First Impressions, For the second time…

[Jayna]

((So sorry for the long un-announced absence, things are fairly calm over here now so I should have some regular time to RP in game and on the forums.

As there are a few places that need to be hit before Jayna's back into the regular school population I'd ask that anyone who wants to contribute to the thread just drop me a PM first so it doesn't take events too far off the planned track.

And thanks for having me back.

EDIT: Nothing like forgetting to link to your reference material...
Bio
First Impressions - Original Introduction


EDIT: To make the links work again. ))

Feels almost good to be back, Jayna thought as she saw the Saint Joseph Catholic School buildings in the distance. Wonder what this time will be like, hopefully nothing quite as dramatic as last time. The thought of all the chaos and lasting impressions that first day made brought an almost smile to her face, not because of the chaos and destruction, but because of the people who helped her through that day so many months ago.

“What’s that smile for there Wages?” Agent Stanton rumbled out from his seat next to Jayna in the back of the CSPTU car.

“What smile?” Jayna innocently replies, batting her eyelashes at her keeper, not fooling him in the least.

Letting out a quick snort and following her train of thought anyways he says “Try not to blow anything up this time, then you might not feel the need to run away again and I may be able to keep what few hairs I have left.”

At the mention of her “official” reason for having run away caused Jayna to drop her gaze back to the looming SJS buildings. “I’m done running, forever, no matter what” she said, in a much harder voice than any girl her age had a right using. “And don’t call me Wages.”

“That is the name you picked for your Hero Registration.”

“Ya, but I’m not out heroing right now am I?” came her reply, with a return of the lightness of mood from earlier. “And that kind of information shouldn’t be tossed around lightly right?”

“So true,” the agent responded. “Glad to see you’re finally getting into the whole situation. And there will be restrictions because…”

Sighing to herself as Agent Stanton went back into lecture-mode, Wages turned back to the window to look at the School she’d run from once before. I’m done running, forever, no matter what.

[Jayna]

The unmarked black sedan positively screamed “government agency,” which is why the Counter Super Powered Terrorism Unit didn’t have any black sedans. Which is why the car that Agent Stanton and Jayna Stevens, a.k.a. Wages, pulled up to Saint Joseph’s in was a totally unremarkable 4 year old grey Volkswagen.

Nothing like looking like your dad is dropping you off at school when it’s really an armed to the teeth secret agent who’s been tracking you down for the last few months, just to return you to school. The absurdity of the situation Jayna found herself in always brought a smile to her face. Your tax dollars at work!

“Remember, this is the last chance you get,” Agent Stanton said while collecting the bags from the trunk. “You mess this up and you’ll be lucky to just land in the Zig.”

“Yes daddy,” Jayna replied, rolling her eyes. It’s not like I haven’t heard that a thousand times over the last few weeks. ”I do pay attention you know, I may look bored through most of your lectures,” because I AM bored, “but I do hear what you say.”

“I do think you understand the options that you have left, what I’m still concerned about is what you’ll do with those options. You aren’t one to stay in one place or respect authority.” He said as he hauled the bags up to the SJS front doors, ignoring the students who were just going about their normal days.

“Well how about this,” Jayna said opening the door for the burdened Agent. Her expression changing from thoughtful to a confident smirk she continued: “If I mess things up again, I’ll let you say ‘I told you so’ as much as your little heart desires.”

Stopping halfway through the door and taking off his sun glasses as students rushed to their classes in response to the final bell, John Stanton sighed,”This isn’t a matter of ‘I told you so’, if you mess up spectacularly like last time, there’s nothing I can do for you. I’m serious about this. More likely than not I’ll get axed if you go off again, I’m that far out on a limb for you, because I know you’re worth standing up for, just don’t make me wrong.”

He’s staking his career on me? A runaway he barely knows? But I’m not a runaway anymore, and I don’t need to run, I have help from people I can trust. Swallowing hard as Agent Stanton replaced his glasses and picked back up her bags she tried to sort through her feelings about this new piece of information and how it fit with the rest of the puzzle of her life.

“How in the world did you get so much stuff anyways?” Stanton grumbled as he started towards the school offices. “I don’t remember you even having this much junk last time I dropped you off here. Come on, we’re already late.” He said back to his young charge, still holding the door open.

Shaking her head as if she way trying to clear a fog Jayna hurried to catch up with the Agent. “Sorry,” she said, still visibly shaken by his words, “for everything.”

“It’s long since time someone was in your corner anyways. Come on, we’re here, second first impressions are almost as important as first ones.” He said as they arrived at the offices.

Giving her keeper a genuine smile Jayna inquired as she opened the office door, “Once more from the top with feeling?”

[Jayna]

“So if you want to come back, why did you run away months ago?” Doctor David Conrads inquired. “Or should I say, why come back now, what’s changed your mind about Saint Joseph’s as a place for you?” He amended, sensing the confusion of the object of his question.

Well, I knew this was going to come up sometime, might as well start in with it. Jayna thought. “I could say that this is the only place I could be ‘normal’, or that this is the only place where I’ve had friends. Neither of those are the truth though. The CSPTU has come to the end of its patience with me.” She said seriously. “Don’t look so surprised Agent Stanton,” she smirked at her keeper. “Don’t forget that it wasn’t luck alone that kept me safe for so long out there on my own.”

“It’s not forgetfulness, think of it as my pride trying to shield itself from someone who obviously outclasses me in the area of computers.” The Agent replied with a chuckle.

“So you see SJS as the best choice from a list of bad choices?” Doctor Conrads inquired.

“No! Well, not really,” she fumbled, trying to think of the right way to put it. Drawing a deep breath she continued, “I am looking forward to being back at St Jo’s and doing normal things, but I’m also looking forward to learning about my powers and making friends. And truthfully, I don’t want to be alone anymore.” She finished, dropping her eyes to the pencil holder on the Doctor’s desk.

Smiling at the truthfulness of the emotions behind her words, Dr. Conrads asked, “And the incident with the black clad figures …”

THE BLACK PARADE

The thought was so powerful it burned clear even to Dr. Conrads.

“Are you ok Dr.?” Jayna asked cautiously.

“Um, oh sorry,” Dr. Conrads said, shaking his head a little, “So are we expecting more visits like the one you had on your last first day?”

“I, um, well I can’t say really.” Jayna said. How would I know when people would come and try to kidnap me? It’s not like I caused that to happen.

Noticing the sudden spike in both Agent Stanton and Jayna’s emotions Dr. Conrad said. “I was just wondering if that situation had been resolved Jayna, I didn’t mean to imply anything with my question. Why don’t you go and get some lunch in the cafeteria, there’s a few small details I need to talk with Agent Stanton about.”

Still a little off balance by the doctor’s question she replied, “Ok…”

After Jayna had left the room Doctor Conrads turned to Agent Stanton: “Who or what is ‘The Black Parade’?”

“That,” Stanton replied, “is the million dollar question whose answer will probably unlock her past.”

********

‘The Black Parade’? Where did he come up with that? Jayna thought to herself, leaning against the wall just outside of the office. And why does that sound ominously familiar…

She walked slowly down the hallway, shrouded in the gloom of her own thoughts at the almost familiar phrase.

[Jayna]

Nothing like a good mystery to get the old juices flowing eh? That old familiar voice taunted as Jayna continued down the hallway.

Shut up.

Oooo, so testy! You’d think by now you be used to everyone else knowing more about you than you do.

Wait, you know something, what is “The Black Parade?”

If only things were as easy as that, the voice sneered at her question.

I have control remember? You’re part of me and *I* am in control, so tell me what “The Black Parade” is. Jayna’s mental voice commanded.

You may be in control, but that doesn’t mean I have to volunteer anything, but your question is valid. And the answer is quite simply, The Institute.

Huh? How does that cesspool of mad scientists and butchers fit in?

You ask a simple question, you get a simple answer.

Ya, but if I ask a complicated question you give me no answer at all. She scoffed back at the voice.

I don’t make up the rules, The voice answered pleased with its situation. I just revel in them when they let me enjoy myself. Oh, and look at the time, so long my sweet little Jayna.

Wait!

Or should I call you “Wages,” said the voice, dripping with contempt. You will see the true cost of your actions; mark my words on that little girl.

And as quickly as it came the voice was gone; leaving Jayna alone in here head once more, with, as always, more questions than answers.

With a large growl her stomach announced that it was well past time to get some food. “Maybe I should just go get some lunch like Doctor Conrads said…” she said to the empty hallway. “Why does everything always get more complicated and never less complicated?” Jayna asked the walls before slumping her shoulders and continuing towards the cafeteria.

[Jayna]

“Ah, I’m glad you’re back Jayna, we’re just about finished up here anyways.” Doctor Conrads said to Jayna as she walked up to his open door.

“Oh, ok,” she responded hesitantly. So much for eating fast to try to eavesdrop on their conversation, Jayna thought, grimacing a little as she sat down. Now how am I going to get more information?

“You’ll be in Quad 12 in the girls’ dormitories, here’s your class schedule, and our first counseling session will be on Thursday.” The doctor said handing her a piece of paper with a schedule on it and a small note reminding her of the session. “That’s all, you can take the rest of the day to unpack and familiarize yourself with the school grounds, but you will be expected to be in classes starting tomorrow.”

At this Agent Stanton stood up and collected Jayna’s luggage while prompting her to follow him.

Something’s really weird here, She thought, getting up to follow the agent through the door. I really wish I knew what they’d talked about.

The walk to the girls’ dorms was spent in silence, Jayna furiously thinking for some good reason to use on Agent Stanton to pry loose the contents of his conversation with Doctor Conrads. Arriving at the dorms with no real plan she was surprised when he said, “The doctor and I just talked a little about your past, and what little everyone knows about it. Don’t worry Jayna, this place will help you find your past, as well as help your control, just don’t forget to try to be a kid while you’re here too.” Handing her bags over to him he continued, “And don’t forget that if you ever need any help you have my cell, use it if you need too.”

“So you guys really just talked about my past? No mentions of evil conspiracies?” Jayna half jested. Man, trying to read his reactions is like trying to read white print on a white page… And I KNOW that's not the whole truth here.

Ignoring her question Agent Stanton said as he turned to leave, “I’ll be in touch.”

As he walked away Jayna was hard pressed to describe what exactly her feelings were, a combination of frustration at not knowing what they had talked about, happiness at once again almost being free, and sadness at watching John Stanton leave her as everyone else had in her life.

Well, at least nothing blew up this time.

*End*