p i c k i n g p e t a l s

keep plucking until there's nothing left Amanda Jane "AJ" Keith Super Speed - Twenty - Wallflower

[wallflowerkeith]

“I’m sorry, what?”

There was no way for her to notice if they had spoken to her or to someone else, but after the extremely long and uncomfortable silence that followed, she thought she might as well go for it. There was no emotion on her face, her mind still trapped in unsure thoughts over the previous lecture and it’s teachings. So many things were preached to her that she disagreed with, but if she remembered anything from those previous years; it was best not to show it. “Were you t-talking to me?”

[clayton-o-hare]

"I'm d-done."

Resolution is a strange tone for Clayton’s voice to carry. He’s spoken in resignation many a time. But now, he’s made up his mind, hand gripping the cellphone tight to his ear, listening to a familiar diatribe on the other end. But he makes no motion that he’s affected. Just repeats himself. "I s-said I’m d-done. No m-more. I have a l-lot to be afraid of. B-but you two are n-no longer going to be on that list. I-is that so? Please, I i-invite you to t-try." The phone is snapped shut and then broken in half. "That w-was damn s-satisfying." 

[wallflowerkeith]

She didn't catch much of the conversation and if she had she probably wouldn't have understood any of it. There was a few seconds of silence after his last words and the phone breaking. Amanda wanted to talk to him, but without knowing much of the situation she couldn't really give him any advice. And it'd be easy for her to just ask what he was done with, but she felt that'd be too much of an invasion of privacy. So all she really could do was comment on the information she did know. "I'm g-glad you feel better."

[sam-spencer]

Sam looks up the person he doesn’t know. He guesses he could have seen her in the hallway or something. “I bought it.” He answers rather curtly. Then he drinks up and drops the glass on the table. “Do I need to explain it to you? If you want to tattle then just go ahead and call… teachers. I’mma drink, some more." He fills up the glass. It doesn’t seem like a very good idea to drink more at this point, but being careless feels kinda good.

[wallflowerkeith]

Someone is moody. Amanda thought when he answered her questions. "I'm not going to tattle on anyone. It was a f-fair question. No reason to get all defensive. Drink all you w-want." She crossed her arms. Most of her wanted to leave right then and there, but she didn't want to leave without knowing if he was okay. Most people who drank this early most likely had a reason. "     Are you okay?"

[hudson-faye]

Oookay...

[hudson-faye]

(Faye breathed out a sigh of relief when she heard a voice from the other side of the door. Okay, calm. Tranquillity. Yoga on the beach. Blissful serenit- was that another laser heading her way? She screams as she ducks down, her breath coming out jagged as she looked up at the spot on the door where the laser had hit.) That’s it. They want to kill me. This is the end. Goodbye cruel worl- oh, hello. (She quickly scrambles out of the room when she sees the light from the corridor, slumping on the ground when she’s out of the room and safely away from the simulation’s aim. Wiping a hand over her forehead, she looks up slowly to AJ.) Only god knows. I saw a button, it looked interesting. Pressing the button was not a good idea, though. Don’t do that. (She chuckles tiredly, pulling herself onto her feet.) Sorry about that. But, thanks for the help. Could’ve been stuck in there for hours.

[wallflowerkeith]

Amanda leaned into the simulation room but quickly leaned back as a laser came flying towards her. "Bloody hell," she whispered under her breath. While Faye was regaining her breath, Amanda walked over to the same button that had opened the doors and pressed it again to close them. She returned to Faye with a more than concerned look on her face. "Yeah, no more pressing that b-button. We should probably tell someone and m-make sure everyone stays clear unless they want to die." Amanda shook her head and gave the girl a comforting smile. "It's not your fault. There's something wrong with the pr-programming, and I wouldn't dare leave you in there for hours. Besides, you would have helped me in the role was reversed." She put her hand on the girl's shoulder. "You aren't hurt are you? Nothing bleeding? No concussion?" 

[sam-spencer]

Something is seriously wrong with him. Sam couldn’t turn off his sense. His eyes catch things he doesn’t want to know. His ears hear things he doesn’t need to hear. His muscles twitch to dangers that are not there. It makes him extremely paranoid, like he was chased by something all the time. So he tried an extreme solution— alcohol. He bought a bottle from some older Project, and chugged the nasty liquor until he felt numb and dizzy. Then he notices that someone is in his room. Did I left the door open? At this point, he doesn’t bother to hide the bottle. “What? I can drink. I’m legal to drink, or whatever…” 

[wallflowerkeith]

The overwhelming smell of alcohol caught Amanda's attention, and though, she wasn't one to snitch...she at least wanted to know why and how there was alcohol on the floor. Following the scent, she took a step into the open room. She recognized the man from the future. They had a small conversation that didn't signify anything, but it was strange that she found him in the same state she found him on that day. "I'm not judging...I'm just wondering h-how you got it in here. And also why you are drinking in the first place...?" 

[hudson-faye]

Oookay...

How do I turn this thing off? (Faye talks to herself, looking around the simulation she’d accidentally set off in the training room. Suddenly, she throws herself to the ground, narrowly dodging the lasers that were fired her way. Quickly scrambling for the door, she begins banging on it heavily, leaning her head towards the crack in it.) Hello! Hello! Off switch… oh, god.. press the off switch!

[wallflowerkeith]

"That workout kicked my butt."  Amanda turned to her friend and laughed. Sweat dripped from her forehead, and she quickly tried to wipe it off with her towel. "I left my towel in the training r-room. I'll see you later." Amanda took her time walking to the training room until she heard banging and shouting. Using her super speed, she followed the banging and and hoped to find the source. When she did, she threw up her hands and tried to calm the girl down. "Calm down and r-relax. The simulation will react to your f-fear." Amanda turned and searched for the switch. She forced open the hatch and pressed the switch that turned off the simulation. Less than a second later, she was back and opening the door for the girl to get out. "Are you okay? W-What happened?" 

[msagrondaily-blog]

[bernard-laswell]

I can fix it

Bernard examines the drawer a Project brought. Its handle is broken, apparently. But it seems like the wood is too old and damp. “I could build a new one, if you want.” The kid shrugs, so he takes that as a yes. He goes ahead and starts to pick up tools. Lately he has too much free time and energy. The pills he taking is kind of taking away his good sleep. He brushes some sawdust off his shoulders, even though most of it is on his hair.

[wallflowerkeith]

"So how much for the new drawer?" Amanda didn't have much, but she had to ask. 

[zachariah-zimmerman]

"They all look the same to me." Shrugging his shoulders, he glanced down at the drawing and raised a brow at her drawing of him. "That’s… uh, okay. Thanks." Rolling his eyes a bit, he took the napkin and folded it into fours to put into his pocket. He was never a real fan of art - he didn’t understand what the need for it was. "Ha," he replied to the joke, not knowing how to exactly reply to it. The 2012 part of him would have pushed her around already but he was sitting there, now, with a napkin in his pocket. "Why do you even try connecting with people who’ve hurt you?" He wondered aloud, his fingers move to graze against his lips. "It’s a waste of fucking time and it’s not your place to forgive if nobody is asking for fucking forgiveness - so why?" 

[wallflowerkeith]

"No p-problem," Amanda said. She noticed that he wasn't all that interested in her drawing..or art in general but it didn't bother her. If Amanda was who she was during this time then maybe it would have, but then again she never would have dared to even get close to Zachariah in the first place. Without even thinking, she began to draw on the new napkin she grabbed earlier. With the swift movements of her nimble fingers, she began to draw lilies and daises. His question, though, caught her attention and caused her to drop the pencil. It wasn't her intention to make him mad. Was he mad? Amanda thought they were having a friendly conversation, but it always ends up with her intentions being questioned. "I don't know. You hurt me, Zachariah. You hurt me bad. And I don't forgive you...not c-completely. I just know better than anyone else that p-people deserve second chances. You don't have to take it, but I'm not going to cower from you every time I see you like I used to. And if it were a w-waste of time, then you wouldn't still be s-stting there." Amanda picked up her pencil and began to draw again. 

[zachariah-zimmerman]

"… I was asking you how your simulation went the other week?" Raising a brow, the boy rolled his eyes as he looked towards the girl. Zachariah had left abruptly the last time they spoke, but because he was known for his outbursts at this time, he made no deal about it to apologize to her. This version of himself didn’t apologize. Only to Sasha. The Crowe’s, even. "I didn’t think the Keith girl actually had thoughts," he snorted, giving a light chuckle. "Let me guess, flowers and daisies?"

[wallflowerkeith]

"I actually pr-prefer lilies to daises..." Amanda finally responded. Placing down the pencil she was vigorously using to draw, she looked up at Zachariah and lifted up the small napkin she had used as her canvas. On it was a small but detailed drawing of Zachariah. "The Keith girl has thoughts, but she's better at expressing them through art than words. Here," she smiled, placing the napkin in front of him. "My simulation? Oh, it went fine. It wasn't my best effort, but I co-conquered. And sorry for 'ignoring' you. I'm usually a pretty good listener, but I haven't been able to focus. Why did you run off and leave, though? For a second there, you moved faster than I could." Amanda chuckled at her own joke, and grabbed a new napkin to draw on. 

[warren-adam]

Aww,

I’ve missed this feeling! Someone pushing me against the wall with a gun on my back. So exciting. [Adam speaks somewhat happily as the man shoves and cuffs his wrists behind the back. A mugger? A police? A bounty hunter from the hospital? An S-gene? Honestly, Adam didn’t really care. He is just glad to have some entertainment for the evening.] Okay, so this is a self-defense. [He shrugs as he spins and ducks out of the gunpoint, kicks the guy on the shin. He charges forward, knocking the foe on the ground. He ignores the hit he takes as the bullet is fired, grazing his side. Grinning, feeling alive as the pain surges, Adam kicks the guy on the chin and ends the situation. Sighing out, he turns around and finds the key of the cuffs backward.] Y’know, if you weren’t so bloody rude, I would have asked you to take me to some McDonald, buy me some ice cream and hashbrown on the way.

[wallflowerkeith]

I was going to step in, but it's obvious you had the situation under control. [A wrapped up and freezing Amanda walked closer to the scene she just watched unravel. It would have been so easy for her to unarm the attacker with her speed, but before she could decide on what to do the man had seized control.] You know this guy? [Amanda asked while bending down to lift up the man's chin and get a better look at him. She certainly didn't recognize him. With hesitation, she pulled out her freezing fingers from her gloves and pressed it against the side of the man's neck. There was a pulse.] He's alive...though, I doubt you care. [Amanda quickly put her glove back on. It was cold and she didn't feel like running a few quick laps to warm up. She turned back to the 'victim'...though she wouldn't necessarily call him that.]     Are you hurt? 

[wallflowerkeith]

Mhh...[Amanda nodded her head, pretending to listen to whoever was talking. At that current moment, her mind was some place else. All she wanted to do was make art. Whether it was with a brush, a pencil, or music notes...she didn't care. What she didn't want to do, though, was be caught up in a conversation that had nothing to do with her. Usually she was a good listener, but she was tired of listening. She wanted to speak.] 

[quinn-taylor]

Not now.

[quinn-taylor]

Amanda? [Holding the side of her doorframe, Quinn stands there looking at the blonde for what felt like minutes. The outstretched time ends after she takes a breath in, nodding her head lightly] Uh…come in. Did…I mean does Jon know you’re back? I knew you two were close, I just was wondering- I mean he probably does know, it just freaking slipped his damn mind to tell me… [She bites down on her lower lip, closing the door behind them, staying by it] So…you- I mean how are you? You’re back. 

[wallflowerkeith]

           Hi. [Amanda repeated, not sure what else to say. Just looking at her expression, Amanda could tell that Quinn had no knowledge of her return. The lapse of conversation that followed felt like an eternity for Amanda. Always moving in super speed and never slowing down, when she was forced to stand still she always got incredibly anxious and uncomfortable. She was incredibly thankful when Quinn finally let her in] I've been back for over a month...Jon knows. I saw him and spoke to him the very day I got back. [Amanda shrugged] I'm doing okay. I don't like being back in St. Mary's but I'm getting through it...Yeah, I'm back.  

[echo-enderson]

(Calling Ivan was something she always had to do in secret. When Eleanor was in the dorm, Echo had to sneak out to one of the empty classrooms or go to the gardens to make the call. With her mobile in hand, she was peeking from one room to the next to find an empty one. She lingers by the door when she sees the blonde playing the piano, her fingers producing a rather beautiful melody was she ran them over the keys) That was pretty (she says with a light smile once the sound ended).

[wallflowerkeith]

[Out of the corner of her eye, Amanda could see a figure lingering by the entrance. It didn't alarm Amanda or give her any reason to stop sooner than intended. She finished out the tune, and smiled towards the girl who stood by the entrance] Thank you. [Amanda smiled at her warmly, looking back down towards the keys] Do you play? 

[quinn-taylor]

Not now.

[Quinn yells towards the door after she hears a couple knocks, muttering to herself as she looks down at the paper in front of her. Homework had been pushed to the side because quite frankly she didn’t give a shit about homework right now. The Genesis was zeroing in, and from the intel they had with the double agent, Archer’s girlfriend (still weird), she knew they’d have to be ready for anything. Another knock comes from the door] What is it? [She sighs, continuing to work, not listening at all to the person’s words. So, today had consisted of her skipping her Physics class, (Oz would understand), not eating, not seeing anyone all day, not stressing about her parents once, and planning the next Council meeting. She was actually going to head over to Charlie’s soon enough with a plan when this person knocked] This better be good, like, lottery winning good. [Quinn sighs and stands up, opening her bedroom door] 

[wallflowerkeith]

[Amanda could literally feel the irritation coming from the other side of the door. It wasn't her attention to rile Quinn up or cause her more stress. She actually came to help relieve Quinn of some stress. With her super speed, she could help Quinn get done with the useless stuff while the she worked on more important things. All Amanda wanted to do was help, since she had been gone for so long and hadn't seen Quinn since she arrived back. Did Quinn know she was back? Amanda certainly hoped but her hopes always came crashing down so she didn't let them get to high. When Quinn opened the door Amanda stood there in fear. She forget everything she was going to say, and once she did finally speak, she could only say one not 'lottery winning' word] Hi. 

[yue-kaoru]

It was a good match.

(she says to her opponent as he gets up, groaning because of his sore muscles. As always, Yue bows her head lightly, a sign of respect towards the person she’d trained with. The guy had taken quite a beating, but he’d given her a decent enough fight. Not much of a challenge, but decent nonetheless. She turns around, ready to leave the comabat area when she hears someone else step in. She raises her eyebrows lightly to face her new opponent) Are you sure about this? (she asks, not necessarily as a mean of discouragement, but as a fair warning).

[wallflowerkeith]

[Amanda watched as the small woman beat her stronger and much larger male opponent. It was admiring to watch the woman work and prove those who mocked her in whispers wrong. Looking around the room, she wondered if anyone else would challenge her. They woman seemed unbeatable but for some reason that didn't discourage Amanda. It proved a shock to everyone when Amanda pulled off her denim jacket and stepped into the combat area. Amanda was always one to train alone and certainly not in public. In all honestly, Amanda shocked herself when she stepped in.] No, not really. [Amanda replied. There were whispers about the room. That was to be expected, but what hurt Amanda was that some of the other projects didn't even know what her power was. Well that was about to change.]

[serenalockhart]

What?!

No, this is wrong. This has to be wrong. {Serena mutters as she surveys the grade on her latest science test. Science is her forte. She never gets below a B+ on her science assignments. But as she flips pages, her lack of performance is confirmed. Glowering at the paper, she huffs a sigh. So maybe the grade was accurate. And maybe she’d been distracted lately. But really, who gives a test right after the Project Play?!} This is cruel. {The redhead growls, staring at her paper, even as the bell rings to dismiss them from their class.}

[wallflowerkeith]

[At the sound of the bell, Amanda already had her things packed and ready to go. She wasn't one to loiter around, because when she did bad things usually happened. Turning to walk out of the room, she noticed Serena looking at her paper with a shocked look on her face. It was probably none of her business, but she leaned ever so slightly to see the grade. It wasn't a bad grade but by the look on Serena's face, it wasn't what she wanted. Amanda herself made a poor grade on the paper. Science was a subject she wasn't entirely fond of.] "I hear the professor drops the lowest grade..." [Amanda hoped that'd make the girl feel better.]