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Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 3, 2006 4:14:16 GMT 7
Joseph had been looking at the new staff list when a failier name showed up. One of his former students seemed to have become a teacher herself. The student or teacher as it was now. He remembered having Shiara Arai as a student. It wasn't that long ago either a few years at most though he didn't know how many exactly. At his age the years melded together. She was a sweet girl when you got to know her and she was a hard one to ruffle. A very composed person and that made her a good teacher in his eyes. He wanted to talk with her and catch up on old times. She had been one of his favorite students and he would love to hear how her life was going.
So he sat in the staff lounge sipping a coke waiting for her. Some music was playing in the backround. He had no clue what it was though he liked it and let himself focus in the music as he waited for Shiara Arai to walk in to the lounge.
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Post by shiara on Jan 3, 2006 5:24:55 GMT 7
A tiny figure stepped briskly down the corridor to the staff lounge. Nearly everything this person did was brisk or with total efficiency. It had to be, since Shiara was very small - not even five feet tall - and had to keep her respect as a teacher. At that thought a small smile came to her face. She was really going to teach here, at Alice Academy. Despite how some students disliked the place, she had loved it, and it was home. It was the one place she could be without having to worry about her visions. As if the thought sparked it, she had one. It wasn't powerful, but enough to tell her that a friend was waiting for her in the staff lounge. Her boots clacked against the tiled floors, then paused as she opened the door. A smiled lit her face.
"Mr. Nohman!"
She walked in, more slowly now at a comfortable pace, and the door closed behind her. Shiara set down her bag of school things and took a seat.
"It's good to see you again. How fare you?"
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Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 3, 2006 9:40:44 GMT 7
Joseph smiled when his old student walked in to the room. He immeiatly stood up and even though he towered over her he had a ton of respect for her. She had been one of his star students as well as a pleasent person to be around. Hopefully she hadn't changed to much though of course eveyone changed with time. Giving her a small bow while keeping a smile on his face he pulled out a chair for hit to sit.
"I am doing much better now that you are here. Old friends always warm up this old heart of mine. What about you? How are you doing?"
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Post by shiara on Jan 3, 2006 10:43:18 GMT 7
Shiara felt her smile still in it's place. It was so good to see Nohman-sensei again. He and his Alice had protected her dreams when she still struggled with nightly terrors, and when there were times she'd just pass out during class because a vision took her. She returned his bow, her dark hair falling forward a little with the motion. As she retook her seat, she tucked the shadowy fall behind her ears again.
"That is good to hear. I am fine; visiting with my family was refreshing. It was nice to be able to see them again, and restore old bonds. But it is very good to be back again. I cannot wait to begin teaching here."
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Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 3, 2006 10:55:43 GMT 7
He was glad to hear of her bonding with her family again. That had been important to her. It really seemed to have bugged her how distant her family had been. She even used to have night terrors from her Alice and would fall in to a daze in class because of it. He didn't know if she knew but he suspected she did since she was always a smart girl but he had spent many nights awake making sure to keep her Alice turned off letting her get sleep.
"Well it is a nice experiance teaching here but it is a lot of work as well though I am sure you are aware of that. But lets get off the subject of school I want to know what you have been up to these past years. Have you found a nice man yet? I know when you do he will be a good one since you would know otherwise."
Joseph gave a small laugh in good humor. She was a special girl and would make some man a happy person someday.
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Post by shiara on Jan 3, 2006 11:37:59 GMT 7
Shiara found herself joining her old teacher in laughter. Truly, it was good to see him with his peculiarly open humor once more. Though she was still collected, there was a slight dusting of red on her cheeks on the new subject. What a topic to change to! Still, she would humor him and give him a response. After all he had done for her, it was the least she could do.
"Ah, I have as yet found no one. Even before I could consider such a thing, I would need to find their acceptance for one such as myself. So then, are you trying to play match-maker?"
Her voice spoke in jest, though every word she spoke was true. Until she was sure her visions would not frighten any who came close, and to be sure that she could be truthful with their contents as well, she wouldn't be able to find any to fill that spot. She could wait however, and would do so.
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Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 3, 2006 19:02:36 GMT 7
Joseph nodded in understanding as she told him why she didn't have a man and he was a litle saddened by her answer. He thought she was a nice young girl and that it was a shame that somthing so trivial could scare aways someone. But then again was that why Joseph never found a wife. He didn't want to pass down his curse to another generation. He didn't see it as a curse so much anymore but more of a gift but some of the children seemed cursed. Like the ones that emit radiation and such that need to be limited for their saftey and others. Some people hated him for his power like Ms. Rosenfield but that was not his concern. Before limiters were around he was the only way to deal with dangerous kids and kids who had nightmares from their powers in a way like the young women before him. No he was far to old to care that much and was set in his ways.
"Alas you should know I am not one to dabble too much in romance I was mearly wondering because I know you used to get lonely at times. Not many people like to know whats coming. The good and the bad but you are stuck with that gift or curse if you choose to see it that way. All I can say is that I hope you find someone and of course if you should have nightmares again because of them. My services are always at your disposal."
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Post by shiara on Jan 5, 2006 9:37:32 GMT 7
Shiara felt a slight bout of melancholy as the conversation continued. Yes, it was hard knowing the future, and also knowing that there was very little, if anything, that could be done to stop it. Usually, giving warning made it more likely to happen, as the people did their best to avoid it while causing it to happen. Her visions, especially those from dreams, where very rarely wrong. While sometimes they were beautiful and innocent, most often they were dark and despairing. She had learned to live with it, even turning it into a game using tarot cards. It was all part of seeing the future, though the tarot cards were much more likely to be wrong, since she was only just as skilled as any other.
"Ah, the loneliness; it is not so bad. I have my friends and my family. While knowing what's to come has it's times of pains, quite often there is good as well. In the end, there is balance." A smile touched her lips again, albeit tinged with both joy and sorrow. "I am sure there will come a day, even if it is not now." She was touched when he offered to guard her dreams. "I thank you for your generous offer, Nohman-sensei. I will not hesitate to ask if the need arises." Shiara smiled then, a full and true one that showed her thanks.
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Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 5, 2006 9:54:02 GMT 7
Joseph returned her smile with one of his own. He had always liked her as a student and was always willing to help her if the need arose. He didn't think a limiter would be good for her and frankly he didn't use them with the exception of the radioactive kids. He would shield her so she could have peace but he never wanted to limit her. He had been told to by the administartion because it was hurting her mental health in their opinon. So he took it upon himself to take care of her. He agreed with them that the burden was to much to bear for a child but he wasn't going to make her lose it.
"May I ask you a favor? Not as a staff member and partner but as a friend. As you know I am getting old. And, while it is not a general practice I would like to know when and how I go. I will not be trying to fight it as that would only make things go worse. But I would like to know. Consider it part of this old mans lust for information."
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Post by shiara on Jan 5, 2006 10:49:48 GMT 7
Almost needless to say, Shiara was shocked at the question. To see someone's death... those were the ones that she had never liked seeing. But beyond that, he was asking for something so specific. Even after years of work, most of her visions happened of their own volition. She had no control over them; just in her responses. Now, sometimes, she could look into a certain person's future, but it was hard. Hard to channel her will and force herself to see something, especially something like death. She could understand, a little, Nohman-sensei's wish to know, but really... would she have to? As of yet, she didn't know herself, but if this was something he really wanted, she would do it. Her expression was a bit troubled, the usual calm and focused demeanor replaced with one of worry. While Nohman-sensei's demeanor had tried to keep it light and trivial, the request weighed on her. She brought her eyes to meet his, and could see the question lingering there. Still, before she looked to the future, she would ask.
"Are you certain? The future holds many roads, and I do not see them all. It may happen that the one I see may not occur, especially something as distant as your death. There would be more time for the roads to change, bringing forth yet also closing other paths. If you still wish it, I will look."
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Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 5, 2006 15:47:02 GMT 7
Joseph knew he would shock her with his question and he knew that what she saw wouldn't be the way it would happen possably but he was still curious. He has spent his life alone and he wanted to know how he went. He knew it wouldn't be around loved ones and would most likely be alone in his bed. But he question had been haunting hs mind for months now. At his age he thought about death a lot and he had accepted that he was going to die long ago.
"Well I won't make you look. I don't want to make you more uncomfortable. But if you were to see somthing at least would you let me know?"
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Post by shiara on Jan 7, 2006 9:25:25 GMT 7
"Ah... yes. If there is aught that I see, I shall tell you of it."
A weary smile touched her lips. What comes, comes whether you wish it or not. The future waits for no one, inevitable as the tide or the winds. Death is the final sleep, before moving on and beginning again. From chaos to order returning to chaos. It was a never ending cycle. Sometimes it became difficult to believe in it, but over time, her acceptance had grown, stabilizing her in the effluent and ever changing future. That belief, with the past set in stone.
Her eyes grew dazed, the blueness of them clouding over with an unseen reflection. It was a vision, and her thoughts tumbled away as she watched it, incapable of anything else. She wasn't one of those actors, who mumbled and moaned when the future took them, she just looked to a point a little above Nohman-sensei's head, and watched it.
It was a hospital room, the kind with the pale washed walls, clean-tiled floors in soothing colors, and a high bed of shining metal covered in white sheets.Only there were all sorts of life-support systems there too. A small Japanese nurse entered the room in a simple white and green uniform and checked the monitors around the bed, leaving without a word after her duty was done. Still Shiara could not see who it was in the bed, but her view shifted from the ceiling above the door to standing next to the bed. In surprise, her spirit-self brought up a hand, and a tear flowed down her cheek back in reality. It was Nohman-sensei, but older. How much, she could not say, but it had to be at least a decade further into the future. She tried to look at the machines to see what brought him to such a state, but could not comprehend what they said. She tried to rise out of it, knowing what would happen now. Without trying, without wanting to, this vision had come because it was now in her heart. She knew she was going to watch her old teacher die, incapable of doing anything. The machine, the one that measured the heart-beat, she didn't know it's name, starting beeping, faster and faster. Nohman-sensei cried out, trying to call for a nurse, but fumbling the button. Oh, if only she could press it! Her spirit-hand reached out involuntarily, but just went through it. Then, it flat-lined. Finally some hospital personnel rushed in, ready with their equipment to jump-start his heart, but Shiara simply stepped back, and said a short prayer. Soul to the winds, that you may have joy once more... Her eyes closed, and she faded back into reality, the tears falling freely down her face.
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Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 7, 2006 22:02:43 GMT 7
Joseph saw his old student go in to a trance like she did so many times before when he taught her. Her visions were as accurate in what is to come as Joseph's were of what had happened. Despite Joseph's age he had a wonderful memory and could recall a lot of details. He somtimes remininced randomly much like Shiara had her visions of the future. His visions were not related to his Alice however but was somthing that had happened with his old age.
His own vision stated to play through his mind. He was a lot younger probably around twenty and he was wearing decent clothing and a nice jacket. Yet he was hiding in an alley behind some garbage cans. He was frightened for his life and with good reason. He was being chased by a mob. It was an Anti Alice mob and though they didn't know he had an Alice they knew that he didn't like the treatment that the other got. Being dragged from their homes and families to be killed in mob violance. The cops joined them too more often then not. There was no law to protect people with Alices and technically they were not human so killing one at most would get you a cruelty to animals charge. Certanly not murder though. All of this was happening in the great city of New York. In the land of the free he was being hunted don because he believed that people like him should be treated as people. As equal people. An Alice didn't only effect one race age or sex. It hit people seemingly randomly but because they had abilities they were seen as freaks and were feared. People never understand what they fear and so try to destroy it. Unfortounatly for Joseph e knocked over a can and got the mobs attention again so he ran. Ran out of the alleyway and in to the main streets knowing that he won't out run them but trying anyways.
They were gaining on him he could hear them getting louder then ever and could feel them getting closer. He knew he was finished when suddenly he felt a pair of arms grab him and lift him in to the air. He looked up to see who his rescuer was and saw that it was a person he had helped last month that went by the name of Josh. He was able to fly without wings and Joseph had hid his Alice because sometimes he would fly without trying since he didn't have full control yet. They had worked together and made it through a lot of hardships together. This however would be his last as he dropped him on top of a bilding but didn't stop with him. He continued to distract the mob going farther in to the city. He didn't make it far though, Joseph heard a shot and saw Josh fall from the sky crashing in to the street hard. He knew he had died and he knew why he went on. Josh had two children that also had Alices as well as his wife. It made it seem that it was genetic but Josh's family had been taken and killed before Joseph met him. It was because of this Joseph vowed a life of chastity more or less. SUre he would have his one night stands through his life but never a relationship. He didn't want to pass this curse on to another generation. He would not bring children in to a world that would hate them. That would just be cruel to them and make him an unfit parent. The best thing he could do was to live and die alone.
His vision left him almost exactly the same time that Shiara seemed to snap out of hers. Like her he had a few tears leaving his eyes and traviling down his wrinkled skin like they were paths for the tears to follow. He quickly composed himself before turning his attention to Shiara who seemed to be trouble which means her vision was not a happy one.
"I take it that you did not have a pleasent vision...."
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Post by shiara on Jan 9, 2006 13:50:35 GMT 7
The blue eyes closed, and any remaining shadows of the future were blocked away, becoming only a part of memory and naught more... until they truly happened, when they would become set in stone as part of history. For a moment she shivered, as a chill wind of death seemed to sweep past. The slow tears felt like ice, before they warmed again. The vision kept flashing before her eyes, even closed as they were; different variations came, but vanished before she could more than glimpse, and that was so brief she could not recall what she'd seen. All of them ended in death however. There was no escape from that; no chanced save. The tears didn't fall faster, or grow in number, but her sadness was revealed by her bowed head and she soft shaking of her shoulders. She was still caught by the vision, even if it was over, and finally when Nohman spoke, he broke the spell the silence had cast. She couldn't quite speak yet, so she simply nodded and looked away. After a few more moments, she took a great shuddering breath and spoke brokenly, her voice trailing away.
"I saw your death..."
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Post by Joseph Nohman on Jan 9, 2006 19:01:11 GMT 7
Koseph nodded grimly. He figured thats what she had seen and he felt guilty for it because she had tried for him and now she was crying. He had hurt her not relizing that not everyone accepted he would die like he had. Part of him wanted to know what she saw and another part wanted to leave it unknown. Mostly though he just wanted to comort her. Slowly he walked over to her his eyes reflecting the dull pain inside for causeing her this pain. He gently wrapped his arms around her and just stood there hugging her. It was all the old man could think to do for the young lady to make her feel better.
He was never really sure what to do when a girl starts crying so he hoped that this would help but if it didn't he wouldn't be terribly surprised. He stodd there a few moment holding her before saying softly to her.
"You don't have to tell me what you saw if you do not wish it. I don't want you to have to relive it more then you have to after all. That would be selfish of me and I fear I was already that when I asked this of you in the first place. I'm sorry...."
His voice trailed off at the end letting his words hang in the air and allowing her to make what she willed with them.
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