Change of Tides {Autoplay}

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]–

        “Listen, listen.”

   A hand held up, index finger pointed toward the other being; a signal to give him but a moment to train his thoughts back together.

        “--I have a joke. Knock knock.”

[fcmeborn-deactivated20180620]

            “ Oh, thank you. You’ve no idea how desperate I am for one. ”

      Impatient and somewhat cold, Isla danced on the spot as she watched the student. He still looked sleepy, as if he’d only just dragged himself out of bed. Bleary eyed and shaking mussed hair out from his eyes, there was a certain delay to his movements. As much as she liked to think she was free from the uncomfortable university life of sleep deprivation and copious amounts of work, Isla was in a similar situation to him.

      Although disappointed by his meagre offer, the pencil he fished from his bag would have to do. Chewed and tatty, the wood appeared to have splintered at its end from sharp teeth. Isla forced a grateful smile as she took it, chastising herself inwardly for being so picky. She was moments away from leaving the other to his own devices but paused mid-turn, glancing over her shoulder at him. A quick check of her watch told her classes weren’t due to start for at least another hour.

            “ Hold on, ” Isla frowned, eyeing him cryptically. “ You’re a student, aren’t you? What business do you have being here this early? It’s hardly gone past seven. ”

      She dismissed the question as hastily as she’d asked it, distracted by a new idea. 

            “ Actually, never mind that. ” Isla supposed that for once in her life she could be generous. “ If you want, you can come with me to my classroom for coffee. ” It was obvious he needed it; the slump of his shoulders and dragging feet said enough, that it was a start far too early for his liking. “ I won’t take long to use this pencil and that way, I can give it back to you right after. ”

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]– 

         “--Eh?”

   Head raises, confusion quick to play in his gaze; lips slowly quirking in a sheepish grin and a hand hovering over face, breathy, exhausted laughter spilling as face pushes to hand. Honestly, he’s baffled by her tell of the time--not at her, nor the time, but merely at himself, seeing as he’d obviously mixed a few times up and sent himself in, well...earlier than intended. A whole hour of sleep, lost.

          “Classes don’ start ‘till eight...”

   Words but a mumble he seems almost AMUSED rather than disappointed, fingers working now to close satchel back up, head shaking in time with each bout of laughter escaping. It takes only but moments for a grin to work itself over features, the hound straightening stance ever-so-slightly and shaking away the last bit of sleep that lingered. Well--now, he knew for next time; set the alarm an hour later.

   Still seeming caught up in his mix-up it takes a moment for further words to register, but when they do he snaps back to reality, tongue flicking from between teeth as chin tips up; taking but a short time to think her offer through.

          “That sounds grand, thank you Professor--uh...Professor--...”

   Pausing, breath falls slow in an exhale, shoulders slowly taking on their slump once again--the student realizing, he hadn’t a clue to the professor nor what class she even taught. A sheepish grin, and a hand raises to reach back, nails scratching alone hairline and gaze shifted up somewhat, as if embarrassed to his lack of knowledge to those that roamed the academy themselves.

          “Professor...?” 

[litcci]

Eyes scanned the area almost constantly. He didn’t want to admit it, but his knowledge of Asphodelum was a little rusty. He just hoped the other student had more faith in him than he had in himself. 

“You… tripped down the stairs,” he parroted. The laughter wasn’t reciprocated, turning to the other with concern more than amusement. So he was just accident prone. It was hardly reassuring; Selen’s concern only grew when the other seemed to confess to–

He really didn’t know what a track meet was. Was he really that sheltered?

“I… think it’s where people meet to compete against each other. So for things like athletics,” he spoke, twirling a strand of his hair as he did so. “I think so, anyway. It’s been a while since I last did sport, if I’m honest.” True, his health really wasn’t the greatest–but it could have been an awful lot better, and exercise would help that a great deal. Shrugging the notion off for now, Selen’s brows raised slightly.

“Where are you from, though? I’m curious. Don’t take it the wrong way, but your accent is interesting.”

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]– 

   Offers only but a small nod, a tug of a smile never once faltering from the mutt’s features; seeming all too interested in this ‘track meet’. Steps stayed in time with the other’s, his own gaze switching wildly, as if he’d never stepped foot on the campus before and was seeing all for the first time--whether he knew the buildings passed or not. 

        “--So, they race each other? I want’a join.”

   Words seem spoken to himself more so than his new found companion, brows knitting and lips curling to an almost sly smile. Yup--running circles around the track in competition? Sounded like the best time he could ever even imagine. His seeming trance of convincing himself to join sports activities snaps when the other further speaks up, quickly blinking away his imagination and once again, flickering his gaze back to the Selen.

         “Oh--Dublin, Ireland. S’where I was raised, wasn’t ‘till I heard about this Academy that I came to the states.”

   A blued gaze lowers some, a faint breath of laughter forced from the boy; fingers raising to once again, almost nervously pick and scratch at bandage coated cheeks. 

         “I miss home, but it’s nice here too. Just different.”

[hellbarked]

Crawls back from my Hiatus like what up.

[hellbarked]

Anything Miles does can pretty much be chalked up to “Trying his best”.

[litcci]

Oh. He wasn’t expecting that accent from the other student, one he struggled to place even as he stared vacantly. It didn’t help his gaze. Brown eyes eventually cast over to the unkempt paper while the other fumbled over his words, mouth turning up into a smirk. His mannerisms were amusing, really. Without a word, Selen nodded, pacing off towards the track. His associate couldn’t be so misguided as to not take the hint, right?

Bandages, though… those were curious.

“If you’re going for a track meet or something, try not to injure yourself if you can help it… looks like you’ve done that more than enough lately.” Perhaps he was just accident prone? 

“I’d hate to have to show you the way to the doctor’s office, too.”

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]–

   It takes a moment for the hound to place his steps beside the other, not quite expecting but a silent take-off. Pace quickens only to catch up with the student before slowing once again, walking in time, almost certain not to let himself fall behind or shoot ahead; not wanting to appear rude when the other so graciously is offering their help. Gaze lingers, more so watching what was around them rather than the other being, attempting to take it to memory as to not find himself lost the next time he ventured out; one day, he’d have this place scrawled to the back of hand. 

       “--Huh?”

   Head cants somewhat, eyes narrowing to judge what the boy meant--but in a moment, he realizes, a sheepish grin falling to features as fingers flex, almost nervously raising to pick the latex stuck to cheeks as well. 

       “I haven’t hurt myself, well--this one is new, but that’s ‘cause I tripped on the stairs.”

   Laughter bubbles, shoulders hiking and falling in a heavy shrug--honestly, often forgetting about the little patches of adhesive until they’re replaced with new again. 

       “What’s--a ‘track meet’? Do ye’ meet people on the track? Seems like an odd place to meet people.”

[volatium-blog]

❝ you know, i understand you have the characteristics of a canine but that doesn’t mean you have to pee on everything. ❞ a coy smile splits through friendly features, intentionally expressing that the basilaion was teasing the hound through falsely misheard words.

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]–

        “I don’t--I don’t pee on things, that only happened ONCE.”

   Tongue lulls from mouth, a rather CHILDISH display to show his displeasure with such an accusation. A soft huff, arms raised to cross tightly over chest, blued hues narrowing to the one who stood before him; a deep breath is taken, another lean forward before he’d dare speak again.

        “Pe-o-nis.”

[litcci]

@hellbarked​

“…You’re not lost, are you? You look lost.” Freshmen, honestly. At least he assumed the aimless stranger was one. His own problems navigating both campuses a year ago were still clear in his mind. 

A year should’ve been long enough to learn it was polite not to stare at others, especially given the nature of the institution. Not that it stopped him from scanning the redhead’s features through narrowed eyes, quite visibly at that.

Noticing his tactlessness, his hands sank into his trouser pockets. “Tell me where you’re headed, I’ll see what I can do.”

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]–

        “Eh--”

   A pause of steps, the hound’s previously slumped posture leveling out somewhat to the voice caught in ears, a tilt of head to the direction. Gaze focused to the one who seemed to be staring back, uncertainty of the others approach and why he was just--...staring. Brows knit, head rearing back somewhat with a shift of gaze, mouth agape as words struggled to escape.

         “Just a lil’ lost. Where is, uh--”

   Bandaged fingers dig to his own pocket, hastily pulling out a crumpled piece of paper, eyes scanning the page before he’d look to the student again, lips quirking in a sheepish grin.

         “The track? Ye’ know, the big--...round...running circle. With the field in the middle? The field! Where is the field?”

[volatium-blog]

❝ just out of sheer curiosity, what do you think is better: peonies or chrysanthemums? ❞

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]–

   A clear of throat, the Hound’s voice dropping some as hands cup around mouth, stance faltering to lean close to the other; gaze shifted right, then left, a faint grin curling to the corner of lips.

         “Peonis.”

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]–

        “Hey...”

   Voice trails to a mumble, crystal blues staring on with peaked interest; though, certainly not to the being beside him, no, but to what was held in HAND. Chin tilts upwards, nose scrunching with each sniff, attempting to get a whiff of whatever it was being consumed, the hound’s stomach in more control than his brain ever has been--

        “What are ye eating?”

[venerandus-blog]

@hellbarked

█║♚ THIS WAS AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER. she had been at the vet and she was getting her bestie all healed up from a rather intense battle over the yarn ball, when she decided that she and her friend needed a little walk around the area outside of her house. she got out of the house and let the fellow cat out behind her and everything was going fine until it’s mischevious nature kicked in and she ended up toppling over, falling flat on the floor and hitting her face into the dirt. she looked up.

there in the front of another shop was a rather mean looking man, who didn’t know he was about to be tailed down by her friend in a matter of a minute if she didn’t move from her spot. yvonne kicked to her feet and ran after her friend, a small chant escaping her lips as she tried to await refuge for what would happen in just a few moments to come.

                                   ❝ sergeant brastraps, NO !! ❞

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]–

   A quiet hum revs from vocals, eyes of calming seas focused upon the sign before him; head canted and confusion written over features. Still, was he not used to such an ODD place--the new people, buildings, teaching, and ways of life, even the shops were confusing enough. ‘Muffin Tops’, was this a bakery or a strip club? The display of treats in the windows told him the first, but still was he skeptical...

   Shaking his head a soft huff leaves lips, the hound leaned back on heels somewhat; palm resting to his stomach. Hmm. Hungry. Perhaps he’d go in and find out after all--

   Head perks, chin tilts as if to raise nose into the air, the faint sound of pitter-pattering feet not going unmissed by Miles. Shoulders hike with tension for but a moment before a breath releases it back out, slowly turning on heels as if to face where the sound was coming from, not to mention the frantic yelling that followers. Why was everyone here so LOUD?

   Eyes train to the feline running his direction, but a brow raised, lips quirked in a slight frown. A cat? What was it doing here all alone? Well--...a little bit alone, assuming the one tailing behind was the owner of said feline. 

          “...Shoo cat. Go back to yer owner.”

[illarozeb-deactivated20180730]

( The leisure atmosphere of Cryselle, so unlike her homeland, made her forgetful. She left her notebook in the classroom after extra lessons and fortunately, someone found it. ) 

“Uhm, if it’s not a trouble… ” Comment about the smell seemed to escape her attention, occupied with thoughts on how the other house looks like. ( She had heard that those from Kerberaen can be real beasts. But how much literally and figuratively that ‘beast’ is? )

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]– 

         “Follow me.”

   A lazy wave of hand signals the want for the other to come close; to catch his steps before sauntering back to the dorms, such that by now, the hound had familiarized himself with the path to and from. Head canters, gaze of blue set over shoulder slightly, thin brows raising in question before lips would part; hot breath falling from tongue.

         “Yer lucky I didn’t eat it.”

   A quip, one that seeps with amusement and a welcoming nature, despite the fact that she may not--exactly understand his humor at the time. What was most important, was that Miles got a laugh from himself.

         “If I would’a known guests were coming I would have tidied up.”

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]–

        “Aye, I got the notes back n’ my dorm--”

   A pause given from the hound, as if weighing his options momentarily; crystal blue eyes searching mindlessly.

         “Ye can come get them if you want, just, uh...don’t mind the smell.”

[volatium-blog]

concern masked the basilaion’s stance as he watched the other’s own contort with whatever emotional turmoil they experienced. it was… worrisome to say the least, the mumbling didn’t help their case much either. however the rise of a query did not come, not when heightened senses picked up on the scent that threatened to mask the dhampir’s own. ( plus he would have to be EXTREMELY dense to not realize that someone was trying to rub up on him. ) a grin sliced across the varias child’s face & although the two shared no common ground for even the slightest ounce of familiarity— he simply could not pass up the chance to toy with them. swift, yet elegant in motion, skylar encased the redheaded stranger in a bear hug. there did prove to be some challenge in this feat as the two were about the same height but it still would prove effective to what he needed done. 

NOW here came the entirely awkward part.

like an affectionate feline, he began to nuzzle against every expanse of the other’s face with his own to infect him with the scent that the canine was so desperate to try to mask. scent marking might have not been common to the basilaion race but this one wasn’t completely OBLIVIOUS to it: after all, he was friends with an individual who could transform into a tiger. 

❝ there much better, right? ❞ laughter rung from his core & the snake released his prey with little desire to actually devour him. just a HARMLESS TAUNT was more than enough to sate his fangs. 

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]– 

   Well--that certainly had not gone the way the pup expected it to go. A brush up of shoulders and a steam of embarrassment was to leave the boy walking, acting as if such an awkward touch had not been present; that it was ACCIDENTAL to their meeting. Yet, it seems he was not as sly as he had once thought. The feeling of arms coming for a crushing hug and feet attempting to be tugged from the ground left the hound to release a yelp, caught off guard by the sudden movements, crystal blues widened with fright that he may be in for PAIN rather than welcome--

   But then, the nuzzling of faces left him frozen, unblinking, unwilling to even breathe while such was brought on. There’s but a slight quirk of a grimace knowing that he’d been defeated--that in return his efforts were fruitless and now this stranger’s scent was coating features. Perhaps not quite understanding the reaction to his initial nudge, the hound was certainly puzzled beyond belief with the further taunting brought upon himself.

   Miles does not dare move until he’s once again released, staring blankly now to the boy before him; only but the shine of confusion clear within eyes. 

         “--...You,

                   caught...on...”

   Hes mortified by such, letting these odd INSTINCTS to be picked up by another individual, not to mention one that PLAYED ALONG--

         “Iamsosorry.”

[forticourd]

         The voice calling out to him unheard it had surprised Danny when the voice next to him popped up. Though the boy’s question left the speedster a bit concerned. Honestly he wasn’t the best person to be asking for directions. While the blonde had a bad habit of sneaking his way around the opposing school’s campus he wasn’t all that familiar with the layout. When he wasn’t messing around he’d walk around with a friend of his, who obviously knew the school grounds better than he. 

Even so the blonde gave a slight nod in response, waiting to see where it was the other needed to get to. His expression obviously relaxing as he was asked how to find the library. Luckily that was a place he’d been to on his own several times. 

“Thank god that’s what you wanted to know– I can show you the way.”

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]–

   Perhaps a bit PUZZLED to the comment to God; unsure if the other had thought something forlorn to spill, the hound still gives an eager nod of head, lips quirking in a grateful grin.

        “That would be grand, feel like I’ve been out ‘ere for hours.”

   Hours, minutes, who was really counting? With the size of such a campus he was certain he could in fact get lost for such a period of time, but seeing as luck shown and brought him to another who knew just where he needed to go, that day would not be today. Before the boy even begins a quip to begin the guidance a hand sticks out, warmed palms awaiting the acceptance of such.

        “Names Miles, don’t think I’ve seen you around this side of the campus before.”

[fcmeborn-deactivated20180620]

@hellbarked

Really, the cold weather shouldn’t have been as much of a bother for Isla as it was. Half-asleep and cranky, she trudged through the icy morning air with her scowl hidden behind the swaths of a thick scarf. As much as she longed to crawl back into her bed and waste away the hours with a good book, she had students waiting.

      Upon sitting down at her desk she found several sheets to mark, many needing to be done before classes today. Unfortunately for her, there was neither a pen nor pencil in sight. Hopefully the student walking past would have one. She all but sprinted out the door to catch him.

            “ Hold on! Hello! You! ”

      Not the best way to gain his attention, but it would have to do. She waved him down with her hand, forgetting that she hadn’t applied any glamour to them this morning. Rather than have her fingers covered in smooth, humanlike skin it was adorned with translucent webbing, finishing at the tips with tiny claws. 

            “ Oh, my god. Give me a moment. ” Within mere moments her hand changed. “ Better? Anyways, I desperately need to borrow a pen. You wouldn’t have one to spare, would you? ”

[hellbarked]

–[^ ☠ ^]– 

   Backs arches as hands lay rest upon hips, lips parted as to allow warmed breath to escape in a prolonged yawn; droplets prickling the corner of eyes as the mornings sleep washed away. Ah--the joys of college, forcing oneself to crawl out of bed at ungodly hours of the morning, drudge yourself to the nearest building to grab whatever was on the table for breakfast, then sit down in a classroom full of strangers and listen to a lecture for an hour and a half. How exciting. 

   Dark boots drag with a squeak against smooth flooring, shoulders hunched and head ducked as stance goes back to a zombified one--limp and unwilling to walk. Mornings really were the WORST--

        “--Huh?”

   As if woken from his walking slumber the hound’s body jolts, head raising and turning to take a quick glance to the voice called; a bleary gaze of crystal blue blinking, as if to clear his gaze and make sense of just what was waving him down. A hand--of course, one attached to a body no less, but an odd shaping and seeming connects throw a bit of a loop around his mind for but MOMENTS before it seems to vanish; leaving him all but puzzled, lips pressed in a thin line and gaze questioning.

         “A--...what?”

   Time passes before head shakes, reddened locks falling out of place as he seems to wake somewhat, realization hitting him of the need she requested.

         “Oh--ye need a pen. I got one somewhere...”

   Slipping a book-bag from over his shoulders hands dig around in the contents for a few moments, and no, a pen doesn’t seem to be in his grasp, but a pencil is pulled out instead--stubby, seemingly chewed on by some sort of canine, the object is held out in offering.

[mererecorder]

Woof by Abz-J-Harding