Welcome to Gaia! ::

The elevator door reopens and Shane steps inside, a look of solemn sadness in his eyes. Rather than comment on the commotion he heard through the door, he gives her some space and presses his hand against another pressure plate. A voice chimes in asking for voice identification, "Shane Morris and guest." He glances at Lily and clears his throat, obviously uncomfortable in situations like this. "It uh...wont go up without one of us in here...security pro-cation."

The elevator begins it's steady ascent toward the surface. Shane takes the opportunity to break the silence once more. He says nervously, being that he doesn't open up to anybody, "A few years ago my mother and father died in a car wreck. Gidget, the funny girl in the suit, is my baby sister. I took care of her until a few months ago when the meteor fragments rained on the country. It was exciting at first, as a scientist, to have such a rare chance to study what may come of the meteor's rays. That was until I watched Gidget build something for the first time. She doesn't know it, but she isn't in control when she goes into construction mode. Her eyes become dark, lifeless...it's terrifying. Lily, I'm not doing this as a scientist. I am working here as a brother who wants to see his little sister's eyes light up when tinkering with a machine...like they used to. I want people to know that they aren't freaks, monsters, or accidents. I want to help people accept their gifts, and to be at peace with the possibilities that may come of them."

He removes his glasses as his eyes well up with tears. He rubs them with his hand and takes a deep breath. "For the record: I don't offer any help to you because you don't need it. You're a bright student, and can figure things out on your own without my assistance. At least that's what your projects have shown me. If you ever need help...of any kind...you can always ask me. I wont bite."

Shane nods, "You're right Lily, maybe I can't help you. However, I think you can help a great many people. Something has to be done about Leviathan Cortez, and as much as I hate to admit it you and Gidget are holding all of the cards. God help us, Gidget may be one of the only people that can find a way to stop him. She'll know if you call her, she's a lot more intelligent than people give her credit for."

He snickers audibly at the idea of Annie crushing on him, "Annie doesn't like me. I'm a nuisance to her. Since I've met her I've done nothing but scold and brow-beat her. She wants my resources to help her with her powers. I can't blame her. Her's is one of the most destructive powers I've ever seen."

The elevator door opens and Shane steps out of the walk in freezer. He waits for Lily to exit and closes it behind them. He looks at her and says, "I know you're a bit of a daredevil, and you've probably got an idea cooking in your head right now. I wont stop you, but I am going to ask that you be careful. There is a stupefying lack of creative minds in the world today. It'd be a shame to lose another one to tragedy. When you call Gidget, please remind her that she isn't invincible. She's decided not to listen to her smarty-pants older brother." He says the last sentence with a bit of a laugh.

"Take care Lily. I hope to see you in class next week. Don't forget that you still have a paper due on the reactions of outside stimulus to plant life." He smiles kindly to her, hoping that she hasn't lost sight of her future (figuratively speaking).

Trinity mouthed the word 'Later' to make it obvious enough that now was not a good time to talk. She sighs in relief as he concealed himself from sight. With that she answered her mom, "Yeah everything is fine."

Outside the door her mom was relieved and hearing the way she said that made her feel relaxed and calm, "Alright, sorry to bother you". Although it was a little unnerving that there was a moment before she answered and she thought she heard whispering, it was too soft to be certain. Perhaps her paranoid state was playing tricks on her. She looked to Gidget to see what she made of all of this. Her mom beckoned Gidget to come with her as she goes back down stairs. Mrs. Smith looks at the clock and realized how late it was, "Well Gidget, I think it may be best to head out for the night. Please feel free to drop by tomorrow or any day for that matter, it's still a school night and you should get some rest."

Tansy looked helplessly to Ako before she turned back to the doctor. Scared and unsure of what would happen next. All she knew is that she didn't want to go back to the Void again. One thing she did know was that that voice would stay with her forever.

Gray shrugged. "There was something about this place... it seemed like pretty good idea." He chuckled a little. "Besides, I've been here before, they have amazing omelets."
He hadn't felt so relaxed in a while, there was something easygoing about the girl.

---

The doctor smiled apologetically. "I'm afraid these drugs will zonk her out... I'll have to ask you to leave." He grimaced, like he didn't enjoy having to do that. "Specific instructions. Sorry."

While Lily and Shane Morrison had used the elevator, Annie sat down on the floor and waited. She felt like an inconvenience to Shane Morrison, and it frustrated her. Did he understand why Annie had been so mean to Lily? She had to, if she hurt Lily's feelings, wouldn't Lily be that much more likely to stay uninvolved?

Then she thought of Lily's firm words about not referring to herself as a meta-human. That she had a gift and wasn't just a meta-human with immense destructive abilities. But, Lily had said she was going to go home and stay safe? So things worked out well. But, it bothered her what she had said about calling herself a meta-human. Gifts helped people- not hurt or kill them. And what was up with that pointed look she had given Shane whenever Lily told her not to think of herself as a meta-human.

'How can I not think of myself as one?' Annie thought, smiling despite the fact she felt like crying. When the door to the elevator opened, Annie jumped up and bowed to Shane, "Mr. Morri- I mean Shane. I really am sorry for causing all this inconvenience for you, sir... I just- uh..." She bit her lip before changing the subject and continuing, "Miss Stinson is really headed home and not going to be further involved, right?"

"Sometimes the more painful something is the more effective it is," replied Annie. "And I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable, sir. My formality is habit-" she added to herself, especially whenever I have a crush on someone.

"I don't think I'll be wanting to leave anytime soon," Annie said smiling. "Not while you are here... to um help me." She pushed some of her auburn hair behind her ear and added, "Is there anyway I can help you tonight? To make up for the scene I... I uh made." She turned away blushing slightly. 'Well this is awkward...' she thought to herself.

Annie felt very much like slapping her forehead in frustration, but instead flushed at Shane putting his hand to her forehead. 'Figures I'd crush on the clueless ones,' thought Annie. She shook her head, "No, no! I'm fine. Seriously. I just blush easily whenever I'm embarrassed."

She fixed her gaze at him as she brushed his hand from her, "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. You didn't answer my question if you needed any help tonight."