"Any updates?" she asked tiredly. Her voice was normally incredibly tranquil, almost as if she were in a dream, but right now, she sounded exhausted. Dark circles adorned her eyes and she tucked her helmet under her arm, her armor squeaking as it made contact with the metal. * * * "How's Lilith?" he asked gently, looking over at her. * * * She flushed before laughing, shaking her head. "I forgot that you've seen my house. Yeah. The music. My brother wants to be a famous musician, and so he holds rehearsals at our house and it's..." She sighed, although there was affection in the action. "...noisy, to say the least." * * * He looked up at her and his expression didn't change at all. In fact, he went completely still. "Hello, Lilith."
He watched her curiously. "No.. Are you okay?" *** She returned the gaze. "Nothing to worry about.. She's okay now." *** "I'm sorry to hear that," he replied. "Maybe you could stay at a friend's house." *** "I'm.. I'm sorry I got upset at you. I didn't want to argue."
She blinked in surprise, looking up at him with a wrinkled brow. "What? Yes, of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" * * * He nodded, leaning back on his arms. "Good. She deserves to be happy." * * * She pursed her lips before resting her head on her hand. "Asking a friend to let me stay with them because I can't control my own brother? I couldn't. It's alright, Cass. I'm fine." * * * His frown deepened and he sighed. "You don't need to explain yourself, Lilith. You said what you said. Let's just leave it."
"You look.. tired." *** She looked over at him curiously, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah." *** He raised an eyebrow. "Whatever you say." *** Her brows furrowed. "But you're mad at me. I don't want you to be mad at me. I want to be friends again."
"Oh, thanks," she said flatly, raising one eyebrow. * * * He frowned, meeting her gaze. "What?" * * * "Anyway... what are you doing here?" she asked, closing her book and folding her hands primly. * * * "Oh, I'm sure," he said flatly. "Are they giving you trouble at all? I can tell them to lay off you. God forbid people to make you feel like *squee!* for what you were born as."
He raised his hands dismissively. "In the best way!" *** She grinned. "Goofus." *** "I was going to study. Did you come to sleep?" *** She looked uncomfortable at that, fidgeting with her bag. "Sylas.."
She fixed him with her trademark stare, her eyebrow still raised. "Don't you know never to tell someone that they look tired?" * * * "Did you just call me a goofus?" * * * "In the library?" she asked almost playfully. "I'd never. This is sacred ground." * * * He shook his head. "You don't need to do this, Lilith. I get it."
He grinned. "Honesty is the best policy." *** "Yup." *** He rolled her eyes. "Uh huh. Sure it is." *** "I want to be your friend Sylas."
Her face relaxed and a hint of a smile crossed her lips. "I'm glad you think so. Have you confronted either of the students?" * * * "That's a problem." * * * "Do you want to study with me?" she asked, clearing some space. "We don't have to talk." * * * "Please, just... stop."
"No.. I don't know. I'm a little nervous." *** She grinned. "Is it?" *** He sat down, placing his books on the table. "Alright." *** "I'm serious," she said, her voice softening and she looked at the ground. "I want to be friends."
"Do you think we're confronting killers?" she asked, tilting her head. * * * "Oh, it totally is. I can't have a crush on a girl who says words like 'goofus'." * * * She scooted to the side, resting her head on her hand again as she opened the book. * * * He squinted at her before sighing. "I get that you feel badly, Lilith, but I get it. Your kind and my kind shouldn't be friends."
"Maybe..?" *** She squinted at him before sighing. "..I'm too cool for you anyways." *** He opened his book as well, reading through it thoughtfully. *** This agitated her and she glared at him. "You're the only one who cares about what stupid kind we are between the two of us! You could be a.. a," she clenched her fists, frustrated, "a goldfish for all I care! I'd still want to hang out with you."
"I don't think so," she said thoughtfully. "I think we're encountering two kids who are scared out of their minds." * * * "Oh, you totally are," he said casually, standing up and offering a hand. * * * After about half an hour, he would look up to see that Fina was asleep, her chin resting on her folded arms. * * * "I don't think that's true!" he snapped. "I think you're intrigued, but I'm not your... your... your charity!"
He frowned. "But why?" *** She took his hand and stood with a grin. "I know." *** He frowned, closing his book uncertainly. "Fina..?" *** "That's not how I see you," she said honestly, clasping her hands together. "I just wanted a friend." She hugged her bag tightly to her chest, looking small. "Someone to talk to."
"One whiz kid and a dolt aren't the masterminds to a murder on this level. Plus, I've learned to trust my gut." * * * "Ah, but see, a cool kid would never say that they know that they're cool. It has to be effortless." * * * She didn't reply, fast asleep. Her cheek was slightly squished from her arm, but her lips were slightly parted and her face was relaxed, with no worries plaguing her expression. * * * He sighed, looking down at her. "You have Theo, right? You talk to her. I still don't think I'm someone you want to get involved with."
"Should we confront them..?" *** She rolled her eyes. "Are you saying you don't think I'm cool?" *** He poked her forehead. "Fina?" *** She looked up at him. "I want to be your friend."
"I think so," she said with a shrug. "But what do I know? As you so kindly put it, I look tired." * ** "Oh, I think you're the coolest. I just think you need to learn how to manage it." * * * Her eyes flew open and the gold that stared at him was startling. "Did I fall asleep?" she asked, sitting up suddenly. * * * He sighed, looking down at her thoughtfully. "Okay, Lilith. We can be friends."
"That doesn't mean anything." *** She grinned. "Maybe." *** He blinked, tilting his head. "Yeah, you did." *** Her expression brightened and she touched his arm. It felt warm and happy. "Really? I was so sad that you were cross with me. This is better that we can be friends again."
"It completely does," she argued with a slight, but playful frown. "You think I look tired. That means you think I look bad. It's hurtful." * * * "Ooh, that's a cool response. Noncommittal. Suave. Mysterious." * * * She ran a hand through her hair, looking embarrassed. "Oh... sorry. That's... wow." * * * He still looked unhappy, but nodded tightly. "Yes, well, I'm glad you feel better."
"I don't think you look bad. Just tired." *** She grinned. "Uh huh. See, I got it." *** "Not the first time," he teased. *** She paused, noting his reaction. "I'm sorry."
