Highlights and Hypocrites

Travis Ashe

Travis couldn't help but admire the ballroom, as his new friend Tellios did. Through all his years in the academy, he had really only ever been inside it once or twice. His original prerogative forgotten, he had walked the former stranger and new student Tellios, a strange man made entirely out of nanobots to the great room, talking with him about both of their histories along the way. Travis had grown to trust him quickly, and it seemed to be mutual, from what we could tell. Even his faithful flare demon Coaliander seemed to like him, even though he was essentially inhuman.

After sitting down in the middle of the empty ballroom, Tellios had spoken. "Tell me, you have spent years here. Any one like me? Where their ANYONE that met that if you cut them, they didn't bleed?"

He was speaking with fire in his eyes. It was a question that had been bothering him for a while, and Travis didn't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. Suddenly a few things became clear to him. It was almost like Tellios was afraid of himself, afraid of being alone in the universe. It was a rather Superman-esque story, in Travis's eyes. He was the last (or, more like only) of his kind. He just hadn't realized he was super, yet. Travis flopped down on the floor near Tellios, laying flat on his back. He looked up the beautiful art that had been painted on the ceiling, far above.

"I have not necessarily met anyone made out of nanobots, but you are not the last student I met who was not human. A lot of the 'normal' people you see walking around? Well, a lot of those are just disguises. Human shells to disguise what might offend the rest of the human race. Many are immortal. Some are dead, yet somehow living. You'll fit in fine. You're just like the rest of us, don't worry about it."

Travis Ashe

"Ah, don't worry about things like that." Travis said, waving his arm in the air. He had never really taken the time to appreciate the school's grand design. He assumed that it was something Tellios thought of all the time. Robots did that kind of thing, right? Analyzed their surroundings? Travis laughed. Even after all this talk, he couldn't consider Tellios a robot.

"Even us humans need other humans to survive. We can't be alone, you know."

For whatever reason, Tellios's previous comment just wouldn't leave his head, causing it to buzz around inside his skull like a pack of angry hornets. He closed his eyes. Could he leave? He didn't really want to do it alone. He couldn't remember too much about the normal world, but he remembered that it was definitely different than the serene, accepting air of the Academy. He'd have to try to mask his powers, and of course, he couldn't even bring Coaliander. Or, could he?

"You know what? Something just hit me. An idea, you could say." Travis sat up and faced Tellios. His plan would take some time, but that was okay. Tellios needed some time. He needed to get used to the island. He wasn't ready to face his demons. He extended his hand out to his friend. "Promise me that some day, doesn't matter how far into the future it is, but, someday, we'll leave together. Not forever, but, to face our demons."

Travis Ashe

"Ah."

Travis sighed and quickly repelled himself up onto his feet. He couldn't sat much about that. Tellios was right. He shouldn't be pushing his own wants and worries onto him. Onto anyone, really, but especially him. A new student, seemingly full of worries.

"Sorry about that, I guess you're right. Maybe someone will go with me, some day."

He paused again. How could he not? This man, this simple being had completely changed how he looked at the world in a mere few minutes. He should be set now, right? Resolve himself to change or something? Somehow, he didn't feel that way. He felt like Tellios was the only one who could go with him. It almost felt like a movie, like things were happening slowly, but they made sense. He reached into his pocket. He always carried a few business cards for his pet shop, and luckily, he carried a pen today, too. He scribbled on the back of the card and extended it out to Tellios.

"Here's my cell phone number. Give me a call some time once you're settled in. It's been nice talking to you, and I know it's kind of weird to wander around campus with no friends. I'll show you the pet shop sometime?" He hoped this was one offer that Tellios wouldn't refuse. He smiled, handing the card to his new less-then-human friend and turned to face the door.

Talking to Tellios had helped him in more ways than one that day. Not only did it help him see past his small green pasture, but it reminded him of the struggle of others, and that things were not always as perfect on the island as they seemed. He and Tellios said their goodbyes and Travis left him in the beautiful ballroom. His original task long forgotten, both he and Coaliander set off at a brisk pace down the hall in the opposite way he had come. The whole way, Travis couldn't help but think of Tellios, and the idea that he helped spawn.

Ultimately, Travis never made his way to his original destination. He spent far too much time in the library that day.