Like A Lost Puppy

Originally, he had planned to show up early, but when he saw the weather, he thought it might be a good idea to buy an umbrella at the convenience store. While there, he decided to pick up two.

He had volunteered to be a student mentor, even though he was still quite new here. Being a student mentor meant more than just showing people what classroom was on what floor. Abel was an outgoing, polite young man, and this was a good way to give back to the community... without putting on a mask and jumping from roof top to roof top.

It just made sense to join the student mentor program. Despite the program being more than just showing people what classroom was on what floor, today Abel was to meet the new student he was assigned to and show her around the campus. So she'd know what classroom was on what floor. It was simple enough, and Abel was thankful for that much, since he had never done this before. Though, he did welcome a new student to the school already.

He was a bit surprised with how young the student he was assigned to was. Her file said she was fourteen, and a high school student. He was already in college, but considering that the huge school combined elementary through college level classes in one building, it kinda made sense.

Finally, he arrived, with a few minutes to spare. He was a bit surprised again to see the young girl who matched the photo he was given. He didn't judge her on her appearance, though he did note that she looked a bit nervous. It was his job to make her feel comfortable, so he ought to start that.

He approached her with his usual confidant stride. Beauty was in the eye of the beholder, but by the average standards, Abel was quite handsome. His powers involved creating physical force, but worked better when adding onto natural physical force. For this reason, he trained his body to be able to create that force. Encase, he'd need it. Despite that, he hid his toned physique under loose fitting clothing.

He wore a simple white dress shirt, and black slacks. Boring by anyone's standards. He wore a gentle smile, though and waved as he got closer.

"Good afternoon, you're Cassandra, aren't you?" he started, though he was sure it was her.

"My name is Abel Ausama, and I'm your Student Mentor," he introduced himself without waiting for a reply.

"Welcome to the Starlight Academy," he added after just a slight pause. He hadn't practiced what he was going to say. He just let it all flow naturally from his good intentions. He really hoped she would feel at home here. Everyone deserved a place to call their own, even people with odd abilities. He'd do what he could to make sure she feels comfortable, but would it all go as smoothly as he hoped?

On that note, it began to rain. Abel was about to answer her question when he felt the distinct touch of a rain drop landing on his person. It clearly interrupted his train of thought, and broke his gaze, which had been fixated on Cassandra's eyes until then.

He looked up, but didn't really question it. A light drizzle, but it'd start pouring soon.

"Oh well... I'm new at this, so please forgive me if I don't meet your expectations," he said looking back to her, shaking off the minor distraction of the weather, he continued with his welcome.

"But, it's pretty straight forward," he said as he opened one of the umbrellas he was holding. He held it over her, and offered it for her to take.

"I'm here to make sure you feel welcome. Today, I should show you around campus a little. We should especially make sure you know where your classes are," he explained.

"It looks like its gonna rain, so lets head inside?" he added, gesturing to the main building that made up the academy.

As soon as she took her umbrella, he opened the second one for himself. He began walking towards the school at a leisurely pace, so she managed to skip ahead of him a little.

"Eh heh, I wouldn't use the term 'super powers'... but yes, most if not all, of the students here have certain abilities that make them unique and special," he tried to choose his words carefully, but he was making it all up on the spot. Still, he thought he did a pretty good job. It all came from a good place in his heart, with good intentions, so how could it turn out bad?

"As for me, I'm listed as a low level magic user," he explained.

"I don't really have any cool powers, but it's just enough to get some odd looks from the superstitious, which is why this place is a good fit for me," he went on. It was his cover story, the truth is he wanted to keep his real abilities a secret.

"How about you? Do you have an interesting abilities?" he shifted the subject to her quite naturally. As got closer to the door, he stepped ahead of her. He held it open for her to pass as he waited to hear her response to his question.

It was ironic that the one who hid his powers was now tasked with helping someone become proud of theirs. It was a difficult subject. He stepped into the school after her, folding up the umbrella.

"I see... well this is the main entrance, encase you didn't guess... The first floor has the Administrative Wing, which I'm sure you've been to before," He made some small talk, handled some light business to lighten the mood. Of course, she had to go to the Administrative Wing to register as a new student before she could be assigned to him as a new student.

"There's also the male and female dorms, a few lounges, the cafeteria, the infirmary, the ball room, and some specialty classrooms," he explained.

"...and that's just on the first floor," he added with a smile as he walked down the hallway at a leisurely pace. He took a slight pause before continuing.

"I'd be happy to show you my magic sometime, but it isn't anything to get your hopes up about," he started.

"I know that having unique powers can sometimes make things difficult and even dangerous for you, but this place is different. There's no judgements here. No matter what your power is, I'd never think it was gross. I hope you'd show it to me sometime," he said turning back to her with an honest smile.

On the other hand, Abel planned to one day take his powers back into the outside world, where he could possibly be in huge danger for being a 'freak'. He'd like very much not to have his powers attached to his name at that time.

Abel didn't much noticed what should have been quite telling sings. He would never consider someone so young as a romantic prospect, and the idea that she might consider him an 'older' guy type went over his head. He just figured that these were the mannerisms that young girls had and didn't think twice about why she'd be acting this way.

"Hmm, that certainly is an interesting ability," he said in a genuinely positive manner. His mind instantly began to wander into the various practical applications of such a power and what different tactics could be pulled of with it. He wondered if that meant she was immune to physical damage. Could someone with a detachable head really be beheaded? Was it only joints? He had to stop himself. This wasn't a potential ally, it was his new junior student.

"Ah, I bet you could do some really interesting stuff with a power like that," he said with a bit of jealousy in his voice.

"I hope you do show me sometime," he opened the one of the doors they were about to walk past and gestured for her to move inside.


"Would you like something to nibble on? My treat," It was clearly the cafeteria, and so instead of announcing the obvious he skipped right to asking if she were hungry.