Brain surfing

[Gifted]

Stephanie looked down. "Yeah... but I don't know what else to do... if they thought you were someone different, and I looked like I wasn't trying to hide you, and I was doing everything else they wanted, we just might get by..."

[Raven]

"Do I look that different?" Kailen asked, surprised.

[Gifted]

Stephanie nodded. "You don't carry yourself the same, and that is big part of the impression you leave on people. I don't want to seem insensitive, but you certainly don't do yourself any favours when it comes to talking to other people."

[Raven]

"I don't talk to many people. But what do you mean by favors?" Kailen asked, frowning.

[Gifted]

"The way you hold yourself is off-putting, Kailen. You look like you're waiting for someone to wrong you, like you think everyone you meet is plotting to stab you in the back somehow. It makes sense to me now that you've clearly been trying very hard to keep people from getting close enough to give your uncle an opening to find you, but you've just taken it too far. You're not exactly approachable."

[Raven]

"Well, I don't exactly want to be approached," Kailen said. But still, it wasn't the most appropriate thing to do when you we with the possible future president. He still couldn't really believe it. "Anyway, maybe it'll give us an extra bonus and it won't seem like I hate your parents more than everyone else if I ever come across them."

[Gifted]

Stephanie laughed. "I was actually thinking that they wouldn't recognize you. I was expecting hostility from you, so I had no trouble when you told me who you were in recognizing you. But you're so different that I don't think they'll connect you as the same person."

[Raven]

Had all of this changed him that much? Kailen frowned. "It makes sense, I guess." He'd been through a lot, and he'd never thought he was the same. And, after all, he hadn't really known her parents well. But a completely different person? "I guess that's one benefit." How did she feel about him now that he wasn't the person she'd known. In her mind it had been one thing. Out here, with time and chatting... Would she change her mind?

[Gifted]

"Yes, it is a benefit in this case." She looked down at her phone. "Unfortunately I have to take my leave now. I have a meeting in half an hour. But we should schedule a time to talk again."

[Raven]

"Yeah. You don't really have a way to reach me, but I'll be in touch."

[Gifted]

"You don't want to put aside a time now?" Stephanie seemed surprised for a moment, but then her expression smoothed over. "It's no problem. I'll notify my secretary of your return then and we can resume this discussion at a later date."

[Raven]

"We can now," Kailen said, grinning. "You free tomorrow?"

[Gifted]

She shook her head. "But I have a couple of hours the day after that are free, from noon to about 2:30. Shall I pencil you in there?"

[Raven]

"Sounds great," Kailen agreed. It felt strange making meetings, but he understood.

[Gifted]

"Fantastic. Then I shall see you then." Stephanie agreed, getting up to leave.