“Who knows. I suppose I will just go with the flow. I like to mix things up." Ikaris couldn’t resist the urge to wink back before he bid her adieu. “I wish you the best of luck then.” Returning the smile she threw back to him, he did find himself watching her for a few moments longer. Thaola undoubtedly appealed to the better and more energetic sides to him, because she just about matches his rambunctious aura. A rare find. Eventually he convinced his gaze to begin the search elsewhere for a cup, to which his eyes settled on a small group. They were all close enough for Ikaris to have the opportunity to splatter at least two of them with one cup… so he was going for it. A hoarse coughing fit, a desperate reach for a drink to soothe his ailment, and a dramatic apology with his hands waving -the drink he stole in one- did end up splashing not one but two wereanimals. It was quite the scene, with Ikaris in the center, but the wereeagle would be lying if he said he didn’t find pleasure in several eyes being on him. However, the wereeagle did find himself glancing to see if Thaola was either successful in her own mission, or if she was just nearby in general.

"The target. So, I suppose a survivor." Enzo’s single, slower nod almost resonated with a solemn movement. Most people he could live with being Amber’s targets, but not the people he’s closer with. He places himself, for now willingly, in the predicament to take the heat. That’s on him, and so he knows he deserves what comes his way. People like Ruina did not sign up for it however. “And you still haven't told me what happened. And trust me. Something was going on. The glare that Amber gave Rui.... Damn." Enzo’s focus shifted to Tarron, and if this particular werewolf was saying something was going on, then Enzo figured it was really something. “I’ll take your word for it.” Enzo replied to Tarron, his eyes shifting back to Ruina.

“Amber is all bark and no bite. She's nothing I can't handle. But I'm afraid I only pissed her off, and from the uh, subject of the conversation. I'd say she's probably going to take it out on you..." A quiet hum in accompany with a small sigh is how the wereleopard responded. Not that he was disappointed, but he was preparing himself for the confrontation. If Amber thought she was going to be able to enjoy the rest of her night here, she had another thing coming. “Sorry.” Enzo’s brows furrowed with a shake of his head. “Sorry is a word I don’t accept from friends,” giving a flicker of a smile, he continued. “If anyone should be sorry it should be Amber… but I wouldn’t expect to hear an apology. I’ll take some of the blame for you getting caught in the crosshairs though.” Enzo didn’t need the details of a conversation with angry Amber to know it wasn’t a fun conversation. So he didn’t feel the need to ask.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have a target of my own to deal with,” Enzo smiled to the werewolves before taking a few steps away, but not without stopping to throw a few more words over his shoulder. “Point and laugh at the werefox from afar if you dare.” A ghost of a smirk crossed his face, but if seeing Amber humiliated made Ruina feel better, then the invitation was open for Ruina to bear witness to it. Continuing his walk, his gaze moved over several faces before he spotted Amber’s across the room. It’s a shame she didn’t notice him, the dread on her face as he approached would have been quite amusing. Oh well.

“Are we having issues tonight, Amber?” Enzo’s voice cut through the conversation of the group of females as he stood only a mere foot behind the werefox. Spinning around, the redhead laid eyes on Enzo as she suppressed a meager stature to envelop her. “You mean other than the usual? Then no, none at all.” She spoke with a smile through a squinted gaze, signifying her irritation. Enzo reciprocated the squinted gaze to dish her own medicine right back to her. “Oh? Really? I was unaware our usual problems involved targeting one of the only people that care to tolerate you.” If Amber thought her fake friendly tone was great, Enzo put it to deep shame with his own. Amber scoffed, “I wouldn’t have had to target anybody if you could just be loyal to the person you’re with; me. You are in a relationship. I don’t understand how you think your behavior of dancing, or flirting with other girls is acceptable. It’s not charming Enzo, it’s sad. I don’t flirt, dance with, or even look at other guys because I’m with you. I’m committed to you. You can never say the same because you don’t even try with us. So I’ll target whoever I need to until you see that your actions don’t just affect you.” Amber hissed very defensively as her group of friends began to back up while spectating.

“Do you even realize how psychotic you sound? Targeting people to teach someone else a lesson? Ruina isn’t just another “target”, she’s a friend. And you know what? I would be genuinely happy for you if you did flirt or dance with any other guy in this room. If anyone else wants you, they can have you. But I don’t see a line of eager suitors waiting anywhere for you, so I’m the best you have babe.” Enzo fired back. The two had leveler voices as they bickered, but it was very much on the verge of being louder. Amber stayed quiet for a moment, glancing around the room at a few pairs of eyes on them before she looked back to Enzo. “No, you’re not the best I could have. I could find someone who would love me enough to worship me, to love me.” She said firmly, using subtle manipulation to try and get him to feel bad, but it wasn’t working as seen through Enzo’s response. “Then you go find that person, because it sure as hell isn’t me. Trust me when I say if you choose to pursue me, you’ll regret it just as much as I regret ever thinking I loved you. I may be your greatest trophy, but you are my greatest mistake Amber. And one I’ll fix in the worst way if you truly wish to stay with me.” Enzo finished as tears swelled in Amber’s eyes, but the wereleopard did his job. The others in the area all stopped to eavesdrop, and that easily humiliated Amber. If Enzo was right, then this was far from over, but for the time being he left it at that before leaving Amber to bathe in her shame.

"I wish you the best of luck then." Thaola smiles to herself as she continues forward. Her eyes constantly scanning the crowd for a target. And then her eyes landed on the perfect topic. The freshman weretiger from last weekend who'd tried to take off Ruina's head. She would love to get some revenge. The werelioness was very aware nothing had happened and Ruina could have easily held her own. But she still wanted some kind of revenge. If it could even be called revenge.

With a target in mind, the werelioness was on the move. As she moved she saw Ikaris near two wereanimals. She didn't slow down long enough to watch him dump the cup, but she figured he was about to. The weretiger had finally spotted her and anger was growing in her brown eyes. Thaola smiles sweetly as she approaches,"Hiii." The weretiger snarls,"What do you want?" Thaola shakes her head,"Oh, I just wanted to come talk. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for what happened last weekend. My friends and I we like to mess with people. And we took it too far with you." Thaola was lying her ass off.

The weretiger narrows her eyes, she didn't trust the werelioness. Thaola leans forward,"I swear. We go too far sometimes, but I just wanted to apoligize." The weretiger relaxes slightly, the werelioness was a hell of a liar. "It's okay--" Swipe. Was the sound of Thaola's nimble fingers snagging the weretiger's cup. That pissed her off. Tiger claws started to appear and as Thaola holds the cup, her open hand starts to change into a lion's paw. "Put your claws away, cub. Between me and you, you know I'll put your ass on the ground with no mercy."

The weretiger hesitates again and Thaola growls,"Don't be stupid, cub. I said sorry. I just need a drink." The weretiger growls back,"You could have gotten your own." Thaola's eyes flash,"Where's the fun in that?" The weretiger's eyes dart around, all of her friends were somewhere else, she had no back up. And she knew she couldn't take Thaola on. The weretiger's paw turns back into a normal hand,"Alright. Fine. I'll let it slide this one time." Thaola scoffs as she turns,"You won't do shit too me. You're all bark and no bite." A low growl ripples out from behind Thaola, but with her drink in hand, the werelioness keeps walking.

Now she had to find another target. Someone to dump the drink on. And then her eyes landed on the werewolf cousins. And she stops. A frown settling on her face. Ruina looked... worried... And Tarron looked concerned. It seemed they were talking to Enzo. What was going on? The werelioness had actually seen Ruina dancing... With Enzo. Hmm. Perhaps that had triggered Amber. Thaola was moving towards Ruina and Tarron at once, spilling drinks and causing mischief long forgotten. Her mind was on her best friends. What the hell had happened?

"I'll take your word for it." Tarron nods, another grimace flashing across his face. He wished he had been there when Amber had started to, or at least tried, to tear into Ruina. Despite her words, the werewolf princess seemed to be on edge. Why? Everyone knew that Ruina was better than Amber. Kinder and not as much of a bitch. So.... Why was she on edge? Surely she wasn't scared of the werefox. There wasn't anything to be scared of. Her kingdom had very little power to do anything to Truhan. Especially with Truhan's allies that were always happy to help.

As Enzo sighs, Ruina grimaces to herself. Perhaps she should have just walked away. That may would have saved him from Amber's wrath. "Sorry is a word I don't accept from friends." A tentative smile was returned before Enzo continues,"If anyone should be sorry it should be Amber... but I wouldn't expect to hear an apology. I'll take some of the blame for you getting caught in the crosshairs though." Ruina waves Enzo off,"Oh, it was not your fault. It's just Amber's nature regardless. If she was in love with someone else, she'd do it to them to. It's just her sel-- er, her nature." Tarron shoots a side glance at Ruina who's grey eyes flicker to him briefly.

"If you'll excuse me, I have a target of my own to deal with." This time Ruina did not smile back, what was Enzo doing? Was he about to make it worse. The wereleopard takes a few steps away, throwing some parting words over his shoulder,"Point and laugh at the werefox from afar if you dare." Oh, he was. He was about to go confront Amber... No doubt in front of all of her friends. Oh, from what she knew about Amber, that would come back and bite Enzo in the butt. Ruina grimaces, she felt bad. She started this mess by accepting Enzo's offer to dance.

"What the hell is going on here?" Two sets of grey eyes turn to the werelioness as she appears, continuing. "Why did Enzo just head off, looking I would say, pissed. And why do you two look so... concerned and worried? What the hell did I miss?" Ruina sighs,"I'll explain it later. But, let's just say Amber's being a bitch again." Thaola rolls her eyes,"Why does that not surprise me." Ruina glances at Thaola,"I'm thinking of leaving." Thaola opens her mouth and Ruina cuts her off,"I danced. I hung out, drank some, and danced. I... I just need some fresh air. Okay?" Thaola frowns, studying Ruina's face,"Okay."

Ruina blinks surprised,"That's it? Okay?" Thaola nods,"You need some fresh air. And yes, you fulfilled my request. You danced. And I assume since the dance was with Enzo, it pissed Amber off." Ruina unloops her arm from Tarron's arm,"Yes." Thaola sighs shaking her head,"Don't let her mess with you. You know you are capable of disproving any rumor she can start. And you can easily whoop her ass." Ruina's answer was simple,"I'll see you tomorrow, Tarron. Thaola." The two exchange a glance as Ruina starts off, slipping out the door. Tarron shakes his head,"That encounter with Amber shook her more than it should have." Thaola mutters,"Maybe it has nothing to do with Amber."

Tarron raises his eyebrow,"And who do you possibly think it is about then?" The two turn back, their eyes landing on Enzo who seemed to be giving Amber a lecture. Thaola scoffs,"Who do you think?" Tarron's eyes widen,"Enzo..? You're kidding." Thaola shrugs,"Why not. They already seem close... Did you see them dance?" Tarron shakes his head,"I don't think so. What... I've never known Rui to show interest in anyone like that." Thaola sighs, her gaze straying, seeing if she could find Ikaris. "Things change, Tarron."

Outside, Ruina walks along the sidewalk. The walk back wasn't long, but she was taking her time. The moonlight was shining down and the night felt great. Not to hot and not to cold. The breeze was gentle and was just blowing enough to keep her hair out of her face. She was glad to be outside. The dance had freaked her out. Dancing with Enzo had freaked her out. The conversation with Amber had pissed her off. Ruina comes to a stop as she passes a bench. She wasn't ready to go back inside. So, after a moment's of hesitation, she sits down on the bench.

Ikaris managed to skirt around the group that he managed to upset, although he did not expect his drink spilling to uncover some coveted scandal amongst the group. As interesting as gossip is to the bird that uses it to leverage his way around school, there is one grating voice that always stands out to the wereeagle. Amber. Anyone could hear that whiny voice a mile away though if one were to listen close enough. Deaf people have to plug their ears when Amber goes off. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but no one could say temporary deafness just when Amber opens her mouth wouldn’t be a cool superpower. The wereeagle only got close enough to catch the end of Enzo and Amber’s talk, with his eyes trailing Enzo as the prince stormed in the direction opposite of Ikaris. It was because of the direction he was looking though that he was able to see Thaola and Tarron in his peripheral vision. Settling his blue gaze on Thaola for just a few seconds, Ikaris glanced down to the ground before following after his friend. Weird how you don’t realize how much fun you’re having until it’s over.

“Eni,” Ikaris called after Enzo, with that nickname always getting Enzo to pause long enough to give a ‘seriously?’ look to the bird. “If you bunk with me tonight she won’t come around to try and start round 2.” Ikaris said, while Enzo’s expression held mild confliction. “I think I was happy, for just a little while tonight.” Enzo said, while Ikaris’ brows knitted together in confusion before Enzo elaborated. “It was nice to be around someone whose presence wasn’t draining. And honestly? If the cost for the moments I got to spend dancing with Ruina is just dealing with Amber again… I’d pay it ten times over.” Enzo sounded hesitant to voice his thoughts, but who better to trust than his best friend? Ikaris nodded in silent understanding, “Happiness is fleeting unless you want it enough to keep it in your grasp.” Ikaris shrugged, trying to offer helpful advice. “And you know this from experience?” Enzo asked with a raised brow, to which Ikaris gave a sound bordering a scoff. “I know the kind of person you are. If you really want something… you’ll get it. It’s admirable really, and your stubborn ass’ lack of relent is how we’re friends in the first place. So yes, I know from experience.” Ikaris smiled encouragingly while putting a hand to Enzo’s shoulder.

“And if I don’t know what I want?” Enzo asked further, with Ikaris rolling his eyes now and dropping his hand. “You will eventually… or you won’t, and you’ll roll around in indecisive misery for the rest of your life. So there’s your motivation to figure it out.” Ikaris replied in a tone of pure sass, but it was effective in getting Enzo to crack a smile. While Ikaris could probably offer a plethora of advice, he couldn’t spare any for himself. Flashes of smiles from his own, unique, dance with Thaola went off behind his eyes. While he would admit he had fun, and he was fairly happy in those moments, the wereeagle was too guarded to believe it was anything more than two friends having fun at a dance.

~skip~

The weekend following the dance went much smoother for the boys then the way the night of the dance had ended. Not to mention, the weekend had been a time where everyone could breathe comfortably without Amber looming over them. Since the werefox took the weekend to visit her parents. It gave Enzo the window of opportunity to fully relax himself in the presence of his friends, and playing off of Ikaris’ advice, he subtly pursued Ruina’s company. Call it testing the waters, but he wanted to know that it wasn’t just spite that had made the night of the dance enjoyable, he needed to narrow down for himself the exact source of that brief content. Considering Enzo was trying to be nonchalant in his pursuit, primarily he opened himself up to more communication between him and Ruina with the others around. And it meant he placed himself close enough to her from time to time to express his friendliness through his company. But he hasn’t tried to force time between them. The weekend went very well for Enzo in other words, and the first two days back in class were fairly fine as well. Even with Amber coming back after the weekend to school.

The results of Enzo’s pursuit so far? He knew he liked being around Ruina. He knew he liked talking with Ruina. His shift in behavior towards her demonstrated that much. So, did that mean he liked her? The prince was starting to think so. The biggest problem with all of this is that, eventually, if he were to ever say anything, or make a bolder move… there’s the fear of rejection. Nobody likes to be rejected with anything, and believe it or not, even a big bad wereleopard is scared of being rejected by a person he’s pretty sure he likes. And if he were to do something, after a rejection… all he would have to look forward to is Amber’s ridicule. And Amber, of all people, being the one he turns to for comfort just to be told over and over again how he ‘did this to himself’. So, there’s that holding him back from any future advancements.

Today though was midweek, first period. Well, the middle of the first period. It’s a class the whole group had together… if Ikaris sleeping through it counted as him being there. “Exit ticket,” came the monotone voice of the teacher as his lazy gaze went over the students faces, landing on a sleeping Ikaris, “Mr. Kline.” The teacher suddenly boomed while hitting the board at the front of the room, and Ikaris’ eyes shot open in sync with his head pulling up. “What was the question?” Ikaris voiced back, a few snickers around the room harmonizing. “It’s no wonder you’re barely getting by in my class. You can’t even do the simple task of staying awake.” The teacher spoke with an unimpressed tone, and Ikaris shot a glare. “You’re just jealous that you’re twenty years too late for any beauty sleep to actually make a difference with your face. So if you can’t do the simple task of not being a wrinkly dick, why should I bother being awake?” Ikaris threw out, which judging from the shock on the teacher’s face, the noises of shock from the room, and Enzo kicking Ikaris’ foot.. no one expected his temper to flare so suddenly. Well they should have expected it! Don’t throw shade at someone who just woke up.

“Mr. Kline-” the teacher started before Ikaris stood up and cut him off. “Yeah, yeah, I know the drill.” The wereeagle said while gathering his things, but not before stopping in his journey to speak to Thaola and Ruina. “I’ll see you two in art next period. I think my next masterpiece will be titled ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ featuring yours truly as the youthfully beautiful killer, and Mr. Hanson as the victim.” Ikaris smiled wickedly. “Now, Mr. Kline.” The teacher ordered, and Ikaris flipped him off before leaving the room. Yeah.. he was going to the Head Mistresses office.. again. They’ll probably just have him on clean up duty again after school with the cafeteria all week. And worse, sit him down in a quiet room this weekend and make him rewrite the same sentence 200 times. At least expulsion hasn’t been threatened yet. Then again, Ikaris has had a record of outbursts and issues in classroom settings his entire life, and certain situations just spark him into going off.

Enzo had to refrain from laughing at Ikaris’ outburst, but he didn’t want to be the next one to be sent out. “Highlight of my day.” Enzo quietly commented to himself with a smile. He needed Ikaris to be in art next period with Ruina though, mostly because that was Enzo’s way of ensuring Amber didn’t try anything directly with Ruina again. That hasn’t stopped the werefox’s spread of various rumors though. Some said Ruina was a basic, bottom feeding “man stealer”, others said Ruina was in a bet to see if she could get Enzo to cheat on Amber, and the rest.. well, there were a few others. All the more reason why Enzo wanted Ikaris in the room next period with the girls so Amber couldn’t be a bitch face to face with Ruina. So maybe Enzo was being protective in his own way, but who wouldn’t appreciate a shield from Amber?

After the dance, Thaola and Tarron had gone to Ruina's room. However the werewolf had refused to open the door. She knew if she did she would have to explain what exactly had happened and she just refused to. She wanted to understand what had happened first. She understood what had happened between her and Amber, that was no issue. But what about her and Enzo? She knew that dance was to spite Amber. But she had never felt so relaxed and happy before. Not even around Tarron and Thaola.

The rest of the weekend was very relaxing and enjoyable, especially when the Truhan's had heard that the bitchy werefox had gone home. All three were much more relaxed and open. They enjoyed their time with Enzo and Ikaris. And what Ruina refused to admit, was she enjoyed when Enzo was around. He also seemed to be trying to be in her company more. She didn't mind, she actually enjoyed it. She noted that he tried to be nonchalant about it, and maybe even a little subtle. But Ruina noticed. She couldn't really speak for Tarron or Thaola though.

As school started back, the three Truhan's fell back into rhythm with ease. Tarron had gotten himself a girl during the dance, but both Ruina and Thaola knew it wouldn't last long. The werewolf didn't even hang around his girlfriend that long anyway. And it seemed the girl in question was very aware of what she was getting herself into. Tarron was well known around campus as being someone who did not get attached too anyone.

Ruina found herself questioning how she felt about Enzo on a daily. She enjoyed his company and liked to talk to him. And it seemed he felt the same way. But what exactly did that mean? Did that mean they liked each other? Or did that just mean they were becoming better friends? Thaola and Tarron had noticed the shift in Ruina and though they could not get her to tell them exactly what, they knew something was up. Especially since they never got the full story of what had happened at the dance.

"Exit ticket."

Came the boring tone of their history teacher. It was first period and the Truhan's were incredibly bored. Tarron was doodling, completely ignoring the teacher. While Ruina and Thaola were playing games. Shooting a rubber band at each other, both trying to make a goal. None cared about history, they knew the history of Ioana. They knew the history of the kingdoms, they'd grown up as royals. When the king and queen had managed to get them to sit still, they were being taught all about Ioana. Even the myths of the continent. They knew it all.

"Mr. Kline." Three pairs of eyes shoot towards the teacher as his volume increased and he hit the board. Then the Truhan's eyes shift slightly towards the no longer sleeping wereeagle,"What was the question?" There were some snickers around the room, but Ruina and Thaola simply exchange a glance. While Tarron returns to his doodling. "It's no wonder you're barely getting by in my class. You can't even do the simple task of staying awake."

Ruina and Thaola's game was on pause, they knew Ikaris had no respect for the teachers and he always said something back. Usually amusing, but it always got him in trouble. "You're just jealous that you're twenty years too late for any beauty sleep to actually make a difference with your face. So if you can't do the simple task of not being a wrinkly dick, why should I bother being awake?" Tarron's head comes up, shooting a glance at Ikaris. While Ruina and Thaola exchange a grin. Ha, that was great. It would of course, get him in trouble.

"Mr. Kline--" Thaola smirks as she watches the wereeagle stand up,"Yeah, yeah, I know the drill." Grey and green eyes watch as Ikaris begins his journey out the door, pausing beside them. "I'll see you two in art next period. I think my next masterpiece will be titled 'How to Get Away With Murder' featuring yours truly as the youthfully beautiful killer, and Mr. Hanson as the victim." The girls answer Ikaris at the same time,"See you." A smirk and laugh escaping their lips as the teacher scolds Ikaris. Who simply flips the teacher off and continues onward.

Ruina and Thaola shake their head, exchanging a grin as they return to their game. Ignoring the teacher once again. Tarron shakes his head, amused, even his calm attitude couldn't have saved Ikaris from that one. Ikaris had walked himself straight into that one. He was just lucky not to have been expelled yet.

Ruina did kind of hope Ikaris was in next hour. She could handle herself, yes, and Thaola would of course be backup. But she figured, Amber definitely wouldn't do anything if Ikaris was there. The werewolf had heard all of the rumors. She'd been called a basic, bottom feeding, man stealer. She knew of the bets of if she could get Enzo to cheat. She'd heard them all. Already she'd proven them wrong, but some had just refused to believe Ruina. Purely for the excitement of a new rumor. Especially between two princesses over a prince. That always riled up the school.

Ruina figured having Ikaris and Thaola there would not only help keep Amber from bothering the werewolf. But perhaps between the two, they could keep the werewolf from just going at Amber and beating the werefox's ass and maybe getting her to shut her mouth. She'd heard about how Amber had been humiliated by Enzo at the dance, which no doubt fueled the werefox's anger. But now, Ruina was not above humiliating Amber again. The werewolf had become Amber's target, but Amber had become the target of the werewolf's fury. And for Ruina, at least she was trying to convince herself, that it wasn't just about Enzo. She didn't know how she felt about Enzo. It was about Amber being a rude little self-conscious bitch who's ego couldn't take her boyfriend dancing with someone else.

History class finally finished, and with a wave and smile at Tarron and Enzo, the girls set off to their art class. Sketch books and pencils in hand. Art was one thing that was calm and normal that they enjoyed. Both were pretty great artists. And while Ruina preferred drawing, Thaola preferred painting. So, often Ruina draw the picture and Thaola painted it. They had made some pretty awesome art, some had been hung in the school. Some were hung on the walls of the art room and some were hung in the Truhan's rooms. One or two had been sent home to Ruina's parents and siblings. Laughing and talking, Ruina and Thaola enter the class room, taking their seats at their table near the back. With any luck, Ikaris would be back for this class.

Enzo usually spent most of history zoning out, or passing notes with Ikaris. His friend was gone though, which meant all he could do was tear up small pieces of paper, crumple them, and flick them towards people. Quite honestly he wasn’t sure why the school was so determined to instill the entire history of Ioana into everyone so deeply. It’s not like history hasn’t been shoved down his throat in earlier school years, by elders, and from stories told by servants in his youth. By now, he was pretty sure there was no one here who didn’t know just about everything there is to know about the history of Ioana. Ikaris did too, so how or why he wasn’t exceeding was something Enzo was mildly curious to find out later.

Once class ended, Enzo gave a quick smile to the girls before leaving the classroom. While he didn’t want to be late to his own class, he was lingering near the art room to see if Ikaris would show. After a few minutes of nothing though, Enzo had to pick up a brisker pace to make it to his own class. If the Head Mistress hasn’t wrung his neck already, if he skips, I’ll do it myself. The bird has one job; show up for just a few classes. Is it really so much to ask?

Amber didn’t really care to react much to Ikaris’ scene in history, mostly because she didn’t care. She spent her whole weekend whining, complaining, and throwing prissy girl tantrums about the state of her relationship to her parents. While her mother eased her daughter by agreeing to have a discussion with the King and Queen of Ritha about the arrangement, and to ensure that it works out, Amber’s father was pushing for it to be dropped. The King was dying anyway, and in his own way, he was looking out for his daughter by trying to end something she’ll never really find happiness in. Amber and her mother hardly see eye to eye with the King though, so there’s slight turmoil within that family as well now.

Once history ended, Amber quietly grabbed her things and began her walk to art class. While her and Enzo had been more distant, she was still hell bent on finishing what she believes Ruina started. Would it really have been so hard to decline a dance? That’s all the werewolf had to do. The werefox walked into class to sit at the table on the left most side of the room, setting her already mostly filled sketchbook down and tying her hair back into a loose bun. She was a better sketcher than she was a painter honestly, so she worked with paper and pencil more often than not. Eventually, her jade eyes moved up from the blank canvas she was staring at to the Truhan girls. Thaola was just an ‘eh’ in Amber’s book… but Ruina. The werefox has come to loathe her since the night of the dance. There was nothing short of animosity that spewed from Amber’s harsh gaze towards the werewolf, but the stare broke as one of Amber’s friends joined her at her table.

“I don’t know why you bother wasting your energy with the Truhan princess.” her friend said in a gossipy tone, “it’s not like there’s much of a competition between you two. Other than maybe muscle? But too much of that just isn’t sexy, ask any guy.” The blonde with a bob cut spoke, and Amber gave a light shrug. “It’s her fault Enzo has even mentioned calling off the arrangement, just because of a stupid dance. It’s all because he knew dancing with her would make me mad, he said so himself. Some girls just can’t shy away from a boys attention, not when they hardly get any attention.” Amber replied, with the two girls gossiping back and forth, and sneaking glances at Ruina as they did so. Suddenly, the blonde gasped at something Amber had said, “Shut up! Did they?” The blonde asked a little too loudly. “Rumor has it that it happened over the weekend. Why else would he be so happy just around her?” Amber spoke. What was the topic? That Ruina already got Enzo to cheat behind Amber’s back. That would break out among the other girls in Amber’s circle soon enough, and from there the rumors would spill into the ears of everyone else. Whatever made Ruina look bad at this point is good enough for Amber.

While a good amount of time had passed, Ikaris did eventually show. Opening the door and hitting the top of the door frame with his hand as he entered, he walked enough into the room to kick the door closed behind him in a way that was much louder than necessary. “You’re late.” The teacher commented mildly, but this was a teacher that Ikaris actually got along with to a better degree. “Fashionably late.” Ikaris winked before his eyes traveled to Thaola and Ruina. “Hey, guess who survived another encounter with the Head Mistress?” He smirked as he walked towards them. “Damn did I get an earful though. Seriously, and I thought I was bad with my ranting. Word of advice; she doesn’t like it when people talk back. Even if you make a good point! It’s annoying.” Ikaris finished with a huff, and while he was tempted to go on his own ranting spree about his experience, he figured the only person he should burden with that is Enzo.

Looking from the girls, he moved his head a little to see Amber, who met his gaze. “Ew, it’s looking at me.” Ikaris said with a face of disgust, and Amber rolled her eyes before turning away. The wereeagle reacted with a triumphant chuckle before focusing back on the Truhan’s. “Too bad I’ve already gotten in trouble today, otherwise a paint splatter war would be fun.” Ikaris commented as he shifted in his seat. Putting his elbow on the table and stapling his knuckles beneath his chin, the wereeagle was primarily watching the girls. He’s not a very artsy guy, but it is fun to finger paint like a child every so often. Plus, art can be sporadic. Like him. Sometimes it’s a deep, meaningful masterpiece, and other times it’s just a bunch of colors thrown onto a page with no meaning. It varies, like his moods. So while he may not like to dabble in art as much, he could at least appreciate it.

Two pairs of eyes flicker to the door as it opens again and in comes Amber. Most of the class had already arrived and as time got closer to class starting, Thaola and Ruina were beginning to worry that Ikaris would not be able to make it. They liked having the wereeagle around. Sometimes they'd use him as inspiration and sometimes they'd get his opinions on the art. They knew he wasn't that much of an art person, but they still liked to ask for his advice whenever they needed it. It never hurt them anyway.

Both girls felt someone stare at them and Thaola's eyes flicker over first. "Stupid bitch." The werelioness mutters under her breath. Finally Ruina's grey eyes flicker over to hold Amber's jade ones. The same hatred growing in hers. Amber may be able to give a hell of a glare, but so was Ruina and she was not backing down. A small smirk flickers across the werewolf's face as Amber looks away first. Mainly because of one of her friends, but still. Both Ruina and Thaola were close enough to hear the conversation between Amber and her friend and they both had sharp enough hearing.

"I don't know why you bother wasting your energy with the Truhan princess." Thaola simply turns to her canvass, starting to paint as Ruina rolls her eyes and starts sketching on her paper. "It's not like there's much of a competition between you two. Other than maybe muscle. But too much of that just isn't sexy, ask any guy." Ruina scoffs, really that's what they were going with? Damn. Ruina may be buff for a woman, but she sure as hell did not have too much muscle. She'd seen more muscle before. "It's her fault Enzo has even mentioned calling off the arrangement, just because of a stupid dance. It's all because he knew dancing with her would make me mad, he said so himself. Some girls just can't shy away from a boys attention, not when they hardly get any attention."

Ruina rolls her eyes again, were they hoping to get a reaction from her. She couldn't give two shits, she'd already proven the rumors wrong before, was Amber really looking to getting humiliated in front of a whole class? That would spread faster than a rumor. Did the oh so spoiled princess really want that? She hesitates as Amber's friend suddenly gasps. "Shut up! Did they?" Ruina rolls her eyes yet again. They were just looking for attention, it was starting to annoy the werewolf though. Surely the two bitches had something better to do.

"Rumor has it that it happened over the weekend. Why else would he be so happy just around her?" Ruina lost it, and spun on the werefox,"Oh, I don't know. Maybe cause I'm not a self-centered obsessive, pain in the ass, little werefox princess who has nothing better to do with her life than start rumors." Ruina's eyes gleam,"And if you dare think you can get a rumor started about me and Enzo apparently sleeping together your wrong. Unlike you, I wouldn't just pounce on the first guy who showed me interest. Even if Enzo and I liked each other like that--" Did they? She wasn't sure. "--I'm not a slut and I'm not interested in sex."

Thaola mutters under her breath,"Whoa there, wolf." Around the class, there were murmurs. Some seemed to be believing Amber but more of the class seemed to be believing Ruina which was evident by the disgusted glances thrown at the werefox. Before Ruina could add anything else, the teacher walks in, and Ruina turns back towards the front as the class starts. She couldn't wait for Combat in Action. With any luck she'd get paired against Amber, then she'd get to show that werefox a little bit more of what the little bitch was messing with.

The class grows quiet as everyone turns to their work. But after some time the door opens and there was a sound of someone hitting the top of the door frame. Both the Truhan girls look up and smile as they see Ikaris. "You're late." The teacher states. "Fashionably late." The girls chuckle slightly at that. "Hey, guess who survived another encounter with the Head Mistress? Damn did I get an earful though. Seriously, and I thought I was bad with my ranting. Word of advice; she doesn't like it when people talk back. Even if you make a good point! It's annoying." Thaola rolls her eyes, though there was amusement in her gaze. "You're just lucky you weren't expelled." Ruina agrees,"Incredibly lucky."

"Ew, it's looking at me." Ruina wanted to say something, but she bit her tongue. No point in starting an argument here. "Too bad I've already gotten in trouble today, otherwise a paint splatter war would be fun." Ruina snarls under her breath,"The bitch would deserve it." Thaola, who just barely heard the words, shoots her best friend a look of surprise. Ruina was one of the calmest of the groups, beside Tarron. She did not rise to any kind of bait easily and she hardly ever got angry or raised her voice. She actually was just as calm as Tarron. Of course she had her moments and her temper but she always controlled it well.

She'd never heard Ruina get so angry so fast before. In fact, before, Thaola had thought Ruina was just about to jump and just full on start going bat shit crazy on Amber. Of course, the werewolf would have whipped the werefox's ass, but probably would have gotten in a lot of trouble and possibly expelled. Thaola shakes her head, whatever was getting into Ruina. It had started at the dance, and the werelioness was determined to find out what the hell was going on.

“Oh, I don't know. Maybe cause I'm not a self-centered obsessive, pain in the ass, little werefox princess who has nothing better to do with her life than start rumors. And if you dare think you can get a rumor started about me and Enzo apparently sleeping together your wrong. Unlike you, I wouldn't just pounce on the first guy who showed me interest. Even if Enzo and I liked each other like that– I'm not a slut and I'm not interested in sex."

Amber, initially, looked pissed that Ruina even dared to spin around and speak to her. The look Amber was giving alone said “fuck off”. That is until it shifted right before Ruina finished. The bitchy side of Amber chose to play the sweet and calm card. “Oh hun, no need to get so worked up over gossip.” Amber said dismissively with a deceivingly genuine smile. “But you’re getting awfully defensive for rumors, you claim, aren’t true. In my experience, only the guilty work up a spitfire defense… but of course, you’re not guilty of such grotesque behavior. So I’ll take your word for it.” Amber said quickly and quietly before the teacher entered, her eyes squinting with a smile before she whipped her head back around to her friend, rolling her eyes before looking back down to her sketch pad.

Amber had the audacity to think that Ruina is the one always starting problems. Hypocritical? Yep. Delusional? Absolutely. But she would never see that, and she was many things, and a pretty good actress is one of those things. So even if she did become aware of her delusional attitude, she could still play it off as if she had no clue, and everyone else is the problem in her life. That’s just the kind of person Amber is. Textbook definition of ‘bitch’. She didn’t foresee Ruina ever getting physical with her, and maybe that was idiocy, but no one’s ever quite put the werefox in her place through a physical altercation. She thought she was fairly untouchable, so naturally she just keeps running her mouth, since that’s all she can do. There’s not much of a bite to Amber, but she can work up quite a bark.

"You're just lucky you weren't expelled." Ikaris gave a huff that expressed his ‘so what if I was?’ attitude. “Incredibly lucky.” Ruina added, and Ikaris drummed his fingers together while responding. “The only perk to this place is socializing. With you two, Enzo, and Tarron. And pissing people off occasionally. Past that, I hate this place.” Ikaris commented, but there was a sincere lace of distaste to his last words. It makes sense though for a person like Ikaris; constant enforcement of rules, being told where he should and shouldn’t be, being trapped for hours at a time in classrooms, and more. While he is intelligent, and fully capable of excelling to the top tier in each of his classes, he lacks the desire to do great on other people’s terms just because they expect him to excel. ‘Apply yourself’, he’s heard, ‘we all have to do things we don’t want to, so you might as well just do what you can to the best of your ability. That’s life.’ No. Why does he have to live life like everyone else? He won’t.

"The bitch would deserve it." Thaola wasn’t the only one who gave Ruina a surprised look, but Ikaris’ expression was a little more mild. Glancing at Thaola with an inquisitive gaze, he looked back to Ruina. “I don’t disagree.” He said while propping his head up on his hands now on the table. “Everyone gets what they deserve eventually,” the wereeagle paused, his thoughts derailing him from his main focus. “I think I deserve statues, gold ones. Put up all over the continent. Maybe even a city, or a waterfall or something named after me in Ritha. If you got to choose what you deserve, what would it be?” He asked, looking from Thaola to Ruina. It’s really easy for Ikaris to get off topic and to wander off into left field. Blame it on a short attention span, but he doesn’t do it on purpose. That could be another reason he struggles in classrooms, but shh, don’t out the bird.

After a few moments, Ruina’s previous comment about Amber clicked back into his cycle of thoughts. “Oh yeah, what’d the fox do to ruffle your fur, puppy?” Ikaris asked, and disregarding the pet name, he was being a truly concerned friend. While he specializes in comedic relief and chaos, he does try to be the friend that will help in any way he can. Sometimes he’s not as helpful as he thinks he’s being, but it’s pretty damn endearing to see him put in the effort. He only puts effort into people willing to put effort into him though, otherwise he won’t even try. It’s the already pre-established friendship he has with Thaola that makes him at least willing to internally acknowledge he likes her presence a little more than he did a few weeks ago. What changed? He wasn’t sure. But Ikaris doesn’t rack his mind for answers, he just takes things as they come. So whatever this change was, he was slowly working through accepting and adjusting.

"Oh hun, no need to get so worked up over gossip. But you’re getting awfully defensive for rumors, you claim, aren’t true. In my experience, only the guilty work up a spitfire defense… but of course, you’re not guilty of such grotesque behavior. So I’ll take your word for it.”

A snarl built in the back of Ruina's throat. The little bitch was lucky the teacher walked in. She was just about to say something back. Probably something along the lines of. I'm defensive because your being a bitch who's trying to ruin my life by spreading stupid rumors. But, lucky for the werefox, the teacher had walked in. "Whoa, Rui. Put the claws away." She hadn't even noticed that her hand had transformed and she was gouging claw marks into the table. "Oh, just wait till CIA." She mutters.

Thaola shoots a side glance at Ruina,"Just don't do anything that will send her crying to her parents. Truhan may be able to handle Iprihan, but dealing with another kingdom is something your parents don't need to worry about." Ruina sighs, Thaola was right. Her parents and her brothers had better things to worry about than some bratty princess who went and tattled to her parents. Ruina almost wished that her parents had brought her, Thaola, and Tarron home. The citizens of Truhan were disappearing, and all three desperately wanted to go home and help.

Sadly, Ruina's parents had agreed it was best for the three to stay in school. But would bring them home when it got worse. Worse? What was worse for the king and queen? When one of the royal family disappeared? Or when one of the missing citizens showed back up. Dead. What was worse? And how long would it take to get worse? Ruina had sent letters home and her mother had been answering. While the queen was being vague, the werewolf knew it wasn't pretty at home. Truhan was panicked and the remaining citizens had withdrawn into the castle walls. No doubt the castle was packed. Truhan's castle was large. But Ruina had no doubt that many citizens had refused to leave their home and was still at their home, no doubt hours or days away from being next.

"The only perk to this place is socializing. With you two, Enzo, and Tarron. And pissing people off occasionally. Past that, I hate this place." Thaola chuckles,"I agree." Thaola never did school. She of course had some lessons with Tarron and the royal children, but she never had to actually attend. She only went because she had nothing else to do. And she figured, a little bit of lessons wouldn't hurt her. Especially if she was going to be hanging around royals. Best learn the proper ways so she didn't offend anyone if she wanted to stick around with Ruina and Tarron. Of course, Thaola had street smarts and plenty of book smart. So, she definitely could have done without the lessons. And school? She only came because of Tarron and Ruina.

Thaola meets Ikaris' gaze, lifting her shoulder in a shrug. She had no idea what was wrong with Ruina. "I don't disagree." Thaola reads Ruina's expression and quickly states,"Don't you go tearing the table up anymore." Ruina's jaw clenches as she works to calm herself. "Everyone gets what they deserve eventually... I think I deserve statues, gold ones. Put up all over the continent. Maybe even a city, or a waterfall or something named after me in Ritha. If you got to choose what you deserve, what would it be?" Ruina snarls under her breath,"To rip--" Thaola cuts the werewolf off,"Hmm. I suppose something named after me."

Thaola's green eyes were sharp as they cut towards the Truhan princess,"What about you, Rui?" Ruina takes a deep breath, her voice returning to it's calmness,"Oh. I don't know. I don't really care though. If you really think about it, I already have something named after me. Well, after my family. Agarvran Hall." Thaola shrugs,"That's just a place where all of your family's portraits go up." That was true. Every Agarvran at the age of sixteen had their portrait painted and put up in the hall. It was a tradition that Ruina hated. But, her parents had made her do it.

"Oh yeah, what'd the fox do to ruffle your fur, puppy."

Ruina rolls her eyes,"She keeps trying to spread rumors." Thaola mutters,"She just tried to start one that Ruina and Enzo slept together over the weekend." Ruina glares at the werelioness who continues,"They're trying to, I guess, fullfil that bet everyone's passing around about Ruina getting Enzo to cheat?" Ruina rolls her eyes,"Yeah, Amber's being a little bitch. What's new?" Ruina's eyes flash,"Just wait till CIA. We'll see if she still thinks she's all big and bad when we get paired together." Thaola raises an eyebrow,"We don't pick the pairs." Ruina shrugs,"The coach is from Truhan, and we're pretty close. I think I can sweet talk her into pairing Amber and I together." Thaola frowns at Ruina who rolls her eyes,"The bitch needs to be put in her place. And if me doing it verbally doesn't work. Well, maybe me doing it physically will."

Thaola sighs,"Or, she'll go crying to her parents." Ruina rolls her eyes,"Even she knows that Iprihan can't do anything against Truhan." Thaola eyes Ruina, eyes sharp and Ruina simply returns to her sketches. Truhan and Ritha were the biggest kingdoms on the continent. Iprihan was one of the smaller ones. Surely even the king and queen of Iprihan wouldn't be that stupid to try and do anything. Even if their precious little girl was whining about it.

"I agree." Ikaris smiled at that. At least someone gets it. While he was pretty sure there were other students that loathed school, everyone usually has their own reasons. While Ikaris has never enjoyed it, when he was younger, it was a much better alternative to being home. There were even days the wereeagle didn’t want to leave school, which speaks volumes considering his overall hate of school overall.

"Don't you go tearing the table up anymore." Ikaris’ eyes had moved down to the claw marks the table had already sustained. Yikes. Note to self; don’t get caught on the wrong end of those daggers. In the small scenario that anyone said anything about the claw marks, or even if the teacher passed by and made a comment, Ikaris was close enough to Ruina to at least defend her. This is art class, teach, if anything she made the table look more appealing. Funny how the bird doesn’t think through most thoughts before he acts, but when it comes to romanticizing any kind of potential confrontation, he’ll play hypotheticals out in his head all day. “To rip–” Came the beginning of what Ruina was going to say, and Ikaris was excited to hear it. "Hmm. I suppose something named after me." At Thaola’s cut off, Ikaris gave the werelioness an almost pouty look. His inner child wanted to hear about violence!

Letting it go with a small huff of dissatisfaction, Ikaris flipped his gaze between the girls. “What about you, Rui?" Ikaris was internally chanting ‘please be something violent and scary’. That probably showed on his eager face. “Oh. I don't know. I don't really care though. If you really think about it, I already have something named after me. Well, after my family. Agarvran Hall." Disappointment overtook the wereeagle as he folded his arms on the table and rested his head on them, now glancing to Thaola. “That's just a place where all of your family's portraits go up." Boo says the bird! “Seriously? That’s so boring,” he whined, “And I hate portraits. I have yet to see any portraits, or any paintings for that matter, that capture the actual essence of life in a person’s eyes. I doubt anyone could ever capture my liveliness in a painting too, since I’m spunkier than most.” Ikaris said, giving a sigh as he looked at Ruina. “Your answer has so little aspiration to it that it made me sad and mad. Smad. Congratulations.” He grumbled with a sarcastic edge. Of course he could tell that the werewolf wasn’t in the most chipper of moods, but still. And he wouldn’t take criticism on his made up word he used to describe his emotion either, currently he’s smad. So what?

"She keeps trying to spread rumors." Ikaris couldn’t help but move his head towards Amber with a slight scowl. To be honest, he wasn’t surprised that was Amber’s angle. Those who can’t do, talk. At least Ikaris could back up his own big talk. “She just tried to start one that Ruina and Enzo slept together over the weekend. They're trying to, I guess, fulfill that bet everyone's passing around about Ruina getting Enzo to cheat?" Ikaris’ face scrunched up with disgust,

“Gross.” He said, without much thought, until he realized how his comment could be taken. “I mean, not that it would be gross if… I mean the thought of… you’re not gross, Ruina. The uh, vulgarity of the rumor, that’s um, that’s gross.” Ikaris said, trying to smooth out what could have possibly been taken as offense. He definitely made at least 5 different expressions trying to communicate his explanation though. Plus, he was trying to not piss off the already irritated princess. “Yeah, Amber's being a little bitch. What's new? Just wait till CIA. We'll see if she still thinks she's all big and bad when we get paired together." Excitement reached Ikaris’ blue eyes again as his head raised in interest. “We don't pick the pairs." From Thaola, Ikaris switched his gaze back to Ruina, because even he was rooting for Ruina to get her shot in. “The coach is from Truhan, and we're pretty close. I think I can sweet talk her into pairing Amber and I together. The bitch needs to be put in her place. And if me doing it verbally doesn't work. Well, maybe me doing it physically will." Yay! That was Ikaris’ internal shout of joy.

"Or, she'll go crying to her parents." Ikaris hummed in agreement, since that was a pretty big possibility. "Even she knows that Iprihan can't do anything against Truhan." Ikaris’ brows knitted slightly, but this was because he was in thought. After a moment of silence, he shook his head slightly. “Thaola’s not wrong, Amber will probably go running to her parents. But Ruina’s right too, Iprihan can’t, and won’t, make any kind of move against Truhan. If there's one thing I know though, between Amber and her mother, there’s strings being pulled behind the scenes. They’ll play ‘lookey, lookey over here’ that makes you look one way, while they're plotting the downfall you don’t see coming in the other direction. Amber wants love, her mother wants power. It’s just a matter of what they’ll do to get it.” Ikaris spoke, working through what could possibly be the plot the foxes were slyly crafting. And indeed, there was a plot in motion. Iprihan may be small, but it’s not Iprihan anyone should be looking at. Because the female werefoxes had their sights set on the thing that will get them what they both want. Courtesy of Ritha, soon.

Brushing it off, and trying not to let Amber get into his head, he did look at Ruina with a rarer softer gaze. “Look, regardless, teach her a lesson. Give her a reason to think about making a play at you. I know from experience. I know what it’s like to be caught in her torment, but I also know what it’s like to come out on top in her games. Why else do you think that, no matter what I say or do, she doesn’t make moves against me? Friend to friend, don’t pull those punches.” Giving a flicker of a smile, he topped it off with a wink. Usually there’s always an evident wistfulness, or arrogant weight to his tone, but this one was sincere. Looking over to Thaola now, since she had seemed somewhat hesitant for Ruina to act the way she needed to, he offered what he could. “Amber can cry, she can plot, she can whine, but that’s as far as her tantrum can go. The longer the fox gets away with her rumors, the bolder she’ll get.” He said, glancing at the claw marks, his eyes moved back to Thaola with a friendly glimmer. “I know I’m usually the first to preach violence in, like, every situation. But this one needs just a little sprinkle of it. Trust me.” Moving his foot to playfully bump Thaola’s, he was hoping at the very least for his advice here to be heeded, and accepted.

That, and he wanted Thaola primarily to express her trust in him, and that was important for Ikaris. Trust means a bond, and a bond means loyalty, and loyalty means he’s less likely to ever be abandoned. Friendship or more, he never wanted to be left behind by anyone. So, also, he was nervous Thaola would still protest Ruina’s ass whoopin in CIA. And that meant she wouldn’t be on his side, and friends on opposite sides can fight, and fights can lead to… a break in friendship. So while this situation right now probably wasn’t too much of a big deal to Ruina or Thaola, it was to Ikaris. And he was probably overplaying it too, but that’s what anxiousness in certain situations does for the bird. While he wasn’t showing it, those anxious thoughts and weighted worries wouldn’t resolve unless he determined this little thing wouldn’t cause some kind of rift. Which, it probably definitely wouldn’t, but it goes to show how much the wereeagle cares about keeping his friends, and Thaola, close.