That's a Bold Move, Let's See if it Pays Off

[Kara Singer]

Kara smiled as Tim went on about Batman and some other super heroes. He made good points. "Hey, do you think anyone here considers themselves superheroes? It'd be kind of strange if they did... I mean, who would we save? The world outside of here isn't exactly the most accepting of our kind..."

She stared at the chess piece she had set in front of her. If only she could consider herself capable of saving a life... Or of anyone saving a life with their abilities - rather than destroying one - than maybe... Maybe she wouldn't be so afraid of herself and the people around her. It was a nice thought, but not one worth dwelling upon.

"Well, I think that's how humans feel about their talents, too. I mean, I know I felt that way about myself before I knew I had powers. Someone might be really good a drawing, but always wish they could be better at singing and believe that would be more useful or more impressive or make them happier. It's human nature. We may not be 100 percent human, but we still have the same tendencies. We were humans before we knew that we weren't, right?" Kara paused and wondered if that sounded right. Oh well. "Anyway... I think the only people who wouldn't see it that way are the people who are arrogant and full of themselves. They think that they have the greatest ability ever and no one can beat them, etc. etc. But, even then... I believe at some point someone would come along and make them begin to doubt. So, yes. I believe we will always question those types of things. It's not a perfect world, Tim. There's no such thing as perfection."

[Tim Tawfeek]

"I think I've heard about people who want to be superheroes, but who knows," said Tim, shrugging. It was hard to believe that someone hadn't come up with an idea like that yet. All these abilities they had, you'd think at least one person would have the ability to do something like a superhero. Heck, Tim personally knew a few that would work out great as heroes.

Of course, they'd have to realize it first. As Kara pointed out, people didn't seem to realize themselves. It all sounded kinda negative to Tim, the kind of stuff he argued against on his blog. Then again, that was the blogger version of himself, which never quite felt like it meshed up with him, despite all Tim's efforts to make it. He was an awkward bundle of nerves everywhere else, after all.

"I dunno, I've seen some people who look pretty perfect to me," said Tim, chuckling a little. He glanced around for a bit, then back at Kara. "Should we actually try playing another game of chess? Maybe you'll be all distracted now and I won't lose like a big fat loser." Though Tim said it in a way that hinted that losing again really wouldn't have bothered him that much. It happened, and he already knew he sucked at stuff, why dwell on it?

[Kara Singer]

Kara forced a small, fake smile when Tim said some people look perfect to him. She wished that someone would think that highly of her. Perhaps someday someone would. She was still young. She had time.

"Sure, we can go another round if you'd like," she said, setting up the rest of the pieces on her side of the board. "As long as you aren't afraid to lose again. It would be a shame to have to tell the bats that you lost twice." she smirked.

"I'll even let you go first." ...Was Kara making a friend? It had been so long since she had someone to call a friend. It would be refreshing to finally have a companion after years of solitude. But, then again... With what happened to the last one... She visibly shook the thoughts away. Her sister was not here. It wouldn't happen again. She was safe. Her friends, if she had any, would be safe.

"So, Tim... Aside from playing a terrible game of chess and talking to bats... What do you do in your free time. What do you enjoy?" Kara wasn't very good at this. It had been so long since she'd been in public, she didn't really remember how to make friends. She figured trying to get to know them better by asking questions about themselves would be a good first step. Or at least, she hoped.

[Tim Tawfeek]

That smile looked a little weird, but Tim wasn't one to pry, at least, not face to face. No, Tim was far more likely to notice something, study it, and then report it to a larger community with the hope that someone out there had more bravery then him and was willing to do what was necessary.

They'd play another round, and Tim chuckled, nodding his acceptance of her terms. He shifted the board to take white, reaching for a piece. As his fingers touched the piece though, he had to chuckle. "Sorry," he said, looking at Kara through his glasses, "I'm just used to playing black. Stupid, I know."

He moved his piece, beginning. Aside from playing a terrible game of chess, what did he do? He shrugged his shoulders. "What most people do, I guess. Post on Facebook. School. Oh, wait, free time. I run this blog thing. Clean Laundry. Going against Dirty Laundry," he purposefully made this sound like it was no big deal, even waving a hand as if to dismiss his "little project." He couldn't help but look smug though, even as he adjusted in his seat. "Nothing big."

[Kara Singer]

Kara couldn't help but smile at Tim's comment as he went to retrieve the white pieces. It was a real smile. She even laughed a bit. Internally, that through her off. It had been awhile since she genuinely smiled, let alone laughed. But, Tim was a funny guy, and she felt comfortable in his presence.

She had heard a little bit about Dirty Laundry before, but had never bothered to check it out. "I've never heard about your blog before. I'll have to check it out sometime. Maybe I'll find something about myself in there..." She let out a small laugh. "I'm kidding, of course. But, what type of topics do you address?"

As she was asking, Kara begun to wonder why she cared so much to keep talking to this boy and asking him questions. It was out of character for her, but she couldn't really seem to help it. Come to think of it, Tim reminded her a little bit of Anthony.

A memory flashed into her head of when she was younger. Anthony had come over to help her with her math homework, which she was terrible at. But, he was so patient with her. Looking back now, she couldn't believe anyone that young could be so patient trying to get someone to understand something. But, that was Anthony. Ever since the day she met him, she wanted to marry him.

Kara tried to push the thoughts away. Children thought and said silly things. It was normal for her to dream of getting married at that age. All little girls love to think of themselves in a beautiful white dress with all eyes on them. And Anthony was the only boy she really knew, so it made sense that he was the object of that fantasy.

Tim may have reminded her of Anthony, but she obviously wasn't thinking of marrying him or even thinking of him romantically. However, maybe... Just maybe, she was making a new friend. Something she hadn't had in a very, very long time.

[Tim Tawfeek]

"You never know: all kinds of people show up," said Tim, chuckling a little. "I talk about all kinds of stuff. Mostly I fend off DL, but I've talked about other stuff. Rumors around school, stuff happening with mutants, sometimes bigger stuff. I just want people to be aware."

Tim shrugged. That wasn't everything, of course. He also wanted people to be aware of him specifically. When you didn't have a big name or a flashy power, you had to make a name for yourself somehow. True, so far Tim was mostly known for a vid where he flew a glider into a tree and then left it there, but you had to start somewhere. Just like with friendships and stuff. This did feel a bit like a start, though Tim still wasn't sure what to do with Kara.

Then again, the game was just starting, wasn't it?

{we could probly end it there if ya want. Gives us a good place to stop and we could easily do a followup sometime soonish if you wanted}

[Kara Singer]

[[Sounds good to me!]]