sim sala bim (pocket)

[COPYCAT]

Stella was an enigma wrapped in a little ginger riddle, though there was one thing that was for certain: she followed her own set of rules within the academy. Attending her mandatory classes today just was not scheduled in the planner inside her brain for no other reason than she simply did not feel like showing up. It's not that she didn't care--well, okay maybe she didn't, but combat training with a bunch of sweaty idiots just didn't sound appealing in comparison to paying a well needed visit to her sweet Jack Pinto (she knew he didn't have class at this time on this certain day anyhow).

Disguised as a tangerine orange--a color that matched her luscious locks--cat, Stella stealthy slipped between the late birds rushing to get to their necessary classrooms. Playing hooky just to drink a warm cup of tea and eat all of Professor Pinto's butterscotch was a common detour for the ginger, so trotting along the path to his office took no more than a mindless effort from her.

The large, wooden door was left slightly ajar, so it was easy for Stella to slip her lithe, furry body into the familiar room. It was well furnished, though completely empty of the old man she desired to greet. Perhaps he had just needed a potty break before he cracked open the thick pile of papers on top of the mahogany desk. He'd probably be in adult diapers soon enough, Stella thought in amusement to herself.

With one smooth leap, the shapeshifter bounded onto the desk and sat with her large, ruby red eyes fixed on the cracked door like Professor McGonagall waiting to start her lesson. It was that very piercing stare that even one who was unaware of her gift could sense that there was something strangely human about those slit pupils of her's. Her pumpkin shaded tail swished back and forth to the distinct ticking of a clock counting down the seconds.

[YETI]

Jack had been in the copier room, printing off his grading rubric for the science exam he'd just held. He had a spare and it was time to get some work done, especially since he had promised them their tests back at the beginning of the week--and it was friday. Oh well, Jack was busy with other things besides school (like what) so he had just pushed it back a few days. He adjusted his glasses and focused his attention on the rubric as he pushed the door to his classroom wide open. Even with his distraction, he would never miss the splash of orange fur sitting prettily upon his dark-wooden desk. He would, however, pretend to not notice her immediately.

He strolled from the open doorway to his desk leisurely, his trained eyes never leaving the paper in his hands. As he gingerly took his seat he finally spoke in a droll tone, eyes never leaving the paper, "Very cute, Stella, what happened to combat training?" He cleared his throat and slowly turned his green-blue eyes on her shining crimson ones. He could almost tell the cat was grinning at him, she would. He shook his head at her slowly, as though to chastise considering he found it hard to verbally discipline her. She was a wily girl, could pretty much talk her way out of anything. It didn't help his case that he thought so fondly of her. He sighed and stood from his desk and went to a side-table that he always kept in his room. He set the kettle to boil and set up two cups before returning back to his desk, but leaving the butterscotch where it sat.

"Well? Are you just going to stay as a cat or did you actually need me for something?" He didn't mind if it was the former, in spite of their age difference he enjoyed her company. She was like the spitfire daughter (or granddaughter, just saying, he's pretty damn old) he never had. But he felt obligated to prompt a conversation, because if she actually needed him for something he would drop marking those boring ol' tests in a heartbeat. Just as he was about to make some stern, fatherly eye-contact--the kettle clicked, which meant it was time to make the tea.

[COPYCAT]

Watching the young girl change shape was an interesting sight, though the whole transformation happened so fast that it was hard to decipher where the animal began and Stella ended. In fact, even in her human form the girl retained certain beastly qualities, the most blatant being the fluff ball of a fox's tail and the two large ears resting upon her head. However, in all but a moment, a small ginger sat with a Cheshire Cat grin etched into her face--just like Jack had suspected-- where the uncommonly orange feline was once perched. "Combat training? I took a rain check," Stella breezily responded, sliding down from the smooth counter top as her mentor turned to grab a pair of cups for their ritual tea party. "Besides," She nonchalantly began, pulling up an empty chair from the corner of the classroom to the front of the Jack's familiar old desk. "I'm more interested in mastering my powers rather than battling against my peers in the name of justice." Almost mockingly did Stella utter the last word as she plopped her ginger butt across from where Jack had seated his brittle old bones.

She had lightly brushed upon the subject of her past, something that seemed to be ages ago despite her apparent youth. It didn't do well for one's self esteem knowing that the only reason they were brought into this word was to be a classified weapon of destruction, and then to be aware that even that was fucked up. However, she did halt her stories as soon as she felt the information that was practically gushing out her mouth like an overflowed river was getting a bit too "woe is me" for her tastes. Despite the deep frown lines carved into the Yeti's wearied face that attempted to speak otherwise, Stella could see the furtive kindness in his ocean eyes. It was this very benevolence that allowed for her, like a flower slowly blooming in the spring, to gradually open up to this father-like figure of her's. Granted, there was still much Stella kept to herself which only fueled the mystery surrounding her, but it was a start.

"Need something?" Stella pretended to muse upon his question for a short few seconds before leisurely replying with a, "Nope, I'm afraid not." Her furry, citrus pigmented ears would flick toward the direction of the teapot, the sudden clicking sound immediately causing her to be alert despite the customary comfort of conversing with Jack within the confines of his own classroom. She felt secure inside these quarters, but the primitive, animalistic instincts that she possessed rarely allowed for Stella to be completely at ease. The law of the animal kingdom--survival of the fittest--was buried deep within her very genetics, and often did she find herself behaving by them, even if it were irrelevant in regards to her current living arrangements.

"Don't forget the honey in mine." She always had honey in her tea, which Jack was unlikely to forget something that was so part of their routine. "I've been thinking about joining the Kollective. I hear they have some great health benefits." It was a mere jest of course, though Stella always did find it amusing to give her professor another stress related wrinkle on that ancient face of his.

[YETI]

Dear old Jack, bless his heart, he couldn't be upset with her no matter how hard he tried. His lips thinned into a disapproving scowl, but he couldn't bring himself to scold her for skipping class. If it were any other kid he might have thrashed them around (mostly verbally) and pounded some sense into them, but he knew that Stella was a smart girl. Rebellious and free-spirited, but smart. He was also aware that his usual methods of scolding wouldn't work with her, in fact it would probably just generate more negative feelings. She was not someone who needed to be stifled or controlled, she'd had enough of that at her young age. That did not stop him, however, from sighing heavily and saying in a reproving tone, "Stella..." He clucked his tongue, but that was the extent of his discipline. Pretty sad and pathetic. Any student walking by the classroom could shout favoritism and he wouldn't be able to deny anything.

"Oh? And you don't believe in justice?" He inquired nonchalantly, although he was distinctly on edge. The subject of alignment for supers was never to be taken lightly, and Jack didn't want his star student to become a villainess that he would have to handle himself. "Hm." He responded, his tone obvious with disbelief. Stella rarely did anything for no reason at all, but he knew in due time she would talk about whatever it was she'd come here for. The discussions ranged from serious business to just for shiggles with them, and he appreciated both sides of the spectrum. Besides some of the teachers, there weren't many people who could match his wit and interest level.

He nodded at her little reminder, even though he had already put the honey in her tea a few second ago. This was Grandpa Jack, he never forgot the small details! As he placed her cup before her and took his seat, her next words nearly caused him to drop a boiling cup of tea in his lap. His normally plain expression that was almost never surprised by anything quickly formed a scowl, "Stella!" He muttered in a gruff tone, "Now why would you ever want to consort with those ruffians. Health benefits..." Oh god, he just imagined her meeting some 'bad boy' and him dragging her down the wrong path. Probably getting her pregnant by the age of twenty. The thought of it practically made five wrinkles appear, and he had to rub his eyes to ebb away the stress she was giving him.

He sighed heavily again, "Very funny young lady, but I don't buy it." He stared her down suspiciously, hoping to god she was just kidding around. Although, he didn't find it very humorous. The thought of her skipping out kind of made him sad. He wasn't ready for her to leave the nest quite yet, although what an unusual nest the academy made for. "Besides, you can't leave, I need you to stick around and keep talking some sense into your peers." He grumbled in a grouchy tone, pushing his glasses up briefly to rub his eyes again. He was too old for this shit!