[Counselor's Office] The Stars Have Aligned

Nia was nearly running down the hall of the infirmary. She couldn't believe she had almost forgotten about her appointment again! Well, not really forgotten that she had an appointment today but forgotten that today was today and that nearly half the day had already passed by. As she neared the counselor's office, her pace slowed slightly so she wouldn't look like she was rushing. She passed a desk in the infirmary and a woman looked up, smiling at the young girl, "Well hello Nia! You're early today."

Nia froze in her tracks, her head turning slowly to the woman, confusion and horror playing across her features, "I'm...early?" She questioned.

The woman nodded, her expression changing from smiling to a bit concerned, "Why yes. You're appointment is at three now instead of 2:30.... You do remember we changed that last week right?"

Nia's eyes grew wide. She didn't remember that at all. "Oh! Yeah. No. I...I know. I just...wanted to be sure not be late today." She gave her best attempt at a smile but it looked more like a grimace. "Oh okay.." The woman said, clearly not convinced as Nia turned and moved quickly down the hall.

She sat herself down at an open seat across from the counselor's office. The door was closed so Nia figured there must have been another appointment going on. Panicked by the situation that had just unfolded, the girl leaned forward, wrapping her arms around her legs and began to rock back and forth, racking her brain for any memories of her last session and why her appointment had changed times.

She couldn't remember anything.

@Aedan Drago

Nia rocked, her eyes so fixed on the ground in front of her and her mind so distracted by trying to remember what it couldn't that she didn't notice someone enter the area. It wasn't until he was sitting down next to her and talking that Nia really took notice. Her body jolted a bit, caught off guard. She probably would have jumped more but since she had her arms around her legs, it kind of just made her squeeze together tighter for a moment. While usually she would have panicked more, the words the boy spoke were so surprising that she froze where she was.

He was sorry? She was going to be okay?

No one had ever spoken words like that to her before. Well, maybe once from Makara but he was her dorm parent. No stranger had ever spoken to her so suddenly and kindly while she was acting so strangely And she acted strangely a lot.

As he introduced himself, Nia pulled her body up slowly until she was sitting mostly upright. Her posture had a small slouch to it. Akin to someone very worn down or a timid child. Maybe both.

"I'm Nia." The words were small and fear and uncertainty clouded her voice but it was probably the most comfortable she had ever been with giving that information.

The boy's words made her feel like crying. Had she not also been so caught off by the word "friend" she probably would have burst into tears.

She felt like he was seeing right through her, saying everything her mind needed to hear. It was like a wave of relief that she was finally being seen. And not just seen because of some major freak out where people got hurt, but seen because she was truly hurting.

"Yes." Her voice, while still very uncertain, sounded honestly excited. Whatever this trick was she couldn't' wait to see it.

Her eyes lit up at the sight of the flower. It was so beautiful and mystifying. She took it carefully in her hands. It had a weight to it. It was a real thing in her hand even though it looked like it couldn't possibly be real.

She watched it as it began to dissipate. The small blue fireflies swirled and Nia's hands trembled, her boney fingers seeming almost to frail to contain the energy she held.

"Your amazing..." She said almost silently under her breath, her eyes fixated on the last of the butterflies disappeared. She didn't want to miss any of them.

Nia looked back up at the boy. How had no one ever told him he was amazing? I mean...he could make all this stuff! That was so amazing.

She turned her eyes to him, her body shifting slightly so she could see what he was doing better. She shook her head slowly, "Oh...well I think your ability is wonderful." Especially when she compared it to her own. He was a painter and she was an bomb in that respect.

"Oh, no I don't mind at all." She didn't care where he was from or what he sounded like. Her dorm parent Makara was from Cambodia and had quite the accent. "You have a nice voice."

She meant that both in what he said and how he said it.