Chapter 2

"Ah, I am, that is, my name... Silva, my name is Silva. Ah, yes, alright, I am alright." Silva was in a full-on panic mode. To be fair, she felt that the current situation was the biggest disaster of her life! Not only she made contact with Steven and Mika in a terrible and uncontrolled way, but she also had physically, and possibly, seriously hurt someone. That this someone was knocked out and bleeding next to her feet did not help her at all. Even if Steven claimed that he was alright she still felt stressed about the possible consequences.

And worst of all? She was sure that Mika had seen something she would have wanted to reveal in a more controlled way. "Great, not only I fucked up the social interaction part, but I also, quite possibly, probably, for sure, showed her my ability."

"Nice to meet you, Silva, you have great timing, we were in trouble here, you know?” Steven then gave her a reassuring smile. “But for now, how about we change the scenery?” Steven gestured at the laying men before continuing, “and then talk some more? There is a nice teahouse nearby, where we could sit down and relax. Tea has a nice calming effect you know.”

"Are they... Will they be alright?" Silva felt her head spin. Still, she appreciated Stevens attempt at sidetracking her thoughts. She once again received an affirmative answer and after some thought, she decided to trust Steven's judgement and moving away from this place was sure to improve her mental state. At least there she would not have to look at the 'corpse' she had made."Then, that would be good? Lead the way?"

Steven laughed "Why were those questions? Okay, I would like to show the teahouse to you, its called "Shan-Tea", the owner has a very unique taste and you won’t find tea like you can get there in no other place," he continued to speak as he starting to lead them away.

Silva could only admire how easy it was for Steven to lead a conversation, even with an unresponsive partner like her. She gave the last glance to the victims before returning back to the street she had entered from just a little while ago.

It seemed like Steven did not expect for her to say anything as he was speaking endless nonsense while Mika seemed content to just walk beside him and giving an occasional remark.

Silva, meanwhile, fell into a short dance of confusion, when she had to decide where to position herself while walking. In the end, she decided to settle at the left side of Steven while the right one was occupied by Mika.

Silva wondered how she should act if someone came from the other direction, but to her relief, there was no one walking this way for now, so there were no problems for them to take all of the side-walk for themselves. She glanced at Mika then Steven, then at his back of the head.

Where Silva had expected to see some kind of a wound there was none, she also noticed that his knuckles were not damaged as one would expect after a fistfight.

As for Mika she only had wrinkled her clothes and by now she had already corrected them. Steven still had some dirt on him, but it did seem like he cared about it. Or maybe he just forgot, by as it might Mika tersely reminded him about the dirt and he absent-mindedly brushed it off. During the process, he still kept talking.

While wondering how Steven had not hurt himself she considered that maybe Mika had already healed him while she was not looking, or maybe his ability allowed him to avoid injuries.

Yes, the main reason she had followed them was this. Mika was a healer and Steven had an unknown ability to his name as well.

Silva clearly remembered the time she had walked home after school when she had caught sight of those two walking off to a remote place in a nearby park. She almost passed them, as she had no interest in school romances or romances in general, but before turning away she had noticed that Steven was bleeding from a cut right above his eyebrow. It looked to be bleeding heavily. Curiosity got better of her as normally people would look for medical attention in cases like these, or at least show worry or distress.

There was none of that. Both, Steven and Mika were walking in a measured pace, while Mika berated Steven for his recklessness, They were checking for any people nearby until they found themselves in a gazebo.

While they once again checked for any witnesses Silva had already arrived next to gazebo and could hear them speaking in a hushed tone. What she heard left her breathless.

They were same as her. They had powers. Silva had tried her best to calm down as she held her breath and tried to not miss the slightest detail. When she had taken a peek again she saw something unforgettable.

Mika put her hand on Stevens cut and for a few minutes, they just sat there. There was nothing indicating that anything was changing or happening. Silva did not know what she had expected, but there was just silence that bordered the line of being awkward. After Mika finally removed her hand the cut was gone.

After both of them had left, Silva was left standing in disbelief. She had found people like her. It was true that she had never thought of herself as unique, but to find people like her so close was still surprising.

She was elated, scared, excited and had a myriad of other emotions swirling inside of her. She did not know what Stevens ability was, nor where they lived, their last names, what their hobbies were, but now she had a goal. She wanted to befriend them.

Only then she remembered that she had no idea where to start. The important part was that she did not know if they were from around here, so the next few days she lingered around the park in hoped to meet the duo again. After three days she saw them once again.

Afterwards, Silva had followed them whenever possible, plotting, gathering information and trying to figure out how to get to know them. In the end, all of her actions had lead to this day.

And now she had a chance to befriend them. She gathered her courage to ask a question, something, anything would do! "Think girl! That's what your head is meant for! Ask them 'Are you hurt?', no, don't be stupid, it is clear that he is not, how about, what those thugs wanted! Or maybe where are we going? No, no, I already know where! How about..." The more she thought the more troubled she became.

"Is there something wrong?" Finally asked Mika cutting Steven's prolonged monologue in short.

To which Silva gave the most logical answer "Are you two dating?" "Nooooooooooooo..."

"Are we what?" Steven tried to clarify.

"I mean, nothing’s wrong! Everything is fine!" "...ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

Steven gave her a perplexed gaze, but then just shrugged. “We have arrived!" Steven proceeded to open doors to what Silva could only describe as most ridiculously decorated place she had ever seen, and what's more, to enter.

Bright colours threatened to blind her, orange, yellow and white were the dominant ones, with blue and violet hues splashed in-between. There were colourful animal figurines and pots full of plants she did not recognize all around her. Every crevice seemed to be stuffed with some knick-knack or other.

Seeing Steven waiving her in she entered as Mika followed after. They navigated to the nearest table where she and Mika sat down, while Steven went to make an order. His treat he said. Silva once again looked around still in disbelief. She had gone past this place before but never had given it the attention it deserved. If only for her to avoid it.

"I hate this place," Mika muttered just loud enough for Silva to hear. Not that there was anyone else who could take an offence in her statement. The place was without any costumers besides them.

"Ah, it's certainly eccentric." Silva conceded. She tried to not fidget in her seat, but that was made harder by the penetrating regard that was directed her way.

"We are not dating." Mika continued.

"Ah?” Silva kept fidgeting in her seat and did not quite catch what Mika had meant with that until she remembered her attempt at conversation before they had entered the teahouse.

"You asked if we are dating. We are not. I wouldn't date him." Mika said with conviction.

"Ah, that's, huh? I thought you got along, aren't you both always together?" Silva asked until she realized that her tongue had slipped and she had asked something she should not have.

"It seems like you know about us. Strange, I don't seem to recall you seeing around. Are you from our school?" Mika's gaze had turned scary making Silva's anxiety spike and blurt out even more.

"Ah, yes, that is no! We are from different schools. We have not met before! Year younger than you... I should not have said I know your age, should I?" Silva quieted down.

Now a silence overtook the table and after a few seconds, Silva could not take it any more as she risked to look up to see Mika's reaction. Seeing the squinting girl Silva wished more than anything she could just enter a hole and hide. It did not help that in a way she could do just that and only some part of her, that still had the common sense stopped her.

"And I would wager you also know Stevens age. I can't say I am surprised, considering you can walk around invisible.” Silva flinched, but Mika did not see the reason to stop. “Is that why you were there? Were you following us because you knew about us? About what we have?" The last sentence came out almost in a whisper.

The moment Silva had dreaded had come much faster than she had wanted. She could still leave, but then her goal would become unattainable. If there was the right time to speak then it was now. Silva took several breaths to prepare, but before she could come up with an acceptable answer Steven walked to their table while juggling three cups of tea in his hands.

As Steven sat down he gave them both a wide smile.

"Here, houses special, "Kaleidoscope", nice name, huh?" he slid a tea towards Silva. "And as for you, you can have your boring peppermint tea. You really should try some of their speciality teas again! As for me, I have my favourite "Morning Glory!"

Mika did not deign to answer Steven electing to stir her tea.

"So, what were you talking about?” Steven asked noting Silva who looked uncomfortable. “You didn't bully her, did you?" Steven asked doubtfully.

"About our lack of relationships." came Mika's dry answer.

"You were not badmouthing me again were you?" Steven frowned.

Silva was surprised, just a moment ago she was interrogated, but now it seemed like Mika was letting her off the hook. “But, they do deserve an honest answer from me.” Silva decided to herself.

"No, actually we were talking about- ugh!" Silva stopped. Just as she was about to come out clean she had received a kick under the table. The kick was very light, but it did startle her badly and threw her off her track. As Silva gave Mika a baffled look she discovered that Mika was meaningfully looking back.

"Ugh?" Steven furrowed his eyebrows. “Already keeping secrets from me?”

While Silva was reflecting on why Mika had interrupted her, Mika herself seemed to be unperturbed by the situation.

"You don't need to defend me." Mika regarded Silva before speaking further. "I gave her advice not to speak more than necessary with you, it would be too sad if she caught your stupid." Mika gave a tragic sigh.

Silva's mouth was left agape, but Steven did not look like he was surprised by the remark made. He only rolled his eyes before speaking.

"Anyway, thank you for you help Silva. We were in quite the hard spot there. It was very brave of you to take on someone twice your size. But you should be more careful, you could get hurt easily. You should be mindful of your safety. It would be sad if such a pretty girl would get hurt." Steven sipped his tea while it was Mika's turn to roll her eyes.

"Wouldn't be the first or last time you found yourself under a man with another eager to join in. Aren't you experienced enough to handle them easily enough?" Mika added.

“What did I do to you today to deserve your scorn? Is it because I took your sandwich?”

“So it was you!” Mika pointed her finger at him while Steven muttered something along the lines 'so that was not it'.

Silva looked at the odd pair wondering how to insert herself into the conversation. Admittedly it was very comfortable to just sit and listen to them bantering.

"Still, be more careful, young lady!" Steven finally turned back his attention to Silva as he winked.

"She is an only year younger than I am, don't patronize her." Mika inserted.

"Huh, really, I gave you sixteen, well one year off is not a bad guess! Well, when you get to my age you will become a real beauty then." Steven shrugged.

Silva looked down at her cup noting the whirling mass of colours that was her tea, before smelling it and tasting it. While the aroma was bearable the taste was far too sweet for her taste. The compliment made by Steven went over her head.

"Tough crowd, isn't it Mika?" Steven asked while a question mark appeared above Silva's head.

"Stop with the flirting. It is making me nauseous." Mika pointed out and Silva only then caught up and blushed noticeably from the blatant compliment she had received.

Steven coughed in his hand. Still, he did seem to take Mika`s words to heart as he kept speaking.

"Anyway, Silva... I was not joking when I told you to be careful. I don't think any of those guys saw how you look, but still, if you encounter them again run, and if necessary give me a call and I will come running. Can you give me your number so I can give you a call and you can add me to your contacts?"

Seeing puzzled look Silva gave Mika quickly added.

"You did smack the guy good, so it would be better to be careful." Mika shook her head. "Also, don't give this thing your number, his goals are nefarious. I can guarantee it. Instead, call my number.”

"Hey!" Steven protested. "My intentions are pure as the morning dew or summer sky, or something something!"

“Shouldn't you inform the police? It seemed like they were targeting, ah, you...” Silva's voice petered out.

“Ah, I may have some dealings with them, but there is nothing for you to worry about. Also, don't tell me you forgot my name? It's Steven, or Steve, or Big S.”

“That's short for Big Stupid,” Mika commented.

Steven sharply pointed his finger at Mika. “Hey, aren't you meaner than usual today?”

“Am I? Must be your imagination.” Mika deflected.

Silva almost laughed out aloud. While listening the two of them bicker she felt all her worries flow away and since for what felt like forever she felt comfortable in someone's company.