The Search for "Rose" (Lillian)

[Rose North]

"I don't have memories of people I don't know..." Dreams, that was all. All she'd had since the accident were dreams that seemed to follow people she didn't know. She refused to call those 'memories'. After all, dreams weren't reality. They weren't real!

He really was starting to get to her. The things he was saying, they made to much sense to be wild guesses, but it was impossible! Sure, there were mutants running around, but she was absolutely positive she wasn't one of them. If she was that accident never would have happened! He'd changed tactics though, not even bothering to respond to her last remark, and hitting more changes that had happened since the accident. She tried to hide her reaction though, covering her shock with a glare. "It's called post traumatic stress, moron. It's normal for people who have been in traumatic experiences to have changes in behavior." The last question though... How was she supposed to explain why she wasn't surprised? She should have been! She just.... wasn't.

"W-well, why should I be surprised when some freak shows up? I mean, you mutants are everywhere nowadays!" She scowled even more. "I seriously don't have time for this. Leave me the hell alone, and stop stalking me! I'm not this Rose person!" Her anger was escalating again, only Ian might notice the signs of her breaking point. Get Rose mad enough, she lashed out with out thinking. And Lily was starting to get that exact same expression...

[ian]

"Change in behavior maybe, but I highly doubt it would change the food you eat or the drinks you like. I've seen enough trauma in my life to know that one."

So she hasn't had any memories, but he couldn't figure out what else to call them. He then smiled as a thought hit his mind. How could he forget about Alex? She told him about her having nightmares of Cain every night since she was captured. It was worth a shot anyway right?

"What about sleeping? You have any dreams or nightmares? Ever see a guy with long silver hair and cold unfeeling eyes? Maybe even a kind looking old man in a wheelchair?"

He hoped that would spark something, but the look she was giving him made him know that her powers were about to explode, and literally. He smiled a bit, hoping he could push her to the point where she at least blew up something. When she demanded he stop stalking her and leave her alone, he just shrugged.

"Fine, I'll leave you alone, but if you really want to know why all this is going on then feel free to find me. I'm sure deep down you'll know where to look." he smiled, giving her a small wink, "See ya around I guess." He then turned and began walking away, hoping he had gotten to her enough to where her curiosity would get the better of her. That's one thing he knew he had on Rose. Her curiosity always caused her to just give up and find out, no matter how irritating things got.

[Rose North]

Lily was gritting her teeth, as if wanting to say something but forcing herself to keep it to herself. Most likely she wanted to say a number of insults, and what not. "It can. What, is there some law against changing your favorites?"

Lily almost twitched when he mentioned dreams and nightmares. Of course she was having dreams and nightmares! Who wouldn't after being hit by a car?! But when he continued, she froze. What the hell?! The Silver haired man.... He was always the villain in her dreams. And an old man wheelchair bound... He'd only appeared once, but she'd remember those eyes anywhere. Eyes that seemed to stare into your soul and only see the good in you... "Shut up." He'd really struck a nerve there, and finally pushed her over the edge. Though she couldn't see it something dark was surrounding her, something he'd recognize from the last month of her life. The full extend of her power. Dark matter.

The dark matter looked like a smoke at the moment, just hovering around her figure, almost like a glow...

When he started to leave though, she didn't move, just lowered her gaze to the ground. What did that mean? She'd know where to look? What the hell was wrong with this guy?!

[ian]

He stopped when he felt the change in the air. He looked back to her to see the Dark Matter swirling around her. It's Rose, it has to be, he thought as he watched it. He smiled and turned back away from her, walking steadily as he did.

"Sweet dreams."

As he walked away, he felt his heart sink and his smile fade. He sighed, placing his hands in his pockets the way he always did when he was upset. He had found Rose, or the new Rose, but she didn't know anything about him or didn't even know who she was. Jane and Pitsha said that he had to find her, and he did. The only thing he failed at was getting through to her.

Maybe I should've just let her be. She was happy without me showing up.

He sighed as he turned the corner around one of the dorm buildings, leaning back against it and looking up at the sky. The sky was cloudy, showing signs of snow beginning to fall. He remembered his and Rose's first Christmas together, which only made him more upset. His eyes began to water as he stared.

"Well I tried. I found her and tried to get through to her. Guess I failed, so...sorry."

He sniffled, wiping his eyes on his jacket sleeves as he pushed himself off of the wall. He wasn't speaking to anybody in particular, but in his mind he was aiming it towards Jane and Pitsha, though he knew neither heard him. He began walking back towards the mansion, hoping to get in before anybody knew he was gone. He tried running, but discovered that the speed he had was gone again. Whatever happened back there brought it back, but now that he was walking away, it was gone again.

[Rose North]

Lily left with out saying a single word to him again, forcing herself to calm down, just in case something did happen. The Dark Matter vanished as quickly as it came, and when Lily was back in her dorm room, she just stared out the window, crouched in a chair. The longer she tried to ignore it, the more sense it made. Why were things changing about her? Why did she completely loath her old favorite band? Why couldn't she even stand the sight of one of her old favorite foods? Why did she know things.... That they had barely started to discuss in their college courses?

The more she thought though, the bigger her headache got. That guys name... It was Ian Snyder. Why did she remember that like she'd said it almost everyday? Why could she remember everything about his face and actions, to a point where she could almost predict what he might do?!

Lily placed her hands on her temples, rubbing them as she felt her headache growing. Great. Just great. First headache since the accident... Only it was more like a migraine. The bad thing... When Rose got migraines..... Bad things happened... And Lily was Rose...

Nothing happened for a while, Ian was on his way back to the mansion, when there was an explosion. A big one, obviously something had hit a gas line... And by something.... Well what would accidentally hit a gas line as the exact same dormitory as the one the new Rose lived?

[ian]

He was half way down the block when he heard a loud explosion, the force causing him to be knocked forward onto his hands and knees. He looked behind him, seeing smoke rising from where he was walking from. He stood up and shook his head, realizing the smoke was coming from the dorm he came from.

"Oh no, Rose!"

He didn't know why he was still calling her Rose, even though she was now Lily. He ran back towards the dorm, seeing the building now in flames with the students either running from it or crowding around it in fear. He could feel his pulsing again, that same feeling he got when he first saw Lily.

"Well...here we go again."

He took a running start around the burning building, noticing nothing really happening yet. People were looking at him strangely, but soon they were having a hard time seeing him. He was running faster then he ever had before, causing a whirling mass of air to surround the entire building.

If I can do this right, I can choke the fire. Let's see if it works

He then began to notice other things happening as he ran. It was as if time was slowing down and he even caught a glimpse of a humming bird flapping it's wings as if it were a normal bird. He party wished that ice man was here, but for now he would have to try it. He looked up, smiling as he did. The fire was indeed dieing, and he knew that in a few moments it would be out completely.

[Rose North]

Lily wasn't one of the people in the crowd outside the building, where ever she was was a mystery. The fire had started on the second floor, before growing to consume the first and third. No one knew what had happened, some were thinking a faulty stove had been left on, or something, others were thinking someone had purposely started the fire, and those who hadn't picked as side were just trying to figure out how they were going to get the fire out! The Fire department was on it's way, but it'd be at least ten minutes before they go there. A fire this size could do a lot of damage in ten minutes...

To no one's knowledge, Lily was still inside, but completely unharmed. She sat leaning against a wall, her eyes closed as she rested her forehead on her knees, her fingers still rubbing each temple. Around her was Dark Matter, protecting her from the flames, even blocking out the noise of the fire. All in all, Lily didn't even know there was a fire. She was far to busy fighting off this headache. The stupid headache that Ian had given her...

[ian]

The fire was becoming nothing more then a small flicker by the time the funnel of hair had reached over the trees. It was like a tornado had surrounded the building entirely, yet nothing was being torn or thrown and it wasn't moving at all. Inside the funnel, Ian was smiling bigger then he had ever smiled before. Ian was back in business and faster then ever. When he was sure the fire was completely out, he slowed his momentum down, not even paying attention to the trough he had officially and literally ran into the earth.

He managed to stop himself in front of the main entrance, and in front of the entire dormitory. He stood their, looking at all of them as the smoke made it's way into the air, following the dust from the funnel cloud he kicked up. He d being nervous, it made the back of his neck itch. As he scratched the itch, his face turning red, he was suddenly surrounded by the students and even some teachers. There were pats on the back, hand shakes and even a few high fives. He smiled, feeling even more embarrassed by all of this. He saw a few cell phones and cameras taking pictures, knowing that he would no doubt be the talk of the college. He just hoped it didn't get out, or he would be in big trouble at the mansion.

"I-it was no trouble...really. Just wanted to help, that's all."

[Rose North]

When the fire was out, the somewhat barrier dropped, and Lily was feeling better. The timing was a little odd though. Looking around, she noticed everything was... well burnt! What the hell?! Standing, she stared in shock at the destruction, before sneaking a small peak out the window. Everyone was outside. Had a fire been going..? As quickly as she could, she left the building, out a back entrance to avoid anyone, going the long way around to the front and joined the crowd. They were around that guy, Ian Snyder, who was being treated like some sort of hero.

Her clothes were smoke free, leaving little reason for people to suspect she'd been inside... Everyone... Except for Ian. He might know. Her arms were folded across her chest as she watched him take the praise. Right then though... Something seemed to flash before her eyes. A memory of some sort... Of Ian. But... Rose's memories... She didn't know his name at the time, even though she should have. Rabbit boy.

That was all she could catch. He'd had the look of a scared rabbit, and that's what she'd always thought before his name for a while.. But what.... Why was she seeing that?! She wasn't Rose! She shouldn't be seeing something like that! Lily fixed him with a look, waiting for him to see it. And that look... It said she wanted to talk to him. In private. When she was sure he'd seen it, she hurried off, to get away from the crowd where she could ask him herself.

[ian]

"No, really it's ok."

He was feeling more then a little nervous about the praise, which didn't help his studdering any. It wasn't until he noticed that Lily was looking at him, her clothes unburnt, with a look that said she wanted to talk in private. He had to find some way to get away from everyone before he could talk to Lily.

"Hey, isn't that the fire department?"

He looked in a direction down the street, causing everyone else to look away. He smiled, speeding off to meet up with Lily on the other side of the building. When he was at her side, he plopped down on the ground, sitting with his legs out, his back against the wall and looking up at the sky.

"I...hate...publicity."

He didn't care what people called it, whether it was publicity, popularity, or whatever, he d it. He didn't like being the focus of any large crowd, it made him nervous and a little claustrophobic. He looked over to Lily, a little smile on his face as he stared up at her. He got up and dusted himself off before looking her over.

"Yep, barriers are a wonderful thing I guess."

[Rose North]

Lily's arms were folded tightly against her chest, her gaze on the ground as she walked. Again, her thoughts wandering, trying to make sense of that scene.... That Ian guy with a horrified expression, an Asian boy that looked furious... And the only thought in her head wasn't the boys' names. It was that Ian looked like a scared rabbit.

Then.. Ian was there, as if nothing had happened. And what he said hit a nerve. Barrier. She'd been in the fire.... and left unharmed. There was no other explanation. "What is this? Why do bad things happen when I'm angry, or scared, or hurt?" He had to know. He'd been right on everything else so far... "Why do I see you and think of a rabbit before anything else?"

Ian would remember, probably. When Rose had woken from her coma.... She'd forgotten everything. Amnesia. And she'd branded Ian as 'Rabbit Boy' when she'd first seen him. He'd realize, that for some reason, she was still remembering that much, that rabbits had something to do with him... And that for some reason, she should try and believe what he was saying....

[ian]

He listened to her ask her questions, wanting to know everything about what's been going on. He didn't know why he tried explaining things to her, but now she wants to know after he ran around putting out a fire? But looking at her again, he couldn't help but think of Rose. He wouldn't abandon Rose then, and whether this is her or not, he couldn't do it now.

"Ok, this is going to sound a little strange, but bare with me." He took a deep breath and began, "You have the ability to create barriers or force feilds. That headache you no doubt get? That power goes wacko when you get angry, blowing anything up around you. When your sad or scared, it wraps you up in some kind of barrier protecting you from everything, including fires."

He gave her a small wink and a smile when he pointed out the fires. When she made the comment about seeing a rabbit when she first sees him, he tried so hard to fight back tears. Rose had nicnamed him that while she was in her coma. It was the first time they ever really talked, even though it was before...

"You...I mean...Rose use to call me...Rabbit Boy before she really knew my name. Guess when you're fast it's kinda like you're a rabbit...I guess."

He turned away from her as the tears began to form. Why did she have to mention his nicname? He could've been strong and able to take anything, but she had to call him the one name Rose gave him before she died.

"Sorry." he mumbled, sniffling a bit, "Running around kicks up dust...gets in my eyes."

[Rose North]

Lily had her arms folded across her chest as she listened... and watched. "I hate to be the bearer or bad news, but last time I checked barriers didn't blow things up." It sounded crazy. He was calling her a mutant when she wasn't even sure what was happening to her. It'd only happened a few times after all... "I mean, barriers are shields, basically. Not swords. How the hell would you use a shield for anything but defense?" She wanted to believe what he was saying, but it was sounding more and more crazy as time went on.

His tearing up though, over some stupid nickname... Seriously? Why was he crying?! "No... Not because of your power..." That scene, he wasn't running around. He was.... Terrified. Terrified as a rabbit. "Scared as a rabbit..." At least, that's what the scene seemed like... "Yeah, dust. And it's started making you cry long after? Nice cover..."

Oh great, was she believing this mumbo jumbo now?! She covered her face with a hand. "Great. I'm talking with a lunatic. Yeah, sure, you were right about a few things, but that's it. I'm not your little girlfriend. I'm sorry for your loss and all, but it really doesn't concern me. It just isn't possible." Lily had to convince herself it was all just a coincidence, and he must just be good at reading people. It was a stupid carnival trick.

[ian]

He ran his hand through his hair, once again beginning to talk to a brick wall. He just saved her life after all, even though her life wasn't in any danger. He sighed, wiping his eyes and looking back to her.

"Yeah so maybe I was scared. How would you feel if someone you cared about was in danger?" he didn't mean to sound angry, but that was a sore spot for him, "The powers you have can be used for both offense and defense. Rose had the same power and she could make spheres, platforms, even walls and spears. It was all in her mind and she was dam good at it."

He looked over his work at the dorm, seeing the massive hole where the gas line no doubt exploded. When she called him a lunatic, he glared hard at her. He was getting tired of her calling him names.

"Look, lady, I'm not a freak, I'm not a lunatic. I'm a mutant and proud of it. I'm sorry if your perfect little world doesn't allow people like me, but you gotta come to terms some day that you're not exactly human yourself. And I know you're not my friend because my friend is , thanks for reminding me."

[Rose North]

Lily sighed, still covering her face. She must have lost her mind for a few moments when she wanted to talk to him... There was no way it was true, it wasn't possible. He was just overly obsessed with the girl's death, and wasn't willing to accept the fact. He was just looking for people who reminded him of her, thinking that somehow God had saved her.

"Like I've told you, if I had some sort of 'power', wouldn't I know it? You guys don't exactly have powers and not know about them, right?" Lily was sure. She was human. She wasn't a mutant. It was impossible. "Well, she sounds like a real hero, one of your good guys. IF she was so great, how did she even die then?" She didn't mean to sound heartless, it just... came out that way. Really, he made it sound like she was a god among mutants. If that were true, then how could she have died? What had happened to her?

When he started to talk back, she scowled. Sure, she deserved, but she didn't have to like it. "I am human." She glared for a few moments, her anger starting to rise again. Somehow though.... Something seemed to snap. Something that had lay dormant inside her broke to the surface. "If I'm dead why can't you let me go?!" Her gaze... her posture, everything changed in the blink of an eye. It was still that same redheaded girl, but suddenly she was wearing the same expressions as Rose, the same looks in her eyes, the same way of holding herself. For some reason.... Rose was pissed. Why? Well, guys rarely knew why. The girls just expected the guys to know with out telling them.

Then... As quickly as it came, Rose was gone again, in the blink of an eye, leaving a completely bewildered Lily...