Who: Karolina Dean + Stephen Jameson Where: The park When: This afternoon What: Discussing her new arrangement Warnings: None Status: Closed | Complete
At the moment, Karolina sat on a bench by the park, sketching on her pad. She was working on a drawing of several children that were playing nearby, occasionally glancing up before she’d switch colors and put pencil to paper again. It was a nice distraction, working on her art instead of worrying about what was going on at the apartment she now lived in. Having something to do instead of staying home was nice. Sure, she could have hung out with Nico or Elena, but there were times when Karolina just liked to be on her own.
***
Stephen heard through the grapevine that his uncle had gotten a new ward, one who had abilities, and decided that he ought to make contact with her and let her know that he was here as a resource if anything strange happened. He wanted to believe that Jedikiah was genuinely on a new path and wouldn’t hurt any of the powered folks in town, but he was a little too cynical to be fully optimistic. He tracked her down in the park, and approached the bench carefully, not wanting to startle her.
“Hey, Karolina, right? I’m Stephen.”
***
Looking up when she heard her name, Karolina gave a quick, friendly smile. “Oh, hi - I’ve heard about you. John mentioned you.” Vaguely, at least, since John had told her a little. Setting down her pencil and pad, the blonde gave him her full attention.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.
***
Oh, good, she at least knew who he was. Stephen smiled back and moved to sit next to her. “Yeah, he’s mentioned you too,” he said. “I heard that you’re living with Jedikiah now.” It occurred to him that he might come across a little creepy with the knowing that and finding her. Hopefully the fact that he approached in public would keep her from panicking though. That would make him feel bad.
“And he’s told you about some of the stuff that happened at home, right?” He knew that John had posted several warnings on the network to people with abilities.
***
Her eyebrows did creep up slightly at his words, and she studied him a little more warily, but then nodded. “Yeah...my guardian was sent home Friday. Right in the middle of dinner, actually.” She hesitated at the question, then finally gave another nod - this one much slower than the first.
“We’ve talked about it a couple times. I know to call him if...I need anything, you know.” But she hoped there would never be a reason to, because she hadn’t told Jedikiah she had powers and didn’t intend to, either.
***
“Good,” Stephen said. “I figured you should meet me too. And you can call me if you ever need anything. I can teleport, so if you’re ever in trouble, I can be there in an instant.”
He’d never really tested how far his telepathy worked. Maybe that was something he should think about doing. If someone got in a tight spot and couldn’t call, it would be good if they could reach him psychically.
***
“Oh, great - hang on,” she said before pulling out her phone and handing it to him so he could put his number in. As he did, she studied him.
“Do you think I’m actually in...I don’t know, any kind of danger? With him?”
***
Stephen punched in his number and then sent himself a quick text so he’d have hers.
“Honestly? No. I think he’s genuinely changed his ways,” he said. “But this place in general is crazy and anything can happen.” He liked being able to use his powers for good.
***
“Yeah, I guess it is,” she said as she took her phone back. “He has another girl living there too, you know. Her name’s Glimmer, but I have no idea if she...can do anything,” Karolina said. And honestly, she wouldn’t mention it if she knew for certain Glimmer did have powers.
“He’s your uncle, right? Do you know him very well?”
***
Did he know Jedikiah well? That was a tough question. When he was younger, Stephen thought he knew his uncle well. Then he broke out and found out there was a lot about his uncle that he didn’t know, a lot about his family in general that was kept from him. “I guess that depends on your definition of well.”
Stephen shrugged. “He wasn’t always a bad guy. At least I don’t think so.” He decided not to mention that Jedikiah had a girlfriend with powers back home. A pregnant one at that.
***
“He’s seemed really nice so far. And I might be in his class anyway in the fall, so I guess it’s good I’m getting to know him now, right?” Karolina honestly wasn’t sure how to take the entire thing, but she was willing to give the man a chance - for now, at least. If anything, it would help her learn more about him so she could hide her secret better.
***
“Yeah, it’s still weird to think of him teaching,” Stephen admitted. Things were different here. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
He smiled at Karolina again. “Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your drawing. Let me know if you need anything.”
***
“Thanks, I will.” She smiled back at him as she put her phone away and picked up her sketchpad. “And it was really nice meeting you, Stephen.” As he left, she did a couple of quick sketches, just of his face, to work on later, then returned her attention to the kids.