Logical Implications

Silas had spent the entire journey to the island hammering it into himself that this was a prime opportunity – not just to better gauge the state of gifted society for his future plans, but to gain some much-needed distance from his family. Out of sight, out of mind. Was that not how the saying went? If he could go without missing them or feeling anything as asinine as homesickness, he would consider that a small victory for himself.

Setting foot on the island had sent his mind into overdrive. If he was to be honest – and he seldom was – all of it overwhelmed him. Too many new factors to take into account, too many new things to analyse. Even as he filled out the forms the receptionist had set in front of him, he pondered the implications of being surrounded by people who, like him, could do things most couldn’t…although he was certain most of them had powers more useful than his. He was unsure of what sort of powers were out there. Certainly he had a vague idea from over-exaggerated forms of media such as comics and movies, but it was possible there was a large disconnect between fiction and reality. For all he knew, something as commonplace in fiction as super-strength was an inconceivable irregularity that never occurred in real life. He’d have to observe others before drawing any conclusions. As of yet, the only powers he could think of that might pose significant difficulties him had to do with the mind. If there were any mind-readers on the island, he was going to make a very real avoid them.

All the necessary forms filled out, Silas took his dorm key from the receptionist with a smile and a word of gratitude. He wasn’t entirely fond of the idea of sharing a room with someone else, but again, he’d have to get more attuned to his surroundings before deciding on a suitable course of action. Who knew? Maybe staying in a dorm could even be advantageous. There’d be no observing and using others if he isolated himself from them, would there?

Silas picked up his luggage and turned around to exit the office, schooling his facial expression into one of warm affability, adding in just a bit of vulnerability. Most new students would likely be plagued by anxiety about whether or not anyone would like them and whether or not they would make any friends. He had no such issues, but it would be expected by others. Now he just had to strike up conversation with another student and use them to get a better grasp on how things went around here at the Academy.

Silas had anticipated coming up to someone else and initiating a conversation on his own terms, and so the sudden appearance of another student in front of him surprised him a little. He didn't express it outwardly, of course. He supposed he should feel grateful for the fact that an opportunity had come to him rather than him having to seek it out. Now he would be able to insinuate himself into conversation with her, to subtly glean all sorts of information, to--

All thoughts along those lines promptly evaporated when the stranger spoke. Part of his logical mind pointed out that this wasn't how ordinary conversations started; they typically involved a greeting and an introduction rather than jumping right in to talk of hair and touching thereof. Even so...

"I suppose I should thank you for the compliment," Silas said, punctuating his response with his best imitation of a slightly uncertain smile. "Unfortunately, I don’t let people touch my hair unless we’ve been introduced." He kept his tone light and friendly, but he was already trying to puzzle out this stranger who had appeared in front of him. The most he had deduced was that she likely had little regard for social conventions — he could think of very few other people who would find it appropriate to walk up to someone they didn't know and express a desire to touch their hair.

Not that he entirely minded, if it meant his hair being spoken of in flattering terms.

Had he actually disappointed her when he told her she couldn't touch his hair? The idea that someone actually wanted to touch his hair, to the point where the possibility being taken away caused even mild disappointment...even if she was exaggerating her emotions as most people tended to, it was difficult to understand.

"I'm Silas," he said after she introduced herself, extending a hand even though he got the distinct impression that she would have preferred he extend his hair instead. "Silas Coldwell. Pleased to meet you, Ania." He found the way she was looking at him mildly amusing. At least when he scrutinised people, he was subtle about it. Then again, her first words to him didn't make it seem like she cared much about how things looked to other people in the first place. There didn't seem to be anything malicious in her gaze — only curiosity.

In response to her question, he laughed because it seemed like the appropriate thing to do. "Now that we've been introduced, I suppose you may."

Truth be told, Silas was coming to the realisation that Ania was most likely not the ideal person for him to use to get a better hold on what life would be like at the Academy. She didn't seem as self-possessed as he would have liked, and she seemed more interested in his hair than anything else. He would persist with this conversation nonetheless. If she was this impulsive about introducing herself, she was probably well-acquainted with some of the other students. That could be useful.

"Do to it?" Silas repeated with puzzlement that wasn't entirely put on. He'd never really had to trouble himself with the complicated hair-care techniques he saw in magazines. He never worried about split ends. If his hair got dry or frizzy, he only had to cut it and it grew back perfect. In short, he had very little idea what lengths most people had to go to. "Nothing out of the ordinary. Shampoo, conditioner, almond oil..." He trailed off, seeing an opportunity to steer the conversation towards something he was interested in: powers. If he made mention of his own power, perhaps he could do some prodding to find out what hers was, and what sort of powers people generally had around here. "I suppose my powers are also helpful for hair maintenance."

Silas was seldom taken aback by anything, but he was perhaps slightly disconcerted by how talkative Ania was. He couldn't remember having met anyone who seemed quite so enthusiastic. Maybe his sister when she was younger, but young children in general tended to be enthusiastic until they realised what sort of world they inhabited, so that hardly counted.

Regardless, he was pleased that what she said wasn't completely useless. She had a boyfriend who could travel in time, and the reach of his powers extended far enough that he could visit Ancient Rome? Very interesting. Even after discovering his powers, Silas had been sceptical about the existence of time travel. The idea was more than he was willing to accept. He'd predicted that, if it did exist, it would have a very limited reach — but apparently this boyfriend of Ania's could go back thousands of years without consequences. Silas wondered what the limitations on such a power were. How drastically would Ania's boyfriend be allowed to affect the past? Silas rather wanted to find out.

"You're not bothering me at all. I quite enjoy the company of talkative people," he said, smiling. That much, at least, was true. People with no filters when it came to speaking often let things slip without realising it. Although he had to wonder a little. Did that mean she was not usually that talkative? From what little he'd seen, he found that difficult to believe. It would be something to witness, he was sure of that much.

"Me? I have the ability to become intangible, but I can also grow my hair on command," he said. This with a look of slight sheepishness — if he'd calculated correctly, something like his ability to grow his hair would be considered trifling in comparison to something such a time travel, and therefore an ordinary person would be expected to regard it as something amusing, if not slightly embarrassing. "What are your powers? I'm afraid we might both be a little disadvantaged compared to your boyfriend. His abilities sound impressive."