I Scream, You Scream...

[Nathaniel Davis]

Nate stopped tentatively at the door to the ice cream shop, looking around somewhat apprehensively. The anxiety was obvious, but had become fairly normal for him every time he set foot outside the gates of the Institute.

[Samantha McManus]

"Don't worry," Samantha said. "The people here are really nice."

[Nathaniel Davis]

"I'm sure. I just get... apprehensive?" He opened the door for her.

[Samantha McManus]

"Just remember, nobody is going to give you a hassle here. They get students from the school coming in here all the time."

She smiled as she walked into the shop.

[Nathaniel Davis]

Nate nodded and followed her in. After ordering strawberry ice cream topped with strawberries, Nate took a seat. "It's just weird being out and about."

[Samantha McManus]

Getting a waffle cone with peanut butter cup ice cream, she sat down across from him.

"Well if you ask me, you're perfectly fit for civilized company."

[Nathaniel Davis]

"I *know* that. I guess I'm still getting used to the outside world again. But enough about me, how've you been doing?"

[Samantha McManus]

Samantha put her hands up in surrender, careful not to spill her cone.

"Sorry, sorry. Just seemed like you could use some encouragement."

"And things have been... pretty good lately, all told."

[Nathaniel Davis]

"Good to hear. How're your roommates?"

[Samantha McManus]

"They've ah... been doing pretty well too," she said without going into details. "It's pretty nice, really."

[Nathaniel Davis]

"That's cool. Mine seem to be working out pretty well. I don't see them much though, which may be why it's working out."

[Samantha McManus]

"Probably think twice before eating any food you leave in the fridge too," she teased.

[Nathaniel Davis]

"I suppose they might, if I left any food in the fridge. I have noticed my Coke doesn't disappear though."

[Samantha McManus]

"Most of our stuff is communal, but my roomies are pretty good about putting new stuff in if they use it all up."

[Nathaniel Davis]

"That's the way it should work. Either leave it alone or replace it as appropriate."

[Samantha McManus]

"And if you don't? Retribution is swift!" She grinned.

[Nathaniel Davis]

"Reflective eyes in the dark could be fun."

[Samantha McManus]

"Oh? Is that how you do it?"

[Nathaniel Davis]

"How I would do it, possibly... if the situation arose."

[Samantha McManus]

"Ah, but they dare not yet?"

[Nathaniel Davis]

"I suppose not. I think seeing the gigantic man-wolf scared them straight."

[Samantha McManus]

"Does that bother you though? I almost think it would bother me..."

[Nathaniel Davis]

"In some ways it sort of does, I guess. But 'once the wolf's out of the bag, you can't really put in back in' to abuse a common phrase."

[Samantha McManus]

"I guess I'm looking it that way because... well, I've scared people with my shifting before."

[Nathaniel Davis]

"Considering I wrecked a neighborhood first time out, I can definitely understand that."

[Samantha McManus]

"I didn't hurt anyone or break anything just... well, it's not always cool to know you scare someone, aye?"

[Nathaniel Davis]

"Especially when you don't mean to."

[Samantha McManus]

"And it's always weirder for me when I'm... well, not human."

[Nathaniel Davis]

"How so?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Er... are you really asking for, like, details?"

[Nathaniel Davis]

"I was just wondering it was different. Ignore it. I'm too nosy sometimes."

[Samantha McManus]

"It's pretty rare that I turn into anything not human, though."

[Nathaniel Davis]

"Probably not easy when you're used to being human."

[Samantha McManus]

"Er, well, who isn't?"

[Nathaniel Davis]

"After the last year? Me," he said, raising his hand in a goofy manner.