"Oh bloody heck. Will someone here please remind me just why exactly we have to learn how to draw dead stuff?" Lethe muttered in frustration.
"I don't know, nor do I particularly care. Just do it, yeah?" Styx replied softly.
"Over there, that's Uo Daenta. He can see and does draw some incredible auras. You know, he's an empath. He told us once." Cocytus said. They looked at Uo. He was thoroughly engrossed in his painting of the dead. His hair was unkempt and long enough that he could cover his eyes if he had not brushed it to the side. Uo had a face that made people want to talk to, not handsome, but made people want to open up to him. "He's a good painter. You know," He added, "The four of you ought to know some people apart from us."
"I do not see the point in that." Acherus said, Acheros having flown off somewhere in the meantime. "It is not as if we are staying for our whole life, are we? Even then, I see no reason for acquaintance. Though I am sure my brother will object in favor of some torture."
"All you and your brother think of the whole time is stealing, suffering or burning. Your objection holds no weight." Kestrel retorted. "I tell you, if everyone knows who you are, and you don't know any of them, then either you are famous, or there is something wrong with you."
"Alright, since you want us to meet other people, then you could probably start with that person Uo." Styx piped up.
"Uo? He's really kind of touc-"
"Talk once more during my lesson and the whole group of you can get out!" Their teacher flared up at them. They instantly kept quiet.
Right. Thank goodness for telepathy, aye? Styx sent.
It's not as if we have much to talk about for now, do we. Phlegyas stated.
True, true. Best get on with the morbid painting. Lacier told them.
And surprisingly, Uo approached them first during FullLight break. Without any preamble, he started. "Kestrel, Cocytus, Lacier, hello. Don't introduce, I heard everything that happened. You'd be surprised at how well empaths' hearings can be. Or at least hearing augmented with feeling emotions. Not the point. I heard what you said about meeting other people. Anyway, what intrigued me was that I felt something there. I've never felt that before. There was some kind of link and emotions traveled back and forth between all of you. What was that?" He said quickly, scarcely taking a breath and obviously intrigued.
Go on, tell him. He's fine. Lacier gave the go ahead as Styx hesitated.
"There, I sensed it again. Are you all somehow communicating?" Uo said, crossing his arms.
"Yes, we are as a matter of fact. I'm telepathic and I made a link between the bunch of us." Styx said, standing straight to make the most of her dimunitive height, daring him to make a comment.
"I see, I see. Never knew there were telepaths out there, but then again, I don't know many things-"
"Lies, Master Daenta, lies. You know just about everything that goes on in the class." Cocytus put in.
"It's not as if I can help it, can I?" Uo said, clearly irritated. "Empathy is depressing. You think I wish I was an empath? You think I want to be an empath?" His temper rose, as did his voice.
"Cool down, keep calm." Kestrel quickly advised him.
"Y..Yes, I apologise for losing my temper." Uo managed a weak smile. "This is how I am. I hope you do not think too badly about me."
"It's fine, we know how it is."
"Lacier's right, don't worry."
"Thank you. Well, it's surprising how many people transferred in in such a short period of time. Hmm, Acherus, yes? Acherus, where's that brother of yours?" Uo said brightly, a stark contrast from how angry and frustrated he was.
"You heard even that? Well, he's telling me to pass the message to mind your own business, but I'll just say that he's out there in the fields attempting to scare mice, I think, scaring mice to death. It's actually quite amazing how weak their hearts can be."
"Umm, guys? I, uh, I don't feel too good. I feel really tired. And pissed. I don't know why. But I'm just angry at some damned thing, I don't know what. Eff this." Except that Lethe didn't say eff, did she.
"Pardon me, I have to go, I have, uh, things to attend to." With which words, Uo took off quickly, looking flustered and embarrassed. Not that any of them knew what he was embarrassed about.
Turning back to Lethe, Lacier said, "Hey, what's wrong? You weren't so vulgar before. Or so crude."
"I don't bloody know! Why should you effing care!" Lethe almost shouted out. Once again, she did not say eff.
"With your permission, I could find out the cause?" Styx asked cautiously.
Lethe clamped on her tongue and bit back an angry retort. "Yeah," She forced out the affirmation. "Yeah, go ahead."
Styx started concentrating. "Your vulgarity... stems from.... memories? Of a past that is not yours.... From.... your... ability.." Styx let out a gasp. "Pardon me, I'm having a little... trouble going through the..... memories." While this took place, Lethe was holding her head tightly as if she was experiencing a migraine. "That girl you.... touched. Her past.... impinges on you..." Styx stopped concentrating and Lethe released her head with a sigh of relief. "Lethe, you're influenced by the memories of others, though they are not yours. You know the philosophy, tabula rasa?" The group shook their heads, with the exception of Acherus. "It's the blank slate philosophy, where we're all born the same, and it's our experiences which make us. In a sense, these experiences which you have only as memories, which is all experience is, affect your personality." Styx dropped down onto her seat. "Never knew it was so tiring." She murmured with a slight exhalation and promptly slept.
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