Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 28, 2009 2:29:01 GMT -5
Zeph set down the weights, rubbing at his wrists. As usual, the gym was pretty empty. Which was good since people tended to stare at him when he was working out anymore.
Well, no matter where he was, really. For such a large school, it seemed almost odd that he was the only suicide attempt in the school. Leaning back on the bench, he looked up at the ceiling blankly. Working out helped... but he needed Jason, and he didn't want to just grab a teacher so he could cuddle. It always made him feel so awkward to have a professor watching them...
Maybe I should soon, though... I need you, Jason... and my chest hurts oddly. I think it's been too long...
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 28, 2009 2:40:01 GMT -5
Jason stepped into the gym ahead of Aritha and Professor Hawk, looking around for a familiar blond head. He soon spotted Zeph lying on a bench at the far side of the room, and called out to him as he stepped forward.
"Hey, Zeph. Hope you don't mind a bit more company."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 28, 2009 2:57:25 GMT -5
Zeph raised his head and smiled, sitting up and shaking his head, "This is always welcome company..."
His voice trailed off as he saw Aritha behind Jason. Professor Hawk wasn't a surprise at all; he wasn't even supposed to really talk to Jason without one of the chaperones nearby... But Aritha, and Jason? Had to be trouble brewing now. And wasn't he in enough trouble?
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 28, 2009 3:17:25 GMT -5
Jason noticed the anxious look on Zeph's face and bit his lip, glancing over his shoulder at Aritha. He knew that this was probably going to hurt Zeph, but it was a necessary pain, like putting disinfectant on a wound that needed to heal. Yes, exactly like that.
...Wasn't it? He kept his eyes on Aritha, curious and nervous. Did she plan to tear a strip off of Zeph like she had off of Jason in the mess hall?
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Nov 28, 2009 3:24:17 GMT -5
Aritha ran forward, wrapping her arms around Zeph and just holding him close. He smelled a little, but she didn't care. "I missed you... you've been avoiding me..."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 28, 2009 3:32:17 GMT -5
Zeph blinked in surprise, then wrapped his arms around his friend and held her close, playing lightly with her hair. "I'm sorry... I just didn't... know how to act with you. I missed you too..."
He looked up at Jason, licking his lips a little. Was this why Jason had come looking for him? Just... but... He floundered, completely unsure of what to do. Jason wasn't... trying to set him up with Aritha again, or anything like that was he? No, Jason wouldn't try to end it with him like that...
Right?
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 28, 2009 3:42:17 GMT -5
Jason watched quietly, seeing that he needed to be the voice of reassurance here. He smiled and came closer to Zeph, touching him lightly on the shoulder. "Why so frightened, my heart? You didn't think she'd forgotten you, did you?"
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 28, 2009 4:02:43 GMT -5
My heart... Zeph relaxed a little at Jason's touch, shaking his head a little as he hugged Aritha, playing with her hair. "This isn't like you, Lady White... If I'm cheerful, you're downright bubbly. So where's that ready smile?"
My heart... he's not planning on leaving me. He wouldn't call me that otherwise. He's still mine... Or more appropriately, I'm still his. It's okay...
Reassured, Zeph just comforted his friend, though he rested his head against Jason's hand for that extra comfort himself. At least Aritha still wanted to be his friend too... And now the idea of being walled off like that, like he'd done himself, scared him. It scared him badly. He'd have to ask Professor Hawk to watch him and Jason a bit more. Locking himself away was only going to make his problems get worse. Especially being the social person he was. His head rubbed a little against Jason's hand.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 28, 2009 14:53:50 GMT -5
Jason smiled, still watching Aritha and Zeph quietly. He wondered what Zeph had been so afraid of... but what Jason had said had seemed to relieve it. What had he said? "Why so frightened, my heart?" An honest question, nothing too out of the ordinary... but Zeph's fear had been out of the ordinary. It was gone now, though... probably nothing he should worry about.
He was glad to see Zeph and Aritha so happy together, and knowing they were just friends, but still close, was comforting. Jason knew Zeph wouldn't leave him again for Aritha, and Zeph's friendship with Aritha hadn't been impacted when they had broken up. That was good. Maybe their current happiness would make this heart-to-heart that much easier for all of them.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Nov 28, 2009 15:15:35 GMT -5
Aritha smiled a little, looking up at Zeph. "I've been so worried about you... You've been avoiding me, and I couldn't even come see you while you were healing in the sickbay..."
She stood up and grabbed Zeph, dragging him out into the gym proper to sit on a bench, beckoning a little for Jason and Professor Hawk to follow. "So now you have to tell me -why- you avoided me."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 28, 2009 15:23:57 GMT -5
Zeph was given little choice but to follow her, and sit next to his oldest friend. He sighed, leaning over a little and covering his face with his hands. "Because... I didn't think anyone wanted me around anymore. Everyone was so angry at me... I thought maybe if I separated myself, then maybe people wouldn't be so angry at me anymore because... well, because they wouldn't care as much anymore."
He looked at Jason, reaching one hand out to him a little. "And I didn't want to separate from you at all, but... I don't like asking Professors to interrupt their busy lives just to watch us... They all ready have enough to do..."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 28, 2009 15:45:16 GMT -5
Vincent looked at Zeph with an expression of confusion touched with sorrow. He kept his voice soft and gentle, free of any accusation or condemnation -- his purpose was to understand, and to make Zeph understand.
"Zephyros, I must disagree with you. Separating yourself from your friends like you did would likely only have the opposite effect -- they would get angry at you because they didn't think you wanted to be with them. They would care even more about you, considering what happened. They would worry. Only a very few of us know what really happened that night, and we know you would never do anything of the sort again, but for everyone else, it has been a cause of great concern. Do you understand?"
He cupped Zeph's chin, gently tilting his head up and looking into his leaf-green eyes, his tone still gentle. A smile touched his face now. "And besides which, how could you think that we professors could be too busy to help you? That's what we're here for, what we make our living doing. We're not just here to teach you academically. We're here to watch over you, to care for and guide you. We want you to be well, physically, mentally and emotionally. And if that means just sitting or standing nearby so two devoted boyfriends can have a moment to cuddle, then I for one feel it to be part and parcel of my duty and my honor."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 28, 2009 16:30:57 GMT -5
Zeph twitched a little, then looked away, guilty. "I guess I didn't think of it that way. Any more than I thought of how everyone would react to my trying to kill myself... It's just... Professors have their lives to live too. And I have homework, and..."
His voice wavered a little as he looked over at Jason, biting his lip. Nodding slightly, he looked at Aritha. "I guess I'm messing up a lot recently..."
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Nov 28, 2009 17:44:58 GMT -5
Aritha smacked his arm a little, "You think? Your friends care about you Zeph, and hiding in the gym, and your room, makes it very hard for us to help you... you scared us. This is what you did before you hurt yourself..."
She hugged him again, then pulled away from him. "Don't try to leave us, Zeph. Your friends all care about you very much. And locking yourself away from Jason is even more unfair to him than you locking yourself away from the rest of us is. He's not like the others, Zeph. I didn't like them, but he really cares about you..."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 28, 2009 17:48:31 GMT -5
Jason nodded at Zeph, still holding his hand on his boyfriend's shoulder. But something Aritha had said nagged oddly at his mind, and he looked at her curiously. "What do you mean, 'the others'?"
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Nov 28, 2009 17:51:33 GMT -5
Aritha looked at Jason, then at Zeph. "Maybe we should talk about this elsewhere. Zeph, you were still in the middle of your workout... you should go finish that. We'll be just outside."
She rose and grabbed Jason's hand, looking at Professor Hawk and asking him with her eyes to stay with Zeph. He was still not exactly... well, no matter how he seemed. Otherwise he shouldn't have been sitting staring at the ceiling in the middle of his workout.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 28, 2009 18:17:35 GMT -5
Vincent gave Aritha a nod , lingering at Zeph's side and watching the boy calmly. He didn't speak, he merely watched. Like a hawk. Well, not quite, he thought with a small smile. Zeph wasn't prey, and he wasn't a predator. He was a guardian, and Zeph was one of his many charges.
He sat down on the bench beside Zeph, looking over at him as he wondered what to say, if anything. He knew how frustrated Zeph and Jason both were about the ban, and he knew that more than anything the two of them needed to be together as much as possible, even more than Zeph needed to spend time with his other friends. And they needed the chance to do so without a chaperone.
Unfortunately, right now that was far from feasible, and Vincent knew he would be in hot water with the Headmistress if he were even to consider something like giving Jason and Zeph the chance to sneak off and be alone together -- really alone -- if even for less than an hour...
A pensive frown crossed Vincent's face, followed by a smile. That actually didn't sound like such a bad idea... if he could set it up and not get caught...
No. He mentally shook himself, the smile quickly vanishing from his face as a soft sigh escaped his lips. Shame on you, Vincent. You'd only get yourself fired, and Jason and Zeph would probably be forbidden to ever see each other again. You'll just have to be patient and let time work things out.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 29, 2009 1:48:28 GMT -5
Jason moved obediently away woth Aritha, speaking to her again once they were out of Zeph's earshot. "Who are the 'others' you mentioned? Are they Zeph's exes? How many were there? Were they male or female?"
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Nov 29, 2009 2:17:03 GMT -5
Aritha looked over at Zeph, seeing him looking somewhat forlorn... he'd looked like that for so long...
"Yes, they're his exes... a year or two after me there was a young man named Hyakinthos. His heart was so broken when Hyakinthos left him for another young man. I got letters about it for months... Then he was with a French girl... Fleur something. He broke up with her three years ago... then it was you. And he's never cared so much for someone... Zeph was hurt by both of them, and he was pretty hurt when I moved even though I didn't want to leave but... I can tell you he's never loved anyone the way he does you. I can see it just in how he looks at you, and how much he puts you above himself. I love Zeph dearly, but he is somewhat self-centered most of the time. He's considerate and everything, but I think being raised with all of that money kind of got to his head.
"But he'd probably throw all that away and live under a bridge for you..."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 29, 2009 2:42:29 GMT -5
Jason stood still, processing all of this. "I... wow..." He fumbled for words for a few seconds. "I had no idea about his exes..."
It felt strange being compared to Zeph's exes, but not as badly as if Jason wasn't being held above them all. He had no idea what to say in reaction to this. He was sorry for Zeph having been hurt, of course, but also glad that Zeph had found in him someone to rely on, someone he could love deeply and without doubt or regret. That thought made him smile a little.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Nov 29, 2009 2:47:44 GMT -5
"Zeph doesn't talk about his past. He is passionate, and pretty much lives each day as it comes," Aritha said, then looked at Zeph sitting by Professor Hawk. "At least, he used to. I don't know anymore... he's not quite the same boy I used to know. He's a stranger wearing my Zephyros' face... I just hope he recovers from this, and I know the only way that is going to happen is if you reach out even when he tries to lock himself up."
Aritha tilted her head to the side and reached out to put her hand on Jason's cheek. "If anyone can help him heal from this, it's you."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 29, 2009 2:50:36 GMT -5
Jason's smile widened as he placed his hand on top of Aritha's. "Well, I'll do my best."
He moved his eyes to look over at Zeph as well, wondering if he should go back to his boyfriend. Was he going to be okay?
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 29, 2009 11:48:52 GMT -5
Zeph leaned forward a little with his arms crossed, watching them. 'The others'... No, Jason wasn't like them at all. He sighed slightly, glancing at Professor Hawk and blinking. "What's with the secret smile, Professor?"
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 29, 2009 14:24:22 GMT -5
"Hmm?" Vincent blinked, coming out of his thoughts. "Oh... it's nothing, really. Just a fleeting fancy, a foolish and feckless thought to further the fortunes of the unfortunate forlorn. In the most likely scenario it would fail, and finish with you and Jason being forbidden to see each other again, and me being fired."
He rested his elbow on his knee, his chin in his hand. "And as much as you two need some time alone together without a chaperone, it simply isn't feasible if we want to stay on Veronique's good side. I really should speak with her about this myself on your behalf. The greatest emotional support you two need right now can only come from each other, and I know you both feel awkward cuddling with one of the professors always watching, no matter whether we support your relationship or not."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 29, 2009 22:50:41 GMT -5
Zephyros shifted a little, "It's not so much being watched as it is the fact that we don't like asking someone to take time out of their day... or I should say I don't, I shouldn't speak for Jason... mostly, I don't because it's my fault we have this stupid ban in the first place..."
He sighed and rubbed his face in exhaustion. It was back to not sleeping well, without Jason. And he was having the oddest dreams. Not nightmares, but just... odd dreams. Wings and flowers, and running with the sound of hooves pounding in his ears and a thrill he didn't understand. "And all I really want to do is curl up with him and take a nap..."
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