((&&. needle in the thread))

darren james. twenty-one. && a shapeshifter. ❝ The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything. ❞

[maureenavery-blog]

“You’re right, they had. ut if you’ve found something you like now, they can’t do anything about it.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“I guess not-- but I don’t make much money. Even so, I’m happy so I guess that’s what’s most important.”

[zanexsantos-blog]

“No, but you do live in a town filled with them, so finding someone that sells or brews them shouldn’t be difficult.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“Fair enough. Got any numbers I could use?”

[trenton-wilkes]

“Sorry, probably not the most appropriate thing to say.” Trenton frowned once realization struck, but nodded nonetheless at his thanks. “Oh, which gym?” He asked, suddenly curious if he was related to Milo. After a few minutes passed, and most of the bruising was gone and healed, Trenton pulled back. “That should at least help, the bruising should be entirely gone by tomorrow.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“No it’s fine, really. I’m just generally a bit awkward with compliments,” Darren admitted with a shrug. “Not sure if you know it-- but my brother, the guy who runs it, well his name is Milo,” he replied, wincing slightly as he was being healed, “Thank you, I really appreciate it,” Darren said with a soft smile.

[maureenavery-blog]

“Well you know, teachers aren’t always right. Especially when it comes to personal preferences and the likes. They can’t tell you what you can and can’t do, you’re the only one who knows about that.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“Fair enough,” he shrugged, “But they sure had a say in what my grades looked like,” Darren sighed, his shoulders falling.

[maureenavery-blog]

“It clearly doesn’t help. But if school wasn’t for you, then there’s not much you could’ve done about it.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“You’re literally the opposite of all my teachers back in school. They all called me stupid for not being able to fit in with all the school’s requirements.”

[maureenavery-blog]

“Well you know, when you really want to pass a class, notes can come in handy.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“I sucked at school back when I used to attend,” he chuckled, “And not having notes is probably why.”

[magdalena-nuttall-blog]

Magdalena stopped walking and considered the other. “It’s fine. No need to apologized. It’s…it’s whatever,” she told him, shifting on the spot and no avoiding eye contact. People don’t actually just suddenly care about the feelings of another, this was just to make himself feel better, not her.

[ctrldarren-blog]

“Perhaps, but I still feel bad. I... I hadn’t meant to be so rude. I swear I’m usually nicer than this,” he sighed, “I’m just a little overworked and all. You’re free to go, but if you’re willing to start this conversation over I’d be open to buying you coffee and just having a nicer chat?”

[zanexsantos-blog]

“I don’t really get hangovers anymore, and I always make sure I have something to cure it if I plan on drinking that much.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“Well unfortunately I’m not some sort of wizard so I don’t really have anti-hangover potions lying around,” he rolled his eyes.

[maureenavery-blog]

“It does, indeed. But I’m really glad you brought them. I would have probably failed without them.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“I’m glad I could help out-- I had no idea they were that important.”

[magdalena-nuttall-blog]

“You don’t have to understand it for it to be valid. That’s really close-minded,” she said, not unkindly, just in a disbelieving way. “No. I wouldn’t. But since you’re deciding to remain insensitive to other people’s discomfort, go for it,” she said before walking away with obvious hurt.

[ctrldarren-blog]

“Wait--” he said, unable to help but feel guilty as the girl walked away upset. Darren hadn’t meant to actually upset her, at least not like that, “Look, I call everyone dude. I promise I didn’t mean anything by it. Plus I’m a guy-- so I’m practically genetically wired to be an asshole,” Darren joked with a soft chuckle, “So look, at least let me say I’m sorry,” he said before turning away himself.

[magdalena-nuttall-blog]

“I don’t think it’s fussy to want to be comfortable. If someone’s uncomfortable with something then why push it? You never asked though, so you can’t really blame it on not being psychic.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“There’s a lot of things I understand why people would be uncomfortable over-- but the word ‘dude’? Really?” Darren sighed, deciding he wouldn’t waste his time on this. “Look, whatever-- have it your way. Would you prefer it if I called you ‘princess’?”

[trenton-wilkes]

“Of course, I’m not going to let you lie around in pain all day,” Trenton flashed a smile though once Darren lifted his shirt, his level of awkwardness instantly heightened and he felt as his palms got sweaty. “Oh um, you are very fit,” he blurted out without thinking, reaching forward as he started to mumble the incantation to heal.

[ctrldarren-blog]

“Oh um-- thanks,” Darren chuckled softly, “My brother owns a gym around here so he usually forces me to join him in on the newest workout crazes and all that,” he explained, despite not being asked about it further. For the remainder of the time, Darren stayed silent, letting Trenton heal him.

[nikolaigrindelwald-blog]

“You’re right, brandy is definitely better for the winter,” he agreed, pouring the liquor into two glasses and holding one out for Darren as he sipped on his own.

[ctrldarren-blog]

“I’m glad you agree,” Darren chuckled as he took the glass from him with a nod of thanks before lifting it to clink against Nikolai’s.

[lucienblackwell-blog]

“Ah, another one of those games kids these days have far too much fun indulging in, I suppose?” Lucien teased, nodding in understanding despite not knowing anything about the game. “From having play a few, I can certainly picture how that went down or more so, I can see.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“I’m sure we play the same drinking games you played in high school, just with slight differences and all that,” Darren shrugged, chuckling softly, “I should just stick to card games-- which reminds me, have you seen a card deck around anywhere? I seem to have lost my playing cards.”

[miloxjames-blog]

“Which is why I’m never responsible.”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“But you pay for that by getting into trouble. I, on the other hand, do not.”

[maureenavery-blog]

“I was starting to wonder what I’d do without it.” Sera admitted, a smile still lngering on her lips. “I wouldn’ have minded that much .You can’t find anything of much interest in school notes, right?”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“They’re just school notes? Ah I didn’t realize-- but I guess that proves to you I didn’t snoop through your stuff.”

[zanexsantos-blog]

After a few minutes of goofing off, he tossed the pot and pan to the side and finally turned to face Darren with the widest of grins. “Why so serious?”

[ctrldarren-blog]

“Let’s just leave it at-- you’d be just as sour as me right now if you had as bad of a hangover as this.”