Not that Erika can judge him, because she, too, decided to come back to this class of her own volition on a later loop, despite attending the first time and seeming satisfied with it at that point. Despite, in her case, that on any of the loops she's spent playing at being a student, she hasn't seemed to mesh well with her peers to begin with. Even right now, with the room blocked off into groups of spectators - a Boarbumps student nudges Erika's arm, says something to her. She takes a step away. He frowns, looking bewildered. She replies without looking at him, and his bewilderment doesn't fade, until he steps away and the conversation is clearly over and he mutters something to another Boarbumps student and they both cast odd glances at Erika.
Things like that just happen sometimes.
If Erika catches Phoenix's eye before she's called on for the same exercise, she nods knowingly at him. She's pretty certain that she understands what he's up to, and it's a good idea. Once she is called on, there's no time for that. Her familiar wings towards the ceiling, and Erika makes herself into a target, hooded and solemn. She dodges some physically. Most pass through her; she turns hazy before they strike, silhouette swimming like static or the flashing patterns of hundreds of butterflies, and they leave soot marks on the ground behind her. All rather unexceptional stuff.
Until at some point the student trying to hit her throws his fireball wide - not wide enough to be dangerous, but a few people step back quickly anyways - and swivels in place, suddenly alarmed. What was that? he demands, and looks to other faces and finds confusion. Erika's brows are furrowed. Were you doing that?
It's kicking up a bit of a commotion. He accuses her of cheating. It's not serious in and of itself, but it sets off one of those subtle shifts in the atmosphere, heads turning and wordless sentiment bouncing from pair of eyes to pair of eyes. The professor steps in. Defense is defense, she explains, whether it's a physical shield or telepathic distractions, let this be a perfect example to learn from -
Not that this does anything to sway the invisible tide of opinion.
Erika seems unconcerned, or some other flavor of silent and unreactive. She stares thoughtfully at the ground somewhere near the feet of her exercise partner, brows slightly crinkled, avoiding all eye contact.]
ii
Not that Erika can judge him, because she, too, decided to come back to this class of her own volition on a later loop, despite attending the first time and seeming satisfied with it at that point. Despite, in her case, that on any of the loops she's spent playing at being a student, she hasn't seemed to mesh well with her peers to begin with. Even right now, with the room blocked off into groups of spectators - a Boarbumps student nudges Erika's arm, says something to her. She takes a step away. He frowns, looking bewildered. She replies without looking at him, and his bewilderment doesn't fade, until he steps away and the conversation is clearly over and he mutters something to another Boarbumps student and they both cast odd glances at Erika.
Things like that just happen sometimes.
If Erika catches Phoenix's eye before she's called on for the same exercise, she nods knowingly at him. She's pretty certain that she understands what he's up to, and it's a good idea. Once she is called on, there's no time for that. Her familiar wings towards the ceiling, and Erika makes herself into a target, hooded and solemn. She dodges some physically. Most pass through her; she turns hazy before they strike, silhouette swimming like static or the flashing patterns of hundreds of butterflies, and they leave soot marks on the ground behind her. All rather unexceptional stuff.
Until at some point the student trying to hit her throws his fireball wide - not wide enough to be dangerous, but a few people step back quickly anyways - and swivels in place, suddenly alarmed. What was that? he demands, and looks to other faces and finds confusion. Erika's brows are furrowed. Were you doing that?
It's kicking up a bit of a commotion. He accuses her of cheating. It's not serious in and of itself, but it sets off one of those subtle shifts in the atmosphere, heads turning and wordless sentiment bouncing from pair of eyes to pair of eyes. The professor steps in. Defense is defense, she explains, whether it's a physical shield or telepathic distractions, let this be a perfect example to learn from -
Not that this does anything to sway the invisible tide of opinion.
Erika seems unconcerned, or some other flavor of silent and unreactive. She stares thoughtfully at the ground somewhere near the feet of her exercise partner, brows slightly crinkled, avoiding all eye contact.]