Louis
*The lanky, teal-haired figure would be seated in a small chair inside the Library. He was still **Very** New to Newton's Cradle, and tried to occupy his gut-wrenching nervousness by distracting himself with whatever books he could find. In his hands he had a small book with no cover, however on the spine of the book read—"Murder Of Crows" By Anne Bishop; and he had his face pretty close to the pages, seeming very invested in what he was reading.*

*Morphos loved literature, in his free-time often writing poetry or some other form of creative-writing. He'd usually write fictional, fantasy stories—stuff for Dungeons & Dragons and other various fandoms; but took particular interest in his own independent books, stories and poems. While he occasionally took inspiration from books, most of the ideas he would conjure by brainstorming alone.*
Danielle
Alyssa wasn't much of a reader. Unless the book was supremely interesting, her eyes would glaze over and she'd be distracted within moments. It didn't help, of course, that books were very flammable. Though she knew it was practically impossible for her to accidentally set something on fire, being in a library always put her slightly on edge. 

But she was heading there today, anyway. She was hoping to find a book on the history of this... Place, for lack of a better word. She wasn't sure if calling it a detention centre or a school would fit better, and hadn't been here long enough to decide either way. She took a deep breath as she entered the library, immediately conscious of every book near here.
Louis
*He flicked to the next page, adjusting his glasses slightly as he continued reading. He didn't really need the glasses, he could easily adjust his vision by shapeshifting—but he thought they added much more character to his appearance. He continued reading, twirling his long hair along his finger as he analysed every word thoroughly. Morphos loved reading, and he liked overly analysing every minute detail of the book, whether it be sentence structure or even note-taking significant details within the story.*

*He glanced up as he heard the library door open. He was the only student in the library, and he sort of liked it that way. He wasn't introverted or anything, he just didn't want to socialise that much while he was still getting used to Newton's Cradle itself. He held the book a bit closer to his face, hunching down and trying to stay low from whoever had opened the door.*
Danielle
Alyssa wasn't sure what to make of the library. This was her first time setting foot in it, and it was quite impressive. It was certainly big enough- bigger than any she'd seen before. Unfortunately, this also meant that there was no way she could find anything she wanted to, not when she was unfamiliar with the sorting system, and especially not when she got bored so easily. 

She looked around, hoping to find someone else who could maybe do her work for her. She smiled when her eyes fell on the only other person there, who was hunching as though he wanted to meld with his chair. He clearly didn't want company, but, well, Alyssa, also didn't want to spend her entire evening in a very combustible place, so they'll both have to make do.

Tightening her ponytail, she walked confidently to the boy, knocking on the table once to make her presence known, before holding out her hand. "Hey! I'm Alyssa!"
Louis
*As he heard her footsteps grow closer, a feeling of dread started to churn inside his stomach. He wished he could just disappear, vanish before he'd have to talk to anyone, on his first day no less. He slowly looked up as she announced her presence, and shakily forced a smile, awkwardly shaking her hand. Again, he wasn't socially unable, he was just nervous to start making first impressions so early into his time at Newton's Cradle.*

"Hello...!" *He said unsteadily, as he felt his throat close up and sweat trickle down the back of his neck. He was never usually this wavered by a simple conversation, but it was almost as if he forgot how to manage a conversation. Morphos was very talkative, by all means—but soon after his introduction into Newton's Cradle, that trait was nowhere to be found. All that remained was an awkward husk of what used to be confidence.*
Danielle
Alyssa almost felt sorry for the boy. He looked as though he'd rather be on fire than here, talking to her. She didn't think it was her fault, though Amelia had always told her that her red hair looked rather like flames under the right light. She dropped her hand, grinning at him in a way that usually put people at ease.

She wasn't sure if the boy had said his name, only so low that she hadn't heard, or if he hadn't introduced himself at all. She hoped it wasn't the second, because if it was, she might have to give up on this conversation entirely and do her own work, since he clearly didn't want to talk.

"It's nice to meet you! I didn't catch your name?"
Louis
*He'd forgotten to say his name, how embarrassing of him!* "O-Oh, sorry—It's Morphos. Morphos U. Stellon." *He said, slightly less shakily. It seemed he was starting to loosen up, his previously tense shoulders relaxing slightly, and he closed the book with both hands, placing it down on his lap. He smiled less awkwardly, and cleared his throat.* "It's nice to meet you too, Alyssa." 

*He wanted to talk, it was just hard to manage a conversation. He had hoped he was giving a good first impression, and he was trying to ignore all the doubts creeping into his mind about maybe saying the wrong thing or giving off the wrong vibe. He was rehearsing everything in his mind; what he'd say, what she'd say—whatever he could think of, he was trying to prepare himself for.*
Danielle
Alyssa nearly screamed for joy when he finally relaxed. It appears she wouldn't have to do this on her own, after all. Friendly people were so much kinder. 

"That's a nice name!"

She had never heard that name before, but it sounded cool. And anyways, the best way to appease a person was to compliment them, and somehow, she didn't think Morphos would appreciate a comment on his looks. His name was the only other thing she could compliment.

Now for the request. She paused, considering how to best phrase it to increase the odds of him saying yes. In the end, she decided to go with the simplest option, and hope he said yes.

"I actually came over here because I needed your help with something."

She paused before actually asking him, hoping that his reaction to her statement would tell her if he was willing to help or not.
Louis
*He paused, his eyes widening in surprise. His help? This was his first day, he barely knew where the bathrooms were. He was flattered, but he felt he wouldn't be able to provide any valuable insight into whatever she needed. He ignored this though, wanting to help in any way he could; first impressions are essential, then do whatever!"

"Yeah, sure! I'm willing to help." *He politely said, grinning and putting an awkward thumbs up. He was starting to get the hand of this whole hand gestures thing.. Not really. Morphos was also appreciative of her comment of his name, and decided to return the favour.* "And thank you, I like your name too."
Danielle
"Great! Thank you! I was just wondering if you could help me find a book on the history of this place? Or just anything about it, really. I don't know a lot, and I dislike staying ignorant. And you looked like you'd been here a while, at least in the library, and I thought I should ask you."

She cut herself off then, realising that she had said entirely too much. She was usually much better at saying exactly what she wanted to say, but maybe Morphos' nervous energy had affected her too. She was thankful she didn't say something rude, but honestly, she still felt the need to explain herself. She grinned at him, hoping he didn't back out now.
Louis
"Uh, sure!" *He responded confidently, seeming very willing to help. He thought he'd have to lift heavy boxes or some other tiring task, but just finding a book? Surely that can't be that hard, Morphos has a bookworm, it was only a matter of time before he'd find that book.* 

"Is it the glasses?" *He jokingly said, laughing and getting up, walking towards a bookshelf, already skimming through the spines of each book for something—anything.* "Lets get to it!" *He eagerly said—browsing through each book thoroughly, making sure he didn't miss anything. He was used to finding oddly specific books, and he was positive the library would have a book about the history of Newton's Cradle, that seemed obvious in his perspective.*
Danielle
"It's the glasses, yeah, but you just seemed at home here. Like you could stay here for another year and be happy." 

She shrugged, and knelt down against the closest bookshelf. She wasn't quite sure what the book would look like, if she even found it, but she couldn't very well just stand there while someone else did all the work. She tightened her ponytail again, wishing that she had had time to get a clip from her room and keep her hair away from her neck.

She trailed her fingers on the spines of the book, one by one, trying not to get distracted by the multitude of intriguing titles. If she got started, she'd never stop. 

"How long have you been here?" 

She wasn't sure if that was a rude question to ask other people in this place, but well, no one had told her _not_ to, so unless Morphos stormed out of the library in a fury and cursed her bloodline, she'd take it as a win.
Louis
"I thought it was the glasses." He resumed browsing through the rows of books at a much quicker pace than Alyssa, still analysing the titles of each books, and jotting down the names of ones he'd revisit later. He occasionally picked up books and very quickly read the blurbs, before putting them back and continuing his search for the book.*

"It's my first day, actually." *He gasped, and thought he'd found the book, before realising he'd just misread a title and made an audible "Aw" Sound. He kept looking, and was very persistent to find something seemingly so trivial. A book is a book, no matter how long, short, boring, interesting—as long as it's pages and a cover, it's a book. He doubted the library had the book for a second, but he was sure they'd atleast have something.*
Danielle
"Your first day? And you're here in the library?"

Alyssa winced, she hadn't meant for that to come out quite so accusing. And well, it wasn't as if she was any better. She'd spent her first day alternating between pacing in her room and sleeping. She was sure she'd burned a hole in the carpet of her room. 

She thought of something that could make her question seem less rude, but she couldn't come up with anything. Alyssa wasn't particularly good at not annoying people. She glanced up at him from the floor, and was surprised to find he'd moved quite fast.
Louis
*He chuckled, nodding his head.* "Yeah, well, I don't particularly like the open, crowded areas. Somewhere where I can just nod off and read is preferable." *He continued looking for the book, before realising he was in the fiction section of the library. He walked over to the history section, and began skimming through each book again.*

*You'd think he's a nerd based off his appearance, and how easily he was able to navigate amongst the books inside the library; but he wasn't that smart in his opinion. Sure, he liked writing, sure, he was somewhat good at it. Except those were the only two academic traits about him that were positive, the rest were.. Somewhat concerning. Although, he didn't let his baffling grades define him.*
Danielle
Alyssa pulled out a book, reading the blurb on the back cover. It sounded interesting enough- No. She shook her head and put the book back. Don't get distracted.

"I get that. I have a friend who is just like that back home. She likes open spaces, but for some reason, more than five people altogether bothers her. I've never figured out why."

She sighed and moved on to the next shelf. Morphos certainly made for good conversation, even if they were both as far as they could be personality-wise. Alyssa wanted to ask how someone like him- quiet and shy- ended up here, but well. Even she knew that'd be a rude question to ask someone you had just met.
Louis
"I relate to that." *He says, crouching down to look for more books. He browses through row after row, shelf after shelf, finding nothing. He'd be lying if he said this process wasn't a bit frustrating, but he was curious himself what the history here is anyway. He continued searching, occasionally pocketing a few books to read later.*

"Back home, I didn't necessarily have anyone like that—" He started, standing up and keeping his eyes trained on the books he was skimming through.* "—everyone I grew up around were always excitable, athletic sports kids. It's cliche but, in a way, I was the odd one out for a while. Now, here, it kind of makes them look like the odd ones.." *He paused his frantic search for a minute, reminiscent of his time at home, before going back to browsing.*
Danielle
"It's not cliche. I get what you mean. It was the opposite for me- a town full of people who wanted to be exactly where they were. I went on a hike alone, once, and you should've seen the way they stared at me, like they couldn't comprehend anyone not wanting to stay inside a house for the entire day."

Alyssa frowned scanning spines. There had to be _some_ sort of system to the books, and maybe if she figured it out, they'd both have to waste less time looking. Not for the first time, she wished she hadn't tried to avoid the library so much back home.
Louis
"Maybe me and you aren't too different." *He said, furthering his search. It had to be somewhere, he knew it. He was getting close and he could feel it! He kept hopefully looking for the book, as if it was some kind of legendary artifact. The truth was he could definitely have just asked a librarian for where the book was, but he decided to take the longer approach.*

*Morphos always made things unnecessarily harder, usually on accident. He wasn't that good at conversing, directions—even reading (although he enjoys it very much); he finds himself getting confused on where he's up to, forgetting parts, repeating things. He was working on it, but sometimes he pondered how people could put up with someone like him at times.*
Danielle
"Maybe." 

She wanted to say something else, but she didn't know what she could even add to that. She should work on that too. She couldn't go any longer isolate herself here, go through life with no friends because she refused to put in the effort to be nice. She had to try and be more... Amicable.

The thought was so unusual and off-putting that she immediately opened her mouth to say the one thing she told herself she wouldn't ask. Right the balance of the world by not being nice and all that.

"How'd you end up here, anyway?" A pause, and then, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I don't know why I asked."
Louis
"How I got here? Well it's a pretty funny story, and I don't mind sharing it." *He stopped his relentless search for the book, looking back at Alyssa and sitting down on the floor. He leaned his face against his fist, thinking about how to phrase what he was going to say. He didn't really mind about the question, either.*

"Well, I guess it all started at my house." *He started, taking a deep breath before continuing.* "I had all these little insecurities about my face. Acne, pimples, blackheads, whatever. And when I went into the mirror and really looked at them, I noticed the harder I thought about them just disappearing.. They did! I didn't really tell anyone about it, and it was super bizarre to me at first, but then I started to like it! That was, until one day in class at my school, I was admiring how my friend looked; his luxurious golden locks of hair, and his freckles. I didn't have a crush on him or anything, he just looked really nice. Before I knew it, really, I was an identical copy of him. From size, face, each strand of hair—we were the same. I was dismissed early, obvious, and the next day I got a letter from Newton's Cradle. I enrolled myself in, still pretty embarrassed about the incident in class, and now I'm here!" *He finished his monumental story, exhaling deeply and holding his chest in seeming exhaust.*
Danielle
"You can shapeshift? That's so _cool_." 

Alyssa was glad she hadn't just sent the first person to talk to her away because she was rude. The story he'd told was nice too, a lot nicer than hers would be. She wished, for a moment, that she had his powers instead of her fire. She could look however she wanted to, for the rest of her life! No bad hair days, no stress acne, no chapped lips. What wouldn't she do to wake up looking like a model, every day? That's basically plastic surgery for free, everyday, really.

"I can firebend, and that's all, really. I'd show you, but." She gestured at the books around her.
Louis
"I don't quite like shapeshifting..." *He sheepishly said, before quickly changing the topic.* "Fire-bending is really cool, if you think about it! Shapeshifting... Is pretty boring, especially when you think about how you'd manage in like, the wilderness or something. Say a shapeshifter was to get stranded inside a jungle, I'm talking like.. Lord of the Flies—what are they going to do? But a fire-bender, or I like to use the term pyromancer, they could get food, warmth and protection!" 

 "Anyway, how'd you get here?" *He asked curiously, changing the topic each time he brought up his powers, as if it was a sort of taboo for him. He also muttered words like 'shapeshifting', and 'powers'; sweating a little as he pronounced them, too. He seems uncomfortable with the topic of shapeshifting, but was comfortable explaining his 'backstory', in a way.*
Danielle
"That's true, but how likely are you to get stuck in a forest? Shape-shifting has more routine use, doesn't it?" She shook her head. If he didn't want to talk about it, then she wouldn't force him too. 

She froze at his question. That was the natural next question to ask, and she wished she had thought of that _before_ she had asked. She really should have expected that. Should she lie? She was good enough, and he didn't know her tells. Or should she just avoid the conversation altogether? Would that be offensive, given that he'd just told her his story?

Lie or avoid? Lie or avoid? Lie or-

"That's a long story. Maybe some other day?" 

She turned away from him without waiting for a response, scanning the spines of the books again.
Wanda
My message glitched, upon reading it again

There was another paragraph
Danielle
Rewrite it? Tupper does this sometimes

Or just include it in the next message, if it works there.
Matthew
Sorry, I can't tell what the last proxy was in this channel. Try replying to the message or reacting to it with 📝 so I know which message it is.
This can happen if the last message was sent before the last time I restarted.
Danielle
One sec, I'll change my reply too
Wanda
Apologies for the inconvenience
Danielle
No worries! Not your fault!
Louis
"That's true, but how likely are you to get stuck in a forest? Shape-shifting has more routine use, doesn't it?" She shook her h...

"Sure!" *He replied, seeing her freeze up and not wanting to freak her out anymore than he had purely on accident. He completely forgot about looking for the book, and stood up again, going back to the browsing.*

*He resumed at a slower pace, before getting back to his usual search. If he didn't find the book on this shelf, he was most likely going to give up on it. He wasn't usually one to concede easily, but he was exhausted from both his story, and his frantic search earlier.*
Danielle
She was grateful when he dropped the topic. She didn't know how to answer that question, but atleast know she knew that she _would_ be asked that question. It shouldn't be an issue- she was good at avoiding topics- but it was still nice to be prepared. She couldn't freeze up that obviously again.

"Did you find it?" The question was a desperate bet to get back on solid ground, go back to the topic they'd started out with. Alyssa was getting annoyed now- at the library and at herself. She didn't think finding a book would be this hard.
Louis
*Just as he was about to reply 'No', he skimmed past a book with a bright cyan spine, that read in black, Arial text 'Newton's Cradle'. He sighed in relief, and pulled it out, lifting it up in one hand.* "I just found it." *He said, chuckling and smiling. He looked at the front cover, then quickly gave it to Alyssa, walking over to her.*

"I think this is it, there's no other books in the library called Newton's Cradle anyway. I wish they made it more accessible, but.. Here it is!" *He pointed to it, laughing a little.* "Good teamwork, huh?" *He offered a fist-bump to Alyssa.* "I'm glad I was able to help."
Danielle
She fist-bumped him absent-mindedly, looking at the book. The book wasn't as thick as she'd expected it to be, but it was no magazine either. She already detested reading it, but it wasn't as though she had a choice.

"Thank you! I can't believe it took us so long. I am never coming to the library again, I swear." The last part was mostly a joke. Mostly.

"And well, atleast I got to talk to someone for the first time because of it. It was nice to meet you!"
Louis
"Yeah! I had alot of fun today, we should stay in contact!" *He smiled, laughing at her joke and beginning to walk back to his seat.* "Nice to meet you too, Alyssa. I'll see you next time!" *He said, sitting down, and getting back to reading his book.*