Cold and Dark. [Drake]

[Luna Katanashi]

The night began in a cold and dark manner. Of course, the night is usually dark, but the moon will always be the savior of bringing the intense light. It was quite reasonable to think that none would appear at this time, the clock always signals for everyone to sleep, but some people might not obey it for they have to handle their businesses and issues in life.

Luna, a spiritually adept girl in darkness, went to search for the large tree again. She was always wearing the duster and her mother's cheap necklace. But, she found herself lost. Maybe thinking about such things is clouding her memory on the directions that are familiar to her. Running from here to there, she found herself in front of two paths.

She wanted to go to the left, but a part of her wanted to run in the opposite direction, so she did. An immense amount of confusion struck her. She pondered in the way, massaging her head in one hand. Two paths appeared again.

"Where should I go now?"

After a moment, she spoke not, still refusing the strategy to give up. Suddenly, her feet met a rock, causing her to stumble forward.

"Oof. Not again."

She exclaimed, recalling the time when she stumbled in the mud.

[anonymous]

Cold hazel eyes glimmered beneath the illuminating moon. The cold winds played with his caramel locks, and irritated he raised a hand to brush them away- letting the soft bangs slide silkily through his fingers. Even in the thick windbreaker and the cotton shirt, the climate still managed to freeze him.

But he did not allow himself to shiver- involuntary even. He clenched his teeth, buried his hands deep inside his pockets, and walked on, bare feet brusing the pavement. He had no idea why he wanted to take a walk at this time- but he couldn't sleep, he had no one to talk to, and he was...bored.

And nobody else was awake anyway, so why not? He wouldn't get in trouble. Just to get the things away from his head, that's all.

He came across a crossroad, and he frowned at the two paths. He had not known there was something like this here in the part of the Academy. Was it new? Sighing, he decided to go to the direction his next step would land on; left.

After a while, when he had thought it was the end of the road, he came upon another pair of paths- and his mind was filled with thousands of more complaints before his eyes lay upon a girl who had fallen over.

Raising an eyebrow, he bent down and reached out. "Arth thou okay?"

Now how could this girl be here in this part of the woods?

[ooc: I'm a real sweetheart, so here you go! X3]

[Luna Katanashi]

"Yes."

She simply responded as she took the boy's hand gently and pushed herself up by force. It's pretty rare for her to accept that kind of offer, she usually stands up by herself without one's help. She sure is acting strange today; she is not the only one acting strange, actually. According to her, the Academy is also acting strange. What's with the two paths being displayed itself? Or maybe she was really forgetful when it comes to directions.

She dusted her clothing. First of, she wants to know who this anonymous person is and is looking forward to talk to a prodigal person like him; he was an Alice user, after all. Second, she has the desire to know on what transpired in causing himself to stumble upon this place. Third, she also wants to thank him. Still, the pain was still bolting through her, causing her to rub her temples.

After discovering herself that she was hanging the silence in the air thickly. She decided to thank him, as one of the branches of her conversation.

"Thank You."

[anonymous]

She took his hand, muttering a quiet reply to his earlier question as he hauled her up to her feet. Drake took this moment to get a closer look at her, wondering if she was one of his acquaintances...

...turned out he didn't know her at all. She was one of the new students, he thinks, frowning. No matter. At least he learned of someone new tonight.

"Thank you," she told him, dusting herself of dirt, and he nodded his reply. He had no intention of wasting his breath on such small words that practically meant nothing...to him.

His hazel eyes, still glinting in the moonlight, observed the long curly locks that caressed the back of the girl's profile, and he noticed her ocean blue eyes. Seriously, this girl reminded him of a smaller, younger-looking version of herself...

"What arth thou doing here?" he said suddenly, cutting through the line of his thought. He honestly didn't like where it was going. "Arth thou lost?"

He didn't like asking a stranger too many questions, but as of now, he had to suffice with that. Besides, better conversations would soon follow.

[Luna Katanashi]

She was so focused in removing the dirt from her clothing that she almost lost contact with him. Instantly, she staggered her eyes to his and listened. 'What arth thou doing here? Arth thou lost?', he asked. She was deemed that she can't answer two questions immediately and at the same time, but she took a deep breath.

"I am, apparently and my brain doesn't have enough strength to recall on which direction I should go."

She answered his inquire with full honesty, tired of giving a person deceptions and lies. If she tells the truth about being lost, it's kinda embarrassing, but maybe he should know the truth this time. If he is new then, she doesn't feel so alone anymore. Curious about the thoughts of this "subject", she decided to ask back.

"What do you intend to do in this particular place in such a cold and dark night?"

[anonymous]

"I am, apparently and my brain doesn't have enough strength to recall on which direction I should go."

He nodded at that, steering his eyes away back to the paths engraved into the dirt. He hadn't the idea too...

"What do you intend to do in this particular place in such a cold and dark night?"

The question was quite sudden, he wasn't even prepared with an answer as soon as five seconds had cleared after her inquiry. Usually he always had something to snap back. But now his head felt as if it was filled with cotton, and every single thought seemed like toy soldiers fighting with toothpicks through oatmeal...

That did not make sense.

Nevertheless, he needed to concentrate and see past this bowl of oatmeal in his head to be able to answer her expertly and casually, without showing the slightest hint of his...drunk...state.

Was it the wine earlier?

"I couldn't sleep, so I took a walk. That's all. Before I knew it, I'm stranded here in this psycho-weird place...with thee."

It was really funny how he used such words, but at the end he was still able to talk at least a bit like his usual self.

[Luna Katanashi]

After hearing his answer, she was thinking that it was one of the main reasons on why one might be frolicking with the grounds in the night---especially when it is late. She felt her heart hammering against her ribs just when she lost her ability to speak now. She will be irritated when she resumes in interrogating him with useless questions like "Yes" or "No" might only suffice. The silence magnified which frightens her.

"My problems will always temporarily be eliminated when the moon hangs in the sky."

She stated, contented in brushing off the silence that was looming thickly in the air. What else can she possible say? She trembles slightly, feeling utterly cold. She couldn't deny it, she is not responsible to manipulate the air. Her blue eyes shifted around calmly, taking in the scenery around her.

[anonymous]

"My problems will always temporarily be eliminated when the moon hangs in the sky."

He looked at her as the words left her lips, noticing how cold she was in the dim light.

"Same here, usually." he agreed, shrugging off the windbreaker that hung around his shoulders. "Here, take this. You're going to freeze in that night gown."

With that he draped his clothing around her thin frame, making sure the peeping spaces around his wrists did not reach her. The small gap of leather to cloth was taunting him to touch her bare shoulders with this much skin. Biting his lip, he leaned back.

"Might as well go forward," he says into the silence, raising a hand, prompting her to take it to allow him to lead her away. "C'mon. Let's go right. Perhaps it's the best way out of here."

[Luna Katanashi]

"It's not a night gown. It's my night attire."

She corrected, slightly provoked that he was calling it in a false name, but it is normal to build up a mistake, so she was just letting go of that. She felt his clothing draping over her shoulders then, she saw him letting go quickly. She adjusted it until she was satisfied with the placement of it.

The place was well sheltered, but she can't stand this much in the cold. The girl was looking about and making mental notes of each of the features, trying to memorize the directions just in case she might stop by here unintentionally once again.

'Might as well go forward. C'mon. Let's go right. Perhaps it's the best way out of here.', he said. With an approval nod, she trailed behind him. She didn't take note on what appearance of the current scene she's in.

"Are you certain about yourself that you refuse to wear this..... 'jacket' in a while?"

[anonymous]

"It's not a night gown. It's my night attire."

He rose an eyebrow at that, tempted to point out that it closely resembled a nightgown his mother often wore, but decided against it. He figured it would be entirely useless to argue about such trivial a thing as night attires.

She had agreed to go right, though, so at least he knew that she trusted him- not that he needed her trust, but only because it made him feel less like a predator...and more like a fellow classmate who's stranded in a forest during this late hour. Besides, the fact that she did put her trust in him lowered the chances of keeping his temper from rising and would avoid any blood loss. Or in his case, life energy loss.

He pocketed both hands, disliking the sudden breeze that turned up, surprisingly cold enough to cause his gloved palms to sweat coldly...it was highly unnerving. Sighing, he walked to his desired path, barely catching what she had spoken from behind but still hearing what she had said clearly enough.

"Are you certain about yourself that you refuse to wear this..... 'jacket' in a while?"

"I don't mind, really." He said casually, turning to look at her. "Compared to thee, I'm well wrapped up, if thou knows what I mean."

[Luna Katanashi]

"If you say so."

She whispered, the cold air still enveloping her despite on how well sheltered she is already. No conjecture will be performed about the weather, it is seriously cold and it keeps on biting her sensitive skin. This forest seems to have incessant directions or so she can assume and her legs were getting utterly exhausted from the continuous walk. When will this moment be riven?

"I feel so tired.."

Luna complained softly as her eyes were forcing themselves to close. All she cares was for the two of them to escape from here, not about the massive amount of exhaustion that gained upon her rapidly. Her heart sank, all the parts of her body fell 'silent' as her eyes gave up and fell themselves to the floor, her mouth was swollen and pouty from the coldness of the weather.

OOC: Lol, sorry. i am so out of ideas. >>;;

[anonymous]

"I feel so tired.."

Drake looked around at that, frowning. Her weakness wouldn't be a good thing- what if he would need to carry her? He didn't even know where they were in the first place. Further problems wouldn't be good news or any help to their situation.

"Arth thou alright?" he asked, turning his body fully this time. "Do thou need any medication?"

[ooc: I'm bored too. xDD Sorry for the short post.]

[Luna Katanashi]

At first, she was still lying there, unconscious. It didn't last long, so as she opened her eyes, she first spotted the similar soul. His words of inquiry dripped into her ears calmly. She cleared her throat first before trying to speak.

"No need."

She said. She gave him a "you-should-have-left-without-me" look and then, she still saw the waxing moon, swelled colorless and ludicrously full in the black sky—an eye of heaven peering down on the sleeping world;not all people are sleeping.

"My apologies for halting like that, I am not accustomed in staying out in this night-weather."

She stood back up and urged for him to continue in leading the way.

[anonymous]

"No need."

The words were almost forced, unconvincing, but he nodded anyway. It's not as if he really did want to help. It was just his nature to do so.

"My apologies for halting like that, I am not accustomed in staying out in this night-weather."

Nice excuse, something in his mind thrummed, and he gave out a weary sigh. How long had they been there? The moon was still high though, so it couldn't be that early...or that late.

"It's alright. I know a lot of people who do not fare well in such circumstances." he said, his smooth British accent just loud enough for her to hear. "But please do say so if thou need my assistance. We cannot have anybody just fainting without warning."

he continued his pace, just slow enough for her to catch up, but there were times when he would go a tad further, due to his long legs. There were some things that were better left unchanged.

[Luna Katanashi]

The girl could only offer a shrug at him as a response then, she became deathly quiet. Currently, she is bewildered and very exhausted. Slowly, her weakness regenerated, nearly tearing all of her remaining strength asunder, but kept on walking behind him.

"So, what's your name?"

She pondered in a constrained manner, still not accustomed with interacting with people face to face especially when that person is a male. She begrudged herself for spewing out that question, though. At least she will know a part of him.

[anonymous]

"...so, what's your name?"

My name?

Was it his weary state, or the creeping numbness that had somehow penetrated his thoughts? He couldn't properly process the question, and so he rested his forehead on his palm. Maybe this sudden feeling of tiredness had something to do with his lack of energy...or lack of sleep. It had nothing to do with his deprivation of energy consumption- but he knew, for a fact, that he had a ban right then...and he had long vowed never to use his Alice for such greedy reasons again. Screw self-control, even if he did lose it, there was no way he'd hurt her.

He let out a deep sigh. Thank goodness for that.

Realizing that he had kept her question hanging unanswered, he did her the favor and replied, though somewhat sluggishly. "I am called Drake," he paused. "And I won't bother telling you the rest of my excruciatingly long name, since it is a hindrance to do so anyway. Now, since I always follow my code of fair-exchange, I would like to know thy own name."

He turned to her, halting his steps immediately, hoping she would do the same. He decided it be best if they continued their way only after they knew what to call each other. It would lessen the awkwardness of the situation, after all.

[ooc: Sorry for the late reply. xD]

[Luna Katanashi]

The anti-frenetic girl stopped in her tracks, as if mirroring his movements.

His question was having a plea for an answer. She faced to faced with him and was still not speaking. But, an insistent urge to answer was seizing her.

"My name is Luna.... Luna Katanashi."

She answered, having the desire to release an exasperated sigh.

OOC: Writer's block.

[anonymous]

"Luna? You're a new face," he stated, rubbing his chin with his gloved hand. "And I take it though have not seen me before?"

There was a chance she already had, but a lot had been happening to his life lately that it had been a long time since he had taken into his care to meet new students. The Academy was constantly taking in numerous Alice-users that sometimes it seemed impossible for him to know them all.

It's not as if he was obligated to anyway.

He continued on, though slowly, since she had not answered his question yet and it would seem rude to walk away. He was never rude, always a gentleman, no matter how much that bothered him.

He reached into a clearing; a peaceful-looking yet peculiar glade, where the moon above them shone its fullest, sending a beam to the middle. That intrigued him alright, and quickly he turned to her and said, "C'mon. Let's take a look." before walking to the place. Where the beam was, grew a small white rose. Raising an eyebrow, he reached out to take it and get a closer look; only pulling his hand back when he realized that he was pricked by the numerous thorns that lined the flower's stem.

He cursed silently, pulling off his right glove to avoid staining the leather with blood. Slowly his head started to pound, and he grasped at it with his other hand, eyelids threatening to lower. "What the...?"

[ooc: Woohoo! A little excitement won't hurt, eh?]

[Luna Katanashi]

"No."

She simply answered as she was looking at him again. No, she hasn't seen him before. Her timid and shy personality seems to hibernate, but it will be remedied as soon as she will meet someone new; especially mischievous ones.

With a frantic nod, she went with him and with a blink of an eye, she saw that a rose was sprouting from the beam she saw earlier. Drake picked it up and was already aggrieved because of the injury that he was being received.

Her eyes widened and her eyes desperately browsed for an object that could at least calm his wound down. Nothing. Her only choice is her duster. She held on one of the ends of her clothing and wrapped it around his hand while blood was spreading itself.

Somehow, the bleeding wouldn't stop. This is bad. No, maybe it will just stop on its own. She then, spotted a nearby pond. An idea came to call. Plus, if she will wrap his jacket around it--maybe he will be steamed.

"Stay here."

She said as she went to the place. She then, swiped on one of the ends of her duster to the water and then, returned to him. She wrapped the wet part to his injured hand.

"Sorry, I can't seem to find anything that subsides your bleeding. Shall I wrap your bleeding using your jacket?"

[anonymous]

"You want to use my jacket?"

Suddenly, the patience and his dignified image was gone- crumbled down to ruins, and he realized that there was nothing to hold on to, for he had built his stronghold on swampy terrain. He was sinking fast. And if he didn't switch on to someone else, to another ego, he would fall.

How he wished he was Ree.

And he snapped.

"That cost a lot, you know!" he snapped, uncharacteristically, and something thrummed in his head that told him to go on with the act. He had been so blessed to be given the ability to act convincingly, that even he himself wasn't sure if he truly was feeling this way. It had been a long time since he last felt hatred course through his veins.

He looked down at his hand. How humiliating. To be hindered by such a tiny prick...how long was the thorn anyway? Why did it felt like the said object was actually swimming in his blood right now? He was scared, unsure, afraid, whatever you'd like to call it. This flower was turning him insane.

As soon as he calmed down though, and the adrenaline was soon receding, he let the words escape his lips before it was too late. "quelque chose est incorrecte. Je peux le sentir. Je suggère que vous commencez à courir maintenant, Luna!" he cried in rapid french before the darkness started spreading again.