Post by Jake on Dec 22, 2012 4:00:57 GMT -5
21:12:13 [Audrey`] "Merry Christmas, Aud! I wish you could be here with us, but we know that you've found your new home. I'm sure you've already gotten settled over there, and who knows? Maybe the next holiday together you'll have met the man of your dreams over there, huh? An intelligent teacher manly man!" Audrey rolled her eyes with a small smile as she moved towards the start of the track, one hand holding the phone to her ear and the other stuffed in her zip up hoodie pocket. She was listening to her mother's voicemail. Holiday voicemail. Audrey was twenty-nine years old, sure, but her mother always felt that she was still a child during the holidays. "Well, I have to go give your nephew his presents or he'll kill me! I love you, talk to you soon, buh-bye." And the click of the phone. Audrey smiled faintly, looking down at her phone and hitting the end button, sliding the phone into the pocket once more as she stopped at the track. Caramel hues flickered upwards barely able to make out the maroon track underneath the velvety blanket of snow that covered the grounds of the campus. Wearing a hoodie, a sports bra underneath and some sweatpants, she would tug off her hoodie, despite the cold, and toss it aside, allowing the fabric to catch onto a bare branch of a nearby tree. Fingers quickly braiding soft brown hair over her shoulder, she readied herself, before taking off into a brisk jog at first. She would speed up later, merely allowing her cheeks to turn a soft pink from the cooler weather and the first sheen of sweat form over her tan skin. The slight contour of her muscles in her stomach flexed as she ran. She was no body builder, but the hint of fitness was there, as she moved easily around the track, face almost emotionless though her eyes stared intently forward.
21:34:13 Mila 's pained and awkward meeting with Izak had been brief. She had apologised, been surprised to find his acceptance and all the more confusing, was the embrace offered. A tear or two may have sneaked, but the girl kept from bawling – a little too shocked to find that he blamed himself. She refused to hear of his guilt, cutting in and expressing reassuringly that he wasn't to blame. Mila had been careless. The danger was her fault, and he couldn't be helped for his instinctive, Were reaction. Chase's support had helped her get on with things and though she may have guiltily avoided Izak since her apology, Mila did not hold the boy responsible. Now that it was Christmas, the sable-headed lass woke first in her room of Crux Sixth years. A rare occurrence, for the little sloth was often the last awake and a frenzied mass of flying hair as she ran back and forth in haste to prepare for her school days without tempting a tardiness detention. It's Christmas! An infectious grin and giggle escaped the Seer's lips and childishly, she climbed with limber excitement to her feet, in the bed. Flippantly forgetting to return her blankets to her room after sleeping at Chase's, she had waited until the next day to retrieve them. Now, with them in their proper placement they were tangled about her feet as she began to bounce. No, no, she was actually jumping. The noise and giggles likely woke the other girls in the dormitory – Trix among them. “It's Christmas, It's Christmasohmygoshit'schristmas.” All the more magical in England than Australia, for looking out the window – curtain pulled back then by her casting – was snow. “Rudolph the red nose rheindeer, had a very snowman friend. Frosttttyyy the snowman, all he wants for Christmas is you. Oh baabby, joy to the Institute, the somethin' it's Christmas! Get up!” Nothing could truly anchor her. She was a lively thing, hard to capture and endearing for the very fact. The kind of girl who would die young and never be forgotten. But, thoughts of her forethought and dreamed death were ignored. Mila's nightmarish predictions were dealt with in the only way she could. She made herself forget. Ignorance was bliss, and she forced herself to brush away any lingering pain and blame over Sydney. Lara daringly broke the rules and risked the wrath of both their coordinators (Xan, being hers) by sleeping the night beside Mila. Sometime earlier in the morning she rose – presumably to return to her dormitory with a hushed Merry Christmas to her best friend. Slumber still upon her, Mila had murmured a response and fallen back asleep. Done with her jumping, the femme tumbled from the bed, scampered from her room and to the bathrooms where she was singing again, another mash of holiday songs. She and Lara had agreed to wear the same Christmas ensemble they had donned the day of the candy-cane mishap. Short, scarlet dress with a flouncing skirt, and rimmed in white. Strapless, and only suitable to wear for the castle's casted hex to remain a comfortable temperature. Indoors, at least. Adorable ankle boots turned their outfits a little more adorable than simply provocative, with a bobble'topped hat on their heads, Santa's Little Helper badger on left breast, they were an endearing duo. Mila particularly, with the infectiously winning smile at her cherry-stained lips. It was common for everyone to congregate in the Hall Christmas morning, and a great festive dinner would be held later in the night. Some students left presents for their friends at their doors or snuck them to their rooms, but this 'un was amongst those who left them at the foot of the large tree beyond the head tables dais. There too, was Emri's Secret Santa gift. Many students had left off giving their's until Christmas, for the interruption of Mila and Izak's prank had intruded on the usual, Yule ball tradition. Flouncing into the Hall with truly indulgent excitement, she half ran to a festive breakfast and half wished to attend the tree and the presents.
21:36:33 Xan 's fingers toyed with the rubber bracelet around his wrist, a new addition this fine Christmas morning. He ran his thumb across the stainless steel cross that rested on the portion of the band that was on the outside of his wrist as he walked the halls of Hex. In his usual attire of an underarmor shirt and athletic shorts along with his running shoes, it was no secret that the cold failed to bother the Metamorphosis teacher. He headed outside and into the snow, enveloping himself in the warmth that the fur of his other form provided. Of course, he didn't break out in sleek black fur or anything, but he used the trait to get the desired result. It was a little complicated, but it worked because he believed it worked. That's a master shifter, for you. He headed down for the track, the usual place he went to clear his head. But he found that someone had already beaten him to his sanctuary. He saw the figure making its way around the track from a pretty long way off, his eyes changing from their usual brown to the gold of his other form. They shone in the morning light and he continued walking, his gaze honing in on the figure. When she turned the corner, for it was a she, he arched a brow and let his gaze go back to normal. He'd been informed of the woman by Luthor, though he had yet to speak with her. If she was going to join the pack, he knew that things would go down one of two ways. Either he would fight her and force her to recognize him as Alpha, or she would accept him without the need for a fight. One way or another, his confidence in his own abilities meant that he couldn't imagine a future in which he lost his status as Alpha of the school's pack. Maybe it was arrogant, but that's just who he was. He entered the gated track area and moved to stand off to one side, waiting for her to come around again. His scent would reach her one way or another, and it was a potent thing, his scent. She ought to recognize it. His scent had been building up all over Hex for the past nine years.
21:48:24 [Audrey`] Rounding the halfway point, she would push herself into a quicker pace, now nearly sprinting down the track with legs and arms pumping, muscles flexing as her jaw clenched, soft breaths moving in her nose and out past her pink lips. Her wolf was beginning to take over, and her own eyes turned into a pure gold as well, those flecks moving away from the pupil to encompass the entire colored part, and when she was on the verge of shifting, she smelled him. The scent hit her like a ton of bricks, right in the face as she came towards the last section of the rather long track. Her eyes fluttered open and she came to an abrupt stop, staring forward to see the man standing where she'd started, beside the oak tree which held her hoodie, which flew with the soft breeze. A few stray locks of her hair moved around her face. She'd smelled him all over the school, even having seen him here and there, but somehow she'd always tried to avoid him. Why? She wasn't sure. It was her wolf taking over, almost as if he repelled her. His scent was intriguing though. So she would start into a gentle jog again, reaching him in mere moments. The sweat gone from her frame, she shivered only slightly, not as strong a shifter as this man apparently. Though remaining still, she took the last few steps towards him in a walk, eyes appraising him. "So you're the one I've been smelling." She murmured softly, perking up a single brow as her hands found the slight bump of her hips, just below the slender curve of her waist. He was big, muscular. Certainly stronger than she was, but was he faster? The thought allowed the corners of her lips to turn upwards. Her eyes an odd combination of gold and caramel, she peered towards him, up mostly as her small, toned frame, was still no match to his height.
21:50:27 [Emri] Unlike the majority of the student-body (even his roommates seemed to have a tendency to burst to life that morning) Emri awoke, though at an appropriately early time, with a a hidden haste. He enjoyed the holidays - who didn't? - but no matter the occasion, he simply couldn't fight away the morning tiredness with the amount of vigor so enviously displayed by the closest of his friends. Nonetheless, there are laughs and smiles shared with his mates before the lot of them have cleared out, likely to head their seperate ways for the day. Emri heads down from the dorm rooms with a rather simple ensemble, one thats likely to get fancied up the longer the day goes on, consisting of a tank that was appropriately striped red and green, jeans, slim-fit and of a red hue that only a hipster would attempt to pull off, and a simple pair of shoes that had begun to wear down over the years. Slipping his way through the halls of the Institute he doesn't bother to hide the intentions that have begun to creep their way across his face in the form of a coy grin; before long he's nearing the grand Christmas tree, and sooner rather later, he plans on attacking the myriad of gifts placed around the base in an attempt to find his amongst the others. He was certain that he was bound to be the recipient of one of them, at least. Unless interrupted, it seemed breakfast was taking a backseat to indulging his curiosity.
22:05:36 [Jake] Christmas was here, the fated day that brought smiles to faces or in some case frowns to those that celebrated it. Jake was a member of the former, the infectious holiday cheer cementing curled lips into that trademark wicked smile. And just what had Hex’s resident playboy so occupied this holiday? A morning of gift opening of course, despite his behaviour putting him on Santa’s naughty list, it seemed someone shared a soft spot for the Were, good old reliable mum gifted him with assorted confectionaries, to soothe that stubborn sweetooth. A second gift, one which Jake wore proudly had been from his troublemaking sister, a Christmas shirt, red in colour and in snow white designs read. “Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal.” Accompanying his spirited shirt was a pair of navy blue jeans and sneakers, grateful that he did not have to wear the usually demanded uniform of the institute. Not all shared his particularly good mood this morning, room mates roused by his surprisingly early rising begged the question. “What has you in such a good mood?” A white toothed smirk accompanied his trouble-riddled reply. “It’s Christmas, get excited, should be an entertaining day.” Any reprieve from the monotony of school life was welcomed, even a school such as Hex, filled with magic did little to quell his boredom, an inkling into the reason behind his flirtatious pursuits and troublesome wiles. Bouncing down the hall, a saunter to his steps, he greeted and returned merry greetings to present carrying students of the Tritus house, unwrapping and rolling a vanilla and chocolate lollipop between his cheeks. The journey to the great hall for breakfast had been stopped by a single familiar face, a person? No, but a picture was what for the briefest moment brought solemn thoughts to his mirth. Rummaging in denim pockets, he drawn a single lollipop, placing it before the picture of the passed away student Sydney, it sat amongst the unopenedgifts of friends. A courteous nod of acknowledgement, seen by none was all he left the image with, payment of his respects. The cheer he awoke with hastily returned, for he was eager to see what the day would bring, and the reactions the gift openers would have upon seeing the pranksters latest feat. Pushing his way into the hall, although unlike the rest of the students, he had taken a seat at the breakfast table, waiting to be joined by friends upon collecting their gifts. Jake with the patience of a child had stolen his own gifts the night before, along with a few others who wanted to open their own gifts in the privacy of their rooms. Stealing away their presents had not been the only plot, more wrapped gifts from unnamed generous students would be found amongst the tree, each noticeable from the same rectangle box size and smiley face Christmas hat wearing wrapping paper. Just what was in them was certainly going to be a bang.
22:07:25 Xan watched the play of emotion of her features, enhancing his eyes to pick out all the minute details. His inner animal riled when he realized she was about to shift. And that was when she stopped. His head tilted slightly as she examined him from afar, and he did the same. He was gauging her abilities from her appearance. She would be a quick one, but he was undoubtedly the stronger. And no matter how quick she was, if she wanted to fight him for leadership of the pack, she would need to come up against the massive strength that he possessed. Otherwise, she would have to give in and accept him. He watched her take up her jog again and approach. He couldn't help but grin when her opening statement was just 'so you're the one I've been smelling'. Of course he was. He'd been at the place for nine years, and no amount of cleaner could get his scent out of everything he touched. He folded his arms over his chest, "Yes. I am. I've been meaning to have a conversation with you, Audrey. But I get the feeling you've been avoiding me. Didn't want to meet the Hex Alpha?" His phrasing was deliberate and careful. He didn't want to say 'your Alpha' and get her hackles up. The same went for 'the Alpha' and any number of other variations that might piss her off. A sign that he didn't automatically assume authority over the other weres here. Everyone was given the option to challenge him. Every last one of them knew it. Most were smart enough not to. The beast within was curious, and he allowed it to permeate his scent. His body language, however, remained confident, self-assured. It would alert her that it was just his animal that was curious.
22:16:43 [Audrey`] His grin was near contagious, though her own soft smirk remained on her face, hands still settled on her hips. At his comment, she pursed her lips, taking a step forward and then another back to shift her weight from foot to foot. "Avoid is a... strong word." She'd not known he was the Hex Alpha, so the words were truly news to her though her face remained neutral. Did she want to speak to him? Well, she didn't not want to speak to him. "I don't believe I follow your theory." Canting her head to the side, the slightest twinge of amusement would be found in her eye. She stood her own ground rather well, and snuffing slightly, her wolf was yearning to come out of its shell. It seemed to have something against this other wolf. Or some sort of connection between the two beings, whether it be positive or negative, was certainly present. Moving slowly to grab her hoodie, she slid it over her slender frame, now covered by the soft, warm fabric as she turned back to face him, fingers tugging her hair from the braid to leave soft waves in its place, hair now moving with the breeze as well. "I'm afraid while you may know my name, I seem to have... Overlooked yours." One corner of her lips turned upwards, a slanted smile was shot his direction. "However, a formal introduction, ah?" Holding out a small hand to the male. "I'm Audrey Rancourt. Most call me Aud. You may call me Audrey." All the while, warm hues gazed up at him. If he were to accept her handshake, her own would be firm yet gentle.
22:29:38 Mila spied both Emri and Jake along with countless of her other friends as they entered the Hall. Though these two both drew her immediate attention, she inwardly for an excited battle and resolved to head for the Elemental who sidled up amongst the cheery chaos at the tree. An excited little Miss, she refrained from instantly going for her own gifts and instead sequestered a certain, wrapped parcel – her present for her gifted, Em'. Inside the soft, paper in red print was a jersey. The same moisture wicking and design of a Durusball, short sleeved jersey. A Magnus shirt, in the red and black stripe each of the team had, emblem and name upon the front with Hayes and his number brandishing the back. It wasn't a regular shirt though, enchanted with an embellishment a little more eye-catching that the rest of the players might have. Names were not written on the back of the school's uniforms – so there was that. More importantly, was a unique little twist made to the jersey. Light, impenetrable armour that would protect against claws and bites and deflect missiles of various varieties. He would find himself immune to harm from any fire drawn mishap of his own, at least in his shirted area, and equally unhindered by frost thereabouts. Her favourite part? And the hardest for her to cast, was the faux flames. When he ran or moved, casted, and unheated fire would follow snake along the jersey. Were he to sprint, flame would flicker behind him. It was a fancy trick, and one that suited her Human Torch quite well, she thought. Mila hoped he liked it. Clutching this, and rather than hunting him down she seated herself at the table beside Jake and called her friend who was a boy, who was a boy that she kissed sometimes, over. “Em!” On the package sitting in front of her was a label that simply read To:Emri. From: Your Secret Santa ? If he eventually joined the two she would pass it over with an impish smile. Meanwhile, she grew a little rigid – awkward, presumably because of her strange history with Jake. Heavy lidded eyes glanced in an almost pained fashion to him, then she was biting her lip, shaking her head and looking away. Mila may have even nudged him.
22:30:31 Shia 's body twisted lightly against the soft blue sheets she had, twisted around her legs. Only simply covered in a pair of boxer shrots and a push-up tank-top curving to her frame. Mumbling as she would, it was the moment she realizing she was waking up to a morning of snow white. And her eyes fluttering open and close a few times... Christmas. It was here already, she swore it had snuck up on her. For she hadn't shopped or anything really. She would of gotten gift for those around her in her same house perhaps. Groaning as she wanted to shield her mint green eyes from the light. "Someone had to open the blinds in this room didn't they.." she grumble. Soon she would move to try and untangle her legs from the sheets. A sigh touched her lips, and sitting up. Running her fingers through her frost locks. Got she hated mornings, cause she looked terrible. Or she believed she did mostly, cause she was without her make-up. Standing up she would head toward her little vanity she had, and came to sit down. Looking at the mirror, seeing her hair a tangle mess. "What did I do last night to get that type of bed head.." asking herself a bit. Shia would move to grab her brush first, and begun getting the tangles out of her hair. The soft wavy strands of hair begun to come together, and after she knew her hair was untangled. She set her brush down, and straighten to where she set it. A smile came to her lips. It was better she didn't look like a tangled mess now, and she would go about playing a light blush, eye-liner, eye-shadow that caused her mint green eyes to stand out. It was soon she appealed a light lip gloss, vanilla in flavor. Now she was going about collecting her clothing, on what she would where that day. It was Christmas after all, and she would soon come to find a blouse she wanted to wear. A deep blue sweater that hung off her shoulders, with a bit of white snowflakes upon the front. White straps of a tank-top was under it. What covered her lower half, was a black skirt that danced just about her knees. A look to be a bit modest? White calf high stockings, and black heels that strapped around her ankle lightly. A smile came to her lips as she was looking in the mirror, her hands upon her hips. "I look good." ok she boost herself sometimes. But it wouldn't take long she had open gifts from her parents, that were left upon her dresser. A blue velvet choker with a pearl that slightly hung from it. "Well mother had good taste." moving to put the choker on and smiled. Touching her fingers against the fabric. Forgetting about the other gifts for now, she could open them later that was for sure. Shia would head out of her room, and begun to head down the steps. Wanting to head off to get breakfast, yet her mind linger a bit. As she was glancing out the windows as she continued to walk. However as she stopped in one of the halls, she would move toward the window. Watching the fallen snow, there was a feeling that dwelled in her. She loved the snow like animals. It was what she tend to shift to, mostly when she could. Just the thought of the cold wind under the wings of her. She smirked.
22:42:48 Xan arched a brow, listening to her responses. Strong word? He thought it was the right one. Of course, he was working under the assumption that Luthor had informed her of how things stood at Hex for the Were community. But then, he had other things weighing his mind down this morning. Finally he shook his head with a somewhat world-weary smile and took her hand. His grasp was also firm, though not entirely gentle. It wouldn't be enough to hurt her, but he did have a strong grip, "Of course. Xander Blaze, Metamorphosis and Physical Education teacher here at Hex. You can call me Xander." He released her hand, "And I figured Luthor would have told you how things stand around here for the Were community. The weres here at Hex are all one pack. As the Metamorphosis teacher, I have to have my own authority over them in order to teach them to better control their shifting. If it was left to the simple matter of teacher and student, I'd never be able to teach them anything." He looked away over the pristine white fields, "And don't let me stop you from running. I just hope you don't mind company. I've got some things to settle in my own mind this morning." He'd received some news early that morning that had. . . unhinged him a little. The implications were more than a little frightening. He looked back at her, Well, if you're coming, come." He'd turn and start running at a steady jog. His morning runs weren't about speed or anything. Mostly it was to order his thoughts to the steady drumming of his heels onto the hard-packed snow. Unless Audrey joined him with questions, it's be a quiet run.
22:51:26 [Emri] As luck would have it, even with the experience of being quite the gift-digger, Emri couldn't find his gift. But it wasn't until he boldly flung a number of other gifts off to every side before he was prepared to admit defeat, and leave the scavenge for a time when the numbers were dwindled. Em! The nickname that is, surprisingly, only seized by a small number of close friends catches his ears, and he's aware that it is his Seer friend that's calling to him by the lure of her voice. Pushing back from the tree and diverting his attention to the very Mila, his amber eyes are lit with a sunny glow as he's pulled to both her, and Jake. To both of them he offers a very simple greeting, quirking his head up at the Were while slipping on the end of the triumvirate, Mila to his side. The allure a gift was simply too much. "For me?!" he exclaims in a manner that is jokingly reminiscient of a southern belle before he grabs it for his taking. Ripping apart the wrapping his eyes simultaneously lay across Mila and shift to a few other familiar faces, waiting, reading for signs of sabotage. In the end they don't seem to matter should they even be falsely worn, for soon he's managed the box and with an anxiousness to his hand that belonged more to a kid than someone of his age, he retrieves the jersey. "Great," he begins, whipping it around to and fro for a full inspection, "Now they're gonna know who kicked their ass." Even unaware of its wonderfully placed Hexes and Charms, he welcomes the gift into his posession, and before he can slip it on for sake of boasting the gift, Emri first turns to Mila and steals a kiss as thanks. "A shame I'll have to beat you wearing this," slips the remark before he pushes the box to either side and leans over the table, casting a gaze down past Mila to the were. "And what did you get me?" Nothing shy of a punch to his arm, he was sure.
23:05:05 Jake wouldn’t be sat alone for long, shortly joined by none other than the Crux Seer, Mila. The past month had been an entanglement of twisted turns of events, flirtatious exchanges, evolving into either tension or the much more favoured rough housed kisses. With velvet lips curved into that ever present Connolly grin, he announced heartily upon her appearance. “Merry Christmas.” Her company always welcomed, he leaned towards her and asked in a tone encompassed by charming suavity. “So Mila, have you been a nice girl this year, or naughty?” His cheeky question and accompanied nudge would be returned with one of her own, the rosy pink blush colouring porcelain skin had not gone unnoticed. Satisfied with her reaction, features sculpted to handsomely fit the smug expression he portrayed. The call from her lips, summoning their friend from his eager scavenging would greet the new arrival with the upnod they customarily granted one another. Brown hued gaze drifted from the parcel and to frantic hands which unwrapped the gift, revealing the jersey inside. Slyly his gaze would shift away, avoiding the thankful kiss, attentions seeking out the unfamiliar gifts which he had personally littered around the tree, alongside his usual prank mates, Charlie, Jer and of course Brax. Boys and girls of all years eyed the boxes suspiciously, holding them to their ears and shaking them, eventually succumbing to curiosity and ravaging the gift, only for a startled squeal to escape their lips. Screams would resound all around them, followed by awed stares and laughter. What was in the presents? Upon opening, clusters of sparks burst into the hall, whizzing around the room, shaping into all manners of Christmas fireworks. Several students ducked as a particularly large santa sleigh accompanied by the fatman and pulled along the sparkling reindeer, rushed overhead. Attention snapped back to the trio, the smirk did not shift as the question was asked. “What, Is my sunny disposition not enough?“ He didn’t have a gift for the pyro but as the guys often did, holiday drinks later would be shared. “Not a bad gift, maybe you should leave it in your room when we trounce you at Dball, wouldn’t want Mila dear’s efforts to go to waste now would we?“ Playful competition ever present amongst the houses, not going to waste on the trio.
23:08:03 Shia had looked over the snow, as she would smile. Those mint-green eyes would linger over the sky from the window. How tempting it was to just shift, and fly out the window toward the open sky. To feel the cold air, and make her feel so alive right then. But it was soon she felt a light grumble from her stomach. "Breakfast first, a flight later." reminding herself. Moving to make her way toward the Dining Hall, something to eat would be great. Her hand slide over her stomach a bit. Knowing very well, she could eat more then what her body showed. It was that shifter side of her, with the way she turn into a wolf. Lowering her hands down to her side, and went to make her way once more on that stroll. Those soft frost locks dancing against her cheeks, and that sweet smile was now returning as she would move toward the doors. Pushing a door open, she would make her way in. Her right hand would simple come up and brush those soft locks away from her face. A teasing a grin would come to her lips as well. Moving to get some food if there was some out, and sitting down. Her smooth legs crossing as she would pick at her food, as she was hungry but didn't want to rush it of course. Most likely she had came to see the others, but Shia had taken noticed of Jake, with two she didn't know that well. Emri and Mila, but she didn't care to make her presences known right off. To eat something for now. Trying to think on what she had plan for the day.
23:28:27 Mila felt a little uncomfortable seated between them, a definite flush rising to her cheeks as she announced the common, holiday greeting in the rushed clip of a pipsqueak. “Merry Christmas.” The label made it clear that she had been his Secret Santa while hers had been Chase. She wore the diamond necklace he had drawn from the ground specifically for her. She purred her response oddly, “Mhmmmm. But there's more to it. You'll figure it out when you wear it – might cheer you up, when I beat you.” The stolen kiss was returned a little awkwardly with their audience, but there was a definitely a soft, whimpered moan muffled against him, accompanied with a slight jerk of her body. She was surprised, to say the least. Then the girl dwindled off into silence, lettin the two talk about some - present, or something. Her mind was clearly elsewhere, eyes glazed and focused on the table in front of her.
23:37:33 [Emri] More to it? The idea perks his brows up in curiosity, and he briefly toys with the idea of probing her for more information. Perhaps some things were best kept a secret though. "We'll see about that," is all he manages before Jake has returned a quip in a manner that is all too familiar between the two of them. "Maybe when we break it in later I'll let you win – that'll be my gift to you, Jake." A few more shared laughs before it rather easily becomes apparent through the noise of squeeling students and gossiping teens that by their side, the dainty Seer has fallen into a brief lull of silence. Would he dare confront the elephant in the room? It had become apparent once again, based on previous situations as well, that she and Jake seemingly weren't comfortable around one another for some reason or the next. Instead, he offers the were a glance behind Mila's back, What's wrong her?
23:53:55 Jake watched the enchanted fireworks with amusement, the varying Christmas shaped images stubbornly soaring out of reach of would be aggressors, expertly manoeuvring around hanging decorations. Their life albeit brief and flamboyant would be short lived, a sour faced professor at the click of his fingers would silence the whizzing sparks of life, trickling out of the air into glitter clouds before dissipating. Attentions of students would be drawn back to their breakfast, gifts or friends, merriment filling the hall. Jake’s own struggling to keep anchored attention would fall back on to his own accompanying friends. The eerie behaviour of the Seer piqued his curiosity, perhaps excitement of the holiday becoming to much for the girl’s petite form to bare. “Why would I want your loss as a gift, when I can just take it from you myself.“ His brown gaze shifting from Emri and falling upon Mila’s own fair countenance during his announcement, before meeting his own eyes once more. Brimming with confidence, the back and forth between the two was always welcomed, a massage of the ego he never failed to take advantage of. Whilst all too familiar laughs fell upon them, Jake offered a wave to a familiar face, Shia the friend of his sisters, equally as troublesome. The expression upon the pyro’s face had conveyed his message perfectly, with feigned innocence he had not right to portray, he brought one arm up to scratch the back of his head, slyly drawing it around to perform drinking from an imaginary bottle. Looks like someone hit the eggnog a little early. “What mischief shall we get up to today?“ Breaking the growingly uncomfortable silence, it was that time again where the usual crowd and perhaps some unfamiliar faces got together and sought out mischief like only magically gifted students can.
00:12:57 Pixie , of late, has been less of a Pixie and more of a cave troll. Except to go for runs and smoke her clove cigarettes, the tiny girl has been uncharacteristically reclusive. Normally, she thrives on company and the pack mentality of togetherness, even in foul situations, but the Were has kept oddly to herself since the Yule Ball. That damned wintry prom… It was common knowledge that Pixie had not been able to earn enough good graces to have her detention lightened with the allowance to attend the festival, but the leather-and-boots spitfire had attempted to crash anyway. Even more common knowledge, unfortunately, is the debacle that ensued when Pixie attempted to steal away her latest heartthrob, that blonde Mer girl—only to be publicly rejected and humiliated. The very public interaction had ended with Pixie blacking the Tritus girl’s left eye. Perhaps the short lass feels remorse for her violent actions, or perhaps her pride is wounded to think there is anyone who would dare turn down her magical pussy-wiles—but Pixie’s spiky-haired head is hung low on her way into the Great Hall, hands buried deep in her coat pockets. The tiny Were aberrantly plops down at the end of the Arcadia table by herself, spitefully stealing all the bacon in sight from the other students.
21:34:13 Mila 's pained and awkward meeting with Izak had been brief. She had apologised, been surprised to find his acceptance and all the more confusing, was the embrace offered. A tear or two may have sneaked, but the girl kept from bawling – a little too shocked to find that he blamed himself. She refused to hear of his guilt, cutting in and expressing reassuringly that he wasn't to blame. Mila had been careless. The danger was her fault, and he couldn't be helped for his instinctive, Were reaction. Chase's support had helped her get on with things and though she may have guiltily avoided Izak since her apology, Mila did not hold the boy responsible. Now that it was Christmas, the sable-headed lass woke first in her room of Crux Sixth years. A rare occurrence, for the little sloth was often the last awake and a frenzied mass of flying hair as she ran back and forth in haste to prepare for her school days without tempting a tardiness detention. It's Christmas! An infectious grin and giggle escaped the Seer's lips and childishly, she climbed with limber excitement to her feet, in the bed. Flippantly forgetting to return her blankets to her room after sleeping at Chase's, she had waited until the next day to retrieve them. Now, with them in their proper placement they were tangled about her feet as she began to bounce. No, no, she was actually jumping. The noise and giggles likely woke the other girls in the dormitory – Trix among them. “It's Christmas, It's Christmasohmygoshit'schristmas.” All the more magical in England than Australia, for looking out the window – curtain pulled back then by her casting – was snow. “Rudolph the red nose rheindeer, had a very snowman friend. Frosttttyyy the snowman, all he wants for Christmas is you. Oh baabby, joy to the Institute, the somethin' it's Christmas! Get up!” Nothing could truly anchor her. She was a lively thing, hard to capture and endearing for the very fact. The kind of girl who would die young and never be forgotten. But, thoughts of her forethought and dreamed death were ignored. Mila's nightmarish predictions were dealt with in the only way she could. She made herself forget. Ignorance was bliss, and she forced herself to brush away any lingering pain and blame over Sydney. Lara daringly broke the rules and risked the wrath of both their coordinators (Xan, being hers) by sleeping the night beside Mila. Sometime earlier in the morning she rose – presumably to return to her dormitory with a hushed Merry Christmas to her best friend. Slumber still upon her, Mila had murmured a response and fallen back asleep. Done with her jumping, the femme tumbled from the bed, scampered from her room and to the bathrooms where she was singing again, another mash of holiday songs. She and Lara had agreed to wear the same Christmas ensemble they had donned the day of the candy-cane mishap. Short, scarlet dress with a flouncing skirt, and rimmed in white. Strapless, and only suitable to wear for the castle's casted hex to remain a comfortable temperature. Indoors, at least. Adorable ankle boots turned their outfits a little more adorable than simply provocative, with a bobble'topped hat on their heads, Santa's Little Helper badger on left breast, they were an endearing duo. Mila particularly, with the infectiously winning smile at her cherry-stained lips. It was common for everyone to congregate in the Hall Christmas morning, and a great festive dinner would be held later in the night. Some students left presents for their friends at their doors or snuck them to their rooms, but this 'un was amongst those who left them at the foot of the large tree beyond the head tables dais. There too, was Emri's Secret Santa gift. Many students had left off giving their's until Christmas, for the interruption of Mila and Izak's prank had intruded on the usual, Yule ball tradition. Flouncing into the Hall with truly indulgent excitement, she half ran to a festive breakfast and half wished to attend the tree and the presents.
21:36:33 Xan 's fingers toyed with the rubber bracelet around his wrist, a new addition this fine Christmas morning. He ran his thumb across the stainless steel cross that rested on the portion of the band that was on the outside of his wrist as he walked the halls of Hex. In his usual attire of an underarmor shirt and athletic shorts along with his running shoes, it was no secret that the cold failed to bother the Metamorphosis teacher. He headed outside and into the snow, enveloping himself in the warmth that the fur of his other form provided. Of course, he didn't break out in sleek black fur or anything, but he used the trait to get the desired result. It was a little complicated, but it worked because he believed it worked. That's a master shifter, for you. He headed down for the track, the usual place he went to clear his head. But he found that someone had already beaten him to his sanctuary. He saw the figure making its way around the track from a pretty long way off, his eyes changing from their usual brown to the gold of his other form. They shone in the morning light and he continued walking, his gaze honing in on the figure. When she turned the corner, for it was a she, he arched a brow and let his gaze go back to normal. He'd been informed of the woman by Luthor, though he had yet to speak with her. If she was going to join the pack, he knew that things would go down one of two ways. Either he would fight her and force her to recognize him as Alpha, or she would accept him without the need for a fight. One way or another, his confidence in his own abilities meant that he couldn't imagine a future in which he lost his status as Alpha of the school's pack. Maybe it was arrogant, but that's just who he was. He entered the gated track area and moved to stand off to one side, waiting for her to come around again. His scent would reach her one way or another, and it was a potent thing, his scent. She ought to recognize it. His scent had been building up all over Hex for the past nine years.
21:48:24 [Audrey`] Rounding the halfway point, she would push herself into a quicker pace, now nearly sprinting down the track with legs and arms pumping, muscles flexing as her jaw clenched, soft breaths moving in her nose and out past her pink lips. Her wolf was beginning to take over, and her own eyes turned into a pure gold as well, those flecks moving away from the pupil to encompass the entire colored part, and when she was on the verge of shifting, she smelled him. The scent hit her like a ton of bricks, right in the face as she came towards the last section of the rather long track. Her eyes fluttered open and she came to an abrupt stop, staring forward to see the man standing where she'd started, beside the oak tree which held her hoodie, which flew with the soft breeze. A few stray locks of her hair moved around her face. She'd smelled him all over the school, even having seen him here and there, but somehow she'd always tried to avoid him. Why? She wasn't sure. It was her wolf taking over, almost as if he repelled her. His scent was intriguing though. So she would start into a gentle jog again, reaching him in mere moments. The sweat gone from her frame, she shivered only slightly, not as strong a shifter as this man apparently. Though remaining still, she took the last few steps towards him in a walk, eyes appraising him. "So you're the one I've been smelling." She murmured softly, perking up a single brow as her hands found the slight bump of her hips, just below the slender curve of her waist. He was big, muscular. Certainly stronger than she was, but was he faster? The thought allowed the corners of her lips to turn upwards. Her eyes an odd combination of gold and caramel, she peered towards him, up mostly as her small, toned frame, was still no match to his height.
21:50:27 [Emri] Unlike the majority of the student-body (even his roommates seemed to have a tendency to burst to life that morning) Emri awoke, though at an appropriately early time, with a a hidden haste. He enjoyed the holidays - who didn't? - but no matter the occasion, he simply couldn't fight away the morning tiredness with the amount of vigor so enviously displayed by the closest of his friends. Nonetheless, there are laughs and smiles shared with his mates before the lot of them have cleared out, likely to head their seperate ways for the day. Emri heads down from the dorm rooms with a rather simple ensemble, one thats likely to get fancied up the longer the day goes on, consisting of a tank that was appropriately striped red and green, jeans, slim-fit and of a red hue that only a hipster would attempt to pull off, and a simple pair of shoes that had begun to wear down over the years. Slipping his way through the halls of the Institute he doesn't bother to hide the intentions that have begun to creep their way across his face in the form of a coy grin; before long he's nearing the grand Christmas tree, and sooner rather later, he plans on attacking the myriad of gifts placed around the base in an attempt to find his amongst the others. He was certain that he was bound to be the recipient of one of them, at least. Unless interrupted, it seemed breakfast was taking a backseat to indulging his curiosity.
22:05:36 [Jake] Christmas was here, the fated day that brought smiles to faces or in some case frowns to those that celebrated it. Jake was a member of the former, the infectious holiday cheer cementing curled lips into that trademark wicked smile. And just what had Hex’s resident playboy so occupied this holiday? A morning of gift opening of course, despite his behaviour putting him on Santa’s naughty list, it seemed someone shared a soft spot for the Were, good old reliable mum gifted him with assorted confectionaries, to soothe that stubborn sweetooth. A second gift, one which Jake wore proudly had been from his troublemaking sister, a Christmas shirt, red in colour and in snow white designs read. “Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal.” Accompanying his spirited shirt was a pair of navy blue jeans and sneakers, grateful that he did not have to wear the usually demanded uniform of the institute. Not all shared his particularly good mood this morning, room mates roused by his surprisingly early rising begged the question. “What has you in such a good mood?” A white toothed smirk accompanied his trouble-riddled reply. “It’s Christmas, get excited, should be an entertaining day.” Any reprieve from the monotony of school life was welcomed, even a school such as Hex, filled with magic did little to quell his boredom, an inkling into the reason behind his flirtatious pursuits and troublesome wiles. Bouncing down the hall, a saunter to his steps, he greeted and returned merry greetings to present carrying students of the Tritus house, unwrapping and rolling a vanilla and chocolate lollipop between his cheeks. The journey to the great hall for breakfast had been stopped by a single familiar face, a person? No, but a picture was what for the briefest moment brought solemn thoughts to his mirth. Rummaging in denim pockets, he drawn a single lollipop, placing it before the picture of the passed away student Sydney, it sat amongst the unopenedgifts of friends. A courteous nod of acknowledgement, seen by none was all he left the image with, payment of his respects. The cheer he awoke with hastily returned, for he was eager to see what the day would bring, and the reactions the gift openers would have upon seeing the pranksters latest feat. Pushing his way into the hall, although unlike the rest of the students, he had taken a seat at the breakfast table, waiting to be joined by friends upon collecting their gifts. Jake with the patience of a child had stolen his own gifts the night before, along with a few others who wanted to open their own gifts in the privacy of their rooms. Stealing away their presents had not been the only plot, more wrapped gifts from unnamed generous students would be found amongst the tree, each noticeable from the same rectangle box size and smiley face Christmas hat wearing wrapping paper. Just what was in them was certainly going to be a bang.
22:07:25 Xan watched the play of emotion of her features, enhancing his eyes to pick out all the minute details. His inner animal riled when he realized she was about to shift. And that was when she stopped. His head tilted slightly as she examined him from afar, and he did the same. He was gauging her abilities from her appearance. She would be a quick one, but he was undoubtedly the stronger. And no matter how quick she was, if she wanted to fight him for leadership of the pack, she would need to come up against the massive strength that he possessed. Otherwise, she would have to give in and accept him. He watched her take up her jog again and approach. He couldn't help but grin when her opening statement was just 'so you're the one I've been smelling'. Of course he was. He'd been at the place for nine years, and no amount of cleaner could get his scent out of everything he touched. He folded his arms over his chest, "Yes. I am. I've been meaning to have a conversation with you, Audrey. But I get the feeling you've been avoiding me. Didn't want to meet the Hex Alpha?" His phrasing was deliberate and careful. He didn't want to say 'your Alpha' and get her hackles up. The same went for 'the Alpha' and any number of other variations that might piss her off. A sign that he didn't automatically assume authority over the other weres here. Everyone was given the option to challenge him. Every last one of them knew it. Most were smart enough not to. The beast within was curious, and he allowed it to permeate his scent. His body language, however, remained confident, self-assured. It would alert her that it was just his animal that was curious.
22:16:43 [Audrey`] His grin was near contagious, though her own soft smirk remained on her face, hands still settled on her hips. At his comment, she pursed her lips, taking a step forward and then another back to shift her weight from foot to foot. "Avoid is a... strong word." She'd not known he was the Hex Alpha, so the words were truly news to her though her face remained neutral. Did she want to speak to him? Well, she didn't not want to speak to him. "I don't believe I follow your theory." Canting her head to the side, the slightest twinge of amusement would be found in her eye. She stood her own ground rather well, and snuffing slightly, her wolf was yearning to come out of its shell. It seemed to have something against this other wolf. Or some sort of connection between the two beings, whether it be positive or negative, was certainly present. Moving slowly to grab her hoodie, she slid it over her slender frame, now covered by the soft, warm fabric as she turned back to face him, fingers tugging her hair from the braid to leave soft waves in its place, hair now moving with the breeze as well. "I'm afraid while you may know my name, I seem to have... Overlooked yours." One corner of her lips turned upwards, a slanted smile was shot his direction. "However, a formal introduction, ah?" Holding out a small hand to the male. "I'm Audrey Rancourt. Most call me Aud. You may call me Audrey." All the while, warm hues gazed up at him. If he were to accept her handshake, her own would be firm yet gentle.
22:29:38 Mila spied both Emri and Jake along with countless of her other friends as they entered the Hall. Though these two both drew her immediate attention, she inwardly for an excited battle and resolved to head for the Elemental who sidled up amongst the cheery chaos at the tree. An excited little Miss, she refrained from instantly going for her own gifts and instead sequestered a certain, wrapped parcel – her present for her gifted, Em'. Inside the soft, paper in red print was a jersey. The same moisture wicking and design of a Durusball, short sleeved jersey. A Magnus shirt, in the red and black stripe each of the team had, emblem and name upon the front with Hayes and his number brandishing the back. It wasn't a regular shirt though, enchanted with an embellishment a little more eye-catching that the rest of the players might have. Names were not written on the back of the school's uniforms – so there was that. More importantly, was a unique little twist made to the jersey. Light, impenetrable armour that would protect against claws and bites and deflect missiles of various varieties. He would find himself immune to harm from any fire drawn mishap of his own, at least in his shirted area, and equally unhindered by frost thereabouts. Her favourite part? And the hardest for her to cast, was the faux flames. When he ran or moved, casted, and unheated fire would follow snake along the jersey. Were he to sprint, flame would flicker behind him. It was a fancy trick, and one that suited her Human Torch quite well, she thought. Mila hoped he liked it. Clutching this, and rather than hunting him down she seated herself at the table beside Jake and called her friend who was a boy, who was a boy that she kissed sometimes, over. “Em!” On the package sitting in front of her was a label that simply read To:Emri. From: Your Secret Santa ? If he eventually joined the two she would pass it over with an impish smile. Meanwhile, she grew a little rigid – awkward, presumably because of her strange history with Jake. Heavy lidded eyes glanced in an almost pained fashion to him, then she was biting her lip, shaking her head and looking away. Mila may have even nudged him.
22:30:31 Shia 's body twisted lightly against the soft blue sheets she had, twisted around her legs. Only simply covered in a pair of boxer shrots and a push-up tank-top curving to her frame. Mumbling as she would, it was the moment she realizing she was waking up to a morning of snow white. And her eyes fluttering open and close a few times... Christmas. It was here already, she swore it had snuck up on her. For she hadn't shopped or anything really. She would of gotten gift for those around her in her same house perhaps. Groaning as she wanted to shield her mint green eyes from the light. "Someone had to open the blinds in this room didn't they.." she grumble. Soon she would move to try and untangle her legs from the sheets. A sigh touched her lips, and sitting up. Running her fingers through her frost locks. Got she hated mornings, cause she looked terrible. Or she believed she did mostly, cause she was without her make-up. Standing up she would head toward her little vanity she had, and came to sit down. Looking at the mirror, seeing her hair a tangle mess. "What did I do last night to get that type of bed head.." asking herself a bit. Shia would move to grab her brush first, and begun getting the tangles out of her hair. The soft wavy strands of hair begun to come together, and after she knew her hair was untangled. She set her brush down, and straighten to where she set it. A smile came to her lips. It was better she didn't look like a tangled mess now, and she would go about playing a light blush, eye-liner, eye-shadow that caused her mint green eyes to stand out. It was soon she appealed a light lip gloss, vanilla in flavor. Now she was going about collecting her clothing, on what she would where that day. It was Christmas after all, and she would soon come to find a blouse she wanted to wear. A deep blue sweater that hung off her shoulders, with a bit of white snowflakes upon the front. White straps of a tank-top was under it. What covered her lower half, was a black skirt that danced just about her knees. A look to be a bit modest? White calf high stockings, and black heels that strapped around her ankle lightly. A smile came to her lips as she was looking in the mirror, her hands upon her hips. "I look good." ok she boost herself sometimes. But it wouldn't take long she had open gifts from her parents, that were left upon her dresser. A blue velvet choker with a pearl that slightly hung from it. "Well mother had good taste." moving to put the choker on and smiled. Touching her fingers against the fabric. Forgetting about the other gifts for now, she could open them later that was for sure. Shia would head out of her room, and begun to head down the steps. Wanting to head off to get breakfast, yet her mind linger a bit. As she was glancing out the windows as she continued to walk. However as she stopped in one of the halls, she would move toward the window. Watching the fallen snow, there was a feeling that dwelled in her. She loved the snow like animals. It was what she tend to shift to, mostly when she could. Just the thought of the cold wind under the wings of her. She smirked.
22:42:48 Xan arched a brow, listening to her responses. Strong word? He thought it was the right one. Of course, he was working under the assumption that Luthor had informed her of how things stood at Hex for the Were community. But then, he had other things weighing his mind down this morning. Finally he shook his head with a somewhat world-weary smile and took her hand. His grasp was also firm, though not entirely gentle. It wouldn't be enough to hurt her, but he did have a strong grip, "Of course. Xander Blaze, Metamorphosis and Physical Education teacher here at Hex. You can call me Xander." He released her hand, "And I figured Luthor would have told you how things stand around here for the Were community. The weres here at Hex are all one pack. As the Metamorphosis teacher, I have to have my own authority over them in order to teach them to better control their shifting. If it was left to the simple matter of teacher and student, I'd never be able to teach them anything." He looked away over the pristine white fields, "And don't let me stop you from running. I just hope you don't mind company. I've got some things to settle in my own mind this morning." He'd received some news early that morning that had. . . unhinged him a little. The implications were more than a little frightening. He looked back at her, Well, if you're coming, come." He'd turn and start running at a steady jog. His morning runs weren't about speed or anything. Mostly it was to order his thoughts to the steady drumming of his heels onto the hard-packed snow. Unless Audrey joined him with questions, it's be a quiet run.
22:51:26 [Emri] As luck would have it, even with the experience of being quite the gift-digger, Emri couldn't find his gift. But it wasn't until he boldly flung a number of other gifts off to every side before he was prepared to admit defeat, and leave the scavenge for a time when the numbers were dwindled. Em! The nickname that is, surprisingly, only seized by a small number of close friends catches his ears, and he's aware that it is his Seer friend that's calling to him by the lure of her voice. Pushing back from the tree and diverting his attention to the very Mila, his amber eyes are lit with a sunny glow as he's pulled to both her, and Jake. To both of them he offers a very simple greeting, quirking his head up at the Were while slipping on the end of the triumvirate, Mila to his side. The allure a gift was simply too much. "For me?!" he exclaims in a manner that is jokingly reminiscient of a southern belle before he grabs it for his taking. Ripping apart the wrapping his eyes simultaneously lay across Mila and shift to a few other familiar faces, waiting, reading for signs of sabotage. In the end they don't seem to matter should they even be falsely worn, for soon he's managed the box and with an anxiousness to his hand that belonged more to a kid than someone of his age, he retrieves the jersey. "Great," he begins, whipping it around to and fro for a full inspection, "Now they're gonna know who kicked their ass." Even unaware of its wonderfully placed Hexes and Charms, he welcomes the gift into his posession, and before he can slip it on for sake of boasting the gift, Emri first turns to Mila and steals a kiss as thanks. "A shame I'll have to beat you wearing this," slips the remark before he pushes the box to either side and leans over the table, casting a gaze down past Mila to the were. "And what did you get me?" Nothing shy of a punch to his arm, he was sure.
23:05:05 Jake wouldn’t be sat alone for long, shortly joined by none other than the Crux Seer, Mila. The past month had been an entanglement of twisted turns of events, flirtatious exchanges, evolving into either tension or the much more favoured rough housed kisses. With velvet lips curved into that ever present Connolly grin, he announced heartily upon her appearance. “Merry Christmas.” Her company always welcomed, he leaned towards her and asked in a tone encompassed by charming suavity. “So Mila, have you been a nice girl this year, or naughty?” His cheeky question and accompanied nudge would be returned with one of her own, the rosy pink blush colouring porcelain skin had not gone unnoticed. Satisfied with her reaction, features sculpted to handsomely fit the smug expression he portrayed. The call from her lips, summoning their friend from his eager scavenging would greet the new arrival with the upnod they customarily granted one another. Brown hued gaze drifted from the parcel and to frantic hands which unwrapped the gift, revealing the jersey inside. Slyly his gaze would shift away, avoiding the thankful kiss, attentions seeking out the unfamiliar gifts which he had personally littered around the tree, alongside his usual prank mates, Charlie, Jer and of course Brax. Boys and girls of all years eyed the boxes suspiciously, holding them to their ears and shaking them, eventually succumbing to curiosity and ravaging the gift, only for a startled squeal to escape their lips. Screams would resound all around them, followed by awed stares and laughter. What was in the presents? Upon opening, clusters of sparks burst into the hall, whizzing around the room, shaping into all manners of Christmas fireworks. Several students ducked as a particularly large santa sleigh accompanied by the fatman and pulled along the sparkling reindeer, rushed overhead. Attention snapped back to the trio, the smirk did not shift as the question was asked. “What, Is my sunny disposition not enough?“ He didn’t have a gift for the pyro but as the guys often did, holiday drinks later would be shared. “Not a bad gift, maybe you should leave it in your room when we trounce you at Dball, wouldn’t want Mila dear’s efforts to go to waste now would we?“ Playful competition ever present amongst the houses, not going to waste on the trio.
23:08:03 Shia had looked over the snow, as she would smile. Those mint-green eyes would linger over the sky from the window. How tempting it was to just shift, and fly out the window toward the open sky. To feel the cold air, and make her feel so alive right then. But it was soon she felt a light grumble from her stomach. "Breakfast first, a flight later." reminding herself. Moving to make her way toward the Dining Hall, something to eat would be great. Her hand slide over her stomach a bit. Knowing very well, she could eat more then what her body showed. It was that shifter side of her, with the way she turn into a wolf. Lowering her hands down to her side, and went to make her way once more on that stroll. Those soft frost locks dancing against her cheeks, and that sweet smile was now returning as she would move toward the doors. Pushing a door open, she would make her way in. Her right hand would simple come up and brush those soft locks away from her face. A teasing a grin would come to her lips as well. Moving to get some food if there was some out, and sitting down. Her smooth legs crossing as she would pick at her food, as she was hungry but didn't want to rush it of course. Most likely she had came to see the others, but Shia had taken noticed of Jake, with two she didn't know that well. Emri and Mila, but she didn't care to make her presences known right off. To eat something for now. Trying to think on what she had plan for the day.
23:28:27 Mila felt a little uncomfortable seated between them, a definite flush rising to her cheeks as she announced the common, holiday greeting in the rushed clip of a pipsqueak. “Merry Christmas.” The label made it clear that she had been his Secret Santa while hers had been Chase. She wore the diamond necklace he had drawn from the ground specifically for her. She purred her response oddly, “Mhmmmm. But there's more to it. You'll figure it out when you wear it – might cheer you up, when I beat you.” The stolen kiss was returned a little awkwardly with their audience, but there was a definitely a soft, whimpered moan muffled against him, accompanied with a slight jerk of her body. She was surprised, to say the least. Then the girl dwindled off into silence, lettin the two talk about some - present, or something. Her mind was clearly elsewhere, eyes glazed and focused on the table in front of her.
23:37:33 [Emri] More to it? The idea perks his brows up in curiosity, and he briefly toys with the idea of probing her for more information. Perhaps some things were best kept a secret though. "We'll see about that," is all he manages before Jake has returned a quip in a manner that is all too familiar between the two of them. "Maybe when we break it in later I'll let you win – that'll be my gift to you, Jake." A few more shared laughs before it rather easily becomes apparent through the noise of squeeling students and gossiping teens that by their side, the dainty Seer has fallen into a brief lull of silence. Would he dare confront the elephant in the room? It had become apparent once again, based on previous situations as well, that she and Jake seemingly weren't comfortable around one another for some reason or the next. Instead, he offers the were a glance behind Mila's back, What's wrong her?
23:53:55 Jake watched the enchanted fireworks with amusement, the varying Christmas shaped images stubbornly soaring out of reach of would be aggressors, expertly manoeuvring around hanging decorations. Their life albeit brief and flamboyant would be short lived, a sour faced professor at the click of his fingers would silence the whizzing sparks of life, trickling out of the air into glitter clouds before dissipating. Attentions of students would be drawn back to their breakfast, gifts or friends, merriment filling the hall. Jake’s own struggling to keep anchored attention would fall back on to his own accompanying friends. The eerie behaviour of the Seer piqued his curiosity, perhaps excitement of the holiday becoming to much for the girl’s petite form to bare. “Why would I want your loss as a gift, when I can just take it from you myself.“ His brown gaze shifting from Emri and falling upon Mila’s own fair countenance during his announcement, before meeting his own eyes once more. Brimming with confidence, the back and forth between the two was always welcomed, a massage of the ego he never failed to take advantage of. Whilst all too familiar laughs fell upon them, Jake offered a wave to a familiar face, Shia the friend of his sisters, equally as troublesome. The expression upon the pyro’s face had conveyed his message perfectly, with feigned innocence he had not right to portray, he brought one arm up to scratch the back of his head, slyly drawing it around to perform drinking from an imaginary bottle. Looks like someone hit the eggnog a little early. “What mischief shall we get up to today?“ Breaking the growingly uncomfortable silence, it was that time again where the usual crowd and perhaps some unfamiliar faces got together and sought out mischief like only magically gifted students can.
00:12:57 Pixie , of late, has been less of a Pixie and more of a cave troll. Except to go for runs and smoke her clove cigarettes, the tiny girl has been uncharacteristically reclusive. Normally, she thrives on company and the pack mentality of togetherness, even in foul situations, but the Were has kept oddly to herself since the Yule Ball. That damned wintry prom… It was common knowledge that Pixie had not been able to earn enough good graces to have her detention lightened with the allowance to attend the festival, but the leather-and-boots spitfire had attempted to crash anyway. Even more common knowledge, unfortunately, is the debacle that ensued when Pixie attempted to steal away her latest heartthrob, that blonde Mer girl—only to be publicly rejected and humiliated. The very public interaction had ended with Pixie blacking the Tritus girl’s left eye. Perhaps the short lass feels remorse for her violent actions, or perhaps her pride is wounded to think there is anyone who would dare turn down her magical pussy-wiles—but Pixie’s spiky-haired head is hung low on her way into the Great Hall, hands buried deep in her coat pockets. The tiny Were aberrantly plops down at the end of the Arcadia table by herself, spitefully stealing all the bacon in sight from the other students.
