Black River

[Raven]

"Well sure," Colin said. "But I'm going to see the fire way before it makes me pass out or starts to burn other trees. Forest animals outrun fires all the time."

[Gifted]

"Except for the ones that don't." Rick said. "Forest animals also smell it faster and don't have the fire actively trying to trap or follow them."

[Raven]

"Yeah but agents also can't light the whole forest on fire!" Colin objected. "And if someone can light me on fire I don't think throwing a punch at the fire gifted with my hand is going to help me any..."

[Gifted]

"Why not? A fire gifted can put a fire out as easily as they started it. It doesn't put civilians in any danger, and depending on their level of control it might not even damage that much of the forest to box you in. Being able to fight bare handed gives you options when your options are exhausted. Which is the agents whole goal; box you in and exhaust your options until all you can do is surrender or die. They figure most will surrender, but if you don't, not like they'll care. They don't see one less gifted in the world as a bad thing."

[Raven]

"You sound like Mr. Clark," Colin said, his eyes lighting up.

[Gifted]

Rick chuckled, but inside he was cringing. He'd tipped his hand too far in his attempt not to be rude. Still, he could recover from this. "Oh yeah? Maybe that means I'll do good in his class, eh?"

[Raven]

"I bet," Colin said, grinning.

[Gifted]

"Still, it's true. Sounds like you should listen to him more often." Rick teased, nudging him.

[Raven]

"Oh yeah, yeah," Colin said, but he was still grinning. "Anyway, you wanna teach me now?"

[Gifted]

"Well, I was trying before you decided to cheat." Rick teased.

[Raven]

"Hey no you weren't, you were challenging me about dodging stuff," Colin said. "Besides, if I was cheating so were you."

[Gifted]

"Yes, but I wouldn't have had to if you had played fair to begin with. You're just upset that my cheating beats your cheating." He laughed. "Come on." He started patiently teaching Colin the basics.

[Raven]

Colin laughed easily and started training with Rick. He was not the best student, easily distracted and not seemingly interested in doing things that didn't capture his attention, but he was excited to learn, and didn't get upset when he failed.

The sun was beginning to sink behind the mountain peak when the teachers began to herd the students back inside. Though it was likely only 5pm, with the sun disappearing quite high in the skyline, the teachers began calling students inside to get ready for dinner. "Come on, you can show me your dorm," Colin said.

[Gifted]

"Alright. It's pretty nice." Rick said with a smile. "Because my power could wreck things for some people and I can't turn it off, I got set up in a solo room. It's cool."

[Raven]

"Oh, nice!" Colin said, grinning. "There are a few people who have their own, but most don't, so that's pretty sweet."