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Post by jonathanharris on Sept 29, 2009 20:24:14 GMT -5
Jonathan's vision was a blur. He massaged his throat with his hands, but the force he was applying only served to make the pain worse. He hurt. And he was pissed. What the HELL had just happened? Damn mages! Jonathan screamed mentally. I'll kill all the bastards! I'll start with Ian, strangle the boy until his head pops off his shoulders, and then I'll kick this new boy's ass, and then I'll break every mage in this freak show school into so many pieces that even that bitch of a headmistress couldn't put them back together! His rage was dangerously close to boiling over. He needed to cool his head.
Looking up at Ian, and very aware that the others were swearing in other languages. So what? He could swear in English. That was way more fun anyway. "Thanks a lot." He snarled at Ian. "Thanks for standing there while I got my ass beat. You could have done something. You just enjoy watching me get knocked around, don't you? Fuck you. I hope you burn in hell for all you've done to me."
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Post by ianharris on Sept 29, 2009 20:27:16 GMT -5
Ian was shocked. He'd been the one to stop the fight! If it weren't for him, Jonathan would be knocked out! Ian prided himself on dealing with Jonathan's immaturity, but this was going too far. But he wouldn't lash back. He was better than Jonathan. He wouldn't get into another verbal fight with the boy. Not today.
"I did stop the fight." Ian said calmly. "By lying to someone who is periodically nice to me. For you. If you don't show a little more gratitude, I'm going to hit you with this rock."
And, to Ian's great surprise, he meant it.
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Post by jonathanharris on Sept 29, 2009 20:28:28 GMT -5
Jonathan's clever, witty, and perfect response to Ian's threat was immediate. He simply smiled, told Ian to "Go screw yourself", and raised a defiant middle finger.
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Post by ianharris on Sept 29, 2009 20:32:16 GMT -5
Oh, that's it. Ian thought to himself. I might not be able to end this, but I can make myself feel better.
"Okay." He said, and turned as if he was going to walk away. After turning for three seconds, Ian suddenly whirled again and hurled the rock at Jonathan. The stone struck Jonathan just below the throat, right in the collar bone.
Damn, that felt good. Of course, he's going to never let me live this down, but what the hell?
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Post by jonathanharris on Sept 29, 2009 20:34:41 GMT -5
Jonathan collapsed back onto the ground, coughing. The only thing in his head was the red he was seeing. He was too mad to even comment on what just happened. Too mad to even think. And for some reason, he couldn't get off the ground. His throat screamed in pain. He lay there, staring at the sky, mentally swearing that he was going to personally rip Ian's throat out should he ever attempt something like that again...
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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 Sept 29, 2009 21:09:42 GMT -5
Jason ignored much of the shouting and swearing that was going on behind him, but turned around at the dull thunk of stone on bone. He blinked at the sight of Jonathan lying flat on his back again, coughing, while Ian stood above him. A rather large rock lay beside Jonathan in the grass. Jason looked up at Ian, speaking with a hint of disdain.
"So you stopped Zeph from killing the little scheissekopf so you could do it instead? I fail to see your logic. Zeph had things well in hand, pardon the pun."
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Post by ianharris on Sept 29, 2009 21:43:23 GMT -5
"I... uh..." Ian looked around, praying a teacher hadn't seen what had just transpired. "...um... I'm not actually sure why I just did that. It just... I don't know. It just felt 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 Sept 29, 2009 23:08:32 GMT -5
Jason nodded, pointedly ignoring the coughing figure of Jonathan on the ground. "Nice throw." He moved toward his fallen easel, gingerly picking up the painting from where it had fallen painted-side-down in the grass. Ruined.
He glanced over at Zeph, then back to Ian, then down to Jonathan. One painting, one pair of pants and one perfectly pleasant day ruined by some shithead who wouldn't know respect or tact if they danced a salsa naked in front of him. Sighing and looking at Zeph, he shifted his armload of art supplies and took a few steps toward him.
"I think I've had enough sunshine and fresh air for one day."
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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 Sept 29, 2009 23:17:15 GMT -5
Zeph came over to help him carry his things, nodding. He tucked himself against Jason's chest for a second, looking at him appealingly. His eyes still shone faintly of gold, though the green was coming back underneath it.
"I'm sorry... I tried to keep my temper..." he said softly, taking the art supplies from him deftly. "I just... First he got you covered in paint, and then he said that and... I couldn't help it. I'm so sorry..."
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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 Sept 29, 2009 23:31:45 GMT -5
Jason just shook his head silently, brushing softly past Zeph as he headed inside. He'd get over it eventually. If he could get Jonathan's stinging words out of his head. He wasn't sure whether he was more upset or angry at the moment, or what he needed to be able to calm down. A shower, definitely... but he wasn't sure whether he wanted to be alone or with Zeph for awhile after that.
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Post by ianharris on Sept 29, 2009 23:34:09 GMT -5
Ian made one more frantic glance around. Confident he was not going to get in trouble, he started to move away from the scene of the crime. However, after a moment, he turned to face the other boy's retreating back.
"For the record," he called softly, "I'm sorry too."
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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 Sept 29, 2009 23:40:40 GMT -5
Jason paused, turning to look at Ian over his shoulder.
"Thanks," he called back softly. Looking over at Zeph he added, "I'm sorry... I'll get over it. I just need some time. Is that 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 Sept 29, 2009 23:52:27 GMT -5
Zeph swallowed and nodded. "At least let me get your art supplies back to your room," he said softly. The ache Jason had caused by brushing by him eased a little; Jason wasn't going to leave him over that. His temper hadn't driven them apart... yet. The thought made him wince a little, but he kept it hidden. He seemed to lose his voice at the last word, "Please."
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Post by ianharris on Sept 30, 2009 0:02:17 GMT -5
Ian watched the two, feeling a bit sick. The two were suffering, and the suffering was due to Ian - as much as he tried to justify thinking it was Jonathan's fault, he couldn't deny the fact that Jonathan was his creation. He had spend time designing Jonathan's physical appearance. If only he had spend time on Jonathan's personality... but how could he have know? Still... he could have made a kind, loving soul. Instead, when fantasy had become reality, what had emerged as a creature of hatred and bitterness - a monster in every sense of the word.
For once, Ian wished he could go back. Prevent the accident. Prevent all of this. People shouldn't be hurt because of him. He looked down at Jonathan, still coughing on the ground. In a way, Ian felt sorry for the boy... Jonathan didn't know what it meant to love. But there was no excusing what had happened. Jonathan would suffer consequences for his actions, but, on the flip side, Ian would suffer for his own.
No, he said to himself. Jonathan must be held accountable for what he does. I cannot keep blaming myself. It was an accident. I had nothing to do with it.
Perhaps Jonathan was getting to him, but Ian wasn't sure he believed that anymore.
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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 Sept 30, 2009 0:10:11 GMT -5
Jason bit his lip, meeting Zeph's eyes and seeing the pain in them. He wrapped his arms around him, leaning against him as much as the art supplies in Zeph's arms would allow.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you. Please don't think I'm brushing you off." He realized that he really didn't want Zeph to leave him alone--at least, not as much as he could possibly help it. "Stay with 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 Sept 30, 2009 0:16:21 GMT -5
Zeph shook his head a little, his chest tight again, "I don't think that's a good idea, Jason... you need to cool off. A-and I should as well..."
He closed his eyes, turning his head away to Jason couldn't see his face. He'd worried they were rushing things... maybe Jason had been right. The knot in his chest was making it hard to breathe now, but he was skilled at hiding his feelings... most of the time. It hurt... and he wasn't sure why it was there. Because he had fucked up royally? Probably... He swallowed again, forcing down the tears that were trying to come to his eyes.
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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 Sept 30, 2009 11:23:40 GMT -5
Jason reached up to touch Zeph's cheek and turned his face gently back toward him, wanting to look into his eyes. "Are you sure that's what you want?" Jason's voice held the smallest quaver; as angry as he was at Jonathan, and as much as he knew he needed to calm down, he was terrified of hurting Zeph and harming their already fragile relationship.
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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 Sept 30, 2009 12:13:20 GMT -5
Zephyros swallowed again, tears rising to his eyes despite his best efforts. He couldn't bring himself to say it and closed his eyes again, a tear escaping to slide down his cheek. He leaned forward and put his forehead on Jason's shoulder, taking a shaking breath. The breeze around them started to make a mournful sound in the trees as he shook his head, still resting it against Jason's shoulder.
"No..." His voice was barely audible and choked, somehow making the simple word sound like it was the hardest thing imaginable. The art supplies in his arms rattled a little as his body started to shake and the tears began to soak into Jason's shirt. He refused to sob and pridefully throttled the sounds in his throat. He couldn't stop the tears but he could keep from making any noise.
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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 Sept 30, 2009 12:32:10 GMT -5
Jason held tight to Zeph as the mage began to cry silently against him, the winds around them echoing Zeph's sorrow. Jason rubbed Zeph's back soothingly, wanting depserately to comfort his friend but not fully understanding why he had to.
"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly. "Please, please don't cry. Talk to me. Tell me what's hurting 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 Sept 30, 2009 12:41:58 GMT -5
Zephyros couldn't talk, and he couldn't even hug Jason back for fear of ruining more of his art supplies. His breath was still coming in soft gasps, in part because his throat was closed with tears and in part because he was still strangling any sobs before they came to his lips. If he wasn't careful he was going to get the hiccups, and those hurt. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to stop crying. At least out where others could see. He finally managed to get control for a moment and rubbed his eyes on his shoulder.
"Can we go to your room?" he whispered. "I'm not going to be able to keep this down for very 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 Sept 30, 2009 12:43:26 GMT -5
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Post by ianharris on Sept 30, 2009 16:19:58 GMT -5
As the entire scene played out before Ian's eyes, he felt bile rise in his throat. His stomach churned, and he wished he were alone, because he felt like throwing up. Zeph had saved him from Fable, and had only ever been kind to him - something Ian respected. He had never gotten kindness before Dunehelden, only hatred and disdain. For someone to show him mercy - and then to have his own creation turn around and rattle that person to the core - was unforgivable. Ian felt tears of his own trying to force their way out at the thought. He wanted Zeph and this other boy, Jason, to be happy, he really did. But all he had done was cause them pain and grief.
For a moment, a very long moment, Ian considered going after Zeph and Jason. He considered apologizing for what he'd done - for the monster he'd brought into the world. And for the pain he'd indirectly caused them. When the two left the courtyard, he was still deciding. Finally, Ian resolved to go somewhere else, sit for a bit, and watch the treeline.
Perhaps he would find Natalie, or Liam, or Seele. They always made him feel better. Perhaps he would write a poem, or try his hand at painting. Or something cleaner, like sketching. Whatever he did, Ian knew that he had to get away from Jonathan, and from the pain that he caused people.
Ian knew that he would have to try to fix this mistake. But whatever he did, it was never enough. It was always never enough.
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Post by jonathanharris on Sept 30, 2009 16:49:39 GMT -5
Once everyone had left, Jonathan stopped coughing and sat up. His head hurt. His throat hurt. Hell, everything above the shoulders hurt. He had gotten destroyed. Which would not, of course, make him look any better. Jonathan could find solace in the thought that the story wouldn't spread around the school - no one would want to risk getting in trouble.
He would make them pay, he decided. Zeph first, then Ian, and then Jason. He would make them all pay. Ian would be a bit harder - Jonathan would have to work that one out later.
But he knew how to get to Zeph now. And he was going to use it. Picking himself off the ground, Jonathan shook his head. Then he headed off towards the building. This was going to be very good indeed...
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