« Prev 1 Next » Reply Share Thread Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn MySpace Email Go to Previous Thread Next Thread Please make a selection first Author Topic: New Year. New Challenges (Open) (Read 344 times) Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 1, 2017 22:15:50 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top War had spread across the world but everything just kept spinning.  Countless fights lost and won.  He'd seen a lot this last year, and he'd done more than he'd ever thought he could have done when he first enrolled.  It felt like that was an eternity ago.  Where someone breaking school rules was the biggest problem.  Where it felt like he was surrounded by potential enemies and bullies.  He'd seen what a real enemy was now, and he'd been surprised by his allies. He still wouldn't call most people here a friend, but a lot of that was because he didn't know how many of them saw him as one.  They'd learned to work together and trust each other.  And he'd trust his life with most people at Paradigm now, they'd proven it was trust well placed time and time again.  But that final step seemed to be the hardest. He sighed  as he settled down to gaze up at the night sky.  Tugging his jacket closer as his breath misted in front of him.  There was a new year approaching, and everyone always made resolutions for New Years.  He never had though, it always seemed pointless to pick a specific day to start toward a goal.  Like you needed to save up for it.  But this time he wanted to try things the way everyone else did it, it was a new year and maybe it could be the start of a new him.  One ready to rise up to meet new challenges. His New Year resolution was to finally make a friend he'd consider to be a close friend. Back to Top   Mike Savaak Puckett Mentor Intelligence Bundle of sunshine [send pm] Joined: November 2015 Gender: Posts: 1,081 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 4, 2017 18:17:12 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Savaak's breath came out in a soft cloud before her as she walked the campus, restless and for once alone. The past year had been reflected on and come up short, but not awful. A year ago, she'd been amidst friends and family, laughing life away. A year ago, she'd have been at a dazzling party to ring in the new year. But she wasn't. She was back at campus, but hadn't stayed long past Christmas, visiting others in her time back in the states and not at war. But she'd fought battles and knew what loss tasted like - what it felt like to fall short of our own expectations. Not that she hadn't enjoyed herself since. But, here she was. And apparently not alone. The blonde's eyes lit up at the sight of Mike, bundled in his jacket, walking her way. He seemed lost in his own little world, quiet and contemplative. For some, that was great for a new year. But it was more than just reflection, despite the bad times. The world was still living on around them! She put her fingers to her mouth and gave a wolf whistle. Back to Top   Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 4, 2017 18:27:34 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top The shrill wolf whistle was enough to snap him out of his thoughts as he looked for the source of the whistle. His shoulders relaxing when he saw that it was just Savaak. He gave her a small wave. "Happy New Year Savaak." Back to Top   Mike Savaak Puckett Mentor Intelligence Bundle of sunshine [send pm] Joined: November 2015 Gender: Posts: 1,081 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 4, 2017 23:44:51 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Savaak's lips curled into a smile as she watched him look around, making no secret of who or where she was. She waved when he caught sight of her, walking up to the quiet young man. "Happy New year, Mike. Whatcha up to?" Back to Top   Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 4, 2017 23:50:07 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Just thinking about the next year." He said with a shrug before standing up so as not to be rude. "What about you?" Back to Top   Mike Savaak Puckett Mentor Intelligence Bundle of sunshine [send pm] Joined: November 2015 Gender: Posts: 1,081 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 5, 2017 21:19:33 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Yeah? What about it?" Savaak tilted her head to the side somewhat with the question. Judging by the expression he'd had, it must have been some pretty heavy thinking. Weren't people normally working on ways to make the next year better? Or had he just not gotten to that part yet? When he turned the question to her, Savaak lifted a hand and gestured at the campus with a flourish. "Just taking in the sights. Reflecting. I hear that's pretty popular this time of year." Back to Top   Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 5, 2017 22:59:56 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Not much I guess." He wasn't really sure how to express what he was thinking, and he wasn't sure how much she'd really care either. Savaak was always nice, but aloof. "How are the sights?" Back to Top   Mike Savaak Puckett Mentor Intelligence Bundle of sunshine [send pm] Joined: November 2015 Gender: Posts: 1,081 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 18:19:14 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "You only guess?" She raised a brow at the evasive answer. "Looks like there's plenty on your mind to me." She offered Mike a bright smile and chuckled at his question with a shake of her head, hair wafting in a breeze that reminded the world it was still winter. "Here? About the same. Other places?" She shurgged, smile still in place. "Part of the plan is to find out." Back to Top   Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 20:17:31 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Find out what?" He asked with furrowed brows. He felt like she just jumped tracks. Back to Top   Mike Savaak Puckett Mentor Intelligence Bundle of sunshine [send pm] Joined: November 2015 Gender: Posts: 1,081 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 20:39:42 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She might have even done cartwheels across those tracks. She chuckled and shook her head, nodding in teh direction of the city. "You asked how the sights were. Here, they haven't changed much. Or not as much as they could have, I guess. It's still Paradigm. I guess it depends on if you think that people shape a place or not. But the rest I've seen? I don't know. Yet." Back to Top   Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 20:43:38 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Oh...." He didn't really think about that. The idea of people being what really shaped the site. He supposed it made sense, especially in a place like this. Familiar faces making it feel like home. Though in his experience the structure gave him more than the people did. "That makes sense." Back to Top   Mike Savaak Puckett Mentor Intelligence Bundle of sunshine [send pm] Joined: November 2015 Gender: Posts: 1,081 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 21:03:13 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Good." Especially since she hadn't even gone out celebrating yet. Yet. "So, any fancy plans or goals for the new year?" Back to Top   Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 21:08:24 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top He shook his head. "Nothing fancy." What would a fancy goal for the new year even be? Like growing a mustache? He'd probably look dumb with one if he tried. Back to Top   Mike Savaak Puckett Mentor Intelligence Bundle of sunshine [send pm] Joined: November 2015 Gender: Posts: 1,081 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 21:18:51 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top It seemed a good a time as any to pry and see just what it was that drew her friend to him. Plus, you know, it's fun being nosy sometimes. 'Anything not fancy?" Back to Top   Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 21:20:18 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "To make some friends." He said it bluntly, casually, and not at all like he was admitting something that was probably super embarrassing. He wanted to make friends, not acquaintances. « Last Edit: Jan 6, 2017 21:20:37 GMT -6 by Mike Daniels » Back to Top   Mike Savaak Puckett Mentor Intelligence Bundle of sunshine [send pm] Joined: November 2015 Gender: Posts: 1,081 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 22:04:48 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top The corners of Savaak's smile lifted at the answer. It was a simple one, though not bad. Did he not have friends, or did he just want more? it was hard not to be amused by the blunt response Mike didn't seem the kind of person who thrived off of being around others, though. "Not bad. Here's hoping it works out that way for you." She lifted her han in a casual gesture, as if toasting with an imaginary shot glass. Back to Top   Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 22:07:50 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Thanks." He went to shake her hand when he saw her hand move. But quickly brought it back down to his side seeing she was doing something else. The dim of night helping to obscure the small amount of crimson that creeped up his face at that mistake. Back to Top   Mike Savaak Puckett Mentor Intelligence Bundle of sunshine [send pm] Joined: November 2015 Gender: Posts: 1,081 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 23:49:13 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Savaak let the attempted pass without a word, hand falling back to her side. "So here's to hoping for new experiences and new friends, then. Even if they have to come looking for you." She added the latter with a playful wink. Back to Top   Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 23:50:50 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Huh?" He didn't get the tone shift, or the wink. What did she mean? Back to Top   Mike Savaak Puckett Mentor Intelligence Bundle of sunshine [send pm] Joined: November 2015 Gender: Posts: 1,081 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 23:56:24 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She decides to slow her pace a little, giving him a friendly smile that somehow seems to be all cheer. "It means I'm willing to give the new friend thing a shot if you are." Back to Top   Mike Daniels Mentor Defense I don't need you to believe in me [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 1,882 New Year. New Challenges (Open) « Jan 6, 2017 23:57:42 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Oh... Oh!" Okay, that was unexpected. Is that how this was supposed to go? Or was this just another thing to make fun of him behind his back? Like a trick. Despite himself he frowned pretty noticeably before nodding. "Okay. Let's be friends." And he'd extend his hand again for a shake. Back to Top   Mike Reply Share Thread Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn MySpace Email Go to Previous Thread Next Thread Please make a selection first