L'histoire se répète.

“Mhm.” she’d press her lips into a fine line. “I think i can handle dodging the topics.” she’d offer the other a kind smile. “So tell me about the man thats lived a thousand lives. Have you met anyone extraordinary?”

Emily shrugged her shoulders at the other. “You can have one drink then, as long as you don’t plan on stopping me from my own self destruction.” she’d offer the other a small smile before taking another drink of her beer. “I don’t know why emotions are such a controlling aspect of peoples lives.” she’d sigh before running a hand through her hair. “Relationships suck.”

Antonia’s eyes flicked to the professor for a moment before she turned back to the street. It was calm now, but her mind was still on the display she’d seen. “No, practicing powers I’ve seen. This person was, apparently, training their cat to do tricks. I’ve never seen a trained cat before. Have you?” Professor Gerard, she expected, had seen most things in life, but if there were anything she hadn’t seen, she suspected it would be this.

Summer didn’t actually know any other language other than English, however, she knew Oui meant yes in French. She smiled and nodded, glad that she was right. She thought that she had seen him around campus before. “History is definitely a fun subject! I know I’m interested in parts of history.” Summer said in a gleefully. “How many years have you been around? If you don’t mind me asking.” Talking about the subject of history reminded her of the time that she tried to jump through time, all the way back to the Gladiators. However, it hadn’t worked out the way she had planned.

“I’m a painter, yes.” Summer nodded as she zipped her bag up. “I teach art classes. I like helping people express their emotions through art.” She said with a wide smile as she glanced towards him. “Though, sculpting sounds like fun! I might have to try that sometime.”

Mathieu smiled at her enthusiasm towards his favorite subject. It was always nice to meet someone who had an appreciation for things from the past.  “Well, I am 469 years old. My 470th birthday is coming up in a few months.” He paused, it was always a weird feeling when he vocalized exactly how old he was. This thought was always followed by his death count, which was at 39 currently. “I’ve been around for just about everything. Experiencing what it was like before electricity, modern television, smart phones, labtops...Hell, even cars.” He felt a sense of peace at his current residence. No longer shackled by changing identities. “But at face value, in mortal years, I am just 31.” He chuckled. 

Normally, when Kayleigh was restless and out late, she chose to go to the waterfall. The waterfall always felt the most like home to Kayleigh, which was odd since her home had been nothing like that. Her home had been more like this–a bench outside a big building, in the middle of a town she’d never leave. She was here tonight, partly because the weather hadn’t been good for a flight, and she hadn’t wanted to walk, and partly because it was close and easy and she didn’t feel like she was bothering anyone else.

Still, Kayleigh never liked to be alone. Things in the night still freaked her out, even if she couldn’t put a name to those things. So she was relieved when another person approached. She knew Professor Gerard, though not well, so she didn’t exactly jump when he approached. Instead, she slid down the bench, leaving him plenty of room. “Of course,” she said with a friendly smile. One he probably couldn’t see in the dark, but the gesture still stood, she thought.

For about 30 seconds, they sat in silence. Silence, like being alone, wasn’t something Kayleigh particularly liked. “So. It’s kinda late for you to be teaching still, isn’t it? Unless you were doing other things. I guess teachers probably do lots of things besides teach, huh.” She stopped herself there, turning from the sky, where she’d been staring off into nothingness, back to the professor, who hopefully wasn’t too bothered by her chatter.

Mathieu took his seat, smiling back at the girl. He could see the whites of her teeth and eyes, even in the dark. He always did appreciate a good smile, especially now that things were different. Locked in a town with no where to go. That fact didn’t bother him though. He was actually fond of it. If anything were to happen to him he wouldn’t have to relocate. He could just tally his death and move on with his eternal life. Things were silent for a moment, until the brunette broke it. This quickly snapped him out of his thought. He took a sip of his coffee, and let out a sigh. “A professor’s work is never done. I was working on a new lesson plan and lost track of time. I’m normally home before the street lights turn on.” He joked, thinking back to when he would watch kids scramble to get home before their mothers began to worry. 

This new plan he was working on had been tough. He wanted to incorporate a lot more of what he had seen, but was still weary it would be controversial. Especially in this day and age. My how things had changed. “And you? What brings you to this lovely bench?” He questioned. 

Summer was just rearranging her bag of art supplies when she heard someone speak near her. She glanced up and offered them a soft smile. “Of course you can sit here!” She said gleefully before patting the edge of the bench next to her. She then continued to shuffle through her large tote, feeling as if she had left something in her classroom. She knew that she could always rewind time, or freeze it and just go back and look for it, but that would be rude to the person that had just sat down next to her. 

She had seen him before, and was pretty sure he was a teacher himself. “Do you work here too?” Summer asked, motioning towards the school with a smile. She hoped she wasn’t just assuming. Nerves tugged at the pit of her stomach, waiting for his answer.

Mathieu sat down, setting his brief case on the ground. He took a sip from his coffee thermos and looked up to the sky. When he was asked if he worked at the school he nodded his head. “Oui.” It had been a long time since he had spoken French, but then again after all his time on earth he had learned many different languages. “I teach history here. I’m a man that’s seen many, many years so it’s grown to be my passion.” Which it had. He had experienced so many things through the centuries it was nice to teach his students about what he had seen. Even if a majority didn’t know that he had. 

He noticed her bag full of art supplies and cocked his head to the side. “Ah, the arts. What’s your forte? Are you a painter? A sculpter?” He questioned, trying to make a bit of small talk. 

Mordecai nodded, making a note to attend that lecture. How the other died would give him the insight on what cant kill him, and better clues of what his limits could be. Mordecai blinked in surprise, cocking his head as he heard the other getting up. “Oh? What time is it?”

Raina offered the other a small smile before chuckling softly. “Alright, i’ll see if our schedule will allow it.” she’d shrug her shoulders before picking up her container and taking another bite of her meal. “Thats a pretty short list, i think we’ll be able to manage to avoid those conversations.”

“I’m not a hard man to get along with. I’ve had plenty of friends over the decades. However, it is pertinent that none of those things get brought up.” Mathieu nodded. He had been questioned about the Titanic many times, and all he could ever say was that freezing to death was one of the most horrific ways he had passed. 

“Something like that.” she’d chuckle softly to herself before shaking her head gently. “I was always told the best way to forget our worries is by drowning them in alcohol.” she’d sigh before picking up her drink and taking another sip. “What brings you to this drab establishment?”

Mathieu shook his head. He wasn’t much for drinking his blues away..Considering the first and very last time he got drunk inside a bar he was murdered. He didn’t, however, have any advice on how to heal a broken heart. Only time could do that, or so people said. He had all the time in the world and was still shaken to his core by the mention of his deceased wife. “Alcohol has been used in many ways over the corse of history, however it’s number one use is to help make people forget.” He took another sip of his drink, setting it down to twirl an ice cube with his drink stirrer. “I come after a stressful day in the class room. One drink helps me wind down.” 

Charlotte regularly took her breaks from the hospital during the evenings. It seemed more peaceful and serene, and she found that with the impending curfew it meant that the streets were clear of dangerous individuals that didn’t mind using their powers for evil. Not that they would have much of a chance with the rotation of guards circulating the town.

Usually, she spent her breaks alone. However, tonight seemed different as an unfamiliar voice reached her ears. Looking up from her position on the bench, she smiled at the teacher and nodded in response. “Of course,” she said. “Late night at the office?”

Mathieu sat down next to the brunette, positioning his brief case at his feet. He held his coffee thermos on his lap and took a deep breath. The moon was beautiful tonight. The town was peaceful. He loved moments like this. “Oui.” He nodded his head, looking over to make eye contact. “New lesson plans, grading papers, trying not to pull my hair out at the lack of effort students are putting in now a days.” He let out a sigh. Yes, this newer generation was interesting. “And how are you doing this evening? Patients all behaving?” He thought the medical world was odd, just because he couldn’t relate to anything that happened inside the hospital. 

“And you have my support in whatever you decide.” Mordecai replied with a nod. He didnt mention the other’s silence, practically hearing the other’s eyes rolling. Yes, his power was both a gift and a curse…but so many would kill him for such an ability. Mordecai nodded softly with a hum, turning his head to look back out at the darkness with his sightless eyes. “If you wish, I would love to sit in on a lecture.”

Raina sighed glancing down to her salad. “it’s a good idea to have atleast one friend within a lifetime though, otherwise i imagine it would get very lonely…” she’d chew the inside of her lip trying to understand where the other was coming from. “Maybe you should make a list of safe topics for us to talk about next time i forget my water bottle?” she’d joke towards the other hoping to lighten his mood even in the slightest.

Raina furrowed her eyebrows at the other as his mood instantely changed. “Did i say something wrong?” she’d bite her bottom lip. “Look i’m sorry if i did, you just never knows what triggers people around here.” she’d sigh hoping the other would forgive her partially. “Do you want to talk about it? I mean we don’t have to no pressure… You just look like you could use a friend.”

Mathieu took in a deep breath, and removed one hand from his pocket. He rubbed his chin, scratching at his beard. He shook his head and wrinkled his forehead. Transparency would be the best in this situation. He didn’t want to offend her, besides it wasn’t her fault that he’s old as dirt. “I’m sorry. But I’ve lived nearly 500 years. I’ve experienced a lot of loss, and some memories aren’t worth being brought up.” He bowed down at her, nodding his head. “I’m sorry ma’am. When you live like I do, there isn’t much room for friends.” 

 Mordecai scoffed, waving a hand. “These textbooks they push onto us now a days are riddled with biases…I encourage you to give your own personal accounts and what truely happened.” Mordecai’s blind eyes flicked towards the other’s face, the sightless hues oddly holding the other’s own. “You are a rare bird, Mathieu. Such a gift that has been bestowed on you can be used to truely educate in a manner almost none would be able to.” Mordecai shrugged his shoulders. “I personally think to not use your knowledge would be too much of a waste.” Mordecai chuckled, tapping the side of his nose playfully as his eyes danced with mirth. “Being in the classroom aids me in ensuring students are listening to you….from what I have heard my presence ensures potential trouble makers dont start up.”

Raina chuckled softly at the others random laugh. “Baby’s can be cute though.” she’d shrug her shoulders softly. “And besides the sounds of little feet on the floor boards makes my heart feel warm and fuzzy.” she’d chuckle softly to herself before shaking her head. “Maybe one day.” she’d begin to chew the inside of her cheek as the other talked, nodding along to some of the statements he spoke.  “Although teaching them young is probably better so its instilled into there brain so when the time comes they make the correct decisions.”

Mathieu shrugged his shoulders. He hated children. Hated thinking of children. Hated thinking of his own children he had laid to rest. His first son, his first daughter. His could feel his entire body begin to go cold. He hated being immortal. “Not for me.” He said, coldly. He returned back to his ridged posture, his hands finding their way deeper into his pockets. He sucked in a deep breath, ignoring what she said after. “I’m sorry, it seems I’m late for something.” He lied, pressing his lips into a fine line. Fucking immortality. Fucking children. 

“Ahhh…the challenge of ensuring we have the young minds of tomorrow enraptured by our lessons. I truely believe it is something that you can never quite prepare yourself for.” Mordecai mused, smiling at the other. “I am sure once students learn of your long life and many experiences, they will be sitting at the edge of their seats. I may even pop in just to hear them for myself.” Mordecai laughed. While he was kind natured and warm to the other, it was his power that facinated him. Immortality….such a gift that many would kill for. If anything, it was an ability that could end, and even start, wars. one of the many reasons Mordecai wanted to figure out how to bottle it up.