ᴀʀᴇɴᴅᴇʟʟᴇ ᴀᴋᴀᴅᴇᴍɪ ᴀᴠ ᴍᴀɢɪ ➸ advanced roleplay discussion

The library was something of a sanctuary to Grace. With the hours of studying she did, it was usually in there, if only for the sake of not keeping her roommates up late at night. But here? Here she could enjoy the quiet — surrounded by the dull noise of pages turning and the quiet conversations of people studying together. But Grace was someone who had always someone who had a great appreciation for alone time, so why study with others when she had to work so hard to do well?

This is mind, the settled down and opened her textbook. Another essay — which surely meant at least two all-nighters, one missed meal, and perhaps a breakdown or three somewhere in the middle. But she couldn't let that get to her. Not when she needed to work. And so she'd do what she had to, she told herself. Just write the damn report.

Now, don't get him wrong, Christian wasn't exactly your normal library kind of guy. Usually he preferred to study in a more outdoors environment, then again this new school wasn't exactly in the most environmentally friendly area. Which meant that Christian had been forced to find alternative sources of where he did his studying and his homework, and normally it was in the window-seat in his dorm room. But today he'd decided to switch things up and so that's how he found himself in the library. He'd originally gone to the library to practice using his 'abilities' make some pages ripple sort of thing.

But once he pushed open the door and got a sight of Grace? Well who cared what his original intentions were when that girl showed up in his field of contact. Smiling, Christian adjusted his glasses and ran a hand through his hair before he walked over, until he was right next to her. Looking down at the girl he grinned, "Whatchya working on there, Darnay?" He was wearing that special smile reserved just for her, where the left side of his lips tilted up just a smidge higher than the right side and the area around his eyes sort of crinkled.

Damn it, Freedman. Grace gritted her teeth, resentment rising as she could sense his presence right next to her. God, did the guy have any sense of personal space? Probably. He probably did, and then he probably did this just to annoy her. Who was she kidding? Of course he did. Because of all the poor girls he could have picked to be his victim, of course he had to choose her. Because life just hated her that way.

"History," Grace spat. Any patience she might have had vanished as soon as Christian entered any room. "Let me guess. You're going to write a sentence and get an A." Because that's how it always was, wasn't it? How it always. fucking. was. Grace put everything into her work. She gave it everything she had, including her health. And yet as hard as she worked, she could never do well enough. Because average? Average wasn't enough, and it was never going to be enough. Nobody average ever got anywhere.

((I feel like "Damn it, Freedman" is going to become her thing xD))

"Hmmmm History, huh?" They had History homework? Huh. Had he done that already? Maybe. Probably not, he'd have to check later, if he remembered. But oh well, for right now he was going to focus on Grace since she was one of the most well-put together people he knew, and since the entire school was practically falling apart around them? Well it was nice to have one thing around him that was put together 24/7. At least that was how Grace liked to appear, but Christian had his own theories that there were things going on there that weren't as perfect as she liked to project. Smiling at her, he felt a slight laugh leave the back of his throat. Breathless and quick, unexpected. That was how his laugh always was around Grace. Unexpected.

"Well I'm pretty sure the assignment requires more than just a sentence. Probably have to write a page at least." Although why they still had to learn all these classes was ridiculous to him. They needed to learn how to defend themselves, use their abilities, not cower is some decrepit castle hoping to survive. People had been massacred last year. They shouldn't have been hiding, they should have been learning how to fight, that was the truth about it all. Looking around the room he smirked slightly, "Doesn't all this dust and dirt get to you?" It got to him, but then again, maybe that was just cause he was an 'air' guy.

[I can see it xD]

What had she done to be punished with the presence of Christian Freedman? Grace had no idea, but she was willing to sacrifice an animal to get the guy out of her life, or at least out of her way. "It's an essay," Grace muttered, "of course it has to be more than a page." Okay, so maybe she was being defensive. Sue her. But she knew how people like Christian worked — they pushed and pushed and pushed, just to see how far they could go before you snapped. And she didn't particularly like to be someone's fun little experiment.

And yet here she was. Stuck with him anyway. She was pretty sure she should be up for sainthood by the time she finished school at the Academy, for all that Christian put her through. "I prefer the dust and dirt's company to yours," she said, turning the page of her textbook and trying to not look like it took effort to not look up. Don't look at him.

((yup haha XD))

Ooooh, okay an essay? Yeah he definitely hadn't done that. Not yet anyway. He'd probably just end up doing it later. Work on it for half an hour or so, something like that. "Oh, well, of course." Except he didn't say it with contempt and irritation, he said it with a light teasing tone. Because contrary to Grace's belief, he didn't live to torture her, he was just working for her. The one thing in life he was actually working for, and it was the one thing that he couldn't seem to get. Ironic, huh? He supposed that was how life went though, so he just gave her that special Grace-only smile and rose a brow, "You really prefer the dust and dirt to me?"

Pouting slightly, Christian turned his gaze towards one of the shelves before squinting slightly as the dust and dirt on the shelf started to twist and turn into a small little tornado. The dust and dirt swirling around he smiled and cast his glance over at her, "I definitely think I'm a lot easier on the eyes than some dust and dirt." As if the little dirt devil was any clue, he was definitely a lot more attractive. I mean look at him, he looked a lot better than some of the guys at the school. At least he took the time to get spiffed up in button down shirts every day and ties most days.

ALodia glared at the map, the school was crumbling around them but it was once a castle she found this map and I suppose to lead her to some hidden door but she found herself in the library at the front of a shelf. She stopped thinking why would the map lead her to the front of a shelf, but she had a reason so she kept walking still following the map, as she walked closer she began to hear some voices it sounded like a male and a female.

She dismissed them but the map led her directly into their path, she looked up from the map and took in the situation, she really didn't want to come between them but she needed the shelf if the map was right so she glared hard at them her eyes saying everything.

(Oh sorry, thanks)

Okay, it was true — Christian was good-looking. It was something that Grace allowed herself to admit... silently. Because if she were to ever vocalize that opinion? Christian might think that he actually had a chance with her. And Grace didn't want to go around giving false impressions, now, did she? "Really?" she said, looking with the most distasteful expression she could muster from the tiny dust tornado to its creator. "I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree, then."

Because although Christian thought he was pretty hot stuff and actually was, Grace held herself in fairly high esteem. Because yes, she had her own set of problems. She had her own invisible baggage to carry — but she refused to let her see it. And since no one ever said anything to her about it, it could mean one of two things: they didn't care, or didn't know. For the sake of her own sanity, Grace chose to believe the latter option.

Of course Christian was good looking, he was Christian Freedman after all, and a Freedman was never less than perfect when it came to their appearances. Polished wasn't really an option so much as a requirement. So when Grace complimented the little dust filled tornado over his own dashing good looks, Christian pulled a pout onto his face. "Oh. Well now I'm just plain wounded. You wound me, Darnay." Bringing a hand to his chest, as though thoroughly wounded by the action, the little tornado stopped spinning, dust settling back where it had formerly lain. Why? Well because Christian had taken a step even closer to Grace, if that was even possible, to the point where he was just barely not touching her.

To the point where he could smell that distinct scent that was pure Grace. It seemed to waft from her hair, sweet in a way, but he could never quite place it. Perhaps he would rectify that problem one day when he would be able to touch her hair and fully take in that Grace-scent. Hmmmm, now that was definitely a thought that pulled at his mind. The idea of running his hand through those tantalizing dark soft locks of hair that cascaded around her shoulders in a way where the ends twisted in an inviting tease. At his next words, his tone lowered slightly as if sharing a whispered secret just between the two of them. "You know you find me attractive, Darnay. Just admit it. Promise, I'll keep it between us." Winking at her, Christian wondered if she had any idea how maddeningly beautiful she was.

Grace groaned. And not in a sexual way (that would be just the icing on the cake for Christian Freedman, now, wouldn't it?), in a lord-above-why-me way. "Damn it, Freedman," she said, slamming her history textbook shut — there was no way she could possibly focus after this, maybe she'd have to return to her dorm room? — and attempting to turn in her seat to face him. This movement was blocked, however, when her knees, in the middle of swiveling to face him, bumped into her legs. (It took everything to not slam her head on the table in agitation.)

"What do you even want from me?" Yeah, that? Was something she had been wondering since this horrid pestering had started their first year. Because he was downright insufferable, and Grace had never quite been able to discern why he would pick her, of all the people at the academy, to be his unfortunate victim for the following years. She knew how those Luft kids worked — flighty, uncommitted, insincere. And she wasn't going to let someone like Christian Freedman treat her like crap.

Oh but wouldn't that have just been the cherry on top? Actually, it probably would have been more like the sprinkles on top. Christian wasn't really a cherry kind of guy, although if Grace wore cherry chapstick? Well she might just be able to change his opinion on that sort of thing. And when she turned towards him? Or rather, when she tried to and bumped her knees against his legs? Christian just propped his elbow on the table top and leaned the side of his face against his head with a smile on his face. How could he not smile around Grace? Really, it was infectious. He couldn't help himself. Smiling around Grace was sort of an involuntary reaction now.

"Go on a date with me, Darnay." And no, it wasn't a joke. See, Christian was rarely serious about things, he preferred not to take life too seriously, but he was very serious about this. Incredibly so. So yes, while he was indeed smiling he wasn't joking. Of course, he didn't really expect a positive answer from Grace though, because she was Grace and since when did she ever give into anything Christian brought up to her. But her reaction would be interesting either way, and who knows? Perhaps he would get lucky and she would end up saying yes? He could only dream.

"You're serious," Grace said incredulously. All that pestering for this? Who did he think he was? He would have to be insane to think that she would ever want to go out of him after all this. He was just so... obnoxious. And she heard what people said — that Christian just wanted to get into her pants. And yeah, Grace believed it. Because when did he ever show any genuine interest in her?

"That's ridiculous," Grace scoffed. "We're in a castle. In hiding. Where do you propose we go? The dungeons? Rowing around the moat?" she added. Jeez. The guy was crazy. Where exactly did he plan to take a girl when they were stuck in a castle in Middle-of-Nowhere, Arendelle? (And maybe, if Grace hadn't been so busy trying to come up with a witty response, she'd realize that she never actually said no.)

Well of course he was serious. What guy wouldn't be serious when they were asking out Grace? The girl was gorgeous, a total catch, you know....a perfect 10. She was great, even when she was looking at him with that incredulous look on her face. And then? She was going on about how they were in hiding and they couldn't go out on a proper date and Christian couldn't help but feel his grin widen as he sat up a little straighter, no longer leaning on his hand. "Awww c'mon, Darnay. Have a little faith. I could give you the best date night in, ever." And of course his brain was already starting to spin with plans and ideas. Because, poor girl hadn't actually said 'no'.

Which is why Christian was taking this all as a yes, "So tonight then? Yeah? After curfew." Because of course after curfew, otherwise they'd never get a moment alone. Rising out of his seat, Christian smirked at Grace, tossing her a sweet parting of , "See you later, Darnay." And just to push her a little bit? He blew a kiss her way, and with his abilities? Well there might have been a slight breeze brush against her cheek and sort of cause her hair to flutter, as if he really had kissed her cheek. But of course, he hadn't. Because he didn't kiss before a first date. And sure he left a little suddenly, but he had a date to plan. And it was going to be perfect.

"What?" Grace realized her mistake too late. "Wait — no! I never said yes!" But it was already too late: Christian had left, and she could still feel the lingering touch of his manufactured breeze. But even as she gathered her things to go back to her dorm room — where she would hopefully be able to get some work done — she couldn't deny that she was a liiiittle bit curious. I mean... it couldn't hurt, right? Just to meet him after curfew? Just the one time? Just for curiosity's sake? It was fine, she justified, and it wasn't like she was actually interested or anything...

((If anyone else wanted to use this thread, we're done(: ))

Kat had found her favourite hiding place. It was perfect. All she had to do was go into the history section, take a step onto a shelf, and pull herself up onto a little alcove. There was a giant plant, so she was basically invisible. Perfect for avoiding Clara. The only time anyone could see her was if they walked into one of two aisles in the whole library, and looked directly past the plant. And what were the odds of that happening?

So she pulled out her notebook. She'd been trying sketching, recently, and had found herself to be fairly good at it. Right now, she was sketching the library.

She looked up from her sketchbook, pulling it close automatically. How could-? Maybe this wasn't such a good place, if someone had come so quickly... And she hadn't even heard the girl approaching. "I... Kat. My name's Kat." The girl was blonde, pretty. She thought she might have seen her before, in some of her classes. She looked about the same age, after all. Prettier, though. Way prettier.

She nodded quickly, still holding her sketchbook tightly, as if she was scared this girl would try and take it from her. She chewed her lip, a habit she;d had for ages when she was nervous. Which was most of the time.

"Jord," she replied, one of the leaves from the plant next to her waving at the blonde girl. Dahlia.

"I... Look like a Jord?" She asked, wondering what she meant. She hadn't thought she shared that many characteristics with the rest of her house...