Exile's Dorm: Companionship - Friday March 23rd
Months had passed since last Spike had laid eyes on Garnet, and considering the instrumental part the fire elemental had played in helping Spike such an amount of time seemed neglectful. It took a little while to get used to all the changes people had gone through in his absense... it all seemed to move on without him around and while Spike knew that'd be the case he couldn't help but feel down by the ease in which it flowed.
Arisa was being a dear keeping him company in his momentary laps of judgment, well… getting so bloody drunk wasn’t uncommon a pass time when people were depressed, but Spike had never been in charge of a child before and it seemed a foolish thing to do, even if Arisa hadn’t been expected to arrive back when she had. There were a few things that pinned Spike to the floor outside Garnet’s door, hand half raised for the fifth time and resisting the urge to fall away again. For one thing, what if Rogue had gotten really angry and told all her friends not to talk with him, that was unRoguey but at the same time the last few incidences with her seemed totally out of character.
The fact he had done something wrong was obvious, Spike just wished he had a bloody clue as to what it was he had done to upset her so badly. It had after all been her that told him to leave, well, not so bluntly, but she acted as if she didn’t know him and that was just as painful a stab in the back. Thinking back on it Spike wondered why he hadn’t just coped better with his own issues and at least battled it out with her, but instead he was weak and feebly surrendered to the cruelty he thought she was giving him. An almost soundless knock was made, winning a roll of Spike’s eyes as if mocking himself at such a pathetic display of cowardice. That’s what it was after all, this was more then just a social call, deep down he knew that it was also a spy mission, a peek into the X-men, see what’s been happening… what Rogue was up to, if she was ok. Every part of Spike resisted even thinking that, it made things harder to interact with the school knowing that Rogue either wasn’t told he was around, or didn’t care. If Garnet mentions that she knew he was around, maybe Rogue told her, and if he does find out Rogue knows he’s around and doesn’t even pop up for a ‘hi, how are you? I’m good, bye’ conversation, then he’d probably flip out in some form… most likely being drunk would end up in that scenario.
Another knock was given, a repetitive tapping that was clearer and more confident, yet rushed, a hint of anxiety he overlooked. Water was used with only a feeble amount of gel to sleek back his freshly trimmed hair, now completely out of gel since he’d already been here a few days and the one in his old room was almost finished when he retrieved it. Of course water was not a permanent thing, already having dried out since leaving his room and started his walk around, the fringe of his hair curled handsomely out of place, even with constant fingers trying to comb it back. At least the sides of his hair were neatly combed back with more of what little gel he had left this morning, last thing he wanted was a chance encounter with Rogue and to look a mess. Bight blue eyes were a striking contrast to the bleached blond hair, his strong features and healthy physique drew a lot of attention and it was hard for the vampire not to notice and yet still willingly deprive himself of the simple craving of the physical pleasure. It was strange since in his true dimension he usually had more then he could stomach, but here Rogue had been his only companion in bed, which was strange yet… nice at the same time.
If she didn’t want anything to do with him then he shouldn’t be concerned with his activities, but he was, like a spoiled child he wanted what he couldn’t have just as much, if not more now, then when he actually was allowed to have it. Possibly because he knew deep down that if he did just give in with his selfish desires, then there was no doubt left that the relationship with Rogue was over. Another point of view would be the fact Rogue was the first person Spike had ever been with when he possessed a soul, so there had never been the true sense of emotional sensations before, maybe he didn’t want to experience something like that with anyone else.
To anyone else who didn’t know Spike, it would be impossible to pick him as a vampire, he was once again not dressing as he had usually done in Lost Angels, a pair of blue tough jeans and white sneakers, plain white t-shirt an expensive and well fitting jean jacket all taking the place of his usual gloomy dark leather. That was more night ware for him at the moment, during the day he started dressing differently when Arisa arrived, maybe a part of him didn’t want to stand out as much anymore, fitting in wasn’t such a bad thing after all, was it?
TBC: Garnet
I don't mind if ya a little slow and all, not entirely sure on what's going on at the moemnt so I hope it's ok enough for Garnet.. anything you want changed is fine with me! (But no, Spike isn't undressing!)
(OOC: To avoid confusion I’d like to set it one day after the Nature of truth ends… alright?)
A dorm for Exiles. Smart plan. Sure, take the lot of unwilling fighters – either of the terms more or less true depending on the member in question – and cram them together in a way that ensured they’d be unable to avoid one another for more than a few hours. If there was one thing this strategy was likely to achieve, it was even more tension. Or so Aurora had thought being informed of the news. As always, of course, as one of the last. That was the trouble with her position. She was given responsibility and a more than difficult task, even compared to the job of the main teams’ leaders just on a different level; yet at the same time, she wasn’t considered important enough to have a say in major decisions. Or so it seemed to her anyway.
Frustration had been growing ever since she had started off with this ‘team’ of individuals so different, partly on opposite sides of the social ladder, that made clashes of the bully/victim kind almost inevitable. Sure, put all the troublemakers to Aurora, she’ll fix it. Doesn’t matter she’ll go insane in the process, doesn’t matter that her feeble self-esteem will end up shattered on the floor, she won’t have to deal with anything of real importance anyway because that she’s not capable enough for. Or so it had seemed to her anyway.
Truth was, this period of annoyance, too, was over. It would have been too much to claim she didn’t mind being caught in the middle, between her status as student and teacher making her both and neither; yet it didn’t bother her the same. There were more important things to worry about, weren’t there? For fairness’ sake there was to say that Exiles were doing better. Everything was relative, of course, but compared to the time on the training island, they had indeed grown together a little more. It probably was as they said – you can’t fight side by side and not recognise each other’s scars; and so things had become a little more peaceful, a little more cooperative. Just a little, but enough for the unfortunate team’s leader to secretly dare to think that the Brotherhood’s ruthless attack had possibly been more of a blessing for their team spirit than anything else could have been.
That didn’t mean they were even near the camaraderie of some of the other groups though – a sad fact that Aurora mostly tried to ignore though. After all, there was no point in constantly comparing yourself to others, was there? It only belittled their progress. And led to a sting in the area of Garnet’s confidence. Which other leader would have managed to be taken out right at the beginning of this fight? Determined not to let something like that happen again, she had asked Beast whether he would help immunise her against various poisons. She had heard that if you took small portions of toxic substances, your body got accustomed to them and would no longer be affected; but as expected, the doctor had been more than reluctant.
Even more important than that, however, was the worry of how her team had perceived her defeat. Aurora was well aware of the fact that respect had never been high, but what little she had hoped to have managed to build up during the mission could just as well have been wiped out by her unwished for unconsciousness. Maybe it would be alright… hopefully… A lot of things seemed to boil down to hoping as of late; such an unreliable factor and still it appeared to be necessary to go on. Not that she was desperate or anything, but the attack on Max had showed all too clearly that there was more than one source of danger for the students at the institute, and thus the group of people she was responsible for. Matt hadn’t told her what was most likely to have happened, and so she was still in the dark about Steven Chadstone having been the cause of his own son’s injuries.
Except for a momentary thought though, when her mind drifted off a little, the fiery mutant had not at all been concerned with the above, paper work consuming her time and keeping her brain busy. She didn’t know whether it was only because of Exiles’ ‘special status’, but Storm wanted weekly thorough reports about how every single member was doing, their activities as a team and how the training sessions were working out. At times, Aurora felt more like a psychoanalyst and therapist than anything else; especially when she considered the chart the Windrider had asked her to do, summing up the past months.
Thus deep in thought, Spike’s first, lighter knocking went by unnoticed. The second series, however, she did head, frowning a little as she wondered who would want to talk to her. Having a team of loners around you tends to have quite a negative impact on your own social life, and although there was Matt and a few less close friends she had at the Institute, her work was keeping her busy enough to make any other daytime activities quite rare. Especially when you considered that on top of it all, she still was a student with classes and homework to manage. Whoever she had expected, the blonde vampire certainly had been near the bottom end of the list, and remembering the slightly nervous quality of the knocking, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to see a lightly worried expression on the ebony-haired girl’s features.
“Ah William, hello. Is everything all right?” Her expression wasn’t unfriendly, but in the past, Spike hadn’t exactly been connected to the most pleasant of experiences, and so there was an unconscious connection between him and trouble that caused slightly tense concern. And anticipation. As peculiar as it was, Aurora felt a mild rush of excitement surging through her at the prospect of something… well, anything less dull than drawing charts of how much – or little – had changed during the past months of more or less fruitful work with the most troublesome team in the northern hemisphere. Or so it seemed to her anyway.
There comes a time in everyone's life when we have to take over responsibility. The question remains whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
Sounds of footsteps were heard and eased the thought that no one was home. When the door open there was a feel of tension as he wondered what it would be like to talk with her again, it had been a while and when they met it wasn’t like he was at his best. Not that he has dramatically changed, he still had his problems… a fact a 15 year old dragged him here drunk was proof enough of that. But at least the problems were more sane and comment then what he previously had been going through.
“Ah William, hello. Is everything all right?” Not exactly a warm thrilled welcome, but to be honest Spike hadn’t really expected much more, admittedly though he liked her using his human name, it made things a little more personal. Just like when Rogue called him Will…
"Hey luv," Something seemed to feel a little awkward and Spike was a little paranoid on what exactly would cause it… Obviously he was always a lot of trouble for people and having him turn up on their door step was probably not the most welcoming of surprises. "Oh.. things are ok." There was a few nods of his head. "Took up demon huntin’ again so… never a dull moment." Especially when Spike thinks about the fact that creatures not common with the city limits were finding their way into the city. "Ah, actually, dunno if ya heard but I’ve been taking care o’Arisa… an vice versa, she’s a lovely girl." A smile broke, albeit a nervous one, his eyes peering briefly beyond her to see inside the room though it was more a passing glance, a check to see if the room was devoid of any others.
"I was actually uh.." Restless hands found their way into his back pockets as he continued speaking, keeping a smile even if he did appear a little uneasy standing there. "..currently… stayin’ere.. wha’with ‘Risa’s brother an’ all." A faint shrug of his shoulders came at the end of his sentence, a glance about their feet more then enough for any observer to realize that was just one of the many excuses he had for why he was here. Spike was still uncomfortable with bringing up the fact Beast was gradually getting Spike back on the animal blood he had served off of. Arisa caught the vampire at a weak moment when the two stumbled across each other in the ally, and even with the violent temper he had at the time she still managed to cool him down and eventually she offered him something he couldn’t deny. It was worse then another other human blood as well… at least when it came to the fact of Spike’s resistance towards it. The blood lasted longer then any other kind Spike has tasted, it was different to Slayer blood, but at the same time it was just as great, or maybe even better because of it’s tremendous healing properties.
The ancient vampire didn’t know Connor well, but he knew enough to see that he meant a lot of Arisa and his amnesia was effecting her hard, understandably. Garnet seemed like someone who was always part of the loop so Spike just assumed she’d know about Connor’s situation. Shifting his weight from one foot to another as he glanced up and down the hall, Spike cleared his throat a little and got to the reason he was hovering in front of her door in the first place.
"But.. in any case, I was wonderin’ maybe, if ya free an’all, p’haps we could talk…‘bout stuff." It wasn’t easy for Spike to be casual at this point, meeting her for the first time in so long, so many things had happened since and Garnet was a friend of Rogue’s, what if Rogue said negative things about him to her? That wasn’t like Ro’ really… but when people were angry they sometime did things they wouldn’t normally do…
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
Demon hunting…? Ah right, demons. There was still this annoying little voice in the back of Aurora’s head grudgily mumbling that these things didn’t exist, yet talking to a vampire kind of put everything in perspective. One that was enough to convince even someone as rational as this computer whiz that there was most probably more than just a grain of truth in these legends of old. Still, having believed in the opposite her whole life it was still impossible to completely get rid of said voice, despite the obvious inconsistencies of its claims.
The name ‘Arisa’ rang a bell so faint, Garnet wasn’t even certain she hadn’t just imagined it. After all, the only point when she had met Wolverine’s youngest daughter had been just shortly about a year ago during the big re-launch of the team concept. Arisa had vanished shortly after and no news had reached her ears every since; especially since she hadn’t even been aware of the mysterious circumstances under which the girl had left the mansion. It was thus quite understandable that the only reply the fire-elemental could think of was a faint nod and an appreciative smile – after all it was nice of Spike to take care of a child, wasn’t it?
The explanation that followed rather served to confuse her more than anything else. Not even being certain of who exactly that “lovely girl” was, her brother meant even less to Aurora. Of course she had heard of Connor’s disappearance – it had been quite a big topic during the leaders meeting – but the two things seemed completely unrelated to her and so she just tilted her head slightly and waited for Spike to make some sense. It soon became apparent that what he had said up to that point had been nothing but buying some preparation time. There was an air of nervousness around the vampire, as if he wasn’t sure how to treat her. True, they hadn’t had much contact after the Renaissance Hotel Incident – possibly none at all, though Aurora wasn’t entirely certain about that – yet though she had heard rumours of Rogue and Spike having split up, the actual circumstances she did not know.
It was worrying, really, how everything else seemed to have stepped into the background when she had taken on Exiles. It seemed there was only little else in her life, work piling up on her higher and higher. Then again, there was one small advantage she had as a team leader. Work division. In the end, she had to do most herself, but the when was Aurora’s choice. And right now she needed a break. “But of course.” The ebony-haired girl stepped aside making an inviting gesture that even Spike couldn’t mistaken for anything else. A friendly smile hovered on her lips as she wondered what the other wanted to talk about. A question she actually voiced, patiently waiting for the vampire to get onto the topic he had come for.
There comes a time in everyone's life when we have to take over responsibility.
The question remains whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
Ok.. wasn't much more I could really add, thanx for the indepth load of things I could react to XD *pokes tongue out at him*
After being invited in Spike gave a casual glance around the main room, a curious look which soon faded as he turned back towards the young woman, not really sure what topic to address first since he didn’t honestly have one in mind. At least one he felt comfortable with just blurting out as a starter topic.
"I dunno really… figured maybe we could jus’ talk, didn’really think ‘bout what." The vampire admitted with a slight shrug, "I’ll be’ere for a lil’while so I thought I ought to try and catch up on what’s been happenin’. Been cooped up in my room since Thursday, so I’m ‘bout ready t’bounce off walls." A light smile was seen as he finished speaking, feeling a little awkward still by intruding here, then again it was hard not to feel awkward knowing he was in the same school as Rogue and seemed to be both avoiding her and hoping to run into her at the same time. He could if he wanted to… it wasn’t hard to find her, but did he want to? Was he ready to be let down again? Serves him right really, every time he lets a woman in they take delight in ripping his vulnerable side apart.
"Anythin’ keepin’ you lot busy? Any new things happenin’ with you… at’is point I’m ‘bout ready t’listen t’what dreams you lot are havin’." It had been a whole since he had nothing to do, first he had Rogue distracting him and then when she left he buried himself in work and now… now he had to stay at the school otherwise Arisa would feel torn about staying with him and staying here with Connor. Having her un back and forth didn’t seem fair and it did help Spike to be close to Beast while they worked certain personal problems out.
"I heard Riley keeled over recently at a game o’his.." Spike stated in as casual a way as possible, though his eyes glimmered mischievously while speaking, "Was’at true?" Hands once again found their to pockets, this time slipping into the back ones of his jeans as he waited cheerfully for a reply. It was just too hard not to try and rattle that guys cage, though it would be unwise to do so in front of him or certain faculty members… like Hank, somehow Spike didn’t think trash taking a patient of his would best please the doctor.
The invitation had been made subconsciously, no thought having been spent on the fact that without this simple gesture, the vampire wouldn’t have been able to enter this room he had never set a foot in before. Sometimes it was so easy to forget who this man really was,what he was – and how it all had begun. It was strange really. Had anybody told her about a year ago that Spike – one of the three aggressors that had come through an interdimensional vortex to wreak havoc onto this world - would end up being a friend of hers, and so much more to ex-Silver Strike Force’s leader, she would most certainly have not even have deemed such an idiotic prophecy worthy a reply.
But time changes. It’s an unstoppable flow and but a few can catch glimpses of what course it will take. Those who watch sometimes see more than those entangled. And vice versa. Yet it weren’t contemplations of the unpredictability of fate that were keeping the ebony-haired girl busy. Ember eyes were resting on the blonde man’s form, thoughtful maybe, waiting. As he spoke, it was something so very much like Aurora had got to know him, she was almost stunned by this simple fact. Almost.
“Oh I know the feeling, dear,” she replied with a sigh, discreetly stretching her arms and legs, working her fingers. The faint cracking she heard told her it really had been too many hours at too many days in a row she had spent doing desk work. Garnet cracked an ironic smile. “Seems like I too am getting old. It has been far too long since I have had my last workout session.” Fitness studio, Danger Room… Lord, even some dancing would do the trick. Or if maybe she popped in at Max’s… but no, he really wasn’t in the condition, was he? *Um… hello~o? What are you thinking?!* And her inner ditz was right. It seemed all that stress and weight of responsibility had finally got the better of her and she was going insane. Aurora the nutcase... didn’t sound too bad, did it?
Inwardly smiling about herself, shaking her head, Circe pushed these thoughts aside. There was always a difference between what you thought and what you actually did and while she had had such thoughts more than just on the odd occasions – contrary to popular belief she was human after all – there had been close to no point at which Exiles’ leader had actually put these ideas into action.
The slight embarrassment these memories caused was unconsciously covered with a – quite ladylike – clearing of her throat, which incidentally fitted quite well to the vampire’s comment about what had happened during the match. “Yes, it appears to have been quite serious…” Aurora hadn’t been there herself and thus probably didn’t know much more than Spike, yet according to her sources, the Initiative agent had collapsed in a rather dramatic manner. A heart attack they said. Despite her slightly negative attitude towards him (something based on what she had noted and categorised under ‘annoying character traits’), she had been quite concerned. Not as hit in the core as Max’s… injuries had, but still a bit more than hearing about it having happened to a stranger would have. They were on the same side after all. At this point, nobody had really considered informing Garnet of Riley’s role as a double agent. Of course not. Actually it was quite advantageous for everybody concerned that she wasn’t aware of this additional thing she wasn’t told. Really.
Be it as it may, getting back to his earlier question, Aurora shrugged. “There is not a lot happening around here at the moment. I believe some things that have started moving in course of the missions on the training island have not yet lost their momentum… i.e. security issues et cetera are being worked on.” The way she subtly emphasised that it was not she that was involved in dealing with these important matters spoke of a certain bitterness. Something said inner voice registered with a frown. Hadn’t she decided to be above such things? Well, maybe a relapse.
Max she did not mention for several reasons. First of all Spike didn’t know him anyway… but more importantly, Aurora knew that her ex-boyfriend wouldn’t have wanted his state to be made public and she respected that. There was one other thing though. “And as you can see…” A wide gesture around her room followed. “We have moved.” This place wasn’t all too bad, really,…not unless you were used to an extent of luxury that could compete with the Hilton Hotels’ best suit and still yawn. Of course she had already stepped down quite a bit upon moving into the Institute, yet since the new team policy was all about equality, she now had been asked to content herself with a room half the size of her former apartment. Considering that said place hadn’t exactly been empty, there were several things Aurora had had to give away… and all for the doubtful honour of leading this team. But she had decided to be thankful for what she had, hadn’t she? Hadn’t she?!
There comes a time in everyone's life when we have to take over responsibility.
The question remains whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
“Oh I know the feeling, dear,” Didn’t they all? It was would be a surprise to find someone who hadn’t gotten the same feeling, at least if you didn’t look at children and even then kids got the cooped up sensation just like everyone else, even if their reasons weren’t as complicated as the older generations. “Seems like I too am getting old. It has been far too long since I have had my last workout session.” It was always strange hearing so young a creature go on about elderly remarks. Usually Spike found it either amusing or frustrating… right now it just stirred thoughts of sacrifice. What was he hoping for by avoiding Arisa’s blood? Hank had told him of the phenomenal reanimation effects it had on his system… He could be normal, he could be a regular joe, live a life and die, no more endless tunnel without a light at the end of it. He had his soul, he could have life, he could have everything then…almost anyway. Could he say he loved Rogue? How would he know it was love and not just possessive needs?
Being a demon made him useful, but it also let him have a relationship with Rogue, who wouldn’t be able to touch him if he hadn’t already been dead. Yet was it really a sacrifice he ought to make? He could wait forever but that didn’t mean she would return to him, that he would find comfort in the arms of the one who pulled him quite literally from hells grasp, and in more then just one sense. It seemed no sooner then when he had began to really turn himself about, to when reality was more then just a word for him but a way of living, she no longer is around to see it. Needless to say she had made clear her desire to be rid of him before arriving to the hotel and dumping him.
What about Tasha? He could always make things work with her if he tried… they had developed something on his journey for a soul, both had a fight in them each other could understand…But Slayer and Vampire? God. He was always a glutton for punishment, although Tasha was different to his worlds Jennifer Demore. Then again Jenn couldn’t really be blamed for her spite against him, Spike did after all kill one of her best friends and turned her into an insane undead black witch who loved to toy with others.
“Yes, it appears to have been quite serious…” The spite in Spike couldn’t help but be petted contently at the knowledge and yet the soul in him sparked a slight guilt that he still felt as if his revenge was served every time Riley got caught up into something. After all, Spike knew better then anyone what Riley already had to go through, and what they did to him, and what changes they made to his personality, but still, under it all, that Initiative agent was still there inside Riley, as was everything they taught him.
“There is not a lot happening around here at the moment. I believe some things that have started moving in course of the missions on the training island have not yet lost their momentum… i.e. security issues et cetera are being worked on.” Although Spike hadn’t really been part of anything he was still aware of it all, he didn’t really make much of a response as his eyes were wondering along with his thoughts. Garnet was definitely every inch the young woman he remembered, he wondered how Storm was going, it was like they were all more then just average in looks as an attempt of tempting him away from the one southern belle he couldn’t have just now. Hank’s new dietary routine didn’t help, it made everyone more tempting, even if he didn’t want to admit such thoughts to himself, his eyes would speak it aloud for others to hear all too clearly.
“And as you can see…” Dragging bright blue eyes away from Garnet and focusing on their surroundings, his eyes momentarily stuck staring towards where the rooms were generally located. “We have moved.” A guy…another guy…a girl! Then there was another male sent… and another girl. It was getting pretty bad… Spike knew he was getting ridiculous, every bite from Arisa was like a current of needs all about to break through the self made dam. While Spike had nothing more then what could be called a brotherly love for the kid, he could sense there was an inch more of something from her, a school girl crush that tickled his senses as his fangs dug into her neck and her body drew into his arms. Just a child. That’s all that seemed to fill his thoughts. It’s Arisa. Just a child. Lil’Arisa…just a child. Yet Spike knew all too well how twisted and perverted a vampire’s desires could be, both as a victim and a tormentor. If a mother could lust after her own child in order to calm their desires then what hope did Arisa have if he didn’t spend every moment fighting the monstrous animal inside of him?
"Grand." It seemed like the only word that could be drudged up on the spot, a happily distracted look about him as the vampire recalled Bethany Connors, dear sweet Dark Angel…What better place to fall into temptation but with another who had made it more then clear for their desires towards him. What of Rogue? She had already kept him waiting for months, he had done nothing but wait for her and in the end how did that turn out? She turns up just to rip out his heart. Of all people, Rogue was the one who knew how strong instincts were for him, a creature of habit could only postpone an addiction for so long, as far as he was concerned he had done very well. However it was starting to effect his relationship Arisa, putting her in danger and he wouldn’t allow it to continue. Twisted wasn’t it? To protect one person he was close to, he had to betray another he longed for. But could it really be called betrayal? Not really… not any more.
"Sound’s all interestin’, looks like ya doin’ well. Everyone seems to be movin’ along quite nicely." Question being was that a good thing or a bad thing as far as Spike was concerned? "Wish I could say things were getting’ quiet back in my neck o’the woods, but bloody hell we don’t seem to be getting any breaks, well, ‘cept for sick leave o’course." Hence him being here, but he’d rather not announce to the world he was half staved and going through another shift in feeding habits, people could get uneasy enough around him, they didn’t need to worry if he could handle their company or turn on them in a fit of hunger. "Any plans on payback for the whole island misshape?" As soon as one question came another spilled out, one he hadn’t really planned on asking but suddenly occurred to him with a sense of eagerness. "Garnet luv, you haven’t told any one about… well me gettin’ all four legged an’ furry, ‘ave you pet?" It didn’t seem to be something Spike was willing to tell tales of, Arisa knew, Arlen even figured it out, but Spike would prefer it not being public knowledge, he really wasn’t ready to deal with people staring at him or commenting on such things. Every step towards humanity he took seemed to be eight steps further from normalcy. "Not somethin’ I want people t’really know ‘bout just yet."
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
It seemed quite obvious that they were both busier in their private worlds of thoughts and memories than actually partaking in that slightly peculiar conversation. The peculiarity, so Aurora mused, lay mostly in the fact that their relationship had been an odd one from the start; they hadn’t seen each other for months and still there was barely any awkwardness between them. She certainly couldn’t say she missed the latter but still, sometimes even the lack of something negative can be a little unsettling.
Yet even being mentally preoccupied didn’t keep them from replying. ‘Moving along nicely’, now that was a lovely euphemism, wasn’t it? Sometimes Garnet wished things would stop moving for once - or slow down at least, if only a little. So many things were happening, a few glimpses of happiness almost drowning in the ferocious sea of sorrow, misery and regret. With the positive things in life being outnumbered by a flood of the upsetting kind, how were you to really enjoy the former? If life rushed on, how could you cling to what kept you up on the surface, what kept you from drowning. Sheer power of will? Pride? Maybe it was more of an advantage than the fiery mutant had ever thought that she possessed plenty of both.
She was just about to reply to his first question when another followed; a sudden thought apparently having broken the previous chain of thoughts making him leap right to another. Contrary to that change of topic, the question itself caused faint confusion. “Um… no, I have not,” she replied, her voice’s subtext seeming to say ‘Why should I? Didn’t know it had been anything out of the ordinary.’ And that was the truth. Admittedly, Aurora had been surprised at the vampire’s shift of form, but then again, it hadn’t really seemed like such a strange thing to happen really if you considered the display of this wide array of powers the other two had possessed.
There was an additional fact though that only people in a similar situation could really relate to. When you were surrounded by countless others that were special one way or another, different, there came the point when you stopped being surprised. Real surprise was a sudden gust of icy wind, something hitting the shell but resonating within. When it came to mutants and the like, all Aurora usually felt was a light tingle, curiosity maybe. Yet even that she did not notice at that point, quite correctly guessing the reasons due to which Spike didn’t want his animal-shifting powers to be known. People who knew of his nature feared him enough as it was… no need for adding something else to the stack.
Seeing the topic as finished, Aurora returned to the one from before, the other chain that had been abandoned but shortly yet still was well worth a reply. Especially considering her still unquenched frustration. “Well, there might be plans, but if there are, I wasn’t informed of them. Wouldn’t exactly be the first time,” she stated, a hint of her sentiments in that composed voice of hers. Every time she thought to be coping she soon found out she wasn’t. And she hated herself for it. Couldn’t she just get over things quickly and with no hassle or grudges held? Or was all of that a by-product of her desperate attempt to cling to these rare gems, her moments of happiness? Why did it always have to be all or nothing, why could life never be easy?
Because you’ve been there… and it’s not a place you want to return to… is it?
No… no it wasn’t.
There comes a time in everyone's life when we have to take over responsibility.
The question remains whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
“Um… no, I have not,” Good! That was good… it wasn’t like people would be against his new abilities but Spike was so paranoid of his inhuman tendencies as it was, he didn’t want them knowing there was something more animalistic about him then already. He lowered his eyes away from her as it seemed that she didn’t understand why he’d worry over such a thing, people didn’t understand… not many did, not him, he was more confusing to those around him then he desired to be.
“Well, there might be plans, but if there are, I wasn’t informed of them. Wouldn’t exactly be the first time,” Curious, his head tilted slightly to the side as he wondered what that meant exactly. She didn’t sound pleased, and he raised his eyebrow at the tone of her voice, she was someone who seemed to demand respect, beautiful, powerful, charming in so many ways.
"Now luv, you’re throwin’ off my whole balance’ere." There was a slight chuckle, though a serious tone was woven within his words. A pale hand brushed the front of his top, looking a little misplaced for the moment, though he turned to look back at her and tried to ease some of the tension he felt in his muscles. A seat… that’s what he wanted… his eyes looked for the seat, from the dinning chairs to the sofa and the armchairs. The armchair looked comfortable… but he didn’t like the scent of the others in the area, he didn’t like the idea of strangers walking in on him. "See, if you’re th’mopey one, where d’I stand’ere?" Usually she was so strong and he was just… well… usually he was all over the place. A soft sigh mumbled through his lips, his body moving past her and his eyes drifting around the dorm room to take in the new set up.
Striking blue spheres examined the area more carefully, the handsome features seemed drained… more pale and thin then usual, an air of restless behaviour probably hard to notice as any different to his old habits. Garnet hadn’t seen his improvements, no one had really… but he had improved… he had gotten so well and then Rogue had to… she had to do what she did!
"Wonna talk’bout it?" He was a good listener… he could listen, not many turned to people to him, and he didn’t really blame them, but Arisa did, and he was good for her, he listened and helped her. He wished people would start to see him as she did… it was a big ask but still, he’d be happy if it happened.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
Aurora too counted among those not noticing the vampire's behaviour as anything different from the usual. She didn't really know him any different. Insane or not, there always seemed to be something haunted about him, no matter whether he really was hearing voices or only acted as if he were. Maybe this behaviour was a remnant of his God-knew-how-long times of torment in his home dimension. Maybe it was a result of what had happened here. Aurora could only guess, and not knowing the circumstances under which he and Rogue had split up, she automatically resumed the former was the reason for his being, well, how he was.
A brow was raised lightly upon Spike's chuckle and the following words. Had it really come this far; far enough for others to clearly see what was going on inside of her? She had always, secretly, prided herself to be in absolute control of what from this varied collection of things happening in her own little universe she would show the world, and thus this man seeing right through her was quite a blow to her self-image. Had everybody noticed? Had she become so bitter, it showed?
Aurora sighed, allowing her perfect body to sink down on her flawlessly done bed. Impeccable strands of hair were pushed back by fingers with perfectly done nails. And much to her dismay, she could feel immaculate tears appearing behind her eyes, demanding to be seen by the world. She couldn't let them. She wouldn't let them.
A somewhat strained smile hovered on her lips as he commented on his usual demeanour, but it disappeared soon. Blown away by another sigh. Silently.
A vague movement of her hand invited him to join her. "Just petty things I am making a big deal of. Still, this might take a while...," she announced with a small, self-ironic smile "Once I have begun to rant, I can go on for hours." Obviously not the best way to start, but the most honest one. Something Spike deserved, at least as far as she was concerned. After all, he was willing to listen – something so few people really did. Actually, Garnet herself wasn't sure she could really, truly listen, at least as it stood these days. Sometimes, your own mind's humming and buzzing just drowns out everything else, making you perceive what others have to say as if there were a veil or fog covering them and everything else outside your own self.
"As you may or may not know, I've been made leader of a team we decided to call the Exiles," the ebony-haired girl began, realising she really didn't know just how informed Spike was. Well, shortly repeating some basics couldn't hurt, could it? "Long story short: they are students that either have or cause problems... or both really. Suffice it to say, it is anything but easy to work with them." A short pause followed in which a slightly cynical chuckle sounded as she thought of the past... memorable time with them. "And that is an understatement, of course."
What followed was the first complete conversion of her eternal inner monologue to an outer one. Although trying to cut it short and not flood the other with things the other surely didn't – couldn't – care about, Aurora found that one thing led to another, forming a much needed relieving flow of...well... ranting. She had to get it out though, like purulence, in order to heal. To finally move on. For that was what she had to...
There comes a time in everyone's life when we have to take over responsibility.
The question remains whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
The walk to her room had been uneasy for Spike, who was hit with her sensuous scent which drifted from her room as he drew closer. A breath was drawn into his lungs and slowly exhaled, his eyes focused keenly on her as Garnet moved to her bed. He wouldn’t… he couldn’t… and yet he was drawn after her with a mere gesture as a pup who’s master tugs its leash.
"Just petty things I am making a big deal of. Still, this might take a while...," A while? Spike didn’t mind that… he had all the time in the world, much to his dismay, though now… it was also his own choice. If only he continued to accept Arisa’s offer, her insistence so overpowering sometimes, though the doctors interference helped both of them break free from the lust of the bite… or at least gave them the will to ignore it. "Once I have begun to rant, I can go on for hours." A small smile graced the pale lips, his bright eyes struggling to remain focused solely on her face. He had to listen, he wanted to listen! She had helped him when he needed some freedom, and if she needed some freedom of speech then he wanted to give it to her, but why did she have to be so tempting a companion?
"As you may or may not know, I've been made leader of a team we decided to call the Exiles," A team leader? That was a good thing.. wasn’t it? Spike’s focus returned a little to the situation at hand as he tilted his head a little at the comment, he had been expecting something more traumatizing… obviously there was more to come however so he remained quiet. "Long story short: they are students that either have or cause problems... or both really. Suffice it to say, it is anything but easy to work with them." Ahhh… not the most perfect of leadership roles then, stressful and trying, and by the look of things somewhat unwanted apparently. "And that is an understatement, of course." A grin flourished sympathetically but didn’t linger, fading to a minimal smile.
"Sound’s like ya got a handful there luv," Striking eyes turned to briefly take in the surroundings of Garnet’s room, studying the layout, the set up, the cleanliness… "Who are th’kids under ya watch then?" Spike asked with a look of interest, if it was genuine or meticulously played with the skills he learned to adapt over the endless years with Dru and Angelus, it would be near impossible to tell, and perhaps in the end it was just a little of both. He had to play a little… his mind was still wondering, and he didn’t want to give that impression, not when his hungry thoughts trailed off to paint his own pictures of how this meeting could progress… the things he could do to, the things he could say… the way she’d cry out with each expertly skilled position, movement, act… how he missed the delighted yells, the gasps, everything… he missed it all so bad. Yet that didn't mean he was going to show how deprived he felt, no... he wouldn't give anyone that satisfaction.
It felt good to let it all out, to finally get it off her chest. Ranting to a much lesser extent, she had of course told all these things to Ororo already, but as mentioned before, the older woman hadn't been very understanding. Not unsympathetic per se, yet with the kind of tone that implied that the gravity of the whole issue for Aurora personally was not really seen as what it was. Almost traumatising. As Storm saw it, this was just another test for the fiery girl, one she would certainly pass with flying colours – sooner or later. Actually it was anticipated to take a little longer than usual though, a set-up as it seemed to Circe who suspected the whole Exiles thing to be nothing but their way of showing her she couldn't possibly surpass all expectations with minimum effort in all regards.
Ruby lips – a little dry from talking - moistened absent-mindedly; ebony hair was pushed back with a sigh upon Spike's comment. "Well, we have just had a change of line-up...," Garnet replied, a parade of faces dancing before her inner eye. "The girl that got sick I told you about, Paige, she left, as did a shy psychic boy named Casey and a sort of demonised mutant called Gypsy." There was a particularly obvious subtext of regret in her voice upon mentioning Morticia. She had been supportive in her very own way, helpful maybe without wanting to, but efficient nonetheless. Back then on the island, the sin-enhancing mutant's motivations hadn't been as important to Exiles' leader as the fact that her actions got people to move. And what's more, she had formed links, vague forms of bonding within the group – something so very simple and yet so essential.
"Bryce, an invulnerability mutant, a kind of dead girl named Winifred and – strangely enough – a human, Nick, are the newbies." Her confusion about the joining of the latter was quite obvious, a mild frown creasing Aurora's brow. She didn't have anything again the boy or the fact that he wasn't a mutant, but the big question why exactly he had been made a part of an X-Men team hadn't left her mind ever since she had learned of his genetic state. "Jess, Racheal and my ex are still on the 'team'." There was something suspiciously much resembling a scoff after the last word. "So there are great times ahead...," she stated sarcastically while another sigh left her lips as she allowed her form to sink back onto the bed.
It was all so tiring, this constant struggle for acceptance and authority. Half the team had left and been replaced by others, past accomplishments exactly that: gone, stripped off their importance and left as insignificant remnants of what might have been become a functioning group otherwise. Of course it could all mean that now with the new members everything would be better, easier, yet from how she had got to know them so far Aurora already thought to have gathered that this wouldn't be the case. They seemed to be equally... complicated to handle. But that was only logical, wasn't it? After all, that was what this team was all about.
Did that mean that once she, they, had managed to work together, to function as a united front, there would be an exchange of members again to maintain the Exiles' purpose? Was that all she was there for, preparing them, taking the edge off them for the benefit of other leaders? Or would they be allowed to stay together should they ever succeed in surmounting their individual obstacles on that long and rocky road called sociability? "I could really do with a vacation...," Garnet said, more to herself than anything else. "And you?" she asked, turning her head with the slightest hint of curiosity towards Spike's sitting form. "What is it you want the most right now?"
There comes a time in everyone's life when we have to take over responsibility.
The question remains whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
By now Spike was more torn with examining her, as if he didn’t know what she already looked like, as if each curve was a curiosity to him and each pause for thought a more depressing realization which dragged his eyes repeatedly back to her face… soon they wandered off again but they always made their way back to the face. Struggling to remain discreet, trying to be quick, trying to avoid being noticed.. he found himself thinking of their moment back in the girls bathroom in Mass. Academy when he pretended to bite her… heh… the snug fit of her much slender form melded near perfectly against his. Much like Rogue did… there was a danger as well, with both, Garnet could set him alit and Rogue could just rip him apart. Almost as she taunted his wandering thoughts, a warm, moist pink tongue seemed to curtly slip into sight, ever so tenderly creeping over the dry lips, softening them, readying them almost welcomingly for the touch of another’s lips.
"Well, we have just had a change of line-up...," Spike blinked, his bright eyes tearing themselves away from the moistened lips to glance at her eyes, taking a moment to assess what the words she said had actually mentioned meant. It clicked quickly enough, he felt absurd not paying attention, he felt stuoid with how easily alluring females were for him at the moment, or… had it always been that way? He didn’t think it had been so dramatic… even when woman were nothing but toys to be played with, he never lusted after them so keenly as he has the last few weeks. Was it also to do with Arisa? Like so many other things he has noticed changing with him or his habits… Hank had explained that his body was becoming alive bit by bit with each feeding off Arisa. "The girl that got sick I told you about, Paige, she left, as did a shy psychic boy named Casey and a sort of demonised mutant called Gypsy." The details were clung to eagerly as a distraction, though his mind wasn’t so easily tugged away from the longing idea of what it would feel like to once again run his fingers across the warm flesh of another… He missed Rogue, he missed her strength and her endurance, her innocence in so many ways and yet… there was something do provocative and experienced about her. Even if Rogue would have been denied the physical pleasures often and most likely for most of her life she had felt as eager and yet as hopeless as Spike had felt right there and then.
"Bryce, an invulnerability mutant, a kind of dead girl named Winifred and – strangely enough – a human, Nick, are the newbies." Human? Even Spike was able to take a step aside and think that the addition of a non-mutant human was oddly out of place in his opinion. That, however, didn’t fool him into forgetting that not all humans were as helpless as people perceived, some where gifted in other ways… he’d not be at the school if he didn’t have some sort of talent that made him stand out for whatever reason.
"Jess, Racheal and my ex are still on the 'team'." Words seemed to fumble off into the back of Spike’s mind. It didn’t seem as important as the way the jeans snugged her thighs, or the strangely casual top that seemed so plain and yet far from slack. "So there are great times ahead...," A smile crept rather cluelessly onto his face, her tone falling on rather deaf ears as he merely took the words for their simplistic and logical meaning.
"I could really do with a vacation...," So could he, but he doubted she’d have the same road trip in mind, he gave an inward chuckle at the very prospect as his mind trailed off into his own erotic fantasies of randomly chosen girls and events that’d make a decent enough holiday in his opinion.
"And you?" A slight brow raised at her question, he wasn’t sure he understood exactly what she was asking though that could be because right now he was definitely not thinking with his head. "What is it you want the most right now?" Oh… if only he had the audacity to mention what he really did want right now… hell, who was he fooling? He was an ex-big bad, surely that gave him some space for wicked suggestions or thoughts or… actions…
"Wouldn’t mind a few humanly indulgences pet," The comment may have been teasing, but it was casual and vague enough that the indulgences could have referred to anything. There was a chuckle as he added, "Feelin’ much betta knowin’ I ain’t the only ex’ed sod out there." And that may or may not have lead Garnet’s mind down the track of which indulgences may be referring to. His hands, which weren’t as cold as he considered normal, more like a neutral balance, his body not so dead yet not so alive either. "Lotta odd things been happenin’ lately Garnet… some o’which are really amazin’, others not quite so." Spike leaned towards her, a playful look dancing in his eyes and a small smirk spreading its way across his handsome lips, a soft aroma scented his skin and clothes from the earlier shower… vampires weren’t exactly the sweetest smelling creatures but if well groomed they can easily remove the odour’s hold, most really didn’t care to both. Which made hunting them so much easier.. "If you ever do go on’at holiday, gimme a buzz… sure as hell could use one too." There was a slightly thoughtful pause, his hypnotically alluring eyes burning into hers as his gaze so often did, a slightly tilt of his head to the sick as he pondered. "Or I could take you back t’my old home an’ show you how wonderful’is life really is fo’you." It was a rather wicked tease, though he made it came off strangely seducing…he didn’t realize it, he never had to worry about how he acted and that tended to cause problems around Arisa, flirting and allowing his desires to rule his responses would become problematic and he could see that… when he was thinking straight anyway. Besides, Garnet was older, she was beautiful, she was strong and could defend herself, Spike hardly feared that he’d intimidate her and so possibly that knocked down a few cautious barriers.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
All the little things she did, all adding up to something so subtly sexual, Aurora didn't notice them at all. Not as what Spike saw in them anyway. Still she was far from stupid and thus his first replying comment was noted with mild confusion as to whether he had really meant what was coming to her mind upon hearing of "human indulgences". Granted he was anything but asexual, but somehow the fiery girl had as of then never really seen him like that, as a sexual being. As someone with needs just like those she had herself. A small smile was the form of reaction she chose, albeit not a consciously seductive one. What it actually looked like, however, was of course up to interpretation.
The connection between those first two sentences, Garnet didn't pick up on, too busy wondering whether there was any kind of Schadenfreude in his words. She quickly came to the conclusion that if at all, it probably was just the knowledge that it wasn't just he who hadn't been able to maintain his relationship. "Actually I 'exed' myself," she replied with an expression as ambiguous as her own sentiments about the whole thing. Aurora found it already hard to figure out what she felt for herself; expressing anything clear in that regard was thus bordering the realm of impossibility.
When the vampire's body was body a little closer towards her, she suddenly realised the implications of their position. The scent of musk, unobtrusive and yet so very present, entered her nostrils and set something in motion. The creature that had drawn some satisfaction from the impressively short relationship with Max awoke again, sniffing, purring, and making sure Aurora felt a sudden rush of excitement going through her body. It was quite similar to nervousness, that feeling, but instead of making her want to run away from the source, it rather triggered a desire to move closer to it – to him – and let nature take its course.
Needless to say she didn't obey. Still that didn't mean it hadn't been a grim struggle going on inside of her, primal instincts striving to take over her, make that cold flesh her own. She even caught herself wondering whether every part of his was, and remained, without warmth. Whether he was all man, in every regard, in every way. Ember eyes, as if having a will of their own, wandered down his lying form, lingering a little on his body's centre as a part of her wondered about what he might look like without all these clothes on.
It was just a short moment before Garnet realised what she was doing; one that may or may not have slipped the other's attention. "Sounds lovely," the fire-elemental replied maybe a split-second later than expected, mild irony in her voice. Sternly telling herself that this was neither the right moment nor the right person to quell her lust with, she tried her hardest to focus on the subject matter... which certainly was not whether the undead man lying so close to her was as defined as her ex, or even more so. Her subconscious, however, held quite a different opinion. She could only hope it hadn't showed in her eyes.
There comes a time in everyone's life when we have to take over responsibility.
The question remains whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
It seemed his strength was waning, her words just sound in the back of his mind, it was so strange, the image of them in the Mass. Academy bathroom suddenly sprung to mind, her delicate form pressed up against the wall, his own against hers… surely it hadn’t been so alluring back then as his recollection made it out to be. Hardly fooled by the sweet looks of this fiery temptress, he knew her abilities, or knew enough to know she was able to incinerate him in a blink of an eye. Far from quelling any thoughts, he instead triggered lustful tingles that rippled strangely to his finger tips, shooting out from his lower half in a manner that was almost overpowering… in the best sense possible, though hardly with the person he’d have much preferred. Did it matter? Rogue wasn’t here… she didn’t care… Beth? She was undead! Lacking the things that aroused Spike the most, the warmth of flesh against his, the beating pulse under his fingertips…
But he couldn’t be rough like he could be with Rogue, he couldn’t tussle with most in the manner he was used to, most woman were so gentle, so tender and soft, helpless to his hold…pinning them to his will. Not Rogue, no… she could fight back, she could push him off her if she just tried hard enough, if she really wanted, she could straddle him and keep him down… she could hurt him if she wanted, with strong fingers, powerful thighs… gripping, tightening…
"Sounds lovely," Garnet could fight back too… she could, in her own way, still so tender and soft yet powerful too, far from helpless… she could end him if she wanted, she could end it all. It did sound lovely… take him or end him, completely her own choice, She wants you… He didn’t need the feminine voice in his mind to whisper the obvious to him, he could smell it, see it…should he though? Should he dare, he was working her up, it was his own doing, but it hardly mattered… she was younger then Rogue, but physically speaking, Rogue was older then he was, in the sense he hadn’t aged beyond his early twenties while she was at least a decade older then he… though she too moved gracefully through time.
Heat poured off her like the pheromones she emanated, his gaze seemed settled on her own, his form leaning closer with a strange blend of hesitation and confidence, cool fingertips raising to tenderly touch the base of the front of her neck as his face hovered but an inch from hers and drawing even nearer. Should he? God he wanted to… it’s all he wanted to do lately…the urge to just let his tongue slip in between those lips of hers, just a hair width away, his hands lowered, fingers tantalizingly slipping down her front, trailing slowly, temptingly down towards her stomach… hinting, expressing… longing… teasing.... testing.
There was still a chance she'd pull away, still a chance she'd throw him off, but it didnt matter really.. it's not like he had much of a reputation to ruin. It didn't matter if she told Rogue, they weren't together anyway, and it didn't matter if she hated him.. he never really got the chance to get to know her, or anyone else here for that matter.. Only Rogue..and without her there wasn't much left.. Only Arisa. But Arisa had her own issues right now, he'd done all he could when she needed him and right now she needed more then just him there for her, and he had to let the others close to her get a chance. He didn't need her as much any more.. he was free again, free to do what he wanted, when he wanted, he could drink all night or stay out or slink around with anyone he wanted.. That's what he wanted wasn't it? that freedom? To face the dangers again.. to not worry what would happen to her if he didn't come home that night..
He was free again.. he could do whatever he wanted, or he could die trying. But.. he couldn't help but wonder what it was he actually really wanted.. There was one thing that rang clear and strong, his primal instincts always holding greater control over the vampire.. He wasn't entirely dead anymore though... things were changing, he was changing.. too many much was changing. He had no one to tell him what was going on, no one to explain to him what was expected of him.. he had no one.. but he wasn't useless, he hasn't lost his touch.. he could make her scream. He could make them all scream for him.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
Why was he so silent, why his gaze so far away despite his physical proximity? What were his thoughts lingering on she couldn't fathom, couldn't dare to guess, for the answer could be enough to change everything, destroy her feeble resolve, the vow she had made to herself. Rogue was something like a friend to her. Well a respected superior certainly and considering what they had been through as close to being Aurora's friend as a woman twice her age could be. In any case someone whose partner she would never make out with. Not even if it was a very recently "ex'ed" partner.
Not that she'd ever make men cheat on their lovers, she wasn't that hypocritical. After all, that had been the reason why she had broken up with him - his cheating on her – and how very self-righteous would it have been to be the cause for someone else to do the same thing? *But that wouldn't be the case here, would it?* a sly voice whispered in her ear, stressing once again the fact that Spike was single again. And obviously so, considering he had been away from the Institute for quite a while and Rogue... well, she hadn't.
No, no! It was wrong to think into that direction, wrong to even remotely consider that thought, to allow it to take form in her mind. The power of 'what if' is astounding, and in this case wishful thinking could well lead to making it become reality. Spike was only a man after all, and men were weak to seduction. The thought was without condescendence, a mere fact in the mind of an outstandingly beautiful woman. His face was so close, and was that his finger reaching out to touch her neck?!
No, no! This wasn't allowed to be! A hand brushed her body, lightly, and with full force came suddenly the realisation that she could have him should she so desire. *Just respond.. and he is yours,* the voice tempted her. *You can make him your own!* Her body shivered a little, his cool hand softly, lightly gliding down her front and the creature pulled at its chains. He was a vampire, undead, he had killed – but then again, so had she. Of course without enjoying it as Circe quickly told herself. *Not ,*[/i] the voice corrected smugly, feeding the fire that was already roaring inside of her, making it harder and harder for her to hold back.
Another shiver ran down her spine as his hand approached the lower end of her stomach, shaking breath escaping those ruby lips. Her mouth suddenly felt so very dry, the only remedy seeming to be this other one so close in front of her. This wasn't about love. This was about needs. Primal needs that had to be satisfied; but was this the right way? Was it? Was it?!
"No," she said softly, a fragile hand stopping his from moving any further. Oh he could of course break her physical resistance, Aurora knew that very well. But he had made a rather subtle move, not even truly touching her, and so she didn't see a reason to... yes, to what? Punish him? Was she really that arrogant to use such a term, even if only mentally? For the faintest of moments, she could Frost's voice in her head...
"Always so eager to show of the special effects, thoughtless and naïve towards others around her, that, my dear team mates, is our fearlessly stupid leader. Able to leap from one idiotic act to another in a single bound." She'd prove her wrong, prove them all wrong! She could be responsible and mature and do exactly the right thing. 'Think before you act' had been a personal rule Aurora had hardly ever broken before Exiles had been thrown her way. A test, a cross to bear, as unrewarding as a task can possibly be – and as times passed it more and more seemed that she had failed.
But this one thing she'd do right. She wouldn't fail Rogue. She wouldn't give in to her own desires. For once, she wanted to walk out with head held high and in the knowledge to have made the right decision. This was how it had to be, everybody concerned would end up realising that. Or, in the case of the southern belle, never learn of it. "I'm sorry," followed a quiet apology, her hand still keeping the other's in check. For some reason she felt on the verge of tears. But why? Why did everything still feel so wrong?
Why?
There comes a time in everyone's life when they have to take over responsibility.
The question remains whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
For a moment, just a fraction of an instance, when there was no swelling of heat threatening to engulf the vampire from within and no slap across the face of indignation, a moments promise to quench the needs which lingered in Rogue’s absence… Just as Rogue had helped subdue the needs which remained in Dru’s absence, even if it had gotten to a point where Spike was less then keen to be Dru’s toy of flesh, there were moments where he had actually gone to her. Everyone still had their moments of weakness… it hadn’t felt like a weakness with Rogue though, it hadn’t felt like a dreaded sensation that forced his hand.
"No," Bright eyes seemed frozen on the slender fingers that had taken hold of his hand, a warmth and tenderness that only taunted him in so many ways. How odd it was, as a vampire he found comforts in the arms of an untouchable mutant… as a human, past and present (or as human as he was currently becoming), he was constantly shot down. The irony of it was more painful then Spike, at the current time, was willing to think about.
"I'm sorry," An apology was better then a cruel statement, it was better then being ignored, it was better then… what ever else he’s experienced more commonly. But it hardly made him feel any better, a vague confusion settled beneath the rather bland reactions. It was hard to explain… probably because Garnet was so obviously reacting to his presence, as Spike’s sense told him clearly, and yet what her body was saying and what her lips said were very different things. Then again, what her body was saying, what her lips were saying and what her eyes were saying were also very different things! How’d this get so complicated? The was a soften to the male’s voice as he continued, a tenderness that, for Spike, seemed perhaps just that bit out of place to people who weren’t as close to him as Rogue and Arisa had been.
"I didn’ mean to offend you luv." Offence may not have been the word he intended, but William was far from sure what exactly it was she may be feeling, emotions were still an entirely new world for the soulled creature and to be honest he was finding it harder to deal with them then he ever admitted. Than again, it was probably easy for those close to him to notice his often extreme reactions to what he felt.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship"You didn't," she answered quietly, almost shamefully.
It was only when nothing overly dramatic happened that Aurora realised part of her had expected there to be an aggressive reaction of sorts. Without being aware of it, she had braced herself for everything from insults to physical violence, and the non-occurrence of either of these left her with a strange mix of relief and bad conscience. How, even if only deep down, could she have thought Spike would do such a thing? A nasty little voice at the back of her head whispered 'Because he's a vampire.' but she ignored it. He had proven himself trustworthy countless times. There was no point in all this mistrust.
Yet that realisation didn't really help her overcome the problem at hand. The sidetracked thoughts had helped cool down the heat of risen passion again, but if they remained in this position - close enough for a kiss (Just lean in a little) or more (Your hand's already at the right level) – there was no telling how much longer she could resist the voice of her primal needs. This was all just too confusing for her to fathom. Wrong... the whole scenario, wrong. What was happening here?!
Slowly, Aurora sat up, inching away from him while she did, and freed his hand. Ember eyes avoided his, looked to a ground that could not hold the answers she was trying to find. "I...," the fire-elemental began, sitting on the corner of her bed like maybe a parent would do when apologising to their child, back to him and head turned only a little but not enough for him to really see her face. This voice was not hers, was it? No, Circe spoke differently, with confidence and the absolute certainty that there could not be a situation she wouldn't be able to handle. Who was it then, that emerged more frequently these days? Someone vulnerable. Someone so very different from the perfect façade Garnet had tried so hard to maintain.
This part she had managed to silence more often than she had followed its advice, was it her real self? Or just another guarding mechanism? There was the sudden sneaking suspicion that Exiles' leader was a psychiatrist's dream client, a passing thought that would almost have let her chuckle bitterly. The truth was, she didn't know much about the girl that lived behind all these walls of superiority and courtesy. She didn't dare to find out, afraid it'd be someone she wouldn't like. She was afraid it'd be someone weak...
Garnet stood up like someone who had just made an unloved, yet unavoidable decision. She had to stay true to her resolution. There was no other way to prove to herself she wasn't weak, that she could and would stand her ground. Even if it was against herself. Her walk to the window was an unconscious one, the need to avoid looking at Spike driving her there almost automatically. "Maybe..." Still too shaky, too uncertain! "Maybe it would be better if you left now," she tried again, much firmer this time, hands resting on the desk before her. And waited.
There comes a time in everyone's life when they have to take over responsibility.
The question remains whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
"You didn't," A slight tilt of his head was all that Spike could muster in reply, if he hadn’t offended her, and if the fiery mutant wanted what he was offering, then why did she say she didn’t want it and further more act as if he was somehow pushing her to do something Garnet didn’t want? Some woman were really bizarre, but more so in this school, Spike’s decided anyway, it helped him accept even the weirdest reactions the females were having towards him, Rogue turning a 360, Garnet being two faced… granted that Spike was asking questions and getting answers that while helped him understand some things only further confused others.
"I...," As Garnet moved William let his eyes follow hers, a curious stare caught in his gaze as he wondered what was up with her… usually Spike was the one wiggling out of intimate affairs with Dru when she got in her insatiable moods, and unlike Rogue Drusilla was far from affectionate and loving. But here and now Spike hadn’t been the one to initiative anything, Garnet had, sure he was hardly innocent in his actions but he wouldn’t have done a thing if she hadn’t lead him on with her reactions to his presence. Maybe she was interested in someone else? A struggle to remain loyal? That was actually rather plausible, if she was officially dating someone it was hard to tell, Garnet lived with a few males so obviously their scents would be on her thick but at the same time Spike would pick up if she’d recently had sex and his nose told him a no, not unless she showered and really really washed herself down on a near obsessive desire for cleanliness!
There was something off, something that Spike wouldn’t have picked up if his mental state had been as it was the first night he arrived here, the bliss of his yo-yoing grasp on sanity, at least now he was able to have the normalcy along with the shattered side. And yet right now he could see it, and perhaps something more, even if that didn’t make much sense to him, the vampire knew what was to come, and he knew his reply to it before she even spoke, and yet instead Spike let her continue. Perhaps it was something she needed to say… there was definitely something inside her head that was driving this strange reaction, if only Spike knew what it was, he’d not mind the chance to help her as she had once helped him. "Maybe..." The voice wasn’t as he remembered it, had so much changed that she was this different now? Or had he just not seen this side of Garnet in his own unstable condition? "Maybe it would be better if you left now,"
"Maybe." It didn’t sound like Spike agreed, "But last time I ran from a rejection it literally killed me." He didn’t sound bitter at all, rather friendly and matter of fact as he attempted to show a casual side and hide the confusion Garnet stirred. "So hows ‘bout instead we just chat for a lil’bit? Not too long, I assume you’re busy, that aside ‘Risa might came chargin’ after me if she finds I’m still not in th’room when she gets back." There was a chuckle as he spoke, "Have an operation Thursday an’ till’en she feels it’s’er civic duty to mother me… haven’t been so pampered since my mum died." There was a bitter voice that came with that… she didn’t just die, he killed her hadn’t he? Murdered his own mother… out of love and affection unlike hate that was more common, Angelus killed his family from spite, and his kid sister too though that was just out of malice… Spike tried to sire his mother so she’d not die, she was dying anyway he didn’t want her to be gone forever. "I was wonderin’ maybe, actually if you could help me, was the whole reason I had o’comin’ down here, I know you’re good with computers and you know a lot o’things an’ I was wonderin’ perhaps if you could help me with something."
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
Why couldn't he just leave? Why was he making it even harder for her than it had already been before? Of course this wasn't intentionally, she knew it wasn't, and yet Aurora couldn't help but – for a short moment – wish she could just force him out of her room and seal the door so he could not enter again. If she had been able to detach herself from this position she was in, it maybe would have amused her to find just how thoroughly the both had managed to lead the other to overhasty conclusions in just a few minutes' time. Had it not been such a tricky situation to be in, 'hilarious' would have been the best term to describe it.
So what was she to do? Perfectly manicured hands ran over the desk in front of her, arranging small items without really looking at them, despite her eyes staying fixed on the table's surface. And seeing right through it. What options did she have? Tell him to leave regardless of his obviously not solely sexual intentions or listen to what he have say. Considering Spike had also asked her for help, wouldn't the former be incredibly immature a reaction? And not only that! There was this kind of friendship they had that she didn't want to put at risk just because she had this discrepancies between responsibility and her urges. It wasn't worth it.
"An operation?" she asked with a concerned tone in her voice, finally turning around. The casualness with which he was speaking about surgery confused her a little, but also helped to keep her worries at bay. She didn't consciously register how this one piece of information had managed to take her mind off the awkwardness from just a few moments ago. Of course it was bound to return sooner or later... unless they managed to somehow label this whole incident as mistake to be forgotten. Or something very much like that anyway.
The mentioning of Arisa, the young girl who had been at her old team for the shortest of times, confused her a little, but was quickly dismissed as not all that important. There was always the very high chance of he talking about someone entirely different who just happened to have the same name...or maybe this was one of fate's stranger ways. None of her business anyway.
"What is the matter.. is that what you need my help for?" Aurora couldn't possibly imagine what she would be able to help him with that Beast couldn't, and, despite asking, assumed it had to be something relatively unrelated to the operation. What exactly though... well, there was no point in guessing too much. Assumptions could only lead to making things even odder than they were already.
Taking a few steps towards him, the fire-elemental made sure to keep a certain distance. Not of the kind that you'd maintain to dangerous animals but rather what was normal for closer acquaintances, a little more than arm's reach. It wasn't so much that she feared he might try something but rather a subconscious attempt to keep her own hormones from throwing a party. This was neither the time, place, nor person for such a thing. She knew that... now if only her body would realise that too!
Re: Exile's Dorm: Companionship
The pause between Spike’s words and Garnet’s reaction was long enough to make the vampire wonder if she had indeed heard him or if she was perhaps even ignoring him, both likely in his experience and both just as awkward to deal with. Rogue would probably act just like this, if not worse on his approach, she’d probably back away… then again… there was the chance she wouldn’t too. Woman were complex, and often ruled by their emotions just as strongly as their ideals they sometimes too stubbornly stuck by. Maybe he was being dense though, maybe she’d not be so standoffish… if he approached her in the right manner… it wasn’t easy to think of a manner that felt right though.
"An operation?" Spike tried to blink back the thoughts, though his mind was just as distracted on Garnet’s slightly hazed form, a few more blinks were given as if trying to clear the vision but this time the focus wasn’t so easily returned. With only the slightest of distortion that threatened only to bring about a headache by the end of the day Spike hardly was letting it worry him, it had come and gone the last day and a half and for all he knew it was going to go again in the next few minutes.
"What is the matter.. is that what you need my help for?" The Operation? Spike took a moment to remember he had actually mentioned something about it before, he’d not really talked with people and since he was a slight defensive with everything that had been going on between he and Arisa it meant the vampire wasn’t entirely happy to just explain the reason for the blood transfusion booked in to happen tomorrow. A rather dismissive wave of the blondes hand brushed aside the comment left hanging in the air with regards to Garnet helping him somehow with the operation.
"No no pet, furball’s got’at all under control." There was distracted glance about the room, an awkward little pause as Spike pondered just how to ask without sounding like a whimpering idiot. "There’s this guy… Percy Oakwood," No no, not the right start to it, Spike scratched that approach and started again, he didn’t need to bring the time traveller into this. "Everyone knows I’m old… one thousand four hundred an… somethin’-somethin’." Was that the way he wanted to bring this up though? He paused for a moment and thought, his hand raising to let his finger scratch the scar on his left brow. "But see, I was actually born in th’early eighteen hundreds, only got so old coz… time flows faster in…" The hell dimension… "…this place tha’Dru sent me to." Repeatedly. "Someone was sayin’ Percy could find’is family by lookin’ up their names, only I dunno where to look I ain’t that good with computers yet an’ Angel’s utterly hopeless, the guy can’t even use’is mobile." This probably sounded as if Spike wanted to help Percy find HIS family… better clarify before he made things even more awkward then he already felt.
"Technically Percy an’ I are from the same time, an Percy don’wont to look up’is family, or isn’t ready, whatever." There was a brief pause, Spike’s eyes seemed to be focused on the base of Garnet’s neck, too high to be staring at her chest and yet too low to be looking at her face, he wasn’t sure why he felt so odd but damnit, this was harder then asking Hank for a fresh mug of blood. "But I got thinkin’… maybe I could find out wha’happened to my family. I-I mean yeah… mum died, she had a sister, an’ my dad left when I was a young, he coulda had more kids," There seemed to be another slight pause, a moment where Spike’s eyes themselves seemed to frown without the slightest of muscle moving in his features, and yet still it was so clear to see his displeasure at that thought. "… it’d be interestin’ to find out, see what happened to everyone… bu’I don’know where t’look."
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