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Darkseeker
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Crew scowled at the boy across from him, almost shaking with frustration. He didn't understand what it was like to have to do things one didn't want to do, especially to benefit others, mostly just because he'd never had to. The family he'd been raised in had been rich and easy-going. If you didn't want to do something, you made it clear why you didn't want to, and then you had no obligation to carry out the task given. It was never presented to him in any other way, so the fact that he was now so helpless against the decisions being made for him pissed him off more than he was willing to admit. His eyes darkened, and he dug his fingernails into the soft palm of his hand, seething. This was ridiculous, and he didn't like feeling out of control, and right now, he was very out of his element. Even so, there was no way he was going to yell at someone in front of his little one, and he wasn't about to just set her loose in this building and campus of weirdos and magic wielding maniacs, who would probably kill her, whether it was an accident or not. At the refuting words of the other boy, he raised an eyebrow. "Maybe," he said coldly, ''the idiots in your class just aren't taking care of themselves, and are getting killed, or 'disappearing.' I don't care if it's going to cause a panic. If this already sketchy campus is getting more dangerous, we need to just have everyone leave. If they're not all clumped together here, then it wouldn't be as easy for whatever the hell is going on to happen!" Crew couldn't help the distaste painted over his features as Kalen carried on about his lack of affection for anyone, and he leaned on Sterling's chair, only half-listening. It honestly wasn't his problem that this completely unloveable boy was, not unsurprisingly, also unable to love. At the comment about preferring his first name to being addressed by his last, Crew shook his head.
"I have no desire to call you anything, thanks. I will call you as I please," he interjected sharply. "And I'll thank you to leave my family out of this. Just because you have no affection in your life, whether reciprocated or not, doesn't mean that you can rudely address my child." The Headmaster began to re-explain his weak plan to the pair, and Crew stared at him, horrified.
"My TITLE? You chose me because of my last name and the money that backs it up?" He stepped back, rubbing his temples, muttering angrily to himself. "I can't believe this. I'm not a Demi-god, I don't want to be, and I will *never* want to be. I wish to the highest heavens that Apollo had never cursed me with his problems. I swore that I would never use these powers, and I didn't think I'd ever have to. I have wasted my life at this establishment! I don't care about learning how to harness my powers or anything, I came here so I could be registered like I was told. Now, I am being told to go risk my life, my daughter's life, all because? Because I have a rich father, who came from a line of more rich people. I am nothing but an invitation to you. I can get you into nice places, and I can afford to spend a little extra on a nice place to stay while we're out adventuring. I didn't even want to come here in the first place! I shouldn't have to do this, there must be some other way," he argued desperately. |
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Lightbringer
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In all honesty, Kalen had seen a lot of different levels of angry in his lifetime. It was just something that had a tendency to happen. The way this man was shaking--visibly shaking--his face flushed with color. The other man's eyes were solely trained on him, which Kalen was used to and regarded in return with a calm--irritated--neutral frown. His fists clenched, fighting to keep himself in control. Likely to not explode in front of the kid who wasn't even paying any attention to what was going on around her anyways. Tch, kids. As he attempted to coldly return his words about blah blah blah, idiot kids, getting killed, disappearing, didn't care about a panic--whatever. Kalen lifted one hand to look at his knuckles, debating about a few courses of actions and settling on remaining where he was by the window instead. That was probably the safest course of action. The headmaster likely wouldn't appreciate the demigod railing on the other man solely because of his selfish behavior. Not that Kalen was better but at least he tried to hide the fact he was helplessly selfish. "Actually, safety in numbers. Usually the university is the safest place for demigod and mythic beings to be," Kalen refuted that outlandish claim idly, hardly even phased by the tone. He was clearly frustrated at Kalen's lack of... affection. The expression that Crew wore was rather amusing and didn't do much to help Kalen's lack of care. However, he attempted to pin it on his lack of care or whatever, blah blah blah. This guy really loved to ramble on about things pertaining to only him. And he called Kalen selfish, that was a real treat. His explosive reaction--mimicking horror--was rather amusing to Kalen. The way he rambled on and on about not wanting to be here, not wanting the blessing, oh how he could just go on and on and on. Kalen tutted and lifted his hand to keep the headmaster's words at bay, preferring to keep the point of attack on himself. He could take it, it... really didn't affect him at all. "And I was chosen because I'm from the dark alleyways, you don't see me throwing an absolute tantrum," Kalen replied dryly, his hand returning to tuck into his arms. Folded over his chest, Kalen tilted his head forward. "You didn't have to join, you didn't have to sign-up, you also didn't have to stay here at this university at all. You could've gone to any other mortal establishment, couldn't you?" Kalen waved one hand, glancing out the window. "Some of them can't leave. Some of them don't have a place to go. But hey," his piercing green stare traveled between the headmaster, the books and the kid before resting on Crew. "If you have a better idea, go on. Figure it out. You're awfully pretty but do you have the brains behind it? You've been very vocal and loud about how you've wasted time, you can't waste your life for whatever reason, and yet you stand there looking like a duck on the pond. So, Crew, think of a better plan and we'll do that one, eh?" Kalen finally stood up straight, his broad shoulders squaring as he focused his entire stance and energy on the other boy. "I'm waiting." |
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Darkseeker
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Crew just shook his head, staring over the boy's shoulder, out the window. He could see the wind whipping the leaves and sticks around, the frost clinging to the bottom corners of the window, and he chewed on his lip, utterly helpless, his knuckles white from his tightly he was clutching the back of the chair, and after a long moment of silence and thought, he let out a slow, tired sigh. "Actually, I was not allowed to choose just any establishment. Some ridiculous Demi-god came to my home when I was sixteen, and informed me that thanks to some god, I had been given some kind of 'blessing' and would be attending this school for the special, or some shit like that. I had to be 'registered as abnormal,' or something. Do you know how hard that was to explain to a devoutly Catholic mother? That her eldest, he'd only son, had seemingly been chosen by a pagan god, and was being sent halfway across the country to be trained? No, you don't. Because you never learned what it was like to be raised in a loving home," he snarled. "You just don't understand what it's like to have siblings, or anything." Despite his seethings, he listened patiently. Throughout his entire Highschool career, he had thrived in debate class, and still found a private pleasure in listening to arguements, refuting them, and letting his debate partner do the same. The familiar motions of the sharp exchange of words was honestly somewhat comforting to the young man, and he leaned on the chair, his tense face slowly relaxing, his sharp eyes softening to vague interest, and he nodded slowly, turning the opposing argument around in his brain. He saw the points being presented, and gave himself a moment to put all his thoughts in order. "It's safer for them here? I see your point, and although it sounds nice in theory, and they could supposedly use their powers against this mysterious force. But this entire campus is full of people who have no idea how to harness their gifts, or are still working on it. The few skilled people are going to constantly be dealing with the pressure to be keeping everyone else safe," he returned coolly, keeping his tone controlled and neutral now. Crew honestly wished that he had thought of this more like debate class earlier. He had mentally and physically calmed down, and he was much more in his element, more willing to hear both sides of the argument and not let his emotions get the best of him. At the comment of a better plan, his jaw tensed almost imperceptibly. Personal attacks were not permitted in most of the debates he'd engaged in, so the comments on his appearance shook him slightly, and he stammered out a poor excuse. "I'd appreciate if you didn't bring comments on your sexual standing and attractions into this," he said after a brief pause. "As for a better plan, I was never good at strategy, and I'm willing to admit that. However, if I was the Headmaster, I would create a larger group of well-trained students with powers that mesh better, who work better together. Clearly, we butt heads more than I'm sure they were hoping we would. Unfortunately, I am not the Headmaster, and therefore my opinion is void. I can tell that no one here is willing to change their minds, so, I would like to be given the rest of the day to find somewhere for my daughter to stay, because I'll be damned before I put her in a dangerous situation, and I'll pack for this godforsaken event." |
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Lightbringer
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Kalen was surprised at least to watch the frustration, fury and rage all slowly bubble down inside of Crew. The way his shoulders sank down just slightly--remaining sturdy but less tense. He returned Kalen's points with a touch of his past, pointing out how his past had led to this point. Everything had been normal for the other boy, up to that point. Well, he seemed to be doing just fine. The demigod had lied to him, of course, but who was he to say something about lying? Trying to explain to a catholic mother? He had seen his fair share of those. They seemed so uptight. A small pit of pity formed briefly before he shoved it away. This boy clearly didn't deserve or need it. Something had clicked between the breath and the last words that Kalen had laid out on the metaphorical table. He wasn't wrong, at all. Crew's cards were made up of queens and kings. Kalen had the ace, joker and a few others that didn't belong to the same deck. Kalen's winning hand was shrouded in deceit and theatrics rather than good solid ground like Crew. Instead, Kalen turned his head to the side as Crew whined about how he didn't understand about what a loving family was like. He'd sprain his own eyes if he rolled them any harder. Kalen shifted his weight back on his left foot, one hand on his hip. He'd let Crew think he just never had love. He did. But... better to get on his pity than nothing else at all. The country was large but so was the world. Kalen heard plenty of Papa Antonio longing for days back in Italy, telling him ways and different stories that the man had gone through. He knew what a family was supposed, in theory, to look like. But he remained silent. However, the young man shifted gears. He was frustrated and then he was calm. It was entertaining to see the way he bounced between emotions. Crew switched to the topic of the school itself. Kalen tipped his head slightly, finally speaking again. "A lot of folks and students here don't know how to control their abilities. You and I are lucky to have such menial abilities. They don't require much training or skill," Kalen mused. "But that's the rarity. The control of water or storms? That seems far trickier than just... healing. It makes you a target. But who is going to try and track someone down in the world when there is everyone ... here," he gestured to the campus again. The fall air mixed with summer heat was whipping into a storm again, which he wasn't too surprised about. He just hoped he didn't have to go waltzing through it to get to class. Or pack. Or whatever. "Tch, if you knew my actual sexuality, you'd turn redder than the headmaster," Kalen flashed him a dry smile. "But that is an... interesting point." "We can't afford it," the headmaster mumbled. "We can't afford to send more than two. It's not in the budget." Kalen let out a dry laugh that grew into a soft chuckle. "School of the gods and everything and they can't afford to send more than two. That... isn't surprising in the least bit." Kalen tutted and sighed, leaning back. "We can allot as much time as you need," the older man confirmed wearily. "Whenever you are ready you can return to the administrative offices and we will give you what we know." Kalen clicked his tongue and tipped his head briefly to Crew. They butt heads sure, because one lacked self-preservation and the other had too much to lose. "Suppose I'll see you tomorrow then." |
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Darkseeker
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Crew stared at the headmaster. He couldn't believe that not only had he taken the time to calm himself down, rationally think through the problems, and come up with a better solution, but that the only reason they were turning it down was because the campus was too poor to send more than two people. He let a disbelieving sound from the back of his throat, and slowly pulled himself together again. He nodded slowly, and gathered up his things, ignoring Kalen, who seemed to be having the time of his life pissing him off. Crew scooped up Sterling, and gave the Headmaster a curt nod, heading back out into the blustery autumn morning. The wind slammed into him like a wall, and he groaned, shivering violently. He let Sterling keep his coat, and headed back to his dorm, trying to sort out what he was going to do. He set her at the table with a bagel, and paced the room, considering who he could call. He certainly wasn't going to send her to his mum, neither of them would enjoy that. But there weren't that many other options. In the end, he decided on the person he least wanted to see, but Sterling would benefit the most from seeing: her absentee mother. They argued on and off all day, and by the evening, Crew was exhausted and upset, but Sterling would be spending the time he was busy with his ex. They made the exchange as painless as possible, and the little girl seemed to go without many problems.
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As the night passed, Crew took his time packing. He had no idea what he was going to need for a such an event, and didn't want to over or under pack. In the end, he picked mostly his usual comfortable outfits, as well as a tuxedo. One never knows when one might need a tuxedo. He threw it all in a bag, and by that time, it was early morning, and he fell into bed for a few hours of sleep, dreading the next morning and the events to follow. |
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Lightbringer
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Kalen, more or less at that point, checked out of the meeting mentally. He had heard, said, what he needed and now he was just waiting for the official dismissal. The irritation radiating off of Crew was simply a by-product of the meeting. Granted, he was used to having 'missions' or whatnot that he often went on for his family. For him, he supposed, it was no more than a grocery run with extra steps. Or, in this case, a school assignment as he figured. Why this Crew was throwing such a tantrum was beyond him. At the headmaster's dismissal, Kalen slid out of the office and down the building. The fall storm was slowly picking up, blowing leaves around in idle circles as the clouds on the horizon slowly began to roll toward the university. It meant there wouldn't be good flying weather. Not that he cared to fly anyways. The demigod made his way across campus once again, admiring the red and orange leaves, seemingly peaceful for what he knew. Or perhaps, he just didn't care that much. It was likely the latter, knowing the man, his background, the way he reacted, acted and of course, the way he was in general. It was a lot to think about but Kalen wasn't prepared to really give much of that information at all. He wasn't the problem. Nor would he be. He would make sure that at the least, he did things well. Kalen was determined. He hardly needed to pack much at all, throwing together a duffel bag of clothing. A few pairs of jeans, trousers, socks, his favorite shirts for course. Once done, Kalen settled down to simply plan out what he was going to say. Not that he really knew... after all, coming back to the family as a god?! That would be enough for them. He knew that full well. At least, if it was quick, he wouldn't have to bother with Crew for longer than he had to. The night he slept was dreamless, likely for the best. That was what he usually aimed for was the dreamless type of sleep. Dreams were too chaotic, too much. Just too much in general. But the next morning was also peaceful for him at least. He wandered out, duffel bag over his shoulder with a lopsided smile on his face as he made his way to the administrative offices once again. The day was cloudy, dripping with rain, but it wasn't like he cared too much. The doors opened and the headmaster was waiting in the lobby, looking tired. His bowed back, lowered shoulders, dark circles, all just said... tired. |
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Fall 
Day Weather: 
Heavy Rain
