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Tweak says, "my lips hurt"

Elspeth "Ellie" MacNab (teine_aigne) wrote in st_margarets,
@ 2016-02-15 17:28:00

Entry tags:

character: elspeth macnab, character: rafe farrowe, location: school grounds

Thread
Who: Ellie and Mr. Farrowe
What: Ellie’s in trouble
When: Monday just after classes
Where: School hallway
Rating: Low

Ellie was a sweet girl. She’d been emerging from her shell over the past year, especially recently. However, she did possess a temper that matched the element her magic worked with. Sometimes it flared as fast and as hot as her fire. Sometimes it was slow to catch, but there were times when it burned slowly. Methodically. Those were the times that belied her gentle nature, revealing a side of her few got to see. Those times were reserved for those that ran Anton Castle…and bullies. Ellie took bullies and vengeance very seriously.

She’d been coming to be friends with Davian after she’d followed Paxton’s request to be nicer to the sloth demon. It had been surprising to her how much she actually liked him, but after finding him stuffed into a locker, again, tail caught in the door and sporting a bruise on his face she’d come to care about Davian. The tears in his eyes and the evidence of being hit that had lit the fuse on that slow burn sense of vengeance she had, and after getting Davian patched up plans had begun to form in her mind. She’d seen the ones who had abused him. They’d passed her in the hall before she’d come upon Davian. They weren’t familiar to her, but Ellie knew she’d be able to identify them again. The time between the incident with Davian and today Ellie spent in learning the bullies’ habits, tracking their movements, learning their schedule, until she had a good idea of when and where would be best for what she had in mind. Finally, she felt confident to put her plan into action.

Today after the last class when everyone was still mingling about in the halls she lingered near the classroom they’d been in. She’d left her own class early under the ruse of needing the ladies’ room, stashed her books in her locker then made her way to this hall. When she spotted them exiting the room she gave them a count of ten to be away from the door then pushed away from the wall she’d been leaning on. Not a word came from her as she approached them. When they picked up on the fact that they were her destination Ellie put on a pleasant smile that did not reach her eyes as a ruse to put them at ease. It was almost too easy.

Her first punch landed exactly where she wanted it, right to the bridge of the nose of the first guilty boy she’d reached. He cried out as his nose exploded into a gush of blood. The element of surprise left her able to put her fist into the face of a second, but now it was on in earnest. Now she had to fight dirty as they didn’t hesitate to fight back against a girl. Ellie kicked, threw elbows and fists alike, but before she could land another punch someone caught her arm. “Oi!”

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redensign
2016-02-15 10:56 pm UTC (link)

Rafe was exiting a classroom when he heard a commotion. He heard shouts of surprise and someone saying something about Ellie punching people. Immediately he intervened. Not only because she was a student within his own house, but this sort of behavior was against school rules. It was very clearly stated in the handbook, and while he knew Ellie had a temper, he'd only seen it manifest in shouting and lecturing than actual physical violence. So he pushed past students and caught sight of Ellie striking another and fending off the students who tried to join in the brawl. Rafe stepped in, snatching Ellie's arm and halting her. Those she was fighting stopped immediately and tried to step back.

"She hit me for no reason!" one argued and Rafe returned, "And you retaliated. Detention for all of you." Those who had joined in the fight now regretted in and grumbled, muttering under their breath with Rafe ordering, "Anymore talk like that and you'll earn yourself another detention, Mr. Thorpe." The boy froze a moment and then stalked off in the direction of the detention room.

"Now, Ms. MacNab," Rafe said firmly looking at Ellie, "Let's go to my office and have a conversation about what happened and why."

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teine_aigne
2016-02-15 11:13 pm UTC (link)

Realizing it was a teacher who had grabbed her, Ellie stayed her hand. Snapping hazel eyes glared up at Mr. Farrowe, but she didn't struggle to get free, much as she'd like to. After so many years in Anton Castle getting physically caught unexpectedly led to panic, fight or flight. One more thing she'd gotten better about, but in this instance her temper served her well.

"Aye, sir," she answered in a tight, controlled voice then started in the direction of his office. Her body language gave away her anger, outrage, but also her decided lack of remorse.

Her thick red hair had been tied back into a single braid, obviously in preparation for this to keep it from her face, and her shoulders were set. She did, however, shake out her hand. Ellie wasn't super strong and punching people in the face hurt! She'd split the skin on her knuckles so the action sent a few drops of blood flying.

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redensign
2016-02-17 01:38 am UTC (link)

If Rafe learned anything about Ellie from their previous conversation, it was that she would have a time and a place when she was ready to listen to what people had to say. She wanted to understand but at the same time she needed her own time to figure it all out. Ellie might be rewarded for her actions by praise from friends, but in the end, it was a reflection of her inability to control her emotions. So long as her friends continued to encourage her to take actions, he feared that it might continue. But he wasn't going to let this go unpunished. There were rules to keep and order to maintain. As a Pegasus, Ellie should know that but apparently she didn't.

The blood that flung out from Ellie's hand made a couple of vampire standing nearby a little more alert. Rafe had centuries of practice in controlling his reaction around human blood. It was always a temptation, but it didn't rule over him the way it did fanglings.

Rafe said nothing but let Ellie go, motioning for her to start walking and once she did, they walked in the direction of Pegasus dorms. He continued in silence, knowing that the walk would hopefully cool her temper a bit. He kept a small first aid kit in his office as well. A trip to Mr. Pheres might be necessary but there were likely other witches to help Ellie, if she didn't already know the spells necessary to heal herself.

They arrived at his office and once they were inside, he gestured to her to take a seat and went to get the first aid kit. He brought another chair to sit across from the one his students normally sat in and then said, "I'll take care of your hand, but you need to explain what caused this behavior."

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teine_aigne
2016-02-17 02:19 am UTC (link)

Oh, Ellie knew there would be consequences for her actions, and would accept them without argument. She just didn't regret what she'd done. There had been plenty of time for her to consider what could happen between when she'd started with the idea to now. Everything from being seriously hurt herself to being expelled from school had been thought of. None of it had stopped her. She felt it would be worth it to make those boys pay for what they'd done.

She was as silent as her Head of House on the walk to Pegasus, but it was with her chin lifted and confident strides. There was none of the petulance or sullenness she'd displayed when Mr. Kaden had caught her drinking on Halloween, but the walk did manage to calm her down.

She sat where indicated, cradling her more injured hand in the other. Her knuckles were already swelling. Boxer's knuckles. It helped stop the bleeding of the splits in her skin, but they'd begun to throb as she looked solidly at Mr. Farrowe. "They were bullies an' they had it comin'," she answered in a quiet but controlled voice that gave truth that she did not, and most likely would not regret her behavior.

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redensign
2016-02-17 04:33 am UTC (link)

As expected, Ellie expressed no regret. It was bullheadedness and as justified as she believed herself to be, she acted in a manner that was like a four-year-old. The lack of foresight on her part was something typical of most youths. Never really thinking ahead and acting from the gut. Other staff members might have called it stupidity, and Rafe just considered it inexperience. Rules existed for a reason and sometimes it felt unfair, but one could not pick and choose when the rules applied. Maybe one day Ellie would learn that, but right now he was pretty sure whatever he said would go in one ear and out the other.

"Do you intend to physically assault every person that you feel 'had it coming'?" Rafe asked, not imitating her accent but using her own words. It was easy to let one's anger cloud their vision. Dark parts of Rafe's past had been anger. Anger at what he had become. Anger at what Arvid did to others. Anger that the crown continually used him and the rest of the crew for their own personal desires with a promise they couldn't keep. Even if they could keep it, they wouldn't because Rafe and the crew had been too useful a tool. That anger had caused him to murder and plunder without much thought, even if he tied his heart to someone whenever he could. It's likely what kept him from slipping into the darkness completely.

Anger could be useful at times and even help cope with things, but unleashed into violence? Those came with consequences. Rafe took Ellie's hand and gave the small warning, "Some rubbing alcohol, so expect a sting." He then placed a swab of cotton on her knuckles to clean the area of any potential infection if left untreated. He dabbed gently and wiped away the blood already coagulating around where her skin split.

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teine_aigne
2016-02-17 12:53 pm UTC (link)

"No," she answered. Further explanation would come. She owed Mr. Farrowe that much. He was kind to her and her oathsibs. Ellie had no intention of dismissing that kindness out of hand. She didn't expect him to understand, however. The school had rules which applied to everyone or they weren't worth a damn thing.

"There are folk wha' I think deserve a pop in the eye fer a lot of reasons, but I dun go around bruisin' me knuckles on their faces." She flinched at first as he touched her knuckles not because it stung, which it did, but they were pretty well bruised up. Any touch right now was going to hurt not matter how feather light. "But if they hurt someone I care about like these twats had aye. I'll show 'em how it feels."

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redensign
2016-02-17 01:52 pm UTC (link)

The truth was out in a way. "Did you talk to a teacher about this before?" Rafe asked as he continued to clean the wound, "Or did you decide that you had to be the one to dispense justice?" It was a line easily crossed and she wouldn't be the first student to do so. Teenagers often saw the world as black and white as their younger counterparts did. Only when teenagers were on the brink of adulthood and in a rush to get there. In a rush to step forward and take matters into their own hands.

He looked up at her, "Because while teachers keep a watchful eye out here, there are many things that go without our notice. We cannot stop what we do not know about. So what happened, Ellie? Who you trying to help? They're not in trouble." No, that was just Ellie. Ellie and the boys that she hit. They had detention but Rafe was going to root out where this originated and handle it at its source as well.

He knew that Anton Castle likely didn't foster much trust in adults among the students that came from there, but he thought that the students felt safe enough here to believe they could trust the teachers here to do something. Teenagers were, unfortunately, very good about hiding things as well.

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teine_aigne
2016-02-17 11:00 pm UTC (link)

"Neither, sir," Ellie answered through gritted teeth. She knew Mr. Farrowe wasn't trying to hurt her, but this brought back a few memories she'd rather not think about. There already were scars on her wrists and hands from the restraints they'd put her in during her time at Anton Castle. No doubt she'd have a few more because of this. "Well, not really. No I didna tell a teacher. It was my friend wha' got hurt, an' all those rat ba-uh...jerks...would have gotten was detention. I reckon now they know how it feels."

That stubborn look came back on her face as her chin lifted, her jaw set. "Does it matter who I was helpin'?" She didn't think so. "They didna know I was gonna do this. No one did. I made the decision. Let it end here with me. I'll take me licks."

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redensign
2016-02-18 01:35 am UTC (link)

With the wound clean, Rafe put the red-stained cotton ball aside and went to grab some gauze for Ellie's hand, "Ellie." He paused and looked at her. His blue eyes showing the stern sort of authority found in a parent. He had been one after all, and a familial relationship with students was not limited to those in Ladon. He sometimes saw those in Pegasus as a crew on a ship where following orders were imperative for helping the whole. Utilitarian in many ways, but still a kinship found among those there. Those he cherished most were those he spent centuries fighting alongside.

"Yes, it does," he said, "because right now, from now on, the teachers will take care of this matter. No more violence, Ellie. Violence only begets violence. You've done little except fan the fires to life. Bullying is not tolerated here and continued bullying would be met with more than just detention. The lack of faith you have in this school's ability to help and protect its students, even from each other, is disappointing." He shook his head and then placed the gauze on her hand.

He continued, "You're going to serve detention with me and if you do not tell me who you were protecting, I will find out myself. You're not protecting him by keeping silent nor are you protecting him by instigating a brawl with others. Had I not stepped in when I did, the tides would have turned. Weres, Ellie, are not to be trifled with. Especially in a group." And it would have gone differently. Despite her magic, the weres in this school often spent time in each other's company and knew how to attack in groups. Even those of the feline variety who tended to stick on their own would group around those they wished to protect.

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teine_aigne
2016-02-18 01:52 am UTC (link)

That look from Mr. Farrowe melted away a lot of that stubborn expression from Ellie's face. Her chin ducked down as her eyes rounded. She didn't like disappointing any of the staff and faculty here at school, and getting that look from one was the worst! She was gaining confidence, and was trying to be more independent, but she was still that anxious young girl from Anton Castle underneath. These new attempts at self-reliance and strength weren't solid within her yet.

"I don't agree tha' I shouldna be able ta protect meself or me friends, Mr. Farrowe," her voice was quieter, her accent thicker. Indication enough that she was upset. "I can promise I'll na go lookin' fer a fight anymore, but please. Dinna make me tell ya which of me friends it was." Davian's pride would be stung if she told. Ellie didn't want to lose what trust she'd gained from him.

As for how the fight would have gone, Ellie lowered her eyes to the side but shrugged. "When it comes ta the folk I care about, those I call me own. Me friends. I dun care wha' happens ta me." After all the things she experienced in Anton Castle, after all the things she saw done to Sorin and those she'd come to care about while they were all in there, and what was still being done to those they couldn't get out, Ellie put herself and her well being dead last.

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redensign
2016-02-18 02:21 am UTC (link)

"You have a lot to learn," Rafe said, "and I'll find out sooner or later, Ellie. I know what it's like to want to protect those you care about. I know that the regard for yourself is nothing compared to wanting to protect them but by not telling me, again, you're not protecting whoever it is. This isn't about you, Ellie, this about the person." He wasn't sure where the lapse in logic failed. Where Ellie was somehow not comprehending that by telling the staff was not going to cause harm to the person but instead make sure that bullying didn't happen again. It was a team effort, not one person taking the world by storm.

He frowned, "Self-sacrifice is a noble trait in many but when done recklessly, it only causes harm instead of serving others. Don't be so ready to throw yourself to the wolves, pun unintended, when there could have been actions taken to prevent such action ever taking place." If teenagers weren't thinking themselves immortal or they were ready to go down a martyr without really understanding what the term fully meant. Those in Pegasus were the martyrs for the most part, but it would take life experience to help them differentiate between things sacrificed for the good of the whole as opposed to needless sacrifice.

"Go to your room," he said as he wrapped some tape around the gauze, "And take some time to yourself. Then go see Mr. Pheres and he can likely make sure that knuckle won't bother you longer than necessary." In the end, Ellie would have to understand for herself that her actions came with consequences. It brought about the problem of bullying but in a crude way.

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teine_aigne
2016-02-18 02:41 am UTC (link)

She didn't know how to explain that she was protecting Davian's pride by not telling. "I know you don't believe me, but it's na tha' I think I'll get them in trouble if I tell. I know they didna do anythin' wrong, an' I know yer jest tryin' ta help them." Finally she had a contrite look on her face which was turned directly on Mr. Farrowe. But the image of Davian cradling his broken tail, that bruise forming on his cheek and the tears in his eyes stayed her tongue. If the teachers find out that Davian actually was sensitive it wouldn't be from her. "I'd feel better if ya found out fer yerself."

Ellie listened to everything Mr. Farrowe said, absorbing it for examination later. Despite her actions today she still was eager to learn everything she could. That went for personal as well as academic. She had to know what this difference was he spoke of!

"If it's all the same, sir, I'll keep the injury." She held up her now bandaged hand with a slight smile. "Reckon is the least I got comin' ta me. Thanks fer seein' it right." Then she rose from her chair, but stopped before leaving as instructed. "I'll come here tomorrow after class?"

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redensign
2016-02-19 05:23 am UTC (link)

"You may have gotten whoever it is into trouble already by striking those other students," Rafe pointed out. It wouldn't be long before those kids figured out why Ellie did it, especially if she was talking about protecting her friends. But she would not share, he would find out and the problem would be resolved. In the end, whoever it was would learn that the teachers supported him or her and they would figure out how to solve this for good. Until then, Ellie earned herself a detention and likely the ire and underlying persecution of some weres. Their solidarity was good with some things but when placed in the wrong cause . . .

As Ellie stood to go, Rafe sat back in the chair, "Yes, tomorrow. And Ms. MacNab. Remember, no more fights. And if any of those weres give you a hard time, you come to me or another member of staff immediately. We'll have a lengthy . . . discussion with them." Though the way he said 'discussion' made it clear that it wasn't just detention and a lecture but would involve some learning that the weres were obviously in desperate need of.

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teine_aigne
2016-02-19 07:42 pm UTC (link)

Her eyes widened a little. It hadn't occurred to her that she'd get Davian in trouble. That hadn't been the point at all. Her brows came down as she struggled with her intent versus what Mr. Farrowe said would be best. She bit her lip, not liking this situation one bit.

"Aye, sir," she answered. "I will." The intimation of what kind of discussion Mr. Farrowe would have with the weres should they decide to retaliate forced Ellie to contain a smirk. It was probably better if she didn't laugh.

However, she figured out a way to tell without denting Davian's ego. "Ask Davian who it was wha' got hurt, sir. He knows." Then she left the office before he could ask too many more questions.

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