The Art of Art

Hello. My name is Stephan Brendan Snow, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am currently attending St. Deveraux Preparatory School. Just keep in mind things don't always turn out wonderfully...

[zachthedemon]

Zach frowned as the other looked away, saddened at how much his friend had changed. “Well, I could buy the first round or so, but with our faces, I’m sure someone will end up buying for us…” He commented, a smile breaking onto her face, both at his joke and the smile the other had, no matter how fake it was.

[foxystephan]

Stephan allowed a small chuckle, "maybe wear some shorter pants," a joke. Slightly surprising he was still pulling them. Zach had always been a damn charmer, it made him feel a little bit better actually. At least he wasn't pulling the 'oh poor baby' shit. He shoved both hands in the pockets and flinched his head towards town, "better get walking."

[fintanthefiery]

My Brave Little Lion Man || Stephan & Fintan

[fintanthefiery]

The little dragon had felt bad for making her fox cry - yet at the same time she knew the crying was good for him, it was a means of releasing emotions that was far healthier than anything else. She needed to help drain the physical and emotional poison from his veins. Fintan found herself crying over her friend Allen too, but she certainly didn’t know him nearly as well as Stephan did… and she certainly wasn’t as close as they… It was only a matter of imagination. She was only slightly empathetic because of her father; other than that the closest she’s ever felt to losing someone she truly loves was when she was separated from Mason, and now this… This was as close as she had ever gotten - and though it was still far it hurt like she was stabbed with jagged ice. Hearing his sweet distressed words caused a small sob and a sniffle to escape. “G-Good! Th-Thank you for promising…” she whimpered, reaching up and wrapping her arms around him. Fintan nuzzled into his shoulder with soft sniffles, rubbing his back soothingly as she continued to pull him back up from that rope. She let out a laugh that mixed with another few breaths from the tears. “I love you too Stephy ~ so, so ,so much…” she replied softly, her tender voice muffled by his clothing. She held the embrace for another few minutes to allow both of them to calm down a bit. Only when they were down to small hiccups in their breaths did she release, continuing to hold his hand as she smiled gently up at him. “Now come on… I-I’m serious about you staying with me. W-Why don’t be go grab some supplies and head to my room. I’ll make some dinner and we can watch a movie together… Sound good?”

[foxystephan]

Every moment seemed to pull him in closer and yet make him feel farther away. There was an unspoken separation between Stephan and the rest of the people who had gone through this whole thing. Everyone had lost so much, possibly even more than the fox had, but... He felt as if he was the only one who couldn't handle it. He had seen people laughing and going through life as if nothing had changed... And even so far later he was still too weak to wake up in the morning. It made him so damn mad. He kept his face buried while his body shook. It was so hard to remain standing. His legs were vibrating and mind racing. He needed, he needed to be lulled and told everything was going to be alright... Or at least he wanted that. This life had become a living nightmare, the only time he could wake was with... Fintan was the only thing in this reality that kept him from slipping away behind the vale. It would be so easy just to let go... But life wasn't designed to be easy. His body slowly drained, voice unable to breach his clenched teeth. His sobbing slowly faded to light bursts of whimpers and doe eyes. The holding of hands was sweet, it seemed he hadn't felt a familiar touch for years. He allowed a shaky smile and a nod. "That would be... That would mean more to me than you know," he admitted with a light chuckle. He leaned down and kissed her fingers affectionately. "Thank-you for being you."

[fintanthefiery]

My Brave Little Lion Man || Stephan & Fintan

[fintanthefiery]

Fintan felt bad for snapping the way she did, but it was the only way she could really get her point across without the use of tears - though she still felt guilt for having made him jump… Her body un-tensed slightly when he kissed her cheek, letting out a small sigh and looking up at him with begging eyes. The little blue dragon couldn’t return the small smile she was given, no matter how badly she wanted to… She held his hand with both of hers - the combined two just barely bigger than his singular. The sight only brought guilt, rubbing her thumbs over rough fingers to try and sooth the kitsune. As he started to speak she felt as if she was tiptoeing across a thin string above a canyon. It wouldn’t kill her to fall, but she didn’t know that… she knew she couldn’t take that chance… Fintan’s heart clenched in her chest seeing how he struggled to explain himself, her grip on his hands tightening only to try and show support to him - looking up with concerned eyes of forest green. The mention of the drugs and drinking had a knot forming in the back of her throat, angry and frustrated that she couldn’t have helped him in time to keep it from happening. The hesitation was a tremble in the tightrope, the hug that brought foreheads together catching her from falling - so it seemed. Fintan felt a snap inside of her - like her guts all twisted at once. The words I decided to kill myself echoing in her ears to bring about utter despair. But then… He saw me..? Tears were now rolling down her cheeks from eyes wide with shock and pain. When Stephan finished talking her face twisted and she began to sob, wrapping her arms tightly around him as if to keep him from falling off of that rope. The thought that she could have lost him made it feel like her heart had left her with an empty chest cavity, cold and filled with a bitter yearning that would never have been filled again if he weren’t still standing if front of her. “Never do it! Never even think of it again! I-I won’t let you…” her voice trailed off into tears, eyes squeezing shut. “I-I’m just…” she had to pause and re collect her dejected thoughts, soft quivering in her voice. “I’m just glad you’re here with me… that you didn’t…” she said softly. “You can’t leave - you just can’t… I-I couldn’t -” another wave of clenching in her chest. “I c-couldn’t make it without you…” She let out another soft sniffle before she slowly pulled back, cupping her hands over his cheeks. Finally Fintan could muster a small smile through the tears. “You’re never alone - never..!” she said with quiet determination. “Now you’re coming to stay with me for a while - no choice! You’re my brave little lion man Stephan… So brave…”

[foxystephan]

Stephan hadn't cried since... Well since Allen never came home to him. Coming home to an empty room was his reoccurring horror, an image it seemed God loved to torture him with. He never found the body but his nightmares made certain that was medicated. The images still danced through his mind... Blood and empty eyes. No more gentle voice to lull him to sleep. Up until now it felt like he had no tears to shed. Like his body had put up an armored wall so he wouldn't shrivel up like a raisin. Then finally the dam was broken. Tears poured from his too dry eyes to mirror hers, hiccuping lightly as he tried to breath and find more words... But they were all gone, all lost to the abyss. Every word he had ever said seemed wasted now, every thoughtless 'I love you' and every desperate plea. Every single sentence was a price unmet in the God damned bank of life. God damn world... Her little hands were his only tether, that gentle smile his only happiness now... Perhaps he'd find another one day, but those thoughts seemed so far away at this point. He wanted to sleep in her arms, fall out of consciousness and lay there for the rest of eternity... But luckily she had other places to be, luckily there was no way he could drag her down with him. She really was his sunshine, and if anyone tried to take her away... Apparently he would literally give an arm and a leg. He was so thankful and yet.... He clenched his teeth, that in addition to her arms kept his legs from trembling. He had never had anyone like this up until this school. It took him in and broke his heart, yet he still loved it so unbelievably much. The feeling in his chest reminded him of crumbled tin foil, scratching at the inside of his organs... Filling him with cold bitter metal. He wanted to get sick, but it brought up too many bad memories. His mind was still fogged, his body going through withdrawals... The hospital had caught him trying to get a fix, but those nurses were tougher than they look. Her words broke the glass of his mind and he looked into those quivering green orbs."I promise, Fintan-" he stuttered through the tears. "I promise that I won't leave as long as you're with me- as long as we need eachother I'm here- I'm here!" he allowed himself to sob, crying like a small child. Crying out all of his built up pain... Letting it go. "I l-love you, Finny! You're my a-angel," he sobbed, his shoulders shaking from the tears.

[lawrence-johnsen]

Lawrence groaned. This school was nice, very nice actually, but why did there have to be so many fucking stairs? He hated stairs, he hated walking, and he hated being lost. In fact, there wasn’t much about this place that wasn’t annoying the shit out of him. “Jesus Christ, could this place be anymore over the top?” He huffed, still making his way to his assigned room. He was told upon arrival that he would have a room mate, an annoying one if he had to guess. Everyone here seemed so up their own ass, telling him the school was bad, being angry at him for not liking it… Oh well, some of them were nice. Lawrence looked at his papers, he was at the right room! He fumbled with the key and opened the door. The room was nice, it had two beds, assorted furniture, and places for his things. He started to unpack, smiling as he did so. It was nice to have a change, well, a total change of location. He dragged his bag over to the nightside table by his bed, opening it and taking things out one at a time. He pulled his phone charger out and threw it over his shoulder, hearing it hit someone behind him before making contact with the floor. Lawrence turned around slowly. “Who the hell are you and why are you in my room?”

[foxystephan]

Stephan strolled down the hall, his mind fogged by hours at the club. His lips were dry and he just wanted to get to his room. He turned the corner and was surprised by a door left ajar. Curiosity overwhelmed him and he turned into the room, fumbling with the flying charger before it dropped to the floor. He blinked hard at it, completely baffled as to how it got there at the moment. He flung his head up when he heard the cursing. "Oh I uh. I um you-" he pointed to the door, surprised by the new face and the aggressive tone. He forced himself to loosen up, helped out by the narcotics. "You left the door open and I was curious," he shrugged and gave a friendly smile. "I guess it gave me the chance to introduce myself," he strolled over and extended a hand, "name's Stephan. What about you?"

[zachthedemon]

Zach frowned at how quiet his friend was, though he didn't say anything. He felt like when the hunters took his friend's arm, they seemed to take his sense of humour too. "D'you wanna go for a drink?"

[foxystephan]

Stephan allowed his mind and eye to wander, looking over the scenery quietly... It was easier not to look at people lately. He looked back up at the comment about drinks and nodded with a soft smile, "for sure, sounds great. As long as you're buying," he attempted with a forced but playful smile. A ghost of the kind he used to give.

[celestialprophetess-blog]

"I’ll take that as a wonderful compliment, darlin’. I promise to hold any judgement giving to myself until proven, how’s that sound? I think I’ve seen ya round the place at some point… I’m sure I remember those blond locks… But anyhow, pleasure to meet ya too Stephie."

[foxystephan]

"Oh please do, it was definitely a compliment. Sounds wonderful, and the same will go for you then. Judgement just ruins relationships, no? Eh, not so sure you have; I've been away lately, and I'm fantastic with faces... You weren't around before."

[fintanthefiery]

My Brave Little Lion Man || Stephan & Fintan

[fintanthefiery]

Fintan gulped harshly as if she were swallowing her tears. No, she couldn’t cry - she had to be strong - for the both of them… The warmth of his breath calmed her - she could hear his heart beating… He was alive and well and she wasn’t dreaming… As he questioned how she had been she let out a sniffle before pulling back so she could look him in the eyes. She put on a stern face and straightened up a bit. “No w-way buster, I-I didn’t t-try and find my m-missing kitsune for weeks j-just to tell him how I’ve been!” she stated with a furrow in her brow, reaching up and very gently flicking his nose. “You made me promise Stephy! N-No more of this c-crud you said - we have to be comp-pletely honest with each other! I need to know where you’ve been~” she trailed off, her voice softening at the end of her sentence. The little dragon reached up and lightly pet her fox’s hair. “P-Please Stephy… W-We’ve lost so many - ” she cut herself off “I-I just,” again the words struggled to pass her lips. “I-I’m not losing you too!” she spat out finally, her voice raised with a small crack as tears threatened her eyes further. Gosh darn it no crying! “I-I’m not going to leave you - ever - so you’re not aloud to leave me!” 

[foxystephan]

The dragon's gulp caused Stephan to feel his stomach curl up in a ball of guilt. He felt selfish for being away so long, for not being able to deal with what happened. For calling those voices in his head that he would never touch again. He clenched his teeth hard, curling his hand into a fist to drive his nails into his hand... It was a habit he had picked up to remind himself that this was all real; not another side affect. He smiled sadly and looked away for a moment, trying to remember everything that he should say. He flinched back when she snapped at him, pulling another 'mother' thing on him. Her yelling turned into begging and he had to lean down to kiss her cheek. His headaches made it hard to think lately so he held her hands and gave himself a moment. "Well since A-... Since everything happened," he started, already feeling sick. "I've been struggling with a lot of feelings and shit... Before hand I had been into the party crowd, you know that." The kitsune squeezed his eyes shit for a moment, trying to form comprehensive sentences. "Fuck. I mean I was already into drugs and drinking and all that. So when I stopped being able to deal with the deaths and the nightmares I turned to that shit. It went down hill, made it worse and I-" he stopped and hesitated, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and leaning their foreheads together. "I decided to kill myself, Finny... It just felt like the only thing at the time. I tried to overdose but then... I saw you. I know you weren't there but I saw you and I remembered why I couldn't. I threw up until I couldn't feel my body anymore and checked myself into the hospital... And I guess that's it until now," he took a breath and waited for the backlash.

[celestialprophetess-blog]

The angel’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly at her friend, noting the slight vestiges of irritation behind his expression - and felt a small stab of guilt. Miri’s smile turned a fraction more forced as she attempted to keep her voice light and unchanged by concern. Perhaps she had been babying the kitsune a little too much recently, “Let’s say we’re both to blame and buy each other apology donuts, hey?” The blonde said with a quick flash of a grin, “Homework gettin’ ya down too Stephie pie?”

[foxystephan]

Stephan looked away for a moment to avoid the change in the angel's eyes. He let out a sigh and shoved his hand in his pocket, chewing at the inside of his lip and digging his nails into the side of his leg to distract from the rising anxiety in his chest... Lately in had been random and unpredictable. A small smirk at the mention of doughnuts, "sounds wonderful, as long as you're buying mine~." he joked. His comedy hadn't exactly been on spot lately, but he supposed that came with being so damn tired all the time. "Eh, I haven't been worrying too hard over it... Though it seems to be stacking up."

[zachthedemon]

Zach grinned and gently slung his arm around his friend's shoulders. "In this world, safe is a relative term my friend. There is only being in less danger." He commented, before shaking his head. "I'm just pulling your tail man, I'm glad we're safe too."

[foxystephan]

Stephan allowed himself to be pulled under his friend's arm, a half smile breaking over his porcelain mask he had so fearfully built. "I guess you're right, everywhere's dangerous..." he stemmed off before allowing his head to tilt up, chuckling nervously. "Yeah."

[celestialprophetess-blog]

"I have one of those faces, I guess - but I’m pretty sure I haven’t met you before, think I’d have remembered a cute face like that. You’re not crazy gorgeous, don’t worry - name’s Milo, though. Ring any bells?"

[foxystephan]

"I wouldn't say so; not many people can gloat about a jaw like that. Okay, I guess I've lost a few brain cells over the last bit. If you haven't met me, don't give out judgement too quick; that'd the way you get unpleasant surprises. Milo, huh? ... I'm Stephan, pleased to meet you."

[celestialprophetess-blog]

Miri gave a small roll of her eyes at his crouched figure, more than a little exasperated at the fact he’d offered help with his condition. The angel ducked down to scoop the rest of the texts from the floor, casually plucking the tomes the other blond had managed to grab from his hands as she smiled softly at him, “Well - I should probably stop jumpin’ out at people in that case.” The blonde teased her friend lightly as she tucked the books under her arm, head cocking to the side a fraction, “I’m wonderful gorgeous.” Miri drawled with a faint smirk, “Though this influx of homework is killin’ me.”

[foxystephan]

Miridian's look only proved to annoy the kitsune, the way she was treating him was starting to get a little bit belittling... Everyone was treating him like a porcelain doll. The changes without the treatment were enough. he snapped out of it and shrugged, "nah, it's all good. I should have been watching where I was going." The teasing was received with a goofy smile. "Perfect, glad you're doing well... Homework from Hell... I feel you."

[fintanthefiery]

My Brave Little Lion Man || Stephan & Fintan

Fintan was so worried about Stephan… She knew he wasn’t doing well and this on top of him seeming to disappear on her made her sick with guilt. All she could think about was how he lost his arm because she was being weak - because she didn’t know how to stand up and fight… She had been searching all over the school and even the town and there was no sight of him. There were moments of hopelessness when her lip would quiver and her eyes would mist, but she refused to cry. This time Fintan needed to be strong for both of them. Today she had spent about three or four hours around the town looking for him to no avail, it made her feel sick to her stomach… If he wanted to be found he would be easy to find, she just wanted her little lion man back in her arms safe and sound.

It was only on her path home that she caught his scent, eagerly jumping to follow it through the wind until finally she could see him… Her beautiful kitsune with sunshine hair. “Stepha~n!” she called out as her heart swelled with joy, running over to him. When she reached him she brought him into a tight embrace unable to fight off the tears of joy that fell from her eyes. “S-Stephan! I-I was so w-worried a-and I couldn’t find you a-and..” she had to cut herself off as she buried her face into his chest. "Please don’t d-disappear like that again…" she whispered with a small quiver in her voice.

[foxystephan]

The air felt colder today... He supposed that must be due to the changing of season, or perhaps because this was the most sober Stephan had been in weeks. He held the cigarette to his mouth, wishing he had another arm to wrap around himself... Another sigh as he thought of it. He didn't regret a thing, after all that was the only thing that had been keeping him alive as of late; the idea of Fintan. He leaned back against the old building, a sweater hanging from his body unfamiliarly, and old jean jacket that never belonged to him; and never would. The only thing that felt familiar anymore was the feeling of nicotine rushing through his veins. After the attack, Fintan had changed... Not a bad change, but a scary one none-the-less. All change was scary. All anyone could do was stare at him in pity; sickening really. His chest ached, reaching to his phone by instinct he stopped... He allowed himself to continue, ringing that contact he had called a million times. "Leave a message after the beep. Be-" he hung up before it was too late, throwing his phone to the ground in a fit of rage. He took a deep breath and held his hand to his face, trying to compose himself. "Why him?" 

He was snapped from his trance by the sound of footsteps. His head darted up and he forced a smile. Even before she had drawn close he was holding out his arm, prepared for the embrace before it happened. He pulled her in close and exhaled into her hair. "I'm sorry, Fintan..." was all he could manage, chewing at the inside of his lip as he stared forward. "How have you been, darling?"

[celestialprophetess-blog]

"Will I sound ridiculously cliche if I say I really missed this place this last week? Don’t answer that, I actually don’t give a shit - there’s no place like home, am I right?"

[foxystephan]

"Missed this place? You're super familiar man, but I can't put my finger on it... Yeah, no place like home... Who are you? Or I'm just crazy and in that case, I still wanna know your name."

[zachthedemon]

Zach frowned slightly, his lips forming a small pout as he noticed his friend's attitude change, suspicion lacing its way through his body. "Well, it's a bad thing to say, but I'm so glad they're dead. Though slightly annoyed I didn't get to do it." He commented, sighing slightly.

[foxystephan]

Stephan nodded slowly, his mind wandering away at the memories... The images of blood and carnage. He looked up and nodded, grunting slightly and forcing a smile. "It's not bad... I'm glad too... That means we can feel safe again. We deserve that."

[zachthedemon]

"Yes. I’m like an ogre, and ogres are like onions. I have layers." Zach replied sarcastically, but grinning anyway. "They tried to kill Fin? And got you instead?" He repeated, anger starting to rise. No one was allowed to hurt his friends. He decided to ignore the bad joke, realising Stephan was doing it to try and lighten the mood.

[foxystephan]

"I have no idea what you mean, man," Stephan chuckled, shaking his head lightly. "Yup, they weren't touching my girl... He's long dead now, he got what he deserved and it's all good now, neh?" he lied, hsi chest aching at his own words... To think that- no. He smiled.

[celestialprophetess-blog]

Startled by the sudden cry, Miri dropped the books she’d been precariously loading up into her arms, spinning to face whoever had spoken with a slightly irate look - before she realized who it was. Her face fell a little, apology written clear across her eyes as she gingerly stepped over the cluttered books to stand before the other blond, hands coming out to lightly rest on his cheeks, “I’m sorry sweethear’, I had no idea you were in here. Are you okay?” She murmured softly, gentle green eyes scanning his face.

[foxystephan]

Stephan's eyes widened as he saw who it was, an instinctual smile spreading over his face. "Yeah no, it's fine! Sorry about yelling I'm just er..." he scratched at his shoulder nervously, "I'm just a little jumpy lately." It wasn't exactly a lie. He leaned down to help out with gathering her books, at least the best he could. He looked up to meet her worried eyes and his eyebrows fell, a reassuring smile spreading over his face. "I'm fine, how about you darlin'?"

[elizabethrossrp-blog]

"St. Deveraux….. Well let’s see how this goes."

[foxystephan]

"Oh hello there, stranger! You're looking a little nervous, so I'm here to tell you there are no worries at all; it's wicked here."