Snake Pack

[Addison Sloane]

"Oh." Addison smiled brightly at the new info. You learn something new every day. It made her think of the stingray and how they didn't really have actual bones but cartilage that made them sorta firm. But to find out that snakes actually have ribs as well was quite delightful.

She laughed nervously again but scrunched her nose up cutely when Ghost snaked his tongue out. "That's kinda awesome. I mean I love actual dogs more but to have a pet that is decidedly not a dog but with canine characteristics is super cute." She nodded with hitched breaths.

Ghost might have been a little too excited that she could feel him squeezing her a little tightly. "He's enthusiastic." She chuckled.

[Seiji Lockard]

He felt slightly bad for pointing out that fact to her when she probably didn't really care. Yes it was cartilage but it was still bone, just a different kind of bone. Then again that went into the whole semantics and debates on the matter that had Seiji wondering for a moment but it was not important. He didn't need to talk about it anymore and still felt bad for bringing it up in the first place, recalling that not everyone wanted to hear facts or to know such things.

She did seem interested in snakes but perhaps it was just overall and not the actual breakdown and all that scientifically information. He was just pleased that while she still seemed nervous she was not freaking out. His snakes were still pretty much telling him everything they were picking up about her just from their sense alone. That was why Seiji was thankfully for his ability at times, it allowed him to gain so much knowledge just from being connected to his snakes minds and knowing what they knew. "Thanks and he says thanks too." Seiji said.

Well Ghost said more than thanks but he figured he just keep it short and sweet for now. It didn't even down on Seiji that Ghost could in fact be squeezing her a bit too much since he was all caught up in the moment. He was still slightly 'fan-boying' over the fact that she liked snakes and was fine with all of them; minus one, looking at her. "Yes, just like a puppy. Is he squeezing you too hard or anything? Just let me know and I'll take him off of you?" Seiji asked and the only reason why he asked if she was being squeezed too hard was because he saw Ghost coil around her a little more.

[Addison Sloane]

If Addison knew how badly Seiji felt about that information spewing, she would probably have reassured him that she didn't mind. She loved new information. She loved reading. Hell, she would read the nutritional information off a cereal box if she was bored enough so new information to her was quite important. It fed her curious mind.

"You're so welcome, buddy." She nodded at the snake before turning to Seiji curiously. "Do they like being kissed? Is that a weird thing though? I mean you know how dogs love kisses and such? Does that work on snakes too?" She asked, looking back at Ghost and scrunching up her nose at him again.

Addison held her forefinger and thumb a little close to each other to indicate that Ghost was indeed squeezing her but she waved a dismissive hand in Seiji's direction. "But it's fine. Just make him loosen up a bit." She said with a wide grin. This was such an experience. It was amazing.

[Seiji Lockard]

He really did feel bad; he always did when he would ramble on about something. He never really thought people were all that interested in what he had to say for long. They were all probably just being nice, which he greatly appreciated. Still, it felt good to be able to share his knowledge and sometimes he really could not help himself. Addison didn't seem upset with him so it seemed like everything was alright there. Plus there were the snakes to focus on and making sure that Ghost didn't squeeze her too much.

"Oh Ghost loves any and all forms of affection. Akiko is more of the type that just likes complements and occasional petting. Leevi just likes to be able to wonder over a person’s body and Sapphire prefers to stick to herself." Seiji said. Once more he felt a little bad for oversharing again. He just figured he tell her about them all since they were all right there, even if it was just Ghost currently getting all of Addison's love and attention. Ghost was already moving to try and nuzzle her under her chin, flicking his tongue in his way to give her his own kisses.

If only he had a tongue like a dog, then he could do it properly instead of just being something that was likely tickling her. "As for actual snakes, it really all depends but most of them don't natural like people in their faces, very few wild animals do." Seiji responded. There were exceptions of course, but one had to be careful when getting in the person space of any animal. He gave a nod and told Ghost mentally to loosen his hold. Right away Addison would feel like he was not holding her so tight and Seiji allowed the snake's tail end to wrap around his arm so Ghost still felt a bit more support. Funny how now Addison and Seiji were both stuck with one another now in a way.

[Addison Sloane]

"I can see that." Addison chuckled, affectionately petting Ghost as his head made it's way under her chin. She let out a giggle, another ticklish spot found by the large snake. "Which one is Sapphire again?" She asked, looking on Seiji's person to find the one that kept to itself.

Nodding at the information, Addison nodded and smiled. "Maybe you should open a herpatological club instead of being a teacher." She suggested with a grin. She didn't even realise that she and Seiji were linked by the large snake but even if she did, she wouldn't have minded.

She then realised that they had been standing there long enough that her legs were slowly turning to jelly. "I'm not keeping you from anything am I? I hope not. I just though, holy shit snake! I didn't think to ask if you were heading somewhere else." She laughed, holding a hand up apologetically.

[Seiji Lockard]

Seiji just smiled even more when she was chuckling and even letting out a giggle as Ghost kept giving her all the attention and love that his body could muster without squeezing her. This woman; this Addie, was like an angle for reptiles. Well, specifically for snakes at the moment but all the same she was just so kind. She knew information about snakes, didn't mind a large one giving her attention, and was still hanging around Seiji and his snakes.

This had to be some kind of dream, but then again Seiji had met others that were cool with him and his snakes. There were not many, but there were some and he was happy to have yet another join in with those numbers. Then her next words had his eyes widening a little as her words fully set in his mind and all of his snakes were shocked and amazed that Seiji had not thought of that. Why had he never thought of that? Sure he knew not a lot of people didn't like snakes but what better way to make friends then to start up a club for those who liked reptiles and amphibians.

"I can't believe I never thought of starting up a club. You are a genius, Addie." Seiji said, unable to hold back the excitement in his voice from just thinking about it. He could put it all together; he had the money and skill to do it all. Time was not really on his side, but he was good at making sure to squeeze everything in when he really wanted or needed to. Her next comment had him breaking out of his speeding thoughts about the blub when he realized that he had been basically holding her up as well. "Oh, I'm fine. I can always handle it late but I do apologize if I have been keeping you. Do you need to leave?" Seiji informed her and then asked.

He would feel awful keeping her too long and it was dawning on him standing around holding a snake was not all that pleasant after a certain period of time. He planned to invite her back to his room or a location where she would feel comfortable, but only if she did not have any other plans.

[Addison Sloane]

Addison should be glad that she couldn't read minds, be it of snakes or of men. Much of a scrappy teenager as she always made herself out to be, she was still soft-hearted and could easily be swayed by sweet and kind words or thoughts.

Addison looked at Seiji incredulously. He had four snakes and this fountain of knowledge for them and didn't think to start one? That was bonkers! But she was glad she implanted the idea. She was obviously signing up. "Ah well, I'm known to have good ideas every now and then." She shrugged, dusting off her shoulder before chuckling.

"Nope. I can't even remember what I was walking to or away from to be perfectly honest." She said with a chuckle. Snakes were just...so hypnotising. "Although it would be nice if I could sit down." She smiled up at Seiji expectantly.

[Seiji Lockard]

Seiji honestly could not get over the fact that he had never thought up such a thing. He did understand why it likely never crossed his mind and the simple fact was that he did wonder sometimes if people even liked him. A lot of people didn't like snakes, and then there were people who didn't like authoritative figures, and then those who disliked everything to do with being a mutant. So it was sometimes hard for a guys that owned snakes, power related to snakes, was an authority figure on some levels, and study mutation in order to help with side-effect problems and just understanding power in general; to feel wanted. Not that he didn't feel wanted all the time but it was a feeling that would cross his mind from time to time.

However; he never allowed it to get to him too much because of his work and how at the end of the day he cared about others then himself. Not to say that he didn't take care of himself because he generally was pretty good at eating healthy, excising, cleanliness, working out, and all that good stuff. The only thing what he was really bad at and that was also bad for his health was he did not always get enough sleep as his body needed. "I'm sure you have them often enough. You come off as someone very intelligent and open minded to me." Seiji informed her as he gave a small nod to add assurance to the statement.

He was visible relieved that she was not doing anything important or that he was not holding her up from anything. He could totally understand the desire to sit down and just smiled brightly at her with a few nods of his head. "Of course. Would you like to come back to my room? That way you can still be among my snakes and relax a little. I can even put on a pot of coffee. Or tea if you prefer." Seiji offered as he already worked on removing Ghost off of Addie. Not everyone could handle walking around with such a large snake and Seiji was only good at it thanks to a combination of height and working out.

He of course would wait for her to give him the yay or nay before he would turn to head to his room. If she did not want to come, well he was going to end up heading back to his room anyways, since that was where he was pretty sure he had planned to go from the start.

[Addison Sloane]

Addison chuckled, not knowing if Seiji was being genuine or not. Though even if he crossed an ocean of fire yelling on a bullhorn that he was, it wasn't like the brunette would actually believe him. Ah, self-esteem, thou art a cold-hearted bitch.

When Seiji offered to bring her back to his room, Addison's initial reaction was a bit of shock. This guy was going to be a teacher wasn't he? What was he doing inviting students to his room? Addison was then torn between wanting to still play with the snakes and being in the small confines of a room with someone who was supposed to be a teacher.

She should walk away...right? Why was she so hesitant though? Seiji hadn't done anything so far that alarmed her. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy. Granted he had four snakes with him and if she remembered anything about mythology from her readings, snakes were not pets. That aside, they were all so cute!

Although the thought of being confined in a small space with someone who was going to be a teacher...

She gave Seiji an apologetic smile as she reached out to pet Ghost. "I probably shouldn't." She started. "Nothing to do with you. Well, a little bit to do with you. Just because you're staff. And...well frankly I'm not comfortable being in a room with just one other person. Even though your snakes are probably - " she paused and shook her head. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling. Just...I can't be in a room with just one person." She felt bad. For Seiji and for herself. For herself, mostly because she couldn't continue playing with Ghost and the others.

"Maybe next time, you could bring one of them to the courtyard? Then we can sit where there's more people." Addison wasn't sure why she was trying to compensate. She usually didn't even give a lick of care for people's feelings. Just...Seiji was such a nice guy...

[Seiji Lockard]

Seiji was indeed being genuine, he didn't really know how to be anything but that and was just the kind of person that would tell the truth over a lie any day. Unless he had been asked to keep a secret, then he would lie for the sake of not wanting to break his promise or to hurt anyone. She said nothing on it, so there was no way of him knowing what was going on in her mind, and thus he could not point out that he was being honest and try to cheer her up. As for inviting her back to his room, he saw no harm in it.

His mind was still used to being that of a college student since he had literally just graduated a few months ago and was not yet a teacher. Even still, he thought it was perfectly fine for him to invite a student back to his room because it was on campus and he had no ill intentions. He could understand someone thinking ill if he had a place off campus and invited her there alone, but he was not and she would not be alone. She would have all of his snakes and possibly any of Seiji's roommates if they were in his room at the time as well.

He did of course notice that there was some hesitation there and was already wondering if he had did or said something wrong. She voiced how she should not, how it had nothing to do with him, but because he was staff and she didn't feel comfortable in a room with just one person. In other words, it was him because if he was not going to be a teacher and it was not just him there, then she possibly would have gone back to his room. Al the same, he understood and accepted it. "It is alright, I understand. I apologize for me not considering how you might feel going back to my room." Seiji apologized, giving her a friendly smile to show that he was not hurt or offended.

Well, he was a little sad, but he did completely understand and was in no way going to try and change her mind on the matter because her comfort was what was important. He then moved to work on getting Ghost completely off the girl so she could go free and likely leave from here. Then there was a suggestion of what they could try another time, in a place a lot more open, and with people around. He was a tiny bit hurt at the lack of trust, but he did just meet her so he understood. "That sounds like a wonderful plan. I'll be sure to bring snacks just in case we get caught up with the time and get hungry." Seiji spoke, living the idea. That worked and if she was comfortable, all the better.

[Addison Sloane]

It would be a lie if Addison said she didn't feel bad seeing the change on Seiji's face. Why'd he have to be so damn good-looking?

But the hemokinetic was quite resolute in her decision. In fact, so sure was she that they really shouldn't even be entertaining the thought of being in the same room together, she tugged at her uniform and started backing up where she had come from, already missing the snakes.

"Thanks for the experience, Seiji. And nice to meet you! And Ghost! And Sapphire and uh...Akiko? And...um...Leevi right?" She waved at the snakes.

[Seiji Lockard]

Seiji would have felt bad if he knew that he was causing her to feel bad because his emotions were slightly getting the better of him. No, he was not going to go cry or sulk or anything like that and in time he would be over it. Just for now he could not help but feel a little sadden that his current position now seemed to make people uncomfortable being around him. Perhaps he would have to go back to school and work on getting his doctorate or something along those lines.

It was something to consider but for now he would leave Addison alone and take his snakes back to his room like he had planned on doing when he was leaving his lab. She was backing away thing, thanking him, and saying good bye to all of his snakes; even if one in particular didn't care for the girl but the rest liked her. "Thank you for giving them attention and talking to me. I hope we will be about to do it again in an environment where you can sit and feel comfortable." Seiji responded as he gave her a wave. Then he was working on making sure all of his snakes were on his person and adjusting the weight of them all so he could walk.

He was just thankful that he was so tall so it made it a bit easier to carry Ghost since the snake was two feet smaller then him, but he still weighed a lot. "Yes, that is all of them. They say goodbye as well." Seiji responded to her as he gave a warm smile before giving another wave and turning to leave. That went pretty well, a bit sad near the end, but better then what he usually could hope for in that kind of situation.