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Secrets
Apr 1, 2009 23:17:16 GMT -5
Post by Aislin MacKinnon on Apr 1, 2009 23:17:16 GMT -5
Aislin stretched luxuriously in the blue armchair, setting her book down on the floor and then bending down to rub some feeling back into her feet. She had a habit of keeping them tucked underneath her when she sat, and she'd been sitting for a long time; her Transfiguration homework had been unusually difficult tonight. She'd pushed through, as usual, though at the expense of her toes.
The last of her homework done, she reached for her bag to put away her books. As she tucked her last textbook into the canvas bag, her hand brushed worn leather and she frowned at the unfamiliar texture. Her small hand closed on the solid shape and she withdrew a ragged book. She sat back in her chair, trying to remember where this book had come from, then she thought back to that morning. Her owl had dropped off the usual weekly letter from Aunt Helen, and this book as well, though at the time she'd been too busy to really look at it. She'd shoved it into her bag and forgotten about it.
The cover was made of dark purple leather, worn soft with age and damaged in places. Aislin fanned through it, the pages were thick parchment, covered with large, looping handwriting. They felt welcoming under her fingertips. She inspected the covers, looking for a title, and instead found a signature on the inside front cover.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She put the book on the coffee table before the fire and stared at it, chewing on her thumb. Twice she picked it up and set it back down before heaving a deep breath and opening to the first entry.
7/16/05
Today Uncle Rory informed me that I'll be starting Hogwarts next year. Calm as a cat, he was even smiling! I can't believe this. They've educated me at home for five years and now they make a decision to support pubic education. Now! Merlin, they act like I'm supposed to be excited about this. Hogwarts is a second rate institution and always has been, there's nothing they can teach me that Rory can't, this whole mess is pointless! I'm too frustrated to write. I'm going for a ride.
~Fiona
Aislin let the diary fall to her lap, her typically pale face even whiter. 2005... that would have made her mother fifteen years old. She'd never known her mother had been homeschooled, and who was Uncle Rory? More importantly, who had sent her Fiona's diary?
She'd chewed the tip off her thumbnail by now, and the dairy lay closed on her lap (she didn't think she could handle any more of it just yet). For a while, she just sat there, staring at the fire as if mesmerized, lost in contemplation.
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Kerridon Paradox
Ravenclaw
[blue]6th Year Ravenclaw[/blue]
One loss locked me in the heart of misery... but you had the key to set me free
Posts: 317
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Secrets
Apr 8, 2009 15:43:25 GMT -5
Post by Kerridon Paradox on Apr 8, 2009 15:43:25 GMT -5
((Got there eventually )) For once, Kerridon was not researching anything. Neither was he doing homework. Not even reading. Despite all this, he was in the library. An abandoned book was resting on the table in front of him as he leaned back in the chair, eyes half shut but still alert for anyone coming too close. The book on the table was completely safe if anyone glanced at it – just a book on advanced spellwork he might need to study for a number of classes. He had been attempting to read it but, for the second time in his life, couldn’t concentrate properly. The first time had been after his sister’s death, when he had kept dwelling on the past and anything he might have done to change it, hopeless as it might be. That period of not being able to concentrate had ended after his failed suicide attempt. On this occasion, however, he was dwelling on the present rather than the past – a certain person in the present, to be precise. He was worried about Mami, and it was killing him that he couldn’t be seen too close to her. He was half tempted to just ignore all possible consequences that might come from Dark Phoenix thinking he had something to do with her escape. But he had grown up learning to always look ahead at the consequences, and could not just dismiss that now. D’rorah needed his spying abilities – the lightfighters needed as much help as they could possibly get. So instead he had to keep an eye on her from a distance for the most part. And what he had observed was not good. She was jumpier than usual and didn’t seem at all happy. The one time he had seen her once the sun had set she had been even worse. But also, he hadn’t seen or heard her playing any of her instruments since her return. It would be difficult anyway, with so many of her fingers having been broken, but she hadn’t even tried judging by all appearances. Sighing, Kerridon stood and picked up the book with one hand. He didn’t bother to place it in his bag, but just walked from the library in the direction of the common room. Maybe he would see her there and engage her in idle conversation, as if she was just another housemate whom he vaguely knew. The problem was, he didn’t engage in conversation with many of his housemates, let alone idle. Perhaps that would have to change if he wanted to get away with speaking to Mami more. He couldn’t allow her to stick out. Answering the riddle at the door, he entered to find a mostly empty common room, with a small, pale girl sitting in one of the armchairs he normally used. Taking a seat in one opposite her and flicking the book open to the page he had been attempting to read before, he remembered her name was Aislin MacKinnon – she was a first year. She also seemed to be mesmerised by the fire, with an unfamiliar book in her lap. It did not look like any of the textbooks first years were likely to use – it was far too old, for one. [blue]”Is something the matter Miss MacKinnon?”[/blue] he asked quietly, in a low voice that no one else but Aislin would hear unless they were listening out for it.
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Post by Aislin MacKinnon on Apr 9, 2009 0:27:06 GMT -5
Her mother used to lock herself up for days in her room, she wouldn't come out, or let anyone in but an aged house-elf who brought her food. On the day before Aislin left for Hogwarts, she'd gone in to her mother's rooms and found the door to Fiona's lab, a door that was covered so thickly with protective spells that it glowed, open for the first time she could remember.
Her mother was there, hunched over a cauldron, her hair a mess and her robes wrinkled. Aislin had never seen Fiona so distressed before. Fiona was rocking back and forth on a lab stool, her notebooks scattered across the table before her, along with a mess of potions ingredients. Whatever she was trying to do, it wasn't working.
As Aslin watched, Fiona made a notation, stirred something into the cauldron, and waited. Her face went from white to red in a matter of seconds and she swore, backing away from her cauldron as if it contained something revolting. Then she saw Aslin.
"Get out!" Fiona screamed, rushing like a madwoman at her daughter as Aslin fled for the hall. She imagined she could still feel the sting of the door hitting her heel when her mother slammed it behind her.
The next time Aislin saw her mother was the Christmas Ball. Fiona was floating around the crowd of party-goes like a butterfly, dressed in white, charming everyone she spoke to.
Aislin surfaced from her reverie when Kerridon spoke, her mother's face still a fresh image in her mind. Her green eyes drifted from the fire to Kerridon's face, and she blushed slightly at the involuntary thought brought on by the combination of firelight, her own anxiety, and... well, Kerridon's good looks.
"Ah, no, I'm fine," she replied, avoiding Kerridon's gaze as she hastily tucked the old diary into her bag, "I was just finishing up some homework. Almost dozed off. I should probably go to bed." She stood up, shouldering her bag, "I'll let you alone. G'night."
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Niobe Blakes
Ravenclaw
[blue]Fourth Year Ravenclaw[/blue] Shadow Warrior of Earth
Posts: 88
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Secrets
Apr 13, 2009 1:19:54 GMT -5
Post by Niobe Blakes on Apr 13, 2009 1:19:54 GMT -5
(It's two in the morning, so forgive me if this comes out crappy)
The workout had been fulfilling tonight. The evening workouts were good for getting her nice and exhausted so she could sleep without dreams. For some reason, she had been having nightmares. She couldn't remember them at all, but it was simply too difficult to deal with waking every hour and getting hardly any rest. It wasn't affecting her studies yet, but she didn't want it to get to that point.
So Niobe had gone to the gym and worked out extra hard, wanting to get herself nice and exhausted. She wore a simple black tanktop and black shorts, soft soled shoes and a blue towel around her neck. She wasn't as sweaty as she was shortly after her workout, but a shower was definitely in order.
Silently, so as not to disturb anyone, she moved through the halls back to Ravenclaw common. She entered, solving the riddle, and found that she was not alone in the common room.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, looking at Aislin and Kerridon. The girl was a first year, she didn't know her very well, but found her pleasant enough. The older boy was a sixth year, and she knew him hardly at all. They were all house mates, however, so she smiled and bowed her head a bit in a manner of greeting.
"Evening," she began "Sorry, I didn't know anyone was up. I hope I haven't disturbed you."
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Secrets
Apr 13, 2009 11:59:51 GMT -5
Post by Mami Tien on Apr 13, 2009 11:59:51 GMT -5
Mami had been studying silently in her room, her bed curtains wide open so she could see if anyone were approaching, but more so that she wouldn't just see a shadow through the curtaining as everyone moved around. It was getting late and she was trying not to think about it, but there were girls getting ready for bed and she couldn't be in there when they dimmed the lights. She didn't want to go back to that place that never left her, darkness and her own screams and their torture. She shivered and gathered up her books making her way into the common room, which she frequented very little lately.
The less she went down there, the less likely she was going to see Kerridon and be ignored by him. She didn't know why, but ever since she'd been pulled out of that nightmare, he had been avoiding her. She didn't know what she'd done, maybe he just wasn't interested any more because of all the obvious scars, maybe he found her revolting. She let out a soft sob as she walked down the stairs to the common room.
Her eyes widened slightly in what could have been described as fear, days worth of unshed tears suddenly threatening, as she noticed Kerridon by the fire. She bowed her head and moved to sit at a table, where she laid out her homework and tried to compose herself. Of course, she couldn't keep herself from glancing at him every other word so that she had to reread the same paragraph three times before the concept stuck. Which meant it was nearly impossible for her to push her hurt away, let alone compose herself. She sighed and tried again to attempt her homework.
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Kerridon Paradox
Ravenclaw
[blue]6th Year Ravenclaw[/blue]
One loss locked me in the heart of misery... but you had the key to set me free
Posts: 317
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Secrets
Apr 13, 2009 15:47:55 GMT -5
Post by Kerridon Paradox on Apr 13, 2009 15:47:55 GMT -5
Kerridon’s gaze stayed on Aislin as she came back to reality, taking in the blush calmly and simply waiting for an answer. He wasn’t exactly the sort of person to become unhinged by emotions – at least, not in most situations – so he wasn’t fazed by it, nor did he pay it much attention except to note to himself that perhaps what was wrong was a personal matter she did not want to discuss. And judging from her answer, she certainly didn’t want to discuss it, denying that anything was wrong at all. He was admittedly a little surprised when she suddenly stood and said that she was going. Were all students this rude when they were engaged in conversation?
Without much experience in engaging simple, meaningless conversation, Kerridon hadn’t known exactly what to expect – but not this. Before he could get over his surprise so it wouldn’t show in his voice and bid her goodnight, someone else entered the common room – a girl older than Aislin, but still younger than himself. He stood and turned quickly to see who it was, never having liked having his back to anyone. Niobe was the name that came to mind, but he couldn’t recall ever hearing her surname. She looked as though she’d been doing exercise of some type because of the beads of sweat he could see on her forehead and the clothes she was dressed in, and he wondered where she had been doing that... and why. Ever-suspicious, the main reasons that he knew people did exercise was to keep in shape for fighting or other exertion – such as his climb up onto the roof of the Astronomy Tower to talk with D’rorah that time. Most people he knew were – or had been – part of the Shadow Wars, and from what he had seen of the general Hogwarts populace he was not too impressed with them. Mami was probably the single exception... but for the rest, he couldn’t imagine them actually working out for the purpose of just keeping fit. Far too much effort. Teenagers in general seemed like very lazy beings. They just didn’t have anything motivating them.
[blue]”Good evening. And no, you have not,”[/blue] he replied, not waiting for Aislin to express her own opinion on whether they had been disturbed. After all, she had just been leaving so there wasn’t really any conversation to disturb. He thought he might as well have another stab at idle conversation, something that even after a single attempt he was beginning to detest. [blue]”What had you out so late in the evening?”[/blue] He wondered where she had been working, if that was what she had been doing. The Room of Requirement seemed unlikely, and the curfew was still in place for outside – the sun had long since set.
Noticing movement out of the corner of his eye, he turned his head a fraction to see someone he immediately recognised staring at him from the bottom of the stairs. The wide eyes and expression on her face made him stiffen a little in guilt... he didn’t want to be causing her any more pain. But surely she had worked out why he was avoiding her – he couldn’t risk Dark Phoenix finding out about his part in her escape. And not just because that would mean his cover was destroyed. If she knew, then it would be obvious to her that Mami meant something to him... it would make her a target, again. Selfish as it might sound, Kerridon would not have risked so much for just anyone. And the Mage knew that for the most part, he looked out for himself over anyone else. He wasn’t really sure what it was about Mami that changed that.
Although his head stayed facing Niobe, he followed Mami out of the corner of his eye as she ducked her head and went to sit down, trying to suppress a scowl appearing on his face as he noticed one particularly prominent scar running up the side of her neck, and another snaking down from the sleeve of her shirt. He moved slightly so that Niobe could come closer to the fire if she wished, but also so that he had a better view of Mami. He tried not to make it too obvious that he was watching her, but a few moments later caught her eye as she looked up and found it impossible to look away. He hated the way she looked frightened... was she frightened of him? If she knew he had worked for Dark Phoenix in the past – and technically, still did – that would be reason enough for her to be frightened. A good reason for him to stay away from her, too. She didn’t need someone like him around... someone who had done to other people what Phoenix’s agents had done to her.
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Niobe Blakes
Ravenclaw
[blue]Fourth Year Ravenclaw[/blue] Shadow Warrior of Earth
Posts: 88
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Secrets
Apr 13, 2009 18:07:34 GMT -5
Post by Niobe Blakes on Apr 13, 2009 18:07:34 GMT -5
Wow. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Niobe was no super solider, but it didn't take much to see the shifting discomfort going on.
Another girl had come down, a fifth year that Niobe didn't know terribly well but seemed nice enough. Her name was Mami if she remembered correctly, but she looked very sad, depressed even. Her eyes kept shifting to Kerridon. At first, Niobe thought he was ignoring Mami, because he was staring straight at her. The feeling was unnerving, as if she was being scruntinized and judged right there where she stood.
And all I had done was get a workout... she thought.
She was going to answer his question when his gaze shifted. Unbeknownst to her, he had been subtly shifting, moving around to a point where Niobe hadn't really registered it. She felt the warmth of the fireplace and thought for a moment that maybe he had wanted not to block it, which would have been nice of him, but then he turned. Mami and Kerridon locked gazes, and Niobe felt a bit more uncomfortable.
Aislin had been leaving right as Niobe had come in. She almost wanted to call out 'Don't leave!' but knew that wouldn't be polite. The young Ravenclaw felt that she had come at a very bad time.
"I was working out." she explained, although she wasn't entirely sure as to why. Did not a workout outfit denote that she had been working out? She figured Kerridon to be an intelligent boy, was it difficult to believe that a Ravenclaw would work out at night? "I try to work out every day, I don't wish to get out of shape."
Of course, she was sure that he wasn't even listening to her at this point. Niobe fidgeted a bit uncomfortably.
"Ah, well..." she should go. Something was going on that was obviously none of her business "I best be off to take a shower." she looked at Kerridon, wondering if he was going to let her go or not. For some strange reason, she felt like she wasn't going to be able to pass unless he deemed her to do so. The sensation seemed ridiculous, but it was there nonetheless.
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Apr 17, 2009 13:04:44 GMT -5
Post by Aislin MacKinnon on Apr 17, 2009 13:04:44 GMT -5
Aislin looked up and brushed a stray curl out of her line of sight as Niobe spoke, "No, you haven't disturbed us, I was just - " she stopped short when she saw the next girl enter. Aislin's bright green gaze traveled from the teary-eyed newcomer, to Kerridon, who was obviously deliberately ignoring this girl, to Niobe, who could apparently feel the tension as distinctly as Aislin herself, then back to the new girl, whose scars were hard to look away from.
Slightly ashamed of herself for staring, Aislin turned her attention back to packing her things, and in the moment it took for the new girl to sit down, Aislin had shouldered her bag and hurried away towards her dormitory.
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Secrets
Apr 30, 2009 14:17:06 GMT -5
Post by Mami Tien on Apr 30, 2009 14:17:06 GMT -5
It was her own fault that she got caught looking at him, she should have been working on her homework, which she needed to get caught up on. But instead she'd been fighting and loosing at keeping herself from watching Kerridon-kun. She didn't know when he'd become such to her, but he had, and now he wouldn't even talk to her. But now their eyes were locked and she was helpless to escape. Her breath caught in her throat and she didn't notice as the two girls fled the common room for safer grounds.
She found herself setting her homework aside and standing. She grasped her left elbow with her right hand, wincing slightly at the muscles protest of the simple task, and bit her lower lip. "Konbon Wa Parridox-sama..." She spoke in a soft voice, as though her vocal chords were still torn from all the screaming she'd done. She bowed to him, still unable to break eye contact and swallowed hard, "How have you been Senpai? I haven't had a chance to say hello since before I left to visit my guardians."
She truly believed what she was telling him and seeing the resolve and distance in his eyes, she refused to share the reasons for her injures with him.... all she remembered was the concert, then darkness and pain, and then she was walking down the hall way to class. She had no recollection of how she'd returned, but she's been gone between two and three weeks when she did.Glossary -kun: Japanese honorific used by females when addressing a male that they are emotionally attached to. Senpai: At school, the students in higher grades than oneself. Konban Wa: Good Evening -sama: Japanese honorific used primarily in addressing or referring to people much higher in rank than oneself, and sometimes toward people one greatly admires.
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Kerridon Paradox
Ravenclaw
[blue]6th Year Ravenclaw[/blue]
One loss locked me in the heart of misery... but you had the key to set me free
Posts: 317
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Secrets
May 2, 2009 17:03:02 GMT -5
Post by Kerridon Paradox on May 2, 2009 17:03:02 GMT -5
Kerridon was unpleasantly aware of the tension in the air as his eyes were locked at Mami, and didn’t like it at all. This was far too risky for the both of them if either Aislin or Niobe were in any way affiliated with Dark Phoenix... or for that matter, if either were prone to gossip. A mere whisper that there was something going on between Kerridon Paradox and Mami Tien could be fatal.
With a huge degree of self-control, he forced his eyes to leave Mami and turn back to Niobe as she said that she had been working out. That issue seemed quite trivial to him now and had lost his attention, but you would never have known it from the expression on his face, which never shifted from its seriousness. He hadn’t paid much attention to Aislin’s departure, but now Niobe was apparently trying to leave... but look slightly unnerved and wasn’t moving in the direction of the stairway up to the girls’ dormitories. Perhaps she just needed a little encouragement... she seemed rooted to the spot. Kerridon’s ever suspicious mind made him wander if she wanted to stay to investigate this tension further, but still he nodded his head and spoke. [blue]”Of course. Goodnight.”[/blue]
Once she had followed Aislin ((which I’m assuming she will since she gave every sign of it in the last post, if not just poke me and I’ll edit)) up the stairs, Kerridon turned his attention back to Mami, entranced once again now there were no distractions. The common room was empty now as she stood, and he frowned a little as he caught her wincing at the pain in her elbow. [blue]”Konbon wa, Miss Tien.”[/blue] He bowed his head a little in greeting before continuing. [blue]”Do you need any pain medication? If so you should go to the school nurse, she should have more than an adequate supply.”[/blue] His words were soft but impersonal, reverting back to her surname rather than ‘Mami’ as he now thought of her in his head. The more detached, the better. He tried to keep the conversation as if he was just an older student naturally concerned for her well-being... unfortunately, Kerridon wasn’t really the type of person to worry about others’ well-being in normal circumstances, so if someone did come in it still would be an odd conversation to hear.
[blue]”I have been well. And yourself? How was your visit?”[/blue] It was all painfully formal to him, which meant it was probably even worse for Mami. For one, he was totally used to formality – his whole life had been full of it. But also, she didn’t even know why it was like this, at least he had that. But he couldn’t remind her of her rescue for fear of her mind being invaded, and certainly couldn’t tell her of his involvement with the person who had tortured her... It would be far too dangerous.
Still, it wasn’t nice seeing her standing there, possibly still in pain, so he approached where she had been sitting and motioned for her to sit, following suit himself. A glance at the book and sheets on the table showed homework, and he turned his attention back to Mami. [blue]”How is your homework going? Is there anything I can help with?”[/blue] It was really the least... and unfortunately, in his eyes, the most, he could do without raising suspicion.
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Niobe Blakes
Ravenclaw
[blue]Fourth Year Ravenclaw[/blue] Shadow Warrior of Earth
Posts: 88
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Secrets
May 4, 2009 16:14:11 GMT -5
Post by Niobe Blakes on May 4, 2009 16:14:11 GMT -5
Niobe frowned a bit at the obvious dismissal, but definitely followed Aislin up to the girl's dormitories.
What a strange situation. It seemed that everywhere she went, there was tension and discomfort. It deeply bothered her, because for someone of her intelligence, she understood that it meant something was going on. She understand that they were all teenagers, but to have a large majority of the school upset and with strong tensions? She couldn't ignore something so obvious.
She was not, however, a person who enjoyed delving into another's business without permission. So, she would stay on the sidelines, observing but never speaking unless asked. It was better that way. [Niobe has left the thread]
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Secrets
May 17, 2009 14:32:56 GMT -5
Post by Mami Tien on May 17, 2009 14:32:56 GMT -5
”Konbon wa, Miss Tien. Do you need any pain medication? If so you should go to the school nurse, she should have more than an adequate supply.”
Mami was like a deer in the headlights as Kerridon bowed his head to her and spoke. The tone stung in a way she couldn't describe and she almost winced again, this time from them. Instead she hugged herself and continued to look at him with pain and confusion in her eyes. "No, medication isn't necessary, but thank you for your concern." She looked down, she didn't believe he was concerned and didn't want him to know it after a moment she looked to him again, the doubt gone from her eyes.
”I have been well. And yourself? How was your visit?”
"I've been well enough. My visit was pleasant, I was very happy to see my guardians perform." She would say nothing of her current condition. He approached, much to her surprise and she sat back down, too confused by the sudden turn of events, again, to do much else. When he sat beside her and began to glance at all of her make-up and home work, she frowned. She'd thought it would be easier to catch up than it was turning out to be. She had to assume that the torture, all the pain she'd endured, had some how effected her mind as well. She straightened slightly when he gaze returned to hers, unsure how to continue from here.
”How is your homework going? Is there anything I can help with?”
Her eyes widened, taking aback by his sudden offer at socialization, it was the last straw. "I.. .. I'm quite behind, I fear that if I took your offer for assistance, you would be forced to spend far more time with me than you would enjoy. It is obvious that I have done something to dishonor you. I would not wish to continue doing so out of pity." She had to look away when she was done, tears threatening like they hadn't since the first day that he'd made no effort in speaking to her, though she'd sat right beside him in the mess hall the first day she'd been back.
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Kerridon Paradox
Ravenclaw
[blue]6th Year Ravenclaw[/blue]
One loss locked me in the heart of misery... but you had the key to set me free
Posts: 317
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Secrets
May 18, 2009 10:34:08 GMT -5
Post by Kerridon Paradox on May 18, 2009 10:34:08 GMT -5
Kerridon could easily see how much Mami was panicking at his sudden change in temperament towards him, and could not help but feel guilty about it. He knew this was necessary, but Mami didn't, and it wasn't as if it made this any easier for him either. He knew she was hurt by this, but he honestly could not see any other option. At least she wasn't in enough physical pain to need medication, was the only consolation he could find.
[blue]"What were they performing? And where?"[/blue] he asked politely, hating the impersonal tone he was forcing into his voice. He wouldn't even be talking to her at all, if not for a desire to make sure she was recovering – both mentally and physically. But he couldn't get too close, and didn't want to give her false hope, so he was attempting to just take the part of a concerned older student who had taken note of her sudden return to the school, covered in scars.
Very willing to offer his help for her homework, he was rebuffed a moment after she admitted she was behind by what she was saying. He turned his head away temporarily to control his facial expression before looking back at her. He hadn't thought she would actually address the issue directly. She was also looking away when he turned back.
[blue]"Miss Tien, you have done nothing to dishonour me,"[/blue] he tried to reassure her. [blue]"I... "[/blue] He paused, wanting to explain but unable to. [blue]"It is nothing you have done. It is just complicated, and I am afraid I cannot explain due to those complications,"[/blue] he said, knowing how ambiguous that was and hoping she would accept at least that it was nothing she had done wrong that was causing him to be so distant. Even while he explained he kept the distance in his voice. [blue]"I am sorry if I have hurt you."[/blue] A hint of emotion did enter his voice at those words, but he quickly banished it the moment he heard it.
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