here," She rolled her eyes, finding that he was being particularly nosy. "Dude," she said, though in her voice, you could hear the words: Let it go, quite clearly. "If you remember my Father, you'll know why I decided to go off on my own." she felt as if he needed further information, he probably thought that something bigger was going on... He was right. She couldn't let him know that though. She was glad by the change of topic though, even more so when he agreed to eating. "Well...Do you like Subway's? I ate there twice since moving in the city a week ago." She suggested, it was a short walk to the Restaurant, and the food wasn't that expensive either. She was STARVING right now, though lately it didn't take too much to make her hungry. She didn't know why her body was acting so weird, maybe the powers? She smiled a little, as if her powers could also make her hungry all the time. [/ul][/color][/font]

[Nick Black]

Nick thought his job was alright, it was definitley a good use of his talents and his love for solving puzzles. Finding problems and the solution to them, that was where the thrill was. It was rather like being a detective and ince you finished you got bragging rights, which are seriously understated. The ability to know you were right was one of the best feelings in the world to Nick. All in all working for AuraFiz wasn't too bad. He made decent pay and if he ever needed he could alwyas go to his mother or father for money (something he would never, ever....do.) He couldn't imagine doing any other type of work, this had been his concept of such for quite a long time. Tactile work was where he thought he belonged, solving puzzles and finding out what other people may have overlooked themselves.

She told him of how she was currently jobless and how her money was going to run out in two weeks unless something happened. Nick had honestyl not been expecting that, he wasn't sure quite what to say but it just kind of slipped out.
"Well that's unfortunate," his tone was flat, unimpressed. "You know, if you ever need help..." Nick trailed off. He would let her figure out the rest. he knew some people would never accept handouts, hell he was one of them. It was just the least he could do to help out an old friend, especially an old friend who happened to be in a rough spot at the moment.

"Are you feeling alright?" Mar asked as Nick downed a couple Vicodin. The nineteen year grinned and sarcasticallly responded, "Never been better." It was then that Nick decided to raise some unwarrented trouble over her 'you see' line. As Nick began to rant people from the street began looking up in their direction.
"Son of a bitch." she muttered when Nick revealed he was just kidding. "You are very, very convincing though. I got to give you props for that." Nick laughed and responded, "Practice makes perfect." Nick would often bust out on people would like that, more for the humor than out of real offense. It was often amysing to see people's reactions.

Mar commented on people being idiots, probably sue to her being yelled at by the blind guy.
"Trust me," Nick began. "I live by that sentiment."
"Dude," she said, when Nick began to push her about her true prescence in Miami, the single word telling Nick to let it go. Unfortunatley Nick wasn't one to simply drop a subject. "If you remember my Father, you'll know why I decided to go off on my own."
"So you left the state simply because of your father?" Nick asked. This explanation was more plausible but he thought there might be more. Mar offered subway as a possible meal, Nick nodded he could use a sweet onion chicken terriyaki sub. He felt along with his cane as they began walking to the restaurant just a few blocks away.

[Marissa Chancely]

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"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand." -- Frank Herbert

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[/i] She rolled her eyes at him, biting her lip again. He did not sound impressed either, as if he was ashamed to be seen with her.

After all, she was an unemployed girl that was right on the edge of being a street girl. Maybe she was just imagining things though... you never know. She opened her mouth to tell him she would be fine soon, but then he continued on speaking. She closed it, shifting her weight to each foot every now and again. "You know, if you ever need help..." He trailed off, as if he'd seen her expression. She was no longer embarrassed, but her face was still a little red due to sudden anger rising again. What was it with him bringing out such emotions in her? Not that she didn't get angry a lot, especially nowadays... "No way, I won't need your help. I can manage myself, I'm a big girl." she said flatly, though you could easily hear the edge to her tone as she looked at his face, trying to make out his eyes better through both her pair of sunglasses as well as his own.

"Practice makes perfect." She slipped him another smile, she knew what he meant. She'd had a lot of practice, not at acting like a complete jackass and making a woman think you're ticked off because of some lame comment, but she'd grown quite good at lying and being convincing when doing so. She'd been rather troublesome in High School, no matter how smart she was... She'd gone to many parties and had her fair share of under-age drinking, skipping some classes, having a foul mouth... Oddly enough, in the midst of all that she managed to graduate a year earlier than her class mates. Maybe the heavy schedule helped though. She had decided to take all of her Junior classes one Semester, and then it just added up that her Senior classes could work out in her second Semester where she'd normally be a Junior still.

"Trust me, I live by that sentiment." Marissa felt a little awkward right at this point in the conversation, but her features remained cool, edgy and Marissa Chancely-ish. There was no sign that she was uncomfortable, no sign that she was trying to hide things like the majority of her thoughts right now. It felt like if she was back in High School, just fooling around and talking... She missed High School all of a sudden, but honestly deep down she knew she'd done the right thing. After all, she would have most definitely dropped out this year with her powers manifested. At least now her Father only had to deal with his Daughter not going to College or University. How awful would it have been if he'd learned his daughter was a drop out? She knew her Mother wouldn't have liked that either.

"So you left the state simply because of your father?" She sighed, making sure that he heard the frustration clearly. "I haven't seen or heard from you in years Nick, do you expect me to reveal my life story the minute we meet again?" She was sure he knew her just a bit better than that. Even back when they'd been friends, she'd been closed off. Everyone she'd known in her life knew not to push when she didn't want to talk about something. "There are indeed more reasons, they are complicated though and personal. I'd rather not talk about it." she paused for a second, letting her cold, snappy words sink in. "I do hope you don't mind." she added, but whether he did or not, he would sure as hell not get the real truth out of her, not now, not ever. She was glad they'd started walking again though, and Marissa listened to his cane make tapping sounds on the pavement. [/ul][/color][/font]

[Nick Black]

Nickw as surprised when Mar told him her financial situation, he wasn't quite sure what do or say. If it were him he would be more prone to turn away any handouts and probably add a quip about him being able to take care of himself. He knew Mar was more independent and she was tough as nails, even as a kid but he doubted even she would like to end up on the streets. It wasn't often that Nick offered his assistance or rather implied his assistance but he felt that Mar was deserving of such.
"No way, I won't need your help. I can manage myself, I'm a big girl." Mar responded, of course Nick hadn't expected her to respond any differently.
"Hmmph," Nick snorted, amused. "You're as stubborn as me." He couldn't force her to accept his help nor would he want to, she had the choice to either fend for herself or get support. She chose her stake.

Nick was smart, he would tell anyone that. That's why it bummed him out that people looked down on him because of his disability. He simply didn't tolerate being thought of as incapable or handicapped. He knew he could get away with a lot of crap becuase of it though, not only would he make people feel bad for saying everyday expressions but he would tend to just be mean and socially abrasive. People would be surprised how much he could get away with doing do to his physical and social problems. They made excuses for him 'Oh he's blind, and crabby' 'He's in pain' 'He didn't grow up like us, he doesn't know any better.' Nick often defelcted such things with sarcasm and cynicism, he milked that pity cow for all it was worth. The people who kenw him though, knew better than to let him walk all over them like that.

As Nick pressed for more information she sighed exclaiming that they hadn't seen eachother in years, he couldn't expect her to just reveal her life story. She was closed off, not very apt to reveal anything too personal about herself. She told him that the reasons for her departure were complicated and personal, and that she would rather not talk about them.
"I do hope you don't mind." She added, ending her cold retort. Nick had a grin grow on his face as they made their way to the Subway. It wasn't a happy grin but more of a grin of a child who just found a new toy.
"Well Mar, if you know me, you know I'm not a quitter," he said as he opened up the door. When deterred Nick didn't stop, he simply doubled his efforts and kept trying. "Let's continue this conversation inside, ladies first."

[Marissa Chancely]

OOC: It's a crappy post, sorry. My Muse is kind of wacky today.

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"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand." -- Frank Herbert

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[/i] She smiled a little, was that a good thing? She didn't really know how stubborn he could be, but she herself was pretty stubborn. It was what kept her grounded most of the time, but then again, she could be too stubborn for her own good. "Really, I'll be perfectly fine." she told him, sounding convinced and as if she truly did mean it. She'd been fending for herself throughout High School really, ever since her mother had died when she'd been seven... Sure, she had a protective Father and many, many siblings to help her out... But a lot of times she would close them all out. She was a pro at doing that, keeping people out of her life. Why she did it, that question was still left unanswered.

As they continued walking, Marissa kept a cold, serious expression on her face. She downed the rest of her drink, which by now was no longer very hot, and threw the cup in a nearby trashcan. She kept the newspaper under her arm, deciding she would read it tonight. It occurred to her that maybe she could use newspaper articles to find out more about her kind. Maybe find news that stunned her as curious. Things that didn't make sense to anyone. She could try and tie it with a super ability of some sort... Yes, that was actually quite a good idea. "Well Mar, if you know me, you know I'm not a quitter," She rolled her eyes at him, though did nothing to show she was going to talk to him more about it. She muttered a quick 'Thank you' as she stepped inside, waiting for him so that they could go in the line together.

Being close to eleven, a lot of people stood in it, and Marissa felt herself grow more and more impatient. So to pass the time, she turned her body so that she was looking at Nick again. "So...You mentioned how you're working for AuraFiz, did you have to cut school to do that or were you home-schooled or something?" she wondered aloud, more or less to start a conversation that may or may not end in more snappy arguments. Knowing herself, and knowing enough about the older Nick, she was sure that snappy arguments were bound to happen sooner than later. Oh well, they could be fun sometimes, when she was right about whatever the reason behind the argument. [/ul][/color][/font]

[Nick Black]

Elementary school seemed so far away, for Nick it just seemed to be a blur of instances of happpiness and frollicking interupted by overprotectiveness and special lessons. It was a happy expirience, about as happy as one could expect of the elemntary school years. He had gathered a few friends, at least any of those that would be willing to hang out with that blind kid. Nick did believe that most parents told their kids to treat him like glass, he was the little handicapped kid. From an early age kids would offer assistance and stuff to the young kid. Nick at first liked the treatment but started find it patronizing when people started asking some things, like whether he needed help goign to the bathroom, or trying to walk him acorss the room. Mar though, they had a lot in common, bith kind of bullheaded and they became friends, as simple as elementary school gets. Unfortunatley life gets complicated and people move apart, could they just pick up where they left off, some 10 years ago?

Nick commented on how stubborn she was when she turned down his offer for assistance. Nick wasn't quite phased either way though, ultimatley it was her choice after all.
"Really, I'll be perfectly fine." she told him sincerely. Nick really didn't have any doubt she'd be fine, she was resourceful she'd find a way...probably. At least Nick didn't like to think he might care, he just had to convince himself there was nothing he could do for her unless she willed it. As they walked along to the Subway Nick heard Mar tossing her coffee, presumably by this time either finished or tire of the stuff. She still hung onto the newspaper, now Nick was curious about what she was looking for int he paper. Most likely a job but it didn't interest him as much as trying to find her real reason for moving down to Miami.

Nick warned her as she opened the door to the restaurant, he would not give up trying to find out what she was trying to hide, there was no doubt about that. She made no auditory response to his comment other than mutter a quick thank you as she walked inside. As they went on inside Nick could hear the chatter of many people and even feel the collective body heat of the room. It would seem as though it would take forever to get up to the front and make their order.
"So...You mentioned how you're working for AuraFiz, did you have to cut school to do that or were you home-schooled or something?" Mar asked.
"I went to school, pretty much the normal deal," Nick told her. "worked at AuraFiz on little things, kinda like a after school job and now here I am working for them in fool capacity," Nick finished. "Whoo" he added with little fervor.

"How about you," he questioned, planning to toy around the topic a bit before trying to gather her motives. "I'm assumign you finished high school. Do you plan on doing anything with your life as of now. I mean, why come down to Miami for a job. New York probably has a lot of better opportunities... unless you're looking for something specific..." he said rather nonchalantly. He toyed with his cane, trying to act as innocent as possible. "Of course that is unless something happened in new York that would've made you want to leave... Something real bad. Youa ren't on the lam are you?" Nick asked with his coy grin.

[Marissa Chancely]

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"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand." -- Frank Herbert

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[/i] Marissa chuckled lightly, he seemed to have had a pretty normal life, as normal as hers until now. She'd been a good student, graduating a year earlier than all of her class mates. She'd done Basketball, Fencing, Swimming...

"How about you," he asked. Marissa bit her lip for the millionth time today. "I'm assuming you finished high school. Do you plan on doing anything with your life as of now. I mean, why come down to Miami for a job. New York probably has a lot of better opportunities... unless you're looking for something specific..." She decided to play a little bit too. He seemed to want to know her deep little secret, and even had the nerve to act innocent... Which she totally knew was acting. Well she would give him one... One that wasn't true. Well, not entirely. "Yeah, I did graduate." she said as casually as he'd sounded when he'd asked. "As for Jobs go, I have to agree with you. New York could've been perfect... I'd like to become a Writer...That, maybe a Mechanic or a Olympic swimmer." She also liked drawing, but that wasn't something she wanted to make a career out of. "I..." She was pretending to hesitate of course.

Then she remembered the other part of his question and decided to use that as a base ground. She could say half the truth to him without revealing she was this mutated psycho! "Nothing happened in New York, don't worry. I'm not a Criminal so you aren't an accessory of any kind." she laughed genuinely. "I just needed a break. I was pretty popular in High School...Not really the good kind either. Some rumors started a while back and it got pretty messy." Truthfully, everyone had forgotten about them when September came along. They had been about her and Jared, an Ex-boyfriend. The only guy she'd ever truly felt as if she could love. She had loved him, it just hadn't been enough to make the couple last. After her manifestation, she would have needed to break up with him anyway.

"It got to the point where I really wanted to leave New York, you happy now?" She made sure that she was sounding both very annoyed and embarrassed. It actually seemed very convincing. She even had the expression down and everything... Even if he couldn't see that part. "I guess it's not that of a big deal for you, but it was for me. That's all there is." In her voice, it showed that the rumors had been bad. She could care less truthfully, it had been half-true. The rumors had been that she and Jared had had sex one drunken night. She was very well still a virgin, but Jared had seen her naked...She had the reasoning to stop before going further than that. See, she could make another one of her stories into something bigger to cover up the real reason...Which was even bigger.[/ul][/color][/font]