IV. War of the Delinquents [Thursday 6th, Dinner]

15:57:59 Chase` had been living with the rumors of being Burger Girl's boyfriend hanging over his head and, despite all the negative attention he wasn't depressed or downtrodden. As a matter of fact, most of his friends knew the truth. He'd flirted a little but that was the extent of it. It was Thrusday, and he hadn't seen Mila since the Meth Lab, when he'd stalked out past Dietrich. He had no idea the awkwardness he'd been spared by leaving. Now he was headed down to dinner, still in his school uniform. He looked dapper as always, his black curls hanging down one side of his face, his navy blue three-piece suit looking a little dissheveled but it only enhanced his appearance, right? Well, he thought so. He headed down the stairs and into the Hall, right hand slid into his pocket and his lips puckered slightly as he whistled tunelessly. He moved inside and the moment someone spotted him head turned as the whispers began. He shook his head a little, lips quirking into little smirk. He didn't see the sable-draped head of Mila, and so he moved instead to where his friends were sitting. He clasped hands and fist-bumped in greeting and, while he wasn't conceited enough to think the entire hall was talking about the lies Candace had been spreading, he knew a lot of the girls were asking each other this or that. He reached out to the platters of food on the table and snatched up an apple, biting into it and then laughing as his friends made him the butt of good natured jokes. His eyes roved the Hall, deciding whether or not to sit and relax. He didn't know how long he'd be able to tolerate the whispers before he got fed up.

16:12:59 Maebh had gotten herself cleaned up from her run that day, and put on a clean change of clothes. Mae had slipped on a white sweater that fell off of her shoulders, royal blue skinny jeans, and a pair of flesh-tone 4 inch booties made of suede. Her hair had been braided to the side and rested lightly on her chest. She had already locked her door to her quarters and was nearly at the dining hall. It was much busier than the other morning when she was speaking with Jacinth. Mae put together a plate of some greens and fruit and sat herself at the table designated for faculty. Her afternoon had been odd. She got to experience how people flocked to the opposite sex. She chuckled some, too, remembering how her teenage years were: a giant mess of hormones and angst. No wonder the swarming. Luckily, Maebh hadn’t gone through this, most likely due to her modest looks. Her mother had never let her forget how plain she was. Now she accepted it and welcomed it as a blessing that her physical appearance was <c>
16:13:16 Maebh girl-next-door and her demeanor was so polite and innocent. It matched her motives as well. The nurse had not an evil bone in her body. It is what made her a healer. While she sat, she picked at the vegetables and fruit and listened to nearby conversation. In her mind she thought of how the rest of her evening would go as well as the next morning in the infirmary. She hadn’t really gotten her hands dirty with bloodied students or anything, and she was truly starting to get an itch to stitch something or stop some serious bleeding. Setting a bone would be a real day starter. A bit of a grin crossed her chewing lips while she thought about the gruesome things she had seen. <e>

16:21:12 Mila 's limber steps carried her svelte figure from the outer courtyard and back into the warmth of the castle. With the finesse of a veteran, she navigated the winding labyrinth of a structure and soon found herself – and Erinn, for the two were still joined with arms slung around one another, passing through the threshold of the Great Hall. The welcoming din of the busied banquet was the sound of home. All around her students milled about, seating themselves and eating their fill of well prepared food like a family. A large family, and one with politics and hierarchy, but a family nonetheless. With her free hand twirling and errant lock of sleek sable around her poised index finger, eyes of crystalline smoke roamed the faces at the benches around them, picking a place to sit. Mila had seen and politely interacted with the seniors from the lab, but had paid mind to distance herself slightly to avoid any confrontation and conversation about just what had occurred that night. With Erinn fastened to her side, it was clear the flippant little Miss was bored of her efforts, and well and truly ready to release the 'grudge' of sorts. Chase was noticed amongst the tables but she did not offer him a ready wave. When they lived beneath their noses it was unnecessary to wave and call hello every time she spotted him. The entire day would be a never ending greeting if that was the case. Instead, she sat herself down toward the middle of the Crux table, slipping into the bench with a graceful little sway and expecting the younger girl to sit beside her. Benches sat three, and Mila was in the middle sector. Across from them was an empty place or two but the tables were full as ever, and being such a social little minx, the Seer was well acquainted with the faces to either side of them. Cheery little greetings and the girl was settling in for her dinner, listening as a few whispered about Chase and August or rather, the 'Burger Girl'. It was a rumor Mila had heard before. It was a rumor she didn't believe. Flirtatious and confident he may be, but it just didn't seem his style, and the burger lass certainly wasn't his type she thought, perhaps a little protectively. Rumors ran rampant in boarding schools and it was clearly only an over exaggeration. Chase was likely just talking to the girl.

16:32:25 [Dietrich`] There was nothing for clearing the mind and re-invigorating the body like a good run and an icy dip in the loch. Dietrich had returned to his quarters not long after the start of dinner and slipped into something much less wet and frozen. The fleece top was soft and warm against his chilled skin and the old camo trousers as well-worn and accommodating as ever. Faded though they may be, nothing could beat them for sheer comfort. That’s what happened when you wore the same pair for years and wouldn’t consider a replacement. Not particularly on the hungry side, Dietrich decided to go down to dinner for something small and light in any case, lest he regret it later. His stomach had a tendency to start complaining right around an hour after midnight if he was still working, and he didn’t want to be bothered with hunting for snacks then. Wandering into the hall he headed for the faculty table and spotted an open seat next to the red-headed nurse from earlier. Smiling he slipped in beside her an grabbed a bowl. “Good evening, Maebh.” It came out more like a ‘Mehv’ with his accent, but he deigned not to notice. Leaning over he ladled some soup into a bowl for himself—something thick and beefy—and grabbed a few slices of toast to go along with it. “You ran way quite quickly out there. Had work waiting for you?” He said, making idle conversation.

16:32:57 Jake trudged through the snow covered yard, the chillingly cold winds whipping at his then disorganised uniform. The breeze had done little to freeze the young wolf, his own natural fur coat managing to keep him warm, albeit the existence of the natural preserver invisible to all but the most well endowed specialists. After a long and gruelling metamorphosis class with Xander, Jake had eagerly waited for the lesson to end, shoving on his clothes haphazardly he sought out the quickest route back to the institute. What was the rush? Jakey boy was hungry, a long shift always stirring the little monster inside his gut, the growling loud and obnoxious. He did what best he could to organise himself, tucking in half the long sleeved shirt allowing the other half to droop down his backside, tie hung loosely about his neck, beating off his chest with each stride. It was only the dress pants and unbuttoned blazer which had completed ensemble making him seem somewhat respectable yet the wind did little for his onyx black hair. Pushing through the entrance to the main school building, mouth corners curled into a cheery smile and one final visible white breath escaping his lips as the icy wasteland was left behind him. An abundance of greetings waited for him as he prowled the corridors, the playboy pushed his way through the body of students, wasting little time before reaching the great hall. The room was filled with eager and hungry students, Jake being the latest addition to their ranks. Warm sepia hued eyes scanned each of the tables, the main body of Tritus students first grasping his attention until two familiar faces selfishly pulled him away from them. Drinking buddy and Flirtationship friend, Erinn and Mila. Sauntering down the aisle and sliding into the bench before them, giving each a shared white toothed smile, the slightest hint of mischief the only betrayal of his unspoken thoughts. “Hey trouble and trouble.“ He teased, making himself comfortable despite lacking an invitation. “And what is on the menu today, I am starving.“ Naturally his presence would be known, both tone and bodily movements each equally expressive as the last.<e>

16:39:58 Erinn had made her way with Mila inot the great hall, she was starving and oh so glad to smell the food and hear the sound of everyone chattering away happily as they ate their dinner. She looked around the great hall and saw familiar faces, but let Mila choose where they would sit and soon she was seated next to her on the bench and sighed contently. "Finally, felt like that walk took forever!" she would say and laugh as she started to help herself to food, her stomach was grumbling a bit but soon a familiar face and voice made itself known and she grinned at Jake, "Hey Jake" she would say and laugh as he adressed them trouble and trouble, "Trouble squared.." she would say and grin at Mila as she nudged her slightly and watched JAke make himself at home with them, no invitation was needed really, she was happy to have him there. She had started to dig into her food, she didn't even care what it was at this point, she wasn't a picky eater to begin with so food was food and she was happy to, put something in her stomach. She had skipped lunch earlier so she was even more hungry than normal, her mittens had been put away in the pockets of her jacket and she looked quite happy at the moment as she chewed her food. She wasn't eating like a pig and scarfing everything down but she wasn't standing down on ceremony and taking dainty bites either.

16:50:19 Chase` shook his head slowly at the most recent joke out of Draven's mouth, speaking up after he swallowed the last bite of his apple, "Why do you gotta take it to that place, man? Just always one step too far." He considered the plates before him and then turned to look about. When he spotted Mila she was turning her head to take note of him and he met her eyes for a moment he looked. . . ashamed of himself? It was only for a moment, but she was sure to see it. Was there some small nugget of truth to those rumors after all? Yuuuup. He looked back at his friends and said he needed to go. He snatched up a second apple and turned and walked away. He glanced occasionally back at Mila as he made his way toward the exit. He made sure to make his pace unhurried but he moved up the short few steps out of the hall as little too quickly for it to be genuine. He stopped a little ways out of the hall, sighed and tossing the apple into the air a few times and catching it. God this was awkward. He'd only flirted with the girl a little, so why should he feel so ashamed? Something probably only deep introspection would reveal.

16:57:27 Jer hasn't been able to rejoin the majority of the student body in free-time activities since being detained, more or less the moment he'd stepped foot outside his last class. Although there are plenty of his peers who would walk over their own grandmothers to be dragged off by the ear by the ever-desirable Professor Weir, the budding seer must maintain that the hour he'd spent with her in private wasn't the stuff dreams are made of. Essentially he was chewed out for something he hasn't committed yet, and that castigation then flowed into a lengthy discussion of time, destiny threads, and diminished rewriting. But Jer has been a close student to Ms. Weir for a couple years now, visiting office hours and having these open discourses outside of class. If anything, this preemptive scolding was a privilege - better to be sternly deterred by her than go through with it and meet the whip. Unfortunately, and inevitably, they both came to terms with the truth of the matter: he was going to play it out. Even the foggy visions farther down the line were gaining the clarity of predetermination with each coming minute. It could be said that future events are a difficult habit to break, and he definitely isn't make the effort. Thus released (but with a woman's disapproval face for a parting gift) he heads towards the Great Hall. Though adjusting his tie a little more slack, he passes by Chase who is loitering within the entryway; and in that pass, a very finite look is given to the male. Wordless, expressionless, and yet there is a heavy recognition in the eyes, judging him in that brief tick of a second before the connection is torn to oblivion in the growing distance. From there, the Tritus boy keeps his leisurely pace leisurely while his gaze searches for a handful of particular faces.

17:08:29 Mila 's ever, cherry-stained lips formed a pout as she noticed Chase leaving the Hall after a weird look. She hadn't put two and two together since the lab but then, maybe the reason one of her closest friends had departed without so much as a goodbye and left her to pass out on the pool table and possibly secure punishment for tardiness, come the next morn, was that he was angry at her? Just as the shameful memories of locking lips with none other than the resident playboy came to mind, Mila knew Chase was disgusted with her. Think of the Devil and he shall appear. A becoming flush colored her cheeks as Jake greeted the girls and sat himself down on the spare seat beside her, effectively placing herself in the center of two witnesses. Spectators to the fall of Mila's morals. While looking at the platters of dinner and dessert before her, she uttered a simple, “Hey Jakeyboy,” without even a hint of recognition. Usual, ordinary, cheery Mila. It was almost as if the kiss between them had never occurred, or the wily little femme didn't consider it a noteworthy dalliance in the past. She did not share Erinn's gnawing hunger, but regarded the dinners that happened upon the center of the tables. There was not the same meals on every length of every table and so, oft' people sat where their taste buds drew them. Roasted meats and vegetables were found in their reach, and desserts of ice-cream and pie. Letting her sweet tooth rule, Mila commandeered a piece of apple pie, a scoop of strawberry and vanilla ice cream, only to pause mid tip of chocolate topping. “Erinn.” On the menu today, that was. Hadn't just about -everyone- had a piece of their silver platter on Sunday? The chopping block for shots twice and the doll for Emri's attentions among other things. Playful as ever and a little bit immature, the Australian dripped some topping onto her index finger, reached over, and smeared it close to Jake's mouth. “You have something on your face.” Ever the concerned and helpful friend, this one.

17:13:37 Pixie , tiny little imp, is taking up enough space for three normal-sized Were in the Great Hall. Her fellow Arcadians have been slow in their welcome party for the bizarre female, so there is a wide berth around the part of the table she has claimed as her territory. That ridiculous turtle shell backpack acts as part of the moat of her island: contained in the barrier of chafing dishes is a dainty line of five cubes of cheese and a small handful of grapes, as well as the current object of her mad attention. A sketch book the size of the American’s entire torso is splayed in front of her, angled half-torn pages spewing from its innards. The tiny Were’s pupils are so dilated her eyes appear black, riding the tail end of a glorious high from her last hit of ecstasy she had stashed in her possessions. Before her lupine metabolism can burn it all out of her system, Pixie has been sketching madly for the past hour or so. A cheese cube or grape sustains her. Most of her uniform has been stripped away from the heat her altered body is putting off—lace-trimmed camisole doing a bang-up job of displaying the twins. A fine sheen of sweat has formed on her forehead, joined with smears of charcoal from the occasional swipe of her little paw.

17:16:16 [Emri] Made obvious, though unintentionally, by Emri's simple mannerisms, following after Jer for the past minute or so can be acreddited to mere coincidence. But unlike the seer - whose face, should it be spotted, could be given an appropriate name from scholarly observation, rather than actual acquaintance - Emri stops once he spots Chase, his head canting for a brief moment as the apple flies up, and then lands back in his hand. The last he had seen of the fellow elementalist was during their antics in the Lab; Emri had fallen asleep, and woke with the peer gone, likely to go about his own devices as most teenagers found necessary at one point or another during their days. " <I>What's up? " he asks, simply, pausing just outside the door of the Great Hall to grant Chase the chance to respond. And though its nothing more than a casual greeting between the familiar faces, he cares enough about the response to warrant a pause, albeit brief, from his venture into the food-filled hall. But less the answer warrant further attention (which Emri is likely to offer, given his usually good-natured self), he's trailing after Jer into the actual Grand Hall, eyes first falling over the desired food before the desired faces, should the latter even exist in this particular situation.

17:31:45 Chase` snapped out of his reverie at the sound of approaching footsteps and he noticed a guy headed in his direction. Nothing was said to him, so no response was needed, but he could almost feel the guy judging him. He shook his head a little as the guy walked into the Hall. He then noticed Emri coming along and, surprisingly enough, the guy actually stopped. They'd only just been formally introduced, but the question of What's up?, with it's many different meanings and intertpretations made his lips twitch and a little snort of laughter made his nostrils flare, "Not much man. Just don't like all the attention I was getting in there from Candace's lies." No doubt the guy had heard all the rumors about him and August. Probably something anywhere between a little flirting, which was the truth, to full on necking in the stacks. The guy had been asleep for his exit from the Meth Lab on sunday, but, well, nothing interesting had happened involving him. If Emri moved on, as he kind of expected him to, Chase would bite into the apple while turning on his heel and heading for Crux. He needed to finish an essay for Dryke anyway. Not to mention that there was that special Herbology class that was taking place after dark tonight.

17:38:39 Jer , too forward focused to realize those in his wake, soon spots one of the faces who constitute his line-up (albeit that face currently touched with a spot of cream). His course thereby requires a slight adjustment for the detour but is shortly returned to its regular gait as he heads to the Crux table. Approaching his quarry from the behind, he announces his arrival by hunkering down and very comfortably (for him) sliding an arm around Jake's shoulders and chest. It both appears and feels like a possessive embrace, but only guesses will have to pick at the sentiment underneath. As for his other hand, in slipping so close that collarbones are pressed to shoulderblades, he'd prodded (and held) the points of his index and middle fingers like a gun into the other's lower side. Like this, it's a natural proximity granted that allows him to trickle the following into the were's ear. "Jake, ya lucky dog," he enunciates slow, clear, and quiet as appropriate to the intimate space they share. And despite how buddy the seer may feign to act, his housemate could dig down deep into memory and still come up empty as to the last time they've ever spoken. "Makes me wonder," he says with a false smile, "what else you'll get away with this week." And once only that has been imparted, he pulls away as easily as he'd arrived, issuing but a heavy pat on the upperclassman's shoulder before drifting off to where he ought to be.

17:44:04 [Jake] The idle chatter amongst the tables, the scratching of benches against the marble floor and clattering of utensils combined to form a symphony of merriment. Jake had been oblivious to Chase’s departure, his eyes staring hungrily at the platter and plates of food littering the table, spoiled for choice at what exactly he was hungry for. The wolf’s attentions had been drawn to the girl beside him, the pinkish hued flush had not gone unnoticed, suspecting her own thoughts tormented by the week‘s earlier mischief. The playboy had hardly spoken to the pair, his week’s schedule getting closer to Christmas had only spared the wolf time to meet Erinn at nights in the common room, likewise passing courtesies and the witty back and forth between one another when class would allow. The evening at the Meth Lab had went unmentioned, for some the excessive consumption of alcohol darkening their recollection of the events, or embarrassment fighting back the memories of the evening. For the wolf it had been just another regular weekend, albeit spent at the secluded senior spot and not in some girl’s dorm room with three of her closest friends. A soft snicker escaped his lips upon hearing his nickname escape from the raven haired female, and the additional witty remark from his fellow housemate. “And what have you two ladies been up to? More naughtiness I hope.“ He teased, thinking back to the body shots between the pair. Eyeing his choices, the offer of his house mate and occasional wing woman. “I’m sure miss dish of the day over here wouldn’t complain either.“ Offering up a wink as he reached for an apple from the obligatory fruit bowl, for the healthier student option. As he prepared a hungry bite for the green apple, bringing it to his lips, the topping smeared around his mouth, probed by his tongue before swiped clean with one lick. “How thoughtful, you know come to think of it I see a little something by your lips there.“ A single sweep of his finger, brushing her lips lacing them with a finger full of ice cream. “Such a mucky pup.“ Grinning he bitten into the apple, stray beads of juice dribbling down the corners of his mouth. Arms slunk around his shoulders earning a surprised look from the Tritus student. Unaware of just whom may be so affectionate towards himself, it had not gone unappreciated. “You know me, my tongue is often locked away with the rest of the silver ware.“ He didn’t recall just who the boy may be but was sure that his own reputation would precede him.

17:47:03 Richard sat on a hard bench with a plate of food. He had only recently came in from the cold so he was freezing. The boy needed some warm food in him to battle the glazed red nose he had developed and its blockage. Soup would be perfect at this moment in time. A good old tin of Heinz creamy chicken soup would do the trick, but he would have to settle for Roast Pork and a couple of potatoes instead. Such hardship. He adjusted himself on the seat a little, making sure his clothes were wrapped around him tightly. He was on the very edge of the Tritus table, trying his best to keep his sickened self away from the chattering choir perched in their own personal space. His gaze moved from person to person that were traveling around the hall, his vision darting from place to place, until his eyes focused on Pixie. That's when Rich lingered for awhile. Dinner and a show. He continued eating, picking at bits, not really focusing. He didn't realize how long he was staring now, and would most likely get caught. Now it was getting a little creepy of him. The Tritus student didn't take any notice of Jake and his little entourage, his attention somewhat occupied at the current moment in time.

17:53:36 Pixie snaps her head up like someone shouted to her, dilated doe-eyes ignoring the gaggles of students in the room to rivet on the Crux table. Mila and Jake, two of the outlandish she-wolf’s self-proclaimed pack, go about their usual banter. While Pixie’s judgment of Jake’s eagerness to take all of Xan’s orders is still being mulled over, the scout can pick up a challenging gesture from across the room: a taller Tritus boy, Jer, doing a poor show of hiding intriguing hostility. Quick as a bunny, the rolling Were snatches her retro camera from her turtle backpack. Two clacks like mating robots signal the capture of the boys’ interactions, then Pixie swings the machine to snap an equally candid shot of her current audience, Richard. One eyebrow is playfully quirked when she lowers the camera from her face. Those eyes are still dilated, and the colors in the room continue to play impishly together, but Pixie is losing her high slowly. “I’m going to pretend to be busy now, so I won’t notice you picking your jaw up,” the small imp quips, her mocking mouth twisting in a mischievous grin. True to her word, she goes about getting charcoal on everything while packing her drug-induced creativity away into her turtle shell backpack.

18:04:22 Mila shrugged her shoulders, “Just class. We have that Herbology thing tonight, don't forget. Meeting at the courtyard after our nom-sesh.” Erinn muttered something non-committally and was clearly busied with filling that empty stomach of hers. “I'm sure she wouldn't.” Grinning, she exchanged a playful glance and a shove with the girl until her attention was stolen by the boy who expected all eyes to be on him. In all fairness, she had it coming. When he smeared her lips with ice-cream Mila could only laugh. Wasn't she about to eat the ice-cream anyway? Her tongue skimmed over her full, cupid-bow lips to remove the sweet, cool coating and then eyes of crystalline were falling on the Seer that joined and left – all in a single whirlwind that seemed a little peculiar for a face she had usually judged as quiet. “Lucky, heh?” Mila was interested, and wondering why a boy she hadn't ever seen around Jake exuded such familiarity with the senior. Clearly there was a lot the brunette did not know about the Were. Once the younger boy had left them, Mila had helped herself to a few bites of her sweet, inappropriate dinner meal and then picked up where they had left on their game. A dab of ice-cream on the tip of her finger painted his nose. It almost looked adorable on him. Now Mila was laughing, and fully expecting some sort of retaliation. At this rate, they would turn up for the Herbology class wearing more food than clothing.

18:14:55 Richard 's gaze broke as the girl started to move. The flash took him off-guard. He was startled, like a deer trapped in headlights, and now frozen for a few moments in time. A pitiful, “Sorry,” squeaked from the boys mouth as she moved past him. Such a stupid look would now be caught on camera. 'Shit.' First came to mind. He had been caught out, but hey, he was only male, what do you expect. Rich drooped his had down low, hunched over his plate, and continued eating by himself. At the moment he wasn't really in the mood to do much so he faded into the castles woodwork, becoming a background character that no one takes note of. A deep sneeze broke his silence and was pretty much the only thing that came from his direction for awhile. Study was on the agenda after he finished his meal, so he'd either end up in the library, or his dorm, hitting the books for once.

18:22:59 [Jer] This specific segment in time wouldn't have been complete without that faint sound snapping in the distant background. Finally, for he'd had the vision of this months ago, only along the way able to understand why he would come to say what he has, he can now turn his head and see what it is. His pale blues search, skipping over the landscape of students until he spots the culprit: it'd been a camera shutter. "Ahh," he voices to himself, suddenly awash in comprehension. "A load a sense, that is..." It's too bad then that this one revelation doesn't put to rest the entire scene. He still can't comprehend how Jake could act so unaffected; the deeper meaning of the words must have been buried too deep for the were, leaving the superficial surface as the star. But there was nothing the seer could do. He was predestined to leave, to end up with his roommates in the Tritus area instead of linger on and speak further with the trio of strangers (for beyond their recurring faces, that's what they are: strangers).

18:28:02 Jake let out a stifled groan at the mention of the night time Herbology class. “It is bad enough we have to play with flowers and trim hedges during the day, now we have to spend our evenings doing it too?“ It was evident that the Were was definitely not a fan of the flora/fauna lessons, his own dalliances with defence and elixir classes were preferred. “I am tempted to skip it but I’ll take any excuse to avoid an early curfew.“ The dark lines beneath his prominent brown gaze evidence for the late nights the insomniac suffered, a combination of dark dreams and late night leisurely activities. He watched with surprise as Erinn heartily took to her food, seemingly putting the food away without pause for breath, it was rather admirable. Jake grinned whilst watching Mila react to the playful food smear much like he did, toying with their food rather than actually eating it. Some students watching the antics, nosey and curious as to just what the playboy was doing with the girl, his approach to a new mark much more adorable than past conquests. But was Mila really another conquest? For now the Were was uncertain, simply enjoying a girl not quite as easy as some of the rest. His musing however would be disrupted by arrival of the Seer, nameless but a face somewhat familiar, Jake had indulged him, and as quickly as he appeared he vanished. “Well that was unexpected.“ He recalled, curious as to why the boy suddenly made his presence known only to disappear. Any further lamentations on the appearance would be quickly pushed aside in favour of more food play. The wet ice cream swept upon his nose had been a little out of his tongue’s reach, it did not stop him from trying, tongue struggling to reach before giving out, turning to the now laughing Crux student. Vengefully scooping up some ice cream of his own he made a rather large smear along the side of her face, always taking the game to the next level. A mischievous snicker escaped his lips, satisfied with his artwork.<e>

18:33:40 Pixie smiles toothily, perhaps more coyote-like than wolfish, pleased at the discomfort she’s planted in the sickly Tritus boy. The tiny creature stuffs the majority of her discarded uniform into her bag—the aftereffects of the ecstasy still have her body temperature dangerously high—and vacates her corner of the table. When she passes Richard trying his best to blend into the scenery, the druggie she-wolf skitters her hot fingers on the back of his neck, perhaps leaving charcoal smears. “You can stare anytime,” Pixie purrs, then lets out a charming bark of laughter as she resumes her walk. Yep, there is a destination in mind. If only the stunted American knew the careful web of fate’s destiny the Seers follow—she would be able to fuck it all up with that much more gusto. Resplendent with her combat boots and cleavage as armor, Pixie plants herself uninvited with the Tritus housemates, fixing her dilated doe-eyes on Jer. A ghost of a smirk plays in one corner of her mocking mouth, as the slim dame lets an awkward silence stretch as a greeting. “You going to fight the wolf?” the finally asks, canting her head towards the merry Crux gang and their playboy ringleader.

18:47:24 Mila was actually looking forward to the class. Practical classes tickled her fancy, and having special permission to roam the forest at midnight was not a luxury the girl had often, she was no Were, exempt monthly from curfew. “Suck it up, Princess.” The insult was delivered in a sing-song voice, with a devilish little smile about her exotic countenance. While Erinn was eating her food, Mila and Jake were playing with theirs. Typical. She seemed oblivious to the eyes upon them, too easily distracted by the here and now to apply much forethought – save for when she slept. The Seer had trouble capturing premonitions without slumber to ease the way, but occasionally certain objects and people could pave a path for her. Perhaps a result of her lack of determination when it came to Divination. Professor Weir's class was not one she enjoyed, found riveting in the least in fact there was an occasion or two when Mila had nodded off into a catnap. Quite the feline, she was smiling like a Cheshire, clapping a hand over her mouth to quiet giggles when Jake foolishly attempted to lick the ice-cream from his nose. Just as suspected, Mila was not left off easy – no, there was a large sticky smear of strawberry across her cheek. “You didn't!” She cried, effervescence radiating from her glowing smile. “I'll get you for that, Connelly!” Three fingers smeared into a mixture of chocolate topping and melting, unattended ice-cream and then she was swiping a brand on his forehead. “Simba!” Smug, she licked the stickyness from her index finger and taunted, “Karma's a bitch.”

19:10:58 Jake had been taken back by her use of the pet name he so favourably used for her. He was certainly no princess. “Princess? No, I think you mean King. Often believing himself to be such, his sauntering about the institute like he owned the place, a swollen ego and sleeping his way through the student body with reckless abandon, that was if the rumours were to be believed. Despite his flirtatious personality and often seen showing public displays of affection, it was a rarity that Jake actually added another notch to his beloved belt, preferring the chase and then growing bored when the challenge was over. The back and forth between the two, a smear of ice cream here or a splash of chocolate there, earned the pair envious glances and scornful gazes. One lowerclassmen had even confidently called out “Get a room.” Giggling amongst his friends at his bravery although not ready for the returned remark. “We have one.“ Admiring his most recent handiwork, returning her smile with one of his own. “Bring it darlin’.“ The challenge was met with a swipe across his brow, the infused chocolate and ice cream blending upon the makeshift plate which was his forehead. Smear and apple now forgotten, Jake grabbed a handful of the cool frozen yogurt, sliding closer to the Crux girl and affectionately wiping it across her cheeks, around her mouth and along her nose. Leaning back, cocking his head from side to side he would cheerily announce. “You missed a bit.“<e>

19:15:36 [Trix] The awakening Trix had experienced at the opening of the week had lead to quite the change in the female. Noticeably so by some who questioned just what was different about her. Though for the most part, Trix remained as ever a wallflower to the majority of the school. A nerd who was pretty enough and was great for doing assignments, tutoring and studying. The infernal bookworm that ever there was at Hex. Compared to most other seniors, Trix was younger in some ways. Not that was wasn’t versed in methods of how to be sexual and alluring - that was all Fae territory when it came down to such things. She just wasn’t as active nor did she stand out like others did, with their easy charms and flirtatious nature. Though, the last few days had found Trix invariably in a manner that left some questioning, including Mr. Vostok, the Librarian. The talk with Xarissa had left her feeling slightly off, but after trying to explain to the girl that her trust just wasn’t given away so easily in hopes the younger female understand, she had taken leave to go to her room. Her day had begun so well, and Trix was determined to end it on such a note. Taking the time to clear her mind, visualize and relax, it was about an hour later when Trix re-emerged from the sanctuary of her bedroom, luckily uninhibited by her roommate at the time. Hair was brushed, the golden strands swept around her face, hanging over her shoulders, down her back in a myriad of curls that had a mind of their own, intricate and yet lazy in how the flounced when she moved. Azure hues sparkled with a hint of knowing within them, wide eyed and happy as she bounded with virtuous energy. Adorned in a simple t-shirt that was tight fitting, snug to her slender form a pleated skirt that lowered to just below the thighs with leather boots that rose upwards to her knees, she cut that surprising figure of an alluring, wanton femme, yet retained the innocence that bespoke of just who she was. The evidence of glee upon her features was not lost amongst others, who noted the girl as she near danced, hips swaying into the Hall. Coming to a stop by the main doors, the woman paused however, taking sight of those around her, always looking for one in particular. It seemed however places were taken by houses tonight and this threw Trix slightly - where to go? By choice she was drawn toward Crux, but as she made her merry way meandering through the common tables of others, it didn’t take long for her to catch sight of Jer. A slight wave of hand was offered, while her eyes met with his, the residue of blue within them vibrant in how she appeared, rose cheeks illuminating her sheer lightness, while lips parted to mouth the words hello. If he asked her to, she would sit with him, but she knew he was spending time with his house mates and Trix would not be one to interfere. She would however come to sit near Mila and Jake, and Erinn during the middle of the small food face painting scenario with a quick hello to them all before taking a seat. A seat which provided her a nice few of her friend, without much in the way to block her. “Hey guys..” Her voice was melodic and jovial. Gone were the emotions that had so plagued her the last few days.

19:29:18 Mila meant Princess, not King and he had best remember that. She was fairly ignorant to the attention they were drawing until other students piped up and reminded her that she best calm things down, before they drew the attention of Fritz, Dryke or worse. When his hand dipped into the frozen sweet, the girl shrieked and bolted upright, even squirming from her seat beside him and practically leaping on the person on the adjacent bench. “Eugh!' He managed to mark her with another smear, but it was no entire, facial paint as he had initially been intending to spoil her fair countenance with. Unwilling to seat herself, she offered a quick “Hey!” To Trix before she was painting her own hand with the mess that had once been her dinner, and swatting Jake across the cheek. Too lightly to be a slap, but a little bit of a smack that etched a small hand print in pink and white. Anticipating her own actions the girl had been ready to delve between the bench and table, her limber movements easily quick as she took to a crawl, only to emerge on the safety of the other side. Coming visible in a flurry of now mussed, sable locks and edible face paint, the out of breath little femme couldn't stop laughing. Really, she couldn't. Tears ran from iridescent, gem-like eyes and were her hands not sticky with dessert, she would be pressing them to aching ribs. “I can-.” She really, really couldn't. “Sto-” Helplessly glancing from between Trix to Jake in her tirade of mirth, “Rafiki- like,” Oh God. “Oh his head!” The slim line of Mila's shoulders were shaking, and she nearly fell right from her perch on the bench beside Trix. Involving the girl in their game, she brought two wet, pink fingers to the girls cheeks and flicked. War paint. Strawberry ice-cream war paint.

19:32:02 Jer was spared the trouble of having to explain - or, rather, artfully avoid - anything his small collection of friends could throw at him. As luck would have it, they were all too busy chatting and eating to notice what the spacey seer had done in another part of the Hall. Thus, he eases right into the flow of things, seating himself where there's room on the bench and starting to help himself to food as well. However, it isn't long into his process that he's confronted by the candid camera-ist. Initially paused but now sitting back down from his lengthy reach across the table, he sets down his plate and lifts his gaze, glossing up and over her attire (and underlying figure) before affording her an amiable smile when their eyes at last meet. "Depends," he answers, regardless of the nearby roommates who have noticed this burgeoning conversation. "What'll ya do with those photos?" In theory he doesn't need to ask. In theory he could simply find out for himself with a peek at the future written. But, to be a good sport about it (and to evade answering her opening question), he gives her the opportunity to divulge instead. But in lieu of this, his line of sight offers him something too. In the photographer's background, Trix passes, and he harps a smile and cants a wave accordingly. The distraction right in front of him prevents anything further though, translated notably in the shift of his eyes' focus and the exceptionally lethargic (read: mindless) fall of his lofted hand.

19:42:14 Pixie is as unreadable as a sandstorm, her body merely exuding energy, either as a side-effect of the ecstasy or her very nature. Apparently coaxed by the drugs to abandon her usual mask of vapid skankiness, the tiny creature is enthralled with the enigma on the bench beside her. Those doe-eyes, so artfully placed in front of the tricksy mind of a wolf-scout, glint devilishly at his reply. He couldn’t have made her day more if he had given her Alexander McQueen shoes—now she knows that he wants the photos. Doesn’t want other people to have them. The interaction with Jake meant something more important than daily Hex life. Pixie’s smile is slow and dangerous, like an oil spill: you don’t want to look away from the inevitable, beautiful chaos. “Keep them. Make them useful. Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s anything you could give me to trade,” the she-wolf informs him serenely. Curious, the skinny gal follows his momentary distraction, admiring Trix from across the room. The blonde had waved to Pixie on her first day and reminds the American fondly of an old girlfriend.

19:57:02 [Emri] Off in the not-too-far distance, it took little effort to spot the antics of old-friend Jake, Masquerade sweetheart Mila, and his gifted Trix. He could distinctly hear the laughs and audible joys of the trio, but even then Emri wasn't truthfully content with the actions. If there was to be a food-fight, it would be of the grandest of scales, even if it meant the possible martyrdom of the fifth-year. No matter the punishment, fun wouldn't be so easily restricted within the Hex walls. Emri, wandering over the length of the available triad of tables, (certain to occasionally divert his gaze back to the previously mentioned trio, less they catch him the act!) leans over between two indistinct bodies, scooping up a hearty bowl of soup, chunky and admittedly smelling delicious. Then - still careful to hide his own body among the indistinct, collective bodies around him - hurls the bowl of soup towards Jake and company with an aim that had been honed over the years of shenanigans. Its his intentions for the bowl to let loose its wholly grip of the soup at a moment that would spread it over all three of their heads, but should it just smack Jake in his face, Emri wouldn't complain. So long as it was enough to goad the oncoming foodfight from young and old students alike.

19:58:25 Xarissa You know those times, when you just...want to be alone? No matter how much you've been alone, you still ache to have time within your mind, alone inside your head. There, alone, with no one but your own thoughts? From snowmen to wandering, stepping over gnarled roots, and through drooping branches, Xarissa wandered. Her jacket had been shed, left back at the entrance to the school, as well as the rest of her clothing, minus the spandex that now clad her body. Her heart raced, as she made her way back towards the school, her cheeks were bright red, and her angel locks were windblown. Her chest heaved with the energy she had expended. That was something she hadn't done yet, just ran like that...Got down on all fours, and just ran. Like a hamster in a wheel, minus the squeak. Everything felt good though. The negative was gone, and the positive had swollen like a balloon filled with air. Maybe that was her problem, she had all this energy, and it screamed to get out. Leaning down, she'd grab the clothing she'd shed, sliding back on the dress, along with her stockings, before shoving her feet into her boots. Once she hung her coat over her shoulder, and tossed her scarf around her neck, the wind blown wolf headed inside, her stomach growling with a sense of urgency. Food. Feed me. There was no ignoring it, in order to go and tend to her tossled hair, so rather than do so, she dipped into the Hall, her paled out, wave shaded eyes took a glimpse around. It only took her a few steps, to go and slide herself in beside a fellow wolf and her company. "Cereal telling any stories today? Or is it letters in the soup at this hour?" Her eyes then fluttered to the fellow she didn't know, giving him a wave with frozen fingers.

20:09:38 [Jake] “Masterpiece.“ Jake affectionately remarked upon admiring his painting. Her wriggling and squirming made it difficult for the Tritus student to complete the work, squeals drawing out hearty laughter, attempts at trying to escape drawing on further annoyances from the students around them. It was during his attempts at adding to his painted canvas that they were joined by another familiar face. None other than Miss Ellery, Trix being her preferred moniker. The pair did not speak as often outside of classes but whenever Jake had trouble with work, she was the Fae he would rely on for catch up, hardly ever being steered wrong. “Hey Trix, you’ve arrived just on time--“ His sentence had been cut short by the soft soaked slap of ice cream upon his chiselled cheek. Before Jake could react, quick and nimble the girl slyly slipped his grasp, evading yet another dessert facial. Lost for a moment, Jake waited, one hand rested on the table as he leaned over, rapidly melting ice cream dripping in the other as he waited for the girl to emerge. Unluckily when she rose from beneath the table his swipe had missed, flecks of ice cream peppered the table although the students of the Crux table had been far luckier, their food escaping unscathed. It was not the fight which had caused the oncoming laughter from the Were, it was the hysterics erupting from his opponent that had brought the chuckles from Jake. During the outburst, he had realised Mila’s intentions and leaning in close, he would instead wipe ice cream down the opposite side of Trix’s face. Half had one huge smear, the other cat-like whiskers. The distraction had proved to be advantageous for their would be assassin, Emri sneaking behind them and a wave of fortunately cold soup splashing the back of his head and showering the two girls before him. Turning around, removing a stray vegetable caught in his collar, and taking a handful of Pavlova cake, he would launch it at his attacker. “You sneaky bastard!“ Jake yelled not unkindly.<e>

20:14:32 [Trix] To say she was surprised was an understatement. It wasn’t just the laugh Mila had going, or the rambunctious display of crawling and averting, it was the ice cream to her face that launched her eyes to widen further. The coldness of the cream felt against her cheeks, her eyes catching sight of something upon the smooth complexion that riddled her in shock, caught unaware and by unexpected actions. “What!?” The petite femme exclaimed, as sticky fingers reached toward the napkins across from her grabbing one to bring it to her face to wipe of the melted residue. Trix was far to reserved to get into a full fledge food fight. Plus the trouble it could bring if they were caught! She wasn’t one to want to spoil the fun, but she didn’t want to participate either. Her eyes landing on Mila and then Jake. “You guys are crazy!” The words spoken, she barely got them out before Jake was now painting upon her face, Trix’s hands coming up to swat him away as best she could to try and avoid the onslaught. “HEY!..Don‘t! Stop…that.. UGH! You! ” As her face became covered in cream again. Regrettably she should have sat at Tritus, which brought her eyes that shifted for a moment back in the direction of Jer. She had a good view of his position from where she sat and as she lowered the napkin she also caught sight of Pixie. Trix knew Pixie but only in passing having waved here and there, and welcomed her, but here was yet another female in school who Trix felt like a wallflower when compared too. As much as Trix was exploring her new self on a number of levels as of late some girls just made her feel inadequate in a number of ways. That maybe Trix should change her clothing, her outfits, wear something more sleek and sexy, have a body that everyone wanted - be gorgeous in the drop dead, mouth gaping fashion - and in a way, she could. She could easily glamour her way through looking like the hottest babe in school. But she didn’t. She didn’t use her Fae magic for her own purpose. Not in that regard, but it left her feeling suddenly strange inside. Trix had never much felt jealousy over a male before. There hadn’t been a man in her life to really be jealous over. Of course the crushes she’d had, were never reciprocated, but Trix understood that and never expected them to be. She didn‘t put a high price upon herself. Most guys, including Jeremy were unattainable for her in her eyes. Though with Jeremy, it was something more. It wasn’t just a -crush- per se. The female was developing strong feelings for the lad, and all the more seeing Pixie with him sent her stomach churning with a flurry of butterflies. Distracted, her attention, her eyes couldn’t move from Jeremy as Emri came close, the sudden splash of soup heading in her direction. It caught her off guard and she let out a shriek. She managed a sudden stepped back in time to try and avoid the onslaught, unfortunately though, not before tripping backward over the bench and landing with a thud on the stone floor on her derriere, soup down her top. Ice-cream all over her face.

20:19:20 Jer honestly can't place the girl who's injected herself into his presence - that is, until he hears one of his nearby associates drop her name in a whispered side conversation. Pixie... Pixie Amsterdam... He's fairly sure he's never met the girl in real life; and yet, why do all these particular notions and impressions come to mind? An infamous reputation must precede her, even into this seer's convoluted head. Regardless, she's certainly doing a dandy job of making a personal reputation with him now. Though softness remains in his features - they're built it - his expression gradually dissipates from its previous congeniality. By a subtle evolution, it's touched with a schadenfreude-like understanding of her approach and his situation. Tongue in cheek for a scoffed smirk, he can't help but concede the point. "S'pose yer right," he replies as he slowly steps one leg over the bench. Giving to a slight slouch as he sits straddling, he intertwines his fingers and rests one elbow on the table at his side, more weight rested thereupon. Some might call it admirable how much focus the space cadet seems to be exercising now, even in spite of the boisterous chaos from the Crux area. For a moment, words appear to be forming on the tip of his tongue, his mouth parting ajar to let the response loose. Instead, the focus so previously touted falters and he indulges the opportunity Pixie's friend had given. "Just a spot of friendly blackmail," he answers in her stead, fixed with a mirthful smile all the while. Gaze replaced on his instigator, he acts more prepped and prepared now. "Do it. Use 'em. 'Ow 'bout a fanfic to go with it? Ooh, they might like that." A shallow twitch at his left eye. Perhaps he should have used a lighter hand in playing this game; the hidden flaws of his character have an unfortunate knack for picking the wrong battles. But maybe this'll be the definitive close on (the advent stage of) the matter, granting him the freedom to get back to his dinner and/or see what all the distant noise is about.

20:24:27 Pixie relaxes her impish face into a softer smile when her sister wolf joins their ragtag congregation; Xarissa is greeted non-verbally by a press of shoulder to shoulder, Pixie’s head canting to rest on the girl’s arm for a moment. Lupine familiarity surpasses society’s ‘personal bubbles.’ “Today’s fortunes are manifesting enigmatically from blue-eyed boys, but I’m no Seer, and I don’t know the language to read it,” is her conspiratorial response to her friend. Pixie speaks to Xarissa about Jer like he doesn’t have ears, regarding him like a tasty morsel. Of course, the little scout hasn’t had enough snooping and camera time to have any clue how this interaction may be affecting lovely Trix. It is easy to assume Pixie is the kind of boisterous push-up-bra-wearing bitch that feeds off of female jealousy. It’s the mask she wears: vapid bitch. Today, however, finds a wilier and naturally lupine Pixie at work, shaking her head gently at Jeremy. “Making homosexual jokes is the whoopee cushion of trickery, Blue Eyes,” the Were points out. Her interest in the pictures she snapped remains in the guarded hostility of a quiet Seer towards the King Were. A slanted grin is angled towards the raucous antics of her self-proclaimed pack-mates.

20:33:07 Xarissa She had no issue with the touch to her shoulder, but the cold that she radiated off was immense. Her body was submersed in it. There was no other way to say it, she had endured an ice bath, or at least, it seemed like that. Her bluished tipped fingers, and frosted lips would lend to the same idea, as well. "Oh, you're warm," she purred, eyes fluttering shut in contentment at the heat. "Quite the soup reading." The murmur was then shifted towards Jer, her head cant. "Blackmail, hm?" Each to their own, as to the reasons why they needed it. She wasn't going to push questions. Why the two spoke, she leaned ahead, and grabbed herself a roll, quickly splitting it to slather it with peanut butter. God, she needed something to eat more than just a roll, but it was the first and quickest thing that she could get into her stomach at the moment. "And now we're speaking gay jokes?" Brows perked. "People and their sword fights." Xarissa then silenced herself, shoving sticky bread between her cool lips. She wore winter well.

20:34:17 Mila never expected the single, playful smudge of double chocolate topping to the side of one, playboy's mouth would result in utter chaos. It may never have gone further than a few smudges of dessert, but Jake and herself were a sharing sort, happy to impart the fun and games by painting their friends – Erinn and Trix, with the ink of the platters before them. Starving children in Africa, Mila. The brunette was still unable to contain her hysterics, a myriad of infectious giggles leaving her as she and Erinn got down and dirty with a ceramic jug of lamb gravy. She was a contained mess of sweet and savoury – painted with an odd smudge of crème and strawberry upon the otherwise, glowing perfection of her facial countenance. There was a brand or two on a bare arm but save for her hair tussled from the crawl beneath the table and amongst the legs of her peers, she was relatively unharmed. Until Emri intruded. The soup fell and caught a falling Trix, laughing Mila, squealing Erinn and distracted Jake. Was that all? No, one cannot expect untrained liquid to fall in only one place. Students in the midsection of the Crux table were all splattered with fragments of the meat and vegetable puree. The strew was a fragrant brown, warm and a beautiful addition to many girls hair. What else did they spend a half hour straightening their prized locks for in the morning, other than to have it stained with meaty goop? White school shirts become spotted brown and transparent, and many student's were at risk of the ruining of perfectly good, personal clothing. Mila screamed at the onslaught, but her cry was lost amongst the uproar of students, most never catching just who the assailant had been. A third year somewhere down the line called out, his voice cracking with manhood in reach, “FOOOOODFIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHT!” The war cry echoed through the Great Hall and the Crux table was the first to fall to outright battle. Some squealed in horror, but most were laughing and ignoring authority while they treated their friends and enemies to a handful of this, and bowl full of that. A waterfall effect, there were many students who carried on the chaos to the other tables, and soon enough the entire Hall was a battlefield. Professors were alerted at their watch from the Dais, but with Luthor taking his meal privately (as he often did) the bedlam of Hex was left unstopped – for the moment. Dryke looked about ready to do something serious, but for the moment Mila was left undisturbed. The girl was actually leaping with agile grace onto the bench, jumping over the table and back across to the side she escaped. Smoke eyes had spotted their attacker after her beautiful, sleek hair became all the more brown. An absolute mess, but there was something beautiful about the way the girl, covered in muck, was able to sweep her hair back and laugh. But this was no time for gaiety. Scoping out her target, she was actually running, and skidding over spilled and skidding over spilled liquids toward Emri. Launching herself in a messy tackle of the boy who may or may not have just gotten a face full of cake, Mila sought to bring them both to the ground. “You're dead!”