Ariel Hawk
Ireth
Academy Freshman: Mortal
Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy hand-in-hand...
Posts: 251
|
Post by Ariel Hawk on Sept 20, 2009 20:51:30 GMT -5
Ariel turned her face toward Hitomi, staying silent at the tale of grief.
"Wow..." she eventually murmured. "That's awful. I'm really sorry for you. I don't really know what it's like... I never knew my mum. She died a few days after I was born. Dad raised me on his own.
"I never even got the chance to spend time with my aunt, uncle and cousin... Dad said they never spoke to him after Mum died. I never even met Natalie until this fall when I came here. We don't talk much. Dad tries to spend time with her, but nothing has come of it yet. It upsets him a lot, I can tell."
She fell silent, one hand reaching over to her nighttable and picking up a small octagonal music box. She ran her fingers over it, tracing the embossed design of a mask on the lid and roses along the sides. Finding the key, she turned it a few times. A tinkly, metallic rendition of Angel of Music floated out into the stillness. Ariel smiled, her mind and body calming down more quickly now.
"Sorry for waking you up," she whispered to Hitomi again. "I'll be okay, I think."
|
|
|
Post by Hitomi Gilespi on Sept 20, 2009 21:15:00 GMT -5
"That's a very pretty music box," Hitomi commented.
Hitomi smiled, petting Ariel's frizzy blond hair. She thought, in a strange moment, that it might be interesting to use a straightener on Ariel's hair. She would look very pretty, she thought, with her hair long and straight and shiny.
"Just let me know if you want to talk about it anymore, okay?" Hitomi murmured. "I promise I'll be here to listen." She gave the girl a gentle squeeze.
|
|
Ariel Hawk
Ireth
Academy Freshman: Mortal
Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy hand-in-hand...
Posts: 251
|
Post by Ariel Hawk on Sept 20, 2009 21:19:56 GMT -5
Ariel smiled, wrapping her arms around Hitomi and hugging her in return. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
|
|
|
Post by Hitomi Gilespi on Sept 20, 2009 23:10:21 GMT -5
Hitomi gave the other girl a firm squeeze. "Any time you need it," she replied, slipping back toward her bed.
She bent to slide back the covers, and paused. The window, though she was certain had been closed and locked only the night before, was open only the barest crack, and the curtains were pulled back. The moon, nearly invisible behind the thick gray clouds, was scarcely more than a sliver in the sky, peaking just over the trees. The trees still seemed to glow with that strange light, the light she knew no one else could see, which spoke of horrors held deep within. She shivered, though she was not cold, and slid the window shut. Ariel must have opened it, she reasoned, as she pulled the curtains tight. She didn't believe it for a moment.
Hitomi pulled the quilt tight around her. If she had nightmares that night, she knew, they would not be of her mother.
|
|
Ariel Hawk
Ireth
Academy Freshman: Mortal
Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy hand-in-hand...
Posts: 251
|
Post by Ariel Hawk on Sept 20, 2009 23:17:10 GMT -5
Ariel pulled her blankets back up over herself and curled up into a fetal position underneath them. Her music box wound itself out; she turned the key again, and the melody repeated. Smiling, Ariel closed her eyes, imagining her father's voice singing to her, calming her, as he would do every time she came to him after a nightmare.
And her dreams were just that--nightmares. They weren't real. She had nothing to fear from Conall anymore. He was dead and gone, six feet underground. Her father had put him there himself. Smiling at that comfort, Ariel drifted off to sleep again, her music box still in her hands.
|
|
Jaebi Lyckander
Keme
Academy Freshman: Cheetah Shapeshifter
This secret side of me, hid under lock and key; I keep it caged but I can't control it.
Posts: 200
|
Post by Jaebi Lyckander on Nov 17, 2009 19:41:44 GMT -5
_____________________________________________________________________
Jaebi turned the small package nimbly over and over in his hands as he approached the door. Today was Ariel's birthday-- the box Jaebi held was wrapped in gold and white paper, tied with a sheer gold ribbon. Inside, padded with snow-white squares of cotton, a gold anklet. It was a thin chain hung with seven charms-- three bells to either side of a set of little angel wings. The wing charm would probably give away that it had been he who had gotten it for her, though Jaebi still neglected to put his name on the box. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and he hung the present gingerly onto the doorknob by a loop in the ribbon. Afterwards he knocked three times on the door and promptly walked away, whistling, his hands in his pockets.
|
|
Ariel Hawk
Ireth
Academy Freshman: Mortal
Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy hand-in-hand...
Posts: 251
|
Post by Ariel Hawk on Nov 17, 2009 19:51:30 GMT -5
Ariel got up quickly, sticking a bookmark into The Summer King and setting it aside as she hurried to open the door, poking her head out. "Hello...?"
She spotted Jaebi walking away, waving at him and calling out. "Hey, Jae! Where are you headed?"
|
|
Jaebi Lyckander
Keme
Academy Freshman: Cheetah Shapeshifter
This secret side of me, hid under lock and key; I keep it caged but I can't control it.
Posts: 200
|
Post by Jaebi Lyckander on Nov 17, 2009 20:11:00 GMT -5
Jaebi spun on his heel to face her, though he continued to travel, backwards. "What does it look like? I'm going to go hide while you open that." He smiled and pointed to the box hanging from the doorknob. "Happy birthday, Ariel. I'll be in the mess hall."
With that, Jaebi turned forward once more, rubbing the back of his neck, where he could feel the mild warmth of a faint blush. He was getting better at being bold, at least.
|
|
Ariel Hawk
Ireth
Academy Freshman: Mortal
Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy hand-in-hand...
Posts: 251
|
Post by Ariel Hawk on Nov 17, 2009 20:21:48 GMT -5
Ariel blinked as Jaebi turned away, then turned her attention to the box Jaebi had left behind. She retreated back into her room, closing the door behind her and sitting down on the edge of her bed.
Slowly and curiously she untied the ribbon, pulled away the wrapping paper and opened the box, gasping and grinning at the sight of the gift inside. It glittered and tinkled as she took it out of the box and held it up to the light. Six tiny bells hung on either side of a pair of miniscule angel wings, all suspended on a fine chain. The whole anklet was made of gold. Eagerly Ariel pulled her right foot toward her and clasped the chain around her ankle, then stood up and headed out of her room and down the hallway toward the mess hall, jingling all the way.
-------------------------------
|
|
Jaebi Lyckander
Keme
Academy Freshman: Cheetah Shapeshifter
This secret side of me, hid under lock and key; I keep it caged but I can't control it.
Posts: 200
|
Post by Jaebi Lyckander on Dec 24, 2009 1:08:21 GMT -5
Jaebi ran a hand through his hair and sighed. It was still early... but the thought of being trapped in his dorm room with a semi-conscious Gussu and a Kazari in any form was motivation enough to send him on a walk through the chilled castle. Frayed cargo pants and an old oxford were a comfortable substitute for pajamas, though in his haste to leave Jaebi had not had a chance to spike his hair. It was such an odd feeling to have bangs in his eyes...
He hadn't noticed where he was headed until the door filled his line of vision. He wondered what had led him here, though he was far from complaining.
"Is it too early?" he muttered to himself, one hand raised to tap on the door.
|
|
Ariel Hawk
Ireth
Academy Freshman: Mortal
Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy hand-in-hand...
Posts: 251
|
Post by Ariel Hawk on Dec 24, 2009 1:37:57 GMT -5
Ariel rolled over in her bed, blinking awake at the sound of someone tapping on her door. Who the heck could that be? She glanced over at her alarm clock -- it wasn't even seven yet. She stretched and yawned as she sat up, then stepped into her slippers and shuffled toward the door, running a hand through her tousled hair. Bed-head for the win.
Opening the door, she blinked at the boy who stood in the doorway. "Jaebi? Not to sound unhappy to see you, but what are you doing here so early? It's ten to seven, you know that right?"
|
|
Jaebi Lyckander
Keme
Academy Freshman: Cheetah Shapeshifter
This secret side of me, hid under lock and key; I keep it caged but I can't control it.
Posts: 200
|
Post by Jaebi Lyckander on Dec 24, 2009 1:45:40 GMT -5
Jaebi half-grinned, both eyebrows raised, his expression the very image of apologetic. He bowed his head slightly, hands in his pockets. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "My feet just sort of carried me here... I didn't mean to bother you; um, yeah. I'm really sorry, Ariel." His eye caught a glint at her ankle. She was wearing the anklet he had given her for her birthday.
The slightest of pink tinges crept into Jaebi's neck and ears. A tiny smile curled the corners of his lips and he took a step back out into the hallway. "You go back to sleep," he said, reaching forward to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. "I'll go somewhere else."
|
|
Ariel Hawk
Ireth
Academy Freshman: Mortal
Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy hand-in-hand...
Posts: 251
|
Post by Ariel Hawk on Dec 24, 2009 22:45:47 GMT -5
Ariel felt a blush start to warm her cheeks as Jaebi's hand brushed against her face, pushing a little of her hair back. She smiled, seeing him blushing too. "Don't apologize, Jae. You're one of the people I really don't mind waking up to meet," she grinned, keeping her voice to a whisper.
"I would raise my voice to something more normal, but Hitomi's still asleep. I'm more awake now, anyway, and I don't know how well I'll be able to get back to sleep. We could take a walk somewhere, together..." She took a step out into the hallway, toward Jaebi. "If... if you want to."
Her cheeks grew warmer as she blushed more. Why was it so hard to talk to him? At least she knew he was being just as awkward as she was... that was comforting. A little.
|
|
Jaebi Lyckander
Keme
Academy Freshman: Cheetah Shapeshifter
This secret side of me, hid under lock and key; I keep it caged but I can't control it.
Posts: 200
|
Post by Jaebi Lyckander on Dec 27, 2009 0:02:32 GMT -5
Jaebi grinned, having a hard time ignoring the urge to hug Ariel as she stepped closer. "Hm. A walk?" He rubbed the back of his neck and gave a light, nervous chuckle. "I'd like that. Where to?" Their choices were pretty broad, considering how few of the castle's inhabitants would be up at this hour.
|
|
Ariel Hawk
Ireth
Academy Freshman: Mortal
Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy hand-in-hand...
Posts: 251
|
Post by Ariel Hawk on Dec 31, 2009 1:00:26 GMT -5
"It doesn't really matter," Ariel shrugged, smiling awkwardly. As long as I'm with you. She stepped closer to Jaebi, slipping her hand into his. "The courtyard, maybe? We could watch the sun rise..." Oh, shit, that was cheesy. Way to go, Ariel.
|
|
Jaebi Lyckander
Keme
Academy Freshman: Cheetah Shapeshifter
This secret side of me, hid under lock and key; I keep it caged but I can't control it.
Posts: 200
|
Post by Jaebi Lyckander on Dec 31, 2009 1:19:03 GMT -5
Jaebi's grin widened into a big, crooked smile. He squeezed Ariel's hand gently, and he chuckled again. "That's a fantastic idea, Ange--" don't call her that it's not her name don't call her Angel "--Ariel."
He glanced past her, to the window. "It's chilly outside. Wear a coat-- I don't want you catching a cold, as adorable as you would be with a red nose." Mentally, he slapped himself. Kemekin was rubbing off on him, dammit.
|
|
Ariel Hawk
Ireth
Academy Freshman: Mortal
Come away, O human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy hand-in-hand...
Posts: 251
|
Post by Ariel Hawk on Dec 31, 2009 1:26:49 GMT -5
Ariel's eyebrows lifted as Jaebi accidentally got her name wrong, and she grinned a little. "Angel, hm? I like that. Though I think there's a student here whose name really is Angel. That's kind of confusing."
She ducked back into her room for a moment to grab her jacket, pulling it on as she returned to Jaebi's side, takinghis hand again and smiling at him. "Shall we?"
|
|
|
Post by Alex Meriweather on May 18, 2010 16:46:19 GMT -5
---
(The following section takes place in late March, a few weeks before the field trip.)
Alex walked through the girls' dorm hall with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He'd been planning to watch movies with Hitomi and some other people today, but a couple days ago...
...Well, he expected Hitomi had heard by now. She was the only person that spent more time with Hitoshi than he did, after all, and he hadn't really talked to the boy since.
He knocked on her door.
|
|
|
Post by Hitomi Gilespi on May 18, 2010 17:22:35 GMT -5
Hitomi opened the door, starting slightly when she saw her visitor. It had been a while since Hitomi had spoken to Alex, but she had already heard what had happened between her brother and his boyfriend -- or ex-boyfriend, as it were.
"Alex," she said quietly. She looked at the boy sympathetically and stepped aside from the door. "Come on in."
|
|
|
Post by Alex Meriweather on May 18, 2010 17:35:03 GMT -5
"Hi," he said softly, walking in. "Thanks. Hope it's not too strange for me to be here... my parents sent me that movie you said you wanted to see and I was wondering..."
He shrugged and leaned back against the wall, hands behind his back. It struck him how much Hitomi looked like her brother; not that he hadn't known that already, but it passed through his mind then for reasons he couldn't entirely grasp. She didn't seem to be angry at him, at least, which was good, and he felt better for that.
|
|
|
Post by Hitomi Gilespi on May 18, 2010 17:47:28 GMT -5
"Oh, cool," she murmured, her voice far less enthusiastic that she had intended. "We can watch it later, if you want, or..." She trailed off, worrying her lip between her teeth. She wandered across the room, sitting on her bed.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.
|
|
|
Post by Alex Meriweather on May 18, 2010 18:09:15 GMT -5
Alex looked past her, standing up straight. He wasn't really sure what to say; he'd gotten most of his worrying and crying done before he made the decision, and now... now he kind of wanted to forget about it. It didn't help that his reasoning seemed less sympathetic every time he thought about it, so he really didn't want to talk to Hitomi about it. He still thought it was a good idea, but it was done with anyway.
"Not... unless you think you need me to. Uhm." He shrugged. "I don't really have anything to say. I'd just like to hang out. And things." He smiled.
|
|
|
Post by Hitomi Gilespi on May 18, 2010 18:23:40 GMT -5
"I'd just...kind of like to know," she murmured. "Hitoshi's my brother, and..." She bit back the rest of the comment. It probably wouldn't make Alex feel any better to talk about how much happier Hitoshi had seemed with him. It wasn't like Alex couldn't see that for himself, at any rate.
She looked up at him with a mixture of sadness and pity. "I'd stay away from Tristan, by the way," she added. "I'm not sure how he's going to take it."
|
|
|
Post by Alex Meriweather on May 18, 2010 18:29:48 GMT -5
"Ye-eeah..." Alex was not looking forward to being near Tristan. He sighed.
"I just... this was going to happen. Nobody stays with the person they meet when they're fourteen, and..." he opened his hand and gestured slightly, searching for words, "if he needs something, it's to stand on his own. I like him, but I don't have the perspective to know what that means and he really doesn't know... anything about this."
"I just don't think it's a good idea." He fought the urge to fidget nervously. "Like I told him."
|
|
|
Post by Hitomi Gilespi on May 18, 2010 19:04:00 GMT -5
Hitomi pursed her lips. She wanted to say that breaking up with someone just because it probably wouldn't work out in the long run was ridiculous, but if Alex thought this was the best idea... She sighed.
"Well, whatever you think you need to figure out, I hope you find it," she sighed.
|
|