Open// [Don't] Trust Me

[Sparrow]

Jace was bored. The whole town was filled with annoying twit humans, goody two shoes instituters, or insufferable mutants who had no handle on themselves or their powers. Even his twin sister Kaycee was getting on his nerves and they usually balanced each other pretty well. If the corporation didn't need him, he would have been out of this place in a flash.

Ha. Flash like in electricity. Jace had almost made a joke. Strange. He wandered the Aquarium, perplexed by his own unusual move, not bothering to make way for the children on field trips that tried to walk through him. If they couldn't move, why should he?

Maybe he would go to Bayville's. But that wasn't entirely enticing either. Pay money for food? Since when was the town restaurant worth that? He might as well eat a hotdog at the Aquarium.

As Jace stared down a beluga whale, it suddenly came to him what he was missing: a challenge. And the only way he would find that was to either talk to the DA or make one. Currently, he preferred the second option. Much quicker. Now how to do that...

[Phoenix]

-Hope you don't mind, i was crazy bored-

Ally didn't understand why her teachers insisted on bringing the class to the aquarium for a class field trip. Seriously, they had been coming here as a field trip every year since grade 1.

Although it was a nice break from the same old class routines, or was a nice place to go if you really had nothing better to do, she didn't like coming with school. She preferred to just come and look at the animals and fish herself. Some were more interesting to look at then others, but the teachers insisted on spending a specific amount of time at each animal.

The bonus was once they hit high school, the teachers would usually finish the rounds a couple hours early and would let the students wonder around and do their own thing for the rest of the day. The only downside was it meant the teachers would ditch the students here and let them find their own way home. However, the buses were always a reliable mode of transportation.

She had been here a total of ten minutes and already she was thinking up ways to break with the group without getting caught or in trouble. She had made her way to the back of the group with Paige and were both slowly lagging.

The class turned the corner and the two girls stopped. The class had moved on. They waited in silence a few minutes and when nobody came looking for them, they breathed a sigh of relief. Now they could do what they wanted.

They started random chatting, which was another bonus of breaking with the group. They could talk freely without the teachers yelling at them to be quiet.

They were so wrapped up in whatever they were talking about, neither one was paying attention to where they were going until they both had the misfortune of walking right into another person.

[Sparrow]

-No worries! I'm just glad someone responded! -

Jace jumped back as if someone had burned him as two bodies plowed absently into him. Luckily for him, his reflexes were fast. Jace refused to be embarrassed in public. It had never happened to him and it never would. He wouldn't allow it.

He found himself staring down two above-average looking girls. If he was in a better mood, he would probably have hit on them by now and be taking one of them home. But today Jace was moody and he didn't feel like bringing on Casanova.

Watch where you're going next time, he muttered and prepared to turn away when suddenly he felt a familiar prickling at the back of his neck. He turned around, knowing his eyes betrayed his curiousity and angrily wishing he had worn sunglasses. You two are mutants, aren't you?

[Phoenix]

At the boy's sharp tongue, Paige lowered her head. Sorry. She said sincerely.

Allison however got annoyed. Sure, they were at fault, but he didn't have to be so rude. Weeeeeeeell excuuuuuuuse us mister! She said in an overly loud voice, wanting him to hear as he turned away from them.

Ally grabbed Paige's wrist. Come on. She started dragging her friend away when the stranger turned back around.

Both girls froze for half a second. Gee, I really don't think thats any of your business! Ally snapped. Hey, maybe if he hadn't been so rude to start with, she wouldn't be so bitchy now.

[Sparrow]

Jace chose to ignore Ally's anger and found himself slightly intrigued by Paige's passiveness. But he turned to the matter at hand, deciding to address that later.

I'm Jace. I'm an electricity manipulator. You are? He said in response, stepping towards them with a suave grace and extended hand. Part of what helped Jace assist the Institute was his charisma and he used it whenever necessary. The other moments of the day, he was his usual blunt and malicious self. He could only hope the two girls would accept his introduction and the conversation could move forward.

[Phoenix]

The girls looked at each other, confusion on both their faces. Was he serious? Be a jerk, then turn around and suddenly act like they had so much in common?

I'm Ally, and this is Paige. Ally said with a sideways glance at her friend. For a moment they both wished they were telepathic so they could communicate with each other and decide what was safe to proceed with and what wasn't.

You forgot to introduce me. Storm whined.
Shut up! Paige snapped. She didn't feel like dealing with Storm today.... Well she never felt like dealing with Storm.

Yah, we're mutants, but why should we tell you what we can do? Ally asked. It was a fair question. Just because he said his power didn't mean they had to give up theirs.

Ohhh another mutant! An electric manipulator! Sounds fascinating! Oh please please please can we go wherever he goes. He seems to have a clear head on his shoulders... unlike a certain someone.

Paige almost sighed out loud, but she did roll her eyes without thinking. No, so shut up.

I don't even know what I did to deserve being stuck inside someone like you!

Yah... I often wonder myself what I did.

[Sparrow]

Jace watched the two of them closely. He didn't have many of them but people interpreting fascinated him. He could sit and watch those around him communicate for hours without saying a thing himself and be content. This had indeed happened many times at the Corporation. Those brats sure liked to argue.

A pleasure. Jace answered, withdrawing his hand. They were opening up to him and he was pleased. He truly hated dealing with unresponsive mutants. Although they did provide the most amusement when it came to torture.

You don't have to, Jace responded, keeping the tone light. But I don't meet many like me and I regret my attitude to you girls earlier. I was having a rough day. He explained, the lie dripping off his tongue sweet as honey. No need for them to know that this was the fake Jace and they had already met his real personality.

[Phoenix]

Storm had quite a mouthful to say about that one. Look at that loser! Rough day my ass! He's just saying that cause he wants to know what we can do. I say we tell him to shove it!

Who's we? Paige asked. Technically the powers belonged to Paige, but there had been instances when Storm took over and used to powers herself.

Storm sighed and Paige could picture her rolling her eyes. Fiiiine. He wants to know what you can do. I still say you should tell him to shove it![/i][/b]

Paige sighed mentally in exasperation. Oh, you tell him to shove it! She snapped without thinking.

Okay! Storm sounded way too happy. Hey Jace! Why dont you shove it?! The words were out and took Paige a moment to realize. Thanks a lot! Storm's only response to laugh.

Ally had been trying to share another look with her friend, to see if she could read in her facial expression how to reply to Jace's comment, but Paige hadn't been paying attention. Then she spoke, but it wasn't at all what Ally had been expecting. Her eyes flickered between the horrified and mortified Paige, to Jace, trying to see how he'd react to this.

[Sparrow]

Jace raised an eyebrow. Allright... that wasn't what he had been expecting from the quiet one. In fact, from what he had quietly observed, that wasn't even like her. So he didn't take offense right away.

Paige? He asked, taking a step towards her in a soothing manner. Are you ok? His body language was turned to Paige but his eyes flickered to Ally in questioning.

[Phoenix]

No. Apparently Storm wasn't done having her fun because once again she took over, but she was gone as fast as she came because Paige forced her back into the furthest corner of her mind. I mean yes. Yah, I'm fine. I just have a short temper. Someone with a short temper would never admit it, but it was the best she could come up with.

Man... That felt good... I need to get out more. Paige decided to ignore this comment.

She noticed how his eyes were looking over at Ally, as if expecting her to explain her random outburst. She felt a slight twinge of annoyance he wasn't fully paying attention to her. If anything she would know what she was doing, not Ally.

Ally shrugged. She wan't going to give away Paige's secret if the other girl wasn't ready to make it known to him and from Paige's response, she wasn't ready. Only if it reached an extreme level, like her massacring half the people here, would she ever tell.

[Sparrow]

Jace, of course, knew something else was going on here. Something deeper and definitely something to look into. But not now; it wasn't the right time yet. Instead he nodded solemnly as if he completely understood where she was coming from.

I see. Well, where are you fine ladies going next in this wonderful exploration of the development of man? Or are you perhaps on your way out? He asked cunningly, raising his eyes to the ornate paintings on the ceiling tiles above them.

[Phoenix]

Ally decided to answer this one, to allow Paige more time to recover from the brief Storm episode. Actually we were here on a class field trip and only just managed to sneak away from the others. We haven't really decided what we're going to do yet. We were just about to decide when...

She let herself trail off. She had been about to say "bumped into you," but that hadn't gone over well the first time, and she doubted it would a second time. He'd figure out what she meant anyways.

[Sparrow]

Ah, school. Jace had never really gone. He had tried it once, gotten bored, and dropped out. His sister Kaycee didn't need it- she was legally a genius and he found the concept irritating. But he had heard of field trips which sounded like a petty way to break the cycle of school days for the children who attended. No wonder these two escaped.

Well, I was just about to head back to my current residence. I am staying at the Corporation. Have either of you heard of it? It's really quite perfect for mutants who want more out of life than the repetitive days of being human. I could give you a tour sometime if you'd like. No obligations, I swear. Jace held up his hands in a surrender gesture with a relaxed smile on his face. He was certain that whatever had made Paige react so violently would want to attend such a place but Ally seemed to have a hold on the group dynamic and her opinion appeared to mean alot to Paige. This could be an interesting relationship to mess with.

[Phoenix]

At the word Corporation, both girls looked at each other, as though hoping the other would know about this so called 'Corporation' Jace was speaking of. When it became apparent they were equally clueless, they looked back at Jace.

What's this Corporation? I've heard of the Institute... but I have a feeling there two completely different things. Paige tilted her head in confusion.

Yah, we were thinking about joining the Institute... but we're still undecided. Ally watched him closely, waiting to see his reaction.

Now that she thought about it, she thought she had heard a little bit about this Corporation... Archangel Corporation. Yah... but beyond the name that was all she knew. Though she was curious as to why there were two establishments for mutants in town. You'd think they'd only need one.

[Sparrow]

Jace looked around the exhibit, eyeing the crowds and guards suspiciously. He and the girls were surronded by people. He needed to find a spot to discuss this - privately.

Follow me. Jace said curtly and walked off in the opposite direction. He had no doubt in his mind Paige and Ally would do so. They were much too curious.

He stopped in the Egypt wing where there seemed to be no other company besides his own. However, to be safe... Jace closed his eyes and the door behind Paige and Ally clicked shut, activating the electronic lock for entrance. Don't worry, he said when he saw their faces.

Satisfied, Jace sat on a bench in the middle of the exhibit and stretched his legs out on the one next to him. Now, what exactly do you want to know? He asked, studying the girls carefully.