Sea of Faces

[Nonie Savage]

It was getting colder out, unfortunately. That was always the hardest time for  people like her. Still, that usually was when people were the most sympathetic. So there were often pros to go with the cons once winter came around. Nonie just was thankful she had found her abandoned building as a home. It was becoming more and more populated as word spread, so some more of her penniless kin had homes for the winter.

She had to smile a little at that as she curled up into a tighter ball, arms wrapped around her legs as she watched some people walk by from the shadow of her hood. A few of them put some loose change into the begging jar at her feet, but Nonie's thoughts were mostly inward as she scanned the people walking by. She was glad she had gathered so many into her home. It really was starting to feel like... like home now. Sure, it had been a little hard at first getting everyone to get along, but now they were for the most part. Almost like their own little mini community.

Nonie had to giggle a little at that. A lot of them had gotten so protective of her now. She just hoped none of them would be as protective Brent and the others had. Just the memory was enough to make her smile fade and her grip on her knees tighten. She didn't want to leave again. Last time had been so painful, seeing everything she knew fade in the distance from a bus window. She couldn't do it again. But there weren't really any gangs here so she wouldn't be forced to leave, right? At least she desperately hoped so. She wouldn't let them make her go. Never again. She would never abandon anyone like that ever again.

[Artemis James]

The grip of winter had slowly taken hold of Kalispell, the winds growing steadily harsher as it's icy touch reddened cheeks and turned breath into clouds. Leaves littered the hard earth, the cold breeze drawing them over the pavement, their vacant branches
waving sharp fingers of bark towards the sky. Artemis usually enjoyed the winter months... He enjoyed the comforting associations it held, from the festivities to smaller, simpler pleasures such as hot chocolate on a cold evening, looking out of his window at the Academy to the lights of the town below. This winter however, was proving to be more of a trial.

The young man was forced to take a seat on a bench in Kalispell's main high street, his head bowed, his concentration firmly on the task at hand; Breathing. Artemis slowly took a breath of icy air in, breathing out slowly, his eyes clenched shut. He'd wrapped his arms around his form, gripping onto himself tightly, as though he was desperately trying to hold himself together. Today had been going so well too... Now he was trying to fend off a minor panic attack. He hugged himself, his jacket not thick enough for the weather, which seeped into his clothes and chilled him; He would have to speak to his grandparents to see if they could help put towards a new coat... Heaven knew his mother wouldn't. His hands were gloved, which had started to become a regular occurrence even when inside... He didn't want to see the scars his barbs left; They reminded him of his mutation... And how it had poisoned him. This was also the primary reason for Artemis's recent spate of panic attacks; Perhaps he was pushing himself harder then he thought... He'd only recently left hospital, and here he was trying to spend a full day out in town.

He took another deep, slow breath, his breathing returning to a normal rate as he opened his eyes; Tears of frustration had pricked at the edges of his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand, praying no one saw. He could do this... He was a naturally stubborn soul, and so was far from telling his friends that he was struggling a bit more then he was letting on. His sighed deeply, glancing up to some of the passers by; Thankfully, no one seemed to have noticed, or if they had they'd thankfully chosen not to question him. A small smile began to slip back onto his lips, and he settled back on the bench; His eyes then scanned the area, trying to distance his thoughts from the panic attack. His gaze fell upon a young woman across the small street, sat up against a building. Her hair was a stunning red, like the berries of a holly bush. She appeared to be begging, a collecting can at her feet.
Artemis then found his gaze slipping down to the stone pavement below, his brow furrowing; There were people in a far worse position then he was; He had a place to live, friends, family to a point... And yet he still couldn't shake this emotional uncertainty on his chest. 

[Nonie Savage]

Nonie's eyes continued to scan over the people until she saw... A boy? A boy who looked frighteningly cold. Even from here Nonie could tell his jacket was far too thin, thinker than her normal one she always wore with the hood to hide her face. Nonie blinked at the sight, and felt a pang of sudden sympathy and protectiveness come over here.

She really shouldn't approach him. There was a chance he would remember her, and that though made fear clasp her heart in an icy grip that made her shiver. Yet still she felt her big sister complex starting to come out. She really had to learn to ignore it: it was bound to get her into trouble some time. Hesitating, she breathed in shakily before retrieving her can and stuffing it into the deep pockets of her inner jacket. Then she got to her feet and slowly but warily made her way over to the boy.

Fear and concern warring with each other, the latter own out for the moment and she stopped by the boy, hood pulled low to keep her face in shadows. Although her nearly silver eyes would probably peek out. "H-Hey.... You ok? You really should... Should Get inside somewhere." She advised.

[Artemis James]

These panic attacks were becoming increasingly frequent... Although Artemis had so far managed to avoid bringing them up to any of his friends back at the Academy or to the doctors who had helped him back at the hospital. The Sprite had taken a heavy hit on the boy, and although he kept trying to convince himself that he was healing and by all respects was in steadily increasing good health, he couldn't seem to shake the fear that... Well, there was every chance another Sprite could hit. Artemis barely survived the previous biological strike, and the terror that gripped him whenever he felt the slightest bit queasy was reminiscent of the effects of his poisoning; Every time it had flared, Artemis had feared for his life. Now... Now this had resulted in a reenforced terror towards becoming inflicted with illness, and to the source of what had weakened him... His mutation.
He felt pathetic for it, despite himself. He'd embraced his abilties prior to the Sprite, and now that nature had landed a drop kick on him he'd panicked and tried to cut himself off from dealing with that aspect of himself; People were going through far worse... Some hadn't managed to even come out of it all alive, and yet here he was suffering with a panic attack simply because he had drunk a sweet beverage too quickly and had caused his stomach to churn in a sickly manner.

He... He needed to get a grip.

He took another deep, slow breath, the violent thudding of his heart calmer now. He'd lost sight of the red headed girl as more of the public sauntered past, coats pulled tightly close in an effort to ward off the cold. Perhaps he should head home... He was doing little good sitting on a bench freezing to death. His attention however shifted with a startled flinch to the sound of someone addressing him; Artemis blinked at the young woman with widened eyes... It was the girl from across the street, the girl
with hair like holly berries. Closer now, despite her face mostly covered by her hood, Artemis could see the silver shine of her eyes. "U-Um... I'm okay," He spoke quickly, casting her a small, but bright smile; Had she noticed his panic attack? Or perhaps he still looked sicklier then he thought? Artemis wrapped his arms around himself, although kept his small smile on her. "There's no where in town I really want to go... But thank you."
Artemis meant that he'd merely been everywhere in town that he'd wanted to go to. He paused a moment, his smile wavering slightly; This was the poor girl who'd been begging... And yet here she was asking if he was okay. "... Are you okay?" He asked softly. "Do you have somewhere to go?"

[Nonie Savage]

Nonie instantly felt bad when the boy flinched when she spoke. He really wasn't expecting someone to speak to him. Although dread quickly followed as he peered up at her, making her fear grip her heart in its cold grasp. Still, her concern was currently overriding her fear, and she doubted he would remember her too much anyhow. He did insist he was fine, but Nonie had gotten excellent at telling a lie when she saw one.

"Oh, well..... Do you need a jacket?" She asked instead, not pressing him to head inside. His smile wavered for a moment, and Nonie's concern grew before he started asking questions. The fear clenched harder on her heart, but she nodded. "I.....I'm fine. And yes." She said. She had to redirect this. "What about you? You.... you do have a place to go, right?" He did right? He looked like he did. "You could get warm there."

[Artemis James]

It seems the girl's warm hair colour mirrored her kind heart. Artemis could tell the concern in her voice, which was a harrowing thing to hear from someone the boy was certain must be far worse off then him. She questioned Artemis on if he needed a jacket, and while that was something he did need, he had no intention of telling her that; He was sure his grandparents would send him enough to cover a thicker winter jacket as the nights drew in... That, and frankly Artemis was a touch embarrassed at being unable to buy a decent one right off as soon as the months grew colder. Another factor he owed to the Sprite... Artemis had been far too unwell to get work. "... I'm okay, honestly," He insisted, forcing his smile to be a lot warmer then he was currently feeling. "I don't feel the cold too badly." He gave a nod, as though this set his sentence as fact, although it was far from it. His mutation was very much affected by colder temperatures, as it made it difficult to fly... Although since Artemis had little intention on flying any time soon, that wasn't too much of an issue.

Artemis averted his gaze a moment, slowly rubbing his upper arms. "... I'll just go and hang out in a shop. That'll help," He spoke quickly; He was partly afraid of mentioning the Academy, since by stating he went to the school it confirmed his mutant status...
And he wasn't sure on what the girl's thoughts were regarding his kind. He then glanced back to her, smiling softly. "Do you... Want to walk with me? Just so we both get warmer." It mustn't be helping the poor girl to be stood there talking to him, and she certainly must need the warmth more then him... It saddened his heart, how a girl with what seemed to have such a kind nature ended up begging... His twin had ended up on the streets for some time, but then Lucy generally had a far less friendly disposition. Maybe he could find out what had happened to her, how life had pushed the girl with hair like holly berries onto the street?
He bowed his head a little. "... You don't have to, but I'd appreciate the company, even for a short while."

[Nonie Savage]

He was lying again, Nonie could see it. She had half a mind to call him out on it, but this wasn't one of her friends back at the building. Nonie was pretty sure this boy wasn't going through addiction. So she held her tongue, but her doubt probably showed on her face. He was even rubbing his arms when he looked away, a clear sign of being cold! Nonie was glad when he mentioned he would go in a shop though.

Although his next question had her blinking in surprise. Her fear snapped at her. Would the boy remember her better from this? Would she become a memory afterwards? Yet, one look at him and he just looked so cold. An inner battle was waging within her as he went on. But finally her worry own out and she nodded. "I... I'll walk with you. But...." Her she paused before quickly undoing her extra out layer jacket and taking it off. Then she wrapped it around the boy and stepped back, a little nervous and embarrassed, but determined too.

"Y-You wear that until we get there. I'm, ah.... I'm really used to the cold." She stated with a light shrug. Really, she was. It came from living in a building with no heater, and from spending nights outside.

[Artemis James]

Artemis could tell by the look in the girl's silver eyes that she could see right through his words. Artemis had never been a great lier, and it wasn't something he really wanted to be any good at; He simply didn't want to be some sort of bother to the poor girl. Artemis was feeling the icy touch of the dip in temperature more then he thought he would, likely caused by the knock his immune system and body took while in hospital. He shouldn't have ventured out of the Academy on his own so soon since being discharged... But he'd wanted to push himself. Franck had told him to be careful, to take it one step at a time... But Artemis had always been stubborn.
He snapped his gaze back up at her as she answered him, nerves in her voice, and began to take off her outer layer jacket. He blinked with wide eyes as she draped the garment over his shoulders, barely able to believe the level of kindness this woman had just gone to, when she was in the presumed situation she was in and he was a stranger to her. "N-No, please, it's okay!" He spoke quickly, his heart sinking at the idea that she would suffer being cold for his sake. He stood up from the bench, grabbing hold of the jacket as it almost slipped off his shoulders. "I can't, you'll be cold-" He then fell silent as she went on, her words although reassuring, caused Artemis's heart to sink so far he could have sworn it hit the pavement. She... Really must have no home... Or at least spent most of her time outside. She didn't look like she was any sort of addict, and having a twin who had frequented drugs, Artemis knew some of the signs... He could be wrong, but she didn't strike him as such. Why was she on the streets then?
Had she been kicked out by her family? Perhaps she was a mutant too, and they didn't favour that? Although of course there were a multitude of other potential reasons.

Artemis bowed his head, pulling the jacket tighter around himself; It was warm, and it had already begun to stem the shake to his body. "... Okay. But only until we get somewhere warmer," He gave a nod, before casting her a humbled smile. "Thank you. I've not been long out of hospital, and I think I may have pushed myself a bit too hard." He paused a moment, realising he'd not given her his name yet. "I'm Artemis," He then began to adjust the jacket, slipping his arms into the sleeves; It was significantly warm. "A girl's name, I know. Mom-" He paused then. His relationship with his Mother was... Practically nonexistent now. Still, it wasn't something to bring up here. "Thought it sounded unusual. Didn't think to check if it was a boy's name." He gave a weak chuckle, before blinking at her. "What's... What's your name? ... If you... If you don't want to say, that's okay." Artemis knew that most people who called the streets their home didn't want to go by their real name, or didn't want it known for a variety of reasons.

[Nonie Savage]

Nonie shook her head when he started protesting, staying firm in her decision. The boy looked far too cold and Nonie could easily handle it. Although when she mentioned that, the boy looked like he had been hit in the gut with a sledgehammer. Nonie had no clue exactly why he looked like that, although she had a bit of an idea. "I'm fine. Really." She reassured him.

She was glad to see him pull the jacket around himself tighter, and admittedly happy when he swore to return it once they got inside. She really didn't have that many good jackets. And wait did he just say he got out of the hospital recently? "Wait if you're ill then you shouldn't--" But he was already going on and giving him name. It was a little strange, but Nonie had heard stranger. He mentioned something about his mother, but his expression warped a little when he mentioned her. Was there bad blood there then?

Nonie would've gotten concerned if not for the sudden icy tightening when he asked for her name. He did say she didn't have to give it, but the fact he had asked made Nonie's fear loom anyhow. Still, she felt he should at least call her something. "N-Natalie." She said, the lie coming so easily.

[Artemis James]

Artemis knew now he shouldn't have ventured out so soon since leaving hospital, at least not without a friend to help support him. The cold was harsher then he had expected, his coat too thin and then the panic attack hadn't aided the situation. Artemis was a naturally determined soul, had the thought of just holing himself up in his room felt like a waste of time; He wanted to get well... He wanted to get stronger. Maybe then the idea of using his wings wouldn't fill him with such dread.

The girl assured him she was fine, and seemed adamant she wasn't going to let him return the jacket right off; Still, Artemis would try and find somewhere suitable to get warmed up as quickly as possible... She surely needed the garment far more then he did, although he was beyond grateful for her kindness. "Thank you... Natalie," He replied softly, glad that she gave him a name, although by the slight stutter to her voice he doubted it was her real name. He then cast her a small, sheepish smile. "I'm okay, honestly, though. If I don't push myself, I won't get stronger." He gave a small nod, before he began to walk slowly, taking a few steps until he was beside her; He kept his smile bright as he blinked his blue eyes at the redhead, his eyebrows knitted together slightly with concern for the girl; The cold seemed to be picking up, so Artemis was eager now to get somewhere warmer, for her sake. "... We could head towards the mall. At least there's a lot of warmer places there. Would that be okay?" At least the town's large shopping centre wasn't too far, and maybe he could thank Natalie with a coffee, if she would allow him to; Artemis could tell she was nervous, which made her kind actions all the more significant; She was clearly afraid to some degree, yet still had treated him warmly.

[Nonie Savage]

Nonie only nodded when he used her fake name. She couldn't tell anyone her real name. They might ask for her then. A fake name was better: safe. If they asked for Natalie they wouldn't get Nonie. They'd get someone else, or no one at all. Although she didn't focus on this so much when the boy started talking again. "Yes but... it's dangerous for you to push yourself when the weather's like this." She insisted. Curse her big sister complex. it really was going to get her remembered one day; and then trouble would follow.

The mall? Nonie thought on that. The mall might let someone like her inside, unlike the other shops. It was fairly close too. Nonie glanced at him and nodded, pulling her hood a little lower and ignoring the chill settling in around her. "That would be... fine. They might not force me off the property on sight." She said with a shrug before she started off, glancing back at Artemis. "We should start now then to get there and warm faster."

[Artemis James]

Artemis bowed his head slightly as the girl he knew as Natalie scolded him a little for having ventured out into the cold so soon after leaving hospital. As much as he didn't want to admit it, she was right; Franck had said the same, and as determined as Artemis was to recover to his former level of health, rushing it would do no one any good. Artemis knew that however as much as he knew his friends and the warm hearted redhead were only thinking in his best interest, he simply didn't want to burden them with concern. The quicker he recovered, the less they would worry.

"I know... I just was so tired of being indoors," He spoke softly with a gentle sigh, although he kept a smile on his face. "I miss being around people." He blinked after her when she began to walk forward, his heart sinking miserably at her words as his smile faded; He quickly averted his eyes so she didn't see, although he was fairly certain she would have caught his shift in expression. Force her off of the property? ... Lucy must have suffered through the same thing, going into shops, being kicked back out into the cold... For someone like Natalie, for her to avoid going home... There must be a harrowing reason why.
Seeing her walking ahead, Artemis hurried after her until he could walk side by side with his new companion. His borrowed coat was warming him, vending off the cold...And as much as he was beyond thankful for it Artemis knew that despite the girl's protests, that she must be feeling the cutting edge of the wind. "... Thank you again," He spoke humbly, slipping his hands into the jacket's pockets. "... I've... Not been long been back in Kalispell. It's grown so much since I was last here... Do you remember what it was like before?" Artemis wanted to find out a little about the redhead, but at the same time, he didn't want to upset or frighten her; What if someone was after her? ... It would explain the fake name... Or maybe she was just afraid? Afraid of people? He didn't blame her...
The world seemed to have gained a far more unstable society as of late.

[Nonie Savage]

When he head bowed a little from her scolding, Nonie's expression softened. She always felt bad when she had to scold someone, but it was always for their own good. Even with his explaination. "That might be but still." She pointed out, giving him a little smile in return. "I'm sure you've got plenty of people who would be happy to visit you instead. Then you could stay warm." She added. She started walking forward, but she did catch the shift in his expression. Was something wrong? Did Nonie do something? "Are.....you ok?" She asked, glancing at him with concern while they walked together.

She could feel the wind, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it would be yet. She was fine with this temperature. All she did was keep her hands in her pockets as she walked. It was better for the boy to be warm than her. "It's nothing.... Really." She insisted, smiling a little for a breif second before looking forward again. But then he mentioned not being in Kalispell long and asking about how it changed. Nonie blinked and tried to think on that, idly reaching one hand up to mess with the drawstrings of her hoodie. "Um...... I've only been here for three years so..... I-it's definitely gotten a lot bigger since I came. The whole, ah, mutant school thing really brought tourists in. Ah..... Other then that, I-I'm not too sure." She admitted. She wasn't really sure how exactly to answer him. She knew a lot about the city from how much she had to navigate it. There were areas to avoid, shops that kicked her out, shops that let her in, people to avoid, kind people who gave her money, and so much more. But she didn't think he was looking for that, and it wasn't something Nonie would share with just anyone.

[Artemis James]

Artemis knew there were a few he could visit, but frankly he didn't wish to impose on them any more then he had to. They welcomed him, sure, and artemis knew if he asked they would deny feeling as though he was any sort of burden... But still, he couldn't help feeling as though somewhere deep down they were all eager for him to recover. Not just for his sake, but so they could stop worrying as much. This had been a field test... An attempt to push himself a little further into normality; He wanted to be able to feel as though he could venture into town alone without having to worry about the fatigue... Without having to worry about feeling weak, or risking a panic attack. Artemis just wanted to feel normal again.

"I'm fine," Artemis quickly piped up, not wanting to worry her, casting her a small smile. He then found himself blinking curiously as he listened intently to her comments on the town; So, she had been here for a few years... Had she spent that entire time on the streets? Then she mentioned the mutant school... She didn't seem to bring it up with any sort of distain or disgust, which implied she either supported mutants or didn't much care either way. Artemis bit his bottom lip, moving his gaze to the pavement ahead; Should he mention what he was? Was it even necessary for him to bring it up?
"... Um. Yes, the mutant school has been a big draw for people," He spoke honestly, giving a nod. "Did you... Have any idea they existed? Before the announcement?" He glanced to her; By all accounts, this young woman was a stranger... Why should he care what she thought of his kind? And yet, he did care. Natalie seemed to be an honestly good hearted person... Surely she would look upon mutants kindly?

[Nonie Savage]

Even though he said he was fine, Nonie really didn't believe him. He had just looked so.... sad. It made her big sister complex flare up and her protectiveness of this boy grow. She did return his smile a little, but she didn't believe his at all. But then he was asking about the city and she told him a little bit. She didn't want to go too far into detail, and she doubted he would have wanted her to anyways. they kept walking but Nonie noticed his expression right before he mentioned the mutant school. Did she know about it?

Nonie thought for a while, debating whether or not she should tell him. It wouldn't be too terrible, right? Would it make her more memorable though? "I....I did. Well....One day when I was ah..... I had to run away f-from some....people and.... found myself at the school. They were.... v-very nice." She said. Hopefully the one who had been so kind didn't remember her now, but Nonie was thankful for it. "I'm happy they helped me."