[Deleted]

Firelli’s was always packed during the lunch rush. It was noisy, people talking over one another, orders being yelled from the kitchen, the sound of sizzling and clattering of dishes. Yet, it always would get the mouth watering; various smells of seasonings, toppings, and cooking pizza and other goodies filling the air that got the stomach rumbling in no time.

Things that should have been distracting in fact.

But for Zane, it was a welcoming one. He had been hard at work with his research as of late, both for his thesis as well as what he did for the Sector in regards to the Gifted. It almost seems he had little time for anything else anymore, even downtime to himself. He loved it of course. It meant he could one day reach his true goals of bringing to light the Gifted and giving a better understanding of this twist in nature, to change how the world viewed things. It was perhaps a larger than life goal, but one he thought could be reached little by little. But, he was slowly burning himself out, so Zane had decided he needed a study break.

Having ventured off campus, Zane had spent a bit of time wandering about town, deciding on what he was craving. Lo and behold, he happened upon Los Eurosia’s popular pizza joint. It had been a while since he had come here, and honestly he couldn’t resist having something incredibly greasy for the first time in a while. So, in he went, ordering a meat lover’s calzone, the largest they had just in case he decided on leftovers for later.

The young man lightly tapped his fingers on the table as he waited, a notebook laid on in front of him. At least he could do some looking over his notes while he waited though, it would be a bit before his food was ready after all. Though looking over what he had, they really could be condensed…”I really need to start cleaning this paper up before I do any serious writing.” He sighed to himself, just adding that small mental note to his already growing to-do list. As if he needed yet another task added to that mile long list already. Just the thought made him grimace and close the notebook shut.

Turned off with the thought of studying any further once and for all in that moment, Zane decided to find a new distraction as he waited. His gaze instead turning to scanning the crowd, sipping his soda as he did.

[Nell Shepherd]

Nell was nursing a headache by the time she walked in Firelli's, brought on by - well, life really. But more specifically brought on by the disaster of a call she had to take earlier which involved a very unhappy Cooper's Hawk who did not want to be put into a cat carrier and hauled off to rehab despite its broken wing. Stubborn...

After pulling feathers out of her hair and getting the bird comfortable and situated, she decided that she very much didn't want to cook tonight. That was not happening. Instead, she was looking forward to some greasy pizza while hoping everyone ignored the band aids all over her arm and one on her cheek. And if they didn't? Well, whatever.

As she grabbed her slice and turned around, she saw someone who looked familiar at the table. She waved at him - this time hoping she was right because last time she mistook someone's identity...uh...wasn't great - and went on over.

"Oh, hey," she said. "Aren't you in my chem class? Zane, right?"



@zanefowler (ooc: let me know if you want me to change the class or anything lol)

[Deleted]

A familiar prickle spread across Zane’s body all of a sudden, the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck standing on end as if he were expecting a scare or fearing something. A faint throb soon followed at the back of his skull, causing his jaw to clench briefly while reaching back to rub that area. That sense of his, a Gifted perhaps? He only seemed to feel this way when in their presence.

Zane’s gaze snapped towards the door, watching a few people leave and others coming in, wondering if one of them happened to be said Gifted. But, it seemed his appearance caught the eye of someone who had just grabbed an already made slice. For a moment he was puzzled as Nell addressed him, confused on how she knew his name initially. He had to take a moment to wrack his brain, trying to recall faces of those he knew. He saw many faces during the day, and the often blended together despite his photographic memory. So it’s wasn’t until Nell moved over and mentioned their shared chemistry class did it finally spark some realization. That’s right! She was one of his classmates in chemistry!

Albeit, Zane had never really spoken to her much, maybe in passing. So, he admittedly hadn’t paid much attention to her name or many others unless they were friends of his or he had a project with them. “Yea, hey! First time I’ve seen you outside class.” He finally greeted with a kind smile, giving a small wave of his own as she approached, “Take a seat if you like, place is pretty packed.” He may not have spoken to the girl, but he could at least be polite now.

Who knows, maybe he would make a friend he never previously thought he would.

“But yea, I’m Zane. Zane Fowler.” He confirmed, offering a hand towards her to shake but seemed a little embarrassed. “Though I have to admit I don’t recall yours miss. With so much going on I don’t always put names to a face.” He admitted sheepishly. He felt bad honestly. Nell was his classmate. One would think he would know most of them by now, but he usually paid enough attention to follow along in class and learn what he could. Sometimes even foregoing knowing his fellow classmates.

Nell Shepherd