Control

“Well thanks, …?” Margaret smiled, eyebrows raise to ask the girl her name.

“Ariel Coulson.” She smiled introducing herself.

“I mean, a cat is a pretty awesome form to take.”

“Yeah, I just hope I’ll get better at shifting into people.”

“Awesome, have you talked to your siblings yet?” He asked before frowning slightly. “I’ve been okay. Not great, but good.”

Yeah, I talked to Foster and Stella.” She said before noticing her father’s frown. She knew her family had been through a lot when the school had been attacked and they had lost a brother and he a son. “You know, if you ever need anything, I’m here.”

“Well alright. Your very kind.” She smiled, helping with the books. “I swear I’m not usually this much of a klutz.”

Ariel picked up several books and stood straight holding them out to the woman. “I won’t judge you, I can be a bit clumsy too.”

“Do you have like, a go-to form that you shift into most often?” Stella grimaced. “Physically, fine. Got pretty lucky actually.”

“Um, usually animals are the easiest for me, I seem to shift to a cat a lot more than anything else.”

Margaret liked to think she could only walk with a purpose. Head held high, ponytail bouncing behind her. Her stride was ever confident, despite being completely positive she had no idea where the classroom she was looking for was. If it was meant to be, She thought, than I’ll find–“omph!”

Ariel had been walking by when she noticed the girl trip. Being her caring self she rushed over to help the girl. She shook her head as the girl spoke. 

“I apologize to whoever is around me, but the Olympics are on and there’s no way you’re going to stop me from cheering.”

“I don’t mind, I enjoy the Olympics too, so I’ll be cheering with you.”

“Or maybe your just getting better.”

“How’s it been going?” Stella asked interestedly. “I’ve been…travelling. Got to the old school right before it blew up.” She didn’t mention Matt. It had been months, but she didn’t know if she could.”

“It’s been going okay, I have trouble staying in one form for too long, but I’m getting better.” She the turned serious. “I heard about hat happened, I was worried, I wish I could have came sooner. Are you okay?”

“figured you could use some. anyways how are you?”

“I’m good, still getting settled in, this place is pretty big. You?”

“What’s your favourite type of pizza?”

“Probably pepperoni or margarita. What’s your’s?”

“Well I for one am really happy to see you.” He said, turning off his phone. “So are you settling in nicely?”

“Yeah. I got my stuff all organized in my room. How have you been though?”

He turned, brightening. “Ari!” Wes called out, walking over to hug her. “How have you been, blondie?”

Ariel hugged him back smiling. “Hey! I’ve been good, what about you?”

“Yeah, he pretty consistently is stressed,” Stella realized with a start that she hadn’t seen her sister since she’d ran off, almost four years ago. “ But anyway, how are you? What have you been up to?”

It had been a while since she had seen her sister, but she didn’t want to bring up the past. She had missed Stella, a lot. “Well, you know, I’ve been training, learning to control my powers. What about you?”

“Awesome,” Foster grinned, “Let me just go grab some food and I’ll meet you back at the table.”

“Okay.” She said turning to put her books back in her bag.

“Well consider me surprised,” Stella grinned. “Have you seen Dad yet?”

“Yeah, I talked to him earlier for a bit. He seemed worried, but I guess he always does.”