Penthouse One/Alex and Brooke

## Boom (17/7/7 - )

Brooklyn C.

Brooke observed her new room for the year with a calculated frown. She was going to have to move some things around to fit her own personal room plan, but it wasn't all that bad. Besides the fact that the color of the wall was going to clash with her blankets.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She walked out of the bathroom, dressed in nothing but a towel which was wrapped around her body, tied together under her armpits, another one in her hand rubbing her wet hair, not noticing Brooklyn but when she did, her jaw dropped, her cheeks turning red. "*Oh my gods* I am so sorry," she said, her hold on the towel tightening, "I didn't realise-think-" she broke off as her accent became heavy, morphing her words into something that probably wasn't understandable, and cut her gaze to the closet where all of her clothes were neatly folded. Little fool didn't take her clothes into the bathroom with her as she was use to her old roommate who barely acknowledge the dorm existed.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

At the sound of another voice, she whipped on her signature ditzy blonde smile and turned around to reply. "No, no, it's fine! Oh, you look really, really red, is something wrong?" she gushed as if she'd just bumped into her best friend.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She glanced down slightly. *She was stark naked if she dropped the towel.*. Blinking, she opened and closed her mouth before shaking her head, "no, no, I guess not..I just..." she hurried past her, avoiding eye contact, and with one hand, slid the drawers open, her wet hair dropping down onto the ground.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She pouted, watching the girl dash over to the dresser. The act was self-demoralizing in itself, but she'd been doing it for what? Three years now. *Hold in the puke. You can stop in a couple of minutes.* "Are you sure?" she said, stretching the last word. "I'll let you have some privacy if you want. Also, do you mind if I change the color of the walls to pink? The green is going to clash with my blankets."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"No, it's fine, I can go back to the bathroom," she breathed out, holding the clothes to her chest, and then glanced around the room blinking, "oh, uh..." she trailed off. She'd been hoping to paint it herself, draw a castle or a forest, or an ocean or something. A mural. "I guess? I haven't really thought about it Pinks a bit loud, though, isn't it?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Yup! That's the point! I got some white silk sheets with really expensive pink lace pillows and comforter, and it'd be a waste if the room didn't match the volume of my blankets. You know what I mean?" she proclaimed loudly.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She bit at the inside of her cheek as she watched the other girl warily, not sure what to make of her, "I guess? I'm not much of an interior designer but if you think it'd work, go for it." She shrugged, gazing around at the room. It was a bit clustered and Alex wasn't sure how the girl was going to go about it but that wasn't her business. As long as she didn't get paint on Alex's comics or clothes.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She grinned and some of her suitcases. "Well, that's good! I'll leave now, so you can change. I need to go eat anyway. See you later... ummm, wait, I never got your name."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Alex," she said instantly before hesitating, "hey...um...I was about to go get food myself," she replied, nibbling on her cheek now, and looked at Brooklyn through her eyelashes, nervous. "If you want to wait...?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She plopped down on the mattress for her bed and beamed at the other girl. "Sure, I can wait."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She smiled back, relieved before disappearing into the bathroom, closing it shut behind her. About five minutes later, she slipped out, her hair dry and pulled back into a messy bun, and wore a pair of high waisted jeans and a shirt. Slipping on a pair of open toed heels, she wrapped the straps around her ankle. "How long have you been here?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

As Brooke waited, she thought, dropping the happy act for a second until she heard the doorknob turn. By the time Alex had stepped out, her dumb blonde smile was back and she was kicking her feet. "Ummm, since third year. I transferred from another school in Rosemary Field."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She tilted her head as she gazed at the other girl, not sure what "Rosemary Field" was. Damn she needed to pay attention to the geography of the place. "Oh yeah, was it good?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She shook her head. "Place sucked. Super strict and it's an all-girls academy. The first time I spoke to a guy since I was little was during my tour of campus." She could see the questioning in Alex's gaze. "Also, R.F is like, a really big town."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Ah, right," she muttered, blushing lightly at being caught out, gazing at Brooklyn. "Guys, huh? You'll find them in abundance here," she said dryly.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Doesn't matter," she commented. "I'm into girls. A couple of my friends tried hitting on me once... I don't know if I should feel bad for friendzoning them but I literally could not find it within me to like them romantically even one bit."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She rose an eyebrow at the other girl, "yet you hated the all girl school," she pointed out before she could stop herself and bit back a smile. She stood up, fiddling with her shirt, "should we...go?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Hey!" Brooke pouted once again, crossing her arms childishly. "Can you reallllly blame me? They were like clones." She grinned and stood up, making her way over and opening the door. "Let's go then!"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She chuckled, despite herself and took the cue to walk out, muttering a thanks as she went, before watching Brooklyn, "Hey, uh, I don't think you gave me your name..."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Brooklyn!" she replied with a friendly wink. "You can call me Brooke though, because you're kind of cool to have around."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She yelled at herself internally when she blushed again, but smiled anyway, hoping 'Brooke' wouldn't really pick up on how awkward she was. "Thanks," she said with a friendly smile, "so um...were you born here?" She asked as she began to walk, "like in Mirrorworld."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Brooke picked up on Alex's blush immediately, but kept her smirk to herself as she proclaimed "Nah, Chicago all the way baby!"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She relaxed slightly, "why am I not surprised?" She asked, laughing to herself. Girl had 'America' written all over. "Paris, for me. If you haven't already guessed."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Ooh, cool French accent by the way. Could never perfect those... How's living in France like? Eat a lot of baguettes and cheese?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She blinked, muttering, "Avez-vous mangé de la dinde ces derniers temps," under her breath, "something like that," she said, switching back to English, "it's a lot more less lovey than people like to believe."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Aw.... that stinks. I was thinking of having my wedding there."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She laughed, "really?" She asked, "it's just building works right now but give it a decade, you might be in luck."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She shrugged, "Guess I can wait." The kitchen was an open area with a counter in the middle hosting several high chairs. The kitchen connected to the living room and that led to the individual bedrooms. Immediately she began searching the cabinets for stuff.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She gazed around the place, half expecting it to be different than her previous dormitory, but it was the same. "Surprised people have gone shopping already..."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Nah, the dorms are always restocked with food at the beginning of the year. You're just lucky everyone hasn't eaten everything already."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She slid onto a stool, gazing at Brooklyn, *totally* not checking her out, with a cool, indifferent, face, "guess I am...do you cook? I can if you want."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She pulled a couple of stuff out of the cabinets and set it on the counter. "Don't worry, I cook all the time."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She bit down on her lip, "if you want I can help? I make great burgers."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"That'd be great, I used to cook for my old dormmates because they were always too busy with their shit to get some proper nutrition."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

Her lips tugged upwards at this, "at least you had Dorm mates that you knew existed. Mine were out till five in the morning getting drunk or high. Sometimes both. It's all good until they mistake your bed for theirs with some random girlfriend. I don't think I even know their names."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She frowned, tilting her head. "That stinks. Welp, at least I knew mine. There was this one kid, Daniel, who had like a new girlfriend every month and would bring her over. The rest of us started this bet on what she'd look like. I won 6/9 times."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Let me guess, he had a type?" She slipped out of her chair to regard the ingredients, "what're we making?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Yeah, he had a type. They were all really, really, short and stupid." She grinned afterward and gestured to the box of pasta. "We're making pasta!"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She grinned at the box, "and you're not vegetarian, right?" She eyed Brooklyn.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She shook her head and opened the box. "I love steak. There is no way I'd go vegetarian in a million years." She nodded her head towards one of the cabinets near the stove. "Could you start heating up the water?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

Automatically, Alex did what Brooklyn asked, pouring the water into a pot and placing it onto the stove, "I've never had steak before," she confessed, "not the big slabs of it anyway."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"It's delicious! I'll make you some if you want? Like tomorrow. I was gonna go shopping tomorrow so..."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Oh yeah? For pink paint?" She asked, teasing her slightly.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

A light blush danced on her cheeks as she walked over to pour the pasta into the pot of boiling water. "Yes, for pink paint."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Sorry," she said, "I didn't mean to...it was a joke. What type of pink are you thinking?" *Please not hot pink.*

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"It's finnnne. I was thinking about pastel pink?" She went over to the counter again. "Do you want Pasta Watch or Pasta Making?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She blurted out a shade instantly, her mind already matching paint with the wall, "it's a shade of pastel pink. It pretty much goes with anything. Popular as a paint, actually. And uh...are we making the actual pasta? I'll stick with the Pasta Watch."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Oops, I meant Sauce Making," she giggled. Internally, she gagged. "Also, thanks! I'll see if they have that!"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She nodded, "I think they do? I don't know, I don't really look at their paint selection in this place." She looked away, back to the sauce, to hide her face or hence the other girl would have seen Alex raise her eyebrow in judgment.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Sooo Alex, is this your first year here?" she exclaimed, setting up the ingredients.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She began to stir the pasta, pushing her sleeves up so she didn't set them on fire, her skin was smooth except for the inside of one arm, where a wide, long, scar went from her elbow to about halfway, set on a diagonal. "No, actually, I've been here for about four years. Since I was thirteen."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Oooh, I've only been here for three. I transferred in the middle of second year and spent the summer learning material I missed."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Must have been fun," she said dryly, knowing the pain of catching up.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She snickered in response. "It was tons of fun. It was basically summer school but for the whole summer."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"No kidding," she laughed. "Think there's a reason it's called summer school."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"But summer school isn't always for the entirety for the summer. It just occurs sometime during the summer."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She shrugged one sidedly, "yeah I guess," she said, not wanting to argue with her. She took another look out of the corner of her eye before looking back to the pasta.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Brooke pouted, as she began working on the sauce. There were moments of silence where she considered starting another conversation but she didn't know what to say.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She turned around, reaching for a bowl, "I think it's nearly done."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

That's when she spotted the scar on the inside of Alex's arm. At first, she didn't think much of it but then a small thought popped into her head and made her question some things. "So Alex, how long have you been in Heathens?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She raised an eyebrow, looking up with wide eyes, "thirteen, came straight here."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Hm..." *13, showed up at IIYM immediately. Which means she wouldn't have time to meet the Enchantress or receive training.* "That's cool. Know any extended family here?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

That was the one thing that made Alex frown. She'd heard that this was genetic but neither of her parents seemed to be magical, neither had an amulet either and Michael was seventeen and he never got an amulet. She shook her head, "not that I know of. It's just me I think."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Brooke tensed, *Strange. There's no way she could be a human, she has an amulet and everything. Probably adopted then... Or something.* "That must've been a struggle. Not having any family to relate to or ask for advice."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"I'm use to it by now," she shrugged, "I wasn't close with either of my parents so it wasn't much of a difference when I moved here. What about you? Your family that is."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

The bitter taste of hatred flooded her mouth but she forced on a smile. "Well, Dad's dead, Mom's in prison, and I'm technically under the custody of my abusive aunt and uncle."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

The bowls she was taking out of the drawer halted midway, and her head snapped up to stare at her, her jaw dropping, "uh...what?" She asked before coughing, sliding the bowls onto the table before she smashed them. "Right, well, we can be family-less together, if that's anything? I'm sorry though...no one deserves that."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Thanks," she said, beaming at Alex. "It's fine, I'm a tough girl," she laughed. "So I have made two sauces. Rich Tomato sauce and Parmesan Cheese sauce. Which one do you want?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Can I ask you something?" She asked, watching the girl, before shrugging, spooning the pasta into two bowls, "I can have both."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Uh, sure..." She poured some of each sauce on top of one the bowls which she assumed Alex would take.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Is that why you act dumb?" She asked, rather bluntly, leaning back slightly to give the other girl some room, gazing at her through her eyelashes.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She frowned, "You think I'm dumb?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Well, no, I just said you act dumb," she stuttered out, her cheeks blushing, "I don't actually think you're dumb...you seem a bit more...I don't know..." she trailed off, she was rambling now, "sharp, I guess."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Oh..." she sounded solemn for a few seconds and then brightened up. "That makes sense!"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"It does?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. *She didn't answer my question.*

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Well... I guess. I mean, you said that I act dumb not that I am dumb... Wait, I act dumb?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Well, maybe not dumb. Just...I don't know," she shrugged, "I shouldn't have asked."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She shook her head and poured some of the cheese sauce on her pasta. "No, no it's fine. It was just a question. It isn't going to kill anybody."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Words can do a lot more than violence," she said, taking a dip of the sauce with her pinky, wiping it off with her mouth, "it's good. Much better than what I would have made."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Aw, thanks! I'm just a Rookie cook but that means a lot."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

*There it was again, that fake voice.* "It's cool," she said, "do you want to sit here or somewhere else?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She shook her head and went to go find a pair of forks. "The counter is fine!" she called back, sorting through the drawers to find what she needed.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She slid the bowls over to the end of the table, pulling two of the chairs over, before looking into the fridge, "drinks?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"There should be some soda, or you can take water, pick whatever you'd like!"

OOC: I'm going to busy today rip so I won't be on chat until around 11 pm

OOC: I Don't think I'll be on :(

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She grabbed two bottles of water, pulling out, to set them in front of each plate.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She returned with the forks and placed them on either side of each bowl and then sat on a stool to begin eating.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She sat across from the girl, twirling the pasta with the fork, "so...were you close with your parents?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Brooke snorted in minor amusement. "Hardly. To my mom I was just that random stranger that shared a house and food with her."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She wondered if that was a bad thing and if she would have preferred that situation than her own. "It could have been worse," she pointed out.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Except it was worse then that. Mom was a complete mess who stuck with the thought that drinking makes everything better except it doesn't and she'd yell and throw stuff at me and beat me for *existing*." She shrugged and eat a forkful of pasta. "Back then it was terrifying as hell. Now I would've easily retaliated."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She looked at the girl with sympathy. She never really quite gotten beaten up but...she knew the feeling. "I use to hide in a cupboard until my dad came home to sort her out. My mum wouldn't beat me but...she use to think someone was out to kill us, so somehow she thought the best way to get out of it was to kill us first." She shoved a piece of the pasta into her mouth to stop herself from talking, not really sure if the last part was necessary. "She wasn't as bad as your mom though, from the sounds of it"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"You're own mother thinking you're trying to kill her? That's a new one," she sighed, before taking another bite of pasta and opening her water bottle.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Even in her state, I don't think she thought a five-year-old was going to kill her. I don't know who she thought was doing it but...she was convinced," she shrugged, "but hey, at least yours got caught, right?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"No actually, it was the neighbors. Sent some fancy schmancy people to come arrest her and send me into foster care."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Foster care..." she trailed off, there were threatens of sending her there due to accusations that her father was neglectful in enabling the mother. Something she didn't quite disagree with. "Never sounded fun."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Trust me, it isn't." She gulped down a quarter of her water but didn't set the water bottle down, just stared at it, thinking about something.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"So, where do you want to be, in ten years say," she said, changing the subject.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Brooke looked up, a bit surprised. She wanted to say, *Ruling the world* but that probably wouldn't sit well with Alex. "Well, successful, first of all."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Everyone wants to be successful," she pointed out, waving her fork at her, a smile tugging at her lips.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Guess I should be a bit more specific, huh?" she inquired, more to herself than Alex, closing the water and setting it down to continue eating her food.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"You don't have to be, it was just an ice breaker," she shrugged, onesidedly.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"I admit, I tend to take icebreakers much more seriously than I should."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"I'd rather a serious answer than a vague one," she said, trying to make a joke.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"I guess...?" Brooke continued to eat a third of her pasta. "So, meet any of the others that live here?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

Shebslowly shook her head, "not really, there's a guy across the hall. Will. He flirted with me. I think there's a couple of more people around but I haven't really seen them."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

*Will. One. Huh.* She smiled at her and went on to recall her own encounters. "I haven't met Will, but I ran into this cute little thirteen-year-old girl with purple hair. Her name's Pandora. I met up with Valerie earlier, hm... I have yet to meet Mira, I'd like to, actually. I heard she collects ghost amulets. Then there's Junmin, I heard he's an introvert... Hmmm, there's this brat named Winter who I had the unfortunate reality of bumping into and then there's that boy who moved in this morning. He hasn't come out if I remember correctly."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"You don't want to," she muttered in reference to Will, taking another bite, thinking back on their..strange...encounter. "And huh, so a cute girl, ghost collector, an introvert, a brat and a recluse. I'll fit right in."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Brooke chuckled, "I don't want to? How annoying is he really?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"He's not annoying, he's just..." she trailed off, unsure of how to put it, "rubs off on me the wrong way, I guess. He flirts a lot, though."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She snorted, finishing another portion of her pasta and taking a long swig from her water bottle. "So basically a fuck boy," she summarized.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She bit her lips, fighting back a smile, "on one level, yeah, I guess so," she said. She didn't mention how Will and Alex had actually met, not really wanting to talk about it. "I just want to stay away from him."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Don't worry," she said with a small playful wink. "I'll protect you from the fuck boy."

OOC: THERE'S THE FLIRTING I WAS LOOKING FOR

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She blushed, bursting into a nervous laughter, "please do," she said as the laughter dying down, focussing on the pasta, "I don't think he'll be able to get through you."

me, myself, and I

OOC: lmao, time xD

Brooklyn C.

"Definitely ain't getting past me with that haircut," she mumbled under her breath loud enough for Alex to hear, smiling a little at the other girl's laughter.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"I was thinking more of what was in his pants but his hairs a good enough reason," she said, unable to fight back the smile.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She let out a laugh and grinned. "That works too!"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"There's another girl, isn't there? Valerie?" She asked, frowning, "is she nice? She seems nice. I don't know."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Super nice! Me and her are best buds from like waaaay back!" she explained excitedly. This was one of the few thing she had told Alex that wasn't a lie, and it made her feel a bit more real opposed to her act before.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She blinked, surprised, "oh really? Where'd you meet?" She asked, curious now.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Shit. What was she supposed to say? "Back at that school in Hallows I told you about."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Ooh, I see, right," she said nodding, "didn't like the strict rules of it either?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Probably not, the school's dress code was ridiculous to be fair."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Let me guess, the skirts went down to the ankles, and someone save you if you showed your wrists."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Worse," she started. "Not only that we had to wear stockings or long pants everyday of the year regardless of the weather. Also, no heels or boots."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"How on earth could you step on everyone's hopes and dreams without heels. Should be a crime," she mused.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Exactly!" she exclaimed in agreement, stabbing her pasta. "It's so difficult without heels for the effect."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Makes good effect too," she replied, "is it true you can't fight in them? I heard they break your ankles or something."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She shook her head and chuckled. Brooke used to fight in heels all the time, of course, she couldn't admit that but it was truthful. "Maybe you can't, maybe you can. I mean, as long as you can rock the heels and kick ass, kicking ass with your heels shouldn't matter even if it would awesome as hell."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"I tried to wear them but my balance is already terrible so it never really worked. Shame, I'm tiny."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"But you're cute that size, like a plushie or a teddy bear. I could just cuddle with you and fall asleep like an eight-year-old with a baby doll."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She choked, her ears going red, "thanks, I guess?" *God, Alex, could you blush any more?* "I like to think I'm a bit tougher than a teddy bear, being so close to Satan being an influence."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Well then you're a very tough teddy bear, with an army uniform, guns, and killer heels," she added teasingly as a joke.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She snorted at the image, "that would be interesting, I think I'd trip before I even reached the front."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She laughed, "Okay true." Brooke finished the rest of her pasta and stood to put the bowl in the sink.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"You've finished?" She asked surprised, looking down at her which was only a third done. "I'm either slow or you're fast."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"I was really hungry. I haven't eaten since this morning," she explained, returning to the counter.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Oh, right," she nodded, "fair enough."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She chuckled, grabbing her water bottle and unscrewing the lid to drink the rest of the water. "So I probably forgot, but are you coming with me to tomorrow to go shopping?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"I don't think I was asked or planning to..." she trailed off as she thought about her own plans. Really, she'd planned to get ahead in class so she didn't get stressed. But she could make room. "If you want, I can."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Yes!" she exclaimed. "It'll be the most fun you've had shopping in like, years."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Hey! You don't know that, I could love shopping," she pointed out, a bit put out. She wasn't the biggest shopper, tended to go in and out, but surely it wasn't that obvious.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Maybe, but I'll make it twice as more fun than usual. Do you usually do it with other people?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Well, no, not really," she forced out with a frown, "but sure, lets do it."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Yess!" She stood and tossed her water bottle in the trash. She pause momentarily and glanced at the pot. "Is there any pasta left?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Not in the pot, but I'm full so yeah, there's mine left," she said, slipping out of the chair, walking over with her half filled bowl. "Any, like, containers here did you know?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Yeah, there are... Er, do you mind if I give that to a friend?" she tilted her head towards a particular door. She opened a cabinet and took out a plastic container and lid and placed it on the counter next to Alex. "Just so they don't starve and die because the School Board wouldn't like that too much." She sighed and closed the cabinet. "If you're cool with that, what do you want to do now? Just... talk?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She hesitated before nodding, "the one that hasn't come out? Sure, take it. I won't finish it. And...uh...if you want. We could just go shopping now? We're both free."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Alright, be right back then," she replied, scooping the leftover pasta into the container. "And that's chill. Curfew's at eleven though if I remember correctly." She sealed the container and walked over to the door, not even hesitating to open it. It was rude but she didn't care. She came back a minute later with a fairly satisfied look on her face. "I have news; he's not dead yet."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She smiled slightly, "why wouldn't he be? He does come out sometimes. I had class with him the other day. He's nice. He goes by zero, I think?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She blinked and glanced back at the closed door and then at Alex and then at the closed door again. "You... met him? Wait, he talks? Holy crap, I thought he was mute." She scratched the back of her head sheepishly and laughed. "Zero, hm..." *It's like he wants a target on his back... Or maybe that's the point. Smart.* "...Odd name."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Nah, he talks, he's actually quite nice. I think anyway. I've been told I think everyone's nice," she said with a frown, "it's nice that you're being so kind. TO him, that is."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Not the best judgment but a positive way to go about things," she replied. "And... well... in a way, he's kind of like... my little brother. If I had a little brother and he was silent Ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the time. I'm usually not this... nice I guess."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"You're right, it's not the best judgment," she breathed out, "and...he's lucky. I would have killed for an older sister. I got stuck with two brothers."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She clicked her tongue. "You're lucky you got any siblings at all." Honestly, she thought of the recruits that she knew as a family since hers was always going to be broken. Will, annoying brother. Val, super chill sister. Zero, the quiet younger brother. "Growing up alone does things to a person."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She would have preferred being an only child, just so she wouldn't have to feel the grief of them dying. Suppose she was selfish for that. "But I guess you've learnt to compensate. Through Zero."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"I suppose I have," she agreed with a nod. "Well, shall we go?" she gestured towards the door.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She nodded, "yeah, sure," she replied, walking over to open the door for them.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She waited for Alex to walk out and closed the door behind her before heading for the entrance to the Penthouse building so they could head to the school gates and into the city.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She followed her in silence, gazing at the place around her, not sure if she was meant to start up a conversation.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Alex didn't have to make the decision because Brooke started one anyway. "Have you been to this part of Central City? I haven't even fully explored the place myself, it's humungous."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She shook her head, "I only treaded out of the academy for clothes and books. I haven't really explored it much. I'd like to though. It seems...it's pretty."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"It is! There's about a million things I'd like to visit." She glanced at Alex. "We should go on walks throughout town! Y'know, just explore and see what we find."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

Her eyes sparked at the idea, excitement bubbling at the bottom of her stomach, "we should. Even be those annoying tourists and do those guides."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Yessss!" she giggled. "I know a place where we can get those pamphlets."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Pretend to be from some other island to some poor tour guide," she nodded, "it's a plan."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"I've seen in some movies, they'll wear like obvious disguises to like stalk people. We could do that and make the tour guide think we're watching someone."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She snorted, "with the moustaches? The cut up eye holes in newspapers?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Yeah," she snickered.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"I'd be down for it," she conceded.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Pray for those tour guides. They're going to have a handful."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Pray for the other people in the tour. They're the ones paying for it."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She burst out laughing. "At this point just pray for everyone who runs into us."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She laughed with her, "agreed. School's going to want to expel us. But...seriously, I'd like that. Exploring with you."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She ruffled Alex's hair and kissed her cheek. "I'd like that too. It'll be our thing, randomly bugging the citizens of Central City."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She was going have to find some sort of elixir that was meant to stop her from blushing, or a sort of make up, "blush free", "and seeing the city too," she piped in.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Especially seeing the city."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She beamed up at the other girl before turning to gaze back at street, taking it in. It wasn't like Paris where no one really acknowledged each other. Wasn't swarmed by technology and cars. She liked it.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"You know one of the funny things about Central City? Everyone talks to each other like they've known each other their whole lives. It makes the city have a comfortable and homey aura..."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"I know what you mean," she murmured, surprised Brooklyn's own thoughts were aligned with her own, "I like it, though. More...warm than Earth."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"It is... It's impossible to feel alone here, to be honest. So many people to meet and relate to and strangely there's a lot of open books here too. As soon as you sit down for a cup of coffee with them they spill their life story to you."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She closed her mouth at this, she didn't find it that impossible. "I'll keep that in mind," she said after a second of hesitation, "so if I gave you a coffee? You'd tell me everything?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"No," she chuckled. "Definitely not everything."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She smiled slightly, "fair enough, not my business to know it," she said. Plus, if she pried into Brooklyn's secrets, she's opening up for her own secrets to be questioned.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She spotted the paint shop she had been planning to go to earlier and headed across the street towards it.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She followed with some difficulty, having not realised Brooklyn had turned, and glanced around it. She'd been there. Enough that the salesperson was recognisable.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Hey Jack," Brooke called and the boy behind the register looked up. He greeted her and went back to whatever he was doing on his phone. She glanced at Alex. "That's Jack, he graduated last year and goes in a University not too far from here."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Oh, right," she said, eyeing the boy. He was cute, she'd always thought that. "Do you come here often?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"No... Not really, Jack was just in my dorm last year and we talk a lot so..." she explained. "Let's go find that pink paint, shall we?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

Small world. She nodded before darting through the aisles, obviously knowing her way around the place, and stopped in the area that she swore was the place she saw the shade.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Find anything yet?" she called from the part of the shop she was in. She had been wandering around looking at different shades of pink as well, comparing salmon to another shade of a darker magenta.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

Found it. She picked it out, "what about this?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She walked over and studied it before nodding. "Perfect! Hm, where should we go next? We should get like, lamps and stuff!"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"We could," she nodded, "what about artwork?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Her eyes widened at the suggestion. "That's cool, what type of artwork...? How much would it cost..."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She hesitated, "I can get a certain discount somewhere."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Alright, let's go then. After we buy the paint of course."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"One bucket should be enough, right?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"I think. Our room isn't that big to be honest."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She shook her head, "so much for it being a penthouse. The name's very misleading, if you ask me."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Well... We got the bottom dorm. The bottom dorms are always the worst. It gets better as you go higher.... Agh, that sucks."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"I'll keep that in mind if I ever consider transferring," she said before she thought about it. She'd transferred dorms so much she was use to the possibility. She shrugged it off before taking the shade to the counter.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Brooke pouted as she followed Alex. "If you transfer you need to bring me with you."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She paused before laughing nervously, deciding it was a joke, "what? And be separated from Valerie?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Eh, I can live without her. I think we have like three classes together," she pointed out. She wrapped her arms around Alex's shoulders and rested her chin on her head.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

Butterflies shifted at the bottom of her stomach and she contemplated moving away but...screw her... she didn't. Waiting for Jack to find the paint, she even rested her hand on one of the arms, holding Brooke there. She was cold, she told herself, and Brooke's body heat was warming her up. "Reckon we have any?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Hopefully," she hummed, closing her eyes, relaxing her tensed muscles. She didn't even know why she had been so tense, maybe scared of Alex rejecting her contact? "What classes do you have?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She recited them, 'basic charms, 'history', 'chemistry', being thrown into the mix. Her hatred to Dragon Riding, though, was obvious in the way she said it, though.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"I got Elementalisum: Earth first. What's your elemental magic class?" she asked.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Water," she replied, slipping out from Brooke's hold as Jack wandered back in.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Aw, I have Earth," she whined, lowering her arms.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She smiled slightly, "I could still be Earth, I haven't been able to control Water since I got here," she breathed out. "So Alex, what's this one for?" Jack asked, ringing it up, "another landscape?" Alex's attention diverted to Jack and she shook her head, "boring walls for this one." Jack rose his eyebrow, "here you were, talking about painting a mural." Alex flushed, "too much work."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Brooke raised an eyebrow in question, interested by the mention of a mural, "You were going to paint a mural? You should, it would look beautiful."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Nah, it wouldn't go with your pink blankets."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"You can make something to go with my pink blankets," she pointed out.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Give you a tip, Alex, burn the blankets, they're hideous," Jack noted before smiling, "well, have a nice day you two. Do you want me to get someone to take the paint over?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"That'd be great." She stuck her tongue out at Jack and stepped over to flick his forehead. "Also, shut up Miller, remember, I know where you live."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

Jack laughed, waving them away, going back to his phone, and Alex tilted to leave.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Brooklyn rolled her eyes and turned to leave the shop, muttering swears under her breath.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She followed silently, hiding her humour at the whole situation.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"So, where did we say we're going next?" she asked, once they were outside.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"Gallery down town," she replied. "It's a bit of a walk," she conceded.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"That's fine, I need to stretch anyway," she said with a reassuring tone. "Let's go then!"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She smiled before beginning to lead the way, "so, you cook, then? As a hobby."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

Brooke nodded, "More of a hobby now. When I was younger I taught myself how to cook because my mother wasn't too eager to provide me more than she had to."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She nodded slowly as she let the info sunk in, "I remember that," she replied, "my brother cooked. He wasn't very good though but he did it anyway."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Well, as long as he didn't give you food poisoning, all is well, I guess?"

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She laughed quietly at this, "that is very true," she said.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She smiled herself, looking at the ground as her cheeks glowed a light pink. "So..."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She hugged her stomach, "so," she repeated, "can I ask you something? Personal?"

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Um..." She bit her lip, gripping her wrist. "Go ahead."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

"How'd you know you were gay?" She asked, biting her lip, "was it one of those natural things where you didn't really care? In Earth...they kind of did care but I guess you know that."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

She laughed a little, the question having been unexpected. "No one really cares what gender you're into as long as it's a healthy relationship. You'll see here most people like for their closest ones to be happy no matter who it's with. It's a giant contrast to Earth, and honestly, it makes me feel more welcomed... I knew a long time ago. Boys could never get out of the friend zone for me but believed me they tried. I was just, always attracted to girls. They were the ones capable of making me feel... *something*."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She nodded as she listened, taking it in, honestly she'd never really felt welcomed at all. No thanks to Will. But it was nice listening to Brooke's perspective. She supposed she always did try to find the better side of someone. "I won't try to guess what that something is," she breathed out, taking it in a slightly dirty way. "And that's good...being a contrast to Earth that is."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Yeah... This place to me is like... The Yin side of Earth, it's cool." Then she burst into laughter. "That analogy probably didn't make sense."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

Her lips cocked to one side, "I kind of get it, I'm assuming the 'yangs' the good side and "yin" is the bad? I never really took the notice of it."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"Really? I though it was the other way around! Oops, guess I've been saying it wrong the whole entire time."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She widened her eyes slightly, "uh...please don't quote me on that. I might be the one who has it the other way around."

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"I'll search up later and we'll see," she giggled.

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

She paused, "want to make a bet on it?" She asked slowly.

me, myself, and I

Brooklyn C.

"I can bet you my cooking skills?" she laughed. "But yeah, yeah, sure."

✎Da Vinci's Prodigy✎
The Artist
Posted on {{{2}}}

*Go on a date with me.* She bit her lip as she thought about it, wouldn't that make it awkward? "If I win...." she trailed off, "escape with me to Earth for one night. I'll introduce you to Paris." She didn't know why she said it, or if it was possible. "If not, then someplace here's fine. If you win...you can decide that."

me, myself, and I