Absit Omen RPG
Role-Play Boards => More London Locations => London => Kings Cross Station => Topic started by: Aurora Bainsadottir on September 15, 2011, 06:37:50 PM
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Aurora was sitting with her back against the window with her knees propped up to hold her sketchbook in place. It was a familiar position to be in for her: as per usual one would find her under a tree doing the same thing. Sketching was were outlet of creative energy, and on the ride to London, it was much needed.
Pausing a moment in her fierce scribbling to look around the compartment, she felt a little lonely. Usually, this never bothered her, as she was a classic lone wolf, as it were. However, since Vulpes had left upon setting his stuff down for something he needed to do; it had been several minutes, and she was still in the empty compartment.
Sighing and continuing her drawing of Vulpes, she waited anxiously for his return.
The summer with Vulpes will be amazing.
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Outift (http://www.polyvore.com/vulpes_casual/set?id=36690524)
Glad that things had, for the most part, gone well with Casey, Vulpes skipped his way back up the train, doing his best not to run into anyone. This wasn't exactly an easy task, as plenty of students were loitering in the aisles of the train. Quite lucky that he and Aurora had managed to find their own compartment. And that since she was generally a loner, it was unlikely anyone would have bothered her.
Finally reaching their compartment, Vulpes gently opened the door and slipped inside, closing it with a click. Unsurprisingly he saw his friend with her sketchbook out, leaning her back against the window. Cheerfully he sat down at the end of the same seat as her, and propped his feet up on the opposite seats. With a happy sigh, he slouched and ran a hand through his long hair.
"Back from my mission," he said in a light tone. "Whatcha been up to while I was away?" Vulpes turned and smiled at Aurora.
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Rory's Outfit, yo (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=37106958)
Aurora looked up as Vulpes entered the compartment. Smiling brightly, she stopped sketching briefly and watched as he settled down on the same seat as her. "Hey, I was just about to send out a search party," she joked lightly and let out a contented sigh.
"Well, first I published a best-seller, then I hopped over to Mount Everest and took my fifth go at it. Then I visited the Great Wall of China, where I saved a little boy from a Hungarian Horntail, and then I just dug my way through the center of the earth until I climbed back into this compartment." she said evenly with a quirk of a smile. Since meeting Vulpes, Aurora had become more comfortable with making jokes and having lighthearted fun.
"And I still had time to make three masterpieces before you showed up." she added with a small smile.
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"Why was a Hungarian Horntail in China?" Vulpes asked with a straight face, yet playful tone. It was nice that after what had happened a few weeks prior that they were still able to joke and laugh as if nothing had happened. Of course, in the time since then he'd also realized how he felt about her. Not that he could actually say it. "But still," he continued, ignoring his thoughts "Sounds like you had a good time. Let me borrow the time turner?"
Smiling, Vulpes nodded at the sketchbook. "Do I get to see any of these works of art?" he asked happily. It still amazed him how well Aurora could draw anything. "Or is it private?"
With a wink, Vulpes pulled his headphones off from around his neck and set them in the space between Aurora's feet and himself. For some reason he felt uncomfortable with them on. Perhaps it was the thought that at any moment they would start playing music that conveyed his feelings, but really it could have been anything.
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Aurora giggled lightly and held out her sketchbook to Vulpes. It was a picture of him with his headphones on, making a face and conducting as if in a symphony. On the pages before it were various scenes of Vulpes doing back-flips, dance-moves and other parkour skills. Some were just of him spacing out, thinking about rainbows no doubt, or just looking at Aurora with a certain gleam in his eye.
"I'm so excited to go to Egypt. Eric keeps gushing about meeting you in the letters he sends me. It's now doubled each week since I told him about you." she said in amusement with a chuckle. Aurora had only ever been to Iceland and around London, and she was looking forward to exploring a foreign territory. Knowing that her best friend would be there with her every step of the way was comforting. It would make everything all the while amazing.
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Vulpes quirked an eyebrow as he took the sketchbook from Aurora. Impressive, really. She captured his likeness rather well, he thought, especially the hair, considering it consistently kept it's messy look. He let out a laugh when he came to a picture of himself hanging upside down by one leg from a tree. That was a fun day, he ended up falling but recovering with a handspring.
Turning the page his smile evaporated into a much more thoughtful, if not slightly surprised look. Here he was, just looking up at himself with a certain gleam. Vulpes blushed slightly recalling the instance in which he had that expression. It was the day after they kissed, and he thought about what she actually meant to him.
Vulpes gave a small cough and handed the sketchbook back to Aurora, struggling to catch the words she said. "Won't he be disappointed," he said with a smile "I'm really a bore after all." Laughing slightly, Vulpes nodded. "But Egypt should be fun, yea? See what other wizarding and Muggle cultures are like. Exotic foods and locales," Vulpes sighed happily and rest his hands behind his head.
"And then after that trip, you get to meet my absurdly huge family. My mother is very excited to meet you as well."
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Moseying was Huxley's transportation method of choice. He didn't want to appear like he actually was in a hurry to get anywhere. Huck's intention was to mosey past the compartment containing the two biggest skinny-jeans doofuses in the whole school, but Vulpes's last sentence managed to fumble its way out of the compartment and into the (mostly hollow) space between Huxley's ears.
Huck himself came from an absurdly large family. He remembered Aurora mentioning something or other about how big Vulpes's family was, and- always one for a good round of one-upmanship- Huck had been very interested to pin down the number.
Floating into the doorframe fairly quietly, like a stalking cat, Huxley folded his arms. "Meeting Headphones's mum, Sweden?" he asked smugly. "You're in for a treat. Very accommodating lady. Lost my virginity the first time I met her."
Examining a hangnail casually, he then pressed on. "How big's your family then, Robert Smith? I'm ready to be impressed."
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Aurora noticed Huxley trying to sneak in like a shadow, but didn't bother looking up at him or acknowledging his existence. Inside, however, her nerves were high strung, and every millisecond that passed made her face twitch. When he started talking, however, that's when she decided it would be pointless to pretend as if he weren't there.
Looking up at him disinterestedly, she kept a blank expression, biting her tongue to keep from doing or saying anything that would humor him. That is, until he insulted Vulpes's mom.
"No one asked for your insufferable presence. So why don't you just slither on back to that cesspool of your own business and muck up someone else's day." she said flatly, eyes narrowing slightly.
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Noticing only the slight shift in light, Vulpes turned his blue eyes to the door. Huxley. Good lord, why in the world was he bothering the two of them. Was he really that stupid? Giving an inaudible sigh, Vulpes lowered his arms ready to tell him off in the politest way possibly.
"Meeting Headphones's mum, Sweden? You're in for a treat. Very accommodating lady. Lost my virginity the first time I met her."
Vulpes froze, blinking once as the words registered in his head. 'Are you serious? Does he want me to gut him like a trout?' Anger began boiling up inside him, which concerned Vulpes a great deal because he'd never lashed out at anyone in front of Aurora before.
A twitch of a smile crossed his lips as Aurora flatly told Huxley to piss off. Vulpes waved a dismissive hand. "Nah, it's okay, Aurora," he said in an oddly cruel voice. "'I' m sure if he'd actually slept with anyone he'd be bragging about it nonstop to everyone withing listening distance." Vulpes gave Aurora a wink.
"Besides," he continued in a pointed tone, "Unlike the women in his family who can't keep their legs closed for more then five minutes, the ones in mine actually have standards." Vulpes leered at Huxley, relishing in the cruelty that emanated from his mouth. "It's a wonder your sisters aren't with children."
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Huck gripped his heart in mock devastation at Vulpes's first comment. "Oh, ouch, buddy," he laughed. "Look, I might talk a lot of shite but I'm not the kinda guy to bang and tell, contrary to popular belief. And I sure don't have anything to prove to a froot loop like you on the subject."
However, as the rest of his verbal assault left his lips, cold as ice, Huxley narrowed his eyes. A sensation not unlike a cold sweat seemed to wash over him, and the furious intensity with which his blood now seemed to flow made it very hard to remember who and what he was. He paused, trying to figure out if the events of the last thirty seconds had actually transpired.
"...What did you just say to me?" he asked in disbelief. "The fuck did you just say to me, you little shit?"
His wand would have been the best first choice as far as dealing damage, but he was in no mental state to make such leaps.
His "Slytherin Brute" instincts took over full-force, and before he knew what he was doing he was almost the entire way across the compartment, grabbing a fistful of Vulpes's collar and hauling off as hard as he could to attempt to break every bone in the other boy's face.
(For irony's sake, we must make the conciliation that Veronica was, in fact, at the very same moment, getting trashed on stolen firewhiskey in another compartment.)
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Aurora's eyes widened at Vulpes's words. She had never heard him so sly or seen him so angry. It was a bright contrast to his usual lighthearted and carefree nature. Aurora was getting angrier by the second, listening to Huxley's rebuttal. Once he bypassed the swearing and actually made a move on Vulpes, however, there were no words to describe how she felt.
Before she knew it, she shot up as if she were on fire and grabbed the arm Huxley was about to hit Vulpes with. Twisting it behind his back, she wrenched away Huxley's other hand that gripped Vulpes's collar and used momentum to push both of them far from Vulpes. In a blur, she had bashed Huxley against the window, and now had her right forearm across his throat, holding him back, while his left arm twisted awkwardly behind his back and his right arm was held firmly by Aurora's left.
She stared up at him with fire in her eyes and jaw set. With years of training, she had him in an immovable state. He won't be able to wriggle his way out until Aurora let him.
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If Huxley were in any other House (except Gryffindor), or if he was much more intelligent, Vulpes would be mildly surprised at this move. But, because he was, at least as far as Vulpes could tell, a fairly dim-witted Slytherin it came to no surprise nor any concern. His hand on his wand, Vulpes was about ready to swipe it out and non-verbally hit the fool in the chest with Verdimillious.
But luckily for Huxely, Aurora stepped in. Quickly, efficently, she removed him from Vulpes who merely marveled at the ability she had. She wasn't kidding when she said knew martial arts. Not that Vulpes had really doubted her. Giving a large, wicked grin, Vulpes clapped slowly. "Thank you, m'dear," he said, nodding to Aurora.
Then he turned to Huxley. "Goodness, you are easy to play aren't you," Vulpes said evilly before giving a short, malicious cackle. This was good. The boy went crazy over such small jabs. "How pathetic," he spat. "And after all that talk about how one shouldn't take things so seriously? My, my, my...."
Again Vulpes laughed wickedly. "If you're going to dance, you should be prepared for the steps, don't you think? Or did you expect me not to bite back?" Smiling another evil smile, Vulpes slowly shook his head.
"Aurora," he said, voice oddly calm and light. "Please, let him go. I'd prefer you didn't get in trouble over the likes of him."
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Knocked back hard against the window, Huck coughed in surprise. She looked dinky enough but somehow there was a pair of gunboats tucked in her sleeves. Jeezum crow! He made a mental note to always cart about a cricket bat with him and keep one eye on her at all times.
The surprise had, at least to some degree, brought his rage level down from berserker to merely Hellfire. Aurora might as well have been a fencepost for the amount that he was able to register her as taking part in the events.
"Big man," he remarked, struggling against the girl. "Must feel pretty good to let an ugly bint fight your battles for you, huh?"
Really, sitting there, telling Aurora to let him go, Vulpes looked to Huxley like the worst kind of Slytherin- rich, cowardly, cruel, and unwilling to do things for himself. "When this hot butch mess lets me go I'm gonna knock your teeth through the back of your head, Connor," he promised. "If anyone wanted to screw your haggard-arse family I'm sure you'd have more relatives than the handful of inbred hipsters you've got getting uglier and more pretentious every generation."
My mistake for mentioning my weaknesses to him, he thought angrily.
Finally snapping into reality, he gave a shove as hard as he could to Aurora in an attempt to break free. "Get off, you disgusting pest, I don't want to catch your body lice."
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Aurora kept Huxley there for good measure. Yes, why don't I let you go so you can smash his teeth in. Idiot. she thought bitterly.
"You know, there are names for scum like you." she said lowly to Huxley. "Coward, hypocrite, fool. Those are just a few. You talk a big game when insulting others families, but when someone shoots one back at you then it's suddenly not okay. How do you expect to say stuff like that and not be answered with something equally horrendous, hm?" she got closer to his face as she spoke. Aurora was furious, and while her expression remained blank, her auburn eyes seemed to burn.
"If you so much as breathe an unfriendly word to him again, not hell nor high water will keep me from doing you in." she added darkly and let him go. Stepping back, she kept a steady eye on Huxley in case he made another move.
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Still rather amused by the ridiculousness of the situation, Vulpes prepared another retort. However, the logic kicked in and told him to stop. If he didn't this would get out of hand. So instead he merely rolled his eyes at Huxley's comment that implied cowardice. Ironic that Huxley would call him such when he himself attempted to attack Vulpes in a cowardly fashion. If there was fighting to be had, they could simply have a civilized duel. Not that it mattered, for Vulpes had enough combat training that he was confident he could best Huxley.
Vulpes smirked and raised a hand signifying his agreement with Aurora. Some people really couldn't think, and they always tried to make themselves look good when caught. Finally seeing Aurora let the imbecile go, Vulpes placed his wand lightly in his lap, hand gently wrapped around it.
"Don't call her ugly, or anything else," Vulpes said with a sigh. "And Aurora, don't worry about me. I've fought more impressive foes than this." With a smirk he added: "Though I appreciate your desire to slaughter him." Giving a short laugh Vulpes gestured to the seat. "C'mon Aurora, we were having such a lovely conversation before we were intruded upon. Let's just pretend this whole mess didn't happen," he said calmly to her.
"Just like the classroom."
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Huck cocked an eyebrow and didn't move from his spot on the window where he was no longer pinned. Were these two so out of touch with reality that they actually thought his comment was anywhere near as bad as Vulpes's? He was more confused than anything, at that point. "I made a 'your mum' joke," he said slowly. "You made a joke about my very underage sisters having sex. I fail to see the comparison."
Seriously. Everybody made 'your mum' jokes. And everybody with a lick of sense knew that they were meant to sound horrible but were obviously not true. He supposed it was something one learned when one had people to interact with. Being permanently alone surely had its effect on one's ability to rationalize the appropriateness of a joke.
And he was still furiously angry, but he was also incredibly surprised. He had seen a bitter, cynical, cold side of Vulpes Connor that he had no idea existed up until that point. It was spooky. It was Slytherin in the worst sense of the word. Calculated. Even when the slightly older boy had gone off on him in the common room a week ago, he had been angry, not ice cold and vaguely evil.
The compartment felt several degrees chillier suddenly.
"Well, at least now I know why you two haven't got any friends," he said with raised eyebrows. "Congratulations. I'm off to be with mine."
He stalked out of the compartment rubbing his neck. He was going to have a bruise there. He prayed no one would mistake it for a hickey.
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Aurora stood there, watching with narrowed eyes as Huxley left. The silence that followed from his leave made even Aurora's skin crawl. After a moment staring at the closed compartment door she allowed herself to sit down on the edge of the seat. For some reason, she was very uncomfortable.
The whole encounter with Huxley went by so fast that she sat there for what seemed like hours, letting everything sink in so she can analyze the situation. She hunched over slightly, clutching her midsection as if to keep her jumble of nerves in place. Staring off into space, her surroundings became lost: every little sound white noise, every image a blur.
Aurora had diffused the bomb that was Huxley's rage. She prevented him from bashing her best friend's skull in. For that, she was relieved. One of her worst fears had been subdued because of her years of training.
Then why did she feel unexpectedly ashamed?
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Vulpes sneered at Huxley as he left. What an idiot. He really didn't comprehend the difference between joking with friends, and insulting enemies, did he? Letting out a sigh, Vulpes relaxed and leaned back against the seat. He began to feel sick. It was never something he liked doing, saying such mean things to people.
He turned to look at Aurora, who seemed to be recovering from shock. "I'm sorry," Vulpes said softly, lifting his legs up onto the seat and resting his head on his knees. "I wish you didn't have to see that. But I can't help myself sometimes," he sighed. "Thank you for stepping in though. But next time it may be better to let him hit me," Vulpes offered a small smile.
"Are you all right?"
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Snapping out of her reverie at the sound of Vulpes's concern, she looked at him gingerly. Like a force of a hurricane the previous words spoken by him hit her all at once.
"Wait," she said, trying to sort through her thoughts and make sense of it all. Standing up suddenly, she stumbled a little, crashing into the window with her shoulder, the reverberations sounding much more excessive than it really was. When did she have trouble on her feet before now?
Shutting her eyes tightly, trying to drown out her other senses (which were on overdrive), she focused all her might on everything that had happened. Why was she having such an ordeal over this? In retrospect, it really wasn't that big of a deal.
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Vulpes gave a slight nod when Aurora told him to wait. But seeing her stumble, he bolted up out of his seat. "Rory?" he asked concerned, stepping next to her. Gently Vulpes placed a consoling hand on her shoulder. He feared a great many things now. What if she didn't want to talk to him anymore because of that? What if she could never look at him the same?
"Maybe you should sit back down?" he offered weakly. "Or... or get some fresh air?" Vulpes glanced at the window and thought of opening it slightly. Now that he thought about it, he could use some himself.
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Aurora flinched at Vulpes's touch. When did he move? Keeping her eyes shut, she nodded slightly at his offer for some fresh air.
Why was she so out of sorts? It wasn't due to anything Vulpes did, no. Aurora was ashamed of herself for resorting to such means, even though the cause was justified. She had been taught discipline and patience above all else, though when her best friend was threatened, she just lost it. It wasn't a feeling she was accustomed with: losing control was a scary thought for Aurora.
She wondered at what lengths she would have gone to protect Vulpes. Suddenly, the smell of lemongrass and clary sage filled her senses. It was the signature scent of Vulpes: a smell that she had grown to very much adore. Much like the person who wore it...
Without care nor another thought, something welled up inside her, driving her to do something really reckless. Something that didn't make sense in the slightest. Something that she had subconsciously never allowed herself to venture into.
Opening her eyes briefly only to determine the course, she pulled Vulpes toward her by the collar of his sweater and craned her neck for a better angle.
Yes, Aurora kissed him. But it wasn't like their first kiss in the empty classroom, which was soft and understated. This kiss was eager, fiery, passionate and even a little wanton.
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For a moment, Vulpes merely stood wide eyed in shock. She was kissing him. And he was loving every second of it. Feeling his face heat up considerably, Vulpes wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her closer, and kissed her back; the smell of lavender filling his sense.
It was strange. Vulpes wondered, hoped, dared to dream, that Aurora felt the same way as he did. That there was a chance they would be together. Should he ask her out now, or should he wait. Maybe now would be too soon, would be rushing it. They had all summer after all, Vulpes supposed he could wait a little longer to see.
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Aurora's heart thudded rapidly in her chest, beating in her ears like no one's business. She had never felt this way before: it was both thrilling and confusing. To have this much passion was overwhelming. It was a sharp contrast to the kiss earlier that month, that was for sure.
As he pulled her closer, she felt her heart soar to new heights, momentarily relieved he didn't push her away. She raised her left arm up to his face, threading her fingers in his hair, drawing him closer (if that were possible) and clutching his collar as if to hold on to dear life.
Delving deeper into the kiss, she let out a soft moan as their lips melded together like puzzle pieces. Everything was hot so very suddenly for Aurora as she kissed him even more hungrily.
Every logical part of her seemed to be incapacitated, for whatever reason.
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Every sense Vulpes had seemed to amplify, the entire world seemed much brighter. He let out a sigh of ecstasy as he felt Aurora's fingers graze his cheek and entwine themselves in his hair, loving the feeling of her touch. This was a sensation he'd never felt before, but was now hungry for more.
A part of him wanted to stop, to find out what had spurred on the sudden affection. But it was drowned in the joy of the moment. For a moment longer he continued to kiss her back, finally pulling back slightly. Vulpes kissed her neck before smiling warmly at her, eyes burning with life.
"And what brought this on?" he whispered happily, meeting her gaze. "Not that I mind." Which was the truth after all. Vulpes could get used to the idea.
-
Aurora felt thoroughly disappointed when Vulpes pulled away, but the kiss on the neck sent shivers down her spine. She was tempted to disregard what he was saying and just pull him back to her and kiss the living daylights out of him, but she merely gazed at him curiously. Eyes half-lidded from the dizzying kiss they shared, it was hard to fully focus.
Breathing slowly returning to normal, Aurora suddenly realized how close they were to each other. How did her body become pressed up against his so harshly? Why was he holding her waist possessively, and she gripping him for dear life? None of this made sense. It was as if she were possessed by some other entity, only to be brought back to reality in a situation she didn't control.
Vulpes. I kissed Vulpes. No, almost devoured his face is more like it. she realized in horror, mentally yelling every curse word in both English and Icelandic. How can she be so stupid? "Oh, Maker, Vulpes..." she whispered so softly it was almost inaudible. She looked away, shamefaced.
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Vulpes frowned slightly in confusion at Aurora's reaction. She seemed oddly uncomfortable for someone who had just kissed him so passionately. Regaining his smile, Vulpes gently reached a hand up and turned her face back to his. "What's wrong?" he asked dreading the answer.
Something inside him said this wouldn't end the way he hoped it would.And that was a painful thought. Girls certainly were hard to understand. Vulpes let out a small sigh, smile faltering slightly. "Is this going to be another thing we're supposed to pretend never happened?" he asked in a voice that hinted dejection.
"Because I'm not sure I can pretend anymore..."
-
Aurora felt her heart breaking listening the the tone of his voice. She refused to look at him even when he turned her head. She had never felt so awkward and out of place than in that moment. How could she tell him it was a mistake, and that it would be best if they just forgot about it?
"Because I'm not sure I can pretend anymore..."
Aurora looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean by that?" she asked warily. Is he rejecting their friendship? Her heart beat rapidly as worry sunk in. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! I can't lose him! Dammit, Aurora, what have you gotten yourself into?
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"I just mean..." Well this was it. Moment of truth. And by the way she was acting it would be a rather painful one. Vulpes sighed. "I just mean I don't want to pretend I don't have these feelings anymore..." he said quietly. Unable to stand the closeness of their forms he pulled back slightly, unwrapping his arms and letting them fall to his side.
"But," he continued, running a hand through his hair (and subtly making Aurora to take hers away from his head). "But I can already tell from your tone you don't fell the same." Vulpes felt himself shaking slightly, could hear it in his voice, and took a step back, turning his back to Aurora and focusing on the upper right corner of the compartment.
He felt like crying, but did his best to keep himself composed, and his voice from shaking. "It's fine though," Vulpes said in an eerily calm sounding voice.
-
Aurora stared at him for what felt like an eternity. She couldn't breathe. This couldn't be true. Vulpes had feelings for her? Since when? What about Murphy?
She then realized what damage she caused by kissing him. Feeling as if she were going to be sick, she slowly and awkwardly sat on the seat opposite the one they shared. "Vulpes, I," she started, voice cracking, she kept her eyes on him, but he didn't look at her. "I didn't know..." she said lamely, biting her bottom lip so hard it broke the skin. "I'm so, so sorry, I..." trailing off, she couldn't find the words to describe what guilt she felt.
"If I knew, I wouldn't have..." she shook her head lazily, hunching over slightly, clutching her midsection like before. "I don't know why I did it. There's no excuse, and I'm so, so, so sorry."
For the first time since her mother died, she was on the verge of tears.
-
Vulpes shrugged and shook his head slightly, eyes still transfixed on the upper corner of the compartment. Feeling a tear start to roll down his cheek, he casually lifted a hand to wipe it away, making it look as he merely had an itch.
"It's fine," he repeated in a hollow voice. Really it wasn't. What difference did it make whether or not she knew? She had kissed him. That's not something people who are supposed to be just friends do. What exactly did she expect him to think. "Don't worry about it," he sighed.
A choice was made in his mind. Vulpes decided not to worry about it, to try not to think about it. This wasn't something he was willing to throw a friendship away for. So, once again pretending as best he could that he was okay, he turned back around and smiled his best smile before taking a seat next to Aurora.
"Stuff happens."
-
Aurora forced herself to fight back the tears threatening to spill over her lids. Taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm her nerves, she avoided eye contact with Vulpes as he sat next to her. Maker, he's trying to act like everything's fine, I can tell. It's times like these that I hate having a knack for reading people. It would make things so much easier if I was oblivious.
Taking a deep sigh, she decided that it would be best not to linger on the subject, lest it ruin their friendship. Vulpes clearly wanted to leave it be, so that's what she would do. If it meant acting as if nothing happened from now on, then so be it. Aurora would rather endure a lifetime of awkwardness than lose him.
Nodding quickly, she turned her head to give him a sheepish smile. "I would never do anything to hurt you." Not on purpose, anyway. she corrected herself mentally and forced herself to put up a wall. "You're my best friend and you mean the world to me. I'm sorry I lost it like that."
-
Vulpes waved a hand dismissively. "I know, it's okay," he said calmly, not really bothering to meet her gaze. In truth he knew she wouldn't ever purposefully want to hurt him. The fact that she did was just a by product of the passion. She didn't mean it. It just happened.
With a sigh Vulpes crossed his arms and leaned back into the seat. What a mess this was going to be now. He wasn't even sure what she was thinking about him, she never did say. But that wasn't something Vulpes was overly eager to find out as it seemed likely she herself was unsure.
Best not to push it.
So instead Vulpes did his best to change the subject. "Eventful train ride so far," he said casually. "You never did tell me why a Horntail was in China."
-
Aurora sighed in relief at the change in conversation. "Well, you see, something that no one knows about Horntails is that they have an affinity for bamboo. China, as you know, is chock-full of bamboo. The kid I saved had a bouquet of bamboo sticks. And the Horntail was hungry." she shrugged lightly and gave a small smile.
Well, things are starting to go well,
"At least Huckleberry knows I wasn't kidding when I told him I knew Martial Arts. He'll think twice before trying anything else," she joked lightheartedly. "It's a shame, though. We had ended on such good terms after detention." she sighed dramatically with a mock frown.
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Vulpes laughed slightly. "I'll remember that next time I go carrying a forest of bamboo." Thank God she went along with the subject change. Much better than sitting here awkwardly trying to sort out their emotions (they could always do that later, when they didn't risk being over heard).
Upon hearing Huxley's name Vulpes rolled his eyes. "Yea, well, I'm sure you're better off without him," he said calmly. "Plenty of other, nicer, smarter, useful, humble... this list goes on for a while, but my point is there are better people you can be friends with." Vulpes gave Aurora a smile before letting his eyes wander around the room.
For a few seconds they watched the world go by outside the train. But with everything that had gone on, it couldn't seem to hold his attention. So slowly, Vulpes found himself eying his bag, and more importantly, his journal.
'I bet the universe would love to hear about this,' he thought idly.
-
Aurora chuckled at his remark and glanced at her feet. "I don't need anymore friends. I have an amazing one right here who puts up with me and makes things better. Huckleberry can go jump off a cliff for all I care." she said simply.
Of course, that last part wasn't true, but she knew he wouldn't take it seriously. She felt the need to talk about all that had transpired. To whom, though, was an obstacle all its own. Talking to Vulpes was out of the question, of course. She didn't want to muddy things up anymore between them.
Should I tell Eric about all this? I never told him about our first kiss in the classroom. What would he think? How would he react? Would he forbid me to see Vulpes? Would he help me out?
-
Vulpes quirked an eyebrow. "True," he said calmly, referring to her comment about how he was as a friend. "But, I'd assume there are somethings you wouldn't be able to talk to me about, that you could with someone else." VUlpes gave a slight shrug. "Besides, it's always nice to have a few people you know you can rely on."
The whole time he spoke his eyes never left his bag. It was odd wanting to write his thoughts out so badly. He never had felt the urge to before, not even the first time such an instance happened. It usually seemed that he found himself jotting something down, not even remembering what he wrote most of the time.
Finally giving into his temptation, Vulpes stood and reached up onto the top rack where his bag was, opening it and slipping out his journal. "Sorry," he said facing Aurora and sitting across from her. "I just need to jot something down really quick."
-
Aurora raised her eyebrows at Vulpes's sudden movement. That's his journal. He probably needs to let out his frustrations as well. I might as well do the same thing, she thought and stood up with a chuckle.
"Yeah, me too." she said lightly and reached up to her own bag on the rack, ignoring the fact that she had to reach right in front of Vulpes's face, and brought it down. Sitting back down, she pulled out her journal and began scribbling furiously.
After she was done, she took a deep sigh and crossed over to her sketchbook, suddenly wanting to tear open a new page. She took the seat opposite Vulpes again, not wanting to make things more awkward. Or worse, be tempted to do something else stupid.
-
Finally content that he had written out the thoughts that haunted him, Vulpes closed his journal with a snap and tossed it on the seat next to his headphones. Giving a small sigh, he glanced back across the compartment to see Aurora sketching away. He wondered what she was drawing this time and secretly wished it was another picture of him.
Deciding against his own arrogance, Vulpes turned his eyes out the window and watched as the country side passed by. Unsure of how long it had been since they left, he glanced up at the sun, seeing it high in the sky. Deducing that it must be near lunch time, Vulpes noticed that he was suddenly hungry, and turned his head towards the door.
"How long until lunch do you think?" he asked, more as a way to break the silence than anything else.
-
Aurora jumped a little in her seat at the sound of Vulpes's voice. She was really skittish for some reason. Biting her bottom lip, but wincing at the unexpected sharp stinging, she remembered that she had bitten into her skin a few minutes ago. Sticking her tongue out slightly to check her lips, the taste of sweet copper indicated that it was now bleeding.
"Uh, soon, I should think." she said casually and looked at the door nervously.
She didn't like to admit it, but there was a definite shift in their friendship. Once so easily affectionate and close (both figuratively and literally), now they sat at opposite ends of the same compartment, and attempted small talk. It was never something they had to work for. They clicked so naturally and freely that it seemed at times as if they were made for each other. Strictly platonic, of course.
Licking her lips free of blood, she thought about using magic to heal her lip but decided against it. I don't deserve to be content.
-
"Sure hope so," Vulpes said, turning to face Aurora "Never knew kissing made one so hungry," he smiled in spite of himself. Although he remembered that they were supposed to be pretending nothing happened, Vulpes couldn't help but make a joke about the two having some connection.
He was about ready to apologize for saying it, actually, when he was a glint of red on Aurora's lips. Everything seemd to come back to those, lately. Vulpes frowned and leaned forwards. "Are you... bleeding?" He sighed and moved to sit next to her, eying her lips to get a better view.
"Uh... want me to fix that for you?" he offered.
Not waiting for a reply, Vulpes went to reach for his wand, but remembered that it was in his lap before he stood to comfort Aurora. Panicking about it's current whereabouts, Vulpes looked down and saw it sitting on the floor, halfway under the seat. Quickly he plucked it up and turned back to Aurora.
"Unless you'd rather do it yourself?"
-
Aurora's eyes widened at the comment about kissing making one hungry. Maker, I thought we were going to pretend nothing happened. she thought nervously, effectively ignoring what he said and looked down at her drawing without seeing it. Her mind was so clouded up that when she started she didn't even know what it was she was drawing.
Her stomach lurched as he noticed the blood on her lips. No, just leave it alone, please. she thought hopelessly as he offered to heal it. How was she supposed to say that she wants it to stay that way without sounding insane?
"No, Vulpes, it's okay. It doesn't even hurt. I don't mind it," she said lightly, trying to avoid eye contact in case he could see through her lies. He's so close now, I can smell his body wash. Maker, not this again, just breathe through your mouth. Think about dead hedgehogs. But then that last thought made her frown in sadness.
No, not hedgehogs. Just think about hiking through the backwoods at Eric's house and all the wildlife. Summer is a great time for birdwatching. Stop! You're not making any sense. Get out of your head, idiot. Get out! Now!
-
Vulpes gave a small sigh and slid his wand back into his belt. "Well... if you're sure..." he said weakly, confused as to why she'd rather just let herself bleed. Feeling oddly defeated, he inched his way to the the side, not wanting to be too close physically. Silently, he watched as Aurora seemed to be having a mental debate with herself.
Again he sighed, and eyed the door. "Would it be better if I left for a bit?" Vulpes asked quietly, just now thinking that maybe it would be best to just leave her alone. The thought made him feel sick inside, but he didn't want to impress upon her.
"Or I could just shut up..." he added in a tone that was much more bitter than he meant it to be.
-
Aurora shook her head quickly and finally looked at him. "No, that's the last thing I want," she said sincerely: its meaning in more than one sense. We just need to make it through this train ride and then collect ourselves once at home before we see each other again, right?
"Why don't we play chess? I have a feeling I will actually finish a game this time." she said with a huge grin. Yes, Aurora, just pretend. For both our sakes. she told herself, burying the last of the unwanted thoughts and feelings deep, deep down. It was as if she never kissed him. It was as if Vulpes hadn't confessed his feelings for her.
It was as if everything was back to normal.
Right?
-
It was nice to know she still wanted him around. Vulpes nodded slightly and stood, once again reaching into his bag. Luckily, this time he knew exactly where the board was and pulled it out without having to send the searchlights. Wordlessly he placed the bored on the seat between the two and set the pieces.
When he was finished he looked up and smiled, hoping everything would go back to normal.
[End]