Halcyon Halls

Who: James and Fisher
What: Drinking until we can't feel feelings anymore
Where: The Local Dive
When: Night


It was Thirsty Thursday, and Fisher felt he deserved a little numbness. He had agreed not to imbibe alcohol as part of his condition for being at Halcyon, all expenses paid, but... fuck that. The old man (who Fisher did not even know) had no clue what life was like in Fisher's shoes. He didn't deal with random dead people asking favors of him, or with the strange looks received when Fisher told said needy spirits to shut up. There were students here who had it worse, that was true. But it didn't make Fisher's situation suck any less. Besides, he wasn't drinking to get totally smashed. He just needed to relax. That and find something to do. He'd come in too late in the semester, so he didn't have classes yet to occupy his time.

The bartender set down a shotglass in front of Fisher, tossed in three ice cubes and poured in two ounces of straight scotch from one of those tiny portion-nozzled bottles. Fisher nodded a thanks, then sipped. He could've gulped it down, but rehab had benefitted him enough for him to know that yes, he had had a drinking problem and it hadn't solved anything. So it was best not to try and drown yourself.

Fisher's garb was subdued tonight, decked out in his Gears of War hoodie and downplayed zipper pants. Fisher liked emo clothing- the style was far too ridiculous to resist, and before living like a hobo he had access to a lot of money. Coming from a wealthy family had its advantages. Luckily he'd managed to keep most of his clothing, despite having nowhere to live for months at a time. He'd decided not to get all decked out tonight, just in case the locals at the bar did not approve of rich boys who dressed like they knew a damn thing about hardship. (It didn't matter that this former rich boy actually did know hardship- when you wear clothing that costs more than some people make in a week, you lose the right to complain about anything.) So tonight there were no hanging chains on his pants, not eyeliner around his eyes and his long, unruly hair was at the very least pushed behind his ears.

As he took another sip of his poison, he sighed contentedly and readied himself for a peaceful night alone.

Who: Noah and James
Where: Bar down in the city
When: Monday night


Alcohol... well it didn't seem to solve any problems. However it did a damn good job of blurring the fact that problems did in fact exist. That was really all that Noah was aiming for at the moment. A deep seeded desire to... well fuck what did he exactly wish? That he'd never said anything to Natalia? That he'd done something a hell of a long time ago... Honestly Noah wasn't sure. Was there a better option? Well logically speaking growing a pair of balls and getting over his own set of issues a hell of a lot earlier was the better decision but logic rarely seemed to play a role in Noah's thinking.

Instead, he was torn between just wishing he'd managed to keep his stupid mouth shut and between wishing he'd never been so damn pig headed to begin with. Problem was it didn't seem to matter what he wished because none of that changed his current predicament. You know that situation where his best friend and the woman he knew he loved really didn't want to go that particular route with him. Instead she was shacking up with some guy just down the hall.

It really didn't work so well for Noah with the full moon the next day. It was kind of like ripping open some wound and dumping a bottle of salt in it and giving it a good rub. Well maybe not quite like that but his temper was already on edge and the last thing he needed was the accidental run in in the hallway. He'd pass thanks.

So like every day that weekend and the vast majority of the week before Noah had his ass parked on a bar stool. Big ass bowl of peanuts in front of him as requested and begrudgingly provided by the bartender, a beer and Noah was as... well he was just staying there regardless of how he felt. It included ignoring that itch that went through his every muscle with the pull of the moon.

"'Nother one..." Noah said pushing his empty bottle toward the bartender who gave that look that said he didn't really want to get Noah another but seeing as how he didn't appear overly intoxicated there wasn't much he could do. Probably had more to do with the fact that Noah was running low on funds and therefore a shitty tipper. Yeah life was a bitch whatever.

Something pricked at the back of his senses. A familiar... scent or annoyance or something. Noah rolled his shoulders trying to shake it off. Had to be the moon.

Who: James and Ita
When: Afternoon
Where: The library
What: A chance encounter

Avoiding everyone was quickly becoming James thing. Ever since he had returned from his mother's funeral, had he been this way. Granted, he had spent some time with Cissy when he first got back and had gone out one with Natalia, but that was it. And neither of those things had made him feel better at all. Natalia had basically rejected him even though he had tried his best to do better, to show her that he could be better, and he had thought that... well that there was something there but apparently he had been mistaken.

And then there was Cissy. He had been hot for her for a long time and she always turned him down. Always. But she was now dating some kid? What was that about? There was nothing that could have made him feel much better than he felt already than that. For real though, what the fuck? The kid must have been damn good in bed or something. He gave the whole relationship two months tops before Cissy left him heart broken and went back to sleeping with that asshole demon fuck again. But what did he really care? It wasn't like he had real feelings for her. No, those were otherwise occupied.

Speaking of occupied, reading had become a fast hobby of his. He had always rather enjoyed a good book, but since he had become the resident house of fire recluse, he had found himself breezing through novel after novel with very little thought. It was a welcome escape to staring out his window at the darkness and pondering the million and one things that he had to ponder.

Of course this new hobby led him to spend much time in the school's library which was, for the most part, quite empty. He liked it that way and he had gotten used to it being that way which was why, as he moved from one section to another, he hadn't bothered to use any of his extra senses to keep him from plowing into the girl that was making a similar move from one row to the next. And the books in her hands, and his own, went flying from his and her grasp as an arm moved out to grab her around the waist in an attempt to keep her from crumpling to the floor.

"Sorry..." James mumbled, not sounding at all convincing though his body language spoke of him being genuine. And he immediately knelt down to start picking up books, his and hers both.

Who: James and Fisher
What: Creepy shit
Where: Random Hallway
When: Mid-Afternoon

This woman he was following was someone's mom. He knew she was, because she had said so. She looked frail, and tired, like she had given up fighting and just let herself cross over. Unfortunately, she apparently wasn't done talking yet. She'd scared the crap out of Fisher that morning by standing at ther foot of his bed, paitently waiting for him to get up. He did not appreciate this, as he was sleeping in only a pair of boxer shorts. Still, she wasn't as pushy as a lot of spirits were. She mostly looked helpless, like she needed Fisher more than anything. So begrudgingly, he'd decided to follow her and see where she led him.

And so far he'd been following her all damn day. She only ever said one word as they walked- James- and then she'd start down another hallway. Sometimes the dead got lost, especially in unfamiliar ground. So he patiently followed, trying to remember if he even knew of a James at Halcyon. If James looked like his mother, then the face wasn't ringing any bells.

It was starting to look hopeless, until the woman halted along the corridor leadoing to the House of Fire. Her finger stretched out, pointing to a clean young man who seemed distracted. He was well shaped and cut like a boy should be, and Fisher felt a lump in his throat. This guy was way out of his league, one of the snobby assholes that probably wouldn't think to speak to someone like Fisher, what with his dark clothing and "guy-liner" (thank you, Jax). Still, this lady looked so sad he couldn't help but at least try.

"James," he said weakly, then cleared his throat. "James," he said again, with authority. "Your mother wants to talk to you."

Who: James and Natalia
When: 9PM until ?
What: A date

James had honestly thought it would take longer to convince Natalia to go out with him, but he was wrong. It seemed that she was a sucker for a nice gift still. Either that or she just felt bad for him having lost his mother. That was a wound that was still rather raw, especially after having a few days to think about it. He truly was an orphan now. And he worried for his sister. She was out there alone again, with no one, no way to reach him. It scared him. He wanted so badly to help her but... She was stubborn, just like he was. And all of that was neither here nor there right now. Tonight he didn't want to think about any of those things, or even talk about them, though he was certain it would come up eventually.

Never being one to go out without a plan or without spending at least a few hours getting ready, one of which was on his hair, James had decided upon a new approach tonight. He had absolutely no idea what they were doing or where they were going. He had made no reservations, hadn't called a car, hadn't even bothered with bringing her flowers. And as for his appearance, he wore a pair of faded jeans and a long sleeved tee. His hair was free of product, left loose and soft upon his head, and his boots lacked their usual shine, opting for a pair of slightly scuffed black Lugz instead. He looked far more casual than fashion forward this evening and he felt more comfortable that way, oddly enough.

Natalia had said she would be ready at eight thirty but he had given her until nine o'clock before he knocked upon her door. The sound was quick and heavy as his knuckles rapped upon the wood, his hand moving down to be shoved into his pocket immediately thereafter. He leaned against the frame of the door as he waited for her, his eyes downcast upon his shoes. A slight frown darkened his features as he stood there. Cissy better be right about this shit. Then again, when was she ever really wrong? If there was someone who knew a lot about women, wouldn't it be a woman? It was worth a shot either way.

Who: James and Cassandra
When: Saturday Night
What: A date

James, as always, had taken much care in his appearance. He had showered, shaved, had a facial, pedicure, and manicure the day before. His hair had been trimmed and it was styled perfectly, every strand in just precisely the right spot. His clothes were, as always, named brand and impeccable. He had on a pair of nice jeans, straight legged, loose, dark wash, and a white t-shirt. His feet were boot clad, black leather, and he wore a suit jacket, also done in black, perfectly tailored to fit his form, bringing the entire outfit together. He was ready to show Cassandra a good time. By the end of the night, he planned to have her hooked on him. If anyone could make Natalia jealous, he was certain that a girl as lovely as Cassandra would.

Flowers in hand, he arrived at the front doors shortly before seven o'clock in the evening. He held the bouquet behind his back, mostly wildflowers and lilies as she struck him as the type of girl who would enjoy something like that much more than roses. He glanced down at his watch and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. A smirk graced his lips as a girl walking by did a double take to check him out. He laughed a little and shook his head when she nearly ran into a wall in doing so. Cute, but certainly not his type. The scent of Drakkar Noir mingled with the fresh scent of the flowers. He wanted a cigarette, but wouldn't smoke, not wanting to smell like an ashtray when she arrived.

Who: James and Ayolinda
When: Friday Afternoon
Where: The Nail Salon

Certainly he was not the only man at this school that cared about his appearance. It was definitely starting to seem as such. James was at the salon at least once per week to have his hair trimmed and at the nail salon at least once a week as well for a pedicure and a manicure. All the times that he had been, he had yet to ever see another man there and the women all acted shocked the first time or two that he had visited. Honestly, what age were they living in? A man's nails and hair was just as important as any woman's. Strange, but who was he to tell anyone else how to live?

Friday was the day that he had all of those things taken care of. The first stop was always a coffee shop for a nice cup of latte. Second came the hair salon to get a trim and, of course, a facial. The third place he always went was to some of the more pricey stores in the city, looking to see what the latest releases looked like. It was important, after all, to keep himself in fashion. The final place he would stop for the evening, unless there was more shopping to be done, was the nail salon, where he would have his pedicure first and his manicure second. Always in that order.

This is where James was at present, the nail salon, his feet soaking in the jet-filled water so that the manicurist could work her magic. This was where he sat when the door above the door chimed and a girl that had become more than familiar in the past day appeared, as if she had followed him here as well. Already he had seen her at the hair salon and the clothing store. And now she was here as well. Seemed someone had finally arrived at Halcyon with similar taste to his own.

When: Late Afternoon – Early Night
Where: Hallways near her office
Who: Rozlyn and James

Rozlyn had been trying to do better. Though a part of her wished to simply leave the island and put space between her and that worry, she knew that it would do nothing in the end. She had to stay, had to force herself to face her fears and move beyond them. A process that was far from easy…and one that had come to affect all of them. Her worries the others could feel…and her presence stirred the youngest demoness. It was as Rozlyn worried, the little girl didn’t know yet how to manage emotions and Rozlyn’s own were too much around her. She tried to keep them contained…tried so hard to ensure that she was calm around the child. But there were times when she had to simply…get that space. To go for a walk, to leave the room, to simply not overwhelm them both. Considering that Rozlyn trusted no one save Xael and Axel around the girl…at times getting away wasn’t always so easy. But both men in her life had gone out of their way to try to be around more. To help. Aidan tried as well but he was still too young to be the real help he wanted to be.

This morning had gone alright, Jadyn slept through most of the day actually and that time of quiet allowed Rozlyn to distract herself with some work for awhile. Mostly picking up the house and seeing to a bit of research, scanning articles and so forth to see if anything struck her as supernatural. The job of a scout wasn’t just traveling around the world looking for supernaturals. But a large part of it was actually simply sitting down and looking for them. In news stories, blogged encounters, whatever the source it was often that which lead scouts to supernaturals in need. Lately, however, Rozlyn simply passed the information off to another scout. She didn’t exactly have the means to go rushing off anywhere right now. But that didn’t still her from wanting to help. Though perhaps it was more a need to. Distraction right now, was a good thing.

It was also something Aidan helped with. That boy could distract anyone at all. He was always eager to get Rozlyn’s attention and he knew that when his little sister was sleeping was the perfect time to get himself just that. That was when Roz wasn’t sleeping, he knew better then to even try to wake her then. Axel told him how Rozlyn needed her rest and how he had to be quiet around those times. Rest was still fitful for Rozlyn but she tried with that as well. Laying there all day at times only to gain an hour or two of rest. But it was better then nothing. Both she and Axel knew that.

Yes the morning had gone smoothly enough…but the afternoon was another story. Something got Goliath barking, very likely a little demon boy, and once he started up Jadyn was awake. Her screams jarred everyone and all too quickly the house erupted into that sort of chaos that only children can manage to make. It was a flurry of feeding and entertaining and cleaning and…at times nothing more then a mess. Especially when Jadyn refused to cease screaming. There were times when her boys cries jarred her but Jaydn…there was simply no comparison.

( Rozlyn was more then grateful for when Axel arrived home )

Who: James and Kimberly (if you still want it)
When: Early Evening
Where: The Rooftop Garden

Coming to this place was starting to seem like the worst mistake he had ever made in his life. Granted, he hadn't hurt anyone since he had been here, but he didn't even feel like himself at all. He didn't feel like the charming, sociable son of a bitch he had always been. Point in fact, he barely felt like talking to anyone. The days seemed to drag on like weeks and the weeks seemed to drag on like months even though he had kept himself distracted with things. Today, however, he was starting to feel like he wasn't even sure why he bothered. But it was done, and she would be on her way soon, hopefully before Noah and Natalia went on vacation together.

Again he found himself disappointed. She had acted as though she cared, pretended like she wanted to help, but really, she had just told him what he wanted to hear again, and again she had lied. She had spoken to him but once since that day and had she even bothered to ask how he was? No. She was the only woman he had ever loved and she didn't give a shit about him. But, and this was really bad on his part, if he couldn't have her, he wasn't going to easily allow anyone else to have her. And anyone that got close would be punished, one way or another, like Noah, who had his coming very soon, though not at all soon enough.

Standing at the ledge where he had been most of the time that he and Natalia had spoke last they met, he focused his gaze on the horizon. Thoughts wandered, Natalia, Noah, Summer, curiosity overtook him, but he found it hard to focus one thing for too long as his thoughts continually went back to one. What would it be like to fly? His father's father had been able to, but being as diluted as he was, James never would.

And it was then that he decided that, ever were things to get so bad, ever were he to get so bad that he could live with himself no longer, death would come in the form of flight so that, at least once, before the end, he would know what it felt like. Morbid, no? He had many thoughts like those. He just tended to keep those thoughts, those ideas, to himself.

Who: James and Open
When: Afternoon
Where: The Streets of the City

When he was in the common room, or anywhere where Natalia might see him, James did a good job of looking dejected, hurt, and all the other things that she knew would tear her heart out to see in him. The truth of the matter was, however, that he was fine. Sure, he wanted her back because she was his and no one else's, but he wasn't exactly in a hurry to get her back. He may as well enjoy himself in the meantime and, the longer he avoided her and didn't pursue her, the more upset she would be, and the more worried about him she would be. And eventually, he had faith that she would come to him willingly and give him what he wanted. He just had to be careful about what she saw.

But here, when he was safely away from her, walking about the city, exploring, as Cassandra had suggested, to see what they had, he seemed perfectly fine. The bruise on his cheek had healed perfectly well and he was just as handsome as ever in his designer jeans, black boots, and white button up that was left unbuttoned nearly a third of the way. He skipped the tie today, sleeves of the shirt rolled up and the bottom left untucked. His hair, of course, was perfectly styled, and he had just shaved right before leaving the dorm. His nails were freshly manicured, of course, perfect, clean and neat.

Most of the women that he passed turned to take a second look, a few even letting out sounds of appreciation for his handsome physique. There were even a few men that couldn't help but to stare, either envious of how good he looked or turned on by him their own selves. He didn't care to know which. He wasn't a cake boy, after all. He liked women and only women in spite of the fact that he had as much if not more taste in attire and appearance then the most flaming of gay men.

Pausing to check his profile in the window of a nearby shop, he adjusted his shades upon his nose. He was glad it was starting to warm up finally. He much preferred the heat of summer over the cold of winter, naturally. He gave his body a bit of a stretch before he proceeded, mostly just window shopping, nothing of interest having caught his attention just yet.

Who: James and Natalia
Where: A garden on the roof
What: A chat
When: Early Evening
Rated: TBD

James knew it was just a matter of time before he convinced her to meet with him. He had waited for a while after the initial run in, long enough for her to think about him constantly, to wonder about him, long enough for his face to heal and for him to calm down, before even making the approach and to be perfectly honest, she had caved much sooner than he had anticipated but such was Natalia. She could never really say no to him for long. And it seemed that her will had even more depleted since first he met her. It was sort of sad, really, but it benefited him. Almost made him wonder how long it would take before he had her in his bed again. Once that was out of the way, she would be wrapped around his little finger again and all he had to do after that was take care of Noah. Fun.

James had arrived on the rooftop before she had, dressed as nice as always, a white button up shirt that was left untucked and unbuttoned halfway, a nice pair of jeans that were loose and rode low on his hips, and a pair of black boots. Everything he wore was designer label, as always, and as always, not a hair was out of place upon his head. One could deny many things about him but they could never deny that he knew how to dress, and that he smelled good enough to tie to a bed and molest for days. At least that was what he was hoping. Then again, there was the off chance that she had grown tired of his pretentious clothing and his cologne that cost more for an ounce than he was certain Noah spent on hygiene items for a year. But that wasn't very likely. What girl wouldn't want a man that looked and smelled like him? They'd have to be insane not to. And as for what was on the inside... well one could never say that he loved without passion.

A quick look around the place and he had decided where he wanted to be, and what he wanted to be doing when she arrived. He took his pocket knife out of his pocket and cut one of the fullest, most beautiful roses he could find and then positioned himself directly next to the door that she would take out into the garden so that she would not see him and so that, first thing, he could offer the rose out to her for her to take. Perhaps that was a bit... corny for his taste, but he had a bit of sucking up to do if he wanted back into her good graces, and he was not fool enough to think that it would not take a while and a lot of groveling, despite the churning sensation the mere thought of that instilled inside his stomach.

Who: Cassandra and James
Where: the Kitchens
When: Tuesday Evening


Cassandra was out of sorts. That was all too clear by the fact that she'd almost burned the chicken that she was cooking for dinner. Chicken Piccata wasn't even all that difficult a recipe for her, but as the chicken had begun to simmer in the pan Cassandra had entirely lost track of time. Luckily she had saved it before she'd had to go as far as start it over. If anything that would have blackened her mood, something that she tried to let not happen... but on the tail of warnings about people that were talking to her and most importantly Jasper's probable leaving of the school...

She didn't know how she was supposed to be in a good mood.

But she was trying. Cooking usually helped with that. The dinner was almost done, an apple crisp was baking in the oven filling the room with the fresh scent of the apples mixed with the warm scent of cinnamon. A timer was set next to the stove, she didn't want to burn the crisp as well and at the rate she was going... it was entirely possible.

Cassandra wiped her hands on a small towel that set next to the sink. She untied the apron she wore around her waist to protect her clothes. Not because they were particularly fancy, just a simple white sweater and a pair of jeans, but because she didn't have a great deal of clothes. Not to mention as tall as she was she felt like when she found a pair of jeans that fit her legs right, they had to be protected at all costs. With the food nearly completed, she pulled her hair out of the messy ponytail that had been holding it up and out of the food she prepared. While most simple vanities went right over Cassandra's hair, she did like her hair. But maybe it was more security than vanity.

Cassandra glanced towards the doors to the kitchen. She just wasn't sure about this whole dinner thing. This James person had been nice to talk to, granted she had seen how he'd rubbed other people the wrong way. But long ago Cassandra had come to the conclusion that she really didn't see people the same way others did. Too many things that most did without any kind of recourse, she never understood. But Sam was her friend and she had warned her about him... manipulating her. It had finally sunk into Cassandra's head that maybe Sam had thought his wanting to eat with her was about something other than Cassandra saw it.

He was a new student, why wouldn't she have dinner with him and maybe give him some helpful advice when it came to the school? Anything other than that and Cassandra was fairly certain that Sam had read far too much into it. Cassandra just hated having to be so wary about people. Life had taught her there was prudence to that, but there was a sense of safety in the walls of the school. She could be hurt, but not in the ways she had been before. And as far as Cassandra was concerned, whatever happened here couldn't compare.

The rest of those hurts were just part of life and if anything she was always determined to live life now that she had the chance.

Whether he actually showed up or not, Cassandra wasn't entirely certain he would. She knew that she'd been a bit... less than her hospitable self when she'd replied to his offer. But there was something that had always bothered her when she had to be reminded of the fact that she was naive to things that everyone else found to be so important. To her there were far more important things in life and she liked to think that there were others that felt this way too. Well there were but they... well Jasper was leaving. Not that he was the only one but she just didn't know what she was going to do without him.

And there she went, she'd promised herself she wasn't going to get melancholy. Not right now. Instead Cassandra planted her elbows on the counter top and leaned forward and busied herself by flipping through a recipe book that had been left on the counter.