NationStates Jolt Archive

Tiara Nonamura was the new girl in school. It was her first day at Dakote High School in her senior year. She didn’t really talk to anyone much, but waited by the principal’s office for someone to show her around. She was rather striking with angled auburn hair that etched in jagged lines just below her shoulders. She had eyes that could kill; two black planets surrounded by an orbiting ring of aqua. It was as if the sea was in an eclipse with the night, all within her eyes. Her skin was smooth and flawless, lightly kissed by the sun’s light. Her school shirt drooped slightly off one shoulder, the bow tied loosely and hung like a morning glory from around the collar of her shirt. Her navy skirt was neatly plated, but somewhat shorter than others. It wasn’t long before someone noticed her.

A senior with light blond hair and green eyes sauntered over to her. She closed her eyes. He smiled as he looked her over. “Haven’t seen you before, love.” He paced a bit around her, his eyes cackling. He placed his arm around her shoulder, to which she jerked away.

“Leave me alone,” she said calmly, and opened her eyes to look at him. Stunned by her gaze at first, he hesitated.

“I’ll make it worth your while,” he smiled.

"Just leave me alone."

bump?

"Leave 'er alone."

A shorter young man approached the pair with an air of authority about him. He was wearing a kaki suit and black blazer with brown, worn-out shoes. His most noticable ascept was the long strip of Gauze around his left eye that ran around the span of his head, matting his black hair. His other eye was ghostly white, with only a small black pupil in it's middle. He also carried a long wooden flute which he swung around his fingers casually.

"Ah dun think ye heard me, did ya?" His eye narrowed as it fell on the taller senior in front of him. His accent was terrible, something Middle European. "Please, let 'er go, und ah wont give ye any trouble."

The senior bit his lip nervously. The short boy in front of him was well known for his fencing skills. After a moment, he lost his nerve and slouched off.

"Just trying to make some conversation," He muttered as he walked away.

"Yea, well, do it somewhere else." The young man shot back. He turned to face Tiara. "Sorry 'bout dat one. Ee's always been more trouble then ee's worth."

He bowed elegently to her.

"Leandro Minehan, Senior class, at yer service, Miss." He inspected her carefully. "Yer new here, arn't ye? Well, best get ye acquainted wit the school. Ah'll show ye around."

He paused for a moment.

"Wat's yer name, by the way?"

Tiara's eyes flashed again at the boy who was pestering her. She looked away as soon as she noticed another boy come to her aide. She felt the other leave, and turned toward him, with a slight smile.

"Yes, I'm new. I was supposed to meet someone here, but it seems that they never came." She nodded to his bow. "It's very nice of you to offer, I fear it may be hard for me to make friends here."

She picked up her bag from leaning at the side of the wall and threw it over her shoulders. She was rather striking, and what could possibly prevent her from making friends. Strange, isn't it?

"Oh...my name? My..my name is Tiara, Tiara Nonamura. It's also my senior year..."

Leandro frowned slightly at the news that Tiara's escort had not arrived.

"Hurmph. No one at dis school ever does what they ah supposed to do."

He thought for a moment, then his mood brightned.

"Well, pleased ta meet ye, Tiara. Ah think we should go check up on our new classes first; Ah'll show ye to 'em afterwards. Come with me."

The pair traveled down the hallways and turned a few corners before stopping in front of a large bullatin board surrounded by a crowd of students. Posted on it was all the classes for the first term. Tiara and Leandro would have to wait for a few minutes before seeing what classes they would be taking. Leandro decided to make some small talk.

"So, this is obviously yer first year at Dakote High. Were are ye from originally? Why did ye come here?"

(this is a semi-fantasy rp. :-P keep this in mind as events unfold)

"Uh...well... Actually..." She shifted. "Um. The school I just transferred from was Veridian High in Locksden." Locksden was a small town...but it was on the other side of the planet. It was the Capital of Creze, a rather large country in the republic.

"Since its my first day, I don't have to be at classes, and neither does my escort. Since he didn't show up, I guess that goes for you as well."


She looked at the flute he was carrying. "Oh, do you play?"

((*Smacks Head* Of Course!))

Leandro smiled, taking note of Tiara's origins.

"O' course. Ah guess I'm just a little eager ta find out who my teachers are. It can wait, Ah suppose."

He winked as Tiara mentioned the flute.

"Ten years an counting. This particular flute 'as followed me everywhere fer four years-Ever since Ah arrived at Dakote."

He looked up brightly.

"Do ye play as well?" He asked.

(lol. Its been a long time since i've rpd i was beginning to think people had forgotten. Used to be well known. :-P)

She blushed. "Well, just a bit." She stopped him as they walked down the hall. Something was on her mind.

"You know you didn't have to do that for me...I mean, with that other student. You didn't have to go out of your way to stand up for me..."

((Oh, I know who you are all right, but I dont think I've ever RP'ed with you before.))

Leandro's eye reflected the halogen lights above the pair as he aswered Tiara.

"Ah know Ah didn't have to help ye. Ah just never like ta see someone getting made ah target while someone has the power ta stop it. Ye don't need to make ah big deal out of it But...Well, lets just say that I'm not very well liked at this school anymore, and I'm always on the lookout for ah new friend."

He brightned a little bit.

"Glad ta hear that ye play, by the way."

((I'm gonna be out for a few hours. Be back around 8:00 or so.))

(OOC: Welcome back Rave. :) )

Coming down the opposite direction of the hallway, another student wearing traditional Chinese garments glided serenely down the hall. His name was Zhong Da, a junior in the school. A brilliant and serious student, Zhong Da was a handsome teenager who shunned most human contact. He was an orphan, his parents killed in a car accident, when he was still at a very young age. However, he was also the heir to one of the greatest fortunes the world has ever seen.

Now living alone with his servants, in a Gothic mansion at the end of town, Zhong Da was pretty much aloof from many of the things that happened in the world. Primarily because he had a secret, a joyous secret that he refused to divulge to the world.

Today was no different. Like a stern father, Zhong Da frowned at all the overt contact and sexual tensions in the air. With an inward sigh of disapproval and displeasure, Zhong Da walked past Leandro and Tiara, his cold green eyes sliding past, as if he did not even notice them.

Without a backward glance, Zhong Da disappeared around the corridor... They would meet again...

(I thank you, it has been a while, i need to get back into writing my stories. all my old charcaters are gone, except for..well they are all gone, but. well, you'll see. *evil grin* Allusions will be used. Got married a few days ago. Shall we celebrate? ^_^)

Tiara noticed him coming down the hall. Zhong Da. He gave her an icy chill. Why are you so cold? he heard a voice ringing through his head. She looked back at him, then turned away.

"Well, I'm sort of a loner as well. I know what its like to not have any friends. But we'll have each other, right?" ^_^

((Haha, you used to intimidate me back in the day, Rave.. =x ))

Oh man, I'm gonna be late again!

Robyn came tearing around the corner, trying desperately to make it to History on time. She'd been late every day for the past week, and if Ms. Hanasono made her clean the chaulkboards one more time, she just might go crazy. Her backpack, which contained only her skateboard, was slung over one shoulder while she carried her books in her arms. Typically, she wasn't watching where she was going and crashed right into Leandro and a girl she didn't recognize.

"Ohmygosh, I'm so sorry, are you ok?" she apologized quickly, offering a hand to help the girl up.

Leandro's eye narrowed as Zhong Da passed by. Zhong Da was one student that he had never really looked into; the kid was a mystery, much like himself.

He turned to face Tiara.

"'O course. It would be best fer us ta stick together." He grinned and flashed her a 'Victory' sign with his hands. (^.^)

Leandro turned and just barely avoided getting knocked over as Robyn came tearing through the hallways, knocking Tiara over and sending Leandro flying against a wall. He turned and brushed off his clothes, chuckling.

"Ah, Robyn, always rushing around everywhere. Ye need to slow down, woman! Oh well, at least ye didn't cause any major damage." He grinned. Robyn had always been decently friendly with him; Leandro wasn't sure if it was because she genuenly liked him or if it was because Robyn was always in such a hurry every time he saw her.

"So how has life been with ye, Robyn? I havn't seen ya for while now."

"Yeah, I've been busy," she explained with a smile as she picked up her books. "Seems I spend every waking moment at the skate park. There's a few people who are thinking about endorsing me. For real! Big time competitions!"

Robyn had been on a skateboard for longer than she could remember. Skating came first, school second, to the dismay of several of her teachers. This was her senior year, they couldn't understand why she wouldn't just try for the last two semesters.

"Anyway, sorry to've knocked you down. Maybe we can catch lunch together! I gotta run before I'm late!"

And off she went just as the bell rang.

(Am I really that intimidating? I perfer cute, or hot, or sexy. ^_^ I )

Tiara managed to get out of the way rather quickly for such a small time to react. As she looked down the hall, she saw a rather tall man with long red hair stood amongst the students. He looked at her. Others seemed to pass between, but he remained still.

"Excuse me for a moment" she walked away from the two, in a trance and hurried over to the man, who pulled her off to the side.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm going to school like a normal kid...why are you here Mikael?" She folded her arms across her chest. He obviously was a senior as well.

"Protecting you. There are people who would very much like to kill you. People who would very much like to kill your father...and many your mother."

"Well i think i don't need protection Mikael. I appreciate you watching out for me, but i have my mother's eyes and my fathers...abilities. So there is no need to worry."

"But there is..." she turned and walked back to Leandro and Robyn. Mikael stood there, and his shoulders slouched forward a bit. He placed his hand to his forhead. Ah Tiara....you never will change will you? He walked behind a group of students, and vanishied.

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=7804082#post7804082
(ooc for my nice lil dream induced thread)

OOC: Hey... it's Ravea! I remember who she is!

OOC2 (Partially IC): Tagification for when I have time... sorry... ^_^;

ooc( -_- What about Rave. *sighs*)

OOC: Hey... it's Ravea! I remember who she is!

OCC:I hope ya mean Rave. After all, "she" I Ain't.

Leandro waved goodbye to Robyn as she hurried away; His eye then followed Tiara as she walked up to a taler man and started making conversation with him. Tiara looked slightly angry as she talked with the guy, who Leandro had never seen before.

He gazed at Tiara as she walked back towards him, then his eye flashed back to the red-haired man. He had gone. Leandro raised his eyebrows, but did not question his new friend. It seemed there was more to Tiara than met the eye. Fortunetly for Leandro, there was more to him then met the eye as well.

Leandro grinned.

"Well, what now? Should Ah show ye around the school?" He wanted badly to ask Tiara some question, but decided to supress his curiosity for now.

Yeargh. Typo... not saying that you don't matter, Ravea!

...

^_^;

Just be careful, Tiara. The Zakuto family is growing in prestige and rumor. Many would like to kill a member.

Get out of my head Mikael! Now. There was a clash further down the halls, and Tiara regained her focus.


"Oh, yes...sorry." She managed a half smile. "That would be great. I'm really interested about the libraries here. To tell you the truth, that's one of the reason I transferred to this school.

"Damn. Where is she?" the boy murmured. He looked round hectically. He was sure he wasn't late. Hadn't the principal's secretary said...? So, where the hell was this girl?
The boy, a senior student though he was smaller than most of the youngest junior students (and more overweight than he would ever admit), had no choice but looking for her - this ment he had to hurry ... he had to RUN! And he didn't like running.
No, he wasn't in a good mute. When he found her he would ... no he wouldn't. He never did.
Instead he sobed. Where is she? Tiara Nono...Nano...shit! What kind of name is that? he thought.

Murmuring something about new students he began to look for this special one.

As Zhong Da glided down the hallway away from Tiara and Leandro, he felt a small voice speak in the back of his mind. Why are you so cold?

Stopping slightly, Zhong Da wheeled around, his cold green eyes dilating slightly, as he attempted to identify the source of the voice in the back of his mind. With a slight inward shudder, Zhong Da turned and continued to walk, as he slowly re-erected his distant aloof manner.

For the first time since the death of his father, Zhong Da was unsettled, as he inwardly shuddered uncontrollably. With a mental sigh, Zhong Da closed his eyes stopping in the middle of hallway. In a low, quiet voice that was barely audible, Zhong Da said, “Father, mother… What am I?”

But there was no one to answer his desperate query...

With an audible heavy sigh, Zhong Da straightened as he continued walking...

TAG for possible posting.

"To the libraries it is, then." Leandro smiled and contined down the hall. "The largest one is over this way."

A few Minutes later...

Leandro and Tiara stopped in front of a pair of large double doors.

"Right this way!" Leandro opened the doors and ushered Tiara inside. The Library truly massive for a high school; rows and rows of books streached all around the large room.

"The Steele library. Largest one in the district, as it happens ta be. Anything ye want to read up on ah can almost guarantee it'll be in 'ere."

"Yeah, to hell with that," the deep voice sounded within the hallways, followed by an obnixious fit of laughter.

A quieter more feminine voice responded, "Suit yourself Jake, but it's your grades not mine; and honestly, the teachers are getting irritated with your behavior."

"Let them," the deep voice laughed again.


Within a few moments, rounding the corner was the sterotypical profile of a jock walking down the corridor. He wore his lettered jacket over a black shirt and blue jeans. He grinned crookedly as he slid on a pair of reflective sunglasses. His hair was black, the color of his eyes now unknown. His teeth were impeccably white and his skin color was a deep tan, as if he spent hours in the sun. He was muscular, but probably from the makings of the use of steroids. He walked with a "back over" kind of strut.

The hallways were mainly clear, the passing of classes complete. Few students wondered quickly to their next class, some waving or stopping to give Jake a good word. Jake grinned with self appreciation.

He slid into the bathroom, pulling out a small candy case and a piece of paper, pouring it's contents onto the paper. Playing with the contents a bit with some metal object, unclear to a passerby what it might be, he grinned again. He slid the object back into his pocket when he was done. He brought his nose down to the piece of paper, and covering his left nostril, ran his nose along the paper snorting. He brought his head up, shaking his head, and sniffing, rubbing his nose and grinning. Sliding the materials back into his pocket he walked back out into the hallway, grinning again that crooked grin.

It was at the corridor when Christopher, the small but weighty senior student looking for Tiara, nearly bumped into his antithesis: Jake.
Christopher just wanted to pass a door when Jake left the room behind. Hoplessly trying not to crash into this large, imposing and unfriendly mountain of muscels Chris ended sitting on the floor, staring at Jake.

„Sorry, Jake.“ he murmured and stood up, rubbing his back. „I‘m in a hurry.“

It's wonderful," Tiara gasped. Apparently she liked books. She lingered throughout the shelves and aisles, and her hand fell upon a book in the lore section. She took it out and flipped through the pages. A few stray strands of her auburn brown hair fell over her eye and she brushed them back with her fingertips. “I used to read this book over and over again when I was little… I know it’s not really what a young girl would read, but these books were all that was lying around. My father has the original copy of this one…”

“He used to tell me stories that went behind the books, the inspiration…what was real and what wasn’t. He knew some of the authors personally…I mean, he knew of them I suppose.” She twirled a strand of her hair, a nervous habit of hers. She glanced up to Leandro, and smiled. “I don’t suppose you like reading these types of books, do you?”

Mikael was an awkward sort of fellow. He was good looking, long red hair and red eyes. He was tall with a slim yet very toned and muscular build. He wore a white button down shirt unbuttoned with his tie around his neck, not bothered to be tied. He walked into the bathroom, walking past two others, and leaned up against the wall. He noticed the one with the drugs, and lit up a cigarette.

“You know that will kill you,” he remarked with his eyes closed as he took a drag on his cigarette. The bell for classes rang, and Mikael did not move. He continued to smoke.

Leandro winked.

"Ah do like fantasy an lore, but sometime Ah find it too outside the real world-Too removed fer me. Now, what Ah really love is History."

He reached into his backpack and pulled out a large red book with silver script on the front. The script was some strange language that Leandro doubted anyone else knew: His Great-Great-Great-Great-grandfather's own Rune script, invented over four hundred years ago. As far as Leandro knew, no one else could understand it.

"This is Mah family's history, dating back centuries; It's written in a dialect that my ancestors came up wit. Only mah bloodline can read an' write it."

He slid it back into his bag.

"Yer father seems quite the fan of books, then. Ah wouldn't mind meetin Em."

“Ah…well, you see. My father isn’t really the ‘sit around and have a chat with’ type. He’s rather intimidating if you don’t know him to tell you the truth.” She smiled. She looked at the book that he had pulled out. She noted the symbols, rune writings which appeared to be ancient.

“Hey…would you mind if I tried to read that? As I said…all I’ve been able to read are old texts…couldn’t hurt to try, could it?”

"O' couse. I doubt if ye can read it fluently, but yer always welcome ta try."

Leandro handed her the book carefully and smiled.

"Ahm gonna browse the history section. Ah'll be over there if ye need me." He walked down a few rows and began to inspect various book spines and covers.

Her eyes skimmed over the symbols. It was very difficult to distinguish, but she thought she would manage. “This…looks like it was written a rather long time ago. You have quite a bit of pain in your heritage…don’t you?”

She turned toward him, handing back the book. “Indeed my father would be interested in reading that. He can read almost anything from what I’ve seen…” She paused for a second to walk to the entrance of the library. “so maybe you could meet him someday…though….well, we’ll talk of that later.”

Jake laughed at Christopher and walked over to him, slinging his arm around Christopher's neck, pulling him along with him.

"Hey kid.....what's your name again? Aaaa, that's not important. So....whatcha in a hurry for kid," he asked as he strolled forward, heading no where in particular.

Leandro's eye flashed over a Current Events newspaper as he heard Tiara. He was quite surprised she could read any of the book; Even the most skilled linguists usually had trouble with it.

"Er, yes, Ah do." Leandro said quietly. Most of his ancestors had perished in particularly gruesome ways, and his entire line was plagued with bad fortune. Take his great grandfather for example: He had been a decently wealthy sea merchant before a band of pirates killed him and most of his family; Leandro's grandfather was the only one to survive.

The book also held many family secrets; Leandro's hand reactively moved to his bandaged eye as he thought about it.

"Ah've spent many hours dwelling in the past with that book," Leandro said. "Ah'm surprised you can make any of it out. Ye must be quite the linguist, and yer father must be as well!"

„Please, le’me go.“ Christpher squeaked. „The principal...a new girl...she has to be somewhere...have to find her.“ he stammered. Panic colored his voice.

Mikael watched them, still smoking his cigarette, not really caring what the school rules were. He wasn't a student. He walked over to the two. If there was ever one to be like Jake, it would be Mikael...except when it came to Tiara.

"Why don't you just let the kid go," he said taking another drag on the cigarette. "Normally I wouldn't care, but the girl he was supposed to show around is a good friend of mine..."

__

Tiara smiled. "Well, I'm not that good. I'm better at sensing what is in the book rather than reading it. The symbols tell me what's goingn on by the way they feel, not the way they look." She giggled. "I'm sorry, I ramble sometimes."

"So what else is there in this school? What to you do for fun?"

Zhong Da, with a mental sigh of relief, entered a classroom, taking a seat at the far end of the room. Collapsing into the chair, Zhong Da glanced about, his cold green eyes surveying the other students. This course was economics, a senior elective. Having completed all of his junior courses three semesters ago, Zhong Da had been placed at the beginning of the year into elective courses alongside seniors.

As the youngest student in the room, Zhong Da was also the most brilliant. It seemed to the other students that his mind worked on a order of magnitude several times greater than there own. They all viewed Zhong Da with a mixture of awe and jealousy, the resentment flamed by Zhong Da’s refusal to associate with them.

The teacher, a graying old man named Adam Hitchcock was a veteran of just over forty years of teaching. He could have retired last year, but had refused, saying that teaching was his life. A talented and consummate social studies teacher, Adam Hitchcock taught economics, psychology, anthropology, and world history.

Clearing his throat, Adam Hitchcock began his lecture. “Today, we will talk about the theory behind Okun’s law… As you know…”

Jake grinned at Mikael and laughed, still holding Christopher tight around the neck. Arrogantly he laughed, "Well well well......look who we have here."

Using his free hand he swiped the cigerette from Mikael and placed it to his own lips, taking a long drag and tossing the remainder of the cigerette onto the floor, smothering it was the heal of his shoe. He blew the smoke into Mikael's face and grinned again.

"Christopher was just taking me to her," he arrogantly responded with a more or less "fuck off" grin.

Christopher began to sweat...as he always did when things like this happened. With Jake's arm arond his neck he couldn't breath...or thought he couldn't what was the same. The panic grew, flooded his mind, erased everything else...aside from the rage.
And as always Christopher felt the shudders running over his spine, felt the thing that tried to escape ... and as always Christopher didn't have the courage to let it go. The panic came back, now also erasing the rage and leaving an exhausted, fearsome, weak boy who couldn't breath. And who was surprised to hear someone speak for him. That was something that had never happened before.

Mikael closed his eyes. Ignorant Punk, he thought silently to himself. He opened his eyes, flaring with a spark of crimson color. Mikael didn't look to be older than a student, maybe 20 at the most, and that was pushing it.

"You will not lay your disgusting lazy-eyed sight on her. If you so much as give her the slightest problem, I will see to it that the next thing you inhale will kill you."

He narrowed his eyes. "Now let him go before I knock you out, kid." He spoke in a rather condescending tone...well, very condescending.
____

Jake felt the shuddering Christopher beneath his arm, as well as the anger welling inside Mikael. Satsified he grinned again to Mikael.

"That's just too bad, we were just leaving. Stop by later and I'll do some lines with you," he laughed as pulled Christopher along.

"So, where is this new girl you were talking about? I'd like to meet the babe. She is a babe right? I hate when those blubbering bitches come here," he laughed to Christopher, knowing Mikael was not far behind them, if not standing there, following them.

It would seem that Ms. Hanasono had enough. Robyn was not allowed to attend class today. How are you supposed to be a responsible adult, when the only thing consistent about you is your tardiness?? The shrill voice still rang in her head. Apparantly missing History was supposed to be some sort of a punishment.

"Oh well, no skin off my nose," she muttered under her breath.

She glared over her shoulder as the door slammed behind her. Across the hall, she shoved her books and bag in her locker, carrying the skateboard under one arm. Whistling to herself, she passed the library and glanced inside quickly. Whoa..people actually use that? The new girl was in there, along with Leandro. She considered stopping in breifly, but dismissed the thought as being too out-of-character. He would know something was up. So she ambled down the hall, trying to think up new tricks to stave off boredom.

But Mikael was gone. Vanished it would seem. Tiara, watch your back. You might want to get away from people. There is a boy looking for you who might give you a problem. If you have to do something about him, I don't want anyone else to see, or you'll have to change schools again...

Mikael, I told you to stay out of my head! And besides, no one is going to give me any trouble. You are just paranoid.

Maybe, but that little punk is toting around the guy who was supposed to be your guide.

Well he doesn't know what I look like. I never met him.

Tiara, you are a very hard girl to miss. Look when you walk down the hallway. Just turn around, and I'm pretty sure that you'll see people watching you...98% of them of the male species.

I'm trying to be discrete. I made a friend and he's showing me around. Isn't that enough?

I suppose. I'm just watching out for you.

Thanks, Mikael...but i don't need it.

„I...I don’t know.“ Christopher gasped. „But ...I’ve a picture...from her school file...my pocket...“

(I guess there has to be something like a file about Tiara, right?)

(indeed)

Thinking to himself, he wondered what the big deal with about this girl. He knew most of the guys went for the new girl to see if she was easy or not, but the man he just encountered seemed to care alittle too much then a normal person would about a new student.

Shrugging it off, he grinned at Christopher again. "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's find this babe."

Tiara smiled. "Well, I'm not that good. I'm better at sensing what is in the book rather than reading it. The symbols tell me what's goingn on by the way they feel, not the way they look." She giggled. "I'm sorry, I ramble sometimes."

"So what else is there in this school? What to you do for fun?"

((Aug! Sorry everyone. Just took a few days off in Vermont snowboarding. Should of told you.))

Leandro smiled.

"That's ah useful skill, ta be sure. And ye don't need ta apoligize; Ah sometimes babble too."

He thought for a moment at Tiara's next question.

"Well, Ah usally hang around the Library, the Music room, somtimes the Computer Lab, or mebey the Fencing courts. There are also many more athletic facilities, if ye want to visit any of those."

"You fence?" she asked as they exited the library into the hall. "That's awesome. I perfer japanese swords to the ones used in fencing. Though to swords I perfer to use scys."

Tiara leaned against a wall, trying to think things over. This school seemed to be perfect. She had someone showing her around that was actually a really nice student. She hadn't run into any trouble yet.

Tiara...heads up, he's getting really close to you now. Coming down the corridor. Be careful.

Tiara turned away from the people passing through the corridor, and pretended to look out the window.

"If you don't mind me asking, as I know its not right to pry, but how could people not like you? You are very kind..."

Leandro was glad to hear that Tiara was a fellow swordsperson.

"Ah usally prefer ta use Sabers meself. Perhaps we could dual sometime?"

Leandro's face broke into a melancholy expression at Tiara's next question. He usally didn't talk about his incident with others, but he felt Tiara deserved to know.


"No, It's all right. Yer not prying; I'll tell ye why." He took a breath and began to speak.

"Ah sent ah very popular senior to the hospital a two summers ago. On the outside, Ee was ah great student an' athlete, but Ee was in actuality a drunk who beat and raped his girlfriend. Ee was also ah dirty thief and a liar. Ah confronted him the end of mah sophmore year, and most of the school turned against me. Since then, Ah've had a bit of a bad reputation. Ah can live with it, though."

He sighed.

"The only thing is that the guy I fought...Ee's my brother. He transferred out to another school afterwards; Ah havn't spoken to him since."

Tiara took a minute to think about the situation. "That certainly isn't a reason to be hated. It would deserve praise in my book." She smiled at him.

"Well, would it be better if people realized the truth?" She asked, as if people's opinions could be changed frorm a scar.

She looked out the window, and realize that clouds had begun to shatter the pale blue sky. There was a darkness in the distance that could only mean a storm was brewing. The air seemed a bit chilled, but nothing that wasn't expected for this time of year.

Leandro shook his head.

"Naw, it can't be helped. Mah brother was far more popular than me-The pride of the school. Almost all of the students don't belive me, and only ah few teachers don't dislike me. Ah think it's just that most students are too afraid to talk ta me anymore. It's something Ah can live with, though."

He smiled appreciatively.

"Ah'm glad ye belive me. Most new students are terrified O' me, so Ah never have a chance ta talk to 'em."

"Well you'll find it takes a lot more to scare me," she smiled playfully. "Anyway, maybe people will begin to realize the truth.. Who knows. Anything could happen in the future. Somethings we could never predict."

She looked at him. "You don't look that intimidating to me. Since this is a private school, I'm assuming that they have a separate room for fencing?"

"Yes, the Fencing room is in that direction. If ye want ta go, follow me."

He smiled and started walking towards one of his favorite rooms in the school. Did Tiara mean to dual him? Leandro had only met a few people who could defeat him in a sword fight. He was eager to see Tiara's skills.

A few Minutes later...
"Well, here we are." Leandro pushed a pair of doors open to reveal a large, dimly lit room with rows and rows of swords and other weapons of all types lining the walls.

Tiara smiled. "You know, I'd like to challenge you to a duel, the option is up to you though. I bid you give me a few minutes alone first, so I can collect my thoughts. You see, I don't duel often with others, especially not first aquantainces. But I think that I can give the option to you..."

She let her bag drop to the floor to relieve the weight on her shoulder. "Of course, just because I am a girl, don't expect me to be a pushover." She laughed a bit.

"Well, Ah've never been one to turn down ah dual. Ah would love ta fight ye. It's rare that Ah have ah fight with a worthy swordsperson nowadays-Ah'm one of the best in the school."

Leandro smiled and walked over to one of the weapon racks, withdrawing a long saber and swinging it around playfully. He took a minute to warm up, then turned to Tiara.

"Pick any weapon, Ah suppose. We can begin whenever ye want ta." Leandro was slightly excited to see if Tiara was any good with a sword.

(http://www.blue-n-gold.com/halfdan/saber.gif)

Like a shadow of darkness, Zhong Da unobstrusively slid into the fencing room, his face impassive, as he regarded the other occupants. Instead of his normal preppy garb, Zhong Da was garbed entirely in what seemed to be the costume of a 18th century Musketeer. With an audible scoff of disgust, Zhong Da turned his attention to the beautiful sword clutched tightly in his right hand, as he slowly began to train with the weapon.

(OOC: Pic here: http://www.medievaltimes.com/giftshop/600/25%20conan%20sword.jpg

And Ravea, you are needed in the Passing of the Torch RP, here (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=362775&page=4).

“If you are sure,” Tiara said softly. She exited the room for a moment to step outside. There was no one around, and she was thankful for that. She sung a melodious song softly. The words echoed through her mind. The song was not in basic language, but more like Enoch. What appeared in front of her was a man. He was tall with short white hair and pale skin. His right eye was blue, his left eye was red. He had a strong build, and fangs could be seen with close attention as his lips parted. There was one tattered wing upon his back, and a half of the other. He grinned, and bowed. (mmm….guess who.)
“Up for a fight?” she raised an eyebrow.
“Me? Would you ever have to ask me that?”
“I suppose not,” she held out her hands, and the man that was before her turned into a mist within her hands. She took it into herself to her heart. “I take it your good with swords?”
If I can use my own...
“Summon it.”
She walked back in the room to pick up a sword at the far end of the room. With her back turned to Leandro, he could not have seen the sword twisting into a magnificent figure. A Shentavo sword, which happened to belong to Ravelyn’s son…the Shentavo Sword of Bloodlust. Tiara turned around, and placed one hand behind her back, the other holding the sword. Angelic scriptures ran on one side as vampiric on the other. The blade was completely black with an onyx look, and there were a few rubies at the hilt.
“I am ready…that is if you are. ”

Leandro paused to take a look at Tiara's sword, noticing it's strange runes and it's odd color. He had never seen it before; It must be hers. So, she must have some skill, then, he thought. He thought of summoning his own weapon, but decided against it. It would be too much of a hassle. Leandro also noticed Zhong Da, although barely, striding into the room. He shook his head and moved his attention back on Tiara.

"Well then, Let's dance, shall we?" Leandro swung his saber into a defensive position, waiting for Tiara to make the first strike.

A voice laughed within her head. Easy, boy. It’s a spar, not a death match. No cheap shots, I fight with honor.

Of course. If you ever think I would fight without it, you are mistaken my dear.

You were undefeatable alive, so I wonder how that could be.

You’ve fought with me before Tiara, you know just how good I am.

Yes. And that is what scares me. Just make sure you aren’t seen.

It scares them, and it would be fun. Just make sure you don’t scratch my sword.


Tiara gripped the sword tightly in her right hand, refusing to smile. It was if her mouth had suddenly been glued shut. She closed her eyes, and raised the sword above her head forming a ninety degree angle with her wrist and blade. Her knees were bent so she could keep her ground. She sidestepped towards him and replaced her left hand behind her back. Her sword slashed across the left, but pulled back to instead strike with a right downward slash.

(ooc: I post what I do, and expect the other to post the results. I don’t think it would be fair for me to say that I hit your character or they blocked it, because I don't know how your character would think. It’s all up to you.)

Leandro caught Tiara's trick just in time. He spun to the left and and parried her blow expertly. hHs sword jarred slightly in his right hand as he did so. She's as fast as I thought and stronger that I thought. He grinned. His opponent seemed like a worthy challange.

Leandro disengaged their blades and stepped back, then conterattacked with one of his own moves. He quickly spun his body around and around with expert footwork, striking at a diffrent point on Tiara's body each time he came around. First, a strike at the knees; Then, the lower body; Then the chest; finally the head. Tiara would have to be quick on her feet and her wrist if she wanted to avoid getting hit.

Tiara's jump backwards seemed to defy the law of gravity. She clenched her teeth, and set her sword backwards in front of her face and chest. The first strike was easily blocked, the second one, however was another story. She fought the force and deflected it narrowly at the last minute. The impact, however, moved her back a few feet. She held her ground, and looked at him.

What are you playing around for, Qui?

I just wanted to see how well you would do on your own. You almost fell there...

Shut up. Just shut up and work here.

As you wish.

She raised her sword once again. Those with attuned senses would know that she was not alone. It was soft, but it was there... She made an advance towards him again, and for a split second, the white haired man, seeming 26 of age...was translucently set over Tiara. Being taller than her, his face was the most easily seen. He gripped the sword as well and smiled, fangs fully visable. Then the image was gone.

She slashed the blade vertically with her wrist with quite a bit of power in it.

Leandro nearly gasped as he saw the figure appear over Tiara's form. He let down his defenses for a fration of a second as he squinted to examine the translucent figure, but it was gone. He barely had time to avoid Tiara's blow as he flung himself to the left.

Leandro understood what was going on now. While it seemed like he was only dueling Tiara, in reality he was fighting two opponents. Tiara was somehow getting help from some kind of spirit who seemed to be some kind of skilled swordsman-Leandro did not understand how, but it was a useful trick. He yearned to release his own 'External Help,' but his was much more obvious then an apparition.

Leandro decided to try a diffrent attack style. He charged forward, making it seem like he was going to try to lance Tiara. At the last second, he jumped and cartwheeled through the air over Tiara, slashing downwards at her unprotected back.

Tiara awaited him, watching as he rushed for her. She raised her sword to block him, but when he did an aerial over her head, she could not defend herself. Immediately she let go of her sword. There was no hope of defending it. Since she couldn’t fully merge with Qui in front of others, the partial merger would have to be enough. She let him take complete control over the blade. As her sword dropped, it was pulled behind her and upward to block the shot. This block was stronger than Tiara’s.

She looked over her shoulder and winked. Qui was face to face with Leandro, and the ancient was quite an intimidating figure. He had also been known as Cougaji, Ravelyn’s son and former emperor of the nation after Ravelyn’s death. He had been known to be unforgiving and intelligent. Some, including his own family, called him the mind breaker, for his Manavex activities.

Summerset, the city that this school was in, was in the center of the Shentavo Empire. Inside of this girl was a legend. His cold eyes stared into Leandro’s. Tiara turned around completely, sword falling back into her hand.

That’s enough Qui. Are you trying to get me killed? Show some discretion

Qui chuckled a bit, and vanished. She let the sword drop to the floor and it regained its former shape. She looked at Leandro, trying to think of what to say, other than that her last name was not Nonamura.

Leandro grinned and motioned towards Tiara's sword.

"That's a very good hand your friend has there. I'm sure he could defeat me easily if he wanted to." He smiled. "Looks like we have some deep secrets among us. Who is he? Some legendary swordsmaster of a bygone age? A Shentavo, perhaps?"

He paused.

"Of course, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I am sorry if I seem curious."

He lightly tapped his Gauze over his eye.

"I am sure you will see some of my secrets as well in the future."

Tiara tilted her head downward. She parted her lips so he could see her fangs just as they retracted. Her voice echoed through his mind. Yes. His name is Qui Shentavo, more of a rebel than I would like to admit. Sometimes I can’t control him, but he keeps me safe. My last name isn’t Nonamura, its Zakuto…but I suppose it would run in the same family as a Shentavo. Qui isn’t exactly my prisoner; he chose to help me…because he’s my brother. But Ravelyn wasn’t she? And she only had two children, Sarah and Qui.

She tilted her head downward. Perhaps there is a lot for us to talk about… She sat down at the side of the room. He’s why I had to change schools so many times. He sticks up for me a lot…especially when people pick on me…and especially if they are older guys. This makes it kind of hard for me to ever find a date, let alone friends.

“It’s kind of hard to maintain my own control a lot of the time,” she paused, and rested her hands on her knees in a relaxed position.

Thinking to himself, he wondered what the big deal with about this girl. He knew most of the guys went for the new girl to see if she was easy or not, but the man he just encountered seemed to care alittle too much then a normal person would about a new student.

Shrugging it off, he grinned at Christopher again. "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's find this babe."

"But...I don't ...don't know where ...she is." the panic grew bigger and bigger as Christopher thought how unpleasent asphyxia was.

Everything he could do was handing out the picture to Jake.

(OOC: Qui!?! *shrugs* Time to re-introduce my character with a little interesting twist... ;) )

Zhong Da whirled around when he felt through his acute senses the changes in the air. His eyes narrowed as he focused on Tiara, his eyes smoldering with a barely veiled hatred. As the two antagonists in front of him parted, speaking to one another, Zhong Da advanced, his hand white clutching his sword tightly.

In a dark, snarling voice, Zhong Da spoke up, challenging Tiara, as he eyes burst completely into flames, engulfed by the hatred of his mind and soul. "You. You were helped by a Shentavo. A spawn of Rave, the dark one who challenged my great-great-grandfather to battle and assisted in her way Nez'gah in his quest to destroy my great-great-grandfather's memorial to the dead, the Circle of Swords... I am Avto Crusade, the sole living descendant of Lance Crusade and the future guardian of the destiny that he has weaved for humanity..."

(OOC: You do remember the Circle of Swords, right, Rave? And don't worry, he won't attack you...)

(ooc: oh of course. and i don't care what happens. i like rp to be interesting.)
IC.

Tiara looked at him with a sharp glance. "I am a Shentavo..." Something within her held her back from saying anymore. It was Qui.

Qui spoke with him. That's where you are wrong... She assisted against Nez'gah. Rave was never a dark one. She was always one to be the best of us. She was never evil... I, on the other hand...could be considered the darkest of the Shentavo...

"Well then......I guess we're on'a chick hunt. Ease up kid......just take a lil' stroll to find this babe. What do ya say kid?"

Jake laughed again; the cocaine starting to take effect. He felt an increase in his mood as he rubbed his nose with his free hand.

Leandro raised his sword as Zhong Da advanced on Tiara and revealed his true name. A Crusade? Last time Leandro had checked, the Crusades had died out long ago. He was also never aware of a Shentavo/Crusade connection. It looked like he had a lot to learn.

Leandro was urged by his instincts to come between the two, to try and protect Tiara, but he managed to withstand it as he felt the Shentavo inside her speak. He decided to stand down and act as an observer for the time being.

(OOC: Hey Ravea, for info on that thread, its Circle of Swords (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=322375).)

Christopher nodded hectically. Everything that made this end had to be a good thing.

"Okay." he grated.

(OOC: By the way, Rave... Shentavo is spelled wrong in your signature... :X And I just read some bits of the Circle of Swords, and just realized that Rave and Lance never actually met before... :eek: :( So how do we work from here?)

Avto's eyes narrowed in anger, as he spoke slyly in a biting tone. "How can I trust a Shentavo? How can I trust vampires with no honor, no courage, and little of anything?" Calmly shaking his head, he continued, "Prove to me that what you say is true... And then maybe, I will consider whether or not you are worthy of the trust of a Crusade..."

(occ: figure out something. i'm open to new thread twists, but when you can't back up claims...)

Dragging Christopher along with less force then he had orginally, they stumbled upon Tiara and those with her, although completely unaware of who they were.

Jake realized that this woman before him was unfamiliar. He had not seen her before, perhaps she was this new girl. He grinned, and pulled Christopher closer to him, "Is this that the babe you were talking about?"

Christopher looked at the picture, with shaking hands, then at the girl and at the picture again.

"She is." he whispered. His lungs began to burn, making the hurting neck less painfull...though Christopher wasn't sure if he should be thankfull for it or not.

Tiara peered before her and scoffed at the threat. “If you really plan to go against me, my father may have a rather large problem with it, and my mother wouldn’t be pleased as well. If you have a real challenge, then come to me. I will not defend my history, because it is not my own." She glared at Zhong Da, then turned to Leandro. She bowed her head slightly. [i]Leave him hear. I can hear his soul, and it is clouded by so many things…Until he can realize truth, then he will be weak. Let’s go.” She smiled at Leandro, her head paining her a bit…but she wouldn’t let that be known.

She turned around to exit just as Christopher and Jake peered through the door. She bumped into Jake, and nearly fell before she could regain her ground. “Uh, sorry. I was just leaving. I didn’t know you had come in…”

Jake pulled Christopher closer as he situated himself in Tiara's path, leaning against the frame of the enterence lightly. He grinned, revealing impeccable teeth, white and straight, almost charming if his arrogance was not seen through that grin.

"So, you're the babe everyone's been talking about? What are you doing hanging out with those loooo......them?" His demeanor turned serious as he looked at the others. His grin faltered as he evaluated each of them. "Eh," he grunted, unsure of what to say for a second. "So, babe, want to take a walk with my bud Chris? He's your guide........I think," his grin sank as he tried to recall the memory from his cocaine induced state of mind, only to find, it had been lost.

Christopher grated when Jake pulled him closer.
He was close to loosing his contiousness and not sure if this was a good thing or not ...but at least they had found the girl [what was her name? it was untipical for him to forget things] and this meant that, maybe, Jake would very soon loose his interest in Christopher.

Tiara's eyes narrowed as soon as he referred to her as 'babe'. The more he went on, the greater the tension felt in her chest. She felt a sharp pain and faltered slightly. She knew that the spirits, one in particular, was not happy with the encounter. He's hitting on you Tiara, just let me punch him till he stops breathing... She felt Qui's spirit nearly overwhelm her, but she gained control before she changed. Come on, I don't let anyone talk to you like that, my dear sister. He's halfway gone, it will be a cake walk, and you know it.

No... she replied to him. Why must you get me kicked out of each school I go to?

Because your better than this nonsense.

"Perhaps another time, I have a guide already..."

Leandro put his sword back on it's rack and walked out just behind Tiara. He paused as he noticed two other students waiting at the door. He knew one of them-Jake, your typical jock-And he thought he had seen the other boy around. What was his name? Christian? Christopher? Something like that. His eyes narrowed as he discovered that the kid was actually Tiara's guide. Leandro decided to forgive him-Jake had probably kept him late.

"Ye should of been there on time, friend." Leandro gestured to Tiara. "Shall we continue, then?"

Tiara instinctively was uneasy at the presence of Jake and shifted towards Leandro, wrapping on of her arms around his. “Indeed. Let’s go.”

Jake did not move from the exit, rather he stood persistently, not getting the hint to move. He grinned again, his eyes moving up and down Tiara, settling on Leandro.

He shifted his stance, loosening his grip on Christopher slightly. He felt free, lighter, and more energetic. His eyes borrowed into Leandro as his grin spread farther.

"You know, you look like a cocky son of a bitch to me," he seemed to say randomly, as if not thinking slightly of what he was saying. "Picking on the little guy....... You know, what if Chris's mom just kicked the can and you're standing there tellin' him to be on time? Chris had a good excuse for being late......heh, lucky I found him though, he was having a hard time finding you guys."

"And you have no right to comment on what doesn't concern you," Tiara narrowed her eyes, and wrapped her arm tightly around Leandro's, as if to pull him along. She noticed that Jake was standing right infront of the doorway. She looked at Chris, and saw he was very nervous, if not on the brink of fainting.

"He looks sick to me," she would not be able to even squeeze by them the doorway was so narrow. She didn't like the comment on Leandro either. "Get out of my way, you uncivilized fuck."

Laughing, Jake stood there resistently but unaware, "Fiesty little one, aren't you?" His laughter became more boisterous as he laughed at apparently a halirious joke.....one which it seemed no one else understood.

Between laughes, he gasped, "Damn.....girl......you're a.....funny.....one....."

Jake stood there, blocking the path, laughing up a storm when he felt a tight constricting feeling in his heart. He laughed some more, weakly this time, realizing something was wrong. He grimaced then, realizing something was not right. His chest hurt, his head spun, and he looked quickly from Leandro to Tiara, then to Christopher quickly, as if expecting them to have felt what he felt.

His grip on Christopher completely loosened, as his arm lay limper around Christopher, as if now using him for support.

"Heh," he weakly laughed as he felt a sharp constricting pain within his chest. He looked to Tiara and Leandro without seeing them; and before he knew what was happening, his bulk of a body crashed to the floor, releasing Christopher before he hit hard.

Although he fellt incredible exhausted Christopher dodged when Jake fell...and stared at him.... "Now I understand why they always say that drugs kill." was everything he was able to saybefore he slumped down and landed hard on his back. Leaning against the wall he still stared at Jake, then at the others.

"Gah!" Leandro's eyes narrowed as Jake's body flopped to the floor. "Drugs. The school is infested with the stuff." He knelt down and rolled Jake upwards, examining his eyes.

"We should probably get him to the infirmary."

Tiara looked troubled. Damn my conscious. She sat down next to him, and observed him carefully, looking up at Leandro. "I really don't want to do this..."

Revive him Qui.

Nu-uh! No way in hell i'll let you do it.

You have no choice, you made a pact with me.

She felt her chest tighten, but tried to ignore it, and focused on reviving Jake. Despite her hesitancy, and Qui's rebellion within her. She bent down and kissed him.

Christopher opened his eyes widely in shock when he saw what she did.

Hell! How can she kiss Jake ?

Then he recognized that not only his eyes but also his mouth formed a large O and closed it with an audible click.

Let's call this a Bump