[ooc: I am still the worst, since it took me so long to do this. :x I've been the world's slowest tagger lately & I'm so sorry! I hope my tag makes sense and you don't mind my using Ashley.]
Silly questions and children were a combination akin to peanut butter and jelly: they did exist separately but they were best when paired. Nikolai only tolerated silly questions from children with good humor; adults and their silly questions usually received an unimpressed look, complete with a frown, and a brief answer. The sheer wonder and open curiosity with which children approached the entire world were gifts to which he liked to cater. Nothing was quite so despicable as destroying a young person’s inquisitive nature simply because you happened to be a jaded adult. So Nikolai answered each question with thought and didn’t dismiss one, though he did occasionally give silly answers.
Immersed in the round of 120 questions as he was, Roanne’s shout was Nikolai’s first indication that Ashley might be anywhere nearby. When the young boy jumped up, he braced himself for the inevitable impact and was surprised when none came and the child’s arms sailed clean through him. The surprise didn’t last long though. When a person grew up with a best friend who could phase, these little moments were easily handled.
He took a step back and squatted down, so he wasn’t towering over Ashley anymore. The boy had already pulled his arms back, crossing them over his chest and looking disgruntled now that his trick hadn’t worked. Nikolai couldn’t help but chuckle softly under his breath. That expression spoke of mischief thwarted and the teacher was well-acquainted with it on the faces of students across the campus. In this scenario, a scolding could be the worst option available, Nikolai felt, so he took a different route.
“Hey. That’s an awesome trick.” Ashley’s face only relaxed slightly, still wary and vaguely put-out. Nikolai continued, “My best friend can do things like that. It’s pretty cool. He’s a lot like you, actually.”
This seemed to garner more interest and prompted a cautious question. “Yeah?”
“Yes. I think you might like him. You could probably meet him today, if you want.” Nikolai turned his head to catch Jamila’s eye, lifting his eyebrows at her. “What do you think?”