Year One

Taiyo watches the two through half-closed eyes. It's a fairly awkward not at all enticing display.

From the changing rooms emerge a trio of Tyranno Boys. Two males, one in red shorts, the other yellow, and a chrome domed female in a purple one piece. Each wearing the gangs trademark visors.

Taiyo: "This is going to suck."

*Thiera was about to lather her stomach, but stops, quite wary about these new arrivals. She looks around for any kind of plant--weeds poking out of a crack in the ground, leaves in the pool, even grass stains on clothes.*

No such luck. Taiyo draws her legs up to her chin and wraps her arms around them.

Taiyo: "At least they're over there."

Female: "Move it, spud!"

She pushes some kid into the pool as they make their way to the diving boards cutting in front of those who don't move willingly.

*Thinking of the billboard on the way to school, Eve turns on her computer and searches for recent state by state presidential polls*

T"(Maybe we should just go. I've been hearing about these guys all over the news.)"

Taiyo: "Okay..."

Yellow: "Hey, Bud, check out the chicken legs over there."

Bud: "Chicken legs in white be my kind of nasty."

===================================

Henry Philips is ahead in most red states and states that have reported Mutant related crimes most of which are on the West Coast.

*Thiera makes it a point to ignore them & shuffle Taiyo & Aroma to the exit.*

[I can't believe Philips is ahead on the West Coast and most red states. California is so blue they don't even count 1% of the votes before they call the election, and they're agreeing with the red states?]

*Eve shivers and shakes her head*

[There's no way people could be dumb enough to vote this guy into office. No way, no how.]

Taiyo sighs as she enters the showers.

Taiyo: "This was supposed to be fun."

*Eve leaves her computer and wanders down stairs to see if there's any updates on the news*

T"I'm sorry."

A"There's still the park. And maybe we can try the beach some other day?"

Taiyo: "Right!"

==================================

The shoot out came to a close with two of the Tyranno Boys taken to the hospital under police custody and one dead. Three police officers are woumded, one critical and another dead.

<Glad that's over.>

*Eve turns down the volume on the TV, then starts reading a magazine on the upcoming election*

At the park, there's some people walking around and a couple of families wandering about the stream, feeding ducks and swans when they're not being intimidating. Someone rides by a on a bike.

*Aroma & Thiera are back in their traditional outfits, & looking much more relaxed. Ven is walking towards them from the opposite direction.*

Eve:<I can't believe all this mutant hate. I hope the candidates are just being extreme till they get the nominate, as usual.>

Taiyo waves at Ven.

Taiyo: "Hi."

*Ven watches Taiyo warily & sniffs the air.*

V"Hello?"

And they presumably continue on their seperate ways, Taiyo looking over her shoulder at Ven as they pass.

*Ven walks rigidly, as though aware that she is being stared at. Thiera & Aroma stop & look back.*

T"Was that someone you knew?"

Taiyo: "Nope. Just thought she's cute."

*Thiera scratches her head & looks at Ven. Aroma looks at Taiyo with renewed interest.*

T"I guess she's...attractive...in a classical sense."

*Eve continues reading the political magazine, waiting for her parents to get home*

Taiyo: "Umm...sure."

*Ven smiles, & continues walking away with a bit of spring in her step.*

A"(You don't think she heard us, did you?)"

T"How? She's like 20 feet away."