Start of Something New (Michael)

[BASTIAN RAY HAWTHORNE]

It was about 9 o'clock. Where was Bastian? Not in his dormitories or bed. No, the young wind was in the library. In armchair in the back of the library to be precise. It wasn't school work that this boy was so focused on. As usual the young wind had his head in his sketchbook and was busy trying to finish up a drawing. He was working on a gift for his younger sister and needed it to be perfect. He was on the edge of finishing the drawing and couldn't put his pencil down. He was drawing a bouquet of various flowers fill with vibrant colors. The library had been the quietest place he could find to work and had lost track of time. He had worked on some of his school for a while but eventually found himself in his sketchbook again.

It was late and didn't even think anyone else was in the library. He figured the librarian would eventually shoo him off when it came it came time to close up. Until then though he didn't worry about that. The only thing that was slightly distracting Bastian was the sound of tapping at the window. For on this slightly cool night outside the rain was pouring. Bastian didn't mind the rain. It was what sometimes came with it that scared Bastian. The boy didn't think about it. He just focused on his drawing and trying to finish up before getting kicked out of the library. Then again everything didn't always go according to plan because after another moment Bastian himself in a dark room. The lights had gone out in the library and probably in other places around the castle. Bastian sighed. Just perfect. No point in sticking around now he guessed. Bastian got up from his chair and began to put his things back in his bag after his eyes had adjusted to the darkness. He first put in his sketchbook and that was when the lights the hung on the walls slightly dimmed up enough that he could see. He started picking up his pencils when it happened. Crash. Bastian froze. The thunder crashed like a canon being fired. Then came the lighting flashed and Bastian jumped backwards suddenly hitting the wall behind him. His pencils fell to the ground in scattered pile. Bastian just crouched down, shut his eyes and covered his ears. "It will pass. It will pass." he whispered to himself as he started to slightly shake.

[ben]

There was a low thud as Michael shut his book, then dropped it onto the table in front of him. He glanced at his watch, it was nine. That left him about an hour to get a little more reading done. He pushed away from the table and stood up, grabbing his book Michael walked to the section he had removed it from. The library was by far his favorite place at this school, it was certainly larger than the one he had grown accustomed to. Although he couldn't say it was better than his grandfather's, that was just because of personal reasons though. This one wasn't flooded with thousands of memories, well not his at least. The steady pitter-patter of rain was constant as it drummed against the windows. Michael slipped his reading material back into it's place, then followed the sound.

Storms, he loved them. Thunder and lightning, his favorite parts, weren't necessarily guaranteed though. This could just be an ordinary downpour after all. Either way Michael found himself drawn to the window. He looked outside, but it was too hard to see anything so he turned his attention back to the shelves stocked with books. He wandered over to some random section and grabbed one, then headed back to his table. Michael set the book down and took his seat. His reading continued until the lights flickered and shut off. "Great..." he muttered closing his book and standing up. It took a while, but eventually his eyes adjusted and he could actually see slightly.

Michael grabbed the book and started moving through the dark with no idea of where he was going. Finally the lights came back on a bit and he found his way back to the section he had removed the book from. With the book back in the spot Michael had removed it from he turned with the intention of finding something else. That was when a flash lit up the library accompanied by a boom of thunder. He started walking to the window, lightning was always something he enjoyed watching. On his way there Michael spotted a figure crouched down and covering their ears, he could hear them whispering something, but couldn't make it out. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked walking over to them.

[BASTIAN RAY HAWTHORNE]

Bastian was not one to get scared easily but if there was anything that completely terrified Bastian it was thunder and lightning. The young boy always completely froze when it came to thunder and lightning storms. Normally he was able to avoid them thankfully in the sense he would be safe in his bed by the time they rolled around. Of course the one day that he would choose to stay up later than usual would be the day the storms would decide to make their presence known. This was just fantastic. The thunder crashed again which only made Bastian cover his ears more and turned away when the lightning crashed. Bastian had always been afraid of thunder and lightning, or at least for as long as he could remember. Then his time in New York didn't really help when he was living on the streets. Yes, he was able to find places to stay out of the rain but the giant crashes never failed to get to Bastian.

Now here he was, crouched down in a corner in the library trying to wait out the storms, hoping that they would pass soon without further trouble and hoping that no one would come this way. That was asking too much. Even with his ears covered he was able to faintly make out the sound of a someone's voice. He was able to slightly open his eyes to make out the figure of a male, probably around the same age as Bastian coming towards him. This was great. This was exactly what he was hoping to avoid. Someone finding him in this cowardly state. Bastian knew enough that this person was not a wind but obviously didn't know what element exactly he was. So basically the question was how would this stranger respond to the scene of Bastian. Bastian began to speak in a shaky voice. "I-I'm f..." but Bastian didn't get to finish his sentence for he was interrupted by another loud crash and quick flash which only resulted in Bastian returning to his previous state.

"Fine. I'm fine. I'm just not a big fan of thunder and lightning." he said in a soft voice just loud enough to be heard. He began to open his eyes again, just to rid his shivers and trying to break out of his fears at the moment.

[ben]

Michael hadn't expected to find anyone else here, least of all someone crouched in the corner covering their ears. He often stayed until the library was closed to the students yet to graduate and he had never seen anyone else at this hour. He looked around at the pencils scattered across the ground. Either an artist or a writer, that wasn't important right now though so he set the thought aside for later. When he started to speak Michael listened, but there was more thunder which quieted him. It never occurred to Michael that someone could be so frightened by a storm, this was an excellent example though. And he was afraid of small spaces after all, everyone had their fears.

Back to the matter at hand, the storm was still raging outside and he felt obligated to help this person whom he'd just met, not a common occurrence when it came to Michael. It looked like they were about the same age, he tried to remember if they had ever spoken. Nothing came to mind, Michael wasn't exactly a people person though so it wasn't surprising. "Let me help you pick these up" he said grabbing a few of the pencils and holding them out.

There was another flash of lightning and the crack of thunder sounded only a second later. Once again the lights flickered off bathing them in darkness. Michael sighed, this was ridiculous. This storm was starting to become a nuisance, he still enjoyed it a little though. Plus, the dark wasn't all that bad, but it was definitely going to make it harder to pick up all of these pencils. The rain had somehow gotten even worse, now the sound of it pounding against the windows was almost enough to drown out all other sound.

The best idea would be to leave, and it was already late enough anyway. Hopefully it wouldn't be too hard to find the exit in the darkness, or better yet the lights would come back on.

(Sorry this took so long)

[BASTIAN RAY HAWTHORNE]

It was rather odd. If say Bastian was around a thunder that was using his powers he was completely fascinated by it. He loved seeing elementals in work, responsibly of course. It was another whole thing when it came to a lightning or thunder storm. That would caused a huge fear to arise within Bastian that left him feeling helpless, weak and very vulnerable. He hated it and that was why he try to avoid most people during these kinds of storms. If he was at home or in his dorm room. He could keep himself hidden and no one would really know what he was up to. If say the storms hit during the day he was a bit screwed. he was able to remain calm through a lot of effort but thankfully it seemed that he was lucky enough to avoid the storms during the day.

It was for this exact reason why he tried to secluded himself when storms hit. He didn't want to seen in such a vulnerable state. At least so far this stranger didn't seem like the taunting or teasing type. He was being rather helpful. Bastian began took the pencils from him slowly as he began to creep out of his bubble, trying to recompose himself. "Thank you." he began to start to pick up his fallen utensils as well. This was embarrassing. The storm was worsening by the minute which was only making things worse for Bastian. Then the lights when off again. Just fantastic. This was exactly what he needed right now as he tried to scrounge for his things. He pulled out his phone and used the light of the screen to try and locate his things. "You should probably get going. I don't want to waste anymore of your time." he said shyly as he picked up the remaining pencils and put them back in their case. Flash. Another strike of lightning hit. Bastian's eyes closed in a flash. A light whimper escaped from his lips.

"Really. I'll be fine. Thank you for the help." he said trying to sound confident but failing.