X. Free Period [Thursday 13th]

09:14:43 [Sydney] A free period was one of the many times Sydney was able to practice and train her Durusball techniques. Not always allowed in the coliseum due to classes being held within there, today was a little different since as her free time coincided with no PE classes. This gave Syd a place to work on her dribbling technique as well as shooting practice against on of the many empty goals. For the most part it was relatively quiet. There were some other students in the area doing similar tasks but Syd kept to herself for the most part. Her mind however wasn’t so much on the game as it was the Ball and Secret Santa. The brunette knew her gifted, but on the Field only. They had never truly spent much time talking and in order to get the perfect gift for Brice, she would have to seek him out, personally in order to get to know the male. --
09:14:47 [Sydney] The problem was, the ball and Secret Santa were relatively close and Syd had put it off. So now she was left with a struggle to get it all done this week. She only hoped she would bump into Brice at some point and soon. Practise was a most likely place to find the ball playing Siren, but it not here at the Coliseum, she would have to seek him out elsewhere.

09:37:03 Brice had so many things to practice it was sometimes hard to keep track of them all. He had to keep up with his studies, obviously, and it was, perhaps, the most crucial element of his schedule; a considerable amount of time had to be spent in this area with his nose shoved into books, fingers and hands aching from countless hours of homework, all for the sake of stimulating a mind already at the top of the veritable of the pyramid. Being among the students at the top of the class was hard work, and he had to devote considerable time to it. So too did he have to spend time on his musical talents, which technically fell into the same category as studying, but considering its more creative and physical requirements, it deserved its own category. With a myriad string instruments all bending to his will, the cello, violin, and guitar being his favorites, he spent additional hours honing his prodigious skill with music. What kind of Siren would he be if he was bad at music? He spent a little time making [c]
09:37:39 [Brice] sure his singing was up to snuff too, but not to the same extent that he labored over strings. The last, but not least trying item on his schedule was durusball. The newest addition, it somehow received a near equal amount of time, but considering there weren’t enough hours in the day to dedicate to it, Brice had to divide up his time, and today just happened to be a durusball day. His feet busied themselves with walking and kicking a ball across the field while his hands and arms worked on pulling his shirt down over his head as he exited the locker rooms. He kicked the wall to a bench on the outside perimeter of the field where the sport required orb sat still while he began to get into some stretches. First came the arms—pulling them across his body to loosen up shoulders and deltoids, stretch out biceps and triceps, prep the pectoral muscles… Even with healers in the school, Brice wasn’t willing to injure himself and needlessly go through pain when it was so easily avoidable by just tretching. [c]09:37:51 [Brice] This was at least a 10 minute routine where he was allowed to think about other things before focusing solely on practice. What was on his mind at this time, however, wasn’t a whole lot. Brice punching him in the jaw registered on the list of things to think about, as did what he’d been doing in the forest yesterday. So too did the rumors of the school, from murderous organizations and the murderers themselves, to the information key informants had been filtering into his ears. He was allowed to think about it all for just ten minutes before it all got pushed to the side in favor of durusball. The Yule Ball and Secret Santa were not among the list of things he was contemplating.


09:47:56 Sydney dressed in the standard PE uniform of navy blue tee-shirt which fitted her rather snug, and short that were equally smooth fitting against her form, it was clearly evident to see the girl had an amazing physique. Stemmed with allure with an enigmatic touch, she was a delight on the eyes, even warranting a second look at times. Her dark strands of chocolate were pulled up into a high pony tail to reveal the smooth ivory column of her neck, save several loose wisps that floated lightly around her tapered face. Sun-kissed complexion, with those sea-green eyes and full, kissable rose lips she struck a striking presence out of many, one which she was aware of. Confidence exhumed from her pores as she struck a walk, her eyes landing on the appearance of Brice. Good timing indeed! The luscious femme kicked the ball up into her hands and began walking toward the male, hips swaying in that reverent manner as long, toned legs covered --09:48:01 [Sydney] the ground. Sydney was one of those people where things came naturally for her. Naturally she was good at school work, getting high marks and enough to be noted for her attempts and such. Her organization skills were above par compared to others, meaning despite having much to do, she always made time for DurusBall training, taking each morning to work out with her Captain, Kyran then what free period she could when the Coliseum coincided with it. Her goal was infused in her mind, and it was one track this morning as she sought out the Siren, her eyes landing on his form as he stretched, not afraid to be caught eying the male in a particular way. She appreciated a good figure, as well as good looks - she wasn’t going to be bashful around the male in the least, even though they only knew of each other from games. Upon bridging the distance, she walked up toward the stretching Brice as he almost finished his routine, and a casual wave --09:48:16 [Sydney] with a “Hey” was called toward his way before she came to a stop. Ball held on the crook of her hip and arm wrapped around it, she continued. “How’s practise going, Brice. You do know Tritus is going to beat Crux next time around, right?” Her tone and banter while competitive were completely playful. Her eyes shone with the light of the Coliseum overhead the green of grass mirrored in them.

10:08:30 [Brice] Preoccupied with stretching as he was, he was not oblivious to his surroundings, and he noticed very quickly the sensual walk of the Tritus star heading his way. The blatantly confident and provocative stride Sydney adopted did go missed either. Being what he was, he was prone to noticing when someone exuded confidence, or was putting on the charm in some way. He could recognize it and feel it in the same way a fire elemental felt fire; the way an earth took to the ground beneath their feet; the way a water elemental swam through water. He stopped his stretching for the sake of acknowledging Sydney. He was coming to the end anyways. He’d been ending with leg stretches, as it was the lowest portion of the body and last group of muscles he needed to loosen up. As such, he got off the ground and dusted off his shorts. He effortlessly fell into the posture of a dignified, very proud individual, though he suppressed his typical air of confidence; confidence that some often found suffocating. “Aye,” he [c]10:09:47 [Brice] said with his Scotsman’s brogue painting the greeting, inflected in a manner that implied intrigue and minor bemusement as to why she’d approached him. He doubted it was to gloat despite what she next said, smirking and quirking an eyebrow in quizzical manner. “That all?” His posited question served to get at the meat of what this conversation could be about. “If it is, I’m afreed to inform yoo that yer wrong. Crux will be winnin’.” His arms crossed over his chest, and a smug smile took his features, flawless mostly because of genetics and species, though a few minutes were always spent preening and pruning his appearance.

10:20:59 Trix kept the playful smile upon her features, head canting slightly as she peered his way. The ball and her hips swayed lightly with a slight hypnotic fashion before stopping, her eyes resting up those oh so perfect features of his. Siren’s were always such beautiful creatures. The shifter would be appreciative of this. “No, it’s not all. But I wanted to be certain you were aware of where Tritus sits this coming spring. We’ve got an excellent team.” The words spoken, her language and tone were fluid, flowing like a melodic whisper that gave rise to the presence she exuded. “But aside from that, I wanted to say hi.. We know each other through the teams, but never get to speak to each other really. I like to know more about my enemy than I do my friends.” The grin implied she was teasing, and in some ways she was. Ever the flirty the somewhat sassy --

10:21:07 [Sydney] lass would continue. “I couldn’t help but notice you over here, so figured we could chat for a while, maybe practise together, if you like of course.” If he said no, she’d have to think of some other options. Not typically a sly person, this whole business was of Secret Santa was making her be so. It wasn’t something she cared for. Usually straight forward and to the point. She suppose she could come out and tell him, but that would ruin the surprise somewhat, wouldn’t it? -- It would remain to be seen what actions she took based on his decision. Ball shifting to hand, she dropped it down to the ground, resting the ball of her foot upon it, rotating it slightly to exercise her leg. She had of course already done her warm up much earlier. “What’d you say, Kilgannon? Care to keep a girl company for a little while?”

10:40:58 Brice listened to her request attentively , undeniably waiting for ‘the catch’ to this difficult to rebuff idea. Spending some time with an attractive girl? Which part of that sounded like a bad idea? But, again, he was waiting for the catch. This was the Hex Institute, and each and every one of it students was, by way of the school’s design, supposed to be some agent of chaos and deceit, while the school was designed to reform those agents into upstanding, law abiding, Council fearing members of Ether society. However, despite his trepidation, he agreed. “Sure.” It was as simple as that. He figured that her efforts to get to know him would be, as she said, an attempt at getting to know her enemies, potentially to give her an edge in Durusball games, or perhaps even Gauntlet challenges. If she knew her opponents psychological build, she could better combat them. It was sound logic, and he had to commend her on it. Still, there was something at the back of his head telling him that all this was [c]10:41:22 [Brice] only a hunch, and while he tended to trust his gut instinct, he would wait to actually pry in hopes of having the truth simply come out naturally. After all, if he was really interested in ending their little game so early, all he had to do was charm the information out of her, and that was as easy as saying the words. “Let’s start with some passin.” He stepped past Sydney, hand quickly jutting out around her torso to jab the ball between her arm and waist out of her grasp and onto the field, where he aimed to grab up the ball with his feet and dribble it out onto the field. “Come on then, keep up!” He too was capable of teasing.

10:48:38 Odette had been frightfully busy after all the chaos of the past few weeks and since the Masquerade Ball (the nasty attack too) and the full moon there wasn’t a day where she didn’t have a troop of students shuffling into her ward with some ailment or affliction, sighing suddenly she wiped the back of her hand across her brow before straightening up and stretching languidly. Having been all but crouched over the work spread out across the table with papers and notes haphazardly piled along the desk she took a long moment to stretch out her limbs while her gaze steadily remained on the one page that stood out from the rest, the lined paper was filled with paragraphs of detailed information regarding the students’ accounts of what had happened to their Ether abilities on the night Lara had been attacked and almost killed. There were so many variables and every time she thought she came close to some kind of answer it just slipped away and it was quickly becoming very frustrating, glaring at the --

10:48:42 Odette -- aforementioned page Odette decided to take a break. “There’s got to be something that I’m missing...” trailing off she quietly began pacing up and down the room, the well lit laboratory was situated right next to her office which in turn meant that she was just a room away if she was needed in the Hospital wing of Hex Institute and while the nurses were on duty Odette was known to oversee most if not every patient even if it was for a cold or something minor. Each wall of the room was lined with every kind of medical book available, both Ether ability relating as well as current medical journals from the human world too, it was from this small library that Odette had managed to put together some kind of a theory loosely based on her idea of the killer being a mage... but with there being so many aspects to a mage’s power there was no way to exactly pinpoint a way to track who was doing this. Growling in frustration she ran her hands through the already tangled mass of hair that had long since --

10:48:50 Odette -- been released from its tether and wearily slumped into her seat, it was only December and after the weekend she was ready to find someplace quiet and hibernate for a good few days... however she was determined to work out this puzzle especially since the last victim’s death had revealed a very different kind of attack which led her to believe that there had to be more than one killer roaming the halls of Hex. [e]


10:51:33 Sydney felt a moment of relief when he complied to her wishes. Thank goodness for that! She knew she had some charm, though she could never be at the level of a Siren or a Fae for that fact. They had manipulative powers that just went far beyond what the Shifter could ever do. A shifter’s power lay elsewhere, but it did come with a budding confidence, a sense of feeling wild with out the hindrance of holding back. This was Sydney - she could be affable, likable even desirable to most, but there was something else underlying it all that made her very natural. An attribute not everyone had. It took a special person to be enigmatic, but Sydney pulled it off quite well. Luckily, this time around, her confidence and somewhat truth (she did prefer to know her enemies) helped the gamble pay off. “Wonderful!” she commented just as he nudged the ball from her, her body spinning around in order to follow him. The moment had taken her of guard as she hadn’t expected --

10:51:37 [Sydney] him so quickly to react but she was soon approaching him, and the ball as she made an attempt to steal the ball from him, sweeping in quickly to take the dribble away, an action made with her right foot from behind. “I can always keep up..” She grinned, a delightful expression played upon her features as she glanced toward the male, only for a second before her eyes was upon the ball again. “So tell me, other than Durusball, what else do you like to do?” She quipped, throwing the question out there mid dribble. “And yes, I’m trying to distract you..” A soft laugh flowed from her full lips. Again it was the truth.


11:13:59 [Brice] His eyes peered behind him periodically to keep tabs on Sydney. When she came to steal the ball, he only needed to switch the foot in which controlled the ball if he wanted to keep it in his possession, but he chose to let the ball be stolen, keeping in with the idea that Sydney was controlling the situation…or, he wanted her to feel like she was. Social interactions were usually a matter of manipulation; a chance to feel out the person you are interrelating with before making a judgment call on whether that person was worth communicating with more frequently. Sydney clearly had that idea in mind as she asked her question, seeking to get to know the boy in the Siren. His forward momentum got a small jump start; a burst of speed that put him right in front of Sydney, aiming to inject his foot directly between her and the ball before sweeping it out to the side and stealing it back from her. Successful or not, he answered her question without breaking stride. “Other than Durusball, there isn’ a lot to [c]

11:14:19 [Brice] do. This place isn' the moost fun."

11:14:32 [Brice] Fuck you, tK. Just a few more words....


11:22:43 [Sydney] No, it wasn’t the most fun as all students could attest to that. Even Sydney who tried to look at the school as not so much a reform school but just as regular school. Though that was hard to do considering the ancient tortures they inflict on students for punishment. She could dream however. The ball was taken and she ran with it, before allowing him to do that same as he was successful it knocking it from her. She wasn’t entirely in the game, all things considering, her mind stemmed on others things. This whole sneaking around wasn’t her and she most certain couldn’t be as deceptive as she would need to be to get the things she wanted. “Surely there must be something you like to do. It can’t all just be Durusball and school..” Whilst it may seem to some that it was exactly that was for Syd, she did have social activities around D-Ball, including music, which she thoroughly enjoyed and had a talent to play several instruments, and Poetry. --

11:22:47 [Sydney] Both writing and reading. She ensured she made time for both, despite being known for her training sessions and heated work outs each morning to prepare for the season. “I mean, you must like something else..” she commented as she spun toward him, then started to run backwards as he motioned forward. She wasn’t a defensive player, though the Forward could act as such when needed - at least while just playing around. Her gaze settled on his though - hoping to make some sort of eye contact before she would lunge with her foot to sweep in, offer a fake effort only to take the ball with the other foot. Unfortunately, in doing so, and not paying much attention to the ball, it ensured she fell backward, in a small tumble that would leave her derriere on the grass. Laying back, she opened her arms and legs, much like one would a snow angel. “You better not be laughing..” She commented, then started to laugh herself.

11:36:10 Chase` stood in the Crux boys' bathroom. His shirt, vest and blaxer was draped over the sink beside him and the white tank top he wore under his uniform awas stretched across his chest, bunched up so that he could twist and examine the scars Fritzl had given him over a month ago. He remembered the pain of the lashings, the throbbing ache of the wounds as they slowly healed. But now it was time to rid himself of the physical reminder. He pulled the tank top back over his head and he tucked it back into his uniform. He picked up his shirt, sliding it on and buttoning it up. That, too, was tucked in and then on went the tie. Vest and blazer went on and then he was leaving the bathroom. He headed through the corridors toward the infirmary. He entered, looking around at the rows of beds, if you could call them that, the empty desk where there was no nurse working. He turned around and exited, then went to the door of the laboratory where he knew his House Coordinator usually did her work when there were no patients -

11:36:23 [Chase`] - to oversee. He lifted his fist and knocked on the door. His left hand slid into his pocket and his black curls fell into his face as he bowed his head, waiting for her voice to call him into the room. His right hand was hovering near the knob in anticipation. If her response was long in coming, he'd knock again.


11:40:39 Brice had to think about what he liked to do; give it a real effort. He stopped dribbling, and stop most movements altogether, allowing the ball to be stolen while he put some real work into considering what it was he actually enjoyed doing at the school. He began to formulate an answer, eyes moving towards the sky in an abstract gesture to search the upper tiers of his mind. He was just barely snatched from his reverie when Sydney aimed to steal the ball from him again, which at this point had ceased its rolling around with its controller’s dribbling. Her efforts resulted in awkward footing, poor balance, and as a consequence of that she ended up on her butt. Brice paid mind to her fallen state only after she’d fallen and sprawled out. “Wow,” he muttered, chuckling thereafter. “I’m sorree, but… I can’ ‘elp it. That was reallee bad.” His chuckles intensified sporadically, and then died when he thought it was finally getting out of his system. He stepped forward and offered the girl a hand so she [c]
11:41:51 [Brice] might get up. “Need ‘elp on yer footwork.” Assuming she took the offered hand, he proceeded to pull, bringing her up to his feet, though wary not to yank her and remove the ball of her shoulder joint out of its socket. That would be a nasty situation.


11:49:56 Sydney lay there momentarily. Rather embarrassed about the situation on the whole. Usually she was prime. At the top of her game, but this little spying incident wasn’t helping her in that department. Her mind on other things, she’d not focused as well as she should. “I think it’s because you just dazzle me with your moves..” She quipped though reaching up she would take his hand, the chuckles falling from her lips as she dusted herself off. Luckily the coliseum was regulated in both temperature and weather - hexes and spells in check to ensure it stays warm enough to play and no snow in the given area, otherwise Syd would have been freezing by now and wet from her fall. Rising to stand, she stretched her limber form catlike ,creaking out the muscles and kinks from her previous action while a flush of rose flitted across her cheeks and down the smooth ivory column of her neckline. “That was.. Embarrassing.” She called it as it was, hand moving to hair --11:49:59 [Sydney] as she pulled the tether of her pony tail, unleashing the wild mahogany mane around her face, a dishevelled mess that was shaken to get the grass strands from it. “Though I demand you answer my question now, since I fell. And you laughed. Now you owe me.. Kilgannon.” The vixen grinned in a near seductive manner, though playful light remained within her eyes.



11:53:13 Odette stifled a yawn as she ungracefully slumped into her seat, sleep was quickly becoming a rare commodity now that she had jumped at the chance to find out who it was that was killing off the students, but thanks to an unlimited supply of caffeine along with her abilities the healer has been known to work uninterrupted for days on end and sometimes months too which often came in handy when dealing with magical maladies. Another deep sigh passed her lips as she returned her gaze toward the table she had just left and after a long moment of procrastinating Odette slowly rose to her feet, sitting down wasn’t going to solve this problem but perhaps a change of scenery would - smiling at the thought she quickly turned away from the pile of papers that had claimed her attention for the past few weeks and swiftly headed back to her Hospital Wing. However the echoed sounds of knocking caught her attention as she neared the door she was coincidently headed towards and paused for a moment then quickly moved to --11:53:19 Odette -- open it, dressed in the usual pristine white lab coat along with the formal black skirt and shirt combo that clung to her lithe form Odette curiously peered up at the student. “Matheson.” Being House Coordinator meant that she knew just about every student that hailed from Crux, with the few exceptions of a couple of first years and the recent transfers Odette prided herself in knowing each of her students and as such she was very much aware of the Earth mage along with his habit of getting in trouble too. Pulling the door open a bit wider she smiled at Chase and nodded in greeting, “How can I help?” the question was just a formality but in truth she knew why he was here and it wouldn’t be too long before the others showed up to enquire about removing the scared remnants of their punishment. [e]


12:08:42 [Brice] “My moves are pretty dazzalin’,” he remarked, continuing their back and forth banter, and meanwhile wondering exactly what game Sydney thought she was playing. It occurred to him that she may not be playing at all. Ditsy wasn’t one of the qualities he’d expected from her given her initial startup. He was left with seemingly two different personalities to deal with; or, two contradicting polarities in a single personality, which begged the question: was she crazy? He set aside all these thoughts when he helped her up and she pressed her advantage. Perhaps falling had just been a ruse to make her more likeable, and make him more likely to give information. Though, what use his interests had didn’t seem to give her any worth while information. With options weighed, possibilities analyzed, and the situation evaluated, he chose to comply with her request, though not without first scoffing at the statement. “Alreeght. I suppose I like music. Playin’ th’ fiddle, cello, an’ guitar. An en thar is [c]12:08:59 [Brice] thar is hangin’ wi’ mah mates. Not much else tae do har other than meebye prank some underclassmen an’ fash some teachers. ‘Appy now?” His smirk betrayed the seemingly annoyed tone of his answer; amused and tickled even though it was probably a burden to go through all the things he really enjoyed at Hex. In truth, there really wasn’t much; in fact, the lack of fun things to do at Hex made the school easy to dislike if not outright hate, which in turn made his desire to see the school crumble all the more easy.


12:20:09 Sydney wasn’t two personalities, was just very bad at spying, and typically being forced to get to know someone. Under different circumstances, it would be more natural but because she felt pressed for time, it put an edge to her that usually wouldn’t be there. She could naturally keep a conversation flowing, as well as comfortable silences, but this situation had a certain amount of pressure to it. Finally she thought to give in and simply tell him the truth. After all, it may make things less awkward for them both, and maybe he’d not be so quick to be annoyed with her. Although she could barely tell his annoyance, she inwardly knew he must be questioning the why’s and wondering just what the hell she is doing. “Okay. Yes. I suppose. You answered my question. Thank you for that.” She smiled softly, moving her hand to grab her hair and place it --

12:20:14 [Sydney] back into a pony tail once more. As this was done, her sea-green hues settled on his as she let out a soft sigh. “Look.. Truth is, I have you for secret Santa. We don’t know each other that well, so I thought I’d come to get to know you so I know what it is you would like. I don’t want to get or make a gift that you won’t enjoy.” The tone was truthful, her eyes giving away the emotion even if he did question it. “I could come out and ask you thirty different questions to have all the answers I need, considering time is short and all, but its just not my natural way. This.. I’m just making a situation go worse.” She shrugged lightly, head canting as arms lowered to each side. The moment heralded a real glimpse of Sydney behind the vixen façade she carries with her - most times to keep herself unattainable from others. “I’m sorry I was playing you. But.. I did mean what I said about my enemies. And about practise. It was to distract you but I had
12:20:24 [Sydney] ulterior motives. “ Hand moving to those oh so curved hips, the woman inhaled again, confidence still exuded from her, but it wasn’t so much forced this time around. “I’m not good at spying on people or being deceptive. In case you haven’t guessed that yet..”


12:22:58 Chase` looked up as the door swung inward without him needing to touch the knob. His right hand rose to push his hair back as his eyes traveled up the form of his House Coordinator. God damn but she was hot. When his warm chestnut eyes reached her face he leveled his most charming smile at her, "Hello, Ms. Sinclaire. I just wanted to see if you were available to remove my scars. It's been nearly a month, so I figured it was time to get back to being unmarked. As I should be." slid his right hand into his pocket and tilted his head slightly to the side, his eyes being drawn to her figure once again but they quickly returned to her eyes. It was hard not to look at her. She had to be, by far, the hottest Head Nurse Hex had ever employed. And, of course, there was the fact that she was his House Coordinator. Which often gave him a chance to ogle her when she didn't have that lab coat on. He'd back out of the doorway and half turn to head toward the Infirmary, knowing that she'd never turn away a -
12:23:12 [Chase`] - student asking for her help in something that was supposed to be done. At this point he was still fairly sure he was heading home for Christmas break, and he couldn't go back to his parents with the scars on his back as proof of how brutally they dealt with trouble-makers here at Hex.


12:33:11 [Brice] “I see.” His attitude was contemplative. He was thinking again. She seemed genuine, and given her apparently bad attempt at being sneaky and covert, she didn’t have many options left but to be honest with him. Truly, he didn’t see why she had to go through all the trouble. Simply asking him what he wanted would have satisfied the need to try and be a secret agent spy. “Well, thare’s no reason ta be sorree. I guess yoo ware tryin’ ta do something nice and play by the rules. Can’ fault yoo fer tha’.” He smiled, showing that there was no harm done; his opinion of her wasn’t sullied or ruined; he did not dislike her or feel any particularly negative feelings towards her. If anything, their neutral standing had moved slightly towards a more positive relationship; perhaps now they’d elevated from strangers to acquaintances, following the appropriate hierarchy of relations. “If yoo wanna know wha’ ta get me, all yoo gotta do is ask.”


12:41:43 Sydney felt considerable relief at having told him the truth. “I was trying to keep it secret, but there’s not much time left. I should have done this earlier, but I’ve been so busy. Then it wouldn’t be so rush and who knows, we’d have been good friends by now.” She chirped lightly, the air around her feeling a lot less stifling, nor was she forced to act a certain way and invoke that impeccable charm she had, though pushed to it’s limits. Sydney was one of the most down to Earth people one could meet, there wasn’t much about her to dislike - she had many friends and acquaintances which had grown over the years, some to do with Durusball, others via academics and social standings. She wasn’t accessibly social either, not all times. There was a time where she’d love to just sit and read her books of poetry, Tennyson, Wordsworth and Frost, were

12:41:46 [Sydney] among the few. Though for the most part she was relatively comfortable around other people, especially when other people were put at ease and her truth telling seemed to do that quite well. “Thank God I told you though. I’m not sure how long I could have kept it up without you hating me in some manner by the end of things. I wouldn’t like to ruin a friendship before it even got started.” She smiled in a likeable manner, the look of which lit up her elegant features, her eyes penetrating in their gaze.” So what would you like for Christmas?” She questioned - not wanting him to answer with something specific as it would take the surprise away completely and she still wanted to have an element of surprise in her gift. “Are you going home for Christmas or saying here?” She followed up with, curious to know if he would be at the ball too for that was when the Secret Santa was to be done.



12:47:03 Odette remained quiet as she gave Chase a discreet once over allowing her dark gaze to sweep over the grudgingly handsome student while waiting for his reply, releasing the door she then placed her hand on her hip before suddenly remembering that her hair was still left loose to settle about her shoulders and so she slipped the same hand into one of the numerous coat pockets to deftly remove a hair tie which in turn was used to secure the dark tresses in a neat up do. Nodding once again she returned his smile with a bright one of her own, “I guess it has been long enough and I suppose your friends will probably need reminding about their visits too.” Ignoring his wayward gaze she easily stepped past him as he retreated from the doorway allowing her to enter the infirmary, peering over her shoulder she gestured to one of the beds, pulling a rather worn notepad that looked like it had been paged through far too many times she then proceeded to leaf through it while quietly moving over to the far side of --
12:47:10 Odette -- the bed she had pointed out. “Alright, so I’m going to need to see what I’m healing...” trailing off Odette lifting her gaze and sent Chase another glance to check if he had followed her and if so she’d continue to page through the little book before stopping suddenly to retrieve a pen. “...despite your blatant disregard for rules I have to admit that your antics have left Crux with a rather dwindling supply of house points and as such I find myself wondering whether I should remove those scars at all.” Smirking at the last of her words Odette calmly folded her arms across her chest as she watched him move to the opposite side of the bed, though her words were severe they were nothing more than a taunt that was treated as an opportunity for her get to know her students a little better and so she would wait for his response. [e]


13:16:39 Chase` smiled as he saw Odette give him a once over. Oh yes. It was hard to look away from the strapping young man in his three-piece school uniform. The picture of youth and virility. What woman could resist that? When she moved past him he followed, his eyes resting somewhat lower than the back of her now done-up hair. Much lower. He saw her point to one of the beds and when she looked up he had already removed his blazer and had tossed it onto the next bed over. He was in the middle of removing his vest when she said that the loss of points for Crux ought to mean that she didn't heal his scars. He droppd the vest on top of his blazer and he let out a dramatic gasp and he lifted his hand to cover his heart, "Knife to the heart, Ms. Sinclaire. Besides, that wasn't just me, you know." He hadn't even been in too much trouble for a month now! He loosened his tie and his sudden grin ought to warn her that something a little over the top was coming, "You know, you could always spank me a -13:16:55 [Chase`] - little if you want, though." He removed his tie and with the parctice ease only a Sixth year could accomplish, he removed his dress shirt and tossed it onto the pile. His hands dropped to his waistline and crossed, fingers curling into the thin white fabric as he pulled it off over his head. As captain of the Crux Dball team, he was in great shape, and she might just notice that fact. He stepped to the bed and turned to reveal the grotesque scarring that covered his back. He had gotten fifty lashes at the hands of Professor Blaze. The Phys. Ed. teacher was the only one who could deliver that many. Fritzl's endurance was low. He sat down on the edge of the bed so that she could begin.


13:43:42 Odette had long since learnt to subtly mask her actions and her threat was exactly that it was a blatant poke of fun that just happened to be directed at Chase, her smirk remained as she tilted her head to the side patiently waiting for the Crux male as she had in effect left the ball in his court leaving her free to openly watch him as he put his response together. Perfectly manicured fingertips tapped along the inside of her arm while the other hand held both notepad and pen securely, today was proving to be rather interesting and after the past series of weeks it was a welcomed change leaving Odette with the rare opportunity to have a little fun... which unfortunately happened to be at the expense of whichever student wondered into her realm. Indeed her gaze did seem to linger when she looked at the Durusball captain but she wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of her admitting to that and so she’d watch him with an amused smile as he easily shirked his uniform, “Of course it wasn’t.” --13:43:58 Odette -- nodding to emphasize her sweetly sarcastic words. His suggestion of a spanking resulted in an unexpected bout of laughter from the resident healer as she shook her head lowering her arms to her sides, “With a mouth like that I’m surprised you didn’t get a second round in the dungeons.” leaning forward she took a closer look at the marred skin of his back before scribbling something down on the little notepad and then tucked it back into her pocket. Frowning at the scars she made sure to remember having a serious talk with that beast of a Phys. Ed. teacher about these lashings, pushing the thought away and storing it for later Odette silently placed her right hand in the middle of Chase’s back allowing her magic to flow through her touch and be directed to the damaged skin that covered nearly covered his entire back. “Okay this might feel a little strange...” [e]


14:42:27 Xarissa So, what do you get a teacher that appears not to exist? Xarissa hadn't a clue, and that might be why she was sitting there, pencil in hand, twirling it around and around, with absolutely nothing in her lap. She'd thought about drawing, but, again, what do you draw for someone you don't know? What was it he taught...history, wasn't it? It couldn't be that basic, right? Tongue captured between pearly whites, the little blonde began to lower the pencil, then before it hit the page, she drew it back. "Yeaa...no." That idea didn't work! Why doesn't she just get him some pixie sticks and be done with it? Nah. That's too easy. It's hard to gift people you've never met, she decided, as she set her drawing pad aside, the pencil shoved through the coils, and she'd unfold from a chair in the Magnus common room. Sliding dainty feet into her shoes, she rose and stretched, body arching with the elegance of a cat. Swinging her arms downwards, she'd also grab from the chair, the sweater that had rather been..>

14:42:53 Xarissa squished into it, from all of Xarissa's shifting and squirming. It came with her inability to think up just what to do. Shrugging on the form fitting stripes, a shudder running through her with the warmth that it spread on bare arms. Rubbing her hands together, then settling them against the inside of her neck, Xarissa thought. Where to go, what to do with herself? Outside just wasn't on her list. She'd spent so much time out there after her grounding was finally over, that she felt like she was sick of it all over again. For now, wandering would have to do. Slipping free of the common room, arms wrapped about her dainty figure, settled just over her slight ribcage, the tiny were went about wandering. Venturing through the halls with no destination in mind. As long as it were inside, she was content. Something about the warmth was comforting, even if it were a bit stifling. Stifling was better than the chill though. Then again, it was easier to warm up, than it was to cool down. There was only so many >


14:44:57 Odette frowned in concentration as she meticulously removed and smoothed over each and every scar, it wasn’t easy but it wasn’t all that difficult either as she focussed on one bit before moving on to the next, healing magic differed from mage to mage and hers would be no different as the directed flow of energy felt very similar to that of a warm breeze which remained at a constant temperature though slightly higher than room temp. Along with that warmth her magic also relayed a steady stream of numbing that allowed her to work with her patients not feeling any discomfort or pain at all, the only problem about these injuries was that because they were inflicted in such a way that hindered the healing process so much that if left unattended for too long it would remain as a permanent scar and of course none of those brutes would tell their victims leaving the infirmary with a handful of said victims every week. Rolling her eyes at his comment she met his gaze and grinned, --14:45:06 Odette -- “Oh I’m sure there’s a whole lot you could do... but I think I’ll pass.” winking at him she gave him a small nudge and then turned her attention back to the newly healed skin that now boasted much less marring. Odette smiled at her handiwork but did not lift her gaze as she continued to work on his back, “If that includes chaperoning the Crux students who don’t have dates, then yes I suppose I have quite few dates... why, are you offering your services instead Matheson?” [e]


14:51:23 Vada could feel the chill in the air… the bitter, English climate this time of year causing a buzz to pop up and into her spine cavity. Her breaths were short, every now and again a gentle chorus slipping through her supple lips, and yet the gardens that surrounded her were quiet… frozen it seemed, from time(s) long passed. Sporadically the sixth year would stop every now and again, twisting her abdominal muscles and reaching for the number two pencil that sat casually upon a notebook beside her on the stone bench she had chosen for the afternoon. Jotting some notes down, Vada looked thoughtful, content even..-which wasn’t a word most used to describe the young, Were. Placing her pencil down for a moment, she softly whispered the words beneath her breath, right hand and fingers strumming a serene melody upon her acoustic. The guitar was well worn, with various band stamps and stickers upon its outer layer. A black, leather strap held the instrument securely to her body, and the old looking case sat <c>14:51:40 Vada <c>strategically at her feet. Blonde hair(s) were pulled back from her façade, and her usual school uniform and black, petti coat was pressed somewhat wrinkly against her trim but slender frame. If anyone else had entered the gardens Vada hadn’t noticed, her mind enveloped on her music, but if any were to come close… they might just catch a rare glimpse of the spit-fire in her most genuine and calming demeanors. A sight most students and even staff weren’t privy too.:: <e>


15:00:11 [Sig] For Siggeir it was the end of the day’s lessons. It had ended with Physical Education, which meant everyone was now hitting the showers. Hot steam wafted up over the wooden dividers of the stalls and hung thickly in the air. Closing his eyes, Siggeir enjoyed the warmth that eased tightness in his muscles. Switching off the taps he stepped out of the stall and swung a towel around his hips. He’d gone a few steps before he noticed the scritch-scritch sound under his feet and the slightly peculiar sensation. “Oh for crying out loud.” He sighed as he lifted one foot to look underneath. From somewhere beyond the stalls he could hear muffled giggling. Siggeir shot an irritable glare in that direction and then hobbled the rest of the way over to one of the wooden benches, where he sat down and started to remove the thumbtacks now stuck underneath his feet. ->15:00:18 [Sig] After that he hobbled over to the toilets and stole a handful of toilet paper, which he wadded up against the soles of his feet to soak up the blood and stuffed them into socks and then his shoes. He didn’t have a choice, really. He’d have to go down to the infirmary, again. Irritably he threw on the remainder of his clothes, tossed his towel in the bin and stalked out of the boy’s bathrooms. Xar might spot the red-head going by, hobbling oddly for the thick wads of tissue paper bundled up inside his shoes and looking none too happy.


15:02:59 Chase` couldn't help but laughed when she spoke and he shook his head as it lowered to face the floor. He listened to how her Christmas time was going to be spent watching over minors who were staying at school but weren't attending the ball. He grinned when she asked him that particular question as she continued her work. Speaking, of, the feeling was strange as she smoothed out the somewhat lumpy scars to leave smooth, unblemished skin in her wake. The warmth as his skin smoothed itself out didn't really affect him much, it was more the feeling that his skin was being shaped like wet clay at the hands of an artist. "Oh come now, Ms. Sinclaire. You can't tell me you haven't felt it. All those long nights you've seen me studying in the common room. All the Durusball games I've played in. I would offer you my services in a heartbeat. Much like any other young man at this school." A subtle hint as some imagined sexual tension? Of course. An allusion to the fact that she was one of the hottest female -15:03:11 [Chase`] - faculty members at Hex Insitute? Naturally. But then, no flirtation would be complete without compliments.


15:09:42 Xarissa Swaying her arms, eventually, the little were continued to wander. That wandering became loops in and about the hallways, never truly going anywhere. Walking out the stiffness in her muscles from having kept herself balled up for so long. The only reason she paused, often, was due to people crossing her paths, the little wolf offering apologies to those she almost bumped into. Speaking of almost bumping into people. That cinnamon smell likely got a little too close for comfort, to the oddly hobbling boy. Back she stepped, hands up somewhat as she spoke up, voice thick with accent. "Sorry about that," She then lifted one of those fine brows, as she realized he had been...moving sort of funny. "Are you alright?" Heaven knows what he had been doing, but whatever it was, the end result didn't look too comforting. For all she knew though, he could have just endured a rather nasty class of PE, and...no offense, but he didn't strike her as the type to be 'pumping the iron,' so to speak.>15:09:45 Xarissa "...Do you need some help?" Xarissa almost sounded a little bit...stunned, unsure of herself and what to do.



15:26:26 Sig wasn’t paying much attention where he was going, so he did indeed almost walk into Xarissa. “It’s fine, whatever.” He replied curtly to her apology, and moved aside without even looking up to see who it was. “Oh yes, perfectly fine, can’t you tell?” Siggeir snapped back harshly at her show of concern. “I mean, why wouldn’t I be! ‘Oh, it’s alright! Siggeir can’t feel it, so it doesn’t matter!’ Right?” The boy grumbled and spat, and continued to hobble on his way, though his slow progress meant that his indignant storm was more of a pathetic shuffle. It was pretty clear he was not in a good mood, if he was taking it out on some 4th year girl who’d just asked him if he was alright. Still, you know what they say about red-heads and their tempers.



15:27:52 Odette found herself enjoying their back and forth banter as Chase’s refreshingly blunt demeanour had her laughing and smiling as she magically removed the last traces of his punishment, it wasn’t very often that a student came in and just talked or in this case obviously flirting with the secretly labelled T.I.L.F by the male student population of Hex. A few shorts moments later Odette removed her hand from the now flawlessly healed skin and languidly mimicked Chase’s movements as she stretched her arms out as well, smiling in triumph she settled on the bed opting to perch on it as she double checked for any minor scarring that she may have initially overlooked before replying, “Matheson... Chase, come now would you really have be believe that the Crux Durusball captain doesn’t have a date?” pausing for effect she sent him another dazzling smile and then continued. “You’re one of the most distinguished students I have had the honour to have met and I bet that if you wanted, you --15:27:56 Odette -- you could have anyone you wanted as your date to the upcoming Yule Ball.” Odette would be lying if she said she wasn’t affected by the silver-tongued student as his words all but left her blushing, but she was about to share any of this with the determined flirt instead she let him speak as she quickly gave him another once over. [e]



15:35:26 Xarissa Her tongue ran along her lip, as he briefed over her apology. It was when he snapped, that her brows furrowed slightly. She had done nothing more than question his well being, as he was moving rather funny. "...It was a stupid question, I understand, obviously you aren't." She was just asking, because it was very possible that he was just sore because of, well, yes, gym. "Wrong." The wolf stated, and when he went to hobble, she'd plant her hands on her hips. It might be indigifying, and his attitudde had done nothing to deter her too far. Whether he liked it or not, he'd find the blonde scooting up, to lend him the support so he didn't have to put quite so much weight on his feet. "Yell at me all you like, you're obviously hurting, and well, suck it up. Where are you heading?" Yup. "And no, I won't tell anyone that you took help from a girl, rather, were made to take help from a girl. Your dignity in that sense, shall remain in tact." No questions what happened, nothing like>15:35:37 Xarissa that. Hell, she didn't even laugh at the very...amusing way he was walking.



15:45:38 [Sig] “Gerroff.” He growled and pushed at her, rather ineffectively. He couldn’t get much weight behind the thrust with his feet all uneven and the conscious effort not to move in such a way as would stretch the foot and aggravate the bleeding. “No, I’m not hurting.” He snarled. “See, that’s why it’s funny, don’t you get it? You should ask the others. Apparently it’s hilarious.” He had a strong urge to throw something, or punch something, but had nothing readily to hand. “I’m going to the fucking infirmary. What do you think?” Oh Siggeir, what a charming personality you had. Still glowering daggers, Siggeir shuffled along, unable to free himself from the little were girl that had insisted on becoming his living walking stick.


15:50:54 Xarissa He'd find her grip tighten when he pushed her, perhaps on reflex, or perhaps because he'd just pushed her. "If you are that insistant to do it by yourself, then fine." She sighed. She was just offering her help, and here he was, getting all grinch on her. "I don't see any humour in it, and I'm sure even if I asked the others, I'd still see no humour in it. Whatever happened, obviously isn't funny, if it's making you walk -" like you have a stick up your ass "- the way you are." If he really didn't want help, then she'd dislodge herself, and wrapped her arms around her petite frame. She'd at least walk with him, incase. The incase was on her judgement, though. "To the infirmary, then. How do I know you're not going to continue to act like tough shit and get whatever it is, not looked at?" Maybe she should growl back, after all...her growl is so much more intimidating than his own. So is her snarl, and her snap. Oh, and her bite is worse than her bark. All those silly >15:50:57 Xarissa puns and things.


16:17:09 Sig just snorted and continued on. “Just, whatever. What’s it to you anyway, huh?” Sig shot her a glare and huffed. But the annoying little bitch (pun, hurhur) wasn’t letting up on him and didn’t seem keen to leave him to his misery, so to get her off his back he snapped, “It’s just stupid thumb-tacks, okay? But I’m not very fond of bleeding out into my shoes so I’m going down to the nurses’ to get it healed up faster.” They crossed the hall and started to descent some stairs, which was significantly slower for Sig than just walking. Bloody toilet-paper rags did not make for very good insoles. “Does that answer your question, mother? Yes, I’m really really going down to the infirmary.” Siggeir rolled his eyes and pushed out into the hall where the infirmary lay, hobbling is way over to the twin glass doors and knocking on them.