A Refreshing Dip // Open

[Andrey Beckman]

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[atrb=background, i41.tinypic.com/30aam9u.jpg] Lungs heaved in air as his lips first breached the waters surface, grateful for each warm gasp. The cool lake water ran down his cheeks and neck, back to the waters surface. His eyes were still closed as his body leaned back into the still embrace of the lake, floating with his face up to the sun. His hands lightly tread the water, useful only to feel it move around his fingers and hear the trickling sound as the surface of the liquid was disturbed. Out here in the warmth of the day, though the water was cooler than he was used to, everything was at peace for the teen. Out in the natural water, away from chlorine and the loud hollers of the other students he could think back to his home, to the coastal shores of Hawaii. He did miss it, the blissful evenings in the ocean, not a care in the world other than being late for dinner. His mind could wander, catch up with him, and bring new dormant ideas to light. In the embrace of the water, he felt safe, jugged, and free. There was no where else he could do this, not a tub nor a pool. Out in the sun and nature, out were waves came because of the wind and not the splashing or 'cannon balls' of others. Steel blue eyes slowly opened as he let out a relaxed sigh and righted himself to move in back, closer to the shore line. His body tired from his swim out into the reservoir, but nothing he could not overcome with a slow paddle back. His cloths and a towel waiting for him, despite his lack of desire to get out of the soothing waters. Each arm stroke carried him ever closer, but as he glided through the water, his eyes scanned for any signs of other students who also felt that this day was warm enough to enjoy the true cool that a natural out door water source provided. Once close enough that his feet could touch the lake floor, but still not in far enough that anything more then his shoulders rose above the water level, he ran his hands through his wet hair. Chasing the water from his cream blond locks before wiping away the droplets that threatened to drip into his eyes. Again he scanned the horizon, not that his vision was clear, and in a small way he actually hoped to catch sight of some one. Sure he loved the moment to himself, but Andrey was a social butterfly, and now that his swim was done, some one to enjoy the day with would be perfect. So long as they were in as good a mood as himself. We don't always get what we want, fate was cruel that way. Still he held faith that some one, anyone would join him. A smile already perched on his lips in anticipation. WORD COUNT // 491 OUTFIT // White and Red checkered swim trunks. TAG // .... RPN //First post *breath of fresh air*

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[ROBYN CARLYLE]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

It was about time for some fresh air. Robyn grabbed her guitar bag and headed outside towards the lake. Her long red hair was tied back so it wouldn't get in her face as the wind blew. She sat below a tree by the lake. It was beautiful there. The place was all but deserted. Usually kids in need of recreation would find their way to the lake. She enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the silence. The only noises she heard were from birds in the tree and the movement of the water in the lake which was attributed to the waves and the person she noticed swimming in the distance.

The redhead felt pleasure being in beautiful places like this. They were great for inspiration. At this time they had a nice break in classes and she was able to focus more on her passion, which is music.

Robyn began to play the first few chords of the Beatles song "Yesterday" as a way of warming up her guitar. Those few chords turned into the entire song. This was something she had been doing since she was about five so she had become very skilled in the past 11 years and the Beatles were her all time favorite music group. She knew practically every Beatles song on the guitar and piano.

She stopped when she noticed Andrey making his way towards the bank. Placing the guitar against the tree, she stood up. Letting her gaze fall on Andrey again, she waved at him. It was surely a pleasure seeing him here. They both arrived at the school almost at the same time and had become close friends in that time frame. It was to the point where they could practically tell each other anything and she was grateful for a friendship like that. Also, since they became students they have been sort of helping each other with their powers.

TAG: ANDREY, WEARING:HERE

[Andrey Beckman]

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[atrb=background, i41.tinypic.com/30aam9u.jpg] The sound of Robyn's guitar was unmistakable to his ears. The sweet twang of the chords traveled across the breeze to his ears only just above the water level. She was a gifted young woman indeed, so wel practiced in her art. For a moment he was glad to simply listen to the distant hum of the acoustic review of the beetles hits. Not one of his favorit bands from the past, but he would hand it to them, the music was definitely memorable. Slowly his body coaxed him in closer to the shore, the cool waters starting to settle over his skin and in the still of his thoughts were beginning to cool his own temperature. Swimming was one thing, but the open water was not so kind when you were standing. Noticing the music stop he picked up his pace and turned his head to where the noes had been traveling from, eyes making short work of picking out the young woman waving him down. Robyn was a treasure, a rare friend the you felt confident would take any secrets to the grave, and who would stand by you in your strongest and weakest moments. Since day one, these two had been locked into friendship, and had only become stringer since. They drove each other just hard enough to be the best they could, while leaving room to enjoy one another's company. She was and would always be an important part of his school life and everything to follow. Andrey returned the wave to acknowledge that he saw her, a broad grin on his lips. Climbing fully out of the water, Andrey let his bare feet scuffed the grass to brush the mud and small stones from them, grabbing his towel before making a B line over to Robyn. The cotton fabrics messing up his pale blond locks as he came to a stop just shy of where his friend stood next to her guitar. "Afternoon Robyn" he had chimed while approaching her, letting the towel hang from his head as he came to a stop. The smile now even wider as he stood before her "how's practice?" He asked in reference to her guitar, his head nodding lightly to the side to direct his meaning to her instrument. " could hear you from the water little Manu, it was beautiful as always". Andrey had called her affectionately by that nick name since the first night he had seen her splendid bird form. WORD COUNT // --- OUTFIT // White and Red checkered swim trunks. TAG // Robyn Carlyle // Talon RPN //Yay for beasties!!

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[ROBYN CARLYLE]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

If it was one thing she loved more than playing her music among herself, she liked having a small audience of her friends. It pleased her to know people enjoyed her talent. She was happy to see Andrey and smiled as he walked over. The redhead held her arms out to give her friend a hug. He was one of the few friends she was actually close to.

"Hey Andrey, nice to see ya," she stated. "Practice is good. Ah love playing music outside. It's more relaxing and it seemed like a good time as this place is pretty deserted." She gave another smile and sat back down. Her practice wasn't over. Grabbing her guitar, she looked back up at him. As Andrey complimented on her playing, she blushed. "Aw, thanks Andrey. That means a lot coming from you. All I want to do is make people happy with it," the girl replied, smiling widely.

"Did you have a nice swim? It is a nice day." Robyn asked her friend as she stretched her legs out. She quietly strummed a chord.

Having Andrey around reminded her of how lucky she is to be at the school, having never had a friend like him before. He made her happy. Since she didn't have her family around, she was grateful for his company. At times when homesickness hits, it is nice having friends to talk to and hang out with. This had been her home for two years, but still, there would be times when she'd miss her brother and siblings.

The place was quiet except for their conversation and a couple of birds making a nest in the tree. No doubt people would arrive later as trainings would be dismissed soon. The lake was nice to swim in or ride jet skis in, especially in today's warm weather. It was warm but there were nice breezes which made the warm weather more bearable.

TAG: ANDREY, WEARING:HERE

[Andrey Beckman]

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[atrb=background, i41.tinypic.com/30aam9u.jpg] Andrey was glad to return the hug, despite how most of him was still dripping with lake water. Pulling her in tight he held his best friend for a moment before letting her pull back and settle back down with her guitar. PUlling the towel from his head he began to dry the rest of his body before settling down in the grass, stretching out his legs perpendicular to his friend. "Yeah it is pretty quiet out, suppose some classes are still going" he agreed with her prior statement and looked up at that sky littered with small clouds. The calm blue made it seem like this was just your average school day, at any old school. The reality was that here, they were a assembly of the fortunate-or unfortunate- few that were 'gifted' by the x-gene. Both himself and his friend were mutants by birth, but at the moment none would guess it, and he was growing to wish that most could see this side of the genetic difference. "Oh the water was perfect, a bit colder of late, but so refreshing" he pointed out, his pale blue hues drifting back down to look at Robyn, a kind smile ever plastered on his lips. A content sigh flowing from his lungs as his ears picked up on the tun she plucked. "next time, you will have to come out for a swim" he gave her a friendly wink and slowly lay himself down on the soft sun warmed grass. It was no sandy beach, but Andrey had little care, generally content where ever he was. Some called it a gift, to feel so care free, when really it was just unbridled optimism. Andrey never let things get to him, and that allowed him to see beauty where others were blinded. Focusing on what made him love life, meant he actually had room to do just that, enjoy every breath he took. Rolling his head over to face Robyn he gave her a grin "Play me a tune?" he asked softly, knowing the young musician could not resist the chance to honor him with a song, Andrey always being a willing audience. "Something up beat..set the mood for when those first year slackers make it out here" he joked with a chuckle, folding his arms under the back of his head as a cushion. WORD COUNT // 394 OUTFIT // White and Red checkered swim trunks. TAG // Robyn Carlyle // Talon RPN //Hmm makes me wish I where there!

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[ROBYN CARLYLE]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

Robyn thought Andrey's mutation was amazing. The power to heal was surely a power to cherish. Helping others would be the blessing in having that power. It was truly a beautiful power. She really liked his gift and seeing it in action. She found herself fascinated by all of the gifts at this school. They were all there for the same purpose.

"Maybe ah will join you someday. It does look very nice and relaxin'," said the southern girl. She saw a few kids heading down to the lake but they were headed for a more distant area, so Andrey was still her one audience member. "Back in Georgia we used to go swimmin' in a nearby brook. Fun times," she said, reminiscing of the days from her past. Those were good times. "My dad built a tire swing that swung out over the water," she added, almost saddened. She missed home. Quickly though, she perked up with a smile.

The smile was because Andrey asked her to play him a song in which she was happy to do. Placing her fingers where she needed to place them for the song, she gave a nod. "Something upbeat? I can do that," Robyn said as she nodded.

The girl was a walking jukebox. She knew lots of songs and even had her own. There was always a song she could pull out of her hat. As soon as the intro started she began to sing the words. The song she was playing was not her song, but a current popular song. It was an acoustic version of One Thing by One Direction. It was significantly slower paced than the actual song. This arrangement was her own. She was still a bit too shy to show off her original songs though. Once the song finished, she looked up at her friend.

TAG: ANDREY, WEARING:HERE

[Andrey Beckman]

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[atrb=background, i41.tinypic.com/30aam9u.jpg] Andrey opened his eyes rolling his head over to look at her with a tender smile before mumbling “I have always wanted to try a tire swing…and I imagine a brook would be so enclosed and relaxing. Perhaps we should go together some day?” he offered, hearing the sorrow in her tone. He too missed his family, every day, but unlike many other students he was still very much welcome at home. Due to this the longing was not nearly as strong, and frequent letters and phone calls helped stave off the pain. As the tunes began to flow from the strummed chords of Robyn’s guitar, Andrey closed his eyes again, silent as he listened to the altered form of the popular song. It was just perfect, a good speed for the mood with kindly and positive lyrics. Andrey swore he could have dosed off there, serenaded in music and heating in the summer sun. That would have been most un-thoughtful of him, as his friend had been kind enough to play him a tune, he could at least stay away to converse with her. True, Robyn was probably not the type to mind, but Andrey’s mother had taught him to be mindful of others and never assume. So once the last fleeting echoes of the guitars song washed over him, Andrey re-opened his blue hues to look at the sky above. “Ahhh” he exclaimed in a relaxed manner with a smile curling wider on his lips. “Just what the doctor ordered” he sat up a bit, propped on his elbows to properly face his friend. “Does your talent know no bounds?” he flattered Robyn with a coo to his voice. “Maybe..” Andrey began before sitting all the way up and dusting the grass from his arms “..you could give me some lessons someday. I have always loved guitar, but never found the time to practice. That…” The young teen chuckled before adding “..and my mother was always pushing for piano. If I ever showed interest in an instrument, I got the ‘why-not-piano’ lecture”. Andrey let his hand brush across the lush cushion of grass below him, eyes scanning the trees for any glimpse of the birds that were singing to one another. Pondering what to say next, he finally settled for “Have you talked to your mother of late?” keeping his tone smooth and friendly, knowing far better than to bring up her father. Both of them had faced divorce when they were young, but unlike him, Robyn had gone through a lot more stress and pain as an outcome. If that was not bad enough she had to face the ‘loss’ of a father altogether when he practically dis owned her. It was unfair but Andrey knew that there was nothing to be done, other than to be comforting and understanding for her now. If her father did not want to be there, then he would make sure that as a friend he was double the support that she needed. WORD COUNT // 502 OUTFIT // White and Red checkered swim trunks. TAG // Robyn Carlyle // Talon RPN //Hope it’s okay I mentioned her past. I figured as friends he would have found out from her about it already. If you don’t like this, lemmy know and I will change it up.

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[ROBYN CARLYLE]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

Robyn didn't mind a little conversation, especially with Andrey. She opened up around him. She rested her guitar against the tree and leaned back against it. Giving a small chortle, she gave a nod. "Ah still have struggles with it," she stated, of her musical talent.

When Andrey asked about lessons, she perked up.

"Ah suppose ah could show you the basics," said the Georgian girl. "It seems hard at first but like with any talent, you need to be persistent," she added, running her fingers through her hair. "Ah actually think it might be fun to teach you how to play."

She had never taught anyone to play before and wasn't sure she could, but certainly would be open to giving it a try. It would give both of them something to do in their free time.

When it came to her family, she didn't really talk about them much. She was open to talking about them though so she had no qualms whatsoever with discussing them with Andrey. She did miss her mom and her siblings. Robyn's blue eyes gazed up at him. "I did speak with her a couple of days ago. She is getting remarried. I suppose I am happy for her, but at the same time, I still feel I am to blame for my parents' divorce and that part of her resents me for it," she said, halfheartedly. She knew it was all nonsense but she couldn't help but feel that way. "My brother and sister want me to visit. They think mutant powers are cool and are a tad jealous," Robyn said, with another laugh, "I guess I just got lucky when it came to the gene pool," she added.

Just then, she found herself asking about Andrey's family too. She knew a little about his parents.

"What about you? Have you kept in touch with your family?" She asked him as she began to put her guitar back in her guitar bag. Robyn knew that most of these kids were in the same boat and were probably a little homesick.

TAG: ANDREY, WEARING:HERE

[Andrey Beckman]

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[atrb=background, i41.tinypic.com/30aam9u.jpg] "From what I know of our study sessions, you could teach sight to the blind!" Andrey gladly complimented her teaching skills, a kindly smile on his lips. Blue hues watched her slender digits run through her lush locks, each strand shining brightly as it reflected the suns rays. She was a beautiful young woman, ever so slightly more grown up then the kids they met as the year before. "Suppose I will need a guitar now huh?" He offered a chuckle as he spoke the words, keeping the conversation as cheery as ever. Andrey leaned over touching her hand "you can't blame what fate gave you, and who you are for anything. Your parents made a choice that was solely up to them, and if it was meant to be it was meant to be. Besides, better a divorce then years of anger or discontent right?". Andrey had always been glad his parents split, he could see hoe happy it made them, but unlike her he had no reason to believe he was a cause, so all he could do was offer words of kindness. "Do you know the man your mom is re marrying? Is he nice?". Sitting back he nodded some and added "I think you should go then, family is important and it's a nice break from education overload right?". Shifting to stretch his back he hunched over offering a sigh. "My dad has been hard to keep in contact with, being in and out of port with choppy cell connection and all. He is well though, wants me to take time off for an 'adventure' also known as a free deck hand. Mom is always calling, keeps me well posted on the community, but insists I focus on school so visiting does not come up often." It was clear in his charismatic voice that there was a clear tone of home sickness. He was very close with both parents, lucky to have each accepting of his powers. "You know..maybe you and your family can come visit some time, I would love to meet them! My home town is also fairly hater free, and we can really enjoy the water" Andrey offered in a sudden and strong excitement. "Fair trade for guitar lessons!" WORD COUNT // 401 OUTFIT // White and Red checkered swim trunks. TAG // Robyn Carlyle // Talon RPN //Hope it’s okay I mentioned her past. I figured as friends he would have found out from her about it already. If you don’t like this, lemmy know and I will change it up.

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[ROBYN CARLYLE]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

Robyn gave a smile. She was always happy around Andrey. "Yeah...ah can help you pick one out," she said of the guitar. Then she remembered she had an extra one. "Actually..ah have an extra one you can use. It just needs new strings, but ah can fix that," she added.

When he touched her hand she felt truly comforted. She gave a nod. She really had to stop beating herself up over this.

"He's nice. She started dating him just before ah came so ah do know him. The nice thing is, he doesn't hate mutants. He also takes care of her and my younger siblings and makes good money. Ah am happy for her," said Robyn, before giving a yawn and stretch. Part of her wanted to see her dad and talk things out though. She just had to muster up the courage to do so.

"Ah am going. Ah just need to let the headmaster know when it is. It's not for awhile though. Ah just hope ah can get more control before the time comes," she said as she zipped up her bag. "Ah'd love to see your home town someday. Ah think it'd be fun," she said, of his offer. "Maybe you can come with me. Ah am sure my mom won't mind me bringing a friend. Ah could show you around all my favorite places."

If she had to bring someone from the mansion, he would be that someone. They had been friends for awhile now and it only made sense to bring him. The thought made her happy. She hoped he would accept. The wedding wasn't for a couple of months though.

"So what are you plans this afternoon?" Robyn asked. "Ah was just going to hang out..maybe watch some movies."

TAG: ANDREY, WEARING:HERE

[Andrey Beckman]

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[atrb=background, i41.tinypic.com/30aam9u.jpg] Andrey's eyes lit up the aspect of her having a guitar he could use. He was not really an impatient person, but getting strait to the lessons was an exciting thought. "Oh please allow me to get the strings, it would be the least I can do Manu" using her nick name with a swoon to his voice. It was plenty that she was willing to lend him her spare, he would not make her re string it too. Also it would be a good lesson in how to string up his own some day. "Oh I would be honoured to visit your family with you. A break from school life and a chance to get to know my best friend even better, who would say no to that?" It may have been more usual to bring a 'boyfriend' to an event like a wedding, but now days tradition was fading anyway. "I suppose I will have to have a suit sent up...have not worn one of those in years." Seeing her start to pack things up a bit and check on his afternoon plans he figured she intended to move. Brushing his skin off he eyed his cloths on the bank of the lake before answering "we'll, clothing would be first. Fetching it at the least, wearing it being optional" giving a soft chuckle Andrey got to his feet. "After that I am fairly open, not much on the agenda other than that swim I had...". Giving her a soft grin he cleared his throat a bit "what sort of films you have planned? I may have a bag of chips that has afternoon movie-thon written all overflow them". WORD COUNT // --- OUTFIT // White and Red checkered swim trunks. TAG // Robyn Carlyle // Talon RPN // Nothing beats a swim film lol

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