V. Between the Shelves [Sunday]

[{Alice}] Typically Sundays were spent by students sleeping in, playing about the grounds and finishing last minute homework. Alice always spent her Sundays in the same place. Curled up in the library on a window seat, reading a book in hopefully a sunlit pane. Today was no exception. After breakfast she had slipped quickly away to this spot. A tiny finger lingered on the last page of a novel as she stared at the words, taking in a wonderous ending. She forgot to breathe, but only for a moment. Finally Alice closed the book. She slipped down from the window and moved to a table that held numerous books. Alice stacked them carefully in her arms and headed down the ailes to return the books she had picked out. The small girl would shuffle, somehow gracefully to a spot, place the book where it lived and move on to a new shelf. It was near the Herb and Botany section that Alice had to stand on high tiptoes to return on of the books. The weight was too great and she cursed softly as the books plummated to the floor, sounding the silent Library with a particular crash. Immediatly she dropped to her knees to pick them up, a splinter in the wood catching her stockings. -E-

[Jon] The New Kid. A name that wasn't as frequently tossed around in Hecate as Jonathon had initially wanted. It stuck like glue the first instant he heard it, too, but if he had no chance in ditching it, all he could do was accept it and move on. So he was the new kid. That meant that, when given the opportunity, he'd have to squeeze it for its most results. Possibly juvenile, and undoubtedly selfish, but they were all nothing without their labels, and it wasnt often one had a chance to so masterfully craft for themself. Stepping through the library with a desire to pick up a few helpful books for a particularly difficult class or two, it wasnt hard to catch the sound of Alice fumbling with her books. The time for a social agenda was easily put on the back-burner. For now, instead, he simply begins his brief wander down along the shelf, crouching low near the girl to pick at a few books that were farther out of her reach than the others, "Lot of books. What're they for?"

{Alice} froze like a small fawn. Her hand slid back from where it had been out reached for a book. Alice was anot a socially awkward creature. Quite graceful actually. However, she found herself flushed in the cheeks at the idea of ebing found by a boy on her knees in a dress, begging the ground for her mess of books. she had been startled by the sudden voice as well as he merely appeared, help from no where. Scooping up the few she could reach Alice replied. I rather like to read is all.. She carefully stood and wrapped her arms around the books, pulling them to her chest. She offered the boy a forced smile in thanks and began to return the books in her arms to the shelves. you are the new boy, yes? Jon? She had yet to really look at him, but the few glances she graed him with only showed eyes of storm and chaos.

[Jon] He doesn't notice her sudden freeze, nor the light hint of color thats currently rushing over the girl's face. Rather he seems suddenly preoccupied with taking the moment to briefly glance over each book and its title. His foremost interest isn't figuring out what she likes, but he is quick to notice that such is an obvious result of his voyueristic tendencies. Pulling a few books to himself, since she was obviously having trouble of some sort with the technique she was previously employing, Jon stands by her side seems ready to hand her the books he's picked up as she wants to put them away. "That'd be me, yeah," he matches the tone of the library and answers her with an appropriately quiet tone, his eyes trailing along her motions as he begins to pluck books back into the spots along the shelf. "You know my name. Who are you?"

[Lara] One would find the French belle stowed away in the Library during the precious dual day of freedom. It was Saint Patrick's day, and while many of the Senior class were nursing a hangover, Lara Locke was not among them. Widely welcomed among the Methidius Cavern goers, she still frequented it's depths on the most rare occasions. Even if unintentionally, this kept her from many of the scandalous rumours that came about every few weekends, which involved intoxicated students and their promiscuous or violent shenanigans, only to be further blown out of proportion somewhere along the rumour mill. Simply put, Lara had better things to do with her time. That didn't keep her from being one of the hierarchy, for she was no spoilsport or hater of fun. In fact, it could be said that the Firesprite found herself in interesting situations far too often. Drama gravitated toward her like a Moth to a flame. All the more fitting, for there were few that burned so bright as this elemental. The girl who, for the moment was scavenging about the backmost shelves of the labyrinth-like Library. With a delicately feminine blouse in cream tucked into a high waisted skirt of green plaid in spirit of the day she looked both elegant and playful. Corporate and sweet. Mary-Janes with a small heel aided her some in the reach, but the petite thing still found it a struggle to gather the tomes in her hands. Irritatingly enough, because she still did not know what it was she searched for. It was in the Ancient Casting area that she searched. The musk of dust clouding the darkened and commonly deserted nook. Beneath one slender arm she had tucked an aged looking tome; Tenebrae Aspalax. From another shelf she pulled forth, Nox Aether. Setting the first novel down, she scanned through the calligraphic contents of the next. No, Nox would not do. “This wont do at all..” A knot of concentration marked her forehead, a ponderous frown worrying at plush, ruby lips. One, poised index finger skimmed a line book spines, settling on another which she pulled forth. Incantations of the Fifth Age. Mnnnm. That was added to the resting book on the small, mahogany table.

{Alice} was internally glad she didnt have to instruct the boy, make demands. He seemed smart enough to stand at her side and assist, but also he moved on his own to put the books away; not a sheep. His soft voice trailed in her ear as she put away the last book her arms. It was a pleasing octave. She turned to him, her arm dropping slowly back to her side. She studied his face for a moment before blinking away the crashing currents in her eyes. Me..? Her voice was soft, as if she didnt know who she was. A question in her tone. Alice, Alice Barrow. The old kid. Alice moved back down the aisle and took a careful seat back on the window seal. Her feet hung a foot or so from the floor. Have you come here to hide or are you actually studious? Her face was void of any sign of emotion or oppinion. She was merely curious and there was not a stab in her voice, because clearly she was here as well, was she not? Her eyes blinked as she heard a soft voice a few shelves over. How busy her haven seemed to be this day. Alice looked back to the boy and offered him a simple smile. the warm sun filled the window behind her and lit up her hair, like strands of a darkened sun. A beauty breaking through the clouds. Alice played with a strand of her chocolate locks, curling it around her frail finger as she studied the boy like an odd plant.-E-

[Jon] With his hands finally free of the few books he had snatched up, he absentmindedly, albeit quickly, runs through a series of brief rituals that are obviously practiced, honed. He wipes them free of any dirt along the upper-legs of his pants, then sweeps one through the bangs of his hair that threaten to lose their volume and crash into his eyes. Then, once by his side, they seem to finally calm, but occasionally fidget with the material of his pants. A number of intricacies that, if revealed, would be known as a strange manifestation of his mentally-tasking aether. But such personal secrets had no plans of being revealed anytime soon. Let his mannerisms be and continue on with the conversation. "Neither, really. Just need to pick up a few books to help." He hardly considered the practice necessarily studious, and if he were to hide, it certainly wouldn't be in the library. "Did you.." he motions back to where she had just dropped the books, having followed her back over to her self-made nook, "Read all of those today?" Its an odd question, but there nonetheless, and likely stemming from their particular subjects. Perhaps something had caught his eye.. ?

James` had stumbled away from The Meth Lab at a ridiculous hour in the morning, having drank the night away on the wings of victory after the brawl with fellow crew member and friend, Charlie. It had taken practice but over the years he had been drinking he had set a reminder in his brain for when he became drunk to go back to his room. It had taken many drunken escapades and headaches to get this down pat but now it was a solid auto-pilot reaction. His sleep had been swift and as usual he’d woken up earlier then any person should after so much alcohol, the few bruises he had from fighting were felt along with the sting of a headache coursing through his head like a nail being hammered down through his skull, and the eyes, oh the eyes were fucking stinging. After a clean up he’d head stare at the mirror, a small cut on his lip was the only visible mark on his face, focusing for a moment, he’d place his finger to his lip and focus his magic, healing the lip cut swiftly with a little tap on the spot for reassurance. Looking at his torso he’d shrug at the bruises, “They’ll fade.” Only bearing few marks he’d not really cared for it, now slipping a shirt on he’d find his sunglasses and lock them onto his face, where they would stay for the remainder of the day. Rolling out of his room he’d make his way along to the library, quiet was what he needed and one of the best places to find it was the archive of books that were stored in Hecate’s Library, not that he’d read, fuck that, no focus would be given today. Slowly making his way in he’d stumble past two students who simply stared on, “Fuck me it’s bright in here…” Glancing ahead he’d spot Lara Locke, a small smirk crossing his expression as he made his way over to her, “Lara Locke, now from what I can remember of last night, which isn’t much, you weren’t in attendance of out St Paddy’s festivities at the Meth though it all gets fuzzy for me after the first couple of hours. What kept you away; you missed some entertainment last night?” Taking a seat he’d eye the books she was looking at, “Extra study? Or maybe other company was perhaps more desirable?” He grinned to her leaning back on his chair. (e)

[Lara] The Library, contrary to common thought, was always populated. There were few communally open areas of the castle – and with weather still cold, one didn't simply hang out outdoors all day, without freezing their bleedin' balls off. The common rooms were open only to those whom belonged to their House. Classrooms were closed and thus, on weekends one would find students lingering amongst alcoves and corridors, the Great Hall which was a permanently opened thoroughfare. Equally public, was the Library. It was a gloomy place, large enough that there were many nooks and dusted over crannies that one could easily hide themselves amongst the books. Perhaps, the reason that Roxi Hart was rumoured to make use of the palace of knowledge, if merely as a location best used for her numerous, romantic interludes. There were people here. Certainly so. Most about the desked areas, some roaming through the shelves. For this reason she took no note of Jon and Alice whom could be barely heard a few shelves over – the sight of them obscured behind such. Unable to reach a novel that had caught her keen, emerald eye, the belle found herself reaching for the small mahogany table and shoving it towards the shelves with an uttered grunt of effort. Glancing through the only opening to her particular alcove of shelves and seeing no one in sight she slid one nylon-clad knee onto the top and braced herself as she reached overhead. “Nngh.” Her slender arm extended, delicate fingers outstretched. Lara simply couldn't reach. Before she could glance downward and consider how much of her weight this aged table could handle, she found her attention sequestered by none other than James. Looking quite like she'd been caught up to no good she jerked, and then glanced doe-eyed over one shoulder. Only a student, and no Professor to scold her for the possible vandalism of Hecate property. An audible sigh of relief escaped her. Now, Lara shifted and sat, slim legs dangling from the edge of the table. “It is... erhm, how do you English say it?” Melodic voice thickly laced with a French accent, the belle continued.. “No shit, Sherlock. Ah, oui. I heard all about this 'excitement'.” A finely arched brow rose, her emerald eyes scanning him up and down. “Nice shades. I had.. other plans.” An avid student, if only because she was a perfectionist and all too competitive, the femme had certainly not forgotten her quest for tomes. “You're tall!” An odd comment, but with purpose. “Get me that novel. The black one, up there. Conjures of Nox, Fourth Age.” As an afterthought, she added with a charming quirk to her full lips, ”Please.”

{Alice} for some reason couldnt see him needing help. You are judging the cover , Alice. She seemed to stare at him another moment, but she was listening to the person a few shelves over. She blinked, cleared her throat softly and actually looked him over. Alice had actually noticed the soft ticks,his fidgeting. Her hands too clung to the fabrics near her knees; the hem of her soft blue dress. The sleeves of her cream cardigan came only past her elbow and clung tightly to her petite arms. Alice nodded when he asked about the books , her cheeks flushing. She typically was not ashamed of her book worm nature, but the cherry hue filled her cheeks as it was called out. Alice looked up and sort of grimaced as a very familiar voice made her skin crawl. James. Must he fill the library with such noise? , she grumbled in a barely audible whisper. She looked to Jon, blinking at her outburst. There was something about James. She detested his loud and carefree nature and yet the sanke of a Healer fascinated her. Alice exhaled softly in relief as he took notice of the lovely Lara mere shelves away. Maybe the fawn would go unnoticed today? Maybe he would leave her to her thoughts, for once. Alice took noticed of Jon once more. It is a fine day out. Would you care for a walk? She didnt live in the library after all. She pressed the wrinkles from her dress and waited for a reply. It was chilly, yes, but she couldnt deny a sunny day and a fresh breath of air.-E-

James` glanced up at Lara as she glanced behind to spot him, as she sat he would grin again at her attempt at English irony, “That’s not the first reference I’d go for, but it works.” Putting his feet up on the desk he’d give her a wry look, “Of course you did, you’re a beacon for gossip and trouble, why do you think the whole of the Sixth males want to bang you? You’re more then just brown locks and red lips.” He couldn’t resist giving her a glance over, his own words had inspired him to notice her desirable features, “Thank you, I try to wear a hangover in style.” Taking his legs off the table he’d sit forward, “Other plans? Anything interesting? Or should I say anyone interesting?” With another grin raised an eyebrow, “You only just noticed?” He tilted his sunglasses at her request/demand and waited for that oh-so-sweet please before standing, “Sure thing doll.” Moving to the shelf he used a seat to get higher as he reached for the tome she wanted. It was then that he spotted Alice, with another guy. Grabbed another, smaller book he’d toss it over at Alice to get her attention as the guy began to leave. If she looked his way he’d give her a cheeky smile and nod to indicate the guy that had just left. Placing the tome Lara wanted on top of the other books he’d hold his hands out like he was cupping someone’s face and pretend to make out with it his tongue sticking out and swirling the invisible make-out partner. With a short laugh and another grin he’d nod her over to join Lara and himself. Grabbing the tome Lara wanted he made his way back down, “Here.” He’d drop the tome on the desk and return to his seat, “Trying to stay ahead?” He glanced down to the tome, “Conjures of Nox, Fourth Age…jesus, what are you trying to conjure, longer legs?” Hung over, and with little sleep James was on a roll, though such attitude was expected from the Healer Mage for those who know him, perhaps a little less frequently when both sleep and no alcohol applied. (e)

[Lara] Another raised brow met with the blunt compliment of sorts, but the stern expression gave way to a short, clipped cry of laughter. Ha. With popularity, beauty and confidence came the constant reception of rumours, comments and glances that would make most females of such a juvenile age and innocence blush beet red. “I had thought it was because of my locks and lips that they want to, aherm 'bang' me.” Her head came to a coy tilt, emerald eyes locking with his as if to beseech an explanation from his blunt mouth. “Why, James. Are you implying that my.. outstanding personality is what draws you here?” Ha. With plans not necessarily concerning an other, Lara still failed to confirm or deny. “I'm always interesting, and you know I'd never kiss and tell.” She watched as he climbed a seat and retrieved the requested tome, features scrunching with confusion at is strange, overhead performance only to laugh – though still unaware of his intentions or Alice on the other side, he had amused her at least. Getting ahead? Not quite. “Just a Project,” she lied, “An assignment for a class.” Now, Lara was a most practised liar. She was not the most untrustworthy of girls, but Siren's classes – Bewitchment, for one, were all about manipulation and misleading. Not always for nefarious intentions. They could comfort as well as harm with their alterations of another's perceptions. That said, she had still been elusive with her answer. A Sixth Year and a Mage, they shared many classes. All these novels pertained to Casting. He would know quite well they had been set nothing recently that would require such Ancient research. Still seated on the table she swung her leg, and tucked the side of her skirt up a little as if inspecting the flesh beneath. “Why?” A frown at her lips, “Would you prefer them longer?” Coy thing.

[{Alice}] watched the boy deny her offer and she nodded. Slidding to the bookshelf she reached up on her tiptoes to grab another book, her hem rising over her knees as the young man mumbled something about finishing a paper. However, Alice didnt notice his words as a book came tumbeling past her and she emitted a soft cry. She looked up to see James. Great. She felt her jaw tighten at his cheeky smile and she suddenly felt a need to barf. His gesturing caught her eye and she looked back to see Jon had left for the entrance. Alice exhaled a tiny sigh of frustration and looked back to James. She rolled her eyes as he made out with the air. As if. We cant all be pigs. There was a plea in her eyes though. Just leave me be James. Leave me be. He was trying to get her to join his little party, but she wanted nothing to do with it. Alice exhaled and pushed the wrinkles from her dress ends. She grabbed the book she was looking for down from the shelf with nimble fingers, the hem of her dress rising to her thighs. Alice clutched it to her chest for safety before stepping out from the aisle. She was an open target now, one that could only hope to slip past James unscathed. She passed the two in a mousey hurry, giving Lara a gentle, forced smile. She tried not to look at James, knowing how skilled he was at turning her to stone and freezing her in her tracks.-E-

James` enjoyed the Lara’s confidence and standing, he admired the quality whilst secretly comparing it to his own, the result of the two colliding in more ways then one was enough amusement for him to be drawn despite Lara’s very popular reputation. His eyes set on hers, “Oh it is, believe me, and more.” At Lara’s next words he paused for a moment and held an interested look on her, he was a person who followed his desires no matter where they took him most times. But when one is pulled into different directions with different desires it becomes much harder to stay sane and make the right choice, it all came down to him in the end, something he was very familiar with. It sprang a further thought, he had two desires in one room at the moment, naturally he’d called them together, but why was it so hard to focus on one. Lara was an obvious target, beautiful, popular, in the same circle as he was, hell the same class, French accent, she screamed Oh-Lala. But Alice was also beautiful in her own way, she was a talented healer and a genuine person, something that deep down he wanted to hold onto within himself, he liked to push her buttons, perhaps to see if her genuine nature was a cover or coy. Coming out of his thoughts he’d look to Lara, “Amongst other things…” His voice but a drift as his . . . . . . . . o o o o o o o O O O O O O O O (far away thought) faded. It was a given with his confidence that he would constantly smile at Lara’s responses, ever clever and witty, he liked it, “That’s good to know.” His tone insinuating the topic ever so subtly with the two of them sitting alone. At the mention of a project his eyes peered at her for a moment, “Please, we’re in the same classes, we don’t have any extra projects.” He’d lean forward again, “What are you up to Locke?” As she put her leg up in front of him his shades titled as she lifted the side of her skirt, a flirtatious gaze was slowly given as his eyes traced up her leg to her eyes, “Perhaps not longer, just in the right position, I think you might be familiar?” Suddenly cut short he saw Alice pass by, his brain screaming at him to behave for some reason as he sat up, “Hey sweetheart, not even a hello?” He knew using intimate nicknames with her would cause a stir, but getting two desires in one place was too tempting. (e)

[Lara] Expressively, her eyes took to a narrow as though Lara was actually wondering if his compliments were genuine. Surely, she knew she was the fortunate recipient of fair genes. There were few popular young men, who at their juvenile age had dared to comment, and compliment much other than the perfected curve of her hips, or the swell of her bust. Lara was intelligent, and there was far more to her than what lay on the surface. Few had dared to dive beneath. Rather than a clever response, she uttered a simply put, “Merci,” because there was no need to use two words, when one would do, no? As for the admiration in regards to her secretive words when it came to romance and flirtation, this brought to mind a question – was he implying that he had something to hide, should he want for her? “I seeee,” she drawled playfully, a smile toying at her lips. Lara was guarded beneath her flirtations and friendly manner. “I'm just working on a little something. The possibility of Extra Credit – you wouldn't be interested.” The Siren was quick to brush him off the topic, rising to a stand and stacking the tomes she wished to loan away atop one another, while the charmer was quick to intercept a passing girl on her way. He was juggling them today, wasn't he? Emerald orbs rolled heavenward, a smile still at her lips in fond disdain. Boys would be boys. Alice was recognised as a mousy Sixth year. One of Mila's roomates, no? Annie-something. Alison? Alice! That was the name. Lara wasn't close with her, but the other girl was a bit of a recluse.

James` watched Alice keep walking, strange that she didn’t stop, usually she would if only to tell him off for annoying her or saying something inappropriate. He stared on for a moment before shifting his attention back to Lara, “Of course not, I’m getting top grades already, it’s not hard.” Well at least not for him, he still found time to fuck around and get the work that was needed, done. He was distracted now however, pulled between desires and yet he sat still for a long moment before looking back up to Lara, “I need to have one distraction at a time, too hard with multiple.” He noticed that she seemed to be far off in her own thoughts as well, with all these tomes, it was research, but for what? Taking a stand himself he looked to her with a curious gaze, his eyes falling from her figure down to the books she had stacked. He decided the best way to get heavy things off his mind was to find out what was on other people’s minds. Lara was a prime target for such enquiry, a girl of her standing and reputation surely had a lot to tell but no one to tell it to, it would require digging, “Tenebrae Aspalax, Nox Aether, Incantations of the Fifth Age, annnnnd Conjures of Nox, Fourth Age. You know this is a lot of heavy reading for extra credit…” He dared to lift the cover of the tome on top, gagging a reaction from Lara if possible, “You know…I think there might be more to this then meets the eye.” He’d raise his eyes to meet her, “Come on Joli, what’s really going on with you lately?” (e)

[Lara] Honestly, she wasn't close enough with the boy to know quite how he fared when it came to the grading of their difficult subjects. His words, true or not, impressed her. Surely the girl did not surround herself with dullards but, many of her friends – Mila, for one, were classed amongst the 'average' when it came to their performance in a number of studies. Many excelled at practical interests, only to falter when it came to the depth of theorem. “Mnnnm,” came her agreement on the 'weight' of her reading. “Speaking of, why not put those muscles to good use?” She collected at least two of the tomes, notably not the one he was having a peek at, and began to carry them through the labyrinth of a library. It was dark and musky, quietly populated in various nooks and quiet, for the students knew better than to test the patience of their Professors. There was amusement, and then there was stupidity. Her voice appropriately lowered, she responded at long last, provided that he had grabbed the remainder of the texts and headed with her for the desk towards the exit, wherein Professor Von Grimm would be ready to scribe a note of the tomes taken, and by whom, prior to their departure. “So there is, clever boy. I did say I am an interesting girl, no?” A becoming flush colored her cheeks prettily, and Lara shook her head. “I just need to figure something out.”

02:04:09 James` collected the rest of the tomes and followed on as she made her way through the dark, narrows of the library. Once the books were checked out he’d lift them and walk out of the library catching her words as they left. Soon enough he would stop in his tracks still holding onto the tomes she had checked out, “What are you trying to figure out?” He had spotted the red flush in her cheeks before and knew he was onto something despite her obvious and condescending comment before. The struggle to get a straight answer was starting to bug him and he began to feel like this was more serious then he had given it credit for, “Would this reason be the same as to why you didn’t attend the party at the Meth, last night?” If she confirmed his question it would be very strange, Lara missing out on a big social event just to do a bit of research that could have waited until today. There was sudden rush about all this, like she was looking for answers quickly, “Seriously, what’s going on?” It was a rare moment for James to change his usual attitude of a charmer and joker to something much more direct and serious, “I’ve got an eye for perception, its gift and a curse.” A grin spread across his face as the charmer and joker returned, “Though if you want me to leave it alone then that’s fine, but it’ll cost ya.” Let the imagination run! It was a rather open ended ultimatum, but he knew it would produce results, hopefully she would reject him rather then comply and his persistence would finally get some honesty about what she was up to. It was all apart of the plan, like poker, you play one hand and then think of the next, hell even sacrifice a hand just to see what your opponent does, that explains it well. (e)

[Lara] As expected, with mystery came curiosity and interest – meaning, that every time she attempted to avert his attention and alter the course of their conversation, he would only ever ask her time, and time again. What is she attempting to do? What were these tomes for? Leaving the library with her research in tow she turned her graceful steps for a staircase and corridor, their destination on higher levels and most obviously the floor in which their Houses were stowed. Lara, would of course be heading for Magnus. Meanwhile, they spoke. “What? No.” Different reasons entirely. Honestly, she didn't regret her choice to pass on the Saint Patrick's day havoc. The French belle was no open book, and she kept her secrets dearly.. Had perhaps, Mila or Jake been pestering so, her stubborn qualities may have dimmed. James, though a friend? Honestly this was the most serious of conversations they had ever had. She wasn't budging. Not yet. “I don't have any lunch-money, if that is what you're after.” Very close by to the Magnus entrance, she shifted the tomes in her arms to lean against her hip and then extended her free hand toward him, taking the books and promptly leaving.