(ASW) Obey My Authori-tah!

[Charity Croft]

Wasn't this some kind of hazing? Hope had to wonder that as she stared at the snow wars, knowing full well what was going on there. She'd participated in it as a student, and had been quite helpful in making the snow forts look very pretty and appealing. She'd also been great at identifying just which students had which powers, which made her great for spying and stuff like that. So she knew full well that this happened every year and was more or less sanctioned.

But someone had told her that she needed to head on up there and put a stop to it all. Hope strongly suspected the cat. She probably shouldn't have put that bow on him, even if it did look super cute and all.

"Right, you can do this, Hope," she said to herself, shaking out her hands, opening and closing them several times. She took a deep breath and looked ahead, where the snowballs whizzed. "Just go on out there and tell them who's in charge here. You can totally do this." Hope marched forward, calling out as she did: "Hey! Hey! You guys! You all need to stop, right now! Look, I'm a staff member and I say that--- oh shoot!"

The last came as a volley of snowballs launched at her. Hope barely had enough times to jerk her arms up to shield herself from the worst of it, hunkering down slightly and fighting off the urge to whimper. So much for her authority...

[Heather Sutherland]

Heather was still in that somewhat awkward place in the transition between staff member and student. She took college classes, but part time. And she was well aware that she was actually technically younger than a percentage of the students that she was watching over. She had volunteered to come out on this trip, partially because she could try skiing in her free time, partially because more staff at the snow events were always helpful. Or so she had heard, she actually had no idea what she was in for.

The red haired Brit had just recently helped a bunch of kids find the area which the snow games were taking place at, thankful she had taken time to look around the days prior and also done her best to memorise the maps of the area that was around her.

She observed a young, Adult staff member try to be commanding towards a large group of snowball throwing students pelted her down into a corner. Her eyes widened. She hadn't really ever seen a snowball fight on this scale before, and kids with powers... Oh dear. She watched as the group of kids that she had helped lead quickly dived into an area by trees and stockpile some projectiles, before beginning to launch them into the crowd attacking the teacher, probably by coincidence. 

Heather took a short gulp and ran over to near the other woman, a little behind her. "Hey! Are you okay?" She squeaked, before being nailed in the shoulder by a fast flying snowball and stumbling backwards. 

[Charity Croft]

A red head who definitely didn't look old enough to be a staff member came up and approached Charity. She looked over at the girl, blinking a few times, still frozen in position with her arms held up over her head to shield her from any incoming projectiles. She lowered herself very slowly, as though sudden movements would attract more snowballs.

"I'm, uh, okay, mostly," said Charity, dusting the snow off her coat. As she did, another snowball connected with the side of her head. The impact sent her black hair flying up all around her, while the snow coated her face. Charity stood there for a few seconds, taking a deep breath and slowly raising a hand up to wipe the snow away. "Yeah, definitely been better. They, uh," another burst came toward Charity and she yelped, "we'd better get under cover or something!"

She actually ducked around the redhead, figuring that maybe the girl had super fire powers. Charity hadn't exactly checked yet, though now she was definitely in a good position to do so... and she winced as she realized that the girl was in no better position to fend off the snowballs than Charity.

[Heather Sutherland]

Heather watched a small break in the barrage of snowballs give the other woman a chance to dust herself off... and then immediately get pelted again. In another situation, it may have made Heather giggle, just the image of it. But it had already dawned on her that the chances of her being twaped with more projectiles was very real. She nodded quickly and agreed. "Yeah! Probably a good pla- EEEEEP!"

As the other girl took cover behind her, and Heather turned her head, a snowball bounced off of her neck, a small amount of snow going down the back of her clothing, chilling her back and sending a bundle of shivers down her spine. "I-" She tried to speak again before seeing an incoming volley and simply squeaked as she shielded her face with her arms.

The snowballs didn't really hurt or anything... It was more like being pelted with tennis balls... Lots of cold...frozen, tennis balls. She was a little taken back when she realised the sheer amount of joy and giddiness going on around her, it was to the point of almost completely overpowering any negative emotions in the area. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt that. 

Heather would have loved to have spent a little more time contemplating this, however a snowball lobbed with an extremely high amount of force actually sent her spinning and crashing into the snow, with another loud squeak. 

[Charity Croft]

Yes, Charity definitely agreed: great plan. It also required they actually move and stuff, and that was looking to be rather difficult and all. Especially as Heather was now being pelted by the latest barrage of projectiles. At least the girl managed to get her arms up.

"Sorry!" squeaked Charity, coming out from around Heather to help the other girl brush some snow off. "I thought for a moment that you might have a power that would be helpful and stuff. But, like, empathy really isn't great for this, is it?" Charity smiled for a moment, her head slightly tilted to the side. That worked to her advantage, as the next volley included a ball that would've hit her in the back of the head. Several did hit her shoulders though, making Charity yelp.

She gestured for Heather to follow her and started making a break for a little ridge. The natural cover should give them a few moments to get their bearings at least. Their running didn't stop them from being targets though: snowballs continued to rain all around them.

[Heather Sutherland]

It took Heather a moment to scramble back to her feet as the two of them began running. She turned her head slightly as the other woman commented on her power without Heather having had said a word. Heather hadn't been specifically thinking of her power or anything, so probably not a telepath. "How did you-" She swiftly realised that turning her head was a mistake as she was caught in the cheek by another.

She kept her head low and forwards as the two of them sprinted towards the small ridge as cover, several students spotted the two of them going for cover and decided that they were prime targets. Heather could tell they were particularly enthusiastic about it, which was great. Just, absolutely, great. She was pelted a few more times before reaching the small ridge and diving for the natural cover.

As soon as most of the snow balls were flying over them instead of at them, Heather remembered to start breathing again. 

[Charity Croft]

It did look like the girl at least got the drift and ducked for cover with Charity. She still heard the various snowballs spitting into the ground all around them, which just made her move all the quicker. Charity's mothering tendency snapped into play about halfway to the ridge, and she slowed, gesturing for the girl to hurry up. Charity even ducked down and formed a horrible snowball, attempting to fire back. Her failed attempt at least had the various students laughing, which stopped the snowballs for a while.

That lasted long enough for the two of them to duck behind the ridge. Charity panted, looking over at the girl and nodding. "Thanks for the help and stuff," she said. Charity swallowed and extended one gloved hand. "I'm Charity, by the way. I work for the school as a trainer and stuff," she nodded, lifting the hand slightly, indicating that it was totally available for the shaking and all. Sure, there was still a bit of snow on it, but that shouldn't be too much of a deterrent, given where they were and all.

[Heather Sutherland]

Something not completely unexpected was happening to Heather, though she hadn't thought it would happen quite this soon. She was beginning to feel the competitive emotions from the massive crowd of students rub off on her. She did her best to keep it under control but it was a little difficult.

She breathed heavily as the two of them were under cover and she had at least a few more seconds before students worked their way around and began firing again. She instantly snapped into a smile at the woman's warm introduction and turned to shake her hand. She would have probably given a courtesy if she wasn't worried about being knocked over by unexpected snowballs halfway through.

"It's a pleasure, Charity. I'm Heather, I'm an intern from St Bethany's." She smiled to the slightly older woman happily. "As you have already worked out, I'm an Empath. Which one would THINK would come in handy on school trips...." She murmured. 

[Charity Croft]

Charity shook Heather's hand semi-heartily, adding a little squeeze before she released. The other girl did seem to be somewhat friendly, which made Charity feel all the better. Of course, she wasn't sure how two friendly girls would do against the massive barrage of snowballs going off behind them.

"St Bethany's... that's the English school, right?" said Charity, nodding. "Yeah, so you're probably hear for the IMAC stuff," she laughed, looking back over the ridge for a moment. "It's totally not always like this, all, like, wars and stuff," she added a little laugh and rolled her eyes. "This is just part of the trip. Trust me," she extended a hand, gesturing emphatically, "your empathy powers will definitely be useful for normal stuff."

Charity nodded again, lowering her hand before twisting to peer back. "They told me I was supposed to put a stop to this, or at least tell them to chill out and stuff," Charity blew out her lips and then rolled her eyes, turning back to Heather. "It's crazy, isn't it? You got any ideas? I suppose we could try asking again, maybe if we did it more emphatically...?"

[Heather Sutherland]

Heather was glad to feel that the other woman was quite gentle and friendly, almost motherly. She didn't feel that from very many people. And as far as she was concerned, nowhere near enough teachers actually behaved like that. More kids at the school needed positive role models. There were far too many of them who just wanted to mess around, didn't like it there, or resented the teachers.

Now, however was probably not the best time to try to contemplate this. Heather giggled gently. "Yes, I suppose. Though I can vouch that there are very very few of them who are not enjoying themselves, it's like the competition and excitement they feel is infectious." As it turned out, it actually was for the young Empath. 

Heather chuckled. "So, you got the most fun job of the lot, huh?" She watched as a snowball probably way off it's target soared past and exploded against a tree trunk. The girl shrugged. "If you mean with my power, I can't effect more than one person at a time and even then... It's like they are in a happy riot." She peered over the edge gently and then squeaked as a student spotted her and lobbed another, just ducking out underneath cover in time. 

[Charity Croft]

Yeah, definitely too many of them. Charity nodded as Heather continued, then let out a little laugh. "Well, it is kinda a yearly release type thing and all," she explained. She shifted to look at Heather. "It's like, well, yeah, they totally gave me the shaft to make me do this and stuff. I'm new," she shrugged. "But where was I," she snapped her fingers as best she could, given the gloves, till she finally snapped and pointed at Heather. "They totally do this, like, every year and all. So it's all tradition. I did it when I was a student, even."

Charity took a deep breath and let it out slowly, turning as she did. "There were probably adults and stuff then that were all trying to rain on the parade..." Charity frowned and then looked at Heather. She looked the British girl over for a few seconds, then tilted her head. "Aren't you kind of young to be worried about helping me? Like you said," Charity jerked her head toward the war, "it's a happy riot out there. Wouldn't you rather be out there? You've got to be getting some harsh vibes from me."

Charity laughed and sat down, letting out another breath and turning to Heather. "I do totally enjoy the help though. I definitely need it."

[Heather Sutherland]

Heather nodded to the other woman. It was certainly true, that was what it felt like at least. Like everything about their emotions had built up of the year and they were just letting all of it out in one, absolutely massive burst of energy and joy. Probably even more so than with regular schools because of the obvious restrictions that were placed on mutant kids.

She chuckled softly. "I doubt it counts as 'raining on their parade', most of the older students are fairly intelligent and probably understand that teachers are just there for safety, after all they are basically playing super powered dodgeball, with frozen water..." She giggled. 

Heather was by nature, a very sweet and gentle girl. Barely anything ever got on her nerves or actually ticked her off, but if there was one topic going near that did, it would be people thinking she was too young to do what she did. She wasn't really a kid... She was young, sure. But as far as she saw it, she had needed to manage herself for a long time, therefore she was basically an adult.

She shook her head firmly. "No. I might be young, but this is my job, and I do enjoy it. It's... interesting getting pelted with snow with you." She smiled. 

[Charity Croft]

Charity chuckled, looking back over her shoulder again. "We're not even really sprinkling, huh?" she asked, adding another chuckle. She did agree though: there didn't seem to be any real harm in what they were doing. Sometimes students got hurt and stuff from messing around, but it was never anything too major or anything like that. Usually they didn't get any more hurt now than they would at the school.

Still, Charity couldn't figure why Heather wouldn't want to join in. But the redhead shook her head firmly, insisting that she'd rather stick with Charity. "Aww, that's sweet," said Charity, reaching to take Heather's hand and give it a squeeze, "I really appreciate it! Though it looks like we're clear of the snow and all, doesn't--"

"If anyone nails the goofy trainer they get double points!"
"Yeah, aim for the trainer!"
"Where did she go?"
"She was with that cute little redhead!"

"See," said Charity, waving a hand, "they don't know where we---"

"They went behind the ridge! There, go!"

Charity paled, looking over at Heather and smiling ruefully. "I should stop talking, huh?"

[Heather Sutherland]

Charity was quite sweet, and she seemed to accept that Heather just wanted to do her job, even if the urges she was getting from the students to grab a fistfulof snow and hurl it back with all of her puny might, was tempting. She nodded and chuckled at the woman's comment.

She felt a small grin plaster across her face as she felt the students start meandering towards them, and several of them started egging each other on to nail charity for extra points. This was well and truly exhilarating. The redhead smiled as she knew that most of them didn't know exactly where the two of them were hiding.

... That was, until some of them heard Charity talking. She felt a large surge of excitement, and a rather massive cluster of emotions start charging for their position. Her eyes widened slightly and she tugged at Charity's hand. "RUUUUUUUUUUUN!" She broke into a sprint as the thundering footsteps of a larger group of students each holding one or two snowballs charged them like a group of badly disciplined soldiers. 

[Charity Croft]

It did seem as though Heather picked up on the joy of the people behind them or something. Charity didn't know quite how the girl's particular brand of empathy worked; she'd need to study her longer and that required actually holding still and focusing and stuff that definitely wasn't happening right now.

Especially as Charity agreed fully with the yell and the tug. "Running!" she yelped, struggling to get to her feet and flinging snow absolutely everywhere as she did so. Charity stepped high, essentially looking like she was loping through the snow instead of outright running like a normal person. It probably had something to do with her snow boots, which definitely fell more on the "adorable" side of the adorable/functional spectrum.

Snowballs whizzed all around them, and Charity tried turning to shout behind her. "Why don't you guys just stop already?" she tried waving her arms to get their attention. "You're not supposed to be doing this! I'm a teacher and stuff, and--" and another snowball whizzed right by Charity's ear. She looked over at Heather. "Run faster?" she said, smiling and sounding nervous.