Lucky to be alive {open}

[Alina Cedlov]

Ven rolled her eyes as Everard made himself look even more intimidating in what was clearly a display of dominance. Men. They take everything so seriously. Nonetheless, Alina was impressed, though she hid it well. Seconds later he had deflated and returned to looking completely relaxed. Ven observed this with some interest as the three moved over to the chairs and couches. She sat down on one side and leaned back, looking forward to the coming distraction. If Ven heard country music on the radio, she would have changed the channel without a second's pause, but since cowboys didn't exactly have an off-switch, she just sat back and appreciated the skill with which he moved his fingers over the instrument.

Instruments were like a bad dream for Ven. She had tried learning to play the guitar, flute, and piano. None had gone well. She would get the first few notes and some basic skills, then get stuck. She never "felt" the music, as other people could. Once she got over the technical part there was no where else for her to go, and after a week of making no progress she'd terrify her instructor into letting her quit. After the piano lesson fiasco her parents stopped even suggesting that she learn to play something.

The gathering crowd didn't please Ven too much, and judging by the look on the face of the girl beside her, she wasn't exactly thrilled, either. The people were probably bored out of their minds and as grateful for the distraction as she was, though, so she kept this opinion to herself. Just then yet another person joined them and sat down on the couch. Ven realized that she wasn't just another spectator when she pulled out a violin. She issued a quick challenge to the cowboy, and then started to play. Alina raised her eyebrows at the sound, impressed by this girl's skill as well.

Ven glanced around the library to see if anyone else was going to join the band. No one else seemed to have brought an instrument along, which was probably for the best. The librarian had given up on the noise, but seemed to genuinely appreciate having nearly all the hooligans contained in one place. Alina turned her head when the girl beside her started talking and introducing the two musicians. Azure, Everard, and Cece. Easy enough to remember. "Nice to meet you." Her voice was still kept low, this time so as not to disrupt the music for anyone. "They are really good," she said, indicating the guitar and violin players.

Alina considered what else she could say to make conversation. What about this storm, huh? Very... stormy. Right, it would probably be best to keep quiet and enjoy the show. Ven shifted her position and rested her elbow on the arm of the couch, and her head on her hand. "It's kind of nice having a concert in the middle of a hurricane. Better than listening to the wind rip trees out of the ground." The accompanying laugh was humorless. Even though she was surrounded by people she didn't know, in a building being whipped around by sideways rain and vicious winds, Ven was glad to be here. It was certainly more entertaining than sitting on her bed with her laptop, begging the battery not to die.

[Candi Cane]

Cece's strings started going out of tune. The instrument complained from the abuse, but she took it as a challenge, to stay in key and keep up with Everard. Her brow furrowed with concentration as she began picking up the beat. Now that she was sure cowboy could play, making him work harder wouldn't do him any pain.

Beside her, she thought she heard Azure talk to the other girl, whose name still escaped her. Cece set a quick glance about the library before committing all of her attention back to what Everard was doing, barely remembering to change key with him. She pressed faster. Water beat against the windows. She kept on. A piece of debris slammed against the building, but she refused to back down. If she was gonna die here, she was gonna die doing something she loved.

"Go for a solo, cowboy," she said. She stopped fiddling to pull her hair back and retune the strings as Everard kept playing his guitar. She grinned at Azure and the other girl. "Still think I'll need help with this?" she asked Azure, a smug expression on her face. She turned to the girl sitting next to her. "Hey, I'm Cece. Who are you?" She flicked her hair back. "Nice to meet you," she said in a hurry before jumping back in with Everard.

She watched his intense way of handling the guitar. His eyebrow narrowed as he focused on the music. Moisture from the storm clung to his body. She thought about the way he'd totally plowed Azure over but had apologized. Not many guys were that nice. Hm. Perhaps he had seemed pansy-like to her before, but it seriously took guts to say sorry, particularly if you were a guy. Plus, his guitar playing definitely indicated that he was no pansy. He'd slowed down, she realized suddenly. Oh, maybe it's because he's waiting for me, she thought with a mental slap to the head. While she'd been watching him, she'd slowed down.

Cece gave a shrug and stopped completely. He did likewise. "You can sure play, cowboy," she told him. "Didn't know you had it in you. Anyone have any suggestions?"

[Everard Gunter Wyatt]

Everard knew he had seen Azure before somewhere, after the girl’s and his little jam session was over he recognized her as the girl he had helped at the café he hit before coming to the academy. Everard remembered her story about her being kidnapped and knew the perfect song to play, he turned to fiddle girl and gave her some instructions as to what song he was going to play, and begged her to go along with it. ”Yall this song is for someone in the audience, they know who they are, that’s all I’m gonna say. Everard started playing Holy Water by Big & Rich, the song started off slow but picked up nicely, a short way in.

Everard tapped his boot in time with the beat, his hands manipulating the guitar with expert hands while he sang the lyrics in a nice, rich, deep, voice, all the while taking short glances at Azure to see how she would react, if people weren’t looking for it they wouldn’t recognize it as he would also glance around the gathered, silent crowd. Everard could feel the music deep inside the core of his body. It was a melancholy song, but it had a good message to it, it was about a girl who lost her innocence and needed someone to come make her see life wasn’t all bad.

There was plenty of fiddle parts for the fiddle girl to play so she wouldn’t get bored with the song. Everard ended the song, the crowd sat for just a second them burst into applause. Next Everard started into another song, looking at the fiddle girl with a big smile on his face, “Let’s see yall keep up with this huh? Hows ‘bout yall say Yee Haw when I point to yall hows ‘bout that?” Everard started playing one of his favorite songs, Jake Owen’s Yee Haw! Everard started strumming the guitar and the lyrics just came, the guitar twanged almost as hard as his southern drawl.

Everard smiled the whole time he played the song, his lazy southern charm permeating the crowd, much to Everard’s surprise when he pointed to the crowd he got a familiar Yee Haw! Just like back home, the crowd was eating from the palm of his hand. The Librarians were very impressed that the new country boy could keep students engaged for so long. Everard finished the song with a little duet with the girl who introduced herself to another student as Cece, when he was finished he looked around the crowd ”Anymore requests?” a boy in the back had to raised his voice to say ”Devil Went down to Georgia!” Everard gave a hearty chuckle and looked to Cece and said ”You’re the one with the fiddle, are you up for it?”

[Azure Rossi]

x

"Still think I'll need help with this?" said Cece to Azure. At first,s he was rather confused by this.

"Um...I only play piano. I was talking about helping you carry your luggage." She shrugged. Azure was tempted to pull out her notebook and write Be more specific when talking to Cece. But she didn't, seeing that she left it in her dorm. Just when she needed it. Cece and Everard ended their song, and Everard began talking to her. She managed to catch a few of the things that passed between them, but nothing that made sense. The crowd began to murmur as they waited for the players to play once more. Azure couldn't help but feel disappointed that they had stopped.

To her surprise, they began playing. It was a country song, so Azure assumed that Everard was the one who picked it out. He kept glancing up as he played the song, and it wasn't long till she realized who he was looking at.

He does remember. thought Azure. She blushed and concentrated on the ground, instead focusing on the lyrics of the song. It was impossible. Everard must have picked the song for her, after she told him about her history. It was almost too much for her, but she managed to hold her composure. The song ended too quickly for her, and she jumped when the crowd broke out in applause.

"Wow," was all she could say. Everard seemed like the type of person that would do that, she was sure. She doubted Everard would straight up ask her if she like the song he played for her, so she could only assume he did. All the other girls in the crowd seemed to love Everard. It almost mad her laugh. He had a lot of fans already, and he wasn't even famous.

"Too bad I don't know any country songs, really." commented Azure to Ven. "I don't listen to country."

Country songs never had been her cup of tea, though she didn't entirely dislike them. There were a few songs that she loved, but not enough to make her turn on the radio and listen to it. The violin and the guitar were perfect together, and for awhile, everything seemed peaceful.

[Candi Cane]

The Devil Went to Georgia? At first, Cece had no idea what song cowboy was talking about. Then, she thought she remembered hearing it once or twice on the radio. She wasn't really that sure about how it went, but she decided it was only a minor complication.

She was certainly glad that the crowd liked the playing. Azure and Ven kept on muttering about how they didn't listen to country, but it wasn't like Cece cared. Fiddling was cool, and it involved just as much technique as Bach or Motzart concertos.

"Sure. I think I'll be able to handle it," she told Everard with a shrug that said Oh yeah, I'm just that good.

The song proved to be a challenge, and she ended up improvizing a lot when she didn't remember certain parts of it, but apparently the crowd didn't notice. She laughed and highfived cowboy at the end. Cece thought about the way Azure and Everard kept on glancing at each other. (Oh, yeah. You can't make subtle glances at each other with Cece in between without her noticing. Her hawk eyes can spot a red flag from miles away, let alone something that's going on right in front of her.) With a sly smile, she said, "I think we should do a singing duet." The crowd leaned forward. She whispered a quick request in Everard's ear. "But, honestly, unless you want the windows to crack, you better not ask me to sing with you." She smirked. "The storm's already doing a good enough job with that. Hey, Azure. You like music, yeah? Jump on in. I'm sure you've got a great voice."

Azure looked nervous. She shot Cece a warning glance. Cece pretended not to notice. "Really. You come and sit right here, next to cowboy. There you go," she coaxed, gently but firmly. She whispered quietly enough so only Azure could hear, "Trust me, you'll thank me later." Raising her voice again, "Have fun, and wow us like crazy!"

The crowd cheered, or rather, clapped softly. Guess it was just a force of habit--they were in a library, after all. Cece smiled at Ven. "This place is amazing! Who knew?"

She checked her cell phone, out of pure routine. 1 New Message, it read. Cece raised an eyebrow. How had she gotten a text in this weather? She quickly read it. The text was from Walker. It read: Hey C. You there? Survive the hurricane? Cece decided not to text back, since she had almost no service. Raising her cell to the ceiling wouldn't do too well for her newly found image of awesome violinist wouldn't help either. But she was selfishly glad to know that her half-brother was worried about her, and that at least someone would be looking for her corpse if she died.

"Hope you guys are familiar with Lady Antebellum," she said, making it a point to specify to Azure. She started a little intro--pizzacatto style to try matching the piano that was supposed to bring the song in--and sat back, relaxing back. Azure looked like she was going to pass out, but Cece gave her a reassuring look. She hoped that Azure knew enough of the song Need you Now by Lady A so that Cece wouldn't have to come in and save her if need be. Because if Cece sang, well, the hurricane wouldn't be the only problem anymore...



Note from NP: Sorry you guys I'll probably not reply tomorrow. Planning to be busy. Just thought I'd give you a head's up, since I'm usually the one who likes quick replies...

[Alina Cedlov]

The relaxed atmosphere of the library seemed severely at odds with the hellacious weather just on the other side of the walls. Still, even the impressive performances couldn't stop the occasional student from looking up and around with an alarmed expression. Ven resisted the urge to get up and pace, instead maintaining her composure and appearing to lose herself in the music.

At a brief interval between songs, the blonde violinist turned to her and introduced herself before asking her name. She spoke in such a straightforward manner that Alina was caught off guard for a second. She was used to people prattling on about useless nonsense rather than getting to the point. "Im Ven. These were people she could get along with, however widely different they all were. "Nice to meet you." A second later she jumped back in, and the merry-making continued.

Ven wasn't in a particularly watchful state of mind, and most subtle gestures between people were lost on her anyway, so she noticed nothing that transpired after Everard dedicated a song to someone in the audience. The audience was rather low key compared to their initial excitement at a distraction. Everyone looked settled and content, which surprised Ven somewhat. Were people always so easy to distract? Wait...no, there's someone looking around again. They aren't all simpletons.

The other girl on the couch, Azure, was invited to sing. Judging by what she had seen of her personality so far, she probably wasn't going to be thrilled about being singled out, but Cece insisted. That was a commanding person if she'd ever seen one. Probably would've joined the military had it not been for the whole shifting thing. Cece started talking then, so she turned to catch the words. S"This place is amazing! Who knew?" Ven smiled, realizing this must be her first impression of the place. "It's not half bad, for a school full of freaks. It does take getting used to, though." Alina smiled, conveying that she wasn't using "freak" as a derogatory name. It would be meaningless anyway, considering that she herself also fell under that specification. It was slightly disconcerting, hiding your Shifting for years and then coming to a place where everyone knew the secret and understood. She still wondered what they would all do once they had to graduate. It would be difficult to readjust to their old restrictions.

Meanwhile, yet another song had started. She wouldn't be surprised if the other students started to sway along.

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Count: Word count here!
Tag: Duane, I think... Or North... There isn't a solid posting order, is there?
Notes: Blah. Excuse this post's awfulness, please. I don't function well when I'm sick.

Made and coded by Essy for Cedlov. Permission given to edit the ooc stuffs~

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[Everard Gunter Wyatt]

Everard had an itchy feeling Azure wouldn’t be comfortable singing in front of a group of people she didn’t know. ”if you don’t wanna sing you don’t have to, I can take this one myself” Everard listened to the Violin that replaced the Piano intro and then started strumming, the lyrics slipped off his tongue, but the feeling wasn’t one he usually had, he really hadn’t dated much back in Georgia, back there he was just another boy, even if he was bigger than the rest of his entire school. The feeling of the song was one of regret of a break up, something Everard wouldn’t know about.

The song was fairly soft and slow and easy to play, all the girls were looking at him like Everard would look at a record hog he was hunting, a look of huger, of longing. The looks he was receiving were making him very uncomfortable but he just kept smiling that lazy laid back smile. He tapped his boot in time with the music. He had heard the song many times on a country music station, he knew the lyrics and the guitar parts, and this wasn’t a song he normally played so he had to improvise some of the parts he was unfamiliar with. But no one could really tell unless they knew the song by heart.

The song was coming to a close and Everard looked to see if Azure was singing with him, he was more focused on his own voice and the guitar. The girls in his little audience were either hypnotized by the southern charm or looking at him like a piece of meat, so Everard thought it was going rather well. The song was coming to an end, and people were starting to come out of their little trances.

Everard was just about to start in on his next song when the group of boys charged over, finally getting enough guts to try and bust a move on Everard. His sensitive ears picked up the running through the library and had just enough time to dodge the fluttery page flapping noise that was a flying book. One boy had shifted into a Pit Bull; the other was a Clouded leopard. Three more didn’t shift but tossed books to try and distract Everard.

Everard had had it with this crap. He pulled off his shirt and undid his jeans in one swift motion, his boxers would just have to suffer, librarians hadn’t even had time to protest before Everard’s bones began to change, thickening his whole body growing, his hands and feet turning into sharp black hooves, but the most painful part were the foot long tusks coming out of his mouth. His skull became heavy as a cinderblock and course black hair sprouted from every follicle on his body. Finally where a man once stood there was a 1200 pound 12 foot long Wild Boar. Angry mud colored eyes stared down the boys who had stopped in their tracks. Everard gave an all mighty squeal that sounded more like a roar because if his great size.

She charged the Pit first and the dog yelped, turned tail and hauled butt to the corner of the library, Everard had just enough time to kick with his back legs catching the Clouded Leopard under the chin and sending it into a back flip to land on its back about 5 yards backwards. Everard was infuriated when a book struck him in the head. His contacts having fallen out he could just barely make out a book flying towards his head. Everard dodged the book and charged the shape of the boys who jumped onto some low setting book shelves that held encyclopedias. Everard reared up and kicked at the boys making them back up and fall backwards from their perches.

Everard, satisfied with his handy work trotted tamely behind the Librarians counter and shifted back, his Pain was dulled by the knowledge that he had struck fear in the hearts of his enemies. He quickly got dressed squatting behind the counter, coming out with a gray undershirt, black jeans, his glasses and black calf long socks. Everard calmly walked over and slipped his boots on, picked up his guitar and sat back down. The librarians apparently were looking the other way on this one as they hadn’t chewed Everard a new one about fighting in the library. To the contrary one of them had a big smile on her face. Apparently that group had been causing trouble for a while before Everard got there. Everard looked around the shocked faces of the students and without missing a beat nonchalantly started randomly strumming his guitar and asked ”Anyone else have a problem? No? Good, Anymore Requests?”

[Azure Rossi]

x

Azure could hardly protest as Cece dragged her from the couch and practically threw her by Everard's side. She wasn't sure what to do, to be honest. Being in front of so many people, all staring at her expectantly, made her want to crawl into the nearest hole and die. In fact, if she had the chance, she would have taken off into the hurricane.

The question was, why did Cece do this to her? She just couldn't understand. Even though they just met, Cece should have been able to figure that she wasn't the type to showoff or stand up and sing. It should have been obvious, actually. Azure crossed her arms, and glared at the violinist. Luckily Everard dismissed her, and she thankfully stepped back into the crowd. Some people continued to watch her even when she melted into the crowd, causing her cheeks to burn. How could Cece do this to her? Azure would have to chew her out later. That much she was certain.

Then she saw the group of boys head over, and she immediately sensed trouble. She could have never have guessed what happened next. As if on command, two of the boys shifted. Everard rose to the challenge, clearly aggravated that they interrupted his performance. In his boar form, he had no trouble crushing his opponents. Azure stood there, frozen. She wasn't sure what to think of it. Was it too irrational to think that Everard was overreacting to this situation? He had gone from a sweet, southern boy with a guitar to a raging boar ready to shed blood against his fellow students. To be frank, it frightened her. Azure tried to find Cece, or even Ven, but the task was nearly impossible. The crowd had gone wild, cheering for the cowboy. When Everard came back, they greeted him as if he were a worldwide famous singer. Azure was one of the few that didn't run straight to the country hero. She stayed back, watching from the distance. Everard was a great guy, and an even better friend. Should she congratulate him for his apparent victory?

The Clouded Leopard shifter and the Pitbull were clearly beat, and they retreated reluctantly and with shame. The dog shifter walked with a limp, but otherwise seemed without injury. I suppose I should be thankful eh didn't rip them to pieces. Azure, feeling awkward standing there alone, began to pick up the tossed chairs and move them back in their place. She would never forget that day.

[Alina Cedlov]

Ven frowned at the sudden change in events. She watched the group of boys charging forward, the idiots. Who attacks someone that is so clearly popular and not to mention capable of handling himself? In a library? She dodged a badly aimed book, snarling in a very snow leopard-like fashion. She quickly stood and clenched her fists, regaining control before she shifted all the way. Within seconds she was back to normal, standing with arms crossed and watching the fight unfold. Her expression was completely apathetic. The boys had no strategy and thus not a whisper of a chance against Everard. There were enough of them to handle him in his human form, but when he shifted into Porky Pig it was almost pathetic. Scratch that, it was extremely pathetic. Luckily the guy had enough restraint not to break any bones. She glanced at the librarians present, who seemed torn between some sadistic satisfaction and sense of duty.

When everything settled down and none of them moved to deal out punishment, Ven's jaw actually dropped. Her disapproval didn't linger on her face long, though, before it had returned to apathetic smoothness. Everard returned to his rapt audience and sat down. Obviously the events had only served to elevate him further in their opinions. Well, it was good to know that Mr. Polite Southern Singer could back up his words. Still... She scanned the crowd briefly, in hopes of locating Cece and Azure. When she had done so she moved over to them, uncrossing her arms. Most people took it as a defensive and insecure gesture, which in her case it was not. When she'd reached the two girls she said in a level voice, "Whoever thought to mix animal instincts with adolescent males needs to be lobotomized and marooned on a desert island." She smiled fleetingly, though is didn't detract from the seriousness of her statement.

Being blissfully unaware of the plights of others was something Alina did well, so she didn't immediately notice the situation between Azure and Cece. Not that it was much of a situation. When she did realize, it was only because the lack of music made it possible to hear their conversation clearly. She called a random song to Everard. "Don't Worry, be Happy!" It was mostly to distract the other students again, and it seemed to work quickly. She didn't say anything to the girls' instead she stood, partially turned away from them, waiting for them to settle whatever it was they were talking about in peace before engaging again. Meanwhile she watched the sad group of boys in the back as they tried to recover. They didn't even glance at the larger group. Right, guys. pretend that nothing at all happened.

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Count: 473
Tag: Who do I look like to you? I can't tell people what to do!
Notes: As mentioned in the Absent board, I'll be gone from this Thursday for a little over 2 weeks. I apologize in advance if I don't reply much or at all. Feel free to carry on without me, I'll just jump back in whenever I can.

Made and coded by Essy for Cedlov. Permission given to edit the ooc stuffs~

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[Everard Gunter Wyatt]

Everard ignored the Request for Don’t Worry, Be Happy, which couldn’t really be played on guitar for an older song. He reached out and not with force as much as insistence dragged Cece over to his side looking at Azure ”I’ll let yall chew her like a bone later, for now hows bout we keep the good times rollin’?” Everard turned to Cece with the same easy smile but with a look in his eyes that said she might wanna take him seriously. He was trying to save her from Azure’s wrath, or her own subdued brand of it.”Hows bout yall just keep in time with that their fiddle while I sing us a good ole country song?” Everard started clapping his hands and the audience started clapping soon after. Everard pulled out a good ole fashion foot tapper. Thank God in a Country Boy could be heard through the whole library.

Everard tapped his boot and clapped his hands, his country smile shining at all present. He played the guitar but let Cece take the lead of the song because it was a song made for the fiddle to lead. As the song winded down Everard turned to Cece ”Bring us on home girl” as Cece launched into a fiddle solo Everard smiled up at Azure and the Girl she was sitting with, several of the girls weren’t too happy Everard wasn’t smiling at them. Everard couldn’t have cared less. When a few glared at Azure he knew she would get uncomfortable so he figured he should give the girls what they wanted. He gave Azure a final wink and clapped when Cece finished her fiddle solo. Then Everard dropped his voice as low as it would go and started playing a darker song giving the girls the full effect of his muddy brown eyes, fine blond hair gracing his brow. The song Bad Things by Jace Everett was what he was singing, the girls almost visibly melted into their seats as Everard’s deep voice sang the song.

The girls looked like they were going to pass out when Everard went from charming to seductively dark in the blink of an eye. The song was dark and very snake like, at least to Everard. He didn’t sing it much because it reminded him of a snake in the grass, and Everard didn’t like reptiles in general. As the song wound down the band of girls, four to be specific one red head and three brunettes, were ready to explode. An argument ensued as to who had rights to ask Everard out later, mush to his displeasure, he wasn’t really interesting in women who were desperate for his attention in that kind of way.

[Candi Cane]

When Cece saw that Cowboy was using the song to try to see how many girls would pass out from his dark eyes, she rolled her eyes. She pursed her lips when she realized that her violin playing was helping with Cowboy's showing off. The look of death that he'd given her earlier kept her from saying some snide remark, or from dragging one of those swoonies up so one of them could have a solo with Mr. High and Mighty.

Who does he think he is?! she thought, her eyebrows knitted into a tight V. She had no idea what she was playing now, she was just sort of going along with what Cowboy wanted. She knew that she could hold up on her own against Everard, if he suddenly decided that he wanted her out of the picture. But she forcefully bit her tongue. She'd already caused enough trouble for today. Making hardcore enemies wouldn't help much.

Cece frowned in disgust when Cowboy glanced at the girls with a seductive smile. The frown deepened as the girls leaned forward in a synchronized motion. She hoped one of them would fall out of her chair. It would serve her right. How could they be such pansies, to melt at one stupid little song, and one stupid little glance? Didn't any of them have any self esteem?

Despite her efforts to remain calm, her temper continued boiling as the girls giggled and whispered about asking him out. Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore. Like always, her temper won out.

When the song finished, she stopped playing and said coolly, "This was fun at first, but it's turning into a major suck fest, and if you don't choose a good song now, I'm leaving. Whether you like it or not." Cece grimaced at how cruel her words had sounded, but kept a cold expression. She held her violin close to her chest, her muscles tensed, ready to--what? Run? Fight? Shift? Cece relaxed her grip on the instrument, calculating her predicament. If she made Cowboy mad, he wouldn't want to hurt her violin.

No, he'd be too busy trying to decapitate her to care much for the instrument, if she provoked him well enough. A startling image of what he'd done to those boys made her spine crawl.

In a flash, her mind was made. If he attempted to attack her, she'd drop the violin, shift, and fly up to the next story. Wild boars couldn't climb up stairs that fast, and Cowboy wasn't nearly as tall as the ceiling to have a good chance of catching her, in human and animal form.

Cece didn't want to run. No, she wanted to have at it against Cowboy, skill on skill. But she grit her teeth, and forced herself to be realistic. A mass full of muscle, he coule probably squish her like a bug. Literally.

"There's one thing you should know," she said, recalling his previous comment to Azure. "I’ll let y'all chew her like a bone later...” She clenched her fists, muscles tight. "Maybe you can make any girl swoon. But if you can't respect their dignity, then you don't deserve any respect from anyone else."

She didn't understand his expression, but she rashly interpreted it as mad, partly because she wanted it. She wanted Cowboy to be mad at her. She wanted him to fight her. Cece swallowed, anticipation firing an adrenaline rush. She knew that her yelling the words for everyone to hear didn't really help improve the situation either.

But Cece was irritated. How long had it been since she last had a good run to calm herself (that mad dash through the storm did not count as a relaxing run)? Or had a good time playing the violin? She'd had some fun with the little contest, but it hadn't been intense enough to get her bad emotions out. She needed more. Even angry, Cece knew that she was taking this out of control, but she ignored that fact. Her anger poured out against Cowboy, and she was unable to stop it. She nearly felt sorry for the poor guy. Hadn't they just met?

Even more adrenaline surged through her body, firing her violent instincts. Her nerves were shot, patience drained. She needed to punch someone, to get rid of those emotions. Just one, quick snap from her arm against something else. Almost unable to stop herself, she stood up, wound her fist, and struck.

[Azure Rossi]

x

Azure was both horrified and angry at Cece when she called her out. She was stunned, unable to defend herself as Cece went on. This was a nightmare! Her feelings suddenly seemed very confusing to Azure. What was she supposed to do? Right when she gained her composure once more, Ven came over. Relief washed over Azure. She took in several deep breaths, controlling her anger as she was taught. She would so have to chew out Cece later, but not in the library in the middle of a hurricane. Still, Cece only wanted the best for her...maybe. She hardly knew Cece, yet she felt a connection with her. For that matter, Ven also.

She couldn't help but give a small laugh at Ven's statement about mixing animal instincts and men together. "Agreed." Azure crossed her arms, and looked at Everard.

"You're wrong," she hissed under her breath as Everard pulled Cece away. Azure knew she was lying to herself, even as the words came from her mouth. She didn't like cowboy, right? His world was so different from hers. Plus he appeared to be way into himself, thinking that every girl swooned at the sight of him.

He was nice though. Besides, why would he like her? Azure found herself hardly interesting, really. She wasn't super social. In fact, she was usually the girl who had no friends and was ignored all the time. She's never even had a best friend, besides Addiadas. He was back in Arizona, though.

And then Everard started playing. He looked up at her and smiled, this time holding her gaze. Cece was right. Azure was well aware of everyone turning their eyes to her. Just stop, just stop, pleaded Azure silently. She want to slink behind Ven for safety, but she knew that wouldn't look good. Even when Everard focused his attention on some of his fans, everyone kept looking at her. Her breath grew swallow, and she concentrated on breathing. Inhale, exhale. Don't look at the audience.

Azure about had it. She would have shifted right then and there if she could, and slip away from everything. Being a snake had its advantages. You could fit into any small crannie, and no one was going to find you. Still, she didn't want her new friends to know her shift. They had just met. If they knew she was a snake shifter...would they turn their backs? That's what always happened to her, anyways. It would have been easy for Azure to slip into the bad crowd with those who stole cars, skipped school, and got drunk every weekend. Luckily, Azure had strong morales that she stuck to. Even if it meant she would be friendless. Azure crossed her fingers, hoping Everard wouldn't shift once more. She didn't know if she could stand another fight.

Although she was proud of Cece for standing up for herself. If there was going to be a fight, she found that she couldn't support Everard. Cece was right. Enough was enough.

Notes: Sorry I haven't posted in forever...I've been gone. Also, I'll be busy this week so posting might be difficult.

[Addidas Chase]

Addidas ducked, grateful for his enhanced reflexes as a piece of debris flew by overhead, barely missing him by mere inches. He recalled the words of the mysterious stranger, the last words that anyone had said to him besides things like "Please remain seated at all times. Smoking is prohibited in the cabin, and is punishable by..." This was supposed to be a fresh new start. Two days ago, Dazz hadn't questioned what a "new start" was supposed to mean--but he never thought that the stranger had meant a new death. He'd been stupid, sitting out in the storm like that. At first it had been light rain. Then before he knew it, the wind was wailing insanely, the whipped his body with stunning force.

As every second passed, the storm grew worse and worse. Addidas's living nightmare. He'd experienced torture, abuse--everything that had made him wonder if he would live to see the next day. But he had never felt true fear until now.

Shelter, his mind said, logic taking over emotions like usual. Must find shelter... He dodged another piece of debris, tripping as a window shutter went sailing past his shoulder. The island had to have buildings, ones that hopefully provided a substantial amount of protection. He ran inland, his muscles burning, his back throbbing. Dazz had some good reflexes, but he couldn't avoid everything that came at him. He wished momentarily that he could shapeshift into something that had eyes in the back of its head. Those would've been helpful in avoiding flying objects.

Grunting softly from his pain, he squinted ahead, trying to discern what was ahead of him through the wild water and wind. First it was a silhouette. Then, it began getting colored in, as if it were materializing before his eyes. He ran faster with a burst of speed.

Suddenly, something blindsided him, slamming him to the ground. Part of a tree, he realized, blinking. The water was relentless. It began collecting in the street. Pulling himself together, Dazz jumped to his feet. He had to get across before more water accumulated. He inhaled sharply when he first made contact with the water. It was freezing. Dazz's muscles stiffened up to his knees. He pressed on nonetheless. Shelter, must reach shelter...

He reached the side of the building, and he pressed his back against it, inhaling sharply when his body screamed in protest. Then, he began fumbling around. What use was a building to him if he couldn't get inside?

Dazz's eyes hardened as he continued his blind search. He felt helpless and lost, without the use of his sight. The storm was getting worse and worse. His eyes squinted to keep the water out of them. He recoiled sharply when a random burst of more water hit his body. He'd seen much, much worse than just a little spray of mist, but it had startled him. Cats, well, didn't really like water that much.

Finally, he found it. He broke through the door, staggering inside. His eyes shut as he slammed the door closed. He was safe. He was alive. The building was warm, and Dazz sighed in relief when he knew that his wild run had not been in vain. There was music. Dazz slowly peeped his eyes open. A girl played the violin, and a boy sang deeply. It was a welcoming sight, to see kids relaxing in the midst of the rugged storm.

"Boy! Just look at yourself!" Addidas was startled at first by the lady, but he recognized her as the lady in charge. The librarian, he guessed, when he saw that he was standing in a room full of shelved books. He just looked at her, speechless. Then, he realized that he'd entered her realm (so to speak) soaking wet in nothing but a pair of jeans.

"Sorry, miss," he said, standing up. The windows made him wary, but he still felt that safe feeling. "I didn't mean to show up here...like this..." he shut his mouth.

"Boy, where is your shirt?" the librarian flushed slightly, and Dazz knew how awkward it was for her to say the words. It was awkward for him to hear the words.

"I...don't have one," he said, sheepishly. He grit his teeth when another shock of pain racked his body.

The librarian stared at him in horror. "Here, take this," she said, slipping out of her jacket with surprising speed. He looked at the pink and green floral print. "I couldn't ruin something as nice as this," he replied coolly, masking his disgust with a polite voice. The librarian's eyes narrowed. "Take it, boy. I will not have someone unproperly dressed running around in my library."

Dazz's throat tightened. "Alright. Fine. Thanks." He slipped into the jacket, humiliation filling his mind. But she meant well, he reminded himself. Besides, she's right. It'll help me stay warm and dry off, and help hide that nasty wound on my back. "Where's the restroom, miss?" he asked, knowing that his back needed its full attention. The librarian pointed it out for him. He smiled his thanks, and headed toward the restroom normally, ignoring the fact tha the was wearing an old lady's jacket.

Once inside, he cleaned out his wound and sat down. He rinsed his jeans too, before ripping the bottom cuffs off them. He removed the fabric until about the knees, and created a rough bandage to help stop the bleeding. Then he put the ugly jacket back on, to hide the bandage.

When he went back into the library, he knew that something was different. The kids weren't all happy-looking anymore. The boy and girl were still making music, but it just felt, well, different. It wasn't as warm anymore. Books lay strewn all over the carpet. The librarian looked pale. Quietly, he cleaned up the books for her. She was a nice lady--she'd helped him, so he helped her.

"Thank you, boy," she said when he finished and stood next to her. His shrug turned into a wince when his left arm complained. "Call me Dazz," he said.

Suddenly, the girl with the violin shouted something at the singing boy. She looked extremely angry--Addidas didn't understand why. She said something that Addidas didn't really understand, either. Something about respect. What he did understand was that she was getting out of hand very quickly.

The librarian paled even further. "Stop them, boy." Dazz wanted to remind her that he had a name, but when he saw how incredibly helpless and freaked out she looked, he had to oblige to her command. The poor old lady had probably seen so much already today, and the storm had everyone's nerves on end. He wanted to get rid of her distraught expression. It didn't suit her.

He charged into the scene before he could convince himself not to. As he neared, it felt as though time slowed. The girl continued her rant at the boy, who reminded him faintly like a walking gorilla. He could only imagine the temper behind her personality--hadn't they been playing music together peacefully only moments before?

Dazz was faintly aware of Violin-girl raising her fist, to strike the boy. He gave a sudden burst of speed and got between the two of them before either of them could get hurt.

Dazz said something like, "Back off each other! You'll only make everything worse!" The girl's expression changed, but she was unable to stop her fist apparently. Dazz felt needles sting his arms.

The blow made him stagger backwards (who knew that someone so tiny could be so strong?), and pain errupted in his arm. He blinked rapidly to keep the stars away. Instead of running away or finding a place to sit, Addidas held his ground. "Don't fight now. Can't you see? The building could come down any minute, and you're here arguing about something that doesn't even matter." He grimaced inwardly when it looked like Violin-girl wanted to attack him for daring to intrude her rant.

And that was the last conscious thought he had before he collapsed.

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[Azure Rossi]

x

Azure watched in horror as Cece raised her arm and slammed her fist into the stranger. She jumped to her feet, wide-eyed, as the boy fell to the ground. It was when she saw the stranger's face, did she herself collapse. It was as if her legs had turned to straw, and they snapped beneath her. Azure fell to her knees, but she did not cry out. The pain she felt wasn't from her fall, it was from her heart. That was no stranger! It was Addidas, the boy from her hometown in Arizona. Addidas and her were good friends, and had managed to stay in contact even though they were thousands of miles apart. The two had never dated. In fact, Azure wasn't even sure if Addidas liekd her in that way. He had gone out with a few other girls, but as far as she knew he was single. Since when did he become a shifter? Why didn't he tell her? Azure felt hurt, but she decided not to be angry with him until she talked to him about it.

She got back to her feet quickly, and brushed her clothes off. Azure didn't dare meet Cece's eyes, or anyone's for that matter. She pushed through the hushed crowd and sat beside Addidas. It had to be him, who else could it be? His breathing was shallow. Cece had punched him hard! In fact, he was unconscious. Azure stumbled back. "Can someone get a wet cloth?" she stammered. She grabbed a pillow from a couch and put it under his head. She stepped back as the librarian came over to take charge. Azure moved over to Cece and Everard. "Do you think he'll be alright?" she whispered. "He seems to be out cold." Azure glanced over at Everard, to see how he was taking this all in. It was rude of Cece to call him out like that in front of everyone, she realized, but she knew Everard had his faults as well. Azure, still shaking from the recent incident, turned her gaze away from the boy laying on the ground. Her eye caught Ven's, and she gave a nervous smile.

Azure bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes. Her life had flip-flopped during the course of several seconds. How could that be? She shook her head, opening her eyes once more. Azure's feelings seemed to becoming more and more confusing by the moment. Too much was happening in so little time.

[Addidas Chase]

When Dazz came to, he wondered how hard he'd hit his head. Suddenly, with a shock he realized that he wasn't hallucinating. This was real. She was real. First, wonder entered his mind. Then, horror at himself. He'd passed out in front of an entire crowd. He tried to get up, but a wave a dizziness made him settle back down like the reasonable person he was.

His mind went into overdrive, which didn't help his headache much. Was this really Azure? Had she been here all this time? He thought back to Connor's words when he'd realized that Azure had left: She's gone to a place where you can't follow... Oh, man. Azure was a shapeshifter too? How could this be? Another thought struck him: Were all the kids here shapeshifters? Dazz felt like slapping himself. Well, now that the grand mystery as to why this place was called "Shifter Academy" was solved...

" 'Zure?" he mumbled groggily. He sat up, gathering his dignity, not caring how much his head spun. He thought he was going to pass out again. Of course, no one could tell this because he'd put on his stony, Dazz-like face again. Damn, he thought when the room seemed to do cartwheels. That blonde-haired girl hadn't hit him that hard. Why was his body's response so bad?

As he got a stronger grip on himself and the room's cartwheeling was reduced to just slow rolling, he took the time to register his wounds. Okay, well, one of his arms looked like it was in pretty bad shape, the one that got attacked by a flying tree and the punching girl. What made him frown was that the wound in his back had reopened. He groaned when he remembered that he was wearing that floral jacket, completely mortified. Really, leave it to Dazz to make a grand entrance with a faint in an old lady's jacket.

His attention focused on Azure again. "What are you doing here?" he asked, stupidly. He shook his head at himself, and was punished by his brain when it did a little flip in his skull. "Need...bandages...bad wound on back." He had to stop the blood loss. He'd already lost enough. Worst of all, it would probably stain the librarian's jacket. She'd gone through so much already--the last thing she probably wanted was a freak kid's blood all over her clothes.

The whole room kept on spinning around. His vision blurred, focusing on the one person that mattered: Azure.

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