Trying To Think But Coming Up Blank

[Logan Diacha]

It had been around two hours now since Logan had started, according to the treadmill screen. So she'd most likely get off soon and head to the locker rooms to get a quick shower before returning to her room. It was still fairly early and the Gym was deserted except for her. Which is exactly how she wanted it. She wanted to get her workout out of the way with no distractions so she could return back to her computer and get down to business. Her brother-- amazingly-- had pulled through. Guess he took her threat seriously. She had the names of the contacts now. Finally, she could really get to work. And the sooner the better.


However, that didn't mean Logan was just going to forgo her exercising. No, that just meant she was going to do it earlier. And the benefit of that showed, as she finally pressed the stop button on the treadmill and got off. She meant over to a nearby empty spot on the ground to begin stretching, regaining her breath gradually as she whipped sweat from her brow. First things first, she needed to look up each of her contact before she was ready to actually extend out to them. Derek had different purposes for them all, and difference offers to suit their tastes and reel them in. Only then should Logan make contact with them. She mulled over the names again before she heard the door open. She was in the middle of a hamstring stretch when she glanced over to see a woman walk in.


It was surprising to see anyone else up this early. But Logan figured the 'polite' thing to do would be to greet the woman. At least. So she simple nodded her head in acknowledgement before going back to what she was doing, the neutral, bored expression on her face never changing the entire time.   

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana was the same in that she preferred to work out when she was alone, not needing to hold herself back for worry about people seeing just how skilled she was. She didn't have to hold back as much as she used to when she first transferred over to the school; thanks to all the events that had happened here at Bellefonte Academy and Roxana's roles in them. Still, she truly only went all out when she was alone in her room or the woods where she really didn't have to worry about coming across anyone. Kind of like right now where she entered the gym at her usual time to get in some exercise alone, but someone was in there.

Someone that was...female. They could have passed for a guy for a moment, but it was pretty easy to tell that the person was indeed female do to their overall physical shape. Who was this person? Roxana's mind wondered through the countless names, faces, and powers that she knew of the people in the school. Nothing immediately clicked, which meant that this person had to be a transfers student since they obviously were not new to their power with the age that Roxana was guessing. Again all based on taking into account the girl's overall build and physical features that Roxana took note of as soon as she walked into the room.

It was hard to not look at and observe someone who was the only person other than herself in the room. They said nothing, but they greeted her with a simple nod. Roxana returned the simple not, not seeing the point in saying anything back since they said nothing to her. Her focus now went to the machine where she could do pull-ups and chin-ups; those were first on her list for her quick workout. After setting down her bag, she pulled out some workout tape and started to wrap her hands, making it easier to hold onto the bar and minimize the damage to her hands.

[Logan Diacha]

The female that entered was certainly different. Logan could tell that right away. Just from the way she carried herself. There was something to her. And instead of opening up with conversation, she just nodded in return, which Logan was extremely thankful for. Unlike the rest of the student body it seemed, who felt compelled to chat with the girl whenever they felt like it apparently. Some were fine, but some just wasted her time. And she had none to spare.

Still, she went back to her stretching silently, letting the other girl work out in peace. Why else would she be here so early? However, fate seemed to have other planned. Because of course her brother called her at just that moment. The phone was on vibrate,but it still seemed loud in the quiet of the room. Sighing silently from her nose, Logan pulled out her phone and trapped it between her shoulder and ear as she answered it. "What is it Derek?" She asked in a quiet voice.

"Logan! You've got to talk with Harvey!" Came the plea from the phone. Obviously her brother didn't take the cue to stay quiet, so Logan turned the volume down, trying not to disturb the other person in the room while also trying not to let them hear Derek's side.

"Why?" She inquired as she switched stretches, determined to finish.

"You know why! I gave you the names! Now please!" The whine in his tone made Logan smirk very faintly.

"I figured it would be good for you to take some time off. Maybe catch up on actual sleep." She replied.

"I sleep just fine! Please Logan!" Logan sat there silently for a time, debating on whether or not she should call Harvey and allow her brother to continue sleeping with just about every girl he met. Part of her was tempted to keep torturing him, to be honest. Force him to be clean for a time. "I'll think about it." Was her answer.

"Logan, n-" But Logan already hung up and put the phone down. Then she glanced at the other girl in the room, realizing she should most likely apologize for the disturbance.

"Sorry about that." There, done.

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana was not really one to get into someone else’s business, unless it was what she had been asked, told, or felt the need to do. No of those applied in that situation since she had not gotten any word on any new possible targets and she didn't really know the other girl. There was also the fact by the way the girl acted from the simple nod just made it clear to Roxana that the other girl was not likely a social butterfly. Neither was Roxana. Thus this meeting would likely be one of those where the other one was just in the background to what the other was doing.

Rox had no problem with that; she was here to work out after all. The person yelling on the phone did grab her attention for a moment, but she didn't behave any differently. She focused on her workout, already doing several pull-ups the whole time the other girl was talking on the phone. She naturally of course was listening in a little bit, picking up a tiny bit of the conversation but not really enough to know what was being talked about. She could make a few guesses but she would need to know the girl a bit more before she could fully set her mind to anything.

Then came the apology, one that Roxana didn't expect. "No need to apologize. I was not disturbed by your conversation." Roxana responded as she hung from the bar for a moment before she dropped down and downed some water. She debated to herself for a moment before deciding it didn't hurt to say a bit more. That was what you were supposed to do to be considered 'normal', right? Ro try and make a conversation with someone. "Is everything alright? If you don't mind me asking." Roxana said. The other person had been yelling after all and that typically was not a good thing.

[Logan Diacha]

Derek's outburst hadn't bothered the girl, which Logan was partially glad for. But she didn't care all too much. Her main concern was the fact that Derek had called at all. If he had been a little louder, the girl might've been able to make out what he had said. Of course, Logan had kept it vague for just that possibility. It wouldn't do to have too many questions getting thrown her way. Suspicion was not a good thing. So Logan merely nodded at the girl's assurance that she hadn't been disturbed by the call.

Although she did seem curious, considering her next question. Logan stayed silence for a few seconds as she switched stretches, mulling over what she should answer. If she didn't, it could be suspicious. If she answered too mysteriously, the result would be the same. So she decided on a little honesty. Just enough. "Yes. That was just my brother." She replied with a shrug. "He has a penchant for the overly dramatic. I made a phone call earlier to a friend, and my brother just has not taken it in the most mature of ways." She added. But Logan wanted to divert the topic a bit without completely throwing it. So, best to ask questions.

"Do you have siblings? If you don't mind my question."

[Roxana Strix]

It had been in Roxana's training to be able to read someone even when they were not saying anything at all. She was no mind reader so there was always some room for error but all the same she was closely watching the other girl. In her usual way where it looked like she was not really interested; and in truth she was not all that much, it was purely out of habit that she did a lot of the things she did. It was hard to break something that had been drilled into you since you were literal; sometimes even in the literal sense. There was some debate there, making it clear that the girl was hiding something or that she was not very social.

Roxana was willing to believe it was a bit of both, but she had gotten an answer all the same. A brother that was dramatic; she could relate, even if her brother was a bit dramatic on the dangerous side and not yelling side. No need to share that and honestly Roxana would not have held onto the topic for too long. She was just being polite and making conversation as most people in this school sort of expected or at the very least it was required in order to maintain some form of 'contact' with the other person. "I see, well hopefully things work out as they are meant to and he does not bother you too much when you are working out." Roxana voice.

Her blue eyes giving the girl another scan before she was about to go back to her workout. The question stopped her before she even turned to do such a thing. One that was not really person in terms of just wanting to know if she had siblings. "Yes, an older sister and an older brother. Unfortunately I am the baby of the family." Roxana responded. There that was a decent amount of information that was alright to share. She debated asking the question in turn, but she knew the girl at least had a brother. There was also something else that sat more importantly on her mind that she desired to say. "I like your hair. Do you do it yourself?" Roxana asked. The desire to touch it was already there but she didn't move.

[Logan Diacha]

This girl was definitely scanning Logan. For what, she couldn't tell, but Logan certainly made sure she gave away nothing that she didn't want to with this girl's eyes on her. Better safe than sorry. However, the girl still spoke, wishing things worked out for Logan and that her brother wouldn't bother her. That actually managed to gain a small smirk from the girl. "Thank you, and I certainly hope for that as well." She replied drily.

There was another scan of Logan's features before the girl seemed about to turn, but by then Logan had asked her question. the girl seemed to freeze before responding. So, a brother and a sister. And both older. "I know how that feels." Logan said, nodding. Derek was older by four years, although he acted like the younger one usually. Logan had to take care of most, if not all, of their work. He was mostly just there to be a face.

But then came a question that caught Logan completely off guard, which was incredibly hard to do. Apparently her hair was fascinating. Amusement faintly colored her features as she nodded, answering the inquiry. "Yes, in fact I do." She stated. Then, just because she could, Logan said "I like your hair as well. It has a very good color." She said, switching stretches. This was certainly turning out to be interesting.

[Roxana Strix]

A small smirk appeared on the other girl's face, followed by thanks, and a hope that things went well too. Roxana had to admit that for a moment she was a little curious as to what possibly could be possibly wrong or what it was that she had wished well; in a way, but she knew there would be no point to asking it. It was very clear that the other girl was guarded in some way and that Roxana would have to play the game if she wanted to get any information out of the girl. Or simply look into who she was; which Roxana would do, only to know the girl's name and power like she liked to know about pretty much everyone she came across.

Even if it was simply passing by them in the hallways, it made her feel better to know such information about the people around her. Logan voice she knew how that felt, meaning then that she was the youngest, or at least younger than the boy she had been talking to on the phone with. Possibly, it all depended on if she had any other siblings but so far Roxana was going to go with that the boy on the phone was her older brother and she was the younger sister out of two children. Information that she didn't really need to know; not when someone was not a target, but for the sake of conversation she had learned something without really working for it.

"You take care of it very well and the style suits you. Brings out your overall facial features and the dark hair brings out you paler skin." Roxana informed her. Some of it in a way slipped out, the artist within her unable to point out such things. She literally already had the other girl's facial features, voice, likely height, possible weight, and overall body structure memorized. All from the few scan over the other girl's body. And they said art would not come in handy. Roxana thought to herself for a second. The complement was returned which had a small smile appear on Roxana's face for only a second or so. "Thank you. I enjoy how soft it is." Roxana voice, running her fingers though her hair.

She had only commented on how soft her hair was because of her desire to feel how the other girl's hair felt. She left out the fact that while her hair was technically natural at the same time it was not natural. At birth she had black hair from careful breeding in her family to give the dark hair and fierce blue eyes that most of the Strix main blood line had. Information the other girl didn't need to know and certainly no one knew.

[Logan Diacha]

The further compliment and the detail in which the other girl liked her hair had Logan smirking slightly. it was odd to receive a compliment from another person, but she did enjoy this one a lift.e Mostly because it wasn't flirting or flattery for the sake of buttering someone up to make them more agreeable and thus more prone to accept something. Or at least turn a blind eye. No, this seemed to be something that slipped out of the girl a little unconsciously. While Logan didn't believe anyone was genuine any more, she did believe in Freudian slips. "Thank you. Yours draws attention and sets you apart from anyone else I've met." Logan admitted. "That and it's styled very nicely as well. It makes you look very sharp." That was certainly a lot of compliments. Logan almost never paid compliments, but she'd make an exception here.

The previous compliment seemed to make the girl smile, and then comment on how she enjoyed the softness of her own hair. That made Logan smile just a tad in return. Her own hair was very soft as well. It was a genetic trait she and her brother shared, and apparently something Derek heard from his many lovers considering his own hair. "We have something in common then." Logan remarked, switching stretches once more

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana would not have called what she said a Freudian slip, more so the desire to share more information on why she had complemented the girl's hair in the first place. Well, there was a bit of a slip in a way since she had said it out loud instead of keeping it in her head. Not that it was that big of a deal, Rox never let anything that was actually important slip. However; Roxana typically didn't say anything without a specific reason, and that was why she personally felt a little odd about having said anything on the matter. Not that the other girl seemed bothered by it, in fact she seemed at least pleased to hear it, and returned a complement.

"Thank you." Roxana said in her usual tone that didn't really convey anything, but she gave another small smile for a short moment. "I would say more but then we might end up standing here complementing one another until others show up for their workout." Roxana said. There was a slight joke that she made there, not that she laughed or anything after saying it. She figured it would be easy to tell that she was attempting to make a jest, even if it was entirely possible that they could end up just going back and forth on the complements until others started to show up as time passed.

Rox then went back to her pull-up, able to talk, and do them at the same time. It was not something that really took any level of skill to do. Sure it would mean that she would in a way be making herself work harder since she would not be regulating her breathing like she should. Yet again, no big deal, if anything that just gave a level of challenge to her workout. They had something in common, which meant that Logan had to have soft hair. The temptation to ask if she could feel it was there, but she said nothing. Rox didn't simply just give into temptations, it was not in her nature and so she just gave a small nod.

Then silence again, at least she had tried to hold and make conversation with someone.

[Logan Diacha]

There was a thanks and a smile, although the girl's tone hadn't changed. She did seemed pleased by the compliment Logan had returned, but not especially. Although her next remark made Logan smirk just a little. Logan wasn't much one for giving out compliments. At least, compliments she actually meant. Sure, she had thrown them around sometimes to flatter someone just to lower their guard, but her honest compliments were hard to come by. This girl had managed to secure one, most because Logan had been so amused by her question. Logan doubted she would give another.

The girl soon returned to her exercises while Logan continued with her stretching. A silence once again reigned between them, but it didn't seem uncomfortable. Or at least Logan didn't care enough for it to actually seem uncomfortable. Besides, she used these long silences to unnerve others. She was used to it. But eventually she finished and stood, rolling her neck before looking at the girl. She debated with himself internally for a bit before finally speaking. "Can I ask your name?" The girl was very different looking from others she had seen so far. Logan had a feeling she would see her again.

[Roxana Strix]

This meeting had certainly been one that while not as exciting or super interesting as other ones that Roxana had, it was still not bad. It was just one of those meetings you would have with someone you met somewhere and one of you was bored or just being polite and that was how the conversation started. It was more than likely neither of you felt like you would meet every again and that this was a onetime sort of thing. That was what Roxana honestly thought it was, but she thought that about most people that would interact with her in such a manner.

She was used to never really having that many friends because of how she was and meeting someone similar meant that the likelihood of them meeting again. Or that if they did, they would likely not talk to one another and simply give one another wave. Very few people could actually make friends with Roxana, it was just a fact. That was why she was not expecting much out of this and didn't keep working at keeping the conversation going. However; it seemed that her prediction was a little off because the other girl was speaking to her again. Well, less speaking and more along the lines of just asking a question.

A question that normally was asked when you wanted or thought that you would meet a person again, thus it was a little odd. Not super odd since the other girl could have been asking for her name just to yet again be polite. "Roxana." Rox informed her once she finished her set of pull ups and dropped back to the ground. "You are?" Rox then asked as she now walked closer to the girl, purely for the fact that she was going to be using a machine in the same area as her.

[Logan Diacha]

There was a faint amount of surprise in the other girl's expression when Logan asked for her name. Most likely the girl didn't expect to meet Logan ever again, so she figured names wouldn't be necessary. And that was very possible. Logan never went out of her way to be social. She hardly cared about making friends, and with her personality no one really cared to make friends with her. She was fine with that, as it gave her more room to work and less people to care about. She was nothing if not dedicated to her work.

But still, this girl had piqued her interest somewhat. That and perhaps she wanted to keep an eye on her should she have heard Logan's conversation with Derek. There hadn't really been anything too terrible said in that call that could've been suspicious against Logan, and she already had a story ready to tell. Lying was perhaps the second best thing she was good at. But still, Logan liked to keep an eye on anyone who could've potentially been a loose end she would have to cut. Which was mostly why she had asked this Roxana her name.

"Logan." The dark-haired girl replied, seeing it only fit to answer since she had asked the question herself. It would've been suspicious if she just asked the girl her name and didn't offer her own. As the girl approached to go to another machine, Logan got to see her up closer, and memorize her features. It would be easy to spot this one out, especially with that hair. Logan did honestly like the girl's hair. But enough of that. She had gotten what she needed and finished her workout. "It was nice meeting you." Logan said politely enough with a nod before heading out to the locker rooms.

An interesting encounter indeed. But irrelevant to want Logan had to do.

[Roxana Strix]

The girl's name was Logan. Not a very girl name, but there were a few people that had names that were typically better suited or expected to belong to a another gender. Roxana didn’t really care about that sort of thing, it was the girl's name and that was all there was to it. It was still an interesting name and she did wonder why her parents would choose to name her such a thing, but she would not ask. Her interest was not high enough to ask such a personal question and it was not really in her to ask such personal questions unless she needed to.

In this case, she needed to do nothing. Still, it was nice to meet the girl and now perhaps they would see one another again. Rox doubted it. If only because the other girl was not very chatting and Rox was not very chatty. That resulted in there just being silence and them doing their own thing which kind of eliminated the point of them dealing with one another unless it was like watching a movie or something. Somehow she doubted they would end up doing that, but she was never going to say never to things. especially with how things had turned out at this school and how she herself had even changed.

"Likewise." Roxana responded simply with a slight nod of her head. With that, she went back to her workout and as the girl left. She saw no point in following her, there was no need to. If they were to meet again, they would.