Today's Broadcast (tagged)

[Natalie Smith]

Clear, chilly blue skies. Now if that wasn't a breath of fresh air, Natalie didn't know what would be. Although she was high up in the sky, enjoying the view and crispness of the air. Sure it was cold, but honestly it was worth it. Stretching her wings in the winter was always harder to do with the snow and chill, but today was clear and relatively "warm" in comparison to the other days. Natalie was going to take full advantage of that while she could. However, even as thickly clothed as she was, eventually she started descending back down to earth. Besides, she had been here for a reason other than flying.....well she had been initially anyways.

But details, details. She'd remember later anyways. For now she touched down back on earth and folded her wings into her back, smiling happily even as she saw her breath mist in front of her. "Hello there Bellefonte." She remarked, her smile turning into a smirk as she looked over her old school. Ah yes, Bellefonte. The grand academy for mutants and her lovely highschool. She'd had some good memories here, mostly involving flying and photography. Still, it was nice and she had a few friends still.

Although nowadays it wasn't as peaceful as it had been. Things had certainly stirred since mutants had been made known to the rest of the world, with Bellefonte as the epicenter of everything. Now it felt awfully like it was waiting, preparing for some incoming storm that Natalie just had to see. There were plenty of things that could happen. She'd heard quite a lot about the changes to her little school and the little-now-big town. How exciting!

But now wasn't the time for that. Instead she hurried inside, stomping off the snow from her boots. However she was then aware she wasn't alone. Glancing up from brushing off some stray snowflakes, she flashed her sudden companion a bright smile. "Well hello there! Bit chilly out there huh?" She stated more than actually asked, now smirking.

[Gemma Dove]

The harsh grip of winter was very much still on Kalispell, so despite the warm layers the blonde reporter was wrapped up in, she was still eager to get inside and fend off the season's chill. With her pink wool coat all buttoned up and her long, fluffy scarf wrapped tightly around her neck, Gemma hurried across the courtyard, her boots clacking on the cobwebs of frost which stretched out across the stone slabs which made up the courtyard. She slipped through the Academy's doors, her smile turning sunny as the warmth of the school's heating fought off the onslaught from outside. "Brr!" Gemma pouted, brushing off the small amount of snowflake accumulation from her shoulders; She then snapped her gaze to her companion when she spoke, blinking at the other girl before giggling, her bell like laugh practically beaming from her person. "You're telling me! I think it's been one of the coldest winters this year."

Gemma didn't outright recognise the female, which was unusual for her; She did try to keep tabs on new students or staff that crossed Bellefonte's threshold. The blonde's curious contemplation was however stalled for a fleeting moment as Gemma caught sight of a highly unusual sight... Even for a school for mutants.
"Oh. My. Goodness!" Gemma declared, hurrying to move round the young woman to get a better look at the angelic wings protruding from her companion's back. The blonde's eyes were bright and wide with awe. "You have wings! I've never seen a mutant with wings like these before! They're gorgeous!"
Physical mutations were far rarer then other manifestations of the gene, and even then it was a rare case that they produced something as stunning as the wings this girl had. The reporter stood staring for some moments, before she gasped, taking a step back with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, that was really rude of me!" She spoke quickly, waving her hands in front of herself defensively; She hoped she hadn't offended the girl. She then gave a bright grin, offering out her gloved hand. "I'm Gemma, Gemma Dove. I didn't mean to stare, I've just not seen anything like those before."

[Natalie Smith]

The other girl's appearance alone was enough to make Natalie smile. She looked so utterly huddled up in the little coat, all covered in snow too. Then came the giggle, which only solidified Natalie's opinion that whoever her companion was: she was adorable. "I think you just might be right." Natalie readily agreed, having been up in the air without anything to buffer the winds. But then her fellow frozen-escapee paused and stared, exhaling three words before rounding the elder blonde. Natalie blinked and followed he other girl with her head before chuckling. Ah yes of course, the wings. Natalie had gotten very used to this sort of reaction when someone saw them. She chuckled, allowing them to extend a little bit for the other girl's benefit.

"Thank you very much, miss." Natalie said with a smile. Truth be told she hadn't met someone with wings like her either. It was sad, but not the end of the world. Only made Natalie feel just a bit more special, or something like that. The other girl certainly seemed to think so, staring for a bit while Natalie's smile turned into a growing smirk. She laughed heartily when the girl apologized, turning and shaking her head. "It's perfectly fine! Honestly, all you did was look. I can understand it's not something you see everyday, even here." She stated. When the hand was offered, Natalie took it and shook it firmly, grinning.

"Natalie Smith, at your service." She introduced with a playful wink. "And really, it was nothing offensive." She added before dropping her hand. "So what do you say to heading inside and getting something to eat? I haven't been here for quite a while, and I'm curious if the food's gotten any better."

[Gemma Dove]

Gemma had crossed paths with a few mutants who displayed physical mutant characteristics, but nothing like Natalie's. Gemma was thoroughly fascinated, and was delighted when the other girl had extended her angelic limbs out in order for her to get a better look. While they were stunning, Gemma couldn't help but feel a touch sorry for the poor thing... Mutants with physical mutations suffered the blunt of the hate from those who frowned upon their kind. Gemma was lucky her own ability was easy enough to hide; Not that she felt she should hide it, but in the world's current unstable social state, it was more accommodating to be able to hide being a mutant at times.

"Your mutation is pretty rare!" Gemma spoke rapidly, her excitement causing her to trip over her words slightly. "I've spoken to and interviewed a number of mutants with physical mutations, but I've never seen anything like yours." She then gave a bright nod, before delightedly shaking Natalie's hand when the girl took her offered one. She giggled at the female's wink. "It's wonderful to meet you Natalie!" She then blinked at the winged girl's offer, before a sunshine bright grin spread across her face. "I'd LOVE to!" She declared, before gesturing for the girl to follow her; Well, she had just said that she hadn't been there in some time.
"Were you a student here? Are you a new teacher?" Gemma asked quickly, smiling at the girl as she pulled off her gloves, pushing them into her coat pocket. It seemed there had been a recent influx in old Bellefonte students returning to Kalispell... Maybe it was the boom in the town's economy, or maybe it was the sense of belonging they felt near the school; Since mutants had been announced to the world, the academy had gradually become a beacon... It meant fellow mutants. It meant family. It meant home.

She then went to her wool hat, pulling it off with a flourish before pouting; Her blonde curls had poofed up in an almost poodle like cloud of hair. "... Family trait. My brother calls it the poodle curse. Humidity and hats... My worst enemies." She then began to attempt to smooth the curls into a roughly tidy state.

[Natalie Smith]

Now wasn't this gal the cutest thing? She was talking so quickly, Natalie had to marvel how her sentences didn't come out as complete gibberish. She must've been quite the chatterbox, or just good at forming her words at such a high speed. She was good with her handshake too, which was a relief. "Wonderful to meet cutie such as yourself." Natalie said, her smirk still ever-present and playful. The girl agreed to meeting over some food readily enough, and even stated leading the way while asking a question. Natalie tucked her wings back in and followed after the girl, amused and cheerful.

"I used to be a student here. Decided to come back and visit since everything seemed to have gone all haywire since mutants because a thing to the outside world." She replied with a nonchalant shrug. "That and, well, I like it here." She really did, if she was being honest with herself. Bellefonte was a nice school, and had been a place where Natalie could be herself. Of course, with word out now it didn't really matter. but Natalie's attention was temporarily diverted when her companion took off her hat. the sight of the poof of hair had Natalie grinning widely.

"nah, I get you. It's cute though, don't worry." She assure the girl with a smile, hands on her hips. "Not many gals can walk away from a hat without having some havoc wrecked on their hair. You're not along." She added with a nod.

[Gemma Dove]

Gemma adored meeting new people, especially those as fascinating as the blonde she'd stumbled across. Maybe if she asked nicely, Natalie would allow her to use her as a feature of one of her mutant articles; Since their kind had been thrust into the spotlight, Gemma had been trying show the world the "human" side to mutants through her articles. It was a small thing in the grand scheme of things at this stage, but even if one person's opinion was shifted due to one of her pieces... Then she'd made a difference.

"A cutie?!" Gemma blinked, a small pink tint seeping into her cheeks with a small giggle; Gemma was glad her compliment had only been a small one... Embarrassment at high levels often triggered her ability and her entire face and hair would turn a soft shade of pink. "Aww, you're too kind, Miss.Angel." She then fell silent as she listened to Natalie with curious eyes, giving a nod as she continued to untangle and smooth out her curled locks. "You're not the only one. Quite a few old students have returned recently," She then clasped her hands together with a soft sigh, looking up to the ceiling of the prestigious Bellefonte school. "This Academy is like a home, you know? There isn't many places that accept our kind so readily, so to walk in somewhere and feel perfectly at ease is a comfort."

She then looked back to her new companion, her sunny smile beaming; She couldn't help but glance to the girl's wings every now and then; They were stunning. "So, what do you plan on doing now that you're here?" She questioned. "I'm a reporter down at Kalispell's newspaper, so if you're looking for work, I might be able to help get you something at the newspaper offices... Depending on your skills. That's if you fancy that, of course." Her smile then widened, and she placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Don't worry, they're all very mutant friendly there!"

[Natalie Smith]

She even blushed cutely. Natalie had half a mind to snatch the girl away for herself, but that was a little too villainesque for her taste. She wasn't some vulture. Although apparently she was an angel, according to this girl. Natalie smirked a little at that. Fallen angel was probably closer. But then Natalie was talking and the girl surprisingly listened. So maybe some kids still had manners after all. And information apparently. Other old students returning to the school? It was like moths being drawn to a flame; a much more macabre thought then the girl's explanation. "It certainly is. I like keeping my wings out whenever I can, cept that might spook some people."

The girl's little glances were pretty obvious. Natalie had to chuckle a little. "You know, you can touch them if you're so curious." She offered easily, shrugging and letting her wings shift a little on her back. But then hello what was this? A reporter? Natalie's ears perked up as she listened to the girl speak first, not minding the hand on her shoulder. "As luck would have it, I'm a photographer. I've worked with a newspaper before too. I wouldn't mind working a bit with you if you need a good photographer." Natalie offered with a smile.

"As for your question; not too much. Revisit nostalgia, see how the school was going, check out the new bars." Particularly one. "See if I knew anyone still, tour the town, etc. I was juggling with the idea of maybe getting a job and actually staying here." She admitted with another shrug. "So fancy the fact you came along, hmm? Maybe you're the angel here." She teased playfully, smirking. "Trying to get me a job and make me settle."

[Gemma Dove]

"It must be difficult, considering it's harder to hide your ability," Gemma pouted slightly. "My own is far easier to disguise... I can manipulate pigments." She then giggled, holding both of her hands out and waving them a little defensively. "I know it sounds a little lame, but believe me, it's actually pretty awesome. I'm like a kinda chameleon." The blonde considered for a moment to show the girl, but the other blonde distracted the reporter by offering her a chance to touch her wings. Gemma blinked at Natalie, her bright eyes wide. "Are you sure?" She then gave a sunny smile, reached out a hand to gently run her fingers over some of the girl's feathers. They were downy and pillow soft, like newly fallen snow. Gemma gasped, pulling her hand away and giggling. "Goodness, they're gorgeous!" She declared. "You simply must let me interview you sometime for one of my articles."

The reporter then paused. "Wait, photographer?!" She spoke in surprise. What are the odds, that she should run into a photographer in need of work?! Her smile, if that were possible, grew positively luminous. "You would work with me?!!" She suddenly took hold of Natalie's hand, shaking it in a show of appreciation. "Thank you Miss.Angel! I'd love to see some of your work! Do you have a blog, an online portfolio?" The reporter then fell momentarily silent from her fast paced speech, letting go of Natalie's hand and waving a hand at her. "Oh, stop it you!" She giggled, putting her hands onto her slightly pink cheeks. "I'm no angel! I just know what it's like to move to a new place and not know where to begin!" She then took a deep breath, and sighed warmly. "Well, maybe we can discuss potentially working together while we eat?" She turned her gaze from her new friend to a pair of double doors ahead, which led into the extensive Bellefonte Academy canteen. "I hope the food's improved for you since you were last here!"

[Natalie Smith]

"Mostly an annoyance. I can shrink them down and back into my skin, but I much prefer them out." Natalie confessed before listening to Gemma explain her own power. Pigment manipulation huh? Maybe it was Natalie's artistic mind at work, but that hardly sounded lame to her. "It's definitely awesome." Natalie said honestly. "If you could change the pigments on other things, you could make beautiful art." She pointed out. "You could make something no one's ever seen before." She added before the girl grew quiet at Natalie's offer. Chuckling, Natalie gave the girl a nod before extending her wings a little for the girl to touch. She seemed so excited, giggling and making Natalie smile. "Thank you. I'd be alright with an interview if you really want."

Although her admission at being a photographer brought a pause and a repeat. "Yep." Natalie assured before Gemma's smile practically turned blinding. Without a second to react, Natalie's hand was being eagerly shook by the younger blonde. Natalie couldn't help but laugh at the younger girl's enthusiasm, giving her a playful pat on Gemma's now rosy cheek. "Well judging by how sweet and enthusiastic you seem to be about this, then yes I'd love to show you some of my work and maybe work together, angel." Natalie said. "And denying that you're an angel only proves it further." But when she mentioned food, Natalie nodded in agreement. "Sounds good, and I hope it's improved! Although beating what I used to eat wouldn't be too hard." She joked, heading inside and holding the door for Gemma.

[Gemma Dove]

Gemma was beyond pleased that her newfound friend thought her ability was something to be impressed by; There was mutants who had far more spectacular and useful powers then her own in her opinion, but she still throughly loved what she could do. She was perhaps even more thrilled however with the agreement of Natalie for an interview; It was about time for another one of her pieces on mutants, and with Natalie's stunning and rare mutation, it was sure to cause a stir.

Gemma blinked her eyes rapidly when the other girl patted her pink tinted cheek, giggling when Natalie called the girl an angel; She'd never been called that before, and she couldn't help her cheeks flushing a deeper pink. "Goodness, no, really, I'm no angel!"
She protested, the deep pink of her cheeks seeping into the pigmentation of her golden curls, turning a few a warm candyfloss pink. She couldn't help it; While usually control of her ability was fairly easy, especially since the SPRITE, on occasion emotions such as embarrassment often triggered an involuntary shift in her pigmentation. The blonde pouted, closing her eyes a moment, shifting the pink back into their usual golden hue; She hoped the other girl hadn't noticed. Once the door was opened for her, Gemma delightedly walked forward, performing a small playful curtsy to her companion in thanks, before heading into the canteen.

The food hall at Bellefonte Academy was huge, mostly since it had to cater for not only a large student populace, but college students too as well as the staff. It was generally well kept, although with being an Academy for kids with powers it often got in a poor state; Thankfully today, it seemed rather tidy. It was busy, with a number of students and teachers already taking up various tables.
Gemma put her hands on her hips, scanning the area, before pointing out a small table close by. "How about that one?!" She smiled brightly, looking over to Natalie. "What do you fancy eating? I don't mind getting you lunch... A welcome home, if you will."

[Natalie Smith]

Natalie's reply was met with giggling and more blushing. This time the blush seemed to extend a bit to the girl's hair. How very interesting! Her ability seemed to be tied to her emotions, or at least it looked that way. Natalie had to wonder if Gemma's whole body could go pink if she got embarrassed enough. "Somehow I don't believe you." Natalie replied, smirking playfully before holding open the door for Gemma. She noted that the girl's hair color had returned to normal, but said nothing. Besides, Natalie was too busy smiling at the little curtesy thrown in once the younger blonde had passed.

The dining hall looked essentially the same. Perhaps a little fancier. Natalie couldn't remember how the room itself had been, just the things she ate here. She scanned it though, noticing the empty table just as Gemma pointed it out. "That would be perfect." She stated before turning her head to the girl. She smiled brightly at the offer of food. "Thank you Gemma. As for what to eat," Natalie shrugged as her smile became a smirk, "Surprise me. I'll eat just about anything. You do that and I'll save our table, deal?" Natalie asked, hands on her hips and head tilted slightly to the side.

[Gemma Dove]

Gemma gave an agreeing nod, before she playfully saluted, giving her companion a wink. "You got it!" She smiled. "I'll see what I can do for you!" The blonde then bounded off towards the where the food was dispensed, a slight upbeat in her step. Gemma was a natural social butterfly, and adored crossing paths with new people who could potentially grow into dear companions; She may have only just met the pretty girl with angelic wings, but Gemma had already decided that she was a friend. It was a bonus that she was a photographer... The reporter had been eager to get hold of someone skilled in photography to help her with her articles. While currently Kalispell was relatively quiet, Gemma felt as though it was the calm before the storm... It was only a matter of time before tensions rose, and she needed to do what she could in order to document it and attempt to promote peace among the two fractions of humans and mutants. Maybe she was wrong... She certainly hoped she was... But the way aggression against mutants was growing, it wasn't looking good.

Gemma crossed her arms across her chest once she reached the food, putting a finger to her lips in thought; What would Natalie enjoy? The reporter herself favoured the more homely options, ones that reminded her of home; She was a family girl. She made her choice, paying for the food and delicately carrying it back to the table on a tray. She dodged a few rowdy students who almost crashed into her, before placing the tray with a flourish onto the table. "Ta da!" She smiled, waving her hands over the food as though she'd just performed a magic trick. "Hot homemade chicken soup and bread!" She then began to remove the plates from the tray, placing Natalie's in front of her along with cutlery. "I do hope you like it. It's just what you need on a cold day like today. The good ol' Bellefonte soup will warm your bones!" She placed her own in front of a chair beside her companion, before pushing the tray to the other side of the table so it wouldn't be in their way. "If you don't like it i can always grab you something else," Gemma spoke warmly, as she began to undo the buttons on her pink coat, revealing a pastel mint jumper underneath.

[Natalie Smith]

Natalie watched the girl go and shook her head with a smile on her face. Gemma was so enthusiastic and such a ball of sunshine. It was rare to see, especially when it was genuine. Natalie had half a mind to take a picture of the girl herself to capture such a rarity. However that reminded Natalie of the girl's previous question and she got out her phone to find some of her own photographs. Eventually she found one she had taken of the Seychelles Archipelago she'd taken a while ago. That seemed good enough to show the girl.

And just in time too. A tray was placed before Natalie with a flourish, and she had to smile at the girl's intoxicatingly of her food. "No no, it's perfect. Thank you." She assured Gemma with a chuckle. She kept her own jacket off because her wings were still out. She wasn't overheated anyhow. Once Gemma sat down, Natalie slide her phone over with the photo up. "You said you wanted to see a picture of mine, so here's one. I only have a few saved on my phone and the rest are elsewhere." She stated with a shrug before grabbing a spoon and eating her soup.

[Gemma Dove]

Gemma continued to unbutton her pink coat, slipping her arms out and draping it on the back of her seat. She smiled excitedly, eager to see the other girl's work; With those wings of hers, she could take some stunning shots that most people would never be able to. Upon taking her phone that was slid over to her, Gemma found herself blinking in awe at the beautiful image on the screen.

The ocean had never looked so perfectly blue... It was a paradise, and Natalie's angle and composition made it all the more heavenly. "This is... Gorgeous!" Gemma declared, before looking to her companion, her sunshine smile practically gleaming as she slid the phone back over to Natalie. "You really took that?! You have such talent!" The blonde then settled back, taking hold of her soap bowl to place it closer to herself. "You know, I'd be honoured to work with you," She spoke warmly, taking hold of her spoon, pointing at Natalie with it as she spoke. "You've come along at the perfect time, Miss.Angel! I was in need of a photographer. I mean, there's a few back at the newspaper, but I really want someone I can have as my go to." She gave a nod, before gathering up some of the soup, slipping the first spoonful into her mouth. Bellefonte chicken soup was a cure all, Gemma was almost certain; A few times she was sure it had been a major factor in her overcoming a cold at a faster pace then usual. "Would you mind going with me to an event sometime, and we can work together?" Gemma continued once she taken in a few spoonfuls. "I'll pay you, of course." She smiled brightly.

[Natalie Smith]

Natalie smirked at the eagerness on the younger blonde's face when she slide the phone over. Admittedly her heart swelled when Gemma reacted so positively to the picture. That right there, that expression of wonder, was what Natalie lived for. She wanted to capture beauty in her photos so people could react like that. It was a wonderful thing to see. "Thanks angel." She said with a chuckle, taking the phone back. "But yep there's a sample of my work. I do love doing aerial shots." She admitted with a shrug. She had wings. It was pretty much self-explanatory.

"I'd love working with you too, angel." Natalie responded with a smile before eating a bit more of her soul. Her eyes went back up to Gemma when she spoke, and the elder blonde chuckled. "Your go to, huh? Now you're just flattering me." She teased playfully. It was a nice compliment though, in a way. Her go to photographer huh? Always nice to hear. They both ate in silence for a bit, and Natalie got started on some of the other food on her plate when Gemma spoke up again. Attend an event together? She'd even pay Natalie? Natalie couldn't fight off the smile that grew on her face.

"Sure thing angel. Tell you what, since you've been such a...well, angel, I'll make the first time free, alright?" Natalie offered. It was rare to meet a kid that seemed so genuinely nice with no ulterior motives. Natalie would try to encourage that. It was refreshing.