Ｙｏｋａｉ Ａｃａｄｅｍｙ| Ａｎ Ａｄｖａｎｃｅｄ Ｒｏｌｅｐｌａｙ discussion

The West Forest, sometimes called the dark forest. This one is shrouded in dark vibes, and bad things happen here. It's become kind of an academy rule that no one should be here, unless they want to die. But no one listens to the rules.

Markaus stumbled along after Daemon, his acute night vision allowing him to see each branch and miss it narrowly. He didn't mind that he was getting dragged around in the dark, bad forest, with a demon who was supposed to be playing watchdog. The teacher shrugged, not minding the childlike idea, "Hey, as long as you don't kill me, we could have a tea party for all I care." He nodded. "Keep leading."

He knit his brows together, glancing up at Markaus. "Why would I kill you? Why do you have it in your head that I would want to kill you?" He muttered, raising an eyebrow and heaving a sigh. "Ha. There we go." He murmured, pointing ahead. There was a waterfall up ahead, no higher than 30 feet, rather narrow as well. Daemon approached it, tightening his grip on Markaus' hand rather than releasing him. "It's behind the waterfall. Cliche, right?" He grinned, leading him back. "How sure footed are you?"

"Sorry, kid. Don't take it personally." Markaus shrugged under his heavy fur coat. "If you grew up in my shoes, you just expect the worst in people." The Russian's eyes glinted in the dark, taking in his surroundings. The sound of the rushing waters invaded his senses and he sniffed, huffing out a puff of air. "Pretty sure footed. I can handle myself. Keep going." He rushed through, ducking in through the waterfall, letting his eyes adjust.

He smirked slightly, following Markaus through the waterfall. On the other side was a small passage, which was blocked off by a bunch of pieces of wood nailed together, and a sign that said, in messy scrawl - 'Wrath's place. No Lucifer, and NO GIRLS.' Obviously he'd been much younger when he'd written it. There was a much smaller door cut into the wall, and he pushed it open, ducking to walk inside. The cave itself was rather large, maybe four classrooms combined, and was at least two stories high. It was dark, but Dae clapped his hands and torches along the walls, along with lanterns strung along the ceiling, came to life, illuminating the place in a dull, warm glow. He had a pile of furs in one corner that served as his 'bed', and basically there was just piles of crap everywhere, stuff he considered to be interesting. Cool rocks, bits of metal, and other little things. He sighed, looking around, and frowned. It was a lot messier than he'd hoped. "Umm...yeah. This is my fort."

Markaus shook out his coat as if he were a dog, which he were, if you felt like looking at it like that. He smiled at the childish scrawlings, chuckling at how cute little Daemon must've been. "Aw. Good thing I'm not a girl, da?" He smiled. He ducked, a man of large stature, dipping into the doorway. He examined the now well lit cave, crouching every now and then to look at the smile piles. The teacher made himself right at home, plopping down in the loose furs and cuddling in. "Oh yes. This is so very soft." His accent slipped out even more, like he wasn't trying to fight it off as much.

He flushed and smiled weakly, kicking some of the stuff aside so his fort looked somewhat clean, flopping down in the nest next to Markaus and sighing softly, for just a moment, before turning onto his side to face the other, curling in on himself. "...Markaus?" he murmured suddenly, his expression serious. He waited for an answer, shaking his bangs out of his eyes.

Markaus released a sigh, the tension going out of his back and his muscles, relaxing into the nest. He closed his bright green eyes, just enjoying the supple moments of rest and relaxation. After folding his arms under his head, he blew a piece of stray hair out of his face, humming, "You don't even call me Professor Volkrov out here? How informal." Though he didn't sound like he minded much. "Must be serious. What's on your mind?"

He flushed, looking away. "Sorry....professor Volkrov." He mumbled twisting the sleeve of his jacket around his fingers, gazing at the other for a moment before looking away. "What's it like? Out there, I mean." He mumbled, beginning to chew his lower lip. He'd never gone outside of Yokai. None of his siblings have, either. It was just...how it was.

"The outside world?" Markaus gave a small sigh, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Why on earth do you want to know about that?" He gave a reluctant sigh, deciding the lad would find out sooner or later. "It's a place full of scared people. Humans too afraid of what they don't know. So scared that they lock up whatever is different than them." The Russian shook his head. "You're not missing much. It can be beautiful, sometimes. In simple things. Like a sunset, or the lights of a Christmas tree, or the warmth of a midnight bonfire. You can see that stuff here though, can't you?"

He blinked, furrowing his brows and rolling onto his back,staring up at the ceiling with a soft frown gracing his features. "...what is Christmas?" He murmured, turning his head to gaze up at Markaus once more. Typical that a place created to escape God and his creations wouldn't celebrate Christs birth.

Markaus opened his eyes, looking down at Daemon. "Ah, right. You wouldn't celebrate it seeing as Lucy has a little brother complex. Christmas celebrates Jesus's birthday. Jesus is one of the reasons Satan fell, so he has his reasons not to bring it up. I personally don't celebrate it, but the decorations sure are pretty." The Russian smiled. "And the presents. You get gifts for the people you care about."

His eyes lit up, and he grinned. A good reason to celebrate that no doubt, would be just to piss lucifer off. "When is Christmas?" He murmured, curling up, a little closer to Markaus now that they were talking about something a bit more interesting. He watched him, ice blue eyes bright, and he rested his head on his arm, the firs tickling his cheek.

((o_o))

(What the fuck is happening? XD)

((They're... having a moment... *heart breaking*))

Markaus released a breath, "December 25th, I believe. 'Birth of Christ' and all that." The Russian looked down at Daemon, watching him move closer. "Say, I haven't celebrated it in a long time. Would you like to celebrate it with me this year? It's coming up soon, and it's not extravagant or anything."

He flushed, watching him quietly, and slowly nodded. "I'd....like that very much." He whispered, turning onto his back once more and squeezing his eyes shut, listening to the waterfall thundering outside and pressing his lips together. "Do you ever wish that you were normal?"

Markaus scrunched up his nose at the word, trying it out for himself, "Normal?" He shook his head. "Ech. Who wants to be something so boring as that?" The man rolled over, laying on his side, resting his head on his arm. "Isn't it funny? How everyone on the other side of the tunnel is striving and desperately trying to be different in a sea of normality, but here, you're trying to be normal amidst a diverse ocean. How ironic?" He crossed his legs by the boots. "Want to know a little secret?"

He turned his head to glance at him, studying the professor for a few seconds, slowly nodding. He hadn't ever thought of it like that. Way to go Markaus, making him think all philosophical an shit. "What's happens in the fort stays here." He nodded, expression serious. It was his way of saying Markaus' secret would remain safe with hi'z

Markaus nodded appreciatively, eyes locking onto Daemon's. "Perfect. Well," he took a deep breath. "I didn't always look like this. When I was a boy, I had a very standard look: black hair and blue eyes. But even that was pretty unique for my village. My entire family was blonde and for the longest time I swore I was adopted. Sometimes, I still do. And then I found out I was a werewolf and the outcast possibilities skyrocketed. After some things, my hair turned white and my eyes got green." He twirled a strand between his fingers, letting it fall back to its original place. "It won't dye, even if I tried. Sometimes I wish it would. And I've thought about buying contacts. But then I remember I like being different. It suits me."

He smirked slightly, trying and failing to picture Markaus as this innocent little blue eyed bab, opting instead to picture him as a wolf. Hm. Hot. Good job, perverted mind.

He held Markaus' gaze for a few minutes, but he couldn't seem to keep it, and looked away, rolling onto his back. "I'm glad. Being a werewolf is extremely rare. You're special, Professor. In more ways than you think." He narrowed his gaze. "No, I don't mean mentally challenged. Let's not go there."

Markaus had very wolfish figures, thicker white eyebrows, angular features smooth and casting high shadows on his face. He had a nice sharp jawline, a slightly hooked nose, and a lower brow. The man was attractive, but in a nonconventional way, all angles and bones. He had a nice round chest and wide shoulders with muscled arms and toned legs. He closed his eyes, laying his head back further to show how far his Adam's apple jutted out. He gave a low sound, sounding somewhat canine like, the accent coming out more. "Being a werewolf is cool. And I'm more enhanced than you think.With all that power." He gave a little sigh. "And I just let a vampire break my nose."

He sighed. "If you had attacked her back, or done anything to stop her, you probably would've been fired. She's very good at manipulating people. But, since you did absolutely nothing, she has nothing to say in her defense. Honestly, what you did was just to preserve your job. Nothing more. It's not cuz you're weak or anything, you just aren't stupid. Students think they can pick on professors, but you proved to them that they can't do such a thing to you so...kudos." He nodded, smiling weakly.

He sighed, closing his eyes. The furs were incredibly comfortable under his body. "I suppose that you're right." He was quiet for a few moments, just enjoying the feel of the fort. "What do you think I should teach about tomorrow in class?"

He furrowed his brows, pondering the question quietly before running a hand through his hair. "Perhaps....how Yokai came to be? Oh! How demons were created." He grinned, rolling onto his stomach now and folding his arms, resting his head on his arms, facing Markaus. He was just one of those people who couldn't seem to sit still.

The Russian raised a brow at how fidgety Daemon seemed to be, but he didn't bring it up. He himself struggled to keep still so he wouldn't be calling anyone else out on it. "The history of Yokai is actually rather boring, is it not?" He rubbed his chin. "Hmmm. Demons is always a fun topic. I could go with that." He chortled a little. "I'm giving Miss Akashiya two essays tomorrow. Perhaps over the history of Yokai. Not because she hit me, no, but because she posted a picture of Felix on the floor."

He rolled his eyes. "Students pull shit like that. If you're going to spend your time defending the students who have pictures taken of them, you'll never get anything done." Despite his young appearance, Daemon was still hundreds, if not thousands of years older than the professor. Though his wisdom was limited, it shouldn't necessarily be ignored. "Trust me, professor. My job is to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Yours is to educate them about their ancestral history. Please....let me do my job. Felix is in no danger of any real harm as long as I'm here." He studied the other in silence, smiling slightly. "You like him. Student/Teacher relationships are strictly forbidden, sir."

((O_O))

(( what? ))

((O_O I'm watching intensely. That's what.))

Markaus shook his head, "Don't give me that 'kids will be kids' bullshit. Just because kids do it doesn't make it right. And these kids are supposed to be elite, imagine that." He huffed, obviously fed up with the speciesist views of his students. "Be it humans, gorgons, vampires, or chicken hawks, equality should matter." He closed his eyes, taking in a slow deep breath through his nose. "Pfft. Student/teacher relationships. Forbidden. Just because I think the little nerd is cute doesn't mean I want to jump his bones. Settle down, protector. Hmm. I was never good at following rules anyway."

He sighed softly, gazing at him and blinking slowly, looking away. "It's not speciesist. I'm just saying the truth. I've been beat up several times for who I am, and they posted pictures. The point is, no one stuck up for me. It was my job to stick up for them. The pictures meant nothing to me, but the physical scars lasted forever. If you're going to get your panties in a knot over a single fucking picture, you're going to have a hell of a lot of students to stand up for. Can't give him special treatment and all." He murmured, regarding him quietly. "Moka will get what's comin' to her." However, his expression turned serious. "Markaus. Dating a student will have serious consequences. Far more than you can comprehend."

"I'll protect anyone that is getting made fun of. And if it happens to be Felix, than so be it. I'm sorry, but I just don't tolerate stupidity and prejudice." Markaus flexed his toes, stretching out his legs lightly, crossing them at the ankles and humming as he thought. "Oh calm down. Just because i said a student was hot doesn't mean I'm going to marry them. Gee wizz. And if you're talking about a punishment from good ole Lucy, I think I can comprehend plenty."

He rolled his eyes, curling in on himself and studying the other. tilting his head to one side. " Dating a student is considered something in my department, actually." He mumbled, rubbing his eyes. "In other words...please don't do anything with Felix...or any other student. I don't want to have to hurt you." His voice cracked just a bit, and he buried his face in his arms.

"Aw," Markaus chuckled, ruffling Daemon's hair playfully. "THe little boy is so concerned about the old wolf. How cute of you." He chuckled, nose scrunching up whenever he did so. "Don't worry. I'm not going to pursue any student."

He wrinkled his nose, peeking his head up to glare at Markaus, his hair messed up, looking like a piece of crap. "Good. I don't want to do bad things." He muttered, clutching onto the furs and looking away.

Markaus busted out in a large laugh, sounding like an amused five year old, "Then you definitely don't want to do me, sweetheart." THe Russian groaned as he got up, stretching out his sore back. "Alrighty. I believe that it's my cue to leave, child. Thank you for showing the fort. Toodle-loo." The professor hopped up, sauntering out of the waterfall, beginning through the west forest back to his apartment.

He blinked, scrambling to his feet, and bounded after Markaus, grabbing his arm. "Hey! Are you fuckin' stupid!? You don't just go off by yourself in the west forest." He snapped, trying to slow him down. "Do you really have to leave so soon?"

Markaus tutted, not necessarily approving of getting grabbed harshly, especially by the elbow of his coat. "Obviously, I'm not stupid if I'm a teacher. Do you really think that this is my first time in the west forest? I know my way around, sweetheart." THe professor gritted his teeth, "Unfortunately, yes. I need to feed my dog and smoke. I'm having withdrawals. You're free to tagalong." He swiveled and turned, starting through the woods again.

He quickly released him, staring down at his feet, but he took up the opportunity to tag along, gazing at the back of Markaus' head and sighing weakly, hesitating only once as he followed. He couldn't help the feeling that the professor wanted to be anywhere but near him. Then again, he always thought that people wished to keep their distance from him. "It's only been an hour. How can you be having withdrawals?'

"Have you ever smoked?" Markaus asked, looking over his shoulder, not really wanting an answer. "If you haven't you don't know the trouble it is to be without cigarettes. Especially after an injury or sex or something like that." The Russian stuffed his hands in his pockets, humming as he went. "It's easy to have withdrawals. I usually keep them in my pocket, but I guess I forgot when I changed."

He stared at him, making a face. "No, I have not." He mumbled. Cigarettes weren't allowed, and since he couldn't go to the human world, he'd never had access to any. Slowly, he reached into his satchel and found the pack of cigarettes that he may or may not have swiped from Markaus' apartment whilst he'd been undetected, sighing defeatedly. "Professor." He murmured, tugging on his sleeve to stop him. "....Here." He held them out to the other, head down. "Sorry."

The Russian blinked, staring at the pack of cigarettes Daemon had extended towards him. He raised a brow, not sure why exactly Daemon felt the need to steal his smokes. Taking back the carton, he tipped his head in a nod, looking down at Wrath. "Why thank you. I was looking for those everywhere." He pointing to the door, opening it enough for Daemon to come inside. "Going to come inside or freeze out here, sweetheart?"

((did you want me to post Cheshire in this one?))

(( yes))

Cheshire had managed to calm after Romulus had taken him from the cafeteria and he'd fought against some predatory wildlife. Calming down, he was currently leaning against a tree, looking utterly spent as he gasped for breath. He had no idea what just happened, or rather had no recollection of it. He knew his instincts had kicked in to try and protect him, but anything beyond that and he wasn't sure at all.

Romulus sat under a tree, watching Cheshire calmly, his expression a brooding one. He was quite pleased with Cheshire's performance, for sure, but Daemon was still not dead, and that was quite the problem. He shook his head quietly, walking over and reaching up to cup Cheshire's face in one hand, burying his fingers in the other's hair. "Are you alright?"

Cheshire leaned into the touch automatically, his eyes half closing as he nuzzled the palm of his hand before looking up at Romulus. "I-I'll be okay.....I-I always get exhausted after my instinct kicks in...." he panted out after a moment, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. "I-I didn't hurt you....d-did I?" he asked nervously, looking him up and down for injury. He'd never forgive himself if he hurt the only person who was nice to him and looked out for him.

He tutted softly, pulling him close. "no, love. You didn't. You were perfect." he purred, kissing the top of his head right between his ears. He wrapped his arms around Cheshire's waist, making it so the other was pressed flush against his front, and swayed calmly to and fro, chin resting on top of the other's head. "Just relax...I've got you. Nothing can harm you."