halcyon_houses

Who: Selene and Cassius
When: Monday Early Morning
Where: Their rooms



She'd been out for too many days. It wasn't like Selene to be so absent, but it also wasn't like Selene to allow so many thoughts to press down on her mind. And most of all... it wasn't like Selene to get into something that was hard to describe in any other words than a cat fight. But she had. She had sat across from Valeria and taunted her with words that were almost designed to aggravate the other woman, that preyed on her vulnerabilities. Pushed until she had snapped and attacked Selene.

But she had. And some part of her had enjoyed seeing the other woman's face tighten in anger. She hadn't necessarily enjoyed the claws that had ripped into her face or the fangs that had tore at her face but they were merely a price to pay for enraging the other as she had. Those marks were all healed now, no longer visible on her bare skin. But she remembered them all too well.

And sometimes she smiled at the thought. Other times she was angry at herself for that pleased warmth that flowed through her at the memory. It wasn't like her. But maybe it was? Maybe it was like her now? The thought didn't sit well and had been the main reason she had kept to the city far longer than she should have. Kept herself from Cassius as long as she had. The thoughts were unsettling. Reminded her all too clearly of what he had shared with her not all that long ago in the grand scheme of time. The memories had been taken back but they were not erased, there were still moments where the remnants of those thoughts and the... chaos were rich in her mind, consuming and alive. Never the same and never as strong but it couldn't be entirely forgotten.

Just as she couldn't forget the irritation and rage that Valeria created in her and how she hadn't pushed it aside as she knew she ought to. She didn't fight it but rather seemed to embrace it. It frightened Selene as much as it intrigued her.

A long restless night was spent in the city, not filled with sleep but rather with restless thoughts that she couldn't quite seem to tamp down. Her clothes were nearly the same as she had worn to her rendezvous with the other blond, black and short. Though it was all rumpled now. Not quite her usual standards, but little seemed to be of the usual at the moment.

Quiet and slowly she worked her way through the hallways of the school. The path one she could do by memory easily, it was her room, their room, even if she had been absent for a few days. Her fingers paused on the door handle momentarily before pushing it open and stepping inside. Selene's back fell against the door as she closed it behind her, fingers holding onto the handle as she leaned back, take in the scent of the room. She had returned and he was waiting, she could feel him in the room.

"I'd ask what you saw in her but I don't know that I'd care for the answer, or maybe I'd understand and that is perhaps just as troublesome."

When: Night
Where: Head of Halcyon
Who: Cassius - Narrative

The time following his encounter with Valeria were a blur to Cassius. To all he seemed calm, the same man that he had always been. But Cassius excelled in appearing far more put together then he truly felt within. He wore a smile, he spoke casually, he saw to his classes and aided other students in counseling. But whenever the door was shut and he was left alone the calm faded away to something far more turbulent beneath. Something rawer…something that did not resemble the control that he had clung to ever since arriving here at Halcyon. He knew coming here would be a struggle…but he had not truly realized how much so until he was here. Until the emotions began to weigh down upon him and the strain picked him apart.

Cassius had kept his distance from all. Beyond classes and work he retreated, keeping himself away from the presence of any others. Including Selene. He knew she worried, he could feel it. But he did not have it in him to tell her that all was alright. She knew it was not. But there was little that could be done to truly ease his mind right now. There was too much unknown, such chaos tempting him from all sides. He had decisions to make, paths to pick….and he knew no matter what was done he would be hurting them. The both of them. He loved them both and knew that would never still. They were a part of him, they always would be. They were both sides of him. The calm and the chaos. The control and the lack there of.

( But as complicated as all of that alone was, that was far from all of it. )

When: Night
Where: Head of Halcyon; Their room
Who: Selene and Cassius

The days after his meeting with Valeria were…turbulent at first. Her mere presence reminded him of a past that he sought to keep behind him. A life that was no longer the one he craved. The chaos that had once sucked him down he did not want to allow to take hold again. But always it had been a struggle for him, a fight for that balance between extremes. He could blame the difficulty on the minds of t hose around him. Feeling what others felt was it any wonder that so often he was pulled one way or another? But as easy as it was to cast blame on that, it wasn’t fully the reason. It had its part to play of course, but Cassius had struggled even before his abilities became so heightened.

A man in control before, one that was leaned on and depended on by his family in a time where men were to lead and take charge. He had done his best for his sisters, he tried to ensure that life was well for them despite all the obstacles that stood against them. He had done much…and when they picked their sire over him…it cut something lose inside of him. Anger already built up over the years exploded….and then was slammed with agony when suddenly not only were they gone..but they were dead. Sire. Family. All lost in one swoop of fate.

It was all too easy to spiral. As funerals filled the city for all lost on that boat fire the emotions seeped in and took over. Remorse, regret, anger at the world, rage for their loss. It was everything and it was nothing and Cassius did little to stop it. He let it take him. It didn’t stop taking him for years. Centuries of life lost to a flurry of emotions. He swept Valeria up in it. But the difference between them was…he pulled himself out of it. He had to.

But she was reminder now of the freedom found in letting go. When control was thrown to the wayside and mattered not at all. When responsibility was a foreign thing and only want and need ruled. She was a physical manifestation of everything that he sought to not allow himself to become again. Yes he treated her as the enemy…and he could not deny that part of his reasons were indeed, very personal. But her attempts to act as though that were all, were a poor display at best.

She knew why he doubted her. She knew well. All here on the island did and few would question his reasons to be weary of her. They were weary of all new arrivals to the island but even more so those that wished to become teachers. They could not deny everyone place in the school, they needed the numbers. But all sought to be careful, to pick apart the pasts of those that did apply. Already deaths had been caused by supposed teachers and “protectors” of the school. Lives lost that did not have to be.

He knew that Valeria was not to be trusted. That her sweet smiles and words of innocence were false. She never truly had been innocent in all the time he knew her. She did not seek power for herself like some…but she did not have regard to the well being of others. She did not stop when one rolled over others to reach their greater goal. He didn’t trust himself back then…so how was he to trust her? She who looked to not have changed at all? She who already had complaints about her running around the school. Cassius wasn’t a final say when it came to those hired and fired. But he would make his concerns known.

Such thoughts had occupied his thoughts for days now, Cassius kept himself distant because of them…distracted without even fully being aware that he was such. Still he’d managed to see to his classes, he’d completed work…and tonight he actually lingered to the school once the day hours had begun to slip away. Selene’s post to him was, of course, the reason for such. He’d returned to the room, forcing himself to attempt to relax. Classical music poured through the speakers around the room, the lights were nearly off. It would seem Cassius was a sleep for anyone that looked at him but he wasn’t. His eyes were closed but his mind was all too active.

Who: Halcyon Staff
Where: Common room in the Staff Building
When: Saturday Afternoon
What: Staff get together

The week had been a quiet one for Dove, and she was happy to have that brief moment of calm. The student body, even though she knew there was always some social drama happening, had been in a good mood this week. There wasn't anybody clamoring at her door to get in, no one seemed to have had any vent worthy situations to talk about. Not too many in the school had any serious problems, most of the time people just needed to vent to someone that had an outside perspective on the situation. It amused her sometimes though, when people of the same social circle would knock on her door, all with related problems. She always encouraged them to talk to their friends about it, they would undoubtedly be a wonderful support system for them, when she herself wasn't always available. Of course, if they actually listened to that particular piece of advice, she might be out of a job. On the other hand, she didn't know too many psychologists who would deal with supernatural beings.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft chime sounding from an alarm on her laptop. There was a staff get together of some fashion happening today, and Dove decided she would make an appearance. Having been here for awhile, she was friendly with the staff, but between the newcomers and everyone's busy schedules, she hadn't devoted as much time to them as she should. It was healthy to have social connections, and unhealthy not to maintain them. That's what the general gist of most of her books had told her, and she just happened to agree. It was time to put a name to new faces and remind herself of others. Dove was a cheerful person and very easy to get along with, so she didn't feel that anxiety some might about a bunch of people in the same room together.

Shutting her laptop down and tidying up her desk she got ready to head down to the commons room in the staff house. Quickly, she scribbled a note on a post-it that would be taped to her front door. It explained that she would be out of her office for the afternoon and if an emergency came about to find a guard who would be able to reach her. She never knew when someone would try to unhinge her door in an existential crisis. It didn't take long to get herself together, and she was off.

Arriving in the commons room, she had hoped she dressed appropriately. It was a saturday, but it was still a staff gathering so she wanted to appear casual and professional at the same time. She wore a pair of dark jeans, black healed boots, and an emerald green wrap around sweater. He hair was left loose in long curls and her make-up wasn't much, a very light dusting of eyeshadow and clear gloss. Deciding she was presentable enough, she walked into the room.

Dove would thank Rozlyn an the other staff who helped put this together at some point, they certainly created a warm and friendly atmosphere. It wasn't overly formal or fancy, something she appreciated. There were a couple couches, some chairs and coffee tables set up - more of a room for conversation than anything else. Dove headed over to one of the tables first before she sat down. Coffee, tea, and food platters were provided, and there was some light music playing in the background. At the very least, it was going to be a much deserved afternoon of relaxation for the staff that worked at Halcyon.

Before long she had a hot mug filled with herbal tea, and a small plate filled with fruit. Sitting down in one of the chairs, she waited for more people to arrive.

Who: Selene and Cassius
Where: Staff Tower - Their room
When: Monday Morning (early, before classes)

It didn't take a telepath to know that there were troubles all over the school. Perhaps not all over but that there was an added stress to many of the staff. Eyes that never ceased to look and pressure had that effect... however it wasn't something that the general student body was aware of... and that was always for the best. Some students knew more than others, such as the young woman now living not far down the hall. Selene didn't doubt that the young Demon that belonged to Rozlyn and Axel knew more than most. Though as a testament to their youth or maybe their intelligence, such problems were not widely known.

That Selene knew.

She also knew that these hidden pressures were only growing and that one person felt the strain more than she could stand. But as true was those words were, it was also true that she could only do so much to aid. It was never enough though and as each day moved on a lump of worry continued to grow in the pit of her stomach. Should he leave? Would he leave? She should go with him. Was it safe? Was anywhere safe? So many questions and so few answers. Not even all the years she had could aid her in truly finding the correction solution to the problems that loomed overhead constantly.

So with the few hours that were left before the weekend was over, Selene was determined to enjoy the time as it was. Spend it with the man that she loved no matter how he was changed, he was still that man and Selene could never be swayed in such an assessment. It had been... not the most relaxing of weekends with the strain of Friday's full moon added to the already tense air of the school. It hadn't been the rest and relaxation that one would hope would come with a weekend.

Before the sun had risen, Selene had slipped from their room, feet padding quietly so as to let Cassius continue his rest. A quick trip down to the city, money slipped into the pocket of a fae that was offering what Selene was seeking. It was a brief encounter. Just a sharp stab of her fangs into the soft pulse at her neck. Minutes later, Selene had taken the fill that she needed. Something of a treat to share? She was a thoughtful woman, never ask someone to take a day off work and not bring a gift? Or maybe it was supposed to be never show up to a party empty handed. Whatever the case may be, she had every intention of sharing this gift after the sun had come up and a trip down to the city was more danger than it was worth.

She slipped back into the castle just as the first tendrils of dawn began to criss-cross the sky. Perhaps a bit too close, left her slightly breathless with the last minute rush to enter the castle. Few students were up yet as Selene worked her way back to the staff tower, a coat tightly belted around her waist. She was certain that her approach and the soft slide of the door would rouse Cassius but that was no longer such a bad thing. The door fell closed behind her and her fingers untied the knot that held her coat closed over the slip that she had not bothered to change from on her way down to the city.

She could hear the strong beat of her own pulse as she walked across the cool stone floor. No doubt he could as well.