A Stormy Arrival (Heidi)

[Heidi Valentine]

Heidi felt her eyes flutter shut for a moment as she focused more on trying to control her breathing. And hopefully calm down. Her heart was slowly yet surely returning to some state of normalcy, which meant her lungs didn't have to work so hard to supply the organ anymore - leading to a decrease in her breathing. Sucking in one final puff of air that tasted mildly of coffee and hot chocolate, the girl exhaled through her nose slowly, practicing a method she used to calm herself down whenever she had to get over just coming out of some form of lightlessness. Stable, and mildly content, she opened one eye first to see if the dimly lit room was still okay, then gradually pried the other one open. Checking above, she looked for any other signs of flickering, but saw none. Thank goodness.

Remembering she wasn't alone in the room, Heidi slowly brought her chin back down from it's high point to find Jordan almost.. staring at her? She blinked, and assuming it had to do with her brief 'meditation' moment, Heidi felt heat push to her cheeks as they flushed a very light shade of pink in embarrassment. She hated feeling vulnerable, even when it came to being afraid of things, and not often had anyone at the school witnessed her... involuntary reaction to the dark. Not like she was one to go flaunting it around anyways. Silently thanking the poorly lit room for hiding most details, the pink had faded just as quickly as it had come, and she decided that she couldn't blame him for staring at such an odd procedure. Hell, she would have done the same had she seen someone else do it no doubt. If that was in fact what he was staring for.

Pushing the thought aside and sweeping it under her mental carpet with a broom, Jordan cut in. “Are you alright?” he asked with a frown, only furthering her hypothesis on what he'd been staring for. Or perhaps he had noticed the effects on lighting differences on her? Trying to salvage the fun, bubbly Heidi that was crouching in fear in a corner somewhere, her head nodded quickly in short, choppy up and down notions. "Y-yeah, yeah I'm solid," came the response, the dear shifter trying to summon back up her courage from deep within. She gave an attempt at a reassuring grin, thoroughly appreciating the concerned he showed. “Um, do you want some more hot chocolate? The kettle’s probably gotten cold by now, but I could put it back on for you.” Heidi opened her mouth to object, but only slipped it into an airy laugh as she watched Jordan get up and fiddle around anyways, response or no response.

"Actually, that would be.. awesome right now." Looking down at her mug, she realized that there was still a sip left. Twirling her legs around in the seat, she shifted so that she was sitting sideways, her left elbow by the table so that she could talk to Jordan easier. Bringing the mug with her, she looked up at him with one of her usual grins at his next sentence. “So. . . You think your friends could put up with me?” The idea of him meeting some of her other friends brought on a false sense of security; as if there hadn't been a blackout, as if there wasn't a hurricane going on outside, and as if she wasn't still drying from the rain. Something about it just positively thrilled her to the bone, and it showed on her face. "Oh I'm positively sure they'll love you! Just wait until you meet-"

Lights off.
Happy time over.

Heidi froze much like a deer in headlights, losing her grip on the mug as the happy hippo slipped, slipped, wavered, then crazed to the tile with a shattering sound. Her hand didn't move, though, that was holding the mug steady previously. The first sensation she recognized was coldness. Something bitter, and chilly as the fear crept back into her body. This time much more intensified. Instincts told her that those lights were not coming back on anytime soon -- considering the lights from the hall had gone dark too. Heidi felt like she had cold feet, and within seconds, the hand that had been frozen in the air started to quiver. Irises were wide as she eagerly scanned the dark room, color fading from her face as she looked for something - anything - in the pitch blackness. Nothing.

Here and there the lightning would strike, lighting up the room for only a few seconds at a time. And each time it did, her eyes hungrily leapt onto anything and everything it could that was lit up, grasping onto it as a temporary shelter. The minute the light faded, though, and the darkness crept in, she shrank back into herself and only fed her panic. Pulling her feet into the chair slowly, the auburn-like colored student hugged her knees tightly to her chest, arms wrapping around it while her heart thrashed against her ribs and chest like a caged animal begging to be free. She could hear it in her ears, it's pace quickening as the darkness prolonged. In a small, meek voice hardly above a whisper and beside herself; distanced, "..Jordan..?"

TAGG? Jordan
WORDS? 892
NOTES? Yess! Bring on the blackout!
CREDIT? hey it's SHMEY ! @ caution 2.0

[Jordan Pierce]

"Oh I'm positively sure they'll love you!” He smiled softly. It sounded like that had worked. It defiantly seemed more natural for her to happy. Though he wasn’t really sure what there was for her friends to love, but he’d give her the benefit of the doubt. "Just wait until you meet-"

The lights went out. Out out. Jordan froze, his fear bringing up a surprisingly clear mental map of the room. His heart had switched into overdrive and he desperately wanted to run for the door. Out! Out! He wanted out! But there was nowhere to go; he wouldn’t be able to handle that storm. He needed to calm down and think. First things first: what do you do first when the power goes out? Turn of anything that may cause a fire either now or when the power eventually returns. His hand was on the coffeemaker so he felt for the switch. Hand on the counter, he felt for heater the kettle was on before turning that off as well. The crash behind him made him jump and whirl around. Lord, she was still here too! Based off her reaction to brief black out before, she was probably in much worse shape. “Heidi? Are you alright?” He asked, heading back toward her and purposely shuffling his feet, both to let her know where he was and to keep from stepping on glass.

“..Jordan..?”

Not good. She defiantly sounded freaked out. His searching hand hit her head and he winced. “Sorry! I’m here.” He said, managing to find her shoulder in the next flash of lightning. “Sit tight, I think I can get some light, alright?” he said before shuffling over to his bags. He’d have to try and find the one he wanted based on touch alone, which wouldn’t be easy. Feeling down the bags, he opened one and started digging through it. Nope, it wasn’t in with his clothes. Pulling out of that one he unzipped the next one and smiled. This should be the right one... yes, he felt the box he wanted. Yanking it out and rummaging through all of his ‘treasures’ his fingers finally landed on what he was searching for. A silver zippo lighter he had gotten some time ago. Flicking it open and igniting the flame illuminated his face and a small area around him. “It isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing.” He said, making his way back over to her and taking her hand in an attempt to comfort her. She could always pull away if she didn’t like it. “Is there somewhere we could go that might still have lights?” he asked as he kicked the glass away from her feet.

[Heidi Valentine]

Sounds were amplified in the dark, sounding like someone had set up speakers and turned the volume up all the way in an empty room. The downpour of rain outside was hectic, those huge globs of cold water repeatedly punching and smacking the building unforgivingly over and over again with the cyclone-like air currents outside added to the force and aiding in the attack. The sound was almost deafening, but they weren't the only ones she could hear. When frightened, most people's senses tended to come more-so alive than they would normally due to the adrenaline rush their bodies were going through. And due to this her canine hearing detected a creak in the woods just outside of the school, a tree from the sounds of it. It groaned and quivered under the weight of the wind and rain, bending against it's natural flow. Eventually, unable to hold it's own much longer, she heard the trunk snap and send the upper half sailing off somewhere into the woods.

This was no level one hurricane, Heidi realized. This was more along a five; a pretty damn strong five at that. There were sounds inside going on as well however, which both frightened and comforted her at the same time. Sounds meant that she wasn't alone, knowing that Jordan was somewhere nearby. They also meant that just because of the sounds... didn't mean they were coming from him. The reasonable side of Heidi's mind tried to beg with her and reason her into thinking that the chances of someone else other than herself and the other student being in the room with them at this moment was slim; very slim. The fear said otherwise, though.

Sounds of light clicks and flicked followed after smooth thuds, as if someone's hand had been feeling around on the counter. Hoping this to be Jordan and not some imaginary person her mind had worked up, hazel eyes fled to where she figured the counter to be, her poor eyesight in darkness not aiding any. She might as well have been looking through a black hole, considering canine's couldn't see hardly at all in the dark as it was. Then, the sounds of footsteps scuffling along the tile came to her ears, growing gradually louder as the body doing it came closer and closer. Heidi was sure her heart was going to seize up in her chest as her eyes grew wide in anticipation. Please be Jordan, she hoped desperately in her mind, unable to take the surprise of anyone else had there been someone in the cafeteria. Please be Jordan...

“Heidi? Are you alright?”

The collie girl sighed a great deal of relief, realizing she had been holding her breath for the duration of the few seconds that had passed by. Relieved it was he who was coming closer, Heidi lifted her head off of her arms and knees as she anxiously waited for him to make it back to the table. Unable to work up a full sentence just yet, she started to nod her head in an answer until she remembered... they were in the dark. He wouldn't be able to see it. Lips started to part as some sort of a response was being summoned up, until she felt his hand lightly, but surprisingly, knock against her head. “Sorry! I’m here.” It didn't hurt, but it sure as hell only fed her jitters more as she let out a squeak in surprise, flinching from the contact. "Yeah.. I'm okay," she mustered up and out as a reply, not wanting to frighten him with the silence that begged her to submit to. "Still breathing," a mock smile played on her face for a second until she felt his hand place down over her shoulder.

The touch was simple action, but it meant so much more than just 'contact' to the fearful collie. It meant to her that someone was here; someone she knew, more or less, and that she wasn't alone in the dark, heartless room by herself. Being alone and in the dark? No, no way she'd be able to handle that. Both fears colliding into one only promised of a mental breakdown. Hearing the sound of stray pieces of glass and ceramic skid across the floor then, Heidi gasped as she realized this to be her hippo mug shattered across the floor. "Oh my god.. my mug! I'm so sorry, you didn't cut yourself on it did you?" she felt a small sliver of her courage start to seep back into her body, alarmed at the thought of her new friend being harmed over a careless act done by herself as concern was clearly shown on her tone.

“Sit tight, I think I can get some light, alright?” Light! He had light? Excited, she listened to his muffled trail grow increasingly further away, back to his luggage she figured. Would he be able to find it in all this.. this darkness, she wondered? Heidi heard bags unzip, and items ruffled around and flipped about. Hope enslaved her heart as she waited deliriously for this light to appear, to shine through all this darkness. “It isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing.” And there it was! A lighter, flickering delicately in his hand as it came ever closer back to her side of the table, bringing with it the faint glow of objects around it and it's holder; Jordan. She nearly choked on her words as a hopeful, yet still cautious, smile plastered her face. "Are you kidding me? That's... that's perfect!" And given the situation they were in, she couldn't have asked for better.

The little flame illuminated her face some as she felt his hand close down around her own, that sense of security closing around her shaking hand and making it still. Heidi couldn't have been more grateful for his presence than she was right then and there, musing in her mind about how the tables had turned when it came to who was saving whom this time. “Is there somewhere we could go that might still have lights?” Her brain worked furiously in her mind as she tried to think of places and rooms in the school. It was late, so most of the lights in the school would be off anyways. Though.. there was one place. Yes, yes one place that always seemed to glow with light, power or no power. "The library, I think, would be our best bet." she answered back, looking up to him and holding onto that light as much as she could. "They keep candles lit at night everywhere in there, so that late night readers can come and at least find a book to bring back to their room. It's not enough light to read in but.. it's more than enough to see in."

She grinned as the plan formulated in her mind, the library suddenly forming from just a place to read to a sudden sanctuary; a haven from the storm and darkness. "This way!" she pipped up suddenly, giving his hand a light squeeze as she dragged herself off of the chair, and carefully picked her way around the few pieces of the glass that were still on the ground. Guiding them out of the room quickly, eager to leave the vast emptiness, Heidi held on to Jordan's hand, not ready to let go just yet. The light from his lighter flickered down the halls as they walked and cast an eerie glow around them and off the walls. This didn't bother her so much; so long as there was light, she was okay. Twisting down another hall, Heidi thanked her lucky stars for the library being so close as she pressed against the door and held it open for them both to slip into.

The room it's self seemed to be alive with all the various sized candles decorated throughout. It seemed ironic to light candles up in a library, where there were perfectly flammable books to burn, but each candle had a rounded top over the flame like a fishbowl, only open at the top so that it didn't smother it's self out. Stepping into the glowing room of six floors, Heidi motioned towards one of the comfy library couches they offered to students and staff towards the middle of the room. Heads turned as she realized they weren't alone; it looked like some of the other students had fled to the library as well. There weren't a lot of them, however, but a small pocketful none the less. Letting go of his hand only when she finally made it to the sinfully comfortable sofa, her back sank into the material appreciatively as her nerves were soothed. She let out a short sigh with half a chuckle, grinning up towards him.

"Bet'cha didn't expect to get a tour of the school this way, huh?" she mused.

TAGG? Jordan
WORDS? 1489
NOTES? Whewww that's a long one! Think I broke a record personal record lol!
CREDIT? hey it's SHMEY ! @ caution 2.0

[Jordan Pierce]

Jordan winced again when she squeaked after he bonked her on the head. "Yeah.. I'm okay," she said after a short pause. He was glad she seemed to calm, even if it was only slightly, from the touch to her shoulder. "Oh my god.. my mug! I'm so sorry, you didn't cut yourself on it did you?"

He shook his head, despite Heidi being unable to see it. ”No, I’m fine. Just make sure you don’t manage to find a slice.” At least she sounded a bit more like herself. She seemed to be holding up fairly well considering. He couldn’t help but smile back at her when he returned with the lighter. Heidi’s fear was, quite possibly, the scariest part of this whole ordeal. This might stem from that fact that he for some reason felt responsible for her while she was like this and he had never been responsible for another living thing; aside from himself. Come to think of it, he couldn’t recall holding someone’s hand before either. Perhaps his nanny’s when he was younger, but certainly no one recently. But it seemed to be helping calm Heidi. That and the flame from the lighter, of course. With both hand occupied, it made it a bit difficult to hold onto his treasure box. He had just tucked it under his arm in his rush to get back to her. Now one hand held the lighter and the other her warm hand.

"The library, I think, would be our best bet." Jordan perked up a bit at that. They’d still be trapped indoors, but at least there’d be plenty of things there to keep him distracted. Although he’d never read by candle light before. Flashlight, yes, but not candle light. “Sounds good to me.” he said with a nod.

A grin started to spread across her face and he was glad to see it. Between cheerful and scared, he defiantly preferred her cheerful. Then she suddenly declared ”This way!” and started pulling him from the room.

“Ack!” he sounded as he nearly stumbled and almost lost the box under his arm. Now that there was at least a little light, Heidi seemed to have regained herself. Jordan bit his lip and looked back as they passed under the cafeteria entrance. They were leaving his luggage. Sure, he had his treasures with him, but his jewelry was in a separate box still buried in one of the bags. But, Heidi seemed to be getting her energy back and he couldn’t blame her for wanting to get out of there. The luggage would only slow down their escape, and what were the chances of someone coming across it in the dark and finding his jewelry box? He’d come back and get them when the lights returned, or at least once Heidi was settled.

They entered the library and Jordan temporarily forgot about his luggage. The room was huge and the light of the many candles made it seem even vaster. He didn’t notice much else, to busy trying to spot the edges of the room (and other possible exits,) until he felt Heidi let of his hand. He blinked and looked at the area around him. They were closer to the center of the room now, and surrounded by chairs and couches; some of them occupied.

"Bet'cha didn't expect to get a tour of the school this way, huh?" He looked down at her smiling face and couldn’t help but return it.

“No, not exactly.” he said. Deeming his clothes dry enough to not damage the fabric, he closed the lighter and sat down beside her, opening the box and placing the lighter back inside. The box held a multitude of small and shiny odds and ends. Jordan’s head tilted to the side as he watched the way the random objects caught the candle light.

[Heidi Valentine]

The library instantly calmed her fears, the amount of candle light doing wonders for her nerves. The concern in Jordan's voice was soothing, and she'd even managed to catch a couple of smiles here and there from him. It seemed like he was loosening up too, despite their situation. Nestling into the couch, Heidi leaned her head back and sighed gratefully, exposing her neck as freckled face and finally dried hair looked up towards the candle-lit chandelier. It truly was beautiful, all the little flames dancing around on their respective wicks and throwing shadows around, sort of like little lightning bugs. Just as this thought buzzed her mind, the lightning outside seemed to read her mind as it gave a quick appearance out one of the few windows from higher up on the floors. This was disregarded, though, as a happy smile took over her lips, eyes closing momentarily.

It wasn't totally silent in the library. Although the computers weren't on, students were still scattered about here and there talking at a low hum to their peers, the tone in some of their voices sounding a little afraid or worried, while others didn't seem to be phased at all. Sensitive ears picked up on all of this as her heart rate started to go back down to normal, the abuse it was putting on her rib cage finally coming to an end. At least for now. Without opening her eyes, Heidi pulled her knees up and her legs onto the couch, hugging them close to her chest again. This time, though, not in fear. In comfort. Arms hung loosely around the top of her knees as she focused on breathing in and out slowly in a calm, controlled fashion. Safe. She was safe now. No darkness was nearby with these candles around.

Forgetting she wasn't alone, Heidi pried an eye open as she heard the clink of metal hitting some other unrecognizable material, and saw that Jordan was putting away his lighter in a box she hadn't noticed was there before. Huh. What was that? She craned her neck back down and opened her other eye, a look of curiosity he was probably able to spot by now taking place of the smile. "Treasure box?" she guessed, hearing a variety of sorts and other ends jingle around a little inside as the heroic lighter was jostled about. Curious now more than ever, she shifted so that she was facing him this time, instead of just beside him. Curling her legs up under her and sitting on them, she placed her hands on her lap and beamed up at him, different ideas of what they could be swarming her mind. "Let me guess," she quickly added, unable to keep it all in her head.

"Your dad was a pirate, and before you were sent here by.. your Aunt, was it?" she questioned, continuing on without a reply, "He gave you all his best pirate booty for safe keeping?" she could help but laugh at her own ridiculousness, clearly the hype of the day getting to her as she shook her head. Heidi resumed back into her 'smile' mode, still beaming as she gave an eager wiggle on the couch, seeming to forget the day's events. "Or is it one of those 'If I tell you, I have to kill you' kind of things?" She gave a mock little gasp then, her mouth opening some while her eyes widened in mock surprise. "Promise I can keep a secret?" she half begged, her subconscious looking for anything to distract her from what they'd just escaped from.

TAGG? Jordan
WORDS? 603
NOTES? Short, sorry D: Was rushin to get you a post.
CREDIT? hey it's SHMEY ! @ caution 2.0

[Jordan Pierce]

Jordan looked up at her when she inquired about the box and instinctively held it a bit closer. It was irrational for him to think she'd steal it, but he himself was often hit with the uncontrollable impulse to snatch up something shiny, just to look at it. He was afraid she might be effect by the same type of urges and he wasn't sure he felt that close to her yet.

"Let me guess." He raised an eyebrow at this. Heidi deviantly seemed to be feeling better now that they were surrounded by the soft glow of the flickering candles. Even the storm seemed somewhat muted here in the library. But what exactly was she going to guess? She'd already figured out that it was a treasure box, what more was there to know? As she started babbling on his father and pirate booty, he couldn't help but crack up a bit. It started with a snort at the very idea of his Father being anything close to a pirate. Then his shoulders started to shake as rarely used laughter began bubbling up at the mental image. His usually stern faced father in a pirate hat with and eye patch and peg-leg. Wearing some dirty black and white striped shirt with some uneven pants and shouting 'Arr Matey!' Hell, he could even be his stand-in parrot, squawking 'Nevermore' instead of 'Polly wants a Cracker!'

His laughter seemed to echo in the large, quiet room but he didn't seem to notice. He hugged the box closer but only in an attempt to hug his sides. He couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed like this, or indeed if he had ever. He finally took a big gulp of air and managed to calm down enough to speak. "Yes, yes that's exactly it!" He said, still chuckling and wiping a tear from his eye. "Ray Pierce, Terror of the Seven Seas! Became the richest man in the world only to lose his son to a polar bear in a poker game. Now that you know the secret, she'll have to come eat you."

Taking a few more deep breaths, he managed to calm down, but couldn't get the grin off his face and was in danger of falling into a fit of unmanly giggles if he thought about his pirate-father again. "No, my father is actually a big shot at some software company. These are just some random things I've collected over the years." He plucked up the courage to tilt it enough that she could see the contents. Aside from the lighter there were several different marbles, a thimble or two, a handful of colorful paper clips, some old coins, different colored buttons and stones, a few crystals and a prism. Taped to the underside of the lid was a picture of a dark haired man standing next to an obviously pregnant woman with light brown hair. "I have another box full of jewelry back with my luggage."

[Heidi Valentine]

Despite her eagerness, Heidi didn't miss the jerk that Jordan had made when she first brought his little box to attention, watching as his muscles flexed ever so slightly to hug it closer to his body. Safe keeping she assumed. She felt a little guilty for bringing it up to begin with, and so to give him a little more space as she was no doubt probably poking on the wall of his personal bubble, Heidi leaned back just a small degree to open the space around them some. It was slight, for she didn't want to get too far away but, she figured it might help him become a little bit more relaxed. Every now and then the bubbly creature had to remind herself that not -everyone- was as carefree and open as she was; a trait she envied sometimes. It'd save a lot of heartache from being used, manipulated and all sorts of other ails had she been the sort to keep herself more bottled up but, that wasn't how the cards were dealt.

Heidi wasn't accurate with her 'people watching skills' as all the Psych kids were, but when she watched that arched brow of curiosity shift into a face of a light laugh then a full out chuckle and, eventually, a boom of laughter, she couldn't help but feel successful. The sound was certainly not one she would have geared him capable to make, going off of their first meeting with one another just the hour or two before in the lobby. That Jordan was very reserved; quiet, and a little shifty. Over the very short time that they'd spent together, though, he'd started to bloom out into a more or less open individual; and it had all started with the first genuine smile from back in the hallway. Now, her ears were ringing happily at the sound of his laughter, and she didn't hesitate before joining in herself, thoroughly amused with the idea of his father being a feared captain.

Thankfully, he hadn't seemed to take offense to the assumption at all, and was handling it quite well. More than that, really, as the rich sound echoed through the generally quiet room. Seeing him this happy even over something silly made her belly flop in excitement as she beamed over at him, eyes bright with victory as she'd managed to worm the first real, whole body laugh from him. "Yes, yes that's exactly it!" she heard him say after he sucked down some air and-- was that a tear from his eye? Man, she'd hit the jack pot! "I knew it!" she cheered excitedly, rocking back and forth ever so slightly on the couch as she giggled. "Ray Pierce, Terror of the Seven Seas! Became the richest man in the world only to lose his son to a polar bear in a poker game. Now that you know the secret, she'll have to come eat you."

His words kind of threw her off some, ceasing her rocking as she twisted them about in her mind. Ray Pierce; that must've been his father, she gathered, but who was this polar bear? It appeared to be a she, considering that was the word he had used, but the idea of a she-bear coming to find her and eat her was actually more amusing than frightening. Laughing once again at this thought, her chin tilted ever so higher as she flashed a toothy grin. "Death by polar bear... Now that would be a flashy way to go, for sure. If I'm lucky, I just might take the front page if the story's interesting enough." Wouldn't that be rich -- shifter student found dead in the jaws of a bear. Her mother and father would be hysterical, no doubt.

"No, my father is actually a big shot at some software company. These are just some random things I've collected over the years." Putting on a playful face of disappointment to the news of finding out that Jordan had no pirate genes to speak of, Heidi grew instantly more curious as the box was tilted her way. Some of the contents slid to the side closest to her in the action, and the shiny materials glinted off of the faint firelight. She craned her neck some to get a good view, and gasped once again; this time for real as the marvels were shown before her. Tempted to touch, Heidi quickly shifted her fingers between her thighs and squeezed them there, keeping them captive. "Wow.." came the warm breath, full of wonders. "You've got quite the collection, huh?"

"I have another box full of jewelry back with my luggage." D'aww, shoot! She'd forgotten about his stuff! Prying a hand free and giving herself a face palm, Heidi shook her head in her hand and groaned. "I totally forgot about your stuff, Jordan! If you want, we can go get it..?" She offered, giving a shifty, uncertain glance to the doors of the library. On the other side of those was the dark again, and she certainly didn't want to have to go through it. But she would be more than willing to go back if it meant getting his stuff. "Honest, I don't mind--" words cut short as she'd caught something out the corner of her eye in the box. Just under the lid. Blinking, head turned full once again towards the container, dipping a little to try and get a good view of it.

Heidi noticed the belly of the woman first thing, and then made note of the man beside her. Head cocked to the side curiously as she reached a finger out, not touching the photo but hovering just slightly to point from one to the other. "Is that Ray?" she inquired, giving a look between the man and Jordan sitting on the couch, grinning. "You look like you have his hair." Then finger switched over to the woman, "So that must be.." She stopped herself cold, and instantly withdrew her finger, biting her lip as she recalled the last time she'd mentioned his mother. He hadn't seemed so open about it before, so she figured twice in one night was a bit too much. Quickly changing the subject to try and mute any damage she might have caused, if any, Heidi leaned back and rested against the squishy arm of the chair. "Y'know, I have a collection m'self. They aren't as shiny as yours, or as varied," she chuckled, "But I have a pretty mean stash of sunglasses back in my dorm room. They're my guilty pleasure."

TAGG? Jordan
WORDS? 1104
NOTES? Shinnyyy
CREDIT? hey it's SHMEY ! @ caution 2.0

[Jordan Pierce]

Jordan smiled a bit as Heidi admired his treasures and felt himself fill with pride. He didn't often share the box, largely because there was no one to share it with. But since it was out rather then hidden away and she seemed interested, he didn't see much harm in it. After all, during the short time they had known each other, she didn't seem the type that would steal. He was also happy she didn't turn up her nose and declare it worthless junk, as he knew his father would do. Heidi, at least, seemed to be able to see at least a little bit of what he saw in the random items.

An eyebrow traveled upwards again as he watched her hit herself in the head. "I totally forgot about your stuff, Jordan! If you want, we can go get it..?" Heidi offered, but her eyes seemed to flicker with fear from just looking at the door behind him. She didn't want to leave this sanctuary and he couldn't blame her. He wasn't looking forward to it either, but his fear didn't seem quite as debilitating as hers.

With his best attempt at a reassuring smile (He wasn't used to assuring people, after all) he shook his head."It's alright. I'll wait a bit longer and see if the lights come back on. Otherwise I'll just get them later." He said with a shrug. "Don't worry about it."

"Honest, I don't mind--" He blinked when she cut herself off. What was wrong now? She leaned closer to the box and started pointing under the lid. Oh. The picture must have been spotted. He had forgotten about that and wasn't entirely sure how he felt about her seeing it. Fidgeting a bit, he tilted the lid back so she could better see it. "Is that Ray? You look like you have his hair." She said, shooting him a grin. He replied with a faint smile.

"Raymond. He doesn't like it when people call him 'Ray.' It's not fancy enough for him, I guess." He said before running a hand through the accused hair. It was even messier then usual from being blown around in the storm.

"Then that must be.." Jordan tensed and Heidi pulled back, biting her lip. God, he must seem like such a weirdo- freaking out whenever his mother came up. Or, even worse, she'd get the wrong idea about the woman. Not that he really knew what the right idea was, but...

"Y'know, I have a collection m'self. They aren't as shiny as yours, or as varied," she said, leaning back. "But I have a pretty mean stash of sunglasses back in my dorm room. They're my guilty pleasure."

She was changing the subject and giving him an out. And truthfully, he was interested to know about what she collected. But he also didn't want her jumping to conclusions about his mother, despite how unsure he was about talking about her. But did Heidi need to know the truth? They had only known each other a couple of hours at most. There wasn't really any reason for him to delve into his past or anything. But she had seen the picture and had obviously noticed the way he reacted. Even if she had been kidding, she'd come up with the idea of his father being a pirate. What would her imagination lead her to about his mother? After a deep breath, he pushed the words out as he closed the box, "She disappeared shortly after I was born. My mom I mean. My Aunt Lisa said she might have been shot in animal form and that's why her body was never found." He said, fidgeting this the latch awkwardly. "So, um, what all do you collect? Besides sunglasses?"

[Heidi Valentine]

Heidi was certainly enjoying all these smiles that Jordan was more willing to give now. As opposed to earlier when they met, this was quite a drastic change, but a welcomed one all the same. She decided that the smile fit his face better, for he did have a nice smile, but she figured if she had brought this to his attention and complimented him on it, she just might end up embarrassing him and he could resort to smiling less. Which would be counter productive, wouldn't it? Yes, yes. So she decided to keep these thoughts to herself rather than voice them aloud. She'd certainly feel guilty for causing him to retract into any shell he might have all over again. "It's alright. I'll wait a bit longer and see if the lights come back on. Otherwise I'll just get them later."

Heidi's face molded into one of both relief, then guilt. Of course she was ecstatic about not needing to go back into that black abyss again. Here in the library, she felt safe. For what were the chances of all the candles going out? There were other people here, and Jordan was here. As far as her natural sense went, it'd be a suicide mission to her mentality to go back out there. If even for a moment. But the guilty side of her was quite strong too, like a knot building up in her throat as if she'd swallowed something whole. Like a snake might, with the way their jaws stretched abnormally apart. She cringed at her side tracked thoughts, silently hoping he wasn't a snake shifter or something. So far the only snake shifter she'd bumped heads with had a lisp, which was pretty ironic. No such thing had been detected on Jordan, but maybe all snakes weren't like that.

None the less, Heidi felt bad for having rushed him out of there so fast, her adrenaline getting the best of her yet again. "Are you sure?"
"Don't worry about it."
She nodded once, pushing the thought out of her mind for now. The guilt was still sitting heavy in her chest, but she formulated part of a plan in her mind. A suicide mission, none the less. Perhaps if he got distracted with the books or something, or started talking to someone, she could sneak out and feel her way back to the cafeteria. The idea of it gave her instant goosebumps, and she shivered again, shaking her head ever so slightly. Being alone and in the dark were the top two of her three fears. The third pertaining to music, which didn't really have a role in this situation.

Had she not been the one to cause the mess, Heidi probably wouldn't have been thinking such irrational thoughts to begin with. But, alas, she -was- the reason they'd bolted out so carelessly. The least she could do was at least bring his stuff back, right? After all the comforting he'd been providing because of her silly fear, it was the least she could do to repay him. Heidi blinked then as she snapped out of her plotting for now. All there was to do now was to just wait for the opportunity to come. Her attention flickered back into Jordan as he started speaking about the photo. Oh, yeah.. she'd brought that to attention too, huh? "Raymond. He doesn't like it when people call him 'Ray.' It's not fancy enough for him, I guess."

Giving a firm nod, she nodded once. "Raymond." Heidi corrected herself, tossing the informal name of Ray out the window. By the sounds of it, he sounded like a man with a reputation or something along those lines, given the fact that Jordan stated 'Ray' was too informal to keep. Maybe he had an image to keep, given the fancy job he'd stated his father had earlier. Stopping herself from such accusations mentally, she caught the sharp breath and uncomfortable posture of the one across from her as he prepared to speak. Figuring no one really got nervous over the subject of sunglasses, Heidi was left to assume he was going to get into a little bit about his mother. As soon as she realized this, the collie-girl instantly looked back up to his face to give him utmost attention.

Not that she hadn't been paying attention before, but something about his mom seemed to be a tender spot. So if he was willing to open up, if even a little about her to a girl he'd only just met that night, who was she to tune him out? This was important, and she'd treat it as such. "She disappeared shortly after I was born. My mom I mean. My Aunt Lisa said she might have been shot in animal form and that's why her body was never found." Her face fell as this, eyes softening as her lips turned down at the corners. ..Shot? As in.. dead? "Oh that terrible.." she breathed out, just a quiver above a whisper. Even though he'd stated she had gone away when he was younger, the idea of even losing her mother - despite her hard working habits - was a frightening one. And truly, honestly sad.

Reaching out, she placed a delicate hand on his shoulder in hopes to comfort him, giving a reassuring squeeze and a pat. "I'm so sorry, Jordan.." The clinking sound entered her ears, then as she noticed his fingers toying with the latch of the closed box. Hoping to leave the topic on a lighter note, she cracked another tireless smile and a wink. "I'll bet she was the best pirate who ever sailed the seven seas. You should be proud!" There. Perhaps that would patch up some of the damage she might've caused for tap dancing on the subject so many times that night. Like placing a bandaid on a cut, she hoped. Then, he jumped gears. "So, um, what all do you collect? Besides sunglasses?" Her smile broadened then, as she gave a little happy wiggle-like move in the couch, pulling her hand back as she suddenly remembered it was there.

"As far as here at the school goes, the sunglasses are it, sadly. I don't have a wide variety, unlike your goodies." She chuckled once, throwing her right arm over the back of the couch as she leaned her head on her arm, resting it there. Had this been under normal conditions, Heidi would be very well tired. She woke up early in the mornings, but with a storm going on outside and a plan that she'd yet to have activated on the horizon, she wasn't going to be a willing participant of sleep just yet. Even though it was probably around ten or so at night. But who could say? "Unless you count having endless amounts of music books, sheet music, and other scrawled on notes stuffed under my bed a collection. I'm majoring in it," she added the explanation. "Back at home, though, I used to collect sea shells. We lived by the beach, having it only be right down the road. But I didn't want to break them on the boat or plane ride over so.. I had to leave them." She shrugged, sighing.

"I guess I could start another shell collection here, though." She mused suddenly, brightening up some. "So what're you majoring in?"

[/color]TAGG? Jordan
WORDS? 1237
NOTES? Boom!
CREDIT? hey it's SHMEY ! @ caution 2.0
[/center]

[Jordan Pierce]

Her hand was warm on her shoulder and he nearly flinched away. She felt sorry for him, and though he supposed it was pitiful, Jordan wasn't sure he liked someone feeling pity toward him. The only reason he'd told her was so she wouldn't think Susan Pierce was some kind of psycho that he hated. But, with this reaction, he decided he didn't like having people know about his mom. At least he had figured it out now, when he could later blame the experiment on sleep deprivation and stress. Same with sharing his treasure box with others. He didn't want people to see the picture and bring up his mother as Heidi had done, but he didn't want to move it so it'd be easier not to share it. Besides, his animal shift wasn't the only one that enjoyed collecting things. Who knows who might decide they'd like to have his treasures? On that thought, what if he had been to trusting of Heidi? Maybe he was really delirious from sleep deprivation and anxiety from the storm. As soon as he thought about being tired, he realized that the couch they were sitting on was actually very comfortable.

"I'll bet she was the best pirate who ever sailed the seven seas. You should be proud!"

He managed a short, strained chuckle and didn't look up from the latch. She was trying to lighten the mood, but it didn't have the same effect as picturing his dad as a pirate had had, since he didn't really know what she was like to begin with. The dairies were starting to give him an idea, but those were also set during her teenage years. Were she around, she could be quite different. He glanced back toward the doors, suddenly wishing his luggage with the diaries were there with him, safe and sound. His finger pressed the latch on the box down a final time; deciding to get a lock for it as soon as possible and move on.

"Sunglasses could come in handy down here." He said, trying to raise his spirits again. Heidi seemed happier if he was enjoying himself, and if he could achieve that then neither of them would have to think about the storm howling away outside. He was also relieved to hear she primarily collected shells. She shouldn't be much of a danger to his treasures then. "I had to leave a lot of stuff at home as well. My room is full of things like these." He said, giving the box a light shake. "These are just my box of favorites. I'm actually looking forward to going to the beach. There should be plenty of stones for me to collect and I'll probably start my own shell collection." A finger tapped the side of the box, wondering if seashells would be enough to occupy his bird brain.

"So what're you majoring in?"

Jordan shrugged "Philosophy." He said before finally looking back up at her. "What kind of music do you focus on?"

[Heidi Valentine]

Although Heidi's little mind was working diligently to try and come up with some kind of way to go get his stuff, that forced, unnatural laugh caught her attention when she'd brought up the pirate mess again. The girl snagged her lower lip by her teeth again, confused as to what had just happened. Clearly he'd seemed in a brighter and more open mood just only moments before, and now... now she didn't know what to think. She regretted mentioning the woman at all at this point, already missing the Jordan she'd been conversing with earlier. She tried to hide her confusion, but canines had a problem hiding -anything- when it came to emotions. Dropping it all together and still trying to fill the ditch she'd made her for herself, Heidi leaned into the back of the couch more so, her cheek still pressed on her forearm.

"Sunglasses could come in handy down here."

She gave a firm nod and a smile to some degree, appreciating the no-longer dead silence that invaded the couch. "Mhmm! This island can get a little unbearable in the summer, I noticed, what with the heat and everything." She gave a slight roll of the eyes and a light, partially tired giggle. "I had to leave a lot of stuff at home as well. My room is full of things like these." Heidi blinked slowly at this, trying to put pieces together about this boy before her. He seemed, as she remembered before, like a puzzle or something without a picture on the front to look at the end product. The only thing was, she wasn't good with puzzles. At all. Picture or no picture. Nor was she good at reading people deeply until the emotions were clear. It wasn't her thing, nor would it ever be, but right now at this moment she couldn't help but wish she'd had some experience with the field.

"Ohh, I get'cha I get'cha.." she mused softly, feeling her body start to persuade her to curl up somewhere as her shift and go to sleep. It was odd, but that was how she often slept -- in her animal form, that is. Heidi still wasn't connecting so well with that inner beast of hers, but, they were slowly crossing that bridge together and growing more and more comfortable with one another. She felt safer when she slept like that, so for now, the girl had to bait the dog away to stall for just a little longer. Heidi didn't want to end up shifting all spontaneously on the couch, which is what often happened if her body became too sleep craving. For one, it would mean they'd have to cut their conversation short, as animals couldn't speak with humans of course. Not unless their shift was in the same family. The girl hadn't picked up on any other domestic dogs around the school since she'd been here, so she assumed that Jordan was the same way.

"Man, I can only imagine how much you must've had. Ah well, like you said, at least there's a beach nearby so you can start anew." Her smile this time was genuine again, the beach being the only place she liked to go and think for a little bit. The waves made her feel like she wasn't alone (even if she might've gone down there without a group) with their constant beating on the sand, and it was all very calming. "I hear the beach here is nice, though, so I'm sure you'll find something to your liking." Listening to his response to her question, eyebrows raised in an impressed fashion at his answer. Philosophy huh? Interesting. She recalled sleepily that earlier he'd said school wasn't a problem for him or something along those lines, so the fact that he was putting his smarts to good use wasn't surprising. But, she was excited over this, especially when he brought up his own question.

"Actually," she started, trying to phrase her words as best as possible while distracting her inner creature, "Back at home, I was taught to never really 'zero-in' in one particular style. Music's a big thing to my folks, so they kept me running around with different styles, genres, and the sorts so that I'd have a wide variety to bank off of." She paused once, then kept going. "So, now that I'm here, I like to see if there's any more of the like in this library." Heidi lifted an arm up, with some effort, and pointed over to a bookshelf behind them, positively littered with books. "They've got a wide spectrum of sheet music here, some I know and some I don't." a light shrug, "Guess I'm still experimenting, writing my own stuff here and there and learning others." She felt a stinging tinge in her chest from the brief mention of her parents, instantly missing them. Ugh, if it was one thing to this collie shift she -didn't- like, it was how attached it got to people, like a typical dog would.

She shook her head slowly, clearing her thoughts. Outside, the storm was still giving it's beating to the school, and it gave the building a shake, jostling things about as the low whine of the wind zipped about uncontrollably. The sound was muffled here in the grand six floored library, but still noticeable. She dragged her head up slightly to peer back at a window on the second floor, squinting through the firelight to try and get a good glimpse. "Man. How long do you s'pose this thing's going to keep up anyways? It's already been a day or two.. I mean, the clouds have to run out of water sometime, doesn't it?"

TAGG? Jordan
WORDS? 958
NOTES? sleepyyy
CREDIT? hey it's SHMEY ! @ caution 2.0

[Jordan Pierce]

She was getting tired, he could tell. Sleep was also beginning to tug at him now that the adrenalin of the storm and the black out had dissipated. After all, he was a morning person and didn't like stay up late. On top of that the day had been a stressful one and his energy levels were sinking fast. But he kept the drowsiness from his face. He'd keep Heidi company until she dosed off, then he'd go get his things. After that he would most likely return as he still didn't know his way to the dorms and wasn't sure he felt up to meeting his roommates yet. It wouldn't be the most comfortable place to sleep, and he didn't really like the idea of having other people around, but it was better then nothing.

Jordan looked back over his shoulder when she managed to perk up a bit again and nodded, seeing the shelf she was pointing to. "Classical music is usually the only kind I really like." He said, looking back to her. "The school has a good music program, then? I may have to go to a concert if they have one." He tucked the treasure box between himself and the arm of the couch, not wanting to fall into fidgeting with it again.

The storm continued to rumble outside and the candles flickered slightly as the building withstood a particularly forceful wind. "... the clouds have to run out of water sometime, doesn't it?"

Jordan shook his head. "It has the whole ocean to feed off of. Since this climate is so warm there's plenty of water in the air already. Hurricanes tend to die off after the center hits the coast because it becomes cut off from the water it needs. But, being on an island and surrounded by water, I doubt there is enough land to really effect it. We just have to wait for it to pass over and hope we're just catching the edge of it and don't have to withstand the full width of it. It's really hard to tell how long it will be until it's over."[/color] He said, looking toward the window with her. The news would most likely do nothing to cheer her up, but it was better to be prepared then have false hopes of it ending soon, right? "It might not be a bad idea to start carrying a flashlight with you, even if they do get the power back. At least until the storm is over and everything is cleaned up. Better safe then sorry, right?"

[Heidi Valentine]

Heidi yawned once. Then a second right after. She managed to tuck them away into her arm that she was leaning against, and finding more and more comfortable with each slow blink of the eye. It was an effort to raise her eyelids back up after they'd already closed, but she was trying her best to stay alert. Even the storm outside was lulling enough to wrap it's cold, caring fingers around her and help cradle her into dreamland. Her efforts at keeping the medium sized dog tamed were certainly starting to fall apart, and she figured she only had but so many minutes left of her will power left to keep from shifting. Heidi's body always seemed to know what she needed, even if her mind didn't agree. She'd been so distracted with herself, she'd missed the subtle signs of Jordan's own sleepiness kicking in. A detail that would have been worth noting.

"Classical music is usually the only kind I really like."

A dopey, almost delirious looking smile made the girl look like she was buzzed or something, but it was simply just another way her body was trying to win. "Classical, huh? I play a lot of that. Für Elise is my favorite, so far." Another dastardly yawn snuck in, making her shake her head. "Sorry." Something started to bubble from within, though she tried to ignore it. "The school has a good music program, then? I may have to go to a concert if they have one." Her sleepy, glazed eyes managed to drag themselves back up to his own, that silly grin once again present. "An excellent one. And I'd just love it if you came to listen to us play! I'll be sure to give you the dates." She almost managed to not sound so tired for a moment.

Her head bobbed along understandingly when he gave his explanation on how the weather outside was working, and it seemed to be making sense. Heidi was none too good in the science department. Never had been, really. But his reasoning translated clear across to her, unlike from the text books she was so used to having back in the states at her old school. "Huh. Well in that case... I hope it doesn't last for too much longer. I miss going--" she lurched forward suddenly, both arms fleeing to squeeze her sides. Not now, not now! she told herself, feeling the shift start to initiate all on it's own. "--Outside. There's such a nice little forest here that's fun to explore." She quickly chimed back in, trying to make it as less obvious as possible of what had happened. She heard his remark about keeping a flashlight near by, and it sounded reasonable enough to her. Why hadn't she thought of that before?

Her head nodded once again, almost obediently as she slipped herself off of the couch, her body quivering slightly. "Uhm.. Will you.. excuse me for a second?" And quickly, the girl rushed over towards one of the shelves full of books just nearby their couch, half doubled over, as her frame disappeared into the shadows were the light of the flames couldn't reach. "Uh.. You aren't afraid of dogs, are you?" Right after the sentence had been spoken Jordan's way, all will and self restraint was lost. Her spine lurched forward, forcing her to her hands and knees as the bones started to crack rather painfully. It always manged to hurt for her, for some reason. Probably because for years she'd kept the shift locked away inside, and hardly ever shifted when she was at home all those years. Maybe once every other month or so, she'd give in to herself, but that was it.

Now that she was here on this little uncharted island, somewhere by Hawaii she'd been told, Heidi had been shifting all over the place, usually out of will power. Her once pale, freckled skin literally vanished under a wild flurry of white, with the occasional splotch of black, fur that covered her entire body. Ears elongated, stretching upwards and flaring out as they half flopped over themselves, one ear coated in the black colorings with the other remaining white. Velvet and soft to the touch. Bones snapped and reformed themselves into smaller versions, the pain rushing through her body like pins and needles everywhere imaginable. Forelimbs and hind limbs shrank, forcing fingers to curl into little dog-like digits, nails sprouting from what used to be her knuckles. Her face, too, stretched long as the muzzle was brought forth, and finally, her fluffy tail sprung out from behind.

Panting with the effort as the pain became numb, Heidi cursed herself mentally as she'd forgotten to step out of her clothes first. She was one of the 'lucky shifters', who weren't bigger than their human counterpart, and thus never ripped clothes. Lost them, sure, but didn't rip them. She shrugged off the simple t-shirt that had previously been supporting her human half, and other various clothes as she climbed out of the pile, careful to keep her room key still attached around it's chain on her neck. Slightly long fur kept it partially hidden, though, just around the chain. Heaving a sigh as she felt more comfortable and more tired than ever, the girl peered her head around the bookcase to the couch that she'd fled from to peek at Jordan. She could only hope he didn't have some kind of allergy, or phobia against canines. All she could do now was try and not let the usually hyper attitude of the animal get the best of her and not scare him away.

Not like that was possible. She was tired, after all. But wouldn't drift off to sleep until she knew Jordan would be okay with her being.. fluffy. Or, wouldn't be. Her medium sized body slunk out from behind the library aisle, tail wagging happily as she slowly approached Jordan, wary of his reaction. It probably seemed all very random to him, watching her dart off into the dark so suddenly. She probably should have explain the whole 'tired' bit to him but, it all had happened so fast, and there wasn't enough time. She stopped a little ways away from the couch, and dropped her upper half to the ground, forelimbs outstretched as her tail gave a friendly wag, tongue lolling out the side of her mouth. The usual 'puppy' position, as she liked to call it. Hopefully he'd recognize the stance and see that she wasn't going to hurt him or anything.

Dark brown eyes looked up at him as she stood back up, and pounced up on the couch, instantly rolling over to her back and exposing her belly as she wiggled some, forelimbs half flopped over. Heidi was tired, but still determined to show she wasn't going to bite him or anything of the sort. Not that she had the energy to do that to begin with. A low whine escaped her muzzle as she looked up at him from an upside down angle, tail thumping loudly on the arm of the couch behind her.

TAGG?
WORDS? 1198
NOTES?
CREDIT? hey it's SHMEY ! @ caution 2.0

[Jordan Pierce]

Jordan's eyes widened as Heidi lurched forward. "Are you alright?" he asked, but blinked when she just continued on with what she'd been saying. What on earth was going on? Then she was getting up, body shaking. Was she sick? Maybe a sudden panic attack? "Are you sure you're alright?" he said, starting to get up, but then she took off into the bookcases. What the hell?

"Uh.. You aren't afraid of dogs, are you?"

"Dogs? What on earth does that have to do with-" A dog's head poked out from behind the book case Heidi had vanished behind. "-Oh." Jordan stood there looking dumb founded as Heidi (He assumed) trotted over. Lisa had transformed for him to prove he wasn't the only shifter on the planet, but other then that he had never seen another person's animal form. A dog, that fit. In general dogs were good-natured and happy, ready and willing to please. The animal seemed to suit what he'd seen of the girl so far. And her hair color did not seem to have any connection to her animal form.

She had jumped back onto the couch before he blinked out of his musings and remembered the question she had asked him just before she had changed. "I've never really been around dogs, so I don't know if I'm allergic. Other then that, I have no problem." he said, slowly sitting back down. He had an urge to pet it - Heidi, it was Heidi - and scratch her behind the ears like he'd seen people do to dogs on T.V., but he wasn't sure if that was socially acceptable. After all, she was still human and if you were to randomly scratch a human behind the ears it would be seen as, at best, strange. But she looked soft. Then again, his feathers were soft as well but that didn't mean he wanted people molesting him in his shift. Thinking of his own shift, his clothes had always been left behind. Aunt Lisa had said that that was normal for all shifters. So then. . . Jordan looked back toward the bookshelf she had ran behind. There must be a pile of clothes hiding there then. When he looked back, Heidi was on her back. He was pretty sure he'd read somewhere that exposing their stomach's was a dog's sign of trust. A small smile managed to break through at that. Over the past few hours he must have managed to do something right. "So, shouldn't you be collecting bones or something instead of sunglasses and seashells?" he mused, resting his elbow on the back of the couch and his head on his hand.

[Heidi Valentine]

Heidi's mind was set ablaze with thoughts as she laid there on the couch, practically on fire. What was going on through his mind? What was he thinking.. was he okay with her current state? Alright, being 'okay' was an overstatement. After everything she'd put him through that night, it was a wonder he was even still talking to her. From rushing out into the storm and roughly linking arms with him out of the blue, to dragging his body back inside, to even her momentary panic attack back in the cafeteria room when the lights had gone out. Not to mention her constant questions and prodding. And, least she forget, her no doubt 'overwhelming' friendly attitude. At this point, Heidi would be positively thrilled if he was even tolerating her at this point.

In all honesty, she felt guilty.

Had it not been for this wretched storm, they could have met on better terms. -Normal- ones. The sort that went "Hi! My name's Heidi, what's yours?" and then the presumed response would be, "Oh, hello Heidi! I'm Jordan!" filled with smiles and warm feelings of security. Well... okay. So that wasn't really a normal situation, but it was one she could dream about in that doggy brain of hers, right? No harm in that. Then, thinking about it more, Heidi came to the conclusion that they might not have met at all. There was the chance, anyways. He'd said that he wasn't all too social back home, right? So how could her fantasy conversation even take place if he was shy? Would they even have managed to approach one another? Probably not.

It was then that Heidi's attitude changed ever so slightly on the hurricane raging on outside. Had it not been for the storm in the first place, she wouldn't have been down in the lobby to watch the rain fall. And Jordan's boat wouldn't have hurried to come in to beat the rain. And his bag wouldn't have flown out of his hand, giving her a reason to run out and meet him in the first place. A canine-like smile crossed over on the upside-down dog as her tongue flopped out of the side of her mouth again, body wriggling merrily against the sofa as it twisted excitedly. In truth, despite the night's events, she was glad she'd met Jordan this way. In fact, she was glad they'd met at all! Even under such wet situations. I'll have to send him a 'Thank You' gift for putting up with me. she decided then, and rolled over back to her belly as she eagerly watched Jordan's expression.

"Dogs? What on earth does that have to do with-- Oh."

Oh? Just oh? Lovely! 'Oh' was way better than 'Ah!' or 'Ew' or any other variation there of. 'Oh' was something she could accept, and whole heartily. His face looked a little.. lost, or confused for a moment though and had she been in her former skin, the yip she'd given would have been a laugh. "I've never really been around dogs, so I don't know if I'm allergic. Other then that, I have no problem." The news was relieving to say the least, and she showed this by huffing out a sigh while her chin sagged to the couch cushion, his thigh just before her wet black nose. She inhaled once then, then blinked, detecting something. Chase! her canine brain pipped in, trying to tell the uncooperative human half of what it was smelling off of Jordan. Something to chase, it seemed.

Figuring it to be nonsense, Heidi ignored this as she looked back up at Jordan, resisting the urge to flop in his lap and demand a belly rub. The dog half could be so unbearable at times! All she could do was hope he wasn't allergic and start sneezing all over the place. Wouldn't that just be a wonderful addition to the list she'd be apologizing over? Sure would! Short attention span directed her eyes towards Jordan's movement as he repositioned himself back down on the couch, and hitched his arm up to support his head. Was he getting tired? "So, shouldn't you be collecting bones or something instead of sunglasses and seashells?" Heidi caught that grin of his as she snorted again and rolled her brown eyes, mentally cracking up as she jerked forward to prod him with her nose along his thigh. Bones, that was priceless. Man. If only she were a hyena, then laughing would be easier.

She resorted to yipping once and thumping her tail against the arm of the sofa as a couple of student heads turned towards the couch they were sharing. It wasn't long before their attention was diverted elsewhere, though. Suddenly remembering her thought from earlier about him being tired, she rose up on her four as she stood on the couch, thin collie legs supporting her fluffy body. Her cold, wet nose lurched forward to poke the arm that was propped up on the couch a couple of times, trying to get his attention before she turned and hopped off of the couch. An idea flickered in her mind as she thought of something. Twirling back around to face the couch, Heidi got as close to the edge of the sofa as possible before rearing back on her hind legs as she sat down, slapping her paws on the lip of the cushion just by Jordan's legs. Trying to refer to himself, she poked his knee with her nose.

Then, quickly, she tried to imitate him. Or, kind of. Her head flopped ontop her forepaws as she shut her eyes, taking deep, exaggerated breaths to try and demonstrate a sleeping person. This went on for a couple of seconds before she opened her eyes back up and turned her face to look back at him, cocking her head to the side as if to ask, Do you get it? Never did she think for a moment she'd be stuck with playing charades to get her point across to someone that night but, hey, Heidi had to work with what she had! Moving on to plan B incase plan A wasn't getting through to Jordan, Heidi pushed herself off of the sofa and backed up to stand infront of him. She stood very still, no tail wagging, no nothing as deep brown eyes intently stared at him. Hoping she wasn't freaking him out any, the dog dropped to the floor suddenly on her side like a trained pet might at the command 'play dead'.

Of course, that wasn't the message she was going for. With all this running around and poking, all she was trying to do was ask if he was tired. Instead, she figured she must've looked like a deranged animal. Sighing a doggy-like groan, Heidi rolled herself back over to her legs tiredly. Alright... skip the games. I'll just go grab it. She thought, then quickly turned and sprinted for the staircase. Her furry body fluently curved around the various couches and chairs and other obstacles along the library floor, despite her tired stance. Just up on the second floor, Heidi knew of a few couches in the back that had some blankets on them, mostly for decoration to hang over the backs of them, but it would serve the purpose for now.

Dainty paws launched themselves at the stairs, pulling the canine up the staircase as she skipped some inbetween. Collies were one of the fastest dogs out there in the canine world, but she was tired. And hadn't ran like this in ages, which put her out of shape. Still, the black and white body blurred up the stairs until Heidi managed to land on the second floor. The candles were lit here, too, thankfully and she spotted a couch with a blanket she was looking for just off to the side. Bounding over to this quickly, Heidi let out a few excited barks from up above to try and signal to Jordan she was on her way back down. At the very least tell him where she was. Teeth snagged the comfy material as she yanked back her neck, snatching the wide blanket off of the couch as she started back towards the stairs.

Slower this time, as she didn't want to slip. Eventually, the blue blanket and the collie twisted down the spiral staircase as she lugged it back towards where Jordan was still hopefully sitting. Panting heavily through her teeth at this point, Heidi hopped back up on the couch, and yanked some of it up with her. Tail began to bounce happily again as she nudged the material toward him, almost a smug look on her face as she seemed to say How's THAT for your bones?

TAGG? Jordan
WORDS?1469
NOTES? xD
CREDIT? hey it's SHMEY ! @ caution 2.0