Nightingale

The depth of darkness to which you can descend and still live is an exact measure of the height to which you can aspire to reach.

[derealdragons]

[veryterryhoward-blog]

The way she alluded indicated that she lacked a first-hand experience with the ‘beasts’ as they were so commonly referred, though it came as no surprise to Terry. He was at the border every night and not once had he ever seen her. Still, she seemed adamant in their existence. “I’ll take your word for it,” he said lightly, still mentally analyzing her statement. He thought maybe her belief stemmed from the fact that she had the traits of Vampires. The whole idea of paranormal senses was an incalculable concept. For all extensive purposes, the darkness could be sending signals out to those whom have a natural dark aspect.

"There’s probably some truth in what they’re saying. I don’t pay much attention to it unless it’s outrageous," he admitted. Terry knew that at least something about him had to have been leaked, but it was probably something small like his birth date. "And the phrase ‘right questions’ is a matter of opinion. What might sound like a suitable question to you might not be as worthy to me." He watched as she looked down at her nails. It was a nasty conversational habit, one that he deemed rudimentary. "Unless your name is too difficult to pronounce, yes. It’s common courtesy."

[darlingdrugraves]

Not really bothered by his response, either he believed her or didn't. Who was she to prove to him about the dark beasts in the forest. "You just do that, if you find something else. Let me know..." She said sarcastically. She felt hungry, but not for human food. It seems like her thirst was starting to come back to life, 'Damnit... I should have fed before I came in here...' Being around warm blood teenagers wasn't exactly helping either, she couldn't stop herself from scoffing softly before she felt her jaw tick. 

"Oh really? Truth in a rumor, I must hear about that one." Audra replied as her eyes widen softly, "Can't say if I'm shocked or speechless. Please share this tidbit." Crossing her arms she placed pressure on her stomach, trying to stall her hunger. Hearing his commentary she couldn't help but agree with him to a point. "But there is no stupid question or answer, besides if I did ask it would be just to know you." Keeping her eyes on the floor, not wanting to scare him if they happened to change, "Well that is if first I've heard of that; I'm guessing I can't get you to change your mind. Could I?"

[veryterryhoward-blog]

Terry’s smile never once left his face, though it did have it’s variations in intensity in response to the conversation. That changed when she began to speak about the island, about the beasty things in the darkness. “Oh yeah? You actually believe in those things?” he inquired, disturbed. He’d knew the alleged sightings of these things were going around the school, but he assumed most of the student body took it as urban legend made up to scare people. She seemed so sure, though. Maybe she went out to the border and saw one. Maybe she was just joking. Terry didn’t know, nor did he feel like dwelling on it.

"The gossip circle’s slipping a little this week, actually. Last week, I supposedly slept with some sophomore girl who just so happened to be the girlfriend of some senior, but this week, I apparently threw the same guy out into the ocean and drowned him," Terry said, laughing a bit at the nonsensical nature of it all. "The murder victim is actually over there with his girlfriend." He proceeded to point at a rather tall, blonde haired boy standing aside an equally tall girl with a polka dotted sundress that only made her black hair stand out even more.

A tilt of his head and Terry opened his mouth once more. “She actually started the rumor to make herself seem more important. Nothing makes you more popular than a scandal.” The frailty of the teenage agenda never ceased to amaze him. “Oh and yes, I am one of those people,” he got out with a chuckle. “What can I say? It must be the southerner in me. I mean I only just met you.”

[darlingdrugraves]

"--The little beasty? Oh yes.. I'm sure they are real, look at everything else." She said softly as her eyes looked out to the border of the forest surrounding the school. She herself have not been there. But she felt drawn to it. At least some part of her did, and she would be lying if she said she wasn't feeling up to it. "Let's just say I have an inkling about them." Looking back at him she smiled darkly. Dropping the subject she twitched her nose, as he talked on about the gossip mill, "So anything true about you? I mean obvious you are someone they do talk about." 

"Or is it no one has been asking you the right questions?" Totally by passing the minor gossip it was of no interest to her. More the point it was boring and pathetic. "Petty little rumors, seems boring and not that all intelligent." Listening to him as he talked on she glanced at her nails, it was a habit of hers when she really didn't know how to response. Once again his voice caught her ears, "So as a southerner you will only call people by their government names? How quaint...." 

[veryterryhoward-blog]

"Positive," his words were rather direct but not void of their usual cheerful luster. It was a bit unnerving to see her move so closely. Yesterday he hadn’t heard the girl talk before and today, here she was sitting not even a foot away with a nickname for him. It was a lot to take in at once. "My name’s Terry, by the way." 'Not that it matters,' he thought. Terry was never fond of nicknames. It never made sense as to why anyone would have a need for any other title. His first name already had five letters.  Five letters were not that much of a stress, especially if they only made up two syllables.

On some level, Terry could understand where her sarcasm stemmed from. News traveled much too quickly in this school for his tastes. “Well other than the fact that you’re not from here, that’s pretty much all I got,” he lied, though he covered it up almost perfectly. There were other things circulating. Something about her being at Arcadia due to some kind of reform, that she had gotten lost every day for two years here, and that she drank actual blood were just some of the many other bits of information he’d heard around the school. It was too be expected; she wasn’t exactly a “nobody” like most of the other students. Googling her name brought up plenty of topics to choose from.

The pinching of his cheek pulled him back into the conversation. His eyes flickered upward at her, an eyebrow cocked. “Secretive is giving me a little too much credit. I don’t have any secrets,” Terry retorted, smiling off the notion. It was, on a technical level, true; there wasn’t anything he was blatantly keeping from everyone else. They just asked the wrong questions, getting the wrong answers. “I do enjoy the thought of being mysterious, though. It really adds to the allure of it all. And if you don’t mind, I’d like to call you Audra. Dru’s a little informal.”

[darlingdrugraves]

"Oh that is too bad, I think that would be quite funny." She pouted for a few moments, before taking a breath. Wiggling her nose she made a face as her thoughts flew, 'Very odd younglin indeed, don't know how I feel about this.' Hearing his voice brought her out of her thoughts. "Your name? Terry you say... hmm, decent. But it's just easier to call you Puppy." She just couldn't pass up the chance to rattled him, it has been fun so far. 'Hmm, maybe this won't be a boring mix-up after all.'

"Who is from this sad little place?" She asked turning up her lip, "It's hot, humid and the noisy. And for the lovely little fact we have dark, creepy little beasty things closing us in." She smile softly, as her dark curls fell around her face,"--- but then again the beasty probably are the best things here." Clapping her hands together softly she couldn't stop the dark giggle that came out. Catching herself as she looked around room, she smoothed her hair back, "...That never happened. Moving on, I must say I'm surprised there isn't much more about me. Then again it wouldn't be the first time this has happened." She snorted as she replied dryly. 

Once again her eyes twinkled in glee as watched his facial expression, 'Watching people make faces.. highly interesting.' She listened to his reply and weighed it before she responded. "Everyone keeps things hidden, purposely or not. But who am I to ask for that information?" She shrugged softly, after all she had her own demons in her closet. What sane or insane person doesn't? Then again if you ever wanted to know all you had to do was ask. "Who doesn't enjoy being mysterious? The more allure you have around yourself the more you entice the people around you." One again her eyes twinkled, looking at him she raised her eyebrows. "Hmmm I wonder what the rumor mill says about you puppy; do you know? I'm sure you've heard about them." 

Not one to repeat herself, she frowned slightly as she felt her left eye twitch, oh how she preferred Dru to Audra. Then again the only people to call her by her full name were her parents. "You are one of those people aren't you?"

[healthier-you]

[musicstomyears]

Visit Original Link

[veryterryhoward-blog]

"The yip noise? Not particuarly, no," he replied quickly, only realizing then that he’d even actually made the noise. When she started again, it didn’t take Terry long to formulate a reasonable response. His eyebrows raised high up on his face and he flared his nose just a bit. "What can I say? I get around rather decently—"

"—but the getting around does come with a pretty nifty skill. With it, I can piece a few things together about just about anyone on the island. For instance, you’re the fourth year Audra Graves with a power that has something to do with vampirism, which, from the rumor mill, entails some sort of enhanced charm. I get that all right? It’s been a while since I’ve played the ‘Know Your Classmates’ game."

Terry may not have spoken to everyone in every class since he arrived, but he did his best to at least know who they were, what they did, who they talked to, and how long they’d been there. Of course, there were exceptions to his rule. One of whom he’d met not even moments before Audra spoke, but overall, he did okay. Not many could do anything similarly for him, though. While he was perfectly capable of reciting people’s names, powers, classes, etc., the only ones who knew anything other than his name and class were the administration. His past wasn’t that important of a secret; he just never bothered with sharing.

[darlingdrugraves]

Sighing she stood up and gathered her book, walking towards him she sat on the back side of the couch. "You sure about that?" She couldn't help herself. The young male was just too much, his facial expression made her smirk. "I mean if you did I wouldn't judge you pup." What was more so interesting then the words out of his mouth was his reaction, her green eyes twinkled in glee as he flared his nose. "You know when you to that you look like a puppy?" She said dryly as she glanced at her nails, listening to him dabble on about her. Audra was impressed, after all she could feel the sass on the side. 

"---Impressive...I would say I know you name but just to be safe, I'ma call you puppy." She smiled softly, "But nice little trick there, you almost remind me of someone. Anything else you can tell me that isn't in my file? Or better yet, let me guess you found it out from the rumor mill?" She asked sarcastically, after all she was use to rumor going on around here. From her background she was use to it. She was just hoping that for once it would leave here alone. 

Rolling her eyes honed back to him, "Senior of course, we've been in classes together. That much I know is true, like I said I'm sure I know your name but, I rather call you puppy." She pinched his cheek just to mock him. "Talkative to boot, and such a sweet little helper. Secretive in his own right. Not much is known about you, even if the walls did have ears and eyes they couldn't even figure out the puzzle you are." Tilting her head to the side she gave him a small smile again, "If anyone is more an enigma it's you." Audra had to admit to herself, the young man in front of her was quite intriguing but yet she was still getting a vibe he was all cheers and smiles. "Nice to meet you, Audra Graves. But I prefer Dru." 

[pandqra]

Life is an adventure. It’s thrilling and scary. Sometimes it’s even a bit boring, but it should never be serious.

Seize The Night, Sherrilyn Kenyon (via queenofbanshee)

[darlingdrugraves]

Dealing with Directions. 

Sadly Audra has been attending this school for awhile. You would think a recurring student and senior would know their way around. Well, you would be right about that -- as long as you don't count Audra Graves. This being said, she sucks at directions, literally. She gets lost very easily, hence is the reason why her younger sister, Naomi or her older brother, Demetri is always with her. Most times it is her sister or a least a close friend in LA, that kept up with her. Now with the fact her younger sister isn't here, Audra herself wonders how she will navigate her way around campus. 

Try for the best, Audra is once again antiquating herself to the school. Maybe this year she will be able to find herself around. Even if it is her last year here... 

"A girl can only try right? Now which way was it again...?"

[whentheveildisappears]

[itsmemiikieg-deactivated2016120]

Visit Original Link

[darlingdrugraves]

- behind the walls;

It was just a boring day to say the least. Alone in her room Audra listened to her her music playing through her Dre beats pill. The song to grace the air was '2 On' by Tinashe, the new young person on the scene. It had a nice beat something that was confronting to her. Closing her eyes she jammed out she let her mind wonder off.  'It's hot here.. but it's dry. I don't like it.' Sighing her mind drifted to home. 'I wonder how Naomi is... tragically she was needed at home for a few more weeks. I know Demetri is happy...' Opening her eyes, she looked up at her ceiling it had somewhat of an designed. Following with her eyes she smiled to herself, "My I must say you look like cracks from an explosion..." Sitting up she looked to the left and found the photos on her desk, it was a picture of Naomi and her, with their friends Blake Vaughn Troy and Semi Aponi. "I wonder how the two of them are doing." She scoffed as she closed here eyes. "Probably causing trouble where ever they are." Once again she could hear the music in the background, taking a moment to center herself. 

Grabbing her journal off the top of her desk she grabbed her ink pen and opened it to a blank page so she could write about the conversation she had earlier today with, a student. "I think his name is Terry... or is it Tyson?" She tapped her chin before she shrugged, "For now I'll just call him puppy." With a smirked as she remember his face and they way he yelped like a wounded animal. "Funny kid, reminds me of Demetri.." Once again her thoughts strayed to home, 'Oh how I miss LA, enough sad thoughts Dru. Time to write..'

Journal #6

Entry #10

Date: 2014.7.20

Today was an interesting day to say the least. I for one actually talked to someone. I made the initiative to speak. We all know how I feel about that. But I did to a fellow student I've seen around here. Can't say fer sure that I know his name but I have something close. Until I'm sure I'll just call him Puppy. My reason why I will call him puppy will be because with his curly hair and the smiles he usually had he reminds me of a puppy. Not normally my response I know---

But with Naomi not being here, who know what will happen to me. I know that she needs to get her soon though. I was lost for two days, I'm surprised I made it to the common room. I think my family set me up purposely.They know I don't have the best of directions. Hence why me and Na go everywhere together. It is so I don't get lost; even if they say I use her as a crutch. Which I do not thank you very much. I know they think that by this I will talk to more people, but they should already know. I'm stubborn and bullheaded just like they are. Na I do hope you get here soon. Moving on the point of me even writing here...

Today I was quite disturbed; even though I shouldn't have been. it just proves me point. Humanity is ugly. Earlier today with 'Puppy' I saw the news, it caught my attention. They were going on about an 'superhuman terrorist' of course pointing out the bad deeds that this one superhuman did. Sadly they didn't stop there, no they had to go on about the fact of superhumans not wanting to assimilate. Funny right? We don't want to assimilate.... but please tell me who are the people that demanded we assimilate ourselves? Oh right.. you mere humans. See I love how you want to throw blame of us; as in all the superhumans in the world -- for one of us who turn out to be bad. So I guess we can blame you all for the evil men through out history too right?

Cain - you know he killed his brother. The very first killer. 

Vald 'The Impaler' Dracula - he kill over 100,000 people.

Adolf Hilter - he killed over 300,000 and they were just one race.

Ivan, The Terrible - he loved to execute people.

Attila the Hun - he was bloodthirsty, cruel and ruthless barbarian that killed 11,000 people just because a woman didn't marry him.

Nero - Rome's 5th empire that not only ruined Rome but kill over a million people.

Saddam Hussein - killed over 2 million people, just in the result of his actions. 

Osama bin Laden - him of all people not only injured more then 6,000 people he killed about 3,000 and crippled a nation for moment. 

But of course you want to blame everything on superhumans right? I'm not saying we don't have bad ones but you can't base a race no, excuse me a species on something that one persons does. You have evil people in you gene pool as well. Sadly these words would just fall on deaf ears, oh how they world is blind and stupid. It is human natural to fear what you don't know and hate what you can't control, it is very sad but true. That is how humanity works, and it is very ugly.

Sighing softly, the song in the background begins to fade away coming to an end. Looking at the clock Audra makes a face as she places her journal and pen on her desk. "I better head down to the kitchen and put something in my stomach. Wouldn't want to snack on a classmate..." Stretching her back she makes her way out in the hallway. "Great... now which way to the kitchen again?" She sighs, 'This will be a long year...'

[veryterryhoward-blog]

Blue eyes had followed after the darker girl as she made her way through the lounge area, book in her hand. Not another thought crossed his mind about her as he focused on the news, however, so when a feminine voice chimed in to respond to his comment, Terry was befuddled. A yelp escaped him as he turned around on the couch. “Who said that?” he asked in his confusion. His attention moved from face to face before finally stopping on Audra, the only person who had allowed their gaze to linger on the spectacle that was Terry. “Oh, sorry about that. Could you believe it’s actually my first time hearing your voice?”

Realizing he’d not made an appropriate reply to her addition, he began to chuckle a bit. He lifted his right hand to the mess of curls on his head, his fingers getting caught in the coils. “Theoretically, it’d be doing them a favor,” he said, letting a smile beam on his face. “That’s only if said thing were possible though.”

[darlingdrugraves]

Watching in amusement as she hears the young man ask his first question; looking around the room until his eyes land on her. She almost wanted to smirk, if it wasn't for the next noise out of his mouth. Hearing him yelp like a wounded animal, Audra raised her eyebrow. "You do that often?" Really not knowing how to feel about that she just crosses her arms and looks at him oddly. She had seen the male around a few times, even recalled his name. But they had never had a conversation. Well until today ---

"Actually, I could believe that. Many haven't heard my voice. Much less of them know my name." She shrugged softly looking him over again, "That could not be said for you though. I'm sure everyone has heard your voice and knows your name." It was slightly awkward, not one to make conversation she just normally kept to herself. But since they seem to be the only ones about, she tried. Moving a loose curl behind her ear, she allowed her smirk to grace her face as she heard his next response. "A favor they would enjoy too much. I think.." She had to agree with him. "If many things were possible we wouldn't be in the situations we're in."

[glyt01-deactivated20160720]

[abaum713]

"That’s the food chain for you. Even those at the top are a meal for someone else. Sooner or later, we all get eaten by something."

-Acheron (via abaum713)

[j0iryyde]

Visit Original Link

[veryterryhoward-blog]

The largest of the flat screen televisions in the common room flickered on and was immediately turned to the news channel. It displayed the mugshot of a Caucasian man with wild hair and a smug appearing smile adorning his face. His left eyelid was puffier than the rest, most likely a result of some sort of physical altercation. The headline read 'Another day, another superhuman terrorist'. Beside the mugshot was a list of crimes that the man had been arrested for: manslaughter and resisting arrest.

The voice of a female reporter echoed in the background. “This just goes to prove that superhumans aren’t trying as hard as they’re leading us to believe they are. They don’t want to assimilate. They are taking advantage of our patience and I’m sorry but that patience is running thin…”

"Wow, rude," the boy sitting on the couch uttered, repulsed. He crinkled the bridge of his nose, pointing the remote and turned down the volume as the woman continued on her tangent. Anything and everything a superhuman did just had to be more proof that they weren’t meant for society. The very human marine who decided he’d murder his wife in Onslow county didn’t even make the news, let alone get the attention of anyone of power. It just wasn’t quality news unless it something that could be used against the superhuman race. "Remind me not to sneeze near a human. Wouldn’t want to get charged with public endangerment."

[darlingdrugraves]

Walking into the common room, Audra makes he way passing people. Not one for much conversation she sits in back corner and opens her book. Engrossed in the world Sherrilyn Kenyon she takes a moment and glaces up to the television, overhearing the noise about a 'superhuman terrorist'. Not surprised it seems more and more of these were happening. The conflict between mere humans and superhumans has been nothing but a downwards spiral. 

Closing her book, knowing she wasn't going to be able to finish it now. After all feeling disgusted at the world. Back to the problem, assimilation of the superhuman race was up in the air. "They want us to assimilate to their way of life, but are ready to condemn us if some superhuman disagree." She sneered as she glared at the news, "Better yet they condemn us for the ones who do wrong who don't care, but let one of their own kill us and their a hero." Pinching the bridge of her nose she thought to herself. 'Humanity is just sickening either way. No one is better then they other, humans and superhuman bother have flaws...'

Hearing the young lad's voice brought her out of her thoughts. She had to agreed with him on that note, it was rude. Sighing softly she turns her attention back to the television, she could still she the newscaster going on and on about the superhuman. "Shoudn't the news talk on all things present?" She could feel her jaw ticking, disgusted she returned back to her book. Again humanity is showing it's ugliness. Hearing the young man in front of her she almost smirked, "If you did sneeze on a human they might think you were trying to change them, into one of us." She chuckled darkly, "You would be charged with contamination."