The New Girl (Open to the HIVE!)

Bah, it was no use. Stabbing himself with these knives was going on impossible. The cafeteria spoons had more of a serrated edge. The torment of his never-ending meal continued. Hugh had made the error of sitting on the same table as both Cricket and Mantis. Alone they were quirky, together it was like bugapalooza. Insect facts flew hard and fast as the two of them talked fervently on the subject, boring Pix to tears. They had a theme, it worked, he got it – couldn't they please shut the hell up?

Hugh's face was level with his tray, both arms draped over his head. But he must have been master of the subtle arts, for his maddening peers had not yet taken the hint. Cricket was gesticulating wildly, while Mantis craned his head back and forth as if studying the other before giving his replies.

“-because the fruit fly hasn't been clocked in a straight line. Now get it in a dark room and bring out the stopwatch; it'll out-race a dragonfly every time. Light disorientates...” Cricket trailed off.

Pix's head raised a little from the table, “Have we stopped?”

“Who's the new girl?” Cricket's attention had been drawn squarely across the room. An unfamiliar face was seeking a place to sit. Fresh students would received some form of initiation. Though what they were required to do varied. Usually the particularly unstable newbies weren't poked and prodded as much. It was all fun and games till somebody loses a limb.

“You're actually interested in her name? Wow. Next it'll matter whether she's single or not.” To his snarky response, Cricket kicked Pix and continued to look at him for an answer, “Ow! How the hell should I know?” A kick from Cricket was not an attack you could take without at least wincing.

“You're the welcoming committee.”

“This again? I don't sleep in the lift!”

“It's an important job.” The youngest among them, Mantis, crossed arms in what looked to be a contemplating pose, “Black ants have greeters to their nest. They identify and kill any unwanted intruders with acid.”

“Fascinating. And how long can a praying mantis go without speaking about bugs?”

“...”

Silence, music to his ears, “I think what we need to find out-”

“They can go twelve days without food.”

With a mighty effort, Hugh held back his anger, “...Finished?” He unclenched his fist, “What we need is to know her powers. Can she fight? Is she mentally sound? Does she always look...”

“So hot?”

“Yes Cricket, hot. I was just about to say hot.”

“Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Pix.” The Cricket stood, “How's my hair?”

“Hidden by your helmet.”

“Perfect.”

Pix quickly grabbed his arm, “Hold up. You're the last person she should talk to. The only one that's going over there is me.” The amorous teen was not suitable to deal out their traditional elitist attitude when distracted by feminine wiles. Cricket would faun over her and make the newbie feel more at home than the rest of them would, at first, prefer.

“Oh yeah? And why's that?”

“One, I'm older than you. Two, I'm the welcoming committee. Remember?” Figuring his points were made, Hugh picked up his tray and walked straight passed Cricket.

“That was only funny when you didn't want to be...”

Establishing a new student's place in the class heirarchy required an olive branch to be extended and then cruelly snatched back from the hopeful. Pix wasn't a bully, he wasn't looking to drive potential team-mates away, but he understood that friendships had to be earned. If she couldn't take a bit of fun aimed squarely at her expense then they were better off not knowing her. Nothing ruined a conversation like having to tip-toe around people's feelings. The sprite man felt that he was best to establish relations.

Besides, he was sick of the other table topic.

And so it came to pass that thirty seconds later, a second occupant joined Adoni. Pix did not come demonstrating smiles or frowns, powers or even an interest in his food. He just made himself comfortable, “You didn't introduce yourself.”

Disappointing. Hugh had hoped to be able to judge this girl from how she first reacted. She was neither hostile, welcoming, or frightened. Rather she responded as if he was expected, just another lunchtime for her. Some may call that defensive, but she had willingly given her name. A minimalistic social interaction on her part. Pix tried once to imagine why she had chosen 'Adoni' as a codename but fell far short of the etymology required to decipher the word.

“I'm called Pix. For reasons that should be obvious to anyone that knows me. You don't, but with any luck you will. If Firebrand's obstacle course doesn't kill you first.” Where as before their combat room had been a fun dive to spend the afternoon breaking stuff in, it had been transformed into something that reeked of vendetta. The additional machinations in there were nigh on mean-spirited. Not a place for newbies to take lightly.

It surprised Pix when she brought up his friend. Yet he didn't need to turn around to know who she was referring to. He may have been one of the senior class members, but The Cricket couldn't help jumping a pretty face. Must have been killing him to be stuck over there for the time being. Hugh made a mental note to be wary of any shin-kicking later.

It was interesting, however, that Adoni had picked that up to make a point about. Hugh may have found the chink in her armour already, “Actually, the problem is he sees too many. But if he's caught your eye, then the ogling can't be entirely one-way. Shall I call him over? Then you can tell him how you feel, he can be overly supportive, you can leave here together and then play tongue-hockey in his room.” Pix couldn't help but display a mocking smirk, “What am I saying? You'll want to be in your room. Right?”

A snap response was delivered. Hugh only felt safe weathering the storm because there was a table between them, and even then he guarded his shins. Her piece spoken, Adoni rose and abandoned Pix. Whose arms were left spread apart on the accentuation of his last word. At last when she was out of sight they plummeted to his sides. Well that was... brief. From her initial appearance of stoic indifference he imagined Adoni would be a rather tough nut to crack, when in reality the girl had proved all too sensitive. She had thrown her toys out the pram far earlier than expected. So it really wasn't worth knowing her at all.

My land? Where the hell did she come from that was all sunshine and rainbows? Anyone who couldn't take a bit of teasing rated low in Hugh's books, and he was happy to relocate himself back to the previous table.

“Charming as always, we can see.” Cricket said, trying to hold back his glee.

“Forget about it.” In future he would not cut the new student a break. Her high pride needed to be taught a lesson.

“I should go talk to her.”

“You should.” Pix imagined the conversation fondly, “As long as I can watch.”

At least with Cricket hot on the newbie's heels Pix could finish his lunch in peace. Mantis was unlikely to say anything unless it was a topic of his personal approval. The youngest lad demonstrated narrow-mindedness at times and was often off-putting, staring the way he did. Hugh dropped his fork and stared back, “What is it?”

The bug-eyed student pointed behind Pix causing him to turn. He was just in time to see Cricket stonewalled by a firm palm, some tried and died attempt at rebuttal evident on the guys lips, “Ha!” He told Mantis, “I thought we were going to miss her reac... Uh-oh.” She was heading straight towards them. Hugh couldn't fathom a reason for her sudden return, but imagined it foretold nothing good.

Leaning backwards slightly as she got close, he prepared himself for more verbal abuse, when she instead went and apologised. Hugh's eyes widened at her words. Was this really the same girl who had just stormed off? Adoni sounded far more reserved now, suggesting frailty and timidness. It'd been a quick turn around but he found her current demeanour preferable. In fact he was down right flattered to be asked for help. His ego gained a +2 boost and he quickly assigned her change of heart as merit of his own charm. If only he'd known that it was 'despite' his crass personality rather than because of it.

“You're smarter than I gave you credit for.” Maybe it would be worthwhile speaking to her. As long as she continued to keep her place then she would survive initiation, “Alright. I guess I've got nothing better to do. Was done here anyway.” He pushed away a tray of scraps and stood.

Pointing at Mantis, he continued, “First off. Don't offer him a handshake. He hates that.”

“...”

“Next, I suggest you don't make a habit of offending our most senior members.” A discreet nod directed attention over at Cricket, who was even now milling around in the background just waiting to see how this new encounter would go, “Cricket was part of the group that almost took out the Titans. If he ever feels like turning to his buddy Protege for revenge, then not even your own dorm room is safe.”

Truthfully The Cricket could take an insult as well as anyone, he was hardly likely to go crying to his friends over a single rejection, especially since the lad was no stranger to them. Just Pix appreciated the masterful teamwork Cricket, Protege, Rawhide, and Checkmate shared. If they turned their attentions to someone, even in H.I.V.E., it would take nothing short of the Headmaster to resolve. Scaremongering newbloods was fun, but also in a way practical.

“I'm sure he'd forgive you for a hug.”

“Besides being able to make a person storm off in under two minutes?” He was doing this deliberately, being confrontational. Though the taunts perhaps doubled as a demonstration. Being able to get under people's skin was a useful skill. Pix considered himself to be quite apt at it, “I'm a metahuman. I can create constructs plus I have unbeatable resilience. And, not to push it, but I think on a grander scale than most here. Except maybe Mantis, who has while we've been talking, mapped out an entire termite colony by now.”

The insectoid student twisted his head, and looked prepped to say something when someone else arrived. Pix knew that she wasn't new. Beyond that, however, all he could remark was that she had a pretty face. But good looks were never an excuse to invite yourself to sit down. Who asked her to butt in on this conversation? “Yeah skills.” He added bluntly to her initial inquiry.

To her nonchalant mention of torture Pix rose an eyebrow. She didn't look the type. Though he guessed you never knew at H.I.V.E., “Torture? Didn't need to mention that one. You've already started speaking. What was your name again anyway...?” Pix glanced across the room to see Cricket again discretely shaking his head at him. He turned back to the others and didn't give the signal a second puzzling thought.

“I track. I hunt.” Mantis explained for himself, even shorter and sweeter, “And you. Adoni?”

Manslaughter continued to pick away at her food her ears picking up on the conversation between the other three as she craned her head to the side. Pix was interesting, perhaps, but still droll with his witticism and sarcasm. At the very back of her mind, Kaitlyn stifled a mental yawn as she listened to the new girl; Adoni. "Oh? proficiency with the sword eh? I ate a swordsmen once, tasted like pork." She was actually serious, but with that wide expressive grin and her sky blue eyes twinkling at them all, it was hard to be sure. However, it was when she stuck her hand into her chest, tongue held at the corner of her mouth, eyes staring up as if she were in deep thought and pulled out a long bladed sword, before setting it down at her side with a clatter, not like metal and wood but flesh and bone.

The black sheath seemed to pulse with sentience, veins pulsating across it's surface like a slow, methodical heartbeat. If one where to unsheathe (or attempt to) the weapon, they would find that the blade was white, lacking any and all shine; like alabaster, or bone bleached a stark white. "It is not often however that we find another sword user in fact, we think you are the second one so far." Her voice shifted, a duality of tones; calm, collected and serious. The other, manic joyful and strangely chipper. This was Manslaughter and Sentinel, two minds in one body; a symbiote living in harmony with it's host.

But, stranger things have happened before.

"We have forgotten our better halves skill set; Law and order, swordsmanship, boxing, mathematics and social skills. But we must let you know, we are still two sides of the same coin. I am the chaotic half, and I, am the orderly half. Smacking herself upside the head, Manslaughter let out a groan her two index fingers finding purchase upon her temples, as she vigorously rubbed at the severe throbbing ache that was a headache. "Guhg, I hate when she does that. Social skills my ass, taking control like that when we made an agreement that I got to stretch my legs a bit. Should have found a better host.." Immediately her frown turned to a smile as she took another bite of her sandwich, "but oh well! can't help it. I'm stuck with her~"

Slowly, she tapped the weapon against the floor lightly, creating a nerve jarring rattling that was less annoying and more...disturbing. "Yeah I'm Manslaughter and the," she threw up a heaping helping dose of air quotes, "bed of roses that you just heard over my voice, was Sentinel, the host body."

Whilst listening to Adoni, Hugh couldn't help but smile to himself. Foreign technologies, eh? Pix had access to a variety of such. Clockwork androids weren't the stuff of this planet. He'd struck gold when bumping into Nix. Only he suspected Adoni's own technology didn't give her back-chat. An add-on feature that he was fast coming to disrespect. The private smile had turned into a frown. What was he going to do with that robot?

The frown only deepened when the tall girl once again interjected. Who was she trying to kid with those cheap scare attempts? Ate a person. And Hugh had punched out Superman. Her attempts to be quirky were downright patheti- S^@&! Did she just pull that sword out of her own body?! Of course the girl wasn't human. The picture perfect ones never were. Yikes, maybe she really did eat a person...

The freakshow continued with a display of split personality. This was just getting weirder by the second. He didn't understand it, her references to hosts, but Hugh didn't need to know everything. She was just one sick puppy, and that's all there was to it. Manslaughter finished off with their names, “Manslaughter. I... hope that's not an earned title.”

To Adoni's inquiry he replied right away, “We're first in line to the new generation, yes.” But her point made him consider his responses more carefully. Not moments ago this girl had been damning his immaturity. Now she thought they would make a good team? Good enough to take on the Titans? He tried not to expose his derision with laughter.

“Err. We're not sitting on our hands.” She thought she could measure up. Truly adorable. Maybe this was what Cricket was seeing in her? Pix's smile became ever more patronising, “If we could have, we'd have pushed the Titans out of town a long time ago. But please. You've intrigued me. What's your plan? What step have we missed that no one tried before?”