Paragon University (Open RP)

((OOC: I know a lot of people who play heroes whose secret identity are either students or teachers at Paragon University. So I was thinking what better place to set an open RP. The general idea is there is no set story and anyone can join in. Feel free to create courses, lectures and locations with in the university.))

Mathew was still feeling tired from a long night of studying. He was glad that the university library was not too busy. This time of day most of the other students were still in lectures. The only other people currently around were a young couple using a quiet area of the library to make out. They were too busy to notice Mathew and unfortunately for him they were standing in the way of the books he needed to check.

Feeling rather embarrassed he tried to make his presents known by coughing. At first they did not hear him but on the second attempt they broke off their long kiss. Realizing they had been caught the blond hair girl simply giggled, said sorry and led her male friend by the hand to another area of the library to continue. Mathew’s cheeks burned a little with embarrassment but he was able to find the book he needed.

Matt (as his friends called him) was 18 with short, red, slightly messy hair and green eyes. On his nose sat a pair of wire frame glasses. He wore a grey Ghostbusters T-Shirt, blue jeans and trainers. Despite his slightly geeky look he was quite handsome under it all. However, he did not have confidence in that fact.

Once he had found the book he needed he took it to the check out desk along with the other two he had found. The Science of Parapsychology by Dr R Stans, The Unbelievable Truth by Dr J Adams and Famous Hunted Locations by E Brown.

“You returned the last two books a day late and you expect me to let you check out more.” Grumbled the librarian. She had a reputation amongst the students (and some of he tutors) as a strict woman. She was highly organized, everything had its place, everything had to be done right. She did not like it when books were put back in the wrong place by the young students who as she put it, ‘had no respect for her library.’

“I’m really sorry Miss Binks. I was really busy with home work at the time and I didn’t realize they had to be back.” Matt spoke with an English accent. He sounded very sincere in his apology and tried to smile.

“A likely story,” she mumbled while opening the front pages of all three books and stamping them hard with the return date. “Don’t bring them back late this time.”

“I won’t.” He picked up his books and left.

“This book is three days late young lady,” he heard the unhappy Liberian inform the student who had been waiting behind him when she retuned her book.

Matt’s mind was wondering, thinking about what he would get for lunch from the cafeteria. Hopefully they would have something better then the usual stale sandwiches and half cooked food. The chef in the cafeteria was friendly enough but his cooking still left something to be desired. Matt was not looking out and did not see the person in front of him. He walked straight into them and clumsily fumbled to keep a hold of his books but they fell to the ground, open at random pages.

((Tag anyone))

[ QUOTE ]
Matt’s mind was wondering, thinking about what he would get for lunch from the cafeteria. Hopefully they would have something better then the usual stale sandwiches and half cooked food. The chef in the cafeteria was friendly enough but his cooking still left something to be desired. Matt was not looking out and did not see the person in front of him. He walked straight into them and clumsily fumbled to keep a hold of his books but they fell to the ground, open at random pages.

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"Ow!" Dani yelped as she fell on her backside, knocking the headphones from her ears to dangle around her neck. She looked up, just in time to get popped on the forehead by a falling book. Tinny music issuing from the now forgotten headphones:

green in your love on bright days
you grew sun blind you thought me unkind
to remind you how winter kills
lost in daydreams you drove too fast and got nowhere
you rode on half fare when you got too scared
how winter kills

tear at me searching for weaker seams
pain in your eyes make me cruel
make me spiteful tears are delightful welcome your nightfall
how winter kills
i'll tear at you searching for weaker seams
how winter kills

"Whatcha do that for?" she demanded, looking up at the guy standing over her. [censored]

(OOC: Danielle Jones, 19, 5'9" 125 lbs, spikey pink hair rimed with frost, sea green eyes, very pale skin, dressed in worn jeans, university sweatshirt, and sneakers)

"Oh, I'm so sorry. It was an accident. I was not looking where I was going. I didn't mean to walk into you." Matt babbled.

He pushed his glasses back up onto his nose and started to pick up his books. Suddenly he realized pick up the books first when he had just knocked the girl to the ground was not the gentlemanly thing to do.

"Oh sorry. Here, let me help you up." He put the books down again and held out his hand to help her up. There was an awkwardness in the way he dealt with the situation. He stood again and held out his hand to her.

“I’m really sorry. My names Mathew. Every one just calls me Matt…….. What’s that you’re listening to?” He asked nervously. As soon as the words left his lips he became aware how much like a bad pick up line it sounded. Having just knocked someone down seemed like an odd time to introduce your self but Matt was trying to be friendly in the hope the girl would not get any more angry at him. He was not good in confrontations.

"Shhhhhh. This is a library remeber." Came the sharp voice of Miss Binks from around the corner.

David had been over in the tutor lounge, helping one of his students try to understand the difference between sociopaths and psycopaths, as well as Multiple Personality Disorders and schizophrenia. Bobby, the boy in question, seemed to grasp the gulf between the first two fairly rapidly, but the second pair were giving him problems. David mentally sighed, blaming the general entertainment media for the boy's confusion: Too many 'based upon true story' movies of the week had come out, claiming one was the other, serving to make his job harder at the University.
He had been a full professor here for a little over a year, teaching criminal psych, and enjoyed working with the students. He felt his job here was more important than the one he did outside these walls, in his costumed hero identity of Sol-Ar. Even though he had been working for the protection of innocents as Sol-Ar for only most of the last year, he still felt he made a difference in the future of some of the next generation in both capacities, teacher and hero. In fact, in his own mind the two roles were interchangible, for all teachers were heroes, and some heroes were teachers.
When he heard the crash outside the lounge, he glanced up from the chart they had been using to indicate the various characteristics of each condition. Pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, he smiled at Bobby and held up his index finger, saying in a deep rumbling baritone:
"Excuse me one second, will you?"
Standing up, he marched over to the open doorway to find two students meeting each other's eyes. The girl was on the floor, glaring up at the boy, who seemed slightly dazed and confused, and almost ready to apologize. David cleared his throat slightly to get their attention, then smiled brightly down at them, his voice soft but carrying easily to them:
"Accidents do happen around here, I'm sure the young man didn't mean to bump into you. And please, try to avoid loud noises or colorful language in the library in the future? It is a place of learning after all...ok?"

[David Clemmons/Sol-Ar- 7'2" tall, over 400 lbs of solid muscle. Is in normal human proportions, simply looks like he spends the majority of the day in the gym...lifting freight trains. Black hair, brown eyes, currently wearing a custom made grey business suit, black rimmed round glasses adorn his face. Will describe his hero costume when and if it is needed.]

[ QUOTE ]
"Oh sorry. Here, let me help you up." He put the books down again and held out his hand to help her up. There was an awkwardness in the way he dealt with the situation. He stood again and held out his hand to her.

“I’m really sorry. My names Mathew. Every one just calls me Matt…….. What’s that you’re listening to?” He asked nervously. As soon as the words left his lips he became aware how much like a bad pick up line it sounded. Having just knocked someone down seemed like an odd time to introduce your self but Matt was trying to be friendly in the hope the girl would not get any more angry at him. He was not good in confrontations.

"Shhhhhh. This is a library remeber." Came the sharp voice of Miss Binks from around the corner.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dani had been about to refuse Matt's hand when the librarian spoke up. With a "cut off my nose to spite my face" look back in the direction of Miss Binks, she took Matt's hand and pulled herself up. (OOC: Her hand is cool, like someone who just washed their hands in cold water)

Then...
[ QUOTE ]
David cleared his throat slightly to get their attention, then smiled brightly down at them, his voice soft but carrying easily to them:
"Accidents do happen around here, I'm sure the young man didn't mean to bump into you. And please, try to avoid loud noises or colorful language in the library in the future? It is a place of learning after all...ok?"

[/ QUOTE ]

She shook her head and muttered, "Great, just great... now my Psych Prof think's I'm a disturbance to the peace as well. Bloody wonderful."

Matt realized how cold the girls hand was. He looked at her slightly puzzled but before he could think on it any more his attention was taken by the arrival of one of the Paragon University professor. Matt had seen the man around campus but did not really know who he was or what he taught (until now).

[ QUOTE ]
"Accidents do happen around here, I'm sure the young man didn't mean to bump into you. And please, try to avoid loud noises or colorful language in the library in the future? It is a place of learning after all...ok?"

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Great, just great... now my Psych Prof think's I'm a disturbance to the peace as well. Bloody wonderful."

[/ QUOTE ]

Matt looked from the pink haired girl to the professor. "Uh... This is my fought. I was not looking where I was going and I walked into....er......" He didn't know her name, ".....this girl. I didn't mean to create a disturbance."

[ QUOTE ]
Matt looked from the pink haired girl to the professor. "Uh... This is my fought. I was not looking where I was going and I walked into....er......" He didn't know her name, ".....this girl. I didn't mean to create a disturbance."

[/ QUOTE ]

"Dani, my name's Dani," her voice lowered just for Matt, "Though Hulk Hogan there probably doesn't know that, he's got so many students."

She could feel Miss Bink's glare of disapproval between the shoulder blades, and raised her voice to normal volume, "I was just leaving, anyway."

"Oh," she pulled her hand back, "I gotta be careful. Don't want to give you frostbite or nuthin'.

"Ms. Binks, the young lady is late in returning the book because I had borrowed it from her." Mathew and Dani could hear over the soft rush of the ventilation system, the voice was familiar to Mathew. It belonged to Miss Angela Barstoe, a guest lecturer with the University, normally working with the psychology department and antiquities. She was an expert in schizophrenia and multiple personality disorders, and had an office in King's Row.

Someone else spoke, but the conversation could only be understood from the lecturer's side.

"I am certain that she would have returned it sooner..." there was a pause and the other mumbled voice, "Really? Well, since I donated the book, and arranged the donation of much of that particular section, to the University, perhaps it can be overlooked this time?"

"Very good, and I can assure you it won't." The woman's voice was coming closer, rounding a stack of shelves groaning under physics texts that needed dusting, Angela was guiding a much shorter girl. The smaller woman had very pale skin and stayed very close to the teacher's side.

"... with a grain of salt, Nar." She looked up when she noticed the small group, eyes brightening at Mathew's presence.

"Mathew, how fine to see you in the library. Professor Clemmons," she made a very short bow to the senior staff member. It was custom not to touch others in her culture, unless in intimacy or danger. "I was just extricating Narshawn from Ms. Binks. Allow me to introduce you, Narshawn, this is Danielle Jones and Mathew, and Professor David Clemmons. Professor Clemmons is one of the senior staff in the Psychology Department, you may have one or two classes there. Everyone, this is Narshawn. Some friends from Lady's Island have asked us to tutor her and oversee her studies for a while in the City."

This close, it was evident the smaller woman was not human. Frost poured from her, cold waves and steam when she spoke, she also kept her solid white eyes averted. The stack of language books she carried were covered in a rime of frost.

"Hello," her words were almost visible in the steam, "Pleased to meet you all."

"We are on our way to the offices, but since you are here, Mathew, I would like to invite you to my lecture next week. It is on split personalities and how they can help people, allow them to work through catastrophes when one personality would be broken." She adjusted her suit, a small smile playing on her lips.

"It is an open lecture, but with your talent, I would like to see you here." Her look told Mathew she knew something, direct and lingering, almost a challenge. Being a Mind Controller and telepathic, she did.

"Shall I reserve seats for you, any of you?"

(Sibling, 5' 2", black hair, dark olive skin, Angela and Cliff Barstoe, both in one body, but totally distinct personalities. One a Telepathic the other Telekinetic. One is a reporter for the Times, the other a psychologist and therapist. Partners with Gal 'O War. For more info, see the Ladies of the Lake RP on this board. Narshawn is an ice blaster.)

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Shall I reserve seats for you, any of you?"

[/ QUOTE ]

Dani was surprised to see the smaller girl, Nar...something? Come again? She had the frosty thing going even more obviously than she did...

"Ah, yes, Professor! I'd like to go. My major is Criminal Justice with Psych."

Mathew smiled when he heard Angela Barstoe politely but firmly talking to Miss Binks. Angela was one of the few people that could stand up to Miss Binks and win. That was one of the reasons Mathew liked her. The other reason was she gave great lectures.

When Narshawn was introduced Alex raised his hand in a gesture of greeting. "Hi"

[ QUOTE ]
"It is an open lecture, but with your talent, I would like to see you here." Her look told Mathew she knew something, direct and lingering, almost a challenge. Being a Mind Controller and telepathic, she did.

[/ QUOTE ]

As much as Mathew got on with Angela and respected her as a lecturer she always made him feel nervous when she gave him that look. It was a look like she knew something but Mathew was not sure what.

[ QUOTE ]
"Shall I reserve seats for you, any of you?"

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
"Ah, yes, Professor! I'd like to go. My major is Criminal Justice with Psych."

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"I'd like to go too Professor Barstoe. I always enjoy your lectures." Mathew added with a smile. He looked side ways at Dani, hoping he had not pissed her off since they were going to be attending the same lecture. Come to think of.....the pink hair....he had seen her in a few of the same lectures before.

“Very good, I will keep two seats reserved. One for you, Mathew and one for Ms. Jones. I hope you don’t mind, but there is a block reserved for some of my friends as well….They are interesting people.” She seemed amused at her comment.

“ I know a little Criminal Justice, but the main focus is on diagnosis and treatment of multiple personalities. Many times,” she arched an eyebrow toward the two young people, “it is a misdiagnosis. There are many factors that lead doctors to conclude the condition, but few truly understand the cause.”

Narshawn remained a step behind the instructor, apparently anxious to leave. The floor below her feet was becoming sodden, tiny trickles of liquid flowed from her exposed lower legs. Angela turned towards her, giving a shake of her head.

“For now, we are pressed for time. It was very nice seeing you again, Professor Clemmons.” The professor was emphasized just enough to be noticed. “Narshawn has an appointment and I have an interview to attend to. If you are ever in the area, stop by my office,” She handed a brief, simple address card to the students. “I might have some coursework, for credit, you could help me with.”

Somehow, the way she said “coursework” did not sound like college approved work.

“Remember, next week, Wednesday, at 11:30AM. Xavier Hall, and please come dressed, that means at least a shirt and tie, or long skirt,” her gaze crossed from the boy to the young woman in turn. “And bring an open mind.” She straightened and adjusted her jacket again, seeming to be uncomfortable in it.

A motion of her hand and Narshawn backed a step, just before Angela did the same. They walked out of the library, a cool breeze all that remained.

[ QUOTE ]
Somehow, the way she said “coursework” did not sound like college approved work.

“Remember, next week, Wednesday, at 11:30AM. Xavier Hall, and please come dressed, that means at least a shirt and tie, or long skirt,” her gaze crossed from the boy to the young woman in turn. “And bring an open mind.” She straightened and adjusted her jacket again, seeming to be uncomfortable in it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm. 'Coursework' for credit. Dani was up with that! Anything to get more credits, especially if it didn't involve paying more tuition or fees. She had a scholarship, once...

She looked towards the remaining Professor Clemmons and Matt, "Anyone feel like some coffee?"

Mathew waved goodbye to Angela and Narshawn as they let. He liked the sound of extra credit.

[ QUOTE ]
She looked towards the remaining Professor Clemmons and Matt, "Anyone feel like some coffee?"

[/ QUOTE ]

"I was just on the way to the cafeteria when..... well..... you know.... sorry. Anyway, coffee sounds good. I hope they have something better then the same old stale sandwiches this time."

Mathew started to pick up his books off the ground. Luckily Miss Binks hand not realized the books had been dropped otherwise he would be in real trouble.

[ QUOTE ]
"I was just on the way to the cafeteria when..... well..... you know.... sorry. Anyway, coffee sounds good. I hope they have something better then the same old stale sandwiches this time."

[/ QUOTE ]

"Sure," said Dani, "That sounds good. Ditto on the sandwich thing, I'm on the cafeteria meal plan... any coffee is better than no coffee, but it's a stretch some days."

She waved goodbye to Professor Clemmons, "Bye, Prof!"

(OOC: Sol-Ar will be afk until Monday)

She clapped Matt on the back, "So... about that coffee..."

Mathew followed Dani to the cantina. The morning set of lectures had just concluded and a few students were starting to filter into the cantina. Luckily this meant most the good food was still left. The word ‘good’ was a term used loosely in the university cantina. A lot of money went into the University, its facilities, its equipment, its staff but next to nothing went into the cantina. Budget cuts had to be made somewhere.

Mr. Thorn, the cafeteria cook smiled when he spotted Mathew in the slowly growing line along the food counters. “Mathew, still working hard?” He asked, already knowing the answer.

“As always.” Mathew replied. “The food smells good.”

Mr. Thorn chuckled. “Your joking right? This is not proper cooking. If the university would let me I’d show you what real food is. Not this ‘ready made’ crap.”

A few of the students looked up from their trays. Mr. Thorn chuckled again.

“I better not say anymore before I get myself in trouble. See you later Mathew. Take it easy.” He said.

“I will. Bye Mr. Thorn.” Mathew replied.

Mr. Thorn was the kind of man who always spoke his mind, which had been known to get him into trouble a few times but nothing serious. The irony of the situation was he was a very good cook but with budget cuts, regulations and what he was given to work with he could not make the quality food he wanted. Despite it all the slightly plump dark haired chef managed to stay happy and friendly. However, he took no nonsense from students who started messing about.

When they had gotten their food and found a space Mathew sat down facing Dani. He placed his plate of pasta, coffee and books on the table. He felt a little awkward and unsure what to say to the girl. After all they had only just met and that had been by him knocking her to the ground.

“Sooooo… you’re a Psychology student. I thought you looked more like an Art or Media student.” He smiled, unsure of his own joke. “What do you plan to do when you finish University?”

[ QUOTE ]
“Sooooo… you’re a Psychology student. I thought you looked more like an Art or Media student.” He smiled, unsure of his own joke. “What do you plan to do when you finish University?”

[/ QUOTE ]

Dani had chosen the roast beef, potatoes, vegetables, and coffee. She hoped with enough gravy, the beef wouldn't be too much like shoe leather.

She hoped in vain.

"Well," she said after a fast gulp of coffee, "I was planning to go to law school. Don't know if that's going to happen. Money, you know." Her tone was ironic, "I had a scholarship. Basketball. But then this happened."

She picked up a half-empty glass of soda left on the table by another student. Tendrils of frost formed along the outside of the glass as the water froze, "Can't play basketball, bye-bye scholarship."

"So, I registered. Have to register, right? So much for the women's NBA," she sighed.

[ QUOTE ]
"So, I registered. Have to register, right? So much for the women's NBA," she sighed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mathew had thought her hand felt cold. He should have realized sooner but he thought the frostbite comment was a joke. After all it was winter, maybe she had just come in from out side.

"Do you mean you're a mutant?" He asked carefully. Some people did not like the term mutant. He then looked to the slowly freezing drink. "Does that mean you can never touch anyone?" He realized to late what he was asking sounded like.

[ QUOTE ]
"Do you mean you're a mutant?" He asked carefully. Some people did not like the term mutant. He then looked to the slowly freezing drink. "Does that mean you can never touch anyone?" He realized to late what he was asking sounded like.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dani's blood froze at Matt's words, well, not literally. "No," she said coldly, how else, "I'm not a mutant. Do you have a problem with mutants?"

The water was now frozen, and she tipped the glass over. The ice fell out with a solid *thunk* onto the table.

Mathew was starting to get the impression this girl had a hot temper despite her apparent cold abilities. He really did not want to be on the receiving end of it.

"No, no I don't. I was just asking. I didn't mean to up set you." He quickly apologized. He leaned back from the table, hands slightly raised as if defending himself. Some students had turned around to look at the two of them.

[ QUOTE ]
Mathew was starting to get the impression this girl had a hot temper despite her apparent cold abilities. He really did not want to be on the receiving end of it.

"No, no I don't. I was just asking. I didn't mean to up set you." He quickly apologized. He leaned back from the table, hands slightly raised as if defending himself. Some students had turned around to look at the two of them.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Well, a lot of people do. You'd think in this city, people wouldn't be so bigoted." She lightened up, "Relax, I'm not going to blast you or something. Sheesh."

"Oh, and to answer your other question, yes, I can touch people. I thought you'd get the joke, earlier." She gestured at her pink hair, "Most people notice the touch of frost. It's a real pain to wash." She grinned, enjoying the joke.