Post by Mila on Dec 7, 2012 8:14:15 GMT -5
21:11:52 Mila had spent her dinner meal cloistered in the sanctuary of the Meth Lab. Alone. Some may think that misery loved company, but this little Miss seemed relieved to waste away the hours, tucked in the casted warmth of the senior's cavern. Curled up on her favorite chaise, the belle had allowed herself a nap and woke, mid-shift onto her back. Slumber kept her eyes bleary and her voice was even more high-pitched that usual, her words a mewl of disorientation, “Mmnnf, what time is it?” Her inquisition was for no one's ears – there was no one around, even Senior's were hungry for proper meals on occasion. Glancing at the battery run alarm clock off to the side on an antique coffee table, only a millisecond passed before the brunette jerked, sitting up fluid movement. “Shit!” Her silken tresses were endearingly mussed from her slumberous romp on the chaise, her uniform sporting a few wrinkles and faults in the pleats of her skirt. Mila was jumping to her feet, first slipping off her blazer and kicking off her Mary-Jane heels. Next, unfastening the buttons of her school blouse and skimming it from the slim line of her hour-glass figure and tossing it aside. Wait! What the – Idiot! Trust the girl to resort to foolish, human endeavours when she was half asleep. Casting was much quicker. Dainty hands skimmed up her legs, almost 'painting' a pair of warm leggings to the shapely limbs until they settled over her hips beneath her skirt. That, was tugged away. Only clad in her brassiere, fingertips skimmed up over the swell of her clothed hips and along the flat of her abdomen, a sweater and hooded coat appearing as her eyes turned vague with concentration. The leggings were black, the coat was coal, the fur trimming the hood was pale gray – matching the snow boots she had taken the time to cast alongside. As for her uniform it was all but abandoned on the floor of the cave. She leapt into a sprint whilst one hand commandeered a handful of gummi snakes from a packet left on the pool table – sustenance to settle the hunger in her stomach. Then she was out. The hexed exit would glamour away her immediate, unexplainable appearance but there was no one to see. Even the Herbology class Mila was late for, was meeting on the outskirts of the forest. Students were currently trailing as a herd from the castle, led by Professor Sage, a middle-aged woman who was relatively eccentric and not altogether as cruel as the majority of the Institute's faculty. It was a class that had been set for Thursday evening to accommodate the special plant that could only be found and collected at the midnight hour. The only exception to the lights out rule, save for those given to Were's during the full moon. With the food-fight resulting in the banishment of students to their dormitories the night before, the class had been pushed back. Mila's class was to attend the class this night and the other sixth years (Trix, etc) would perform the same act on Monday night. The whimsical Seer appeared towards the back of the group, taking a wide circle to enter amongst them from the correct direction. Her hair was clearly untamed, but the look suited. Her exotic countenance was complimented by cheeks flushed with exertion, brightness in her iridescent eyes while the glow of casted orbs highlighted her fine, fair complexion. Out of breath, she picked her way over to one of the many friends found in her Herbology class. “Wonderboy.” The sprint had brought some life to her, and though she wasn't her usual bouncing self, the bubbly little Miss still managed a shy smile.
21:35:48 Jake had spent the majority of his day with thoughts plagued by the earlier nights event. The wolf had certainly been no stranger to the crack of the whip, it seemed like at least once a year he would be dragged down into the dungeons by some scowling teacher, delivering due punishment. Last night was the first of the new semester and he broke the new school year’s lashing virginity. Fortunately earlier this morning, a well equipped and seemingly caring member of the faculty had struck a deal with those whom were harmed. Offering to heal their wounds, to hide the damage done but a charade must be kept to fool those who sought to see them squirm. Jake would give the fouler teachers zero satisfaction. Passing a dungeon audience member in the corridors would be met with a pained greeting, faked trauma and successfully masking his well intact body. Physically the boy was back to normal yet mentally had been another story. Jake was just out of it. A sweet smile or a simple nod to greetings as customary of one as reputable as himself but brown eyes were glazed with disinterest. Sitting at dinner, surrounded by the usual familiar faces. Charlie and Damon, two of his closest friends at the institute, Emri being the only other of their group missing. The wolf knew that their fire manipulating friend had suffered just as much as he had, undoubtedly lamenting on what had happened or perhaps trying to rid himself of the memories. The screams of the girls they were forced to watch still rang faintly in the back of his mind, haunting him like many of the ghosts which wandered the school halls. Eating little, nibbling bits of a burger or some fries, he made grunted agreements and faked enthusiasm at the boys conversation. Talk of the Yule ball, girls they were planning to take and further mischief which seemed only too daunting for the Were. Had they not been sensitive to his situation? No, he never told them. It was likely going to get around school at some point but Jake decided that he would merely overcome the grotesquery of the whipping. It wasn’t fear that held his tongue, it was a matter of pride. Leaving his friends at the end of dinner, he left for the forest edge, the late evening herbology lesson awaiting him. Charlie had been lucky, a fellow sixth year but his own lesson would be on the Monday with a group of other sixth years. Jake had been dressed in dark denim jeans, sneakers and a plain V-dipped collar shirt. A grey hooded jacket draped over broad shoulders, hood bouncing with feigned life as he strolled. Joining the back of the class, hoping to avoid any of the teachers attention, much like usual. It was during his attempts at dodging unwanted questions that his attention had been captured by a welcomed voice. “Hey, how you holding up princess.“ Meeting her regularly used nickname with one of his own. His dull expression had brightened into a warm smile. She seemed like she was okay, but likely her own mask was just as believable as his own.<e>
22:07:07 Mila avoided answering his question by popping a raspberry gummi snake into her mouth, the act forcing her to communicate with a simple shrug of her shoulders and non-committal wave of her hand - Meh. Jake was not a boy she had serious conversations with. Ignoring the brief, pained interlude in the infirmary this morning, they had never slipped past the barrier of playful challenges of the physical and verbal variety, each littered with his natural, flirtatious charm. Whilst she ate the sweetened, raspberry confectionery, her eyes peered through the dim, pale glow toward the head of the pack. Sage was beginning the lesson. “Ooh! Quiet ye' ox-mouths, wee evil bairns. I dinna ken why lads 'n lassies be so chatty in the mid of night, but we've plenty ter git done. We seek out Nightlocke, precious Nocte Flora that blooms only in the midnight hour – aye, we've only the hour to find it.” With a wave of her pudgy, elderly hand the woman casted an image in the dimness of night. It was a flower that looked much like a wilting Lily of the human world, only this Ether-touched flower emanated a violet glow. The woman broke off into a quick description – the history and uses would come when they had time to spare, but for now the children need only know, “Ye are to break off inter pairs. Nae funny business either, crows aren't without eyes in the trees and ye dinna ken when they – Weeel, nevermin' that 'un, alls you need is one Nightlock bloom each, so we can prepare the nectar and dried petals. Ye be needing it in Elixirs next week.” Typical youth Mila, with her cheeks puffed out from shoving the remainder of snaked in all at once, turned instantly to Jake when they were notified that they need wander the forest in pairs. Mage's and Fae's needed to divide themselves fairly, ensuring that each race could still search with casted light. One could not simply expect Hex students to use torches, could they? Silly business, that. With excited conversation and laughter the students began to wander off in duo's, leaving Mila and Jake to continue through the Ether forest behind them. Beginning to walk in the darkness, without casting a light as of yet, the brunette purposely made her steps in a direction far from the noise of her class. “So glowing blue lily, right? Figure we'll find it easier in the dark.” Awkward. The girl could easily have paired with one of her countless friends. Why she had instantaneously selected the boy who was conveniently beside her, was beyond her. At least it would be fun? Connelly could make anything fun.
22:30:08 Jake had hardly been surprised by the girl’s reluctance to reveal her feelings towards him. They were just not that kind of friends. Their own conversations often littered with the playful flirtations customary of the school playboy, be they verbal or physical. He figured that the Seer was a lot stronger than that, he didn’t think she needed to be coddled, or so he assumed. Eyeing the candy she had brought along, he held out his hand expectantly, a waggle of his fingers gesturing that he would like some. “Give up the goods.“ He whispered, putting on his big brown puppy dog eyes. At a slight turn of his head upon the beginning of Sage’s narration he let out a bored sigh, a wisp of cold air fluttering from the slit of his mouth. “On and on and on.“ Chanting beneath his breath, only head by Mila and perhaps any students equally as bored. The eccentric teacher had always made the Herbology classes somewhat amusing, her mannerisms and uses of phrases could draw out the snickers of a classroom, that was when they could actually understand a word that came out of her mouth. At the mention of pairs, Jake’s head turned to instantly lock eyes with Mila beside him, seemingly each had the same idea. Maybe this will be a laugh after all. Each of them were lacking their usual partners, Jake’s being a string of troublemakers or nerds, both had their advantages yet a familiar face, a good looking one at that, would make trudging through the forest seeking out a flower that much more bearable. “I hope you know what this thing looks like, I have no bloody clue.“ The class was one of the few he had been barely passing, scraping average marks on the account of the overwhelming bullshit in his essays. When the groups had split off, Jake walked beside his partner and it seemed each once again were on the same wavelength. Privacy to joke and play without their professor breathing down their necks. “You sure you’re up for walking around in the dark princess? Wouldn’t want you to break a nail.“ He’d tease, the gold flecks in his brown eyes much more prominent in the evening darkness.<e>
22:48:33 Mila couldn't resist the puppy dog look from Jake, even though she knew it to be as shallow as his opinion on the fairer sex. She only handed him the yellow snakes left of the handful she'd thieved from the lab, because no one likes that horrid, candy banana flavour. No one with good taste, that was. The eccentric elder had wandered off with Bertis Swinke and Winston Schmidt, notably the only senior students who challenged Trix Ellery's claim on Valedictorian this year, and title as biggest-nerd-ever. Nodding, the girl munched on an orange python and stalked through the forests, her snow boots navigating the terrain with the occasional trip and muttered curse. “We wont find it with a light, Wonderboy. So shut your pie hole a'four I break my nail on your face.” She was giggling, infectious Mila once more – if even behind layers of emotional turmoil. ”Oh look!” A faint blue glow emenated to the right of them, and thinking themselves lucky to have found the flora so soon, Mila hurried over. To think, if they found it now, they could spend the remainder of the hour playing pool at the lab! No such luck for just as she dropped to a crouch and extended one dainty, gloveless hand, the girl squealed in disgust. “Eughhh! Auris Snails” Like untouched snails, only these had luminescent shells and produced an eerie chirp like a cricket – only theirs was loud and a little more.. slimy. Beautiful things, these. Disappointed, Mila rose to her feet. “Hurry up, we wont find them this far out. Sage said they'd be deep in the wood.” Giving him a playful shove, the Durusball player took to a sprint, winding her way through clustered of ancient looking trees and the Ether-touched beauty amongst it.
23:13:09 [Jake] The curves of his mouth broadened into a grin beaming with satisfaction, accepting the reward his puppy dog eyes had won him. Gets them every time. The sight of her disgust when handing them to him had signalled her dislike clear as day. Luckily he didn’t mind the banana flavoured snakes, despite disliking the actual fruit they were flavoured from, one of the few oddball quirks to his character. Biting the head of one, severing it from it’s body much like a wolf would do when tearing from a haunch of meat. Chewing he followed beside Mila, knowing that whatever it was they were looking for she was likely to find it first. A wolf with much stronger sentences would have an easier time right? True in most cases but wit relative disinterest in the class activity his attentions turned to his partner with the fiery verbal exchange beginning. “Feisty, I’m no stranger to playing rough in the bedroom darlin’.” His trademark cheeky grin making it’s return alongside his jaunty tone. It eased his nurturing nature, hearing the mirthful laugh escape full lips, cementing his own smile. Upon her direction, his eyes followed the pointed silhouette ahead and dropped to the ominous glow. “Wow that was eas…“ Jake trailed off, her exclamation and surprise brought out a nervous but then joyful laughter from him. “Priceless.“ He finally panted when his giggling had died down, making sure to avoid the snails when following her. “What are we waiting for then, after you Princess.“ A mocking spin of his hand gestured her to go before him. Gentlemanly? He would think not, he just had a better view of her behind even in the dark although his glance was hastily snapped away when walking through the woodland, stepping over ingrown roots, stubbornly deviating from their downward path. When the pair finally came to a stop, Jake’s eyes looked around, brown hued gaze attempting to pierce the darkness beyond, seeking out the light of their quarry. At a sniff of the cold air, his nose wrinkled, a vague sour scent almost like a passing of wind. “Can you smell that? It wasn’t you was it?“ Jake playfully accused, following the light scent, loosing it on the drifting breeze only to pick it up once more at the trunks of nearby trees.<e>
23:33:33 Mila didn't take the bait when he turned their conversation toward the gutter. Too busy chewing down a snake and being irritated by the fact that she'd picked up on Auris Snails instead. Their glow was blue, not violet and the sound they made was downright irritating. At least the web of thin, glowing trails looked pretty in the snow, and only assisted in the pristine white and moon's natural ability at keeping their path somewhat lit. No orb, for them. “Ha. Ha. Very funny. Like to see you find the bloody flower.” Her words were spoken between giggles of her own, and then she was off – taking his second bait this night. This one, a challenge of athletic prowess. She bolted ahead without any true knowledge of the lecherous staring her pert, legging-clad rear end was receiving. Mila eventually slowed to a walk, they were deep enough, and her breathing was laboured and audible, releasing torrents of visible frost in the Winter air. She stared when he stopped, crystalline orbs seeking out his dark form in the night and then she too was smelling the sour scent. Her nose wrinkled, and before she could utter complaint, he was interception. The accusation had the desired reaction. True to any female reaction her cheeks flamed and she was instantly defending the honour of her own scent – which was as sweet as ever. “No! Asshole!” The girl's fist pummelled his bicep, lacking the finesse of a fighter and the weight and force needed behind it to be anything more than amusing for him. “Probably Aculeatus, smartass.” A type of weed that while useful for numbing pain better than any human medication probably could, it smelled awful. Luckily for them, it was another rare find and it's growth did not spread throughout the forest. Mila led them in another direction, seeming to understand that while usually Chase would see to most of the work – in this pairing, the weight was on her shoulders. It was a shame the fickle girl of whimsy was all too easily distracted. Lithe form dipped, bare hands scooped and before he'd know it, she was pelting his arse with a ball of snow.
00:02:41 [Jake] It was commonplace for the wolf to bring their conversations to the eventual inappropriate destination. It seemed like he had a one track mind, obsessing over the intricacy void innuendo. The barest hint of a frown dulled his expression at the sight of the snails, the ether animals unusual appearance had not been lost on the boy, yet his drive to finish the lesson and yearning to slack off overpowered his appreciation. When his laughter had died, left with only their amused breaths and the sounds of the darkened forest surrounding them. “A glowing flower in the dark? No contest.“ Jake confidently proclaimed, taking up her small challenge. In truth Jake was rather intelligent, one look at the string of well deserved grades earned in the majority of his classes ascertained to this. The wolf followed, at a similar pace to his fellow athlete, his own attentions captured by sideward glances to Mila’s pert bottom with each movement of her slender legs. Jake’s own breathing came easier to him but that didn’t stop the slightly jarred pants his breaths would take. With Durusball season right around the corner, it was a rude awakening that he needed to get back to training, losing a bit of his edge. It was then, during his pacing of the clearing and darting gaze that the aroma struck him. The playful accusation had been met with the expected reaction, returned with a mischievous white toothed smile. A laugh naturally fell from his smiling lips, encouraged by her playfully irritated smack. “This bastard has to be around here somewhere.“ He mused, hands in the front pockets of his hooded jacket, leaning over to inspect the ground about the tree’s, the barest veil of moonlight illuminating their way. The inspection rudely interrupted by the soft shattering of snow upon his own cheeks. Turning around with a raised brow he uttered. “You sure you want to play this game princess? You know I will just win again.“ Their last encounter had barely held a winner, interrupted by soaked clothes and the growing brisk winds of chill. Staring at her, seemingly unmoving, his fingers twitched within his pockets…then he moved. Crouching low, grabbing two fist full’s of snow, he crunched them together and threw the wad towards the now most likely retreating girl.<e>
00:14:34 Mila smirked. “Only bastard I see around here is... you! Just kidding. Your mum's a nice lady, she even swal-.” Oh, yeah she did. Her words were cut off by his stoop for ammunition. Revenge would be his. Grinning like a Cheshire, the little minx was darting off through the darkness. “Don't be so sure.. You'll have to catch me first, lassie!” Because he's a Werewolf, yeah? If left alone long enough, those snow boots were skidding up the long reaching, thick roots of an ancient Elm, bare hands grabbing for the ice-cold trunk and gripping for the bark. Lean muscle made hauling herself up easier, and though she skidded down the frosty, slick tree the first time – the next tasted like success. Onto the lowest hanging branch she was, legs straddling and locking beneath to keep herself upright.
00:38:32 [Jake] The snaky remark had done naught to wipe the smile from his face, despite the realization that he was actually a bastard. Never knowing his father but the urge to seek him out like most in his position, had never came. His attentions and love had been better spent on his mother, a well kept secret that Jake was indeed a mommy’s boy, despite her disapproval of his approach to relationships. It was the latter part of her sentence which had brought augmented vigour from the wolf. Although it had simply been a joke, a mother joke was just too far, even for Jake, being caught hook line and sinker every time. If it was a snowball fight she wanted, it was a snowball fight she was going to get. Through the pale moonlight, her wicked grin shone all too clearly, following her falling words as she vanished into the darkness. Sneakers were not the best for running through snow, engorged roots camouflaged beneath the frost making his pursuit that much harder. The growing distance between the pair would eventually come to a close. Standing beneath the elm, he looked around, brown eyes scanning their surroundings in search for the slightest twitch or movement. At his standstill, the familiar sweet scent of her perfume pleasantly tickling his nostrils. “Where could she…?“ He stopped, suddenly looking upwards, he saw her. “Nice try princess.“ Jake complimented, taking a slight step back to get a better view of his quarry. Tossing the snowball up and down, like a baseball pitcher preparing a throw. With a flick of his wrist, the snowball hurtled towards the tree, smashing against the trunk behind the perched Mila and showering snowflakes upon her. A slightest jerk, an attempt to dodge the misfire and the seer began to fall. A striking sense of urgency rushing through him, he held out strong arms, catching the girl upon her descent. One strong hand upon her back, the other just above her calves. “Shit, I shouldn’t of. Are you alright?“ Panic in his tone, chiselled features in the faded light sculpted with worry.<e>
00:53:09 Mila would never have made such a joke, had she known the truth in the jest. It went to show just how little she truly knew about the Were, for all their interactions had been superficial flirtation, particularly on his part. Her climb had proved for nought, for just as suspected, his natural instinct to hunt found her through the prowess of her stealth. She cried out with laughter, melodic giggles leaving her in torrents as he goaded her with the snowball and when eventually tossed, she was too careless in her evasion. Usually well balanced, her lithe figure moved too swiftly when perched precariously on a branch. The lowest it may be, but was still overhead for people on the ground. Her body tipped, legs unlocked and suddenly her arms were extending into sheer air, hands clawing at useless oxygen while a squeal tore from her lips. It had all happened so quick – the fall so short. Mila would never have had the chance to cast herself to safety, it was pure luck that Jake was well placed, able to intercept her descent before it proved painful or fatal. Featherlight, she was easily held in his arms. “Aaehohmygosh.” Panting in fear, her hands made fists of his coat. It took her a moment or two to calm herself, and then strangely enough... Mila began to giggle. A myriad of hysterics plagued her and she couldn't stop. Like a laughing cherub, she shook in his arms, even when her hands came over the rosebud crescent of her cherry-stained mouth. So, even Fritzl couldn't bring her down. Mila could laugh again. “I'm..o-.” The words couldn't push past the laughter, “You-r face.” Giggle, hiccup “Should have seen it. Oh my God. My face!” That, she hadn't seen. Eventually the tiresome girl's laughter ebbed away, leaving only a slight ache in her middle, soreness in her cheeks and an almost nervously shy expression about her exotic countenance, revealed only slightly in moonlight. Her eyes had found his and in a small voice she questioned him, "Are you going to put me down now?"
01:17:13 [Jake] Most of the young wolf’s life thus far had been branded throughout his growth. Playboy, Pup, bastard, many had chosen to put a title to the face and although there was a hint of truth to each, they barely scratched the surface of what it was to be Jake Connolly. With growth came confidence, nudging into the delicate boundaries of arrogance and the necessity of masks. The wolf held far more complexity than given credit for, unknown to most unable to pierce the guarded exterior. Mila’s mirthful giggles transformed into a startling cry and jumping into action Jake successfully caught her, quick thinking on his part, making up for lack of thought pertaining to consequences before the throw. As she clutched his jacket, his heart beating quickly within his chest could be felt faintly through the barest cloth that separated them. Her barest touch, her much smaller frame fitting snugly in his arms. Fright would be followed by surprised awkwardness on his behalf, her laughter outburst still caught the wolf off guard, locked in the protective moment. Realising that he was still holding her in his arms, he put her down hastily, trying to hide the uncharacteristic blush which tinted sun kissed cheeks. “Don’t laugh, Sage would have my head if we wandered back with you injured.“ A failing attempt at making excuses for saving her, his reaction to her descent had been raw instinct, no time to think only to act. Running a hand through the front of his dark locks, he tried to draw attention away from his slight embarrassment. “So…this flower, don’t suppose you saw anything up there did you?“ <e>
01:30:43 Mila almost wished she hadn't reminded him that he held her, for she enjoyed the safe feeling of being in her friend's arms. Just a friend, wasn't he? Typical, playboy joker. She wasn't built to be a notch, had no desire to be a single name in a large black book, nor a girl he began to treat like a girl. Mila knew how that went. It was a one way ticket to pain and hurt, followed soon by awkward distance between himself and whichever girl he had - No.It didn't even need thought. There was no feeling there, and the fleeting moment was lost the second her feet touched snow once more. “You still missed me, you know.” Best not forget it, either. As for the flower, the girl was leading him off through yet another copse of trees, pushing apart the thicket of the pathless forest. “The only flower I saw from up there, was you.” The conversation trailed off for a short while until eventually, in the silence the girl gave a cry of delight, “Look!” Just behind another trunk, amongst a web of roots were a few, lonely stalks. At the head of these stalks was a glowing violet bud, one that at midnight, had graced the forest with it's bloom. Luminescent and beautiful, the sweet scent carried seemed a mixture of blueberry, honeydew and violets. The flora resembled a wilting lily, and it had only another forty odd minutes before it's short bloom would come to an end. Her steps halted nearby and awe-struck, she whispered “It's beautiful.” Nightlocke. They need only pluck carefully and bring the stalks immediately to Hex, where they could be preserved in jar's of solution until their next Herbology lesson – for preparation, and their next Elixirs class – for use.
01:48:29 [Jake] The close held moment between the pair had been exactly that, a moment. The budding friendship was all they had, the flirtatious exchanges kept things interesting between the two but for the majority it was harmless. Or so Jake liked to tell himself. Sexual dalliances were what drove him. Finding the briefest of amusements through the touch of a conquest. A yearning for a feeling beginning his pursuits and the fear of rejection abruptly ending them. Mila was a friend, and the object of another’s affections. Could he really do that to one of his own mates? It was that which held him back, the pair merely acting on playful nature, with no signs of anything to come of it. “You’re right, I guess I did.“ Leaning down to scoop up another wad of snow, he acted like she would be the victim of the snowball but his raised arm did not release the frosted sphere, dropping it with disinterest. “I would watch that tongue of yours Princess, I could just as easily put you back in that three and push you out of it.“ He teased, trying to back peddle back into that emotionally safe distance. Following her lead through the darkened forest, their continued search would soon be rewarded by the flora they sought after. The faint blue glow and emitted sweet scents were appealing to the young wolf and at the mention of it’s appearance he would try to hide his interest. “I guess, if you’re into that sorta thing.“ Crouching low to help collect the flower, placing it into the plastic bags they were provided, he would chime at their success. “ We better head back, Sage will have a fit if we are late and I left my crazy translator in the dorms.“ With that he followed beside Mila, heading back to the rendezvous point where their search had began, the close held moment left forgotten within the dark woods. <e>