Awkward Silence

Corbin lighted up at the the small smile the older boy directed at him, finally feeling that perhaps the other was opening up to him. He can't expect Allan to trust him on this first meeting alone, but at least they were finally underway of making at least a foundation in their consequential camaraderie. He got his board and wrote quickly, his words smudging at the corners but his message was still clear and bold against the gleaming white surface.

"You're not going to go rebel on me are you? I can't have my clean reputation be defiled by some new kid."

It wasn't so much as clean as it was non existent. He didn't think a lot of people even knew him. He was probably just known for as that guy who's always in the infirmary. Nothing wrong with that, it was his decision to lay low. Poking fun at his own situations were one of the few sources of entertainment for Corbin. Which was sad and pathetic, but whatever. To his their own.

Corbin momentarily freezes at the sudden contact. He wasn't starved for contact; he usually had people grabbing at him during random or inopportune moments to help him along or some other. People liked crowding around him, trying to help him out and making themselves be good samaritans. He never called them on it, he liked making people feel important; but their gentle whispers and the hands on his face or his side were just facades built up. None of them were real.

Having someone do him real physical contact -the type that you did without thinking, without fully being conscious of your actions- that was what he was starved for. Having someone give him that little bit of relief felt wonderful for Corbin. He grinned behind his scarf but decided to not comment on it. He merely listened as the other boy continued with the conversation.

Cocking his head to the side, he brought his board and knees up to his chest and wondered about what to write. A few seconds later, the soft squeak of his pen gliding on the flat surface of his board filled the silent room. After he finished, he whipped the board out for Allan to see.

"Nothing really. Studying. I only really just wanted to leave some stuff behind."

He didn't know if he should say anymore but knew that if he didn't, Allan would probably understand. There are just some things that doesn't need to be said.

Corbin shrugged before writing again. Most of the time, he'd just skip those lessons. He refused to show his professors anything and kept his mouth shut. He was too afraid to even dare use it for anything. These days, he uses his time for research. The teachers have already given him their permission to do as he pleases, just as it was for the sake of controlling the gifts that he has.

Despite knowing much about the extent of his skills, Corbin was sure that there might be something that he hasn't discovered yet. And though he's mostly given up on ever figuring it out, he had to at least try to do this, if only so that he wouldn't be given any reason to leave. There wasn't any other place he wanted to go. Going back home to his relatives was out of the question as he refused to put them in danger. Civilians as well. Staying at the school was the best option he has considering they were all skilled as well, they had a better chance of stopping him.

Flipping his board over, he showed it to Allan, "My classes are more inclined to research than application, " he says, "My skills aren't really practical, you see,"

Ah here we go, Corbin thought when Allan had asked him about his questions. He poised his hand on his board as he pondered over what to write. Other than his professors, he's never disclosed it to anyone. He had acquaintances here and there but no one had really asked him about what he could do. He didn't know how to properly explain it because it's been so long.

Looking at Allan, he decided that he should tell the older boy about it. Rooming with him, the other deserved to know. Not because it was a warning or anything, although it could also be considered as such, but just because of common courtesy. It's not like it was a really big secret he'd take to his grave after all. Shrugging, he continued to write down an answer.

"It's called Reverse Vocifery," he shows Allan. After giving him enough time to digest that information, he continued with the explanation. "It's an ability to bend reality at will. But only if you say the opposite of what you want. It's very tricky and you need to really think of what to say because if you're not exact, things don't go as well as planned."

He made himself sound as nonchalant about it as possible; as much as he could concerning he was writing it all down. When you put it in simple terms like that, Corbin kind of realizes how others can use this gift with ease. But considering what the first thing his gift had done for him, he'd really rather not make a fool of himself by trying anything.

Corbin's eyes crinkled at the edges with delight when Allan had gotten it. For some reason, a lot of people found it hard to understand how difficult he had it. Talking to people wasn't exactly easy, especially when you're trying to get things across. To Corbin, the phrase Choose your words carefully held a lot more meaning than others would think.

As Allan trailed off, Corbin nodded to the other boy, confirming his conclusion. He grabbed his board and scribbled quickly before showing it.

"It was really hard at first, but I eventually got the hang of not talking. By now, it's pretty much second nature to me."