Owner	Pose
Shannon	Countdown to E-day. Just a little over two weeks, and there had not yet been any word whatsoever on where Shannon's EMT exam was to be administered. She'd studied the books, pestered Dr. McCoy for any scrap of knowledge or training that might be of help, and been putting in plenty of time assisting in the Wellness Office as per Dr. McCoy's authorization. Yet still, she was pacing her dorm like a caged tiger.      She had to get out.      A swim often helped clear the mind, so she changed into a simple one-piece black swimsuit and made her way out to the pool, slipping into the water and doing her best to let her cares float away. But that was perhaps easier said than done....
Warpath	"Tension rolls off of you like heat." comes a quiet voice. Sitting at the edge of the pool in dusk, it isn't difficult to believe that distracted Shannon could miss one that sits deadly still when he wants and barely breathes. Master of the obvious maybe, but the words are those of concern for his little sister.
Shannon	She should have known Warpath was there. More often than not, he was able to sneak up on Shannon like that, even on one of her good days. But then, he had a lifetime of training behind him. "I'm trying not to let things get to me," she replies, after a deep sigh and some moments of silence. "Just got a lot on my plate, with the EMT exam coming up and I'm -still- getting the runaround on where it's supposed to be administered. On top of it all... damn it, I miss Ted like crazy. I know, he wanted to serve in the Peace Corps where he felt he could do the most good, but still... I miss him so much...." Her voice nearly breaks towards the end there, saved only by silence falling once more.
Warpath	"It is easy to be overwhelmed by life shik'isn. There are many paths pulling your attention towards them. It is a matter of learning how to focus your attention one place at a time when required." he suggests,"The exam is important. Where has very little bearing on the test itself. You know your skills and you have the knowledge. Let that guide you." There is a soft sigh and he nods,"As for Ted. I can understand to a point. It is difficult when one you love either doesn't return the love or is not close at hand to be with you and grow together." he adds lastly,"You have to respect the decision and let life play out how it will."
Shannon	One might mistake the droplets on Shannon's cheeks for water from the pool, as she floated on her back somewhat close by to where Warpath was sitting. But she kept her eyes towards the sky, and a little sniffle in her voice told a different tale. "I know, and on one hand I'm proud he made the choice to give back like that. But it doesn't stop me from missing him. We'd just talk for hours and hours, and we were just letting ourselves dream of what our lives would be like. And it was together. Now, who knows...."
Warpath	"You never know." he replies,"The Great Spirit will guide the two of you where it will. You will have to choose to follow or resist. Resisting rarely benefits you." he explains softly. The sniffle isn't missed and he looks at her with sympathy of a brother with a hurt sibling,"You just hang on to the memories for now and let things play out as they will."
Shannon	There is a slight movement of Shannon's head that might well be a nod in response, the younger sibling peering over at her elder, trying to smile a little bit. "There's a new arts label opening now, did you know? Mr. DaCosta's putting it together, and calling it Seraphim Studios. He's tapped me for the first musician on the label. I guess that's something... just wish Ted could hear the song I'll be putting out. He will, someday, I guess."
Warpath	"You just have to make sure you are a world wide hit. Everyone will hear it." he suggests with a touch of a smile,"Chin up shik'isn. Life will level out soon and you'll see the light through the fog." He leans forward, elbows on his knees,"I hadn't heard about the label yet, but it does sound like something he would do. Sometimes the flash and flare follow him everywhere."
Shannon	"Each song's been doing a little better, so I'm cautiously optimistic on this one," Shannon replies. "I'll try to keep my chin up. Just hope life levels out soon. Hell, I haven't even hit my eighteenth yet and I'm already on a rollercoaster."      Clapping her hands over her mouth, Shannon tries not to giggle, remembering all too well just how Warpath had seemed to relish a chance to tease her about the day coming up, when it had been inadvertently mentioned some months past. Now, with the occasion less than two weeks away, threats made in jest as banter, could become very, very real now....
Warpath	"Believe in your talent and your plan." he tells her. Her chin up comment gets a smile. The mention of her birthday gets a soft chuckle and he adds,"Ahh yes. I still have to get a stripper lined up for that party still. I wonder what X ladies should be invited for that little get together?" He's not independently rich, but he's got more than enough to buy several strippers just to get a rise out of her.
Shannon	"Oh good god... you're not serious about that, are you?!" An artist would have no difficulty in finding new shades of red to add to their latest painting, such is the study in the hue that her features have become. No longer floating on her back, she's paddling in the water, drawing one wing back and taking aim at Warpath. That great feathered limb sweeps across the surface of the water, sending a large spray in his direction that might prove difficult to dodge. But, at least she's giggling.
Warpath	"I have to make sure it is memorable." he replies,"You only turn 18 once." A soft chuckle and shakes his head,"I should get at least three I think." Of course he sees the wing setting and throwing the water his direction. Covering his face he takes the worst of the water there. Splash indeed. He stands and takes two steps before a cannonball soaks her and likely gives her a good wave to ride too.
Shannon	Yeah. There's just no dodging the incoming wave from the two-step cannonball that Warpath executes, sending water sloshing up the sides of the pool. But it's in good fun, and Shannon rides out the wave, letting it move her about as if she were just some piece of flotsam on the beach. "How about no strippers?" she retorts. "Who would I even invite to something like that, anyways?"
Warpath	He lets the water start to settle and he replies,"I have to make good on that promise. I promised you a stripper and so it will be." he teases lightly,"As for who...Jean, Rogue, Betsy, Pixie, and pretty much all the ladies of the mansion. It's all in good fun after all."
Shannon	"Some of who I'll still have to face every day in class for the next year afterwards," Shannon reminds him, face flaming as she laughs. "I'm not graduated yet... this is only my senior year." Still, something told her she was likely not escaping the birthday shenanigans this year. First, she starts humming a classic tune from the 70's. Then, she can't help singing the first few words. "I believe in miracles! Where ya from..."      Shaking her head, she chuckles. "And now I'll have that song stuck in my head for the next two weeks."
Warpath	"That's the best part of the show. Having to face them tomorrow." he teases lightly. He settles to tread water though he barely needs to,"You'll be the legend of the school. Not just anyone gets their own strippers for their birthday." Clearly enjoying this. He shakes his head and admits,"I don't recognize that one, so I should be safe."